As a Columbus-based photographer who loves photographing destination weddings in Mexico, documenting Katie and Pado’s celebration at Hotel Xcaret was an absolute dream. Cody and I packed our bags and traveled to the beautiful Riviera Maya to photograph Katie and Pado’s wedding at Hotel Xcaret Mexico. Located along the coastline just outside Playa del Carmen and about an hour south of Cancún, the resort became the setting for one of the most meaningful wedding experiences I have ever photographed.
This trip marked my very first destination wedding in Mexico, and I already know it will be one I remember for the rest of my life.
Arriving Early to Explore Hotel Xcaret and the Riviera Maya
Cody and I arrived several days early so we could explore the resort and learn our way around before the wedding festivities began. I’m so glad we did, because Hotel Xcaret is absolutely expansive. The property winds through jungle pathways, stone bridges, rivers, and oceanfront cliffs, and every turn feels like discovering a new hidden corner of paradise.
Arriving early also gave us the chance to truly experience everything the resort offers. The days leading up to the wedding were filled with adventure and discovery throughout the Riviera Maya. Each morning we hopped on the bus system that connects the resort to several parks, giving us the opportunity to explore nature, culture, and the landscape that makes this part of Mexico so special.
We ziplined through the jungle canopy, floated through one of the most relaxing spas I have ever experienced, and explored cenotes carved into the earth where bats quietly flew overhead in the dim light. It was the kind of travel experience that fills your creative cup in ways you don’t even realize you needed.
At night we would walk down to the beach, listening to the waves in the distance while the warm air carried the soft scent of jasmine through the pathways. I’m not exaggerating when I say this trip has been one of the best experiences of our lives. By the time the wedding week began, I felt so creatively energized and grateful to be in such a beautiful place.
Meeting Katie and Pado in Mexico
Midweek we were finally reunited with Katie and Pado and their closest friends and family as their destination wedding celebration officially began.
Katie is someone I first met years ago when I photographed family portraits for her. From the very beginning, her warmth and kindness always stood out to me. She is one of those people who instantly makes everyone around her feel comfortable and welcomed.
When I later met Pado, it was immediately clear how deeply he loves her. The way he looks at Katie says everything.
One of the things I love most about photographing destination weddings is the opportunity to spend several days with a couple and their closest people. Instead of a single wedding day rushing by, you get to witness the laughter, friendships, and little moments that unfold throughout the entire celebration.
Welcome Cocktails and an Evening at Teatro del Rio
The first night of festivities began with a guest welcome cocktail hour where everyone had the chance to reconnect, hug, and begin celebrating together.
Afterward the group gathered for an incredible dinner show at the riverfront theater at the resort. The evening was filled with music, dancing, and vibrant performances that celebrated Mexican culture in such a joyful way.
It was also the first time I was able to meet the mother-daughter team Kim and Lauren from All in the Details AZ after months of phone calls and planning conversations. Seeing them bring the entire wedding experience together so seamlessly was truly impressive. Every detail had been thoughtfully planned so that guests could relax and simply enjoy being present together in Mexico.
Katie and Pado’s Hotel Xcaret Wedding Day
When the wedding day arrived, there was a sense of excitement that seemed to ripple through the entire resort.
Katie looked absolutely radiant. As she prepared for the ceremony surrounded by her closest friends and family, the joy in the room was contagious.
During the ceremony itself, I found myself smiling behind the camera more than once. Katie and Pado whispered little things to each other and giggled throughout the ceremony in a way that felt so genuine and natural.
Pado never stopped watching her.
Not during the vows. Not during the reception.
And especially not during Katie’s father-daughter dance. Watching him quietly look on with so much admiration honestly made me tear up behind my camera.
These are the moments that remind me why I love photographing weddings so much. It’s not just the beautiful location or the details of the day—it’s the way two people show their love for one another in the quiet, unspoken moments.
A Catamaran Adventure to Isla Mujeres
One of the things that makes destination weddings so special is that the celebration doesn’t end when the wedding day is over.
The next morning everyone gathered again for an all-day catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres. The turquoise water, sunshine, music, and laughter made it feel like the perfect continuation of the celebration.
It was such a joy getting to spend even more time with Katie and Pado’s friends and family. They welcomed Cody and me so warmly that by the end of the trip it felt like we had been part of the group for years.
These experiences are exactly why I love destination weddings so much. You don’t just attend a wedding—you build memories together in an incredible place.
I’ll be sharing even more images soon from the parts of the trip that happened outside the wedding day itself, including our adventures around the resort, the cenotes, and the unforgettable catamaran trip.
Dreaming of More Destination Weddings
Coming home from the Riviera Maya, I feel more creatively inspired than I have in a long time.
Travel has a way of opening your eyes, filling your creativity, and reminding you why you fell in love with photography in the first place. Photographing Katie and Pado’s wedding at Hotel Xcaret was an experience I will always treasure, and it makes me so excited for the possibility of photographing more destination weddings in Mexico, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and beyond.
Katie and Pado’s wedding will always hold a special place in my heart as the destination wedding that started it all.
Venue: Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Planner: All in the Details AZ
Photography: Hailey Lauren Photography
Flowers and Decor: Corazon Luxury Weddings
Hair and Makeup: Muluk Spa
Dress: La Jeune Mariee
Alterations: Best Bridal & Alterations
Videograpny: Jhankarlo Photography
DJ: Hotel Xcaret Mexico
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