Real Secrets Maroma Wedding: Shannon and AJ's Destination Wedding

Before choosing Secrets Maroma for their wedding, Shannon and AJ had already done their research. They had just stayed at Secrets Playa Blanca prior to contacting me, and funny enough, we were there around the same time when they stayed at Secrets Playa Blanca!

They fell in love with the Secrets Brand, and they knew they wanted their wedding at one of their properties, but with too many options, how can they choose the right fit?

They also had a friend attend a wedding at Maroma and described it as “GORG.” From the start, Shannon and AJ were deciding between Playa Blanca, Maroma, and Akumal.

They knew they wanted a destination wedding but needed help narrowing down the right resort and managing guest travel. For Shannon and AJ, keeping guest pricing around $1,500–$2,000 per person and creating a smooth, organized experience were top priorities.

After attending 12 weddings in one year, Shannon was clear about what mattered most: good food, good music, good drinks, and nice flowers. Everything else felt secondary.

Why They Chose Secrets Maroma

Even before arriving, Shannon and AJ trusted the decision. As they shared, “We were hesitant at first but we ultimately trusted Carol and went with Maroma because of the beach and lovely wedding team there.”

Once onsite, the resort exceeded expectations for Shannon and AJ. What stood out most wasn’t just the setting, but the people. “Just how beautiful the resort was, and how kind the staff were.”

That combination is exactly why Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun works so well for destination weddings.

The Biggest Planning Fear

When asked what scared them most during planning, Shannon and AJ didn’t hesitate: “The weather.”

They were originally planning an outdoor ceremony, but as the wedding week approached, there were real chances of rain. Together, they made the decision to move the ceremony indoors to the ballroom. In the end, it paid off completely. As Shannon and AJ shared, “It ended up being a blessing in disguise!!”

Where They Splurged and Where They Saved

They were intentional with spending. Their splurges included “business class flights, our suitcases, photography, hair and make up, extra bartenders!!”

To balance things out, they skipped a videographer. “Yeah we didn’t get a videographer so we had a guest record some of the important stuff.” They already had the ceremony and speeches and were still getting a video from the night.

The Moment That Stood Out

One moment summed up the entire day. “I remember being on the dance floor towards the end of the night and just pausing and saying omg this is the best day of my life.”

That pause matters more than any detail on a timeline.

The Guest Experience at Secrets Maroma

Guest feedback from Shannon and AJ’s wedding was overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone loved the resort, most had little to no issues on their travels.” Arrival day went smoothly for the group.

The only challenges came during departure, when some guests experienced delays and closures due to a government shutdown. When one guest considered staying an extra night, they reached out to CC Vacations. To move things along quickly, I coordinated with the guest to have them coordinate it directly with the resort.

Guests especially loved “the staff and the food,” along with the resort activities—“the tuna by the pool was a hit.”

How CC Vacations Reduced the Stress

When asked how CC Vacations helped, their answer was direct:

“Omg by just taking the mental load of handling and organizing the guests travel and stays.”

They shared that guests came up to them during the wedding week saying how easy the process had been. Behind the scenes, I handled “changes from guests last min, cancellations, to vendors and the resort!! Truly was incredible :)”

Final Thoughts

Shannon and AJ’s wedding wasn’t about perfection or sticking to a rigid plan. It was about flexibility, trust, and focusing on what mattered most to them. From their long history together to the moment they paused on the dance floor and realized it was the best day of their lives, their Secrets Maroma wedding reflected exactly who they are.