UNICO 20°87°Destination Wedding: Kevin & Jonathan

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

Jonathan, a veterinarian, and Kevin, an account director whiz, share a serious case of wanderlust. They love traveling so much that they made it a lifestyle—hopping on planes to all-inclusive resorts multiple times a year. So, naturally, when it came to their wedding, they thought, Why not bring everyone along for the ride?

After a trip to UNICO 2087, Jono and Kevin were hooked. From the stylish, modern-tropical aesthetic to the “you’ll-never-want-to-leave” service, they knew this was the place. But planning an adults-only wedding? That’s where we came in! With a little expert guidance (and some serious resort knowledge), we helped them create the perfect setup for all their guests.

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

Every couple has wedding jitters, but their biggest fear? That no one would show up. “Some of our family members had never even left their home state, let alone traveled internationally,” they said. But surprise, surprise—75 guests RSVP’d ‘YES!’ (Cue the happy dance!)

Planning a wedding is always exciting, but when you decide to have a destination wedding, you’re signing up for an adventure filled with sunshine, surprises, and maybe a few extra margaritas. At Alpaca Your Bags Travel, we specialize in making dream weddings come true, and today, we’re thrilled to spill the (piña colada-flavored) tea on one of our incredible couples who tied the knot at the breathtaking UNICO 2087 in Mexico.

Real Wedding Q&A with Kevin & Jonathan

What were your biggest fears when planning a destination wedding?

• Our biggest fear was that not many people would be able to attend. Some of our family members had never even left their home state, let alone traveled internationally! We worried that asking guests to take time off and plan a trip abroad might limit our turnout. But to our surprise, we were overwhelmed by the love and support—we had 75 of our closest friends and family join us for a week-long celebration at the beach. Getting to share such a special experience with them was truly priceless.

Is there anything about the actual destination wedding experience that surprised you?

• The biggest surprise was the slower communication with the resort and vendors. In our culture, we’re used to receiving responses to emails and questions within 24 hours, but that wasn’t the case here. It took some adjusting at first, but once we arrived at the resort and saw how seamlessly the weddings team operated, it all made sense. Ashley had reassured us from the start to trust the process and expect slower response times, which helped ease our nerves—and in the end, everything came together beautifully.

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

What is your favorite memory of your destination wedding?

• It’s hard to choose just one favorite memory from our destination wedding because the entire experience was unforgettable. But if I had to pick, it would be the moment we looked around at all of our friends and family gathered together in paradise, celebrating with us. There was this surreal feeling of gratitude and joy, knowing that people had traveled from all over just to share in our love and happiness.
• One specific moment that stands out is while Jonathan and I walked down the aisle together to the altar. It was one of those times when everything just felt perfect—the warm breeze, the sound of the waves, and the overwhelming feeling that we were exactly where we were meant to be, surrounded by the people who matter most.
• Having a destination wedding gave us the unique gift of extended time with our loved ones, rather than just a single day. The memories we made—laughing over welcome cocktails, lounging by the pool, and dancing under the stars—are ones we’ll cherish forever.

Did you splurge on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it?

• We splurged on two major things: the resort and our photographer/videographer. Was it worth it? Absolutely—100% yes.
• The Resort: One of our biggest priorities was seeing the property in person before committing. UNICO was the only resort we toured, and after meeting with the wedding team, we instantly knew it was the one. While choosing a five-star resort came with a higher price tag, we were able to stay within budget with only minor cutbacks here and there. In the end, it was worth every penny to have the dream setting we envisioned.
• The Photographer & Videographer: This was one area we refused to take a gamble on, and we’re so glad we didn’t! While hiring an outside vendor came with additional resort fees, Ashley helped us navigate the system to avoid them. Now that our photos and videos are rolling in, we couldn’t be happier with our decision—it was truly one of the best investments we made.

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

Did you attempt to *save* on anything travel or wedding related? If so, what was it and was it worth it?

• Like most couples planning a wedding, we quickly realized how expensive florals can be. Since destination weddings make it nearly impossible to preserve flowers as keepsakes—and bringing them through customs wasn’t an option—we decided to get creative. To cut costs, we opted for real greenery combined with high-quality faux florals. It was absolutely worth it! You couldn’t tell the difference, and we saved a couple of thousand dollars in the process.
• The resort’s preferred vendor, Tulipania, exceeded all expectations. We were initially nervous about scaling back our floral order, but when we saw the arrangements—especially the breathtaking flowers draped over the gazebo as we walked down the aisle—we knew we had made the right choice. If you’re looking for a way to trim your budget without sacrificing beauty, we highly recommend this approach!

If you could change anything with your wedding (planning, the day itself, the location, resort, ANYTHING) – what would you change?

• If we could change one thing, it would be pre-planning a guest timeline before sending out invitations. In the beginning, I felt awkward about asking guests to arrive on specific dates, but looking back, I wish we had done it.
• Had we set an itinerary in advance, we could have had more time with some guests. Unfortunately, some didn’t arrive until the day before the wedding, meaning they missed the welcome party. It also made planning a group excursion impossible since everyone had different travel schedules.
• For anyone planning a destination wedding, we highly recommend including a suggested itinerary with the invitations. It helps guests plan accordingly and ensures you get the most time with the people you love!

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

What kind of feedback did you get from your guests?

• I don’t want to brag, but every single one of our 75 guests told us it was the best wedding they had ever attended! Of course, we know it’s customary to compliment the couple—but we truly believe they meant it.
• Our guests were not only impressed by the stunning resort and all the thoughtful details of our wedding day, but they also raved about the seamless planning experience. Ashley and the team at Alpaca Your Bags Travel provided incredible support and guidance, making the entire trip effortless for everyone. Hearing how much fun our guests had made the experience even more special!

Now that you’ve been through it, what is your #1 best piece of advice for wedding couples entering the planning process?

• It may sound cliché, but trust the process. As a former event planner, I spent so much time stressing, convinced I’d need to step in as a day-of coordinator to make sure everything was executed perfectly. I worried things wouldn’t meet my standards—but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
• The wedding team at UNICO was truly exceptional, delivering a day that exceeded every expectation. It’s natural to feel anxious when things aren’t coming together as quickly or as detailed as you’d like, but trust me—they’ve got it under control. Take a deep breath, enjoy the journey, and let the experts do what they do best!

Photo Credit: Vida Linda Photography 

In what ways did Alpaca Your Bags Travel make this less stressful for you?

• I can’t even begin to express how incredible Alpaca Your Bags Travel was in making our destination wedding completely stress-free. After attending a friend’s destination wedding—where they had to personally assist guests with last-minute flight and hotel changes due to a major winter storm—I knew I would only commit to a destination wedding if someone else handled all the travel logistics for us.
• From the very start, Alpaca Your Bags Travel was completely transparent about the process and provided seamless support for all of our guests. When a winter storm back home threatened travel plans, I braced myself, thinking I’d need to jump in and help. But before I could even lift a finger, Ashley and her team were already handling everything. One quick glance at my email confirmed it—they had it all under control. That peace of mind? Absolutely priceless. I put my phone down and went right back to enjoying a drink by the pool with our guests who had already arrived.
• Beyond their professionalism, Ashley and her team handled even the trickiest family members with patience and grace (because let’s be real, we all have at least one!). Their regular updates, travel tips, and final travel documents ensured every guest felt fully prepared, making the entire experience effortless.
• Choosing a travel advisor was a big decision for me—I wanted someone experienced, proactive, and willing to go above and beyond. Could you go with a free travel advisor? Sure. But you won’t get the level of service, attention, and care that Alpaca Your Bags Travel provides. If you want a stress-free, perfectly coordinated wedding, look no further.

Photographer: Vida Linda Photography 

Travel Advisor: Alpaca Your Bags Travel 

Resort: UNICO 20°87 Riviera Maya