Celenia and Carlos met under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas during a co-ed bachelor party. Staying in touch, their friendship quickly blossomed into something far more. Since then, their love has spanned miles, memories, and milestones—including a particularly special trip to Cancun, where they first said “I love you.” When considering where to tie the knot, returning to the shores of Mexico was not just symbolic—it was inevitable.

From Vegas to Vows

Planning a destination wedding came with its share of excitement and challenges. The couple chose Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa in Puerto Morelos after falling in love with its beautiful options for wedding locations—including the resort’s iconic gazebo and its grand master stairs. However, with the resort’s popularity for weddings, coordination took some patience. 

“The hotel is very popular for weddings, so we were assigned a wedding coordinator 3 months before the wedding date,” Celenia says. “It felt very chaotic for a short time, but because all the vendors are through the hotel, it made sense.” Despite the hurdles, Celenia and Carlos moved forward with intention—and plenty of heart.

Personalized Touches & DIY Love

While much of the décor was managed by the resort’s team, Celenia’s love for creativity and sentimentality shone through in dozens of DIY details that made the day uniquely theirs. “I love to add special touches to everything I do so it was only right to do the same for our wedding,” she says.

From personalized bamboo fan wedding favors to custom stationery designed on Canva, no detail was overlooked. “For our moms, we embroidered a special message on their handkerchiefs. For our dads, we got them custom socks, and custom ties. The ties had a photo of the bride/dad as a child and groom/dad as a child,” she shared.

One of the most heartfelt DIY projects was a custom pin Celenia made for Carlos. “I made my husband a pin to put inside his blazer to honor his aunt and grandma, who are no longer with us, but the pin went close to his heart.”

A Ceremony Full of Meaning

The wedding ceremony was held at the resort and officiated by Celenia’s cousin, a Christian pastor, making the moment deeply personal. “Our ceremony was short and sweet,” they recall. 

The support of loved ones, especially Celenia’s maid of honor and sister Ruth, played a key role in pulling everything together from afar. “My maid of honor and big sister Ruth,” she answers without hesitation when asked what helped most during long-distance planning. The couple also took advantage of pre-wedding site visits with Destify’s help to explore different venues.

Why Destination Was Right for Them

Had they chosen to marry closer to home, the couple believes their guest list would have been much longer—but perhaps less meaningful. “We definitely would have had a much larger wedding, it would have been less intimate,” the bride says. The destination allowed them to focus on creating intentional memories with those who truly wanted to be part of their day.

Their advice to future destination couples? Focus on what matters. “It is a lot of tiny tasks that build up, but doing a little at your own pace helps the overall picture,” Carlos shares. “Center the wedding planning around you and your partner, trying to please anyone else outside the two of you leads to stress,” Celenia adds.

Celenia and Carlos’s wedding was more than a beautiful celebration in paradise—it was a reflection of their journey, their creativity, and their commitment to each other. From heartfelt DIY touches to saying “I do” where they first fell in love, every detail spoke volumes about a love story that’s only just begun.

Vendors: Photographer: XO & Fetti; Planner: Anabel Vazquez of Dreams Riviera; Venue, Florals, Cake, HMUA, DJ: Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa; Stationery: DIY via Canva; Gown Designers: Enzoni and Martina Liana; Groom’s Attire: Perry Elli;  Bridesmaids Dresses: Windsor’  Groomsmen Attire: Cuba Vera; Travel & Planning Support: Destify