What started off as lighthearted joking about a destination wedding soon became a reality for couple Amanda and Bharat. Once they couldn’t stop thinking about the idea, they realized how seriously they wanted to host an Indian wedding with their closest friends and family in the most beautiful destination possible. For them, that destination was Cancún, Mexico.

“We knew that having a destination wedding was perfect for us,” the bride says. “When we first told everyone about our decision, they thought that we were joking. The more we talked to them about it, they realized we were serious. Everyone was so supportive and excited.”

Amanda and Bharat’s multicultural wedding called for a venue that could accommodate both an Indian and an American ceremony. The couple ultimately decided to host their wedding at Dreams Riviera, a resort able to bring such an event to fruition.

“One of the greatest choices that we made was to actually go to the resort we picked out before booking anything. We wanted to make sure that we knew what we were getting into, and it also let us see our vision come to life while we were there,” the bride says.

Amanda estimates that she and Bharat would have spent four times as much if the wedding had been held closer to home due to the expenses that a larger guest list entails. Although not everyone invited could make the trip to Cancún, the couple prepared for fewer guests and embraced the fact that having a destination wedding was the best possible option for them. 

“For us, having it at home would have been less personal and meaningful, which went against everything we wanted,” the bride says. “We knew that we weren’t going to be able to make everyone happy, but we knew that it’s what we wanted for our wedding.”

Many of the guests in attendance traveled together along with the bride and groom, which gave Amanda the peace of mind of knowing that friends and family members arrived at the destination safely and without any complications. She said that communication with guests is key in ensuring an easy-breezy travel experience for all involved.

Amanda added that pulling off a successful destination wedding lies in having patience and trusting your decisions, your intuition and your wedding team. “We think that overall, it was a great experience for us! At the end of the day, it’s about celebrating your love for each other,” the bride says.

Vendors: Photographer: Ariana del Mundo Photography; Wedding Planner: Amanda (bride) with Dreams Riviera; Ceremony/Reception Site/Florist/Cake/Hair & Makeup: Dreams Riviera; Stationery: RSVP of Plymouth and Etsy; Gown Designers: Bombay Trendz and Maggie Sottero Designs; Groom’s Clothing Designer: Etsy, RW&CO and Express; Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Sia Importer, David’s Bridal and RW&CO; Wedding Bands: Diamonds Factory; Jewelry: Banglez and Nordstrom