Gabrielle & Cord
DESTINATION WEDDING IN MEXICO
Gabrielle and Cord recently celebrated their love with a truly memorable wedding at Hard Rock Los Cabos in Mexico. Explore why this stunning resort was the perfect backdrop for their dream destination wedding and find out what the most memorable moment of their big day was.
Wedding date: November 2025
Travel advisor: Andrea Norfolk
Destination: Mexico
Resort: Hard Rock Los Cabos
How did you meet?
Our story began in high school when a mutual friend brought us together, despite us attending different schools. Life took us in separate directions during our freshman year of college—I headed to Illinois for soccer while Cord stayed home in Colorado. However, the distance was short-lived. We crossed paths again at a concert in the summer of 2018, just as I was transferring back home to continue my education and soccer career. From that moment on, everything clicked. We’ve been inseparable since our sophomore year, and today, we’re happily settled in Denver with two years of shared morning coffees and adventures under our belts.
Why did you choose to have a destination wedding?
When we started planning, we quickly realized that a traditional wedding in Colorado—with my large family and Cord’s medium-sized one—would easily turn into a 300-guest event. With the average U.S. wedding hovering around $35,000, we decided to trade the logistics of a massive crowd for a more intimate, elevated experience. Choosing Cabo allowed us to enjoy an all-inclusive "package deal" that truly went above and beyond. Instead of just a ceremony, we’re hosting a full weekend celebration featuring a welcome party, live guitarists, and even sparkler fireworks. We knew we wanted to say "I do" outdoors in the sunshine, and Cabo was the perfect place to make that dream a reality.
Why did you choose Hard Rock Los Cabos for your destination wedding?
We chose the Hard Rock Los Cabos because it checked every single one of our boxes. Most importantly, we wanted to ensure the trip was accessible for our loved ones, and the resort’s price point fit perfectly within our $600-per-night limit. Because we wanted a seamless experience, we looked for a venue that handles weddings with "clockwork" precision—and the Hard Rock team is truly elite at what they do. Despite the resort’s impressive scale, it offers an incredible variety of secluded locations. We loved that places like the Coda Garden and Los Gallos Terrace felt like hidden gems, tucked away from the main resort hub to give our celebration a private, intimate feel.
What was your most memorable moment during your ceremony?
Our ceremony was anchored by two moments we’ll never forget. First, we performed a sand ceremony, each pouring sand into an hourglass to symbolize our two lives becoming one. It felt like such a unique, timeless way to represent our union. Afterward, our officiant asked us to turn away from the altar and face our guests. Taking that minute to look into the eyes of everyone who traveled to be there—expressing our silent gratitude for their roles in our journey—was incredibly moving. With the music drifting through the air and the stunning backdrop of the ceremony space, it was a moment of pure magic.
What was the best part about having a destination wedding?
The true beauty of a destination wedding is the gift of time. At a traditional wedding, you often just show up, dance, have some cake, and head home. But here, we had a three-night minimum to truly connect. It was so heartwarming to move past the quick "hellos" and have genuine conversations with the people we love most. Seeing our different circles of friends and family blend together was the best part—good people meeting good people, sharing a cerveza, and forming new friendships. We’re so happy that our guests didn't just leave with memories of us, but with memories of each other.
What was your experience working with Shoreline Destinations?
Shoreline was absolutely incredible! From our very first meeting with Andrea to working closely with Meredith and Ellen, the team truly became our support system. Their communication was consistently above and beyond, but it was their elevated attention to detail that really set them apart. Whether they were making expert tweaks to our wedding website or managing guest room bookings with ease, they were always one step ahead. If you are looking for a partner to bring your wedding vision to life, I cannot recommend Shoreline highly enough!
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.
