Gary and Kasandra got engaged and instantly knew a Los Cabos destination wedding was the perfect way to start their life as a married couple. “Cabo is a special spot for us,” says Kasandra. “As a new couple, we visited Cabo together for our first vacation. It’s the spot where I first told Gary that I loved him. I know, cheesy but true.”

After choosing Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort as the place to host their destination wedding, it was time to tell their friends and family the news. Kasandra says, “They loved it! They saw it as a vacation and a reason to get away,” but admits, “Some did not love it. Let’s be honest. But, we went into it knowing that. As a couple we told ourselves, if our family and friends really want to be there, they’ll show up.”

Thanks to the help of Leslie Chavez with Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, Jodi Drysdale with CES Weddings and Events, and Lynn Wilson with Shared Travel Weddings, the couple was able to spend time with their guests and create everlasting memories. “I did not like wedding planning,” Kasadra states. “It was not my thing and I hope that every person out there who feels the same knows that they’re not alone.” However, the couple made the best of it and appreciated all of the help. They each chose ownership over areas they cared the most about; for Kasandra, it was “photos and pretty things” and for Gary it was “experience and food.” Everything the couple chose together, such as the DJ, fell perfectly into place.

Kasandra’s testimony to the experience speaks volumes as she says, “It’s such a special time, so we wanted to enjoy it as much as we could. We had attended destination weddings as guests and had the best time – we loved the experience! So, we wanted to create our own unique experience…it’s very different than the traditional wedding and something that people don’t forget. Travel and a new place just seem to bring people together, even more than they typically would for a wedding.”

The couple has lots of tips for anyone looking to enhance their destination wedding. They reccomend:

• Looking for Influencers on Instagram
• Start following everyone from photographers, florists, resorts, designers, event planners, bloggers and more! 
• Save things and then revisit them when it came time to make your decisions
• Email, email, email. Vendors from afar may take a few days to respond, but writing out ideas and having a central location to look back to for communication is one way to stay organized
• Send lots of pictures to let your team know your vision
• Use massive Google spreadsheets with tabs to keep lists, budgets, guest information, etc.
• Work with people you trust! Having an amazing photographer and a wedding coordinator to help with day of details, timeline and plans can make all the difference

Vendors: Photographer: TréCreative, Wedding Planner: Leslie Chavez, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, and Jodi of CES Events , Ceremony/Reception Site: Wedding Gazebo at Secrets (Ceremony) and Barracuda Beach Bar at Secrets (Reception), Florist: Sergio Farias, Flowers and Events Los Cabos , Stationery: Minted Weddings , Cake: Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, Hair & Makeup: Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, Gown Designer: “Elise” by Wtoo, Groom’s Clothing Designer: “The Redding Outfit” from The Black Tux ,  Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Gowns by Joanna August in color Tiny Dancer / “The Redding Outfit” from The Black Tux , DJ: Gastón Montana Alvarez, Transportation: Cabo Transfers, Website design: Appy Couple, Other Vendors: Lynn Wilson, Shared Travel Weddings.