Dreamy Bohemian Destination Wedding Tucked Away in a Lush Jungle Estate in Tulum, Mexico

In this article

Quick Facts
How did you meet?
Tell us about the proposal.
Describe your wedding style.
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
What is your best memory from your wedding?
What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?
Looking for more dreamy destination wedding inspiration?
Vendors

Vanessa and Steven celebrated their love and adventurous spirits with their closest loved ones at their dreamy bohemian destination wedding in the lush jungle of Tulum, Mexico!

Vanessa and Steven first met through a dating app. They quickly connected over their shared passion for travel, sharing their dream destinations and the places they had been. Due to the pandemic, they had their first date in a park. They talked effortlessly for hours, fully engaged in each other’s thoughts and stories.

A couple of years later, in the exact park where they had their first date, Steven put together a surprise picnic for Vanessa, but that wasn’t the end of the surprise. While Vanessa’s friend eagerly waited to snap photos from behind a nearby tree, Steven began to talk about the highlights of their relationship and popped the question. After she said “Yes!”, they celebrated with drinks at a bar, where all their friends were waiting for them.

It was an amazing moment full of joy.
Vanessa

Exploring different parts of the world played a significant role in Vanessa and Steven’s love story, so they knew early on in the planning that they wanted a destination wedding. They chose Tulum, Mexico for its diverse experiences and convenient proximity to the US. It was important to them to share their passion for travel with their beloved guests, giving them the experience of being on vacation, rather than just attending a wedding.

We chose Tulum, Mexico for its proximity to the United States and its diverse topography. Riviera Maya’s jungles, beaches, majestic ruins, and vibrant nightlife offer a little something for everyone…
Vanessa

See the dreamy details of their destination wedding in Tulum, Mexico, below!

Couple: Vanessa & Steven
Occupations: Media Relations | International Affairs
Wedding date: November 10, 2024
Wedding location: Tulum, Mexico

Quick Facts

Gifts for bridal party: I gifted my bridesmaids, officiant, and bridesman, all monogrammed pajama sets by Eberjey. I wanted a cohesive look for photos, but I also wanted to give my crew a gift they could enjoy after the wedding festivities had ended.
Ceremony entrance song: ‘Trap Queen’ by Fetty Wap
First dance songs: ‘Stand by Me’, Prince Royce; ‘Leave the Door Open’, Tony Succar, Jean Rodriguez, Noel Schajris; ‘Suavemente’, Elvis Crespo

How did you meet?

Steve and I connected through a dating app, and we quickly connected over our shared passion for travel. We would talk about our favorite off-the-beaten-path destinations and our travel bucket list. Due to COVID, we chose to meet at a park for our first date. I was thirty minutes late, and he was an hour late for the date. From there, we knew we’d get along just fine. We talked for hours, and I was struck by how effortlessly engaging our conversation was. I also appreciated his attentive listening, allowing me to talk nonstop while he genuinely absorbed every word. The connection felt natural, and it was a memorable start to our journey together.

When we started wedding planning, we knew almost immediately we wanted a destination wedding. Exploring new parts of the world has played a huge part in our love story, and it was important for us to share our love of travel with our loved ones. We chose Tulum, Mexico for its proximity to the United States and its diverse topography. The jungles, beaches, majestic ruins, and vibrant nightlife of Tulum offer a little something for everyone and could give our guests the experience of being on vacation rather than just attending a wedding.

Tell us about the proposal.

Steve surprised me with a picnic at the very park where we had our first date. He had one of my friends hiding behind a tree, taking photos of the proposal. I had no idea my friends were in on the proposal. They gave off no clues to what was coming. It was a perfect proposal. He referenced key moments in our relationship, had my favorite champagne, and after he popped the question, we walked to a nearby bar for drinks, and all of our friends were waiting there to surprise me. It was an amazing moment full of joy.

Nestled in the heart of Tulum’s lush jungle, this destination wedding was nothing short of magical. The evening was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments as the couple celebrated their union surrounded by their closest friends and family.
Fer Gallegos (Wedding Planner)

Describe your wedding style.

As I envisioned my wedding day in Tulum, I knew I wanted to strike a balance between elegance and a touch of sexiness. One of the special connections between Steve and me is his appreciation for my curves and my love for showcasing them. Finding a dress that reflected both my desire for sophistication and a celebration of my figure was essential to me. I ended up wearing a Martial Liliana dress that was the perfect fusion of sexy and elegance. I loved all the sparkle. It was very reflective of my bubbly personality.

Every detail of their wedding in Tulum was thoughtfully curated to create a romantic yet adventurous atmosphere. The venue was adorned with bohemian-inspired floral arrangements, flickering candlelight, and natural textures that blended seamlessly with the tropical surroundings. Lush greenery, rustic wooden tables, and gold accents set the stage for an elegant celebration in the wild of Tulum.
Fer Gallegos (Wedding Planner)

From signature cocktails to a tropical-inspired menu, every element was designed to reflect the couple’s adventurous spirit and passion for celebrating love.
Fer Gallegos (Wedding Planner)

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?

My wedding shopping experience was overwhelming at times, especially with so many opinions from friends and family about the dress. The first store I visited was particularly frustrating; they didn’t have any sample sizes that fit me, which left me trying on dresses that felt like oversized trash bags. It was difficult to envision how the dress would truly look when it didn’t fit properly.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?

A profoundly significant aspect of our wedding ceremony, steeped in cultural importance, was the recital of what is called the Seven Blessings of Betrothal in the Jewish tradition. These blessings embody the core belief that marriage is not just a private union, but one that affects and involves the entire community. During the ceremony, loved ones surround the couple and recite the Seven Blessings, which encompass the themes of love, humor and play, wisdom, health, creativity, and community.

We invited seven of our closest friends and family members to share their modern interpretations of one of the blessings. It was incredibly heartwarming to hear each person express their unique and heartfelt wishes for us, making the moment an unforgettable celebration of love and connection.

What is your best memory from your wedding?

Steven

A highlight of the wedding was the performance by the fire dancers. They put on an impressive show, executing gravity-defying stunts while wielding flames in the heart of the jungle. We were on the edge of our seats the entire time, and it was such a thrilling way to end the night.

Vanessa

An unforgettable moment was our first dance. We aimed to do more than just sway, but we had postponed practicing until the last few months of wedding planning. After a month of trying to choreograph our own routine, we realized we needed to hire a dance instructor. We found an amazing instructor, Yoii Moore, who created a three-part Latin dance mix for us. The first song was a well-known slow tune that seamlessly transitioned into an upbeat bachata remix. When the beat switched, our guests became energized and cheered us on. We concluded our dance with “Suavemente,” knowing it would be the perfect song to get everyone out on the dance floor. It did the trick, and from that point on, the party was in full effect.

As the night unfolded, the jungle transformed into an enchanting oasis with string lights twinkling overhead and the sound of the waves nearby, adding to the magic of the night.
Fer Gallegos (Wedding Planner)

What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?

Know your essentials…

Having a clear vision is essential to ensuring you end up with the wedding you want. One of our top priorities was a full-on dance party during the reception. We wanted the party to feel like a dance party from the aughts, so we knew we needed a good DJ. We ended up hiring a DJ from North Carolina, JD Silverthorne. I discovered him while listening to an Australian bridal podcast. The way he described his approach to DJing weddings got me to reach out to him on a whim. I was super thrilled to find he was available for our wedding date and within our price range. JD played at both our welcome party and wedding ceremony. Both nights, he kept the dance floor packed. Hiring him was one of our best investments in the wedding.

Hire a good planner you can vibe with…

Wedding planning can feel like a cruel twist of fate. You only get to do it once, hopefully, and there’s so much you don’t know. I found it essential to have a planner whom you can vibe with well. I spoke with my planner almost as much as I spoke to my partner each day. Finding a great planner who understands your vision, has strong contacts, is mindful of your budget, and works well with your personality is essential.

Know your budget…

From the beginning, it’s important to be clear about your wedding budget. This transparency helps avoid the disappointment of wanting something that may be out of reach financially. Having someone by your side to guide you through each step—explaining what’s possible within your budget and differentiating between needs and nice-to-haves—is absolutely invaluable. It makes the planning process much smoother and more enjoyable.

Stay authentic…

Most importantly, stay focused on creating a celebration that reflects your idea of epic. Many people will offer unsolicited advice on what you should and shouldn’t do. If you want to do something, go for it. If you don’t, that’s perfectly fine too. Be true to yourselves, even if some think you’re going overboard. You don’t want to look back with regret later on. Embrace your vision and make your wedding a true reflection of who you are as a couple. You do you; it’s your day.

It was truly a night to remember—where nature, elegance, and romance came together to create an extraordinary wedding experience.
Fer Gallegos (Wedding Planner)