Luisa and Westin didn’t start dating until their mid-twenties, despite meeting when they were 15. Ultimately, it was their shared love of Latin culture and travel that brought them together. Later, it was these same passions that compelled them to say “I do” in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. A destination wedding in the resort town also had some logistical benefits: Mexico required less paperwork than the U.S. for family traveling from Colombia for the festivities.

“I am adopted from Colombia, but have always been in contact with my birth mom,” says Luisa. “I wanted my birth mom and sister to be able to attend the wedding and Mexico is one of the few countries that doesn’t require visas for Colombian citizens.”

It was also the couple’s adoration of the Caribbean Ocean that narrowed down the destination. Unfortunately, a hurricane almost waylaid the wedding weekend. Thankfully, the couple’s fast-thinking wedding planner, Aimee Monihan of Tropical Occasions, and accommodating vendors shifted the wedding forward an entire day.

In the end, their talented vendor team pulled off the wedding of Luisa and Westin’s dreams. The couple said “I do” with a ceremony on the sand and their reception took place in a romantic and very practical palapa. Large, boho-inspired arrangements brought beautiful dimension and earthy texture to the entire event.

“Our florist had decorated a wooden doorway with gorgeous, romantic bohemian arrangements and that’s where we stood before our closest friends and loved ones to exchange our vows,” recalls the bride.

“The tables had arrangements of pampas grass, palm leaves and greenery above them, and below, the center of the tables were covered with flowers, local fruit, corals and candles,” says the bride. “The food we had was delicious and we had our first dance under twinkling lights and a gorgeous arrangement of natural woven pendants in the center of the palapa.”

Despite the weather forecast, Luisa stayed positive and urges other couples to do the same. “Be open-minded to changes and flexible in case things don’t go quite as planned, and have fun…this is such an amazing part of your life.”

Vendors: Photography: Raw Shoots; Wedding Designer & Planner: Tropical Occasions; Ceremony/Reception Site: Blue Venado; Hotel: Andaz Mayakoba; Videography: Forever Wedding Films; Florals: Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design; Rentals: Archive Rentals & Rebel Bloom Rentals; Hair: Prep Tulum; Cake: Doux Mélange Wedding Cakes; Photobooth: Style Me Weddings; Invitations: Acqua and Ink; Other Stationery: Parwana Paper; Vow Books: Shop Kari Winters; Gown Designer: Rue de Seine; Bridal Salon: Moondance Bridal; Hair Accessory: Gilded Shadows; Groom’s Clothing Designer: B Spoke Style; Bride’s Ring: Rocos Jewelry; Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey; Flower Girl Dresses: BHLDN