Where to marry? A dream of a question

The start

Hopping on a plane to say, “I do,” was a new idea to Kaitlin Roepke when she and Cory Newman started to plan their wedding. “It was more Cory’s idea,” she said about a getaway destination.

“People who went away for their wedding were super grateful that they did,” he said. “Feedback was extremely positive. They did more than spend their wedding saying ‘hi’ to 300 guests.” Those who were unable to attend, they discovered, wished them well.

The plan

Resort website videos lured them to Mexico.

Engaged for four months, Kaitlin and Cory went to find a property to fit their personal needs They started at Karisma’s Hotels and Resorts in Riviera Maya, highly recommended by a friend, and went no farther than what would become their wedding destination.

“It was love at first sight,” Kaitlin said. “We planned to see others, but there was no reason. We put down a down payment right then.” Three exchange resorts – El Dorado Casitas Royale with a culinary theater, El Dorado Royale with its own mile of pristine beachfront, and family-pampering Generations – provided fun and personalized service for all ages, including teenage guests. Everyone could attend the wedding at the family resort, while the bride and groom could honeymoon and other adults could stay at any property.

It was a Valentine gift which invited couples to come and vacation while they marked their own significant occasion or enjoyed a postponed honeymoon. To their delight, the strategy worked. Anticipating 30 guests, Mrs. Newman – since Feb. 11, 2017 – delightedly said, “Forty-eight actually came.”

The location

Kaitlin already had her gown and knew she would choose to wear heels over flip-flops. “When we were there, we looked at a dock and other areas where people would not walk by when we exchanged vows.” Not requesting a religious site, they still preferred an intimate and air-conditioned chapel at Generations resort for the ceremony. Cory’s college friend and former baseball teammate officiated. Their call for “beach formal” attire translated to guests, too, as they followed the couple, just married, through chapel doors to the beach with its sand and waves – and a perfect sunset. 

Once they saw the Tower, the highest building on the property, they personalized their reception, too. “With glass sides and open rooftop, all you could see was water. We had a light show. It is important to ask for what you want. A private dinner was not much more expensive,” the bride added.

The details

They relied on the resort’s book of options and vendors for most items, including staging, food and decorations. When Kaitlin wondered where to start making decisions, a planner in the Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Wedding Events program drew up a spreadsheet of everything they would need.

There was not much to pack because Karisma took translated Kaitlin and Cory’s ideas into action. Beyond resort and party clothes, the bride packed her wedding gown, plus a few last-minute centerpieces and necessities. Guests signed a wooden plaque which now hangs in their home in Fenton.

The reviews

Entertainment options abounded at the luxurious resorts with almost two miles of beachfront for water fun. With only the wedding and private rehearsal dinner on a common schedule, the bride, groom and guests could gather as a large party or in small groups at convenient resorts.

The bride and groom’s advice

Cory: “Recommendations pointed to having one person deal with everyone’s travel plans and questions. Travel Haus of St. Louis had a picture of Generations Riviera Maya on its website and we decided to go with that. I never had used a travel agent before. We had only good reviews.”

Kaitlin: Ask, ask, ask questions. The venue, the bride said,  “just wants to make you happy,” so be prepared to compose the wedding of your dreams.

Note: Travel Haus is a full-service travel agency which has specialized in destination weddings and honeymoons since 1993.