Catherine & Eric
DESTINATION WEDDING IN MEXICO
Catherine and Eric recently celebrated their stunning destination wedding at Atelier Playa Mujeres, surrounded by their closest family and friends. Explore why this picturesque resort was the ideal setting for their dream destination wedding and uncover the most unforgettable highlight of their special day. It was such an honor to be part of their wedding journey, and they were an absolute joy to work with from start to finish.
Wedding date: Janaury 2026
Travel advisor: Andrea Norfolk
Destination: Cancun, Mexico
Resort: Atelier Playa Mujeres
How did you meet?
Eric and I both grew up in Des Moines, but somehow our paths never crossed while we were there. It wasn’t until we were both students at the University of Iowa that we finally met. Even though we came from the same hometown, it took mutual friends in college bringing us into the same circle for us to truly connect.
What started as casual hangouts with friends quickly turned into something more. It still makes us laugh that we had so many overlapping connections growing up, yet it took moving to a new city and experiencing college life for our story to begin. Meeting in Iowa City felt like perfect timing — two people from the same place, finding each other when we least expected it.
Why did you choose to have a destination wedding?
We chose a destination wedding after a trip that completely stole our hearts at Atelier Playa Mujeres. Living in Chicago, we’re no strangers to long, cold winters, so a January wedding somewhere warm and sunny felt like the perfect escape. Instead of bundling up in snow boots, we loved the thought of saying “I do” with ocean breezes and sunshine — and giving everyone a mid-winter getaway to look forward to. It turned our wedding into more than just one day; it became a shared vacation and an unforgettable experience for the people we love most.
Why did you choose Atelier Playa Mujeres for your destination wedding?
We vacationed there with a small group of friends and instantly fell in love with everything — the incredible food, the relaxed yet elevated vibe, and the stunning, modern décor. From the moment we arrived, it felt special, and we couldn’t stop talking about how amazing it would be to celebrate something meaningful there. The idea of bringing all of our closest family and friends to a place we already loved so much just felt right.
What was your most memorable moment during your ceremony?
The most memorable moment of our wedding was stepping onto the beach for our first dance just as the sun began to set. The sky turned the most perfect shades of pink and gold, and it truly felt like the entire evening paused for a second just for us. Dancing together with the ocean behind us and everyone we love watching made it feel surreal — one of those moments you wish you could bottle up forever. It was everything we had envisioned and more.
What was the best part about having a destination wedding?
The best part of the entire celebration was getting to spend multiple days with all of our friends and family in one place. So often, weddings fly by in a blur, but having that extended time together allowed us to truly soak it all in — sharing meals, lounging by the pool, and laughing about years of memories. It felt less like a single event and more like a reunion of all the people who have shaped our lives, which made the whole experience even more meaningful.
What was your experience using Shoreline Destinations?
Hiring Shoreline Destinations as our travel planner was hands down the best decision we made during the entire process. They seamlessly managed over 115 guests, coordinated multiple room assignments, handled constant changes, and navigated different arrival and departure dates without missing a beat. They even created a detailed, easy-to-follow guide for our guests, which made everything feel organized and effortless. Knowing they were behind the scenes managing every detail took all the stress off of us as a couple and allowed us to truly enjoy the engagement season and wedding week without worrying about logistics.
WORK WITH SHORELINE DESTINATIONS!
✔ Customized destination wedding proposal
✔ Contract review & room block recommendations
✔ Custom wedding website
✔ Guest reservation management
✔ Discounted resort site visits prior to your wedding
✔ Transportation & excursion recommendations
✔ Access to “The Vault” filled with wedding planning tips
✔On-site representation*
*Based on room block size. Contact us for details.
