Some love stories begin at the very moment you think you’ve lost them. For Israel Jr. and Elianna, fate had patience. They crossed paths at 15 and 16, drifted apart for a year, and then found their way back to each other at 16 and 17, high school sweethearts who never looked back. In February of 2026, surrounded by the people they love most, they sealed that story on the shores of Huatulco, Mexico, at the breathtaking Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa.

Why Huatulco?

Choosing a destination wedding location is no small thing; it’s a declaration about who you are as a couple. For Israel and Elianna, Huatulco checked every box. “We wanted a beautiful, intimate family beachside wedding,” Elianna says. And Huatulco delivered something rarer than the typical resort town: the soul and splendor of Mexico without the crowds. “It still has the beauties of Mexico without being as touristy, yet still extremely safe,” she explains. The waters are jaw-dropping. The atmosphere is genuine. And for a couple who wanted their wedding to feel like theirs,  not a postcard, it was exactly right.

When it came to choosing the resort itself, the decision came down to something more practical, and more important, than aesthetics alone: communication. “The reason we decided on Dreams Huatulco is that the communication was fantastic and so organized,” Elianna says. “As a bride and groom it made us feel comforted about wedding day.” Wedding planner Guadalupe worked alongside the couple to bring every detail to life, and that sense of trust and calm carried Elianna and Israel all the way to the altar.

The Florals That Took Her Breath Away

Ask Elianna what stood out most on her wedding day, and she doesn’t hesitate: the flowers. Florist Amor de Mis Amores delivered arrangements so extraordinary that Elianna was speechless the moment she saw her bouquet. “I knew the other florals would be breathtaking,” she recalls, “and as soon as I walked into the ceremony, I was completely in awe at the beauty of all the florals.”

But the couple didn’t just let those flowers live and die with the ceremony. In a move that was both intentional and gorgeous, every floral arrangement was repurposed from the ceremony space into the reception, elevating the evening and giving each bloom a second moment to shine.

A Ceremony Built on Family

Israel and Elianna both wanted their Hispanic heritage woven through their ceremony, and every tradition they chose carried real weight. Israel’s parents walked him down the aisle. For Elianna, the processional was something even more layered and personal: her grandfather walked her halfway, and then her father took her the rest of the way. It was a beautiful, deliberate tribute to her grandmother, who had passed and was held close in spirit throughout the day.

And the minister? Elianna’s other grandfather, who is also a pastor. “We loved that all of our pictures included our family,” she says, because in many ways, the ceremony was family. It was a room full of people who had watched these two grow up, fall in love, and choose each other, again and again.

After the vows, the celebration kicked off in full Mexican fashion: the ceremony flowed directly into cocktail hour, led by the joyful sound of a Mariachi band. Just as it should be.

Planning from Afar: Lessons Learned

Destination wedding planning requires trust… in your vendors, your coordinator, and the people in your corner. Elianna leaned on her older sister throughout the process, and she’s quick to credit her. “My older sister helped me plan, which I am so grateful for.”

When it comes to what she’d tell other couples, Elianna is clear: communication is everything. “Without the solid communication with our wedding coordinator, as well as updates and pictures, it would have been very nerve-wracking for us on the day of the wedding.” Knowing what was happening from thousands of miles away, seeing photos, and getting updates is what gave them peace of mind.

She also offers a practical tip for couples eyeing Huatulco: plan your wedding between January and early April. “We learned that the months after, the waters get rougher and more storms come in.” February? Absolutely perfect.

And then there’s the photographer. Leslie Sotelo of Leslie Sotelo Photography captured the day in a way that still leaves Elianna in disbelief. “It is very important for your photographer to understand your vision, as well as any insecurities you may have,” she says. “I can say our pictures were a dream come true. I am still in disbelief at how beautifully Leslie captured our day.”

Vendors: Photographer: Leslie Sotelo Photography; Venue: Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa; Wedding Planner: Guadalupe at Dreams Huatulco Resort; Florals: Amor de Mis Amores; Groom’s Attire: Bravo Suit & Tux; Gown Store: Whittington Bridal