Real Destination Weddings: Matt & Katie's Dream Tulum Wedding
For Matt and Katie, their love story began in the most unlikely of places—on the frontlines of the Covid unit at a Los Angeles hospital. Both nurses, they bonded during one of the most challenging times of their lives, and when they finally decided to tie the knot, they wanted to celebrate love, life, and friendship with a destination wedding to remember.
Why a Destination Wedding?
After attending a friend's wedding at the stunning Secrets Moxché in Playa del Carmen, Matt and Katie were hooked on the idea of a destination wedding. "It was one of the most fun and magical weekends. The resort was gorgeous, and everything just felt easy. All the events were at the resort, and every guest had an amazing time," Katie recalls.
When it came time to plan their wedding, they knew they wanted a similar experience. After speaking with Courtnie and the TravelBash team, the couple learned about the brand-new Secrets Tulum resort, which was still under construction at the time. Despite only seeing rendered images, Matt and Katie fell in love with the aesthetic and the promise of a luxurious yet laid-back experience for their guests.
Celebrating Life, Love, and Friendship
Matt and Katie wanted their wedding weekend to be more than just a ceremony—it was a celebration of everything they had missed during the pandemic. "We spent almost a year of our lives unable to be with friends and family, so we wanted to make this a relaxing weekend party for everyone," says Katie. And that they did!
Their favorite memories of the weekend were spent lounging with guests by one of the many pools or the exquisite beach club. But the highlight of the weekend came after dinner—a three-hour dance party on a light-up dance floor that had every guest on their feet.
Special Shoutouts
None of this would have been possible without the incredible vendors and team that made Matt and Katie's dream wedding come to life:
Photography: Hugo from Adventure Photography and Erika Brosas captured every special moment beautifully.
Videography: Fernando and Kike from Apervision documented the day with their stunning videography.
Flowers: Natural Flowers created breathtaking floral arrangements.
Entertainment: Weddings by Encore kept the party going all night long.
Wedding Planners: Mayela and Gabriela from Secrets Tulum ensured every detail was perfect.
Travel Coordination: The TravelBash team handled all of the resort reservations and even organized additional day trips for their 78 guests.
Katie shares, "Our guests raved about TravelBash's professionalism and communication skills. Everyone had a wonderful time, and the resort was a hit!"
The Funniest and Most Memorable Moments
When asked about the funniest moment of the weekend, Katie laughed, "One of our friends accidentally fell into the pool during the welcome party! It was definitely unexpected, but it just added to the relaxed and fun atmosphere."
As for the most memorable? "The post-dinner dance party was unforgettable. Seeing all our friends and family dancing together on the light-up dance floor was pure magic," says Katie.
Advice for Future Destination Wedding Couples
Matt and Katie's advice to couples planning a destination wedding is simple: prioritize spending time with your guests. "We took bride and groom photos in Los Angeles a few months before the wedding, so on the wedding day, we could focus on being with our guests. We took additional family photos before the ceremony, so once everything started, we were fully present."
They also recommend finding a trusted travel team like TravelBash to handle the logistics. "TravelBash made the whole process stress-free. From the resort reservations to coordinating activities, they were vital to the success of our wedding."
A Perfect Weekend, Thanks to TravelBash
Matt and Katie's wedding was everything they dreamed of and more. With the help of TravelBash, their guests had an unforgettable experience at Secrets Tulum, and the couple was able to focus on what mattered most—celebrating their love with the people closest to them.
Cheers to Matt and Katie, and here's to many more love-filled celebrations!
Courtnie is the founder & CEO of TravelBash. After years as an ambitious fundraiser, she took her passion for travel full-time. She has lived all over the U.S. and abroad and after planning her own destination wedding, she decided to help other couples plan their big day abroad too. She has written “Passport to Paradise: The Complete Destination Wedding Guide,” a top seller on Amazon. She has also been featured in Travel + Leisure, Destination I Do and The Washington Post. As a certified travel advisor, expert event planner and natural connector, she uses her powers to create VIP travel experiences.
