Mexico is the perfect place for couples looking to have a relaxing getaway complete with sand, seawater, and sunshine. Zach and Mai have been vacationing in Mexico together for years. But on one special trip, they packed a white gown and a gray suit along with their beach attire, making their favorite vacation spot the place where they exchanged their vows. 

“We have always had a love and passion for traveling and have taken on many adventures together throughout our relationship,” the couple says. “When we think about our favorite vacations, it has always been us somewhere relaxing on a beach. Therefore, we felt it was only fitting to have a wedding on a beach.”

Both coming from a small city, Zach and Mai felt that their wedding venue options were limited at home and decided to expand their search. It was the all-inclusive package offered by the beautiful resort Hyatt Ziva that made them certain Puerto Vallarta was the perfect location for their wedding.

However, COVID-19 presented an obstacle. “It was very difficult being a COVID bride in the midst of a pandemic because the resort was closed over the summer, which meant we were not able to meet up with our vendor in-person months prior to our wedding like we had wished for,” Mai says.

But their worries quickly dissolved as they communicated with their wedding coordinator, Esman Mora, through phone, email, and a special portal provided by the resort. They were also able to send photos of what they wanted and receive photos of different options offered by the resort, too!

In the end, the resort’s wedding team made sure the couple received exactly what they had wished for. Mai and Zach could not have been happier!

“The beauty of having a destination wedding at one of the resorts was that everything was through the one single vendor and details were planned through one single individual, our wedding coordinator. We were able to eliminate the stress of having to communicate with multiple vendors,” the couple says.

They even added a few personal touches to their wedding decor, bringing along cherished photos of themselves, as well as a guest book and a special “Welcome to Our Wedding” sign.

Zach and Mai’s friends and family came from all over to attend the ceremony, and they were married on a pristine beach adorned with yellow flowers and smiling faces.

The couple advises others looking to tie the knot to visit their vendors months in advance if possible and to factor in hurricane season when deciding on a date for a beach wedding. They also recommend having a travel agent to communicate with the resort and smoothly set up rooms for guests.

“If there is one thing to take away from all of this, it’s that if you’re on the fence about having a destination wedding, DO IT! We look back at our special day and how much fun we had with our friends and family all the time, how beautiful our photos turned out (not only because of how amazing our photographer is) thanks to a gorgeous natural backdrop, we would do it the exact same way again in a heartbeat,” the couple says.

Vendors: Photographer: Lara Catherine Photography; Wedding Planner: Esman Mora with Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta; Event Venue: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta; Hair & Makeup: VitaMar Spa; Stationery: Zola; Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Mens Wearhouse; Gown Designer: Val Stefani Couture; Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Birdy Grey & Lulus; Bride’s Jewelry: Olive + Piper