There’s something truly magical about destination weddings, but this one was extra special for me. Not only was it a chance to plan a wedding at one of my favorite resorts, Impressions Moxché by Secrets in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, but it was also for someone dear to me! Being trusted with their big day felt like such an honor, and it made every step of the planning journey that much more meaningful.
Every Wedding Tells a Story
One of my favorite parts of being a destination wedding planner is helping couples see their vision come to life—without all the stress of figuring it out alone. No two weddings are ever the same, and Marilu & Garrett’s elopement at Impressions Moxche reminded me exactly why having a travel advisor on your side makes such a big difference.
How They Chose Their Destination
From the very beginning, M & G had their hearts set on Impressions Moxché by Secrets. The photos, the luxury, and the variety of restaurants all caught their attention right away. But like many couples, they wanted to be sure before making such an important decision, given that we had to plan this at short notice (3 months!). They were curious about other destinations in the Caribbean and wanted to compare options.
That’s where my role came in. I crafted a customized proposal of resorts and destinations that would work, highlighting wedding packages, accommodations, and the overall vibe of each property. We walked through the pros and cons together, ensuring they had all the information they needed to feel confident.
In the end, after reviewing all the options, they circled back to the place that first caught their eye—Impressions Moxché. With plenty of dining options, beautiful pools, and several wedding venues to choose from, it was the perfect fit.
“We had so many options for the venue. The resort itself was beautiful and showed many pool options!”
The Welcome Touches
Even though I know these resorts well, there are always those special touches that surprise couples once they arrive. For this wedding, I wanted to make their experience feel extra personal. So with their private transfers to the resort, they were welcomed with a glass of wine arranged through CC Vacations—a little toast to the week ahead. Later, when they stepped into their suite, they found a special amenity I had coordinated with the resort just for them.
It’s those thoughtful details, layered on top of the resort’s luxury, that turn a trip into a memory. And beyond these surprises, what stood out the most for them was the attentiveness of the staff throughout their stay.
“How helpful all the staff was and how they made us aware of all activities going on during the day!”
Hearing their excitement made me proud, not only because they loved the resort, but because I was able to play a role in making the entire experience meaningful.
Wedding Day Nerves (and How They Disappeared)
Like many couples planning from afar, they had a few nerves about whether their vision would truly come to life. It’s one thing to see photos and proposals, and another to stand in the moment on your wedding day.
Thanks to the resort’s incredible wedding coordinator, Jazmin, everything fell into place seamlessly. In fact, the night before the ceremony, they decided they wanted to include traditional vows. They emailed the coordinator late that evening, and she responded almost immediately, assuring them it was no problem. By the next day, the officiant had been informed and everything was ready.
“We decided to do traditional vows the night before—and the coordinator made it happen without a hitch.”
Their nerves quickly faded as the coordinator guided them through each moment.
“Our wedding coordinator kept us well informed and was very prepared! We had a last-minute change and she immediately took care of it to ensure everything went smoothly and how we wanted.”
When the ceremony began, those lingering doubts disappeared. What had started months earlier as a “What if we try somewhere else?” moment became the absolute certainty that Impressions Moxché was the perfect choice all along.
“Eloping was the best decision for us and allowed us to enjoy the moment stress free!”
From my perspective, watching their journey come full circle, falling for Impressions Moxché at first sight, exploring other options, and ultimately confirming with every detail (even last-minute ones) that it was the right choice—was one of the most rewarding parts of being their planner.
Why Eloping Was the Right Choice
At first, they worried about the ceremony being “too small” since it was just the two of them. But in the end, that intimacy became their favorite part of the whole experience.
“We were worried about it just being us two, but the whole ceremony felt very special! Eloping was the best decision for us and allowed us to enjoy the moment stress free.”
It was a reminder that weddings aren’t about how many guests you have—it’s about creating the experience that feels right for you.
How CC Vacations Made it Easy
Behind the scenes, I worked directly with the resort and their coordinator to make sure every detail was handled. From comparing resort options, explaining what each wedding package really included, to ensuring no detail slipped through the cracks, my role was to protect them from the overwhelm that comes with planning this alone.
Here’s what the couple said about their experience:
“Carol handled everything with the resort and their wedding coordinator. She worked along side the resort and we were able to show up and just enjoy our week!”
Many couples don’t realize until they’re in the middle of it how much back-and-forth a resort requires or how different each wedding package actually is. Having me meant they didn’t need to stress about hidden costs, misunderstandings, or hours of research. They could simply show up and enjoy their week.
Their wedding is the perfect reminder of what’s possible when you have someone guiding you—your day can be personal, stress-free, and exactly what you envisioned.
Ready to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding?
If you’re starting to think about a destination wedding, don’t let the research and planning take away from the excitement. That’s where I come in. I’ll help you compare resorts, walk you through wedding inclusions, and make sure you understand the value of your options—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate elopement or a celebration with all your loved ones, I’ll be here to handle the details so you can enjoy the journey.
Thinking about your own destination wedding? Let’s start planning together. Reach out to me today and let’s make it stress-free from the very first step.
Travel & Planning: Carol Carrillo, CC Vacations
Photos By: Adventures Photos Moxche
Wedding Coordinator: Jazmin Gonzalez
Resort: Impressions Moxche
