Avery and Kyle knew they wanted to be in a beautiful place with loved ones when they got married, but – to ensure they could enjoy both the atmosphere and company – it was also integral that their wedding celebrations weren’t confined to one day. They found happiness in Huatulco, a region in Oaxaca, Mexico so treasured that its white sand beaches have a history of pirates dating back to the 16th century.

Despite Huatulco’s beauty, the bride and groom received some negative reactions when guests compared flight expenses to popular Mexican destinations. They diminished the backlash by researching the city and reassuring guests that it would be more reasonable than a tourist town upon arrival. Through building a wedding website with the help of Riley & Grey, the newlyweds were able to figure out travel logistics by having guests submit their itineraries.

Avery and Kyle did have a flub when they realized two couples booked the wrong location, but it was so early on that it was an easy fix. They only had one piece of advice for this part of future newlyweds’ planning: “The more specific and clear you can make your guests’ travel options, the better!”

Guests weren’t the only ones to experience Huatulco for the first time during the week of the wedding. The bride and groom didn’t get a chance to visit during the planning stages. “There were definitely some bumps along the way,” they said.

The newlyweds found that being organized and having a great team helped break down the stress of not visiting the ceremony site in advance. They were even more at ease knowing Gro Designs, the company they enlisted for their wedding planning team, had experience with destination weddings. “We honestly wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without them,” Avery said.

When it came to their vendors, patience and proactivity helped overcome the slight hurdles of planning a wedding in a different country. “When there’s a language barrier, you have to explain things a few times!”

While their hotel lent caterer suggestions and their team took on the task of putting it all together, it was still important that the bride and groom had their say.  “It was the small touches throughout our wedding that made it very ‘us,’” the couple acknowledged.

Plenty of engaged couples don’t pursue the destination wedding they want because they fear the financial aspects and – while Avery and Kyle were prepared to face that fear – they found it to be the same price as having a wedding at home. Granted the bride and groom spent more on certain aspects by choosing to fly in a photographer, videographer and their wedding planners, but they saved a significant amount with the venue and going local for the rest like catering and alcohol.

The newlyweds have no reservations or regrets about having a wedding away from home. “We now have the memories of not just one day, but an extended vacation with all our family and friends,” the couple gushed. “We were actually able to spend time with everyone instead of packing it into one night!”

Vendors: Photographer: Shannon Skloss, Wedding Planner: Gro Designs, Ceremony/Reception Site: Las Palmas, Florist: Gro Designs, Wedding Website: Riley & Grey, Stationery: Blue Eye Brown Eye, Gown Designer: Johanna Johnson from Alice In Ivory (Chicago), Bride’s Accessories: Twigs and Honey (hair vine) and Carol Hannah (belt), Groom’s Clothing Designer: Suit Supply, Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: BCBG, Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Tommy Hilfiger, Videographer: Photohouse Films, Signage Caligraphy: Nicole Black Calligraphy