Real Weddings

Claire & Gabriel’s Destination Wedding at Dreams Playa Mujeres, Cancun

Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Mexico
Written by Deanna Buse
July 28, 2025

When it comes to planning a destination wedding, there’s nothing more reassuring than hearing directly from someone who’s been through it. That’s exactly why I loved having Claire — one of my former Breezy Brides — on the podcast to share her full wedding journey, from initial planning to her & Gabe’s big day at Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort located in Playa Mujeres, just north of downtown Cancún.

Claire and I originally connected through my podcast and TikTok, which just goes to show how many couples are searching for relatable, helpful information beyond flooded Facebook groups and well before resort research even begins. Her wedding story is full of insight, tips, surprises, and honest reflections—especially helpful if you’re considering a wedding in Mexico, or even at this exact resort.

Let’s dive into every detail of Claire’s gorgeous wedding, including travel logistics, resort planning, guest experiences, what she would do differently, and some amazing photos that will leave you seriously inspired.

TUNE INTO THE EPISODE RIGHT HERE

From Nebraska to Mexico: Why Claire Chose Cancun

Claire and Gabe, and a majority of their guests, live in Nebraska, which meant international travel wasn’t exactly seamless—there’s no major international airport nearby. Still, Cancun stood out for one major reason: accessibility.

“We wanted it to be a nice place for everybody, but not something super expensive. Cancun just had the best flight options—especially for our guests from Nebraska and Virginia.”

Other destinations like the Dominican Republic or Jamaica were on the table early on, but Claire quickly realized that flight times, layovers, and ease of travel were key considerations—not just for her, but for all of her guests.

Choosing Dreams Playa Mujeres

After considering her and her guests’ budget and must-haves we sent a tailored list of resort options that met these needs. From there, Claire had narrowed her selections down to two resorts: Dreams Playa Mujeres and The Fives Beach Hotel. Ultimately, she chose Dreams for its beach quality, less confusing wedding packages, and reassurance from someone close to her.

“My mom’s best friend had been to Dreams and loved it, which made me feel really good about choosing it.”

The Fives was appealing for its jungle vibes, but the a la carte wedding planning and seaweed barriers on the beach became dealbreakers. Dreams offered a cleaner, simpler experience with traditional wedding packages—and some of the best beaches in the Cancun area.

After Claire’s and my initial consult it was clear that Claire had a few key criteria for the resort she was trying to find:

Relaxed, tropical, and beachy—not too modern
Accessible travel routes
A beautiful, swimmable beach
Affordable rates for guests
Enough greenery and ambiance to feel like a true destination

The Planning Timeline & Site Inspection Trip

Claire began planning in March 2023 for a June 2024 wedding—about a 15-month timeline.

“It was a really good amount of time. Long enough to plan without feeling rushed.”

Once she confirmed her date and resort, we built her a custom wedding website, opened the room block, and looped in the on-site wedding coordinator from the resort. But like many couples, Claire learned that all-inclusive resort planning timelines are a little different than stateside weddings at home.

One thing Claire emphasized was how different communication timelines can be when working with resorts in Mexico—especially compared to what we’re used to in the U.S.

“I think we’re just so used to people responding instantly. You [Deanna] would always respond so quickly. And then working with the resort, I had to get used to the fact that it could take a few days—and that that was normal.”

This is something I always try to prep my couples for. It’s not that the resort doesn’t care or isn’t doing their job—it’s just that they manage dozens of weddings a month, and their workflow runs on a very different timeline. Claire mentioned that the initial lag in replies was a little unsettling, but it helped that she had already had a strong foundation of planning during her February site visit.

So if you’re in the thick of planning and worried because the resort hasn’t gotten back to you in 24 hours—breathe. That’s normal. Having a travel expert who’s responsive and on your side can fill in those gaps and give you the confidence to keep moving forward.

The Booking Experience: Easy, Streamlined, and Guest-Friendly

Claire raved about how simple and smooth the booking experience was—not just for her, but for all of her guests.

“It was a really good amount of time. Long enough to plan without feeling rushed.”

When you book your destination wedding through Breezy Brides, we build a custom booking site just for your group. Guests can choose their room type, dates, and enter any special requests—all without sending a single email back and forth. It’s mobile-friendly, intuitive for all age groups, and completely transparent about pricing.

“I loved that I could plug in different dates and room types and see the exact total before hitting submit. That kind of visibility is so helpful—especially when you’re budgeting for a big trip.”

Many travel agents still require guests to email them to book, which leads to long chains of questions like: How much is a double room? What about for four nights? Can I switch room categories? Claire appreciated that the form handled all of that—and so did her guests.

“We had guests who had never traveled internationally before, and they didn’t feel overwhelmed. Everything was explained clearly, the process was simple, and no one reached out to me saying they were confused.”

From there, we handle all resort communication, coordinate transportation like Lomas Travel and accommodate any special requests like cribs, mobility scooters, or dietary needs. We’re also available to help guests who prefer to book different room categories or dates outside the room block. In short? Your guests don’t have to be seasoned travelers to enjoy your wedding—and you don’t have to be their travel agent. We’ve got you covered.

Room Choice & Regrets

Claire and Gabe were upgraded to an ocean view room on the top level, with vaulted ceilings and panoramic views of the pool and ocean. While she loved the space, Claire did say she’d consider a swim-out room next time.

“We weren’t in our room much, but the pools closed early. A swim-out would’ve been fun for evening hangouts.”

Guests had a mix of room types, and several upgrades and requests were processed smoothly through our booking form.

Hosted by Deanna, Featuring former breezy bride claire

Listen to the Podcast Episode

Want to hear the full story in Claire’s own words? This feature is also available as a podcast episode.

Wedding Packages & What’s Included

Claire chose the Beyond Memorable Package, which includes a slew of amenities, with the most important being:

But there were some things Claire didn’t realize weren’t included

She added several of these for aesthetic and logistical reasons. The boardwalk ended up being a crucial addition due to construction detours and mobility needs for her grandfather, who used a scooter.

“I didn’t expect to need a boardwalk, but it was the best money we spent. Everyone appreciated it.”

Budget Breakdown

Claire’s total wedding cost came in just under $20,000, not including some family-paid extras like the boardwalk. Compared to her sister’s local wedding in Omaha (which cost $13,000 just for the venue), the value of the destination experience was unbeatable.

“People paid to attend, yes—but everyone left happy. And now they’re talking about booking future all-inclusives.”

Here’s a more detailed breakdown of some of Claire’s wedding choices at Dreams Playa Mujeres.

Wedding Package$13,000
Bridal Suite$300
Boardwalk on the Beach$2,000
Palm Arch$1,000
Centerpieces$100 each
String Lights$982
Light Up Dance Floor$1,050
Updated DJ$1,100
External Vendor Fee $150 per vendor
staff member

Thoughts on the Bridal Suite

Bridal Suite, Dreams Playa Mujeres golf & Spa Resort

As mentioned, Claire decided to pay extra for the bridal suite as well. In addition to the space itself, the bridal suite also offered snacks, drinks, and privacy—but poor lighting made doing makeup difficult.

“It’s in the spa with no windows. I wish I had brought better lights or done my makeup in a different room.”

Still, it was helpful for gathering and getting ready outside her hotel room, which kept stress and clutter to a minimum.

The Wedding Day & Venues

Claire’s wedding included:

Beach ceremony (location without a gazebo that offers more privacy)
Pool terrace reception
String lights and light-up dance floor for ambiance
A guest count of ~32 people

She kept group events low-key and optional. A bachelorette party, a few casual gatherings, and a welcome dinner allowed guests to relax and treat it like their own vacation.

“I didn’t want guests to feel obligated to do anything. We gave them space, and they ended up hanging out together anyway.”

Photographer & Other Vendors

Claire hired Arch Wedding Studio, specifically Evan, a bilingual photographer based in Cancun. She paid an external vendor fee (~$150 per person) to bring him on-site—and says it was 100% worth it.

“[Evan] was phenomenal. The photos I’ve seen so far are amazing, and everyone loved him.”

Photos © Arch Wedding Studio

Vendor Credits

DESTINATION WEDDING TRAVEL AGENCY: Breezy Brides, by Breezy Travel Co.

CANCUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: Arch Wedding Studio

CANCUN AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION: Lomas Transportation

ALL-INCLUSIVE DESTINATION WEDDING RESORT: Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

WEDDING DRESS: Rylann Lang, Omaha, NE

GROOMSMEN ATTIRE: Men’s Wearhouse, Omaha, NE

WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS: Livi Designs, Omaha, NE

Guest Feedback

Many of Claire’s guests had never been to an all-inclusive before, and almost all of them had a great experience:

Loved the food and drinks
Found the resort easy to navigate
Appreciated the different pool areas for adults and kids
Were impressed by the beach and views

Guests also loved the booking experience. Claire highlighted how simple the wedding website made things—no back-and-forth emails, just a form that handled rooms, payments, and add-ons seamlessly:

“Everyone thought the website was so smooth. And Lomas Travel was great for airport pickups. Nobody had any issues.”

We were also lucky enough to capture some valuable feedback straight from her guests on the overall experience:

“Thanks Deanna! The trip was great and the resort and staff were all wonderful. Some of the best service I think I ever received from some of the nicest people this planet may ever see. Thanks for everything.”—Mike

We always appreciate hearing reflections like these. They reinforce our confidence in the resorts and teams we trust to take care of you.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that. In fact, we hear it often. That’s part of what inspired us to create Breezy Getaways, our sister travel brand focused on all-inclusive vacations in Mexico and the Caribbean. Whether it’s a family trip, a couples’ escape, or a group getaway, our in-house travel expert Krystl Brinton makes it easy.

If you or someone you know finds yourself dreaming of the next escape, please consider Breezy Getaways! In the meantime, get to know our newest adventure: Breezy Getaways!

Claire’s Advice to Other Brides

1. Consider a site visit!

Seeing the resort in person helped Claire feel confident in her decisions and eliminated day-of confusion.

2. Don't fear June weather.

It’s hot, but manageable—and less crowded. Plus, rain rarely lasts more than 10–20 minutes.

3. Budget for hidden costs.

Lighting, walkways, upgraded décor—they add up. Know what’s not included upfront.

4. Keep things flexible for guests.

Let people enjoy their vacation. The most memorable moments often happen naturally.

5. And above all: trust the process.

Planning timelines and communication styles may be different in Mexico, but the resort team knows what they’re doing.

Get in touch

Planning Your Own Destination Wedding?

Looking for help planning your own dream wedding in Mexico or the Caribbean? Let’s talk! I offer full destination wedding travel planning services, including resort selection and guest travel coordination.