Love often finds its way into our lives unexpectedly, and for Lee and Vincent, it was no different. Their extraordinary journey from strangers on a volleyball court to best friends and finally, soulmates, culminated in a breathtaking destination wedding. In an exclusive interview, the couple shared their heartfelt story and the joys of planning a destination wedding at Hyatt Zilara Cancun.

About five years ago, Lee and Vincent moved to the “Mile High City” of Denver, Colorado. With Lee’s family in St. Louis and Vincent’s in New Mexico, the couple knew wherever they chose to tie the knot (even if at home in Colorado) would necessitate travel for many wedding guests. At that point, it became clear that an all-inclusive destination celebration would be the best bang for their buck. Now the question loomed: where to go?

“Vincent’s mother, Kymm, is a travel agent and was a tremendous help in locating a resort,” Lee says. “We wanted a hotel that felt a little smaller, had good food, and had an updated space for our wedding. After looking at many different options, we selected the Hyatt Zilara Cancun.”

The resort’s wedding coordinator, Alejandra Parra, played a vital role in ensuring Vincent and Lee’s dreams became a reality. Planning a destination wedding presented its own set of challenges, including language barriers, long-distance communications, and making decisions without physically experiencing the venue. However, Lee and Vincent approached these hurdles with a positive mindset. 

A pre-wedding visit allowed them to meet Alejandra, finalize decorations, sample the menu, and establish a personal connection. With her knowledge of local vendors and exceptional organizational skills, Alejandra ensured the couple’s vision would be flawlessly executed.

“Our wedding photographer (Jackelynn Noel Photography) was another key resource in our planning process,” Vincent says. “You might be asking, ‘how does your photographer help with the planning process?’ Her graphic design background helped us create unique invites to mail out, create a website for our guests to register, and was a crucial part of the organization on our wedding day for photos.”

Alongside Jackie, Lee and Vincent crafted practical and stylish luggage tags for table assignments. As a thoughtful gesture, they also curated welcome bags for their guests, filled with essentials like electrolytes, thank you cards, sunscreen, and an itinerary for the wedding day.

Furthermore, the couple’s website was invaluable. “It allowed our guests to enter their room requests, travel dates, flight information, food allergies, and any other details we needed to capture for our hotel,” the grooms say.

Once the wedding date approached, thanks to Vincent’s mom, the guests enjoyed a relatively smooth travel experience. From arranging welcome drinks to ensuring snacks awaited each guest in their rooms, every detail was meticulously taken care of by Kymm and the resort team. 

Reflecting on their destination wedding experience, Lee and Vincent realized that their wedding extended far beyond a single day. The extra time spent with friends and family at the resort allowed for precious moments of connection and the formation of new friendships. 

“We had time to go to the spa, relax by the beach, and get the rush of seeing everyone out of the way before the wedding,” Lee says.

Contrary to common misconceptions, Lee and Vincent discovered that a destination wedding can be a cost-effective choice. By hosting their wedding at Hyatt Zilara Cancun, they not only saved money but also gained the gift of a seven-day vacation. While guests may have spent a little more compared to a local wedding, they enjoyed a five-day Mexican getaway, creating cherished memories in a breathtaking setting.

Lee and Vincent offer sage advice to future destination wedding couples. 

“Do your research on the venue,” Vincent says. “If possible, visit the location before booking. Pictures and reviews can be deceiving and the wedding resources at the resort can make a world of difference.” They go on to advise engaging the services of experienced professionals, such as travel agents and wedding coordinators, to navigate the intricacies of planning and execution. 

“Lastly, it is okay to step away for a few minutes during your wedding,” Lee says. “After a bathroom break, I took a few minutes to watch our group dancing and laughing from afar. It’s a memory I will always have of 12 years of friends and family relationships coming together.”

Vendors: Photography & Stationery: Jackelynn Noel Photography; Planning, Venue & Cake: Hyatt Zilara Cancun; Travel Planner: Kymm on All World Travel; Hair: Amy King & Estevan; Grooms’ Attire: Bonobos & Suit Supply