Wedding Date: May 18, 2026 ~ Resort: Royalton Riviera Cancun ~ Photographer & Videographer: Sotero Cancino ~ Bridal Salon: Margarita's Bridal ~ Groom Attire: Azazie
Why did you choose Romance Travel Group?
RTG had great reviews. We had no idea where to start.
What led you to choose a destination wedding?
We love to travel and wanted our friends and family to enjoy a fabulous vacation.
How did you select the resort? What were the deciding factors?
The first step we took was location. We initially chose Jamaica because we love Jamaica, but then they were struck by a category 5 hurricane, so we had to quickly choose another location, we were already 6 months into our planning process and at that point we had to start from scratch. We then narrowed our search down to Mexico and chose which side we wanted to be on, we chose the eastern side, the Riviera Maya. The water is warmer and more blue and we fell in love with Royalton. After checking off all of our "what we want" boxes, Royalton was the one we were left with.
Were there any objections from your wedding guests about your decision to have a destination wedding? If so, how did you handle/overcome those?
Yes. We first let them know they don't have to go, there was no pressure, but we would love to have them there with us.
What were some of your biggest fears about having a destination wedding?
The cost and not having people come.
How did you come to decide on your wedding date? Is there meaning behind it?
We knew we wanted a May wedding and needed a date with less of a chance of a hurricane.
Did you invite guests in a unique way, like a themed save the date or announcement party?
We are an older couple, so we did things a little less unique and creative. We sent text messages out letting everyone know to expect an email with wedding information and an invite.
Describe what it was like working with the wedding coordinator at the resort? What went well? Any challenges?
Our offsite and onsite coordinators were responsive and informative. We enjoyed working with them.
Tell us about your wedding attire – How did you find it? Who went shopping with you? How did you feel wearing your wedding attire?
I chose a small boutique that didn't require an appointment since I was only browsing, with no plans to purchase. My best friends and one of my daughters went with me. After browsing and then trying on 10-12 dresses, I put on what became my dress and cried. I looked in the mirror and it just looked like me; it felt right.
Describe the booking process for your guests. Did they find that to be easy to navigate?
When I got the go-ahead that booking was open, I sent a message to our guests letting them know they could look into booking their rooms. The instructions from Shannon were easy and clear. Almost everyone followed the directions easily. Those who found it difficult normally just need additional explanation for things.
What were some of your biggest fears or things you worried about as your wedding date drew near? How did you get through this?
Not having everything we needed before we left. We had issues with the suits; they didn't arrive until two days before our flight and required alterations. Our seamstress worked with us and came in on her day off to help. All I could do was fight for what I needed and form an alliance to help us.
Tell us about how you chose your bridal party and asked them to stand up with you.
We considered including our best friends, his brother, my son and my daughters, but we decided on just family to keep it more intimate. Since we only had forty guests we didn't want a large wedding party. I took the girls out to dinner and asked them while Steve took my son on a drive. Just the two of them. Steve called his brother since they were in different states.
Describe the meeting you had with the onsite wedding team when you arrived at the resort.
Our onsite coordinator greeted us during check-in. After check-in, we moved to the wedding planner's room upstairs. We reviewed everything we had already ordered, planned and scheduled. Luisa was warm, professional and friendly. She was prompt and organized and kept my nerves at bay.
Were your guests wowed by the resort and the all-inclusive concept? What was their reaction upon arrival?
Every one of our guests fell in love with the resort. They never had a bad thing to say and truly appreciated the all-inclusive resort. They knew what to expect because it was all in the description that Romance Travel Group provided and anytime anyone had a question, Shannon was there to answer it.
How easy/difficult was it to travel with your wedding attire? Did you carry-it on, where did you store it? Did you get a lot of comments at the airport?
It was quite easy. I purchased a wedding dress garment bag for myself and a suit bag for Steve. We put both in the overhead bin. I was able to fit my shoes, my dress, my bridesmaids' dresses, and all of our jewelry and hair accessories in the bag. I have to add that our pick up from the airport to the resort was marvelous! We were treated like royalty and it was a blast!
Tell us about your wedding – did you have a traditional wedding with a cocktail hour, dinner reception and dance? What was different about a destination wedding compared to a wedding at home?
We had a cocktail hour after the ceremony in a different location, but the same location as the reception. This was nice because it reduced confusion about where to go and meant less walking for our older guests. At some point, my 80 year old father contacted Shannon to ask her to have our wedding planner play a song he chose for a father-daughter dance. Since this was my second wedding, I wasn't planning to include a father-daughter dance during the reception. But then he walked up on the dance floor after everyone's speeches, grabbed my hand, turned me around and then the DJ played "You'll Always Be My Baby" by Alan Jackson. Not only did he surprise me with that dance, but he spent 2 months teaching himself Spanish so he could say to me, "You'll always be my baby."
A destination wedding provided the opportunity for new friendships and brought everyone close. It was relaxing and everyone wanted to be there not only to celebrate us but also to have a vacation. The vibe was energetic, happy, and relaxed.
What was the best part of having a destination wedding?
The experience for everyone was the best part of having a destination wedding. Some family and guests barely knew each other, but because of the beautiful setting, perfect weather and great energy everyone felt like they had known each other for years by the end of the trip. It wasn't only a wedding for us, it was a vacation for everyone.
What is your most favorite memory of your wedding experience?
My favorite memory was the moment we had been waiting for; standing around the wall in the walkway, out of sight from everyone, my son coming to get me to walk me down the aisle, and then walking down the aisle to see my future husband for the first time as he was just standing there wiping his tears away. Seeing Steve's face and my son's face are forever etched in my memory and I smile every time I think about it.
In what ways did Romance Travel Group make the planning less stressful for you?
They took the stress away by handling our guests' questions and concerns, it was nice to direct them to Shannon. I would have moments of panic, or doubt, or worry, so I would talk to Abby. She was always able to calm me down, provide reassurance, and help me feel at ease with the process. It was helpful to have someone other than your fiancé to help take that stress away.
What would you do differently? What advice would you give to couples just starting the planning process?
Do your research. Read reviews. Ask a lot of questions and write them down before talking to your agent. We made a pros and cons page for each resort we considered. We started by narrowing down the location based on the time of year we wanted to get married. Be prepared, pack ahead of time so you know what will fit and how many suitcases you need. There really is nothing we would have done differently. It all just came together so perfectly.
What surprised you the most about having a destination wedding?
How much fun everyone had and how much they loved being at an all-inclusive resort.
Would you recommend Romance Travel Group to other couples who are considering a destination wedding?
I highly recommend Romance Travel Group. I couldn't imagine planning a wedding any other way.
Is there anything Romance Travel Group could have done to make the experience even better?
I honestly cannot think of anything they could have done to make our experience any better. It was utterly perfect.