When the Ocean Joined Our “I Do’s” — A Cabo Wedding Story

Two weeks ago, I married my best friend in Cabo San Lucas — and while it turned out to be the most magical weekend of our lives, it didn’t go exactly as planned.

The week before our wedding, Cabo was hit with a massive hurricane. Heavy rainfall and rough ocean waters swept into our beachfront hotel — flooding the first floor, filling the pool, and washing across the patio where our welcome event and dance floor were supposed to be. Half the beach, where we had planned to host our reception, was simply gone.

By the time we arrived, the skies were clear again — bright blue and beautiful — but the coastline looked completely different. Our venue team quickly offered us a Plan B: moving the reception into the hotel’s restaurant. While it was a lovely space, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it would break the flow of the evening. Guests would have to walk around the property from dinner to reach the dance floor, and I worried the energy might fizzle.

Our original ceremony location was on a grassy hilltop overlooking the beach — picturesque and serene. But the day before the wedding, I made a last-minute decision: I wanted our ceremony on the beach, even if it wasn’t quite the same beach anymore. I asked to move the reception up to the hilltop instead, keeping everything closer to the dance floor.

It was a risk — high tide could easily rise to where our chairs were set. But we decided to embrace the moment and trust that the day would unfold as it was meant to.

When Nature Became Part of the Ceremony

The morning of our wedding was picture-perfect — sunshine, clear skies, and turquoise water. But as guests began to take their seats for the ceremony, the ocean had already started creeping closer.

By the time I walked down the aisle, the waves were lapping at the first row of chairs. We looked at each other, took a breath, and said, “Let’s keep going.”

Everyone kicked off their shoes. Guests laughed, cheered, and held their dresses above the water. The bridesmaids, groomsmen, and our officiant stood their ground, quite literally, as the tide rolled in. By the time we said our vows, the waves had reached our ankles — the ocean fully joining us in that moment.

What could have been stressful or disappointing turned into one of the most beautiful experiences of our lives. It felt symbolic — like the force of nature itself was blessing our union. The laughter, the energy, the sound of the waves — it all became part of our story.

Afterward, countless guests told us it was one of the most incredible ceremonies they’d ever witnessed. And honestly, it was for us too.

The Lesson: Let Go and Let It Be

As a planner, I know how much energy, time, and intention go into preparing for a wedding day. You plan every last detail — but there’s only so much you can control. Mother Nature, timing, emotions, and surprises all have their own plans.

What I learned that day is this: flexibility is everything. When you release the pressure of perfection, you open space for magic to unfold.

Our wedding weekend reminded me that the best moments often come from what you didn’t plan. And sometimes, the most powerful part of your story is the one nature writes for you.

So to every couple planning a wedding — have a Plan B, but also have trust. Prepare thoughtfully, but stay open to the unexpected. Because in the end, it’s not about a flawless event; it’s about fully experiencing the joy of the moment you’ve worked so hard to create.

I’m sharing a brief video from our wedding, to show you the waves crashing over our feet, as well as the genuine laughter and the creatition of this magical moment. The waves also made for excellent photos and videos. Think about all that texture! We wouldn’t have changed a thing <3