Set against the stunning backdrop of Cabo San Lucas, Amanda and Ryan’s wedding at The Cape Hotel was an intimate celebration of love and family. The couple’s dream wedding day came to life with expert planning and coordination by Carat Weddings, blending effortless elegance with a relaxed beach vibe. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, the couple enjoyed an unforgettable evening of love, laughter, and breathtaking views of the Cabo sunset.
Location: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Style: Boho, chic, modern
Time of planning: 4 months
Number of guests: 30
Setting: Beach Hotel
Season: Spring
Ryan and Amanda’s love story began in 2015 when they met online, and life moved quickly from there. By November 2019, they had moved into their first home together, and just two months later, they found out they were expecting their first child. “I used to joke with Ryan that if we could get through 2020, we can get through anything,” Amanda recalls. The pandemic hit while they were deep in home renovations, with Amanda being pregnant, out of work, and living in a half-done house with no furniture. Their first son was born in August 2020, and a year later, Ryan proposed in the most intimate setting: at home, by the fireplace, after their baby was asleep. “It was simple and quiet and perfect,” she remembers. They knew they wanted another child before officially tying the knot, and after welcoming their second son in December 2022, they set their sights on a 2024 wedding. Having already lived a full married life, the wedding became more about celebrating with their favorite people in a place they love and creating beautiful memories. “And to get some great photos,” Amanda added.
Location & Planning
For Amanda and Ryan, the choice of location for their wedding was easy. “We love Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and vacation there at least once a year. It felt like the perfect setting for where we wanted to get married.” The Cape, their favorite hotel, offered everything they dreamed of—modern vibes, stunning beach views, and an intimate atmosphere.
They entrusted Carat Weddings with the planning, and the team ensured every detail was executed flawlessly. “I had a few pictures from Pinterest and previous weddings at the hotel. Amelia at Carat Weddings pulled everything together in just a few short months, and it was perfect,” Amanda shared. Rather than spending on out-of-season flowers, the couple prioritized their budget for food, drinks, and an incredible DJ, ensuring their wedding was a joyful celebration for everyone.
"Amelia was amazing to work with - I knew what I wanted it to look like and she filled in the blanks and helped with all of the vendors and contracts which was super helpful when trying to plan a wedding in another country."
Couple's Morning & Fashion
Amanda’s morning was filled with sunshine, joy, and the warmth of her family and bridesmaids. Surrounded by her loved ones, she got ready with excitement for the day ahead. Her look was stunning, perfectly complementing the elegant and modern theme of the wedding. She wore the Amethyst dress by Ines Di Santo, a breathtaking gown with a deep plunging V-neck halter bodice, a mermaid skirt, and a dramatic lace-trimmed train.
Finding her dream dress was an effortless experience. “I told the bridal store I was looking for something fitted with a plunging neckline, lace, keyhole back. They had one dress that had all of those things. It was the first dress I tried on. I only tried on two other dresses and knew it was the one. It was the easiest appointment.” The bridal morning set the perfect tone for what would be an unforgettable celebration.
Ryan spent his morning with their two kids, setting a heartwarming and relaxed tone for the day ahead. His suit, a stylish yet comfortable choice from State & Liberty, was perfect for the occasion, paired with classic Santoni shoes. As someone who isn’t big on dressing up, Ryan prioritized comfort without compromising on style, and the tailored fit of the suit matched his laid-back personality perfectly.
First Look
Amanda shared a precious first-look moment with her 3-year-old son, Ashton. His little face lit up when he saw her, and in the sweetest voice, he told her she looked beautiful and complimented her “fancy dress.” It was a moment she’ll always treasure.
As Ryan and Amanda shared their first look, it was filled with joy and surprise. Ryan’s expression lit up with excitement as he turned to see Amanda in her stunning gown, their love radiating in every glance exchanged.
Ceremony
The ceremony was short, sweet, and perfectly modern. Amanda and Ryan wanted it to reflect the life they had already built together—one filled with love, a home, their two children, and their beloved dog, Oscar. “We didn’t want it to be about ‘the first day of the rest of your lives’ since we were already living our ‘together’ life,” Amanda shared. Her brother-in-law officiated, and the ceremony featured heartwarming family moments, with both of their boys walking down the aisle with their grandparents. Ryan made a memorable entrance with Oscar, their Aussiedoodle, who was flown to Mexico to be part of the special day. “Yes, we flew our dog to Mexico to be part of our wedding weekend—he’s definitely our firstborn child and just as needy as the rest of the boys in my life,” Amanda added.
"It was more about how we are a good fit together, different but complimenting each other to build a beautiful life together."
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests started the evening with a relaxed cocktail hour. The evening was perfect—warm with no wind, creating an ideal atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. Guests indulged in an oyster bar and a variety of delicious passed appetizers. The cocktails at The Cape are renowned, and the couple featured several signature drinks throughout the evening, adding a personal touch to the celebration.
Reception Decor & Dinner
With the help of the talented planners at Carat Weddings, the reception space was beautifully curated to create an intimate and unforgettable evening. Since it was such a small wedding, every detail was thoughtfully considered. “We were able to rent all of the tableware, dishes, and decor to make it truly special,” Amanda shared. Her favorite touches were the hanging lanterns, which added a magical ambiance. She had also custom-ordered natural maracas, painting the handles black to match the overall decor.
Instead of a traditional seating chart, the couple opted for a fun twist—guests were greeted with a shot of tequila in place of escort cards. Acrylic name tags hung from wine glasses as placards, adding a modern and elegant touch to the tablescape. Amanda had always loved the green striped tile on the patio and was determined to incorporate sage green into the palette. They ended up with a stunning combination of wood, black, light pink, and sage green—perfectly complementing the space and creating a night to remember.
It was an unforgettable evening for the newlyweds, filled with love and celebration. Their first dance was to “Better Together” by Luke Combs, a fitting choice that perfectly captured their journey as a couple. The dinner was delicious, the cake amazing, and the post-dessert Carajillos were a hit.
The entire day had a peaceful and relaxed vibe. Amanda reflects on how calm it all felt, saying, “There really wasn’t any stressful moment where I felt like I had to put out fires or fix problems.” Thanks to the flawless planning everything seemed to flow effortlessly. Whether or not there were any behind-the-scenes issues, for Amanda and Ryan, the day was simply perfect.
"It was the best weekend ever. Every single person was on the dance floor for the entire night. No one left early. We shut the bar down, the DJ kicked us out, and we went to the bar on the rooftop with our maracas to keep the party going."
Advice from the couple:
• Being from the event planning world, I knew how stressful and out of hand wedding planning could get. The best advice I can give is to be specific about what you want but flexible. You may not be able to have everything exactly how you imagined it. At the end of the day, it is about celebrating you as a couple and having a good time with your family and friends. No one is going to remember if the napkins matched perfectly or if the flowers were exactly how you had imagined. Try to have fun! That being said, there wasn’t anything about the day/night that I would have changed. It was perfect.
DESIGN & PLANNING Carat Weddings Cabo | VENUE The Cape Hotel | PHOTOGRAPHER Ximena Zermeno | HAIR & MAKEUP Blanc Bridal Salon | DRESS Ines Di Santo | FLORALS Let it Be Events | RENTALS Let it Be Events, Cabo Rental Decor | STATIONERY Amor de Papel | AV & LIGHTING Agency Tree House | DJ Dj Antonio Floren
