Taylor and Jeffrey wanted to enjoy every bit of their wedding day, from the venue to the guests and even down to the drinks. After initially planning to have their wedding in San Diego, the bride and groom became overwhelmed with costs and began to lose the vision they had for their W-Day. Although San Diego would have been a two-hour drive from their home, they talked it over and agreed to take their wedding to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

The couple shared a special trip to Cancun early in their relationship, but choosing that city as their destination would have meant a five-hour flight for the majority of their guests. Cabo was only a two-hour flight for most of their guests and they had been there before as well, so they knew the city would be just as beautiful. The two booked a trip to check out venues and ended up staying at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa. “We toured other resorts near Casa Dorada, however, nothing had compared to the customer service and the wonderful view from the wedding ceremony and reception site,” Taylor said. 

A few months prior to their big day, the bride and groom visited Cabo San Lucas again to meet with their vendors. T. Thompson, one of their photographers from Alec and T. Photography, created a timeline for their wedding day and kept up their wedding flow by making sure everyone stuck to the plan. “Planning your own wedding is not a small task and for us it took a team of people,” the bride said. With the help of Taylor’s mother and the Casa Dorada’s wedding coordinator, Paula Marquez, Taylor and Jeffrey planned the wedding they wished for.

Pinterest helped create a visual for the wedding day goal. “We really wanted to embrace our destination location and use lots of bright colors in our wedding décor,” Taylor said. The couple loved the design on Jeffrey’s favorite tequila, Clase Azul Reposado, so that bottle became the foundation for their visual inspiration. The maid of honor also made handmade soap dispensers for the bathrooms from mini bottles of Clase Azul Reposado. “We made coasters out of Mexican-inspired tiles that incorporated our wedding colors [as our favors,]” the bride said. “The tiles read, ‘Take this memento from our wedding along the coast and remember this day each time you raise your glass to toast!’” 

The California couple fully benefitted from moving their wedding to Mexico.  “We wanted to spend quality time with each other and all of our guests,” Taylor said. In terms of the W-Day itself, they were able to go on a trip with their family and closest friends, making even better memories to look back on when thinking of Cabo San Lucas. Financially, they spent much less than they would have for a San Diego wedding. “The view in Los Cabos at Casa Dorada is priceless. A view of that caliber in Southern California would have cost much more!” 

We asked the newlyweds if they had any advice to share for engaged couples planning their future W-Day. “Our best advice is to fully enjoy every moment [because] it all oges by in the blink of an eye,” they said. “Remain calm, laugh a lot and enjoy every minute.”

Vendors: Photography: Alec and T. Photography, Wedding Coordinator: Paula Marquez of Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa, Ceremony/Reception Site: 12 Tribes Terrace and Restaurant by Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa, Florist: Emporio Arte Floral, Stationery: Lizzy B Loves, Cake: 12 Tribes Restaurant by Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa, Pastry Chef: José Thomas, Hair & Makeup: Bride’s Hair Stylist: Geraldine Maya of Creations by Gigi, Bridesmaids’ Hair Stylist: Catalina Huerta of Cutlab Hair Studio, Bridesmaids’ Makeup Artist: Geraldine Maya of Creations by Gigi, Gown Designer: Jim Hjelm, Bride’s Shoes: Valentino, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Pronto Uomo, Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: Anna Elyse, Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Pronto Uomo, Other Vendors: Officiant: Reverend Gabriel Ruiz, DJ: Arturo Ortiz, After Party Venue: Beach Club at Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort and Spa, Photo Booth: Cabo Booth