An Intimate Riviera Maya Wedding with Handwritten Vows and Barefoot Dancing
Emma (she/her) and Azure (she/her) were torn between two very different wedding visions: a big backyard tent at home or a beach celebration with their closest people. In the end, the ocean won. Surrounded by 36 family members and friends at Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites in Riviera Maya, they shared handwritten vows barefoot in the sand while strangers on the beach cheered them on. With Wild Love Pursuit behind the camera and their coordinator Mariela making every detail seamless, the day unfolded with golf cart rides, a buffet dinner, and hours of barefoot dancing under string lights.
How did your story begin?
During Azure’s final semester of nursing school, she was asked to speak to first semester students about clinicals. I (Emma) had just returned from studying abroad in Spain and was in the session. I asked about a nose piercing policy. Azure swears it was just an excuse to talk to her, but I genuinely needed the answer. Either way, it was enough to spark something. A week later, we matched on Bumble. Our first date lasted over eight hours, and by Valentine’s Day we were kissing in public for a free burrito at Qdoba. We made it official on March 13, 2020, after my sister Claire asked how long we’d been together.
What led you to choose a destination wedding in Mexico?
We were split between two ideas. One was a backyard wedding under a big white tent, and the other was a beach wedding with our closest people. The beach felt more like us. We had stayed at an Iberostar Selection Resort before and even walked past a wedding on the sand during that trip. It felt so right. We looked at other resorts but Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya Suites had the best package for us. We also clicked instantly with our coordinator Mariela. She made everything seamless and LGBTQIA+ inclusive, right down to making sure both of us had bouquets.
How did you decide on the size of your guest list?
We ended up with 36 guests, which felt perfect. It was small enough to be intimate but big enough to keep the energy alive. We knew not everyone would be able to travel, but having our nearest and dearest made the whole experience so personal.
Tell us about your photographer.
Finding Xee of Wild Love Pursuit was like striking gold. We first found her on Instagram when we were considering a backyard wedding, and when we switched to Mexico she was all in. She and her husband, Kong, became such a vital part of our day. They hyped us up, made posing feel natural, and captured candid shots that told the full story. Xee even cleaned bird poop off Emma’s dress at one point. Her documentary style is unmatched and her presence was grounding.
What did you wear?
We both wanted gowns that reflected us without too much fuss. We found our dresses at White Dress off the Rack, and it felt so right to choose outfits that were both stylish and comfortable. The resort staff was also wonderful in making sure we each had bouquets included in the package, which felt affirming as a queer couple.
What did you serve for dinner?
The resort allowed us to pick three buffet options from nine, and we went with a salad bar, pasta station, and a meat and poultry selection. Both of us are vegetarian so it was important to include hearty choices while also giving guests lots of variety. Everyone ate well, and the pasta station fueled us for a night of dancing.
Walk us through your wedding day.
We spent the whole day together, from breakfast to the moment we went to bed. Getting ready side by side with our bridesmaids eased our nerves. The resort even provided a golf cart so we could take photos in different spots. We toasted champagne before heading to the beach for the ceremony. It was public, but instead of feeling awkward we felt lifted up by strangers cheering alongside our family and friends. We shared handwritten vows, ate a beautiful buffet dinner, listened to heartfelt speeches, and then danced barefoot under string lights until late into the night.
Did you include any family traditions or make new ones?
We leaned into what felt authentic to us. Azure walked down the aisle with her mom and dad, while Emma walked with her dad. For dances, Azure chose “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA with both parents, and Emma shared a childhood song with her father. We skipped traditions that didn’t resonate and embraced ones that meant something to us.
Who were the standout vendors?
Our photographer Wild Love Pursuit is one of the best decisions we made. She was incredible from start to finish. And Mariela, our wedding coordinator at Iberostar Selection Paraiso Maya Suites, made the planning process easy and fun. She took care of details big and small so we could just enjoy the experience.
We also loved incorporating meaningful details. Our wedding rings came from Powers Jewelry Designers, which felt extra special knowing they were chosen with care.
Photography by Wild Love Pursuit
Celebrant Sydney Greenwood
Ceremony Venue Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites
DJ Abdalach Hernandez
Hair Maddies Hair Creations
Dress Boutique White Dress off the Rack
Wedding Rings Powers Jewelry Designers
