Courtney and Erik wanted their guests to remember Los Cabos as much as they remembered the wedding itself.
With around 130 people traveling to Mexico, we began shaping their celebration as a full wedding weekend, with different experiences that would bring everyone together and give them a chance to really enjoy Cabo.
Finding the right hotel for this catholic destination wedding was an important part of that. They wanted everyone staying together at an all-inclusive resort, and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach gave us the combination we were looking for. It overlooks the Pacific, has plenty for guests to enjoy during their stay, private spaces for events, and, very importantly for Courtney and Erik, a consecrated chapel for their Catholic ceremony.
That became one of the first parts of the planning we started working on.
Planning a Catholic Destination Wedding in Mexico
When a couple lives in the United States and wants to have a Catholic destination wedding in Mexico, we start the religious process early.
To be able to celebrate a catholic wedding ceremony in Mexico, there are requirements that need to be completed through the couple’s church in the United States and the corresponding Catholic authorities in Mexico. We explain the process, put the important dates on our planning calendar, and stay on top of the documentation with the couple so everything is received in time for the ceremony.
My team and I follow this throughout the planning process, while the couple can continue focusing on the rest of their wedding.
Having a consecrated chapel at the resort made Pueblo Bonito an especially good fit for Courtney and Erik. They could have the Catholic ceremony that was so important to them while keeping their guests together on the same property.
Giving Their Guests a Real Cabo Experience
One of the things I love about destination weddings is the opportunity to show guests more than the wedding venue.
Courtney and Erik chose a snorkeling day aboard Pelican Boat. Their guests spent time on the water, saw the Cabo coastline and the Arch, swam, snorkeled, and had lunch together onboard.
The right experience is different for every group; for Courtney and Erik, a longer and more active day on the water was the perfect fit.
The following evening was much more intimate. Around 45 guests joined them for a rehearsal dinner on the beach, where we created a serpentine-style setting with candlelight and the ocean steps away.
After dinner, the rest of the wedding guests joined them for a beach bonfire with a DJ and s’mores. It gave them the best of both worlds, an intimate dinner with their closest group followed by an evening that included everyone.
We also coordinated transportation throughout the weekend, beginning with airport arrivals, so guests could arrive in Cabo with those details already taken care of.
READ: Los Cabos Destination Weddings: The Complete Planning Guide
A Catholic Ceremony with Personal Traditions
The wedding day began with the ceremony that had been such an important part of their plans.
Courtney and Erik were married in the resort’s chapel, bringing a special part of Erik’s heritage into the ceremony. A bagpiper traveled from Canada for the wedding and played during the ceremony and again as they exited the chapel as newlyweds.
READ: How to Personalize Your Symbolic Wedding Ceremony in a Meaningful Way
Then the atmosphere changed.
Guests moved to cocktail hour, where mariachi welcomed them overlooking the Cabo landscape.
I loved that transition. The Catholic ceremony, the sound of the bagpipes, and then mariachi each represented a different part of their story, and together they felt completely natural.
A Colorful, Garden-Inspired Wedding Design
Courtney and Erik were very visual, and Courtney loved color.
For the reception, we worked with vibrant fuchsia and hot pink florals, wood textures, ceramic pieces, and subtle Mexican references. We mixed round and rectangular tables, played with different rentals, linens, and stationery, and added a checkerboard-inspired dance floor.
We wanted the wedding to feel connected to Mexico without making it feel themed.
The setting also influenced the design. The reception terrace sits high above the coastline with beautiful Pacific views, which also means wind needs to be considered. Floral heights and candle elements were selected with the location in mind. It is one of those small details that makes a big difference when designing an outdoor wedding in Cabo.
One of my favorite details came from Courtney and Erik themselves.
For their seating chart, they wrote a personal letter to every guest. Around 130 individual envelopes became part of the display, each with a message for the person receiving it.
For a weekend that had been centered around their guests from the beginning, it was such a personal way to welcome everyone to the reception.
See more Pueblo Bonito weddings planned and designed by the momentos team.
And Then It Was Time to Celebrate
Music was a big part of the entire day. Bagpipes at the ceremony moved into mariachi at cocktail hour, followed by a saxophonist playing alongside the DJ at the reception.
There were cold pyrotechnics, a photo booth, plenty of dancing, and a second bridal look for Courtney in a gold mini dress. When the reception ended, the celebration continued at the resort’s club.
READ: 15 Wedding Entertainment Ideas to Captivate Your Guests
Courtney and Erik are sophisticated, but they are also a lot of fun, and their wedding reflected both.
What I remember most is seeing them enjoy it.
We had spent a year shaping the weekend together, and when it finally arrived, they were present with their guests, dancing, celebrating, and enjoying everything we had created.
That is what I want for my couples. A lot can happen behind the scenes, but when your wedding weekend arrives, you should be able to enjoy the people you brought to Cabo and the celebration you came here to have.
READ: How a Multi-Day Wedding in Los Cabos Creates Unforgettable Experiences
Planning Your Own Wedding Weekend in Los Cabos?
You may already know exactly what matters most to you, or you may have a collection of ideas and need help bringing them together. That is where we come in.
At Momentos Weddings & Events, we help couples shape their ideas into destination wedding weekends that feel personal, beautifully designed, and thoughtful for their guests.
If you are considering a Catholic destination wedding or a multi-day celebration in Los Cabos, we would love to hear what you are envisioning.
Contact us and tell us about your wedding, and let’s start shaping your weekend in Cabo.
Photo Gallery
Vendors who made this catholic wedding a dream come true
Planning & Design: @momentoscabowp
Wedding Content: @mcw_photocinema @wedscene
Photography: @franktesistecophoto
DJ: @alexdjcaboevents
Sax Player: @djay.co
Bagpiper: Joe McDonald
Mariachi: @mariachicabo
Photo Booth: @photoboothpromexico
Florals: @caboesencia.floral
Stationery: @mainevent
Invitations designer: @minted
Rentals & Decor: @maineventcabo
Beauty: @loscabosmakeup
Boat Experience: @pelicancabo
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