Sayulita Destination Wedding with Marweddings

Missy Garner and Matt Tisdale were both born and raised in Austin, Texas, but it took their two best friends dating in order for them to meet.  A decade and many adventures later, they decided to make it official. They got engaged on Christmas day, 2013, and tied the knot on November 21st 2014.  The couple share with El Sayulero why they chose Sayulita as their wedding destination, what their wedding was like, and much more.

How did you first hear of Sayulita?

We first heard of Sayulita from a friend who had come for a wedding.

Why did you choose Sayulita as the location for your destination wedding?

We knew we wanted a destination wedding in an exotic feeling location, but wanted to keep it somewhat close to home and not be too expensive for all of our guests. Living in Texas, Mexico seemed to be the perfect solution and after a little investigating, Sayulita quickly emerged as our favorite prospect.

Which wedding planner did you choose and why?

We chose Marweddings for our planner and could not have been any happier. Not only were they the first to respond to us, they made us feel like we were their only client and all attention was focused on our wedding. Sounds selfish, but it made a huge impression on us. Best part is, they totally backed it up along the whole process.

Were there any other local individuals/companies that helped out with your wedding plans?

Most of the details were left up to Marweddings who worked with their amazing local vendors and contacts. We have to give a shout out to Jillian Mitchell Photography. Jill is an amazing photographer who did the most amazing job capturing our perfect day. Also, Latcho yAndrea absolutely tore it up on their Spanish guitars. There is no better dinner, which was provided by Don Pedro’s Catering, music in the world. Gracias amigos!

What was it like planning a destination wedding?

One word… easy! This is all due to the amazing team at Marweddings. We were fortunate to come several months before the wedding and meet them. We got to tour the venue, taste the food and cake, and have a good time getting to know each other. All other details were handled by email.

Where did you have your wedding and what was your wedding day like?

Our wedding was held outside at Don Pedro's Palapa Brisa del Mar, overlooking the town and Pacific Ocean. Immediately following the ceremony we surprised everyone with a mariachi band during margarita hour. Next was an amazing dinner under the stars, followed by the best dance party that has ever been thrown (at least in our minds). Jill’s photos don’t lie. Sounds cliché, but it really was the best day of our lives. We wouldn’t do anything differently.

How big was your wedding? Where did your guests travel from?

We had 42 guests at our wedding who traveled from California, New York, Texas, Washington, and Ireland.

What is your most memorable moment from your wedding?

The dance party! Everything else was beyond perfect as well, but ultimately, it’s the dance party with the costumes that provided everyone with the best photos, stories, and unforgettable moments. Everyone was so into it (ourselves definitely included) that we forgot to cut the cake! Oooops… it tasted great the next day though.

What did you like about having a destination wedding in Sayulita?

We love that there are no major resorts, chain restaurants or obnoxious tourist traps in Sayulita to take away from its charm. To walk around town or on the beach and run into our family and friends made it feel like the town was ours!

What most impressed you about your wedding planner?

Their ability to understand our unique personality, style, and budget, and create an event that blew away our already high expectations. Every detail was perfect and we never stressed about a thing all day.

What did you enjoy most about your stay in Sayulita?

Everything…the food, people, beaches, and ambiance were nothing short of spectacular. We’ve traveled considerably and this is hands down one of our favorite destinations.

Some people have a preconceived notion that Mexico is unsafe? How did you and your guests feel about your safety in Sayulita?

Some of our guests voiced the same concerns when we originally announced the location. However, after arriving, neither us, nor anyone in our party were ever uncomfortable or felt the least bit threatened during our stay. Sayulita is a very safe town and we would recommend it to anyone.

How did the cost of your destination wedding to Sayulita compare to the cost of friends’ wedding in your home of origin?

We’re guessing that our wedding cost around a third of what the equivalent would be back in the States. Financially, we’re not sure we would have been able to throw the wedding of our dreams back home, as we were able to in Sayulita.

What advice would you give others considering a destination wedding in Sayulita?

DO IT! If you’re already considering Sayulita as a prospect, you’re on the right track. Since our wedding, many of our guests have been spreading the word to others about having a destination wedding in Sayulita. The best piece of advice we could give to others considering a destination wedding in Sayulita is to A) Hire Marweddings and B) Go down before the wedding (even if it is for a couple days) to meet with the team to go over all the specifics. Not only will it help with decision-making, but it also got us so stoked for the wedding we couldn’t wait.