Brittney & Al: A Stress-free Soiree

By Alex Davies

Effortlessly relaxed and casually cool, Brittney Brown is the anti-bridezilla. But she did have one strict rule for her wedding: “I was NOT going to be stressed on the day!”

That outlook was partly why the couple chose Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen. They already wanted a destination wedding because their families were spread all across Canada. “We thought a central location where people could have an entire vacation together was best,” explains Brittney’s husband, Al.

The pre-arranged wedding packages and experienced team were a big draw for a couple who weren’t fussed about traditional pomp and circumstance. “It’s supposed to be the happiest day of our lives, and the less you have to worry about, the more you can be present.”

But, it was Sandos Caracol’s environmentally-friendly features that sealed the deal for the eco-minded pair. Brittney also loved the resort’s animal sanctuary, and they knew their guests would get a unique experience. “It wasn’t your typical resort with hotel, pool, beach,” Brittney recalls. “You’re walking through the resort, and you’re surrounded by jungle. They had a Mayan village there too…”

“And waterslides!” Al adds. “Something for everybody!”

They invited 47 guests to stay for a seven-day vacation, which gave them breathing room before the big day. Everyone booked their travel through one destination wedding specialist, which streamlined the process and took the weight off the couple’s shoulders.

On the wedding day, they were blessed with the first cool breeze of the week, taking the edge off the otherwise scorching Mexico-in-July heat. Brittney was regally relaxed in a head-to-toe lace dress, complete with train and a gorgeous open back, and walked down the aisle with flowers in her hair and sandals on her feet. Al mastered beach formal in mint-green shorts and a white linen shirt.

They wed under a round gazebo draped in white flowers accented with Birds of Paradise, the bride’s favourite flower. The postcard-perfect view behind them was breathtaking, with gem-coloured waters lapping gently at the sugary white sand. Their spiritual ceremony went off without a hitch or a dry eye in the place— including Al’s! He blames his tears on “a gust of wind and flying sand,” but if you heard how he talks about the first time he saw Brittney in her dress, you wouldn’t believe the sand story either.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and Mexican snacks during cocktail hour before heading to the rooftop patio for the reception. Tables loaded with beautiful white lily and white rose centrepieces surrounded an illuminated fountain, creating a simple-yet-stunning scene. The head table displayed two sugar skulls handcrafted by the couple’s friend, with an identical mini pair sitting on the lemon-vanilla wedding cake.

The resort exceeded expectations at dinner, providing options for everyone with a dietary restriction. “A lot of my family are vegan and vegetarian,” Brittney explains. “Al and I eat vegan, and the resort accommodated everyone so wonderfully.”

The dance floor was packed all night, beyond last call. “Once the reception finished, we moved everyone down to the resort’s disco because our families are big dancers.” Brittney recalls. “Everything was just so fun, and that’s exactly what we wanted.”

Looking back, Brittney and Al are 100 per cent positive they wouldn’t change a thing – well, 99 per cent positive... “The only thing we would have done differently is book a couple of days to stay at the resort after the wedding, just us two, to reconnect after this huge event,’’ Brittney says.

Al agrees. “Pass that along to anyone planning a destination wedding.”