When Mel and Kim met at a St. Vincent concert, neither of them expected they’d eventually end up together, planning a wedding from a Sprinter van while traveling across the United States. They spent two years as friends before realizing there was something more between them. Once they started dating, the next decade seemed to fly by.

“From the beginning, it felt like we had been best friends our whole lives,” they shared. “It felt less like meeting someone new and more like reconnecting with someone we had somehow known forever.”

Over the years, they built a life full of adventure, including cross-country travel, van life, and countless experiences together. Along the way, they discovered that home wasn’t tied to a place. It was simply wherever they were together. That perspective would eventually inspire their decision to plan a cenote wedding in Tulum, where family, nature, and culture could all come together in one unforgettable celebration.

What We Love About This Cenote Wedding in Tulum

• An entire wedding planned while traveling the country in a van
• A sacred cenote ceremony that honored Mel’s Mexican heritage
• Bilingual vows that brought both families into the moment
• Thoughtful personal details, from pet cocktail napkins to café con pan
• A reception that ended with guests jumping into the cenote

Starting the Celebration Before the Wedding Day

Because so many guests traveled for the wedding, Mel and Kim wanted everyone to spend time together before the ceremony itself.

The festivities began with a group outing to nearby cenotes and ruins, which quickly became one of the highlights of the weekend. Guests who had never met before had the chance to explore together and get to know one another. That evening, everyone gathered on the rooftop of Kimpton Aluna for a rehearsal dinner filled with mezcal, traditional Mexican food, and warm jungle air.

By the wedding day, it already felt like one big group of friends celebrating together. The couple also welcomed guests with cocktails upon arrival, setting the tone for the relaxed and joyful celebration ahead.

Planning a Wedding From the Road

When people ask how they planned their wedding, Mel and Kim can’t help but laugh. “We are both aggressively type-B people.” Despite that, they managed to plan the entire celebration in six months while traveling around the country in their van.

There were definitely moments of uncertainty. Planning from another country came with plenty of challenges, especially when internet connections weren’t always reliable. Thankfully, they had support from Natalia, Vesica’s coordinator. “Natalia was truly our saving grace.”As they worried about flowers, decorations, and whether they were doing enough, Natalia kept reminding them that the venue was already beautiful on its own. 

When they finally arrived in Tulum and saw everything in person a few days before the wedding, they realized she had been right all along. “It somehow looked even better than we imagined.”

Choosing a Wedding Location That Already Feels Special

From the start, Mel and Kim knew they wanted guests to experience more than just a wedding day. If people were traveling all the way to Mexico, they wanted them to feel connected to the destination itself. Tulum quickly rose to the top of the list.

“We really wanted the wedding to feel connected to nature,” they explained. “We knew we wanted somewhere beautiful where our guests could fully experience the environment around them, not just come to a venue and leave.”

For Mel, there was another layer of meaning. She wanted to feel connected to her Mexican heritage, and getting married beside a cenote felt especially significant since cenotes are considered sacred places.

After looking at numerous venues, they found Vesica Tulum. “We kept coming back to the idea of getting married at a cenote.” The venue offered exactly what they had been searching for: jungle surroundings, open-air spaces, earthy architecture, and a setting that didn’t need much added to it.

Bringing Family, Culture, and Spirituality Into the Ceremony

Some of the most emotional moments happened before the ceremony even began. Both brides shared first looks with their fathers before seeing each other, creating memories that quickly became some of their favorites from the day. Then came their first look together. “We were both just standing there completely in awe.”

Then came the ceremony, where the couple exchanged personal vows in front of all their guests. But Kim had one surprise planned. She read her vows in both English and Spanish so Mel’s family could fully understand every word. The gesture meant the world to Mel.

Their officiant also incorporated Mayan symbolism into the ceremony while keeping it spiritual rather than traditionally religious. Then came a moment neither of them could have planned. “At one point during the vows, a butterfly flew right beside us with the cenote behind it. It felt fake honestly. Like something out of a movie.” For a moment, it seemed as though the jungle itself had joined the ceremony.

Two Wedding Dresses and a Few Last-Minute Alterations

One thing Mel and Kim agreed on immediately was that they both wanted to wear dresses. “Honestly, there’s nothing better than two women getting married in dresses.” Kim chose a gown from Anthropologie’s wedding collection, while Mel selected a dress from Shona Joy.

Ironically, the dresses ended up being one of the last things they finalized. Not long before the wedding, both discovered that their outfits needed adjustments. Thankfully, Mel’s dad stepped in to help. “Somehow he worked actual magic.”

For hair and makeup, they kept everything natural and effortless. Hairstylist Daiana Saucedo and makeup artist Maida Bello helped create looks that felt polished without feeling overly glamorous.

Featured Vendor:
Adri Mendez

Decorating Around the Landscape Instead of Over It

The overall look was romantic, earthy, intimate, and warm. Tropical greenery, terracotta tones, candlelight, natural fabrics, wood, and stone all complemented the existing surroundings. “We didn’t want anything overly polished or super traditional.”

Every design decision pointed back to the setting itself. The jungle sounds, sacred waters, and open-air architecture naturally created the atmosphere they had imagined long before they ever stepped foot in Tulum.

Where They Chose to Spend and Save

Like many couples, Mel and Kim had to make decisions about where to spend and where to save. Their biggest priorities were the venue and photography. “We knew we wanted a beautiful place to celebrate with the people we love, and we wanted photos that captured the feeling of the day.”

Because the venue already offered so much natural beauty, they skipped oversized floral installations and elaborate decor. Food, however, was non-negotiable. “If you’re getting married in Mexico, the food has to be good.” According to the couple, Vesica’s traditional Mexican menu exceeded every expectation. Instead of stretching their budget across dozens of details, they focused on the elements guests would remember most.

Ending the Reception With a Jump Into the Cenote

After the ceremony, Mel and Kim intentionally stepped away for a few quiet moments together before joining the reception. “It all went by so fast that having a quiet moment together ended up meaning a lot.” The celebration quickly shifted into party mode after that.

Guests danced all night thanks to a DJ who somehow managed to keep every generation and culture represented on the dance floor. Personal touches appeared throughout the reception, including handmade signs, party favors, cocktail napkins featuring the couple’s pets, and a late-night serving of café con pan. 

But nothing topped the final surprise. At the end of the evening, everyone jumped into the cenote. Kim and Mel went in wearing their wedding dresses, surrounded by friends and family who happily followed them into the water. “There could not have been a more perfect ending to the night.”

Throughout the night, Mel kept turning to friends and family saying, “This is literally the best night of my life.” All considered,  it’s easy to see why.