Who doesn’t love sunny weather and white sand beaches? Newlyweds Samantha and Nick surely do, which is why they chose to hold their Mexican destination wedding on the lush coast of Punta Mita.

“Our family and friends loved the idea of a weeklong destination wedding,” says the couple.

After touring some villas there, Samantha and Nick quickly felt a connection. “The villas were uniquely designed with incredible views and beach access,” they say.

Additionally, the location as a whole held interest for them, which made it even easier to decide where they would spend their special day.

“I’ve always loved the culture of Mexico, and the first time Nick and I visited Punta Mita we loved everything about it,” says the bride.

Although Mexico is quite a long journey from their hometown, the newlyweds admit that getting to their destination was not an issue.

“Transportation was made easy for everyone with coordinated pick-up and drop-off to and from the airport,” says Samantha and Nick.

However, the couple was able to visit their wedding location more than once to coordinate and get a better idea of the final result, which helped with planning both the details and the bigger picture.

“We had the opportunity to visit Punta Mita twice for a few days each time,” they say. “We met with vendors, such as florists and caterers, to go over details months before our big day. It was a great hands-on experience, getting to select everything from our menu to decor.”

If the newlyweds had their wedding closer to home, they say that it likely would not have been as magical of an experience for them or their guests.

“With weddings, you always have a challenge of whether it be in your backyard or overseas,” says Samantha. “We were up for the challenge of doing something a little different and off the beaten path. We knew what we were wanting from the beginning, and we were lucky that Punta Mita had a lot to offer.”

From the couple’s experience, hiring a wedding planner was most helpful when it came to narrowing down ideas and coordinating with vendors. Additionally, the bride says that hiring someone to help organize everything can allow you to get a better understanding of your priorities.

“It is easy to change your mind with so many wonderful ideas out there, but wedding planners do a good job with knowing the vision and what is important and what is not,” she says.

“My best piece of advise for future brides would be to just have fun with the whole experience,” she says. “Try not to stress out too much about little details, make a list of priorities and just remember that in the end, everything will be perfect and stunning just like you envisioned.”

By the end of the day, the couple says that trusting your wedding planner and remembering to enjoy every moment can make everything go more smoothly.

“If for some reason something doesn’t go as planned on your big day, it’s going to be ok,” Samantha says. “Just laugh it off instead of crying, because you don’t want to mess up your makeup!”

Vendors: Photographer: Clary Pfeiffer, Wedding Planner: Kristin Ashley Events, Wedding Location: Punta Mita, Mexico, Florist: Talbot Ross Events, Stationery: On Three Designs, Hair & Makeup: Makeup Vallarta, Bride’s Gown: Pallas Couture, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Men’s Wearhouse, Groomsmen Clothing Designer: Men’s Wearhouse, Other: MAC Event Catering & Décor