A Vibrant Celebration of Love: Taylor & Juan’s Destination Wedding at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres
- Kimberly Jacoby
- 8 hours ago
- 5 min read
When Taylor and Juan set out to plan their dream wedding, they knew they wanted a celebration as unique as their love story. With a vision rooted in culture, vibrant colors, and intentional choices, they brought their destination wedding to life at the stunning Secrets Playa Blanca in Costa Mujeres. Against the backdrop of golden sands and turquoise waters, their wedding was a heartfelt expression of joy, connection, and individuality. From culturally inspired details to unforgettable moments, here’s how this couple created a one-of-a-kind destination wedding that guests won’t stop talking about.
What Inspired Our Wedding theme and Style
Taylor: Our wedding style and theme were inspired by our cultures, our love, and a deep appreciation for color. The location—right by the beach—played a huge role in shaping our vision. We wanted something truly unique and personal.
Every detail was planned with intention, from asking our guests to dress in a specific color palette to the music we chose and the intimate atmosphere we created for the beach ceremony. We incorporated elements that felt true to us—nothing was traditional just for tradition’s sake. It was all about celebrating our love in a way that felt meaningful and joyful.
Our Favorite Part of Planning the Wedding
Juan: Honestly, my favorite part was when we were finally done! That moment when all the songs were selected, the timeline was finalized, and every little detail was in place—it felt amazing. After spending over a year planning, seeing it all come together made every stressful moment worth it. I’d do it all over again just to relive our wedding day.
Taylor: I really loved the logistical side of things—surprise, surprise! As a wedding photographer and professional, I’ve been part of so many weddings and built hundreds of timelines with my couples, so this kind of planning actually excites me. But doing it for our day made it even more special. It wasn’t just about timelines and vendors—it was about asking, “What do we want? What feels like us?” And the best part? I didn’t have to do it alone. Juan and I planned so much of it together, and it honestly turned into some of the best date nights—full of laughter, intention, and love. Every decision was made with care and purpose, and I think that really came through on our day.
The Most Memorable Moment on Our Wedding Day:
Juan: The party! Hands down. Seeing all of our friends—from different parts of our lives—come together to celebrate with us was unforgettable. The energy, the dancing, the love… it was everything.
Taylor: For me, it was the mariachi starting to play right as we said “I do.” It was such a perfectly timed, emotional, and magical moment. I’ll never forget it.
Advice We Would Give Couples planning their Destination Wedding
1. Be intentional with your guest list.
The people you invite can truly shape your wedding experience—for better or worse. Surround yourself with those who will celebrate your love wholeheartedly.
2. Hire a travel agent!
Seriously—this was one of the best investments we made. If we didn’t have Kim, we have no idea how we would’ve managed everything. Having a professional to handle the travel side of things made the process so much smoother and less stressful.
3. Plan your destination wedding with intention.
Don’t be afraid to make it completely your own. Ask guests to dress in your theme or color palette. Learn that choreographed dance. Wear bold colors. Throw tradition out the window if it doesn’t serve you. Your day should reflect you and your partner—not what’s expected.
Here are Some of the Unique and Intentional Elements that we included that made our day feel truly like us:
Our playlists were curated with songs from years of road trips, favorite movie soundtracks, and personal memories. Each part of the day had its own vibe—welcome party, processional, cocktail hour, dinner, and the dance party.
Taylor’s veil featured her favorite pink and orange flowers.
Juan’s floral lapel brought orange into his look beautifully. (“Juan looked hot in orange flowers.” – Taylor)
Orange napkins added a perfect, fun pop of color to the tablescape.
Lotería seating cards—a nod to a game we always play around Christmastime, our favorite season.
The ceremony: Taylor spoke part of her vows in Spanish to honor Juan’s heritage.
Our dog Pepper made a surprise appearance (printed cutout) on the dance floor! Taylor even wore chili pepper earrings in her second outfit as a tribute.
Our timeline started with a first look and portraits together. We chose not to have a bridal party—our friends were already making a big effort to be with us, and we didn’t want to add any pressure. Everyone was important.
Dress code: We asked guests to dress within our color palette, which not only elevated our photos but also made everyone look and feel amazing.
Honestly, we could go on and on—but the key is this: every decision we made was filled with meaning, and you can do the same! Don’t just plan a wedding—plan your wedding.
Our Review About Kim + Jeff at Romantics Travel
LOL—do you have two hours? Because that’s how long we could go on about how incredible Kim is!
Here’s the truth: peace of mind is priceless. You can have all the beautiful things—a stunning dress, dreamy décor, the perfect location—but if you’re overwhelmed or stressed the whole time, you’ll miss the actual experience of your wedding. That’s why having the right team—especially a travel agent like them—makes all the difference.
Handing off the full travel and logistics to Kim + Jeff was one of the best decisions we made. She managed everything for our guests, which meant we weren’t stuck answering the same travel questions a hundred times. That alone was a godsend. On top of that, Kim has all the resources, tools, and experience to help guide you through every part of the destination wedding process.
What really sets her apart is how deeply she cares. You can feel it in her communication, her knowledge, her professionalism—and even in the thoughtful surprises she had for us. We found Kim + Jeff through a destination wedding planning Facebook group, and we’re SO lucky we did.
Even our guests couldn’t stop talking about how amazing they were—especially those who had never traveled out of the country before and were feeling nervous. They made them feel confident, supported, and excited.
If you're a couple reading this and still on the fence—take this as your sign. Book Kim + Jeff. Trust the professional. And then sit back and actually enjoy planning the best day of your freaking life. They made that possible for us—and we’re forever grateful.
Mexico Destination Wedding Resort & Vendors
Venue: @secretsplayablanca
Photo + video: @kaylaaesparza @honestyfilms
Destination Wedding Experts: Kim + Jeff @romanticstravel
Venue: @secretsplayablanca
Resort Planner: Itzel @itzhurtca
Design Planner: @houseoflillyevents
Signage: @scriptonthis
Custom veil: @_inseptember_
Hair and makeup: @stylingtrio
Content Creator: @kmtphotos_
Suit: @indochinoweddings
shoes: @dolcevita
Earrings: @anthropologieweddings
After party dress: @oceanusAlterations: @behindtheseamsbridal
Chili pepper earrings: @annalearnsthings
Ready to Make Your Dream Destination Wedding a Reality?
Hey there, future newlyweds!
If a breathtaking destination wedding is your dream, and you’re looking for expert guidance to make it truly unforgettable, we’d love to bring that vision to life! Our team is here to turn your wedding wish into an extraordinary celebration.
Visit our website at www.romanticstravel.com/destination-weddings to start planning, or schedule a chat at www.romanticstravel.com/appointments to talk over all the details.
Don’t wait—let’s create the wedding of your dreams together!
Overwhelmed with Planning a Destination Wedding and Don't Know Where to Start?
Visit us at www.romanticstravel.com/destination-weddings
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