Some love stories begin in the most unexpected places—like Mariel and Kyle’s. They first met while attending someone else’s destination wedding. Years later, they brought 70 of their favorite people to celebrate their own love story at Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya. The result? A colorful, joy-filled event with unforgettable moments.
From Instagram to ‘I Do’ at Valentin Imperial
Once they chose a destination wedding, the location was an easy decision. Valentin Imperial, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen, was their dream venue from the start.
As the vision began to take shape, Mariel turned to Instagram for inspiration—and that’s how she found me. After our first call, she and Kyle booked my full-service destination wedding planning package, and the adventure officially began.
We started by organizing their group room block to ensure smooth travel and arrival for all guests. Then, with the logistics covered, we focused on the fun part: designing a weekend full of personality and style.
Not your average Welcome Party!
Rather than hosting a typical welcome cocktail at the resort, Mariel and Kyle kicked off the festivities with a private sunset cruise along the Riviera Maya coast. With music, drinks, and a fiery sky melting into the ocean, it set the perfect tone for the weekend—relaxed, festive, and completely unforgettable. Guests LOVED it! Take a look at this video clip.
Boho-Inspired Wedding at Valentin Imperial: Bold, Colorful Vibes
Mariel had a clear creative direction. Her Pinterest board was full of boho textures, vibrant florals, and playful, personal touches. Together, we transformed that inspiration into a wedding weekend that felt entirely their own.
The ceremony took place on the beach, framed by ocean views and tropical greenery. As the sun set, the reception brought all the bold, colorful vibes to life. Every moment—from the décor to the dancing—reflected the couple’s upbeat and easygoing spirit. Most importantly, each detail felt intentional, relaxed, and true to them.
Capturing the Joy
Of course, none of it would be complete without the stunning photography. The talented team at Pipe Gaber captured it all—through both photos and video. From a mariachi-led wedding march through the resort to dancing under the stars, the energy and emotion were beautifully preserved.
Later, Mariel shared:
“I just married the love of my life at the stunning Valentin Imperial in Mexico, and it was everything I dreamed of and more! Tracy was my go-to for everything—both my travel agent and my full-service destination wedding planner. She took my Pinterest dreams and made them a reality!”
As a planner, nothing is more rewarding than turning a couple’s ideas into something meaningful and unforgettable—while making the process feel easy every step of the way.
Their signature cocktail? A Paloma and a Spicy Margarita, served with custom stir sticks and a bar sign that matched their invitation suite.
The night ended with dancing, laughter, and barefoot twirls on the dance floor—exactly the laid-back energy Mariel and Kyle envisioned.
Why Valentin Was the Perfect Fit
This wedding was a perfect match for Valentin Imperial. The couple wanted a resort that felt intimate, had amazing food, and offered beautiful backdrops without the stress of sharing the space with multiple weddings. Valentin only hosts one wedding per day, and there are no timeshare sales, which makes the experience more enjoyable for everyone. Interested in learning more about this great resort? Click here
As their planner, I handled the room block, built their custom website for guests, coordinated local vendors, and traveled to the resort to prep everything in advance—so they could truly be present and soak up every moment.
A Day to Remember
Mariel and Kyle’s wedding at Valentin Imperial was full of thoughtful details, joyful energy, and effortless beauty. From the bold florals to the sunset ceremony on the beach, every moment reflected their personality and love story. It was a day their guests—and all of us involved—won’t soon forget.
Want to learn about budgeting for a destination wedding? Check out this Destination Wedding Budget Guide
