The Story of My Destination Wedding
My husband and I tied the knot at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya on April 5, 2014. That week we spent with family was unbelievable. We were surrounded by people who loved us and traveled to Mexico to support us. Here's a look back at our week in the Riviera Maya.
Our Location
We fell in love with the property after talking it over with our travel agent Ketti. She listened to us talk about ourselves and what we had envisioned for that day. She match us perfectly to Hard Rock. Our backstory quickly- I fell in love Brad over a campfire (and a couple adult beverages) when he was singing his heart out. Jams like Kansas, TLC and Backstreet Boys. What kind of beautiful angel is this?? My exact thoughts. He was so funny and kind on top of his passion for music. He's the kind of guy that when you're around him, you just know you're going to have a good time. Hard Rock Riviera Maya was the perfect fit for our crew with it's upbeat energy, entertaining activities right on site and musical elements woven throughout. I was pretty easy going when it came to the exact wedding location. We ended up going with the gazebo and it was just large enough to fit the 100 guests that made their way to Mexico.
Our Squad
As I mentioned we were blessed to have a large crew join us in Mexico. We had people from countless states. Along with our wedding, people were celebrating their anniversaries, birthdays and more! The day of the wedding, the ladies got ready in the salon and our room. The guys spent the morning hanging in the pool until the very last minute. I don't think I need to explain why on that... I felt so special being with all my girls. We were so surprised and touched by all of the guests that could make the trip! You never know who is looking for a vacation and what better reason than to pair it with a wedding. The energy that week was contagious. I can still feel it when I think back or look at pictures. Speaking of which-- thank you to Brad's aunt Christina Kittock and our videographer Ali Rogers with Prana Lens. You can take a glimpse at her work here.
Our Family
A big "influencer" on our decision to do a destination wedding was that both Brad and I had family members who had gone that route. We were guests of my mom's wedding in 2009 and his sister's wedding in 2010. It was a natural part of the process to consider a destination wedding. It became a reality after we started creating a guest list that was inclusive of everyone we knew and doing a little math. I could not imagine walking down the aisle in a church with over 600 people. It just wasn't me. I knew I would be walking down the aisle alone with my dad's death about 8 years prior to my wedding. I had been to enough weddings to know the waterworks are strongest during that part of the ceremony for me. Was it even humanly possible without fainting or balling my eyes out? I wasn't going to test it. I wanted to feel excited. I wanted pressure free. I wanted to not make a single decision regarding a centerpiece. I wanted easy. I wanted fun.
And that's exactly what I got.
Our Wedding memories
We had been in many weddings for our friends that were a blast but the wedding day went by so fast. I was always worried it would all happen TOO fast and I wouldn't get a chance to enjoy it. Our destination wedding was 7 days long. I don't remember a walk to the pool or breakfast where we didn't see a wedding guest. We felt so loved!!! That's the best way to be ushered into the next chapter of life. Seeing each person smiling and loving the sun after a brutal Minnesota/North Dakota winter was the best. That's a big part of why I love my job now as a travel agent. Highlights beyond the wedding ceremony included getting to hold a monkey, watching my brother belly flop into the pool, riding the water slide with my cousins and niece, dancing the night away with friends, watching family test out every tropical drink and then watching them head to bed early. I also loved hearing about my guests using their resort credits to swim with the dolphins or visit an offsite water park.
Our LIfe now
Four years later and we are still traveling! It's something we love to do and I don't think we'll ever stop. Some day we might add little "Hillys" or "Bradleys" as my husband commonly refers to future children. I hope to show them how big the world is and to embrace every experience. There was a time in my life (circa 2006) when heartbreak and loss ruled my every breath. It was hard to imagine a life worth living but I had to try. I had to work at it, looking all around me for beautiful sites and wonder. I'm still doing this today. I'm soaking it up like a sponge. Travel replenishes my cup. This is why I advocate so hard for others to do the same.
When I first met Brad in 2007, I had no idea what was in store for us. We made it through 2 years long distance in college with lots of fun memories. We spent so much time together people started thinking I went to NDSU. Then we moved to the twin cities and the fun didn't stop. We married in April of 2014 and I recall there was a blizzard at home that year as well! Yes, we have 8 inches of snow right now. What I've learned over our years together is that marriage is something you have to work at every day. It cannot be taken for granted. I've started to look for ways that I can make his life easier and happier. Marriage is not this perfect ideal, nor does it look identical from house to house. Lead with love in all you do. So cheers to the first 4 years and many more to come!
Our WEdding Video
Enjoy this clip from our wedding week. Thank you to Ali at Prana Lens!