Couple: Ashley & Angela
Resort Name & Destination: IBEROSTAR Cancun in Cancun, Mexico
Number of Guests: 70+
Photography by: Mark Chaird of Chaird Photo
The brief story of how you met/fell in love:
We actually met online on one of the free dating websites. Once we started chatting, it became clear that we clicked well together. In fact, we were so excited to meet, we spontaneously met up before our “scheduled first date.” Angela loves food and was excited to introduce Ashley to new foods from different cultures to which she was eager to embrace. We enjoyed exploring the cities, new destinations, new local finds…it became apparent that we loved experiencing new adventures with each other as well as the simple everyday tasks such as home decorating. We’ve really enjoyed tackling various projects with each other; it is extremely satisfying to us both to be able to look at something and say “we made that!” Recently, we’ve started a YouTube channel called Lez Do It, focusing on DIY home projects and other homemade goods. Even though it’s in the early stages, we’re having fun making these videos and pictures for our Instagram account, LezDoItNow. It’s brought us even closer together!
The destination wedding decision: something you’ve always wanted or came to love?
Angela went to one of her bridesmaid’s destination wedding in Jamaica and fell in love with the idea of having a wedding abroad. A week long celebration/reunion with family and friends was the ideal in our eyes. Ashley loved the idea of being able to share a new experience with her family since they’ve never taken a vacation to an all-inclusive resort before, let alone outside the country!
What made you choose your resort/destination?
Cancun was one of our first big vacations that we took together. We love everything about Cancun! From the beautiful beaches to the delicious foods to the ever-so-friendly people we’ve met at the resort – it was the perfect affordable paradise for us to host our destination wedding. Angela’s bridesmaid got married at the IBEROSTAR in Jamaica, so we knew it was affordable without having to sacrifice quality. We read reviews on the IBEROSTAR in Cancun, and visited ourselves. After the visit, we were extremely excited to have our wedding there.
How did you personalize your wedding and ceremony?
DIY! As we’ve mentioned, we love making things together. We made most of our wedding decor and details: personalized wedding invites that looked like passports with RSVP cards that looked like plane tickets; Ashley and her mother made her wedding dress; Ashley’s sash and hair accessory was made using shells Angela collected on the beach of Cancun during their initial visit to the resort (she isn’t one to lay on the beach; she collects shells at every beach we visit); goodie bags for the guests: painted burlap bags to hold the contents, homemade chapstick, scented aloe, customized stadium cups, sewed luggage tags, made “Do Not Disturb, Recovering from Ashley & Angela’s Wedding” signs for the door, and wrote a newsletter with information for the day/week of the wedding; made personalized hangers for the bridal party, painted maracas for the guests to shake after the ceremony; printed, cut, and assembled program fans; made an enlarged Polaroid cut-out for photobooth; Ashley downloaded ALL of the music from the songs we walked down the aisle to, to the acoustic music that played while dinner was served, to our dance party; Angela’s bridesmaid made them their own wedding signs; made the flower girl bucket and ring bearer ring box; made “flower patrol” and “ring security” shirts for the flower girl and ring bearer; mini donkey pinatas filled with mints for party favors; paper airplanes for guests table seating assignments; thank you cards.
The funniest or most memorable moment was when…
We saw each other for the first time at our first look. We had kept each other’s dresses a secret, and that first moment we saw each other was beautiful. HOT, but beautiful haha. With our eyes closed and the assistance of our maid of honors, we were walked towards each other and placed back to back. On the count of 3, we both turned around and saw each other for the first time, and it simultaneously took our breaths away. Everything was perfect.
Three words that sum up your destination wedding experience are: Unconditional Love & Support
Besides the wedding itself, what was your favorite part of your trip? Did you do any activities with your guests?
Our favorite part was to be able to spend time all day with our family and friends. Getting to spend time with everyone was priceless. Sharing meals, hanging out on the beach and or by the pool, catching up on memories while making new ones – it was the best time! We did a group excursion to Xel Ha – an eco-water park. We had a good amount of guests that came along with us; we snorkeled, zip-lined, cliff jumped, etc. It was a fun day! Ashley’s youngest brother, Tyler, video’d the entire excursion (and trip) and made us our very own video!
If you could travel anywhere for your one year anniversary, it would be to: We would love to take a trip to Europe (Spain/Italy) or Greece because we’ve never been before!
Your biggest piece of advice to couples planning a destination wedding would be:
Enjoy yourself! It all goes by so quickly, so hold on to each and every moment! In the end, it’s the love that matters – the love between you and your partner and the love between you and your closest family and friends. When you look back, you’ll remember the best party of your life with your partner, family, and friends. Everything else is just “stuff.”
See more of Angela & Ashley’s Cancun reception below:
For more real wedding inspiration, visit our Pinterest page!
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