For Stefany and William, a destination wedding in Mexico was the bow on top of their cross-cultural love story. With Stefany’s Mexican roots, the couple wanted to create a celebration that honored her heritage while blending it with William’s American culture. Their wedding in Atlixco, Puebla, brought that vision to life while surrounded by rich history, vibrant colors, and the palpable energy of Mexico.

“We wanted our family and friends to experience what Mexico is like: the culture, the people, the food, and the tradition, in combination with the American culture,” says Stefany.

Filled with old-world charm and colonial architecture, the couple chose Hacienda Santo Cristo, a stunning historic hotel dating back to the 16th century, as the backdrop to their wedding day.

“Our advice to couples is to visit the venue before booking, especially if it’s in a different country, and consider both cultural significance and the logistics of hosting their guests comfortably,” says William.

To manage planning logistics from afar, the couple hired both Pamela Cano Weddings and Brindle and Oak, who together ensured that every detail reflected the couple’s priorities and desires. A seamless guest experience was at the heart of the couple’s planning. Stefany and William created a bilingual wedding website with travel tips and accommodation recommendations. Going the extra mile, the couple and their planners arranged group accommodations at nearby hotels and scheduled shuttles to transport guests to and from the venue. Setting the tone for a culturally immersive weekend, guests coming from the U.S. were greeted with thoughtful welcome bags. Each was filled with Mexican candies, tequila shot glasses, and Poblanita dolls, traditional dolls in a regional style of dress from the state of Puebla.

“Having a bilingual wedding planner based in Mexico helped significantly with managing logistics with vendors who didn’t speak English and ensuring that all guests, especially those from the US, felt comfortable,” says William.

All wedding signage, programs, and invitations were in Spanish and English. The ceremony was also bilingual, including vows and readings, thoughtfully celebrating both sides of their family and upbringing.

The reception was just as lively and full of cultural charm. Stefany and William kicked things off with a fun grand entrance, wearing mariachi sombreros. For the seating chart, they used small tibores—colorful, lidded earthenware jars traditionally made in Puebla using Talavera pottery techniques. To keep the celebration playful and meaningful, the couple included La Víbora de la Mar (“The Sea Snake”), a traditional Mexican children’s song and game. Guests formed a “snake” and danced around the couple, a fun tradition that represents the ups and downs of married life.

During the dancing, Stefany and William passed out Luchador masks, often worn by Mexican professional wrestlers. The night featured a Mariachi band and traditional Mexican foods, including duck mole bites, steak in chipotle sauce, margaritas, and tequila shots sprinkled with cinnamon. To end the celebration, the bride and groom had a stunning Talavera cake featuring blues, whites, and pinks.

“The blend of both Mexican and American traditions made the wedding so unique and special,” Stefany shares.

When reflecting on their special day, Stefany and William loved everything about their wedding. For couples pondering a destination wedding, the newlyweds leave advice to ease any stress caused by the planning process. 

“We learned the importance of early planning and securing travel arrangements for guests,” says William. “The key lesson is to trust your vendors, especially local experts, and remain flexible to fully enjoy the process.”

Vendors: Venue: Hacienda Santo Cristo; Photo + Video: Arturo González; Planning & Design: Pamela Cano Weddings in collaboration with Brindle and Oak; Hair and Makeup: Chema Muñoz; Dress: Martina Liana; Tiara: Eden Luxe Bridal; Bridal Seamstress: Donna Beth Creations; Invitations & Wedding Graphics: Mure Paper Studio; Catering & Rentals: Magrett; Cake: La Petit Cuisine; Bar: Barra 3.21; Mixology: Mexsi 72; Flowers: Pau de Flor; DJ: ZAP Producciones; Mariachi: Mariachi Estrella; Violin & Cello: Romanza; Lounge: Core Rentals; Photo Booth: Festa Eventos; Talavera Pottery: Artesanías Poblanas Joselito