Bright sunset colors, ocean views, mariachi music, and more than 100 guests made Sarah and Eric’s destination wedding unmistakably Cabo. Against the clean, modern spaces of Hard Rock Los Cabos, they added vibrant florals, natural rattan, and warm textures, with the Sea of Cortez framing it all.

The celebration stretched across several days, with a welcome cocktail and dinner before the wedding and a yacht outing afterward. After seeing Junebug vendor LUXE Destination Weddings plan Eric’s brother’s wedding in Punta Cana just months earlier, Sarah and Eric brought the team on to handle everything from guest travel to the week’s events. It was a completely different setting and style, but a team they knew they could trust with more than 100 guests traveling to Mexico.

And it all started with Eric sliding into Sarah’s DMs. A fun conversation quickly turned into something more, and, as they put it, “from our first date, we just knew.”

What We Love About This Hard Rock Los Cabos Wedding:

• A ceremony on the lawn overlooking the Sea of Cortez
• Bridesmaids in different vibrant and pastel dresses
• Mariachi music and custom cocktails during cocktail hour
• A reception under a canopy of fairy lights

Featured Vendor:
Luxe Destination Weddings

Adding Color and Natural Textures to a Minimalist Venue

The couple chose Hard Rock Los Cabos in large part because its modern, minimalist design already suited their style. The ceremony location sealed it: an open lawn overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Natural rattan, warm textures, bright florals, and sunset colors added warmth to the coastal setting. For the ceremony, an elevated platform and floral arch created a focal point overlooking the water.

The reception had its own built-in details, including a tiled floor and bright mural. Custom signage joined the florals and natural textures, while a canopy of fairy lights stretched overhead as the sun went down. “Choose a venue that already reflects your vision and personal style, so you can enhance what’s there rather than reinventing the space,” Sarah and Eric advise.

Taking a Quiet First Look Before the Ceremony

Before joining their guests, Sarah and Eric had a first look. It gave them some time alone, settled their nerves, and meant they could walk into the ceremony already having seen each other.

The ceremony centered on a raised white platform framed by towering arrangements of pink, red, yellow, and orange flowers, with smaller flower clusters lining the aisle. Natural wood chairs worked with the outdoor setting, while the ocean stretched out behind the space. Their vow exchange ended up being the part they remembered most.

Afterward, they stayed back briefly with Fabi for portraits around the resort. Then they joined their guests at cocktail hour, where a live mariachi band was playing and custom signature cocktails were being served.

Choosing Photography and Content as Early Budget Priorities

With the resort’s program covering food and beverage for the week, Sarah and Eric had more flexibility elsewhere in the budget. They prioritized custom details and florals, along with photography and content coverage.

Sarah had already been following LUXE’s social accounts when she found photographer Fabi Rosas and content creator I DO Diaries. Fabi’s photography, particularly her film work, caught their attention. Paola from I DO Diaries documented both the welcome boat day and wedding, including the less staged moments happening behind the scenes. The resort’s curated list of in-house vendors simplified the rest of the process since the teams already knew the property.

Mixing Bright Bridesmaid Dresses With Neutral Suits

Color wasn’t limited to the flowers. Sarah’s bridesmaids wore a mix of vibrant and pastel dresses instead of matching gowns, giving each person some variation while staying within the overall palette.

Sarah wore a fitted gown with a deep V-neckline, softly draped detailing through the bodice and waist, and a thigh-high slit, paired with a long veil. Eric chose a tailored light beige suit with a white shirt, black tie, and black loafers, while the groomsmen also wore neutral tones.

Giving Guests Time to Explore Cabo

Sarah and Eric wanted the trip to include more than the wedding, but they also wanted guests to have time to enjoy Los Cabos independently. They used five event hours included by the hotel to host a welcome cocktail and dinner on their first night in the destination. It gave everyone a chance to gather before the wedding while leaving the rest of the trip relatively open.

After the wedding, the group headed back onto the water for a yacht day through Pelican Cabo, which Sarah and Eric hosted as a thank-you to everyone who had traveled to Mexico. “Our advice would be to consider a destination wedding,” they say. “It gives you the opportunity to create an entire experience with the people you love, not just one day.”

Seeing the Reception Space for the First Time With Their Guests 

Cocktail hour and the reception were held in the same area, giving Sarah and Eric an unexpected reveal after the ceremony. When they arrived, the decor was finished and their friends and family were already gathered there.

By then, the sun was beginning to set and the fairy lights overhead were becoming more visible. Speeches from friends and family followed, along with Sarah and Eric’s first dance, before the reception shifted fully to the dance floor.

There were no last-minute mishaps to solve. Sarah and Eric describe the day as seamless, from the slower morning getting ready with friends through the final dance. After spending the week together in Los Cabos, that final party brought everyone back into the same place one more time.

Why They Recommend Starting With the Right Venue and Planning Team

Along with choosing a venue that already suits the wedding you have in mind, Sarah and Eric recommend putting real consideration into who will manage the destination logistics. “Most importantly, hire a planner you trust,” they say. “Having an experienced team manage the details allows you to stay present, enjoy the process, and truly experience your wedding week.”