The Love Story
Even though these lovebirds lived 5 miles apart, Nicole and Max met on Hinge. It was love at first swipe! All of their favorite interests brought them together, from their love of travel, animals, music, and delicious food. They fell in love quickly and described themselves as best friends, so it was no surprise that Max got down on one knee on a Barcelona beach at sunset and asked Nicole to continue their love story together.
The Planning Experience
It was always Nicole's dream to have a destination wedding, and with her love for travel and the chance to have family and friends from both the US and Brazil there to celebrate, it was an easy decision. To kick off their wedding celebrations, Nicole planned an exciting bachelorette in Tulum, followed by a fun-filled day at Xel-Há for her Brazilian family so they could soak up every moment of paradise. For their special day, they were searching for something that offered a little bit of everything and found Hard Rock Riviera Maya, which had the perfect mix of family-friendly atmosphere and party vibes.
The Celebration
Nicole and Max kept their gorgeous wedding package without any upgrades but did bring a few special items from home to make their special day unique. From Etsy gift bags and travel itineraries to custom drink menu signs and more, it added charming, personalized details that elevated the entire celebration. These personal touches didn't stop at the décor. Nicole and Max included a sand unity ritual, symbolizing that once the sand was mixed, they were intertwined forever and could not be separated. Once the ceremony ended and they said their I do's, Nicole wasted no time getting behind the DJ booth and turning the party up!
The Memories
To describe their destination wedding, they summed it up by saying it was "easy, fun, and customizable." One of their favorite memories was Nicole's bachelorette and being able to spend it with her family from Brazil.
Advice For Future Couples
Nicole & Max's advice for couples planning a destination wedding?
Unless it's something you truly need help with, keep most decisions to yourself and stand firm. Don't look at social media for inspiration too much, as it can be overwhelming. Narrow down your top five must-haves and your overall vision, and let that guide you. Ask a lot of questions. Our destination wedding specialist, Monica, was always there for us and did her best to help with all our questions.
Other Vendors:
Photographer: Studio by the Ferry
Videographer: Studio by the Ferry
Dress Designer: Maggie Sottero
Dress Boutique: Panache Bridal Costa Mesa
Shoes: Amazon
Jewelry: Amazon
Hairpiece: Etsy
Stationary: Etsy
Menswear: Etsy