A Desert Disco Wedding at Rancho Corazon in Todos Santos
Beth (she/any) and Jaycee’s (she/they) wedding wasn’t just a day, it was an entire adventure stretched across a week in Todos Santos. Think scuba diving with sea lions, a catamaran bridal shower, a mariachi welcome party, and finally, a Desert Disco ceremony at Rancho Corazon. Both of their families flew in from different corners of the world, and the result was a celebration that blended Vietnamese, Afro-Panamanian, and Texan roots into something unforgettable.
How did you two meet?
Beth will tell you it started in the ocean when she saved Jaycee from a shark attack. Jaycee insists it was Hinge. Either way, Jaycee’s very first swipe turned into the real deal. Within a week the app was deleted, and the adventures began. Together they bonded over food, music, travel, and their shared experiences growing up in immigrant Catholic families. Beth taught Jaycee to surf and camp. Jaycee introduced Beth to 19 countries and counting. Their proposal story stretched from Santorini to a scavenger hunt in Atlanta, but both agree it was all worth the wait.
Why did you decide to get married in Mexico?
Finding a location that worked for both families was a challenge. They ruled out the US due to visa restrictions for Jaycee’s family, and Panama or Vietnam since same-sex marriage isn’t legally recognized there. Mexico became the perfect middle ground. They toured seven cities before landing in Todos Santos, a Pueblo Magico with history, beaches, and just the right amount of charm to get their families out exploring.
What made Rancho Corazon the right venue?
One rule: no resorts. Beth and Jaycee wanted their families to actually experience Mexico. Rancho Corazon fit their Desert Disco theme perfectly. Tucked away like a jungle oasis, it offered stunning views, Michelin Guide-worthy food from Dum Todos Santos, and even a pool that turned into the site of their surprise grand exit. With space for all 114 guests, it balanced beauty with practicality and set the stage for the week-long celebration.
What was the inspiration behind your wedding vibe?
They called it Desert Disco. Think bold florals by Casa Aura, shimmering disco balls, and cultural rituals that honored both of their backgrounds. Every detail was chosen to reflect adventure, queerness, and happiness. Guests danced down the aisle to Earth, Wind & Fire, showered the newlyweds in confetti, and later joined them in the pool for one last splash.
Tell us about your ceremony.
The ceremony honored Vietnamese, Panamanian, and Yoruba traditions. They lit candles to welcome ancestors, exchanged coins in the Panamanian Las Arras ritual, and tasted the four elements: spicy, sour, bitter, and sweet to symbolize the layers of marriage.
Beth and Jaycee also found ways to reinvent traditions. Their wedding party danced down the aisle, and instead of the couple being escorted separately, they walked with their families from opposite sides of the venue, meeting in the back. After both families greeted one another, Beth and Jaycee walked hand in hand toward the altar while their siblings sang. Their first kiss came with a surprise: confetti cannons and smoke bombs set off by their siblings. Right after, a Panamanian murga parade led everyone to cocktail hour with a live band performed by California Brass.
KA Weddings officiated the ceremony, blending personal storytelling with cultural rituals that highlighted the couple’s heritage and values.
What did you serve for food and drinks?
Food was a top priority. Dum Todos Santos created a menu full of local flavor. Cocktail hour featured ceviche tostadas, shrimp tamales, mini taco dorados, potato sopes, and aguachile verde with mushrooms.
Dinner was served family style with grilled fish, vegetable cocotte in green mole, and pork shank adobado with black beans. Dessert turned into an entire cake bar with 13 flavors ranging from tres leches and churros with cinnamon to pandan and taro. Each table also had bottles of tequila and Hennessy with handmade Mexican shot glasses.
Who captured the day?
Pinterest helped Beth and Jaycee find their dream team. Many of the images they pinned turned out to be the work of Dinorah Avilah and Alma Tapia. Having a queer photography team made everything more comfortable. Dinorah and Alma even hiked Punta Lobos with them for a private sunrise vow reading. The two also introduced them to their videography team, Dulce o Truco. Add in planning support from Queer Weddings Mexico, and the couple built a vendor team that truly understood them.
What was your favorite part of the week?
There are too many to count: scuba diving in La Paz with 23 friends, a catamaran bridal shower in Cabo, a mariachi welcome party, a Beyoncé-inspired performance of “Love on Top” during the reception, and the surprise pool jump exit. Family played a huge role, from Beth’s cousin Truy Tran singing his version of “Stand By Me,” to her mom and aunts, known as The Transister Wave, coming out of retirement to perform ABBA in costume. The whole week felt like a collective adventure.
Did you follow any traditions in your own way?
Absolutely. Instead of a father-daughter dance, they did a family dance where parents and siblings joined in. They walked down the aisle hand in hand after meeting at the back with both families. Their wedding party wasn’t split into bridesmaids or groomsmen, they just chose their favorite people. For Beth and Jaycee, tradition became a starting point, not a rulebook.
What did you wear?
Jaycee wore a custom suit designed by Eric Austin Custom while Beth found her gown at The Sentamentalist in Atlanta. Accessories, heirlooms, and styling by family members added a deeply personal touch. Their rings were created by Valerie Madison for the engagement and Alternatives Lapidary for the wedding bands.
Any advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Don’t go broke over it. Beth and Jaycee set a budget, created a savings plan, and avoided debt by paying things off ahead of time. They prioritized what mattered most: food, venue, photography, and let everything else build around that. And most importantly, they remind couples that the day is yours to design. Bend traditions, create new ones, and make sure it feels like you.
Photography by Dinorah Avilah & Alma Tapia
Caterer Dum Todos Santos
Cake Mariel Pastry
Celebrant KA Weddings
Dress Boutique The Sentamentalist
Florist Casa Aura
Hair Koko Abeni
Live Music California Brass
On-site Coordinator MC Professional Event Consultant
Rings Alternatives Lapidary & Valerie Madison
Suit Eric Austin Custom
Venue Rancho Corazon
Videographer Dulce o Truco
Wedding Planner Nomad Wedding Atelier
