For Steve and Melvine (Mely), a traditional hometown wedding just wasn’t going to cut it. “We felt that you only get married once, and we wanted our wedding to be memorable,” Mely says—and memorable it was. Picture an oceanfront ceremony, personalized coconut cocktails, and a Champagne wall that literally rang when guests wanted a refill. This wasn’t just a wedding. It was a full-on experience.

Love in a Luxe Location

The couple’s love story began in St. Louis with a Bumble match and a first date for dinner, but their wedding story took them (and their guests) to the golden beaches of Mexico. “We wanted a tropical destination where our guests and ourselves could enjoy ourselves,” Steve shares. With friends and family coming from all over the world, Puerto Vallarta felt like the perfect meeting point.

As for the venue? It was love at first Google. “We searched for the nicest resorts on the beach,” Steve says. “Grand Velas in Riviera Nayarit was very chic and caught our eyes. Plus, it was featured on Love is Blind—so we figured it had to be good!” A pre-wedding site visit by Mely and her sister sealed the deal, and from there, planning took off with the help of their wedding planner, Nubia Elvira Ramirez Garcia.

All the Details (and Then Some)

Steve and Mely wanted their day to feel elevated but effortless. They kept the aesthetic clean and modern, but still infused it with personal touches that made the weekend feel undeniably “them.” Think: a “Ring for Champagne” wall, coconut drinks with their initials carved into the shell, and personalized tequila bottles flown in from Los Cabos.

“We wanted something elegant and effortlessly beautiful,” Mely says. “The kind of celebration where guests are wowed, but still feel comfortable and included.”

One of the most crowd-pleasing elements? An audio guestbook. “We had a telephone line for the guests to record messages into,” Steve says. “It was fun listening to what people had to say—especially after a few cocktails.”

The Ceremony: Simple, Symbolic, and Seaside

With the ocean as their altar and the breeze working overtime as nature’s florist, the couple said “I do” in a ceremony full of meaning. They included a Unity Sand ritual and a Hand Ceremony, both chosen for their symbolism around togetherness.

“The Hand Ceremony really stuck with us,” says Mely. “It’s about physically and emotionally drawing two hearts closer together. We wanted every part of the day to reflect connection.”

Lessons From Planning Abroad

Planning from another country isn’t without its challenges—but with regular video calls and a solid local team, the couple made it work. “We didn’t run into any real issues,” Steve recalls. “We had periodic meetings with our wedding planner, which helped a lot.”

Their advice for other couples thinking of going the destination route? Breathe. “It is definitely not easy, but it is fun,” the bride says. “Try to enjoy the experience because it goes so fast. It’ll feel like nothing is going as planned, but somehow, everything turns out beautiful.”

No Regrets—Only Sunsets

If you ask them whether they’d do it all again, the answer is a resounding yes. “Had we held our wedding in the Midwest, the photo opportunities and the experiences would not have matched having a dream wedding at an exotic destination,” Steve says.

From the champagne toasts to the beachfront brunches, Steve and Mely’s destination wedding wasn’t just a celebration of love—it was a statement. A bold, beautiful, sun-kissed we do in paradise.

 Vendors: Venue: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit; Wedding Planner: Nubia Elvira Ramirez Garcia; Photographer: Jorge Mercado Photography; Florist: Adore Floreria; Stationery: Paperlust; Hair & Makeup: Beauty Expert MX; Bridal Gown: Veekee James; Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo; Bride’s Accessories: Dareth Colburn; Bridal Robe: Nola Grey; Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse; Groom’s Watch: Movado; Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey; Rings & Bands: Genovese Jewelers; Entertainment & Production: Mac Event Group & Celtrev; Decor: DWS Vallarta; Content Creator: Prometey Sanchez; Audio Guestbook: The Other Line; Champagne Wall & Coconut Wall: Bells + Whistles; Sunday Brunch Outfits: Ibrahim Fernandez Couture