SHIRTLESS GROOMSMEN & ZERO REGRETS
When Megan and her now-husband first experienced a destination wedding as guests, it completely shifted how they envisioned their own big day. “We knew no one going into that weekend—and left with lifelong friends,” she shared. “We looked at each other and said, ‘We’re doing this.’”
So, when they got engaged, Megan dove right in. A Type A planner through and through, she created spreadsheets, comparison charts—even a PowerPoint. But the deeper she got into it, the more overwhelmed she felt. That’s when she turned to the experts.
Enter: Be All Inclusive.
“I didn’t even know what I didn’t know,” Megan told us. “I found a few resorts I loved, but they didn’t offer room blocks—and I had no idea how important that was. You explained everything.”
We helped Megan narrow her list, weigh the pros and cons of resorts (beyond the photos), and ultimately land on Secrets Akumal—a stunning, tropical resort in the Riviera Maya known for its iconic arch venue, swimmable beach, and relaxed luxury vibe.
WHY SECRETS AKUMAL WAS "THE ONE"?
For Megan, a few things were non-negotiable:
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A swimmable beach (with sea turtles? Yes please.)
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Lush, spread-out property (not a high-rise)
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A wedding venue that felt different
“When I saw the arch at Secrets Akumal, I was like… that would cost a fortune in the U.S. It felt luxurious but still laid-back.”
WHAT PLANNING WAS REALLY LIKE
From the start, Megan said working with BAI made the planning process feel clear and manageable. The group perks we secured paid for their honeymoon flights to Bali, and travel coordination—despite juggling guests through four Cancun airport terminals—was smooth. She felt confident with the room block setup, and praised our team’s quick communication. Though she initially considered hiring a separate wedding planner, she realized it wasn’t necessary.
“Between BAI and the resort team, everything was handled,” she said. While the resort planning doesn’t start until about three months out, Megan’s advice is simple: “Give them grace. They do this every day—and they get it done.”
MEGAN'S TOP TIPS FOR FUTURE COUPLES
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Hire a destination wedding travel agent: “Let BAI do the heavy lifting. They know way more than a blog ever could.”
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Don’t stress over planning too early: “The resort team really does pull it together, even if it feels last-minute.”
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Go adults-only if that’s your vibe: “We didn’t get pushback—and our parent friends were so thankful for the break.”
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Extend your reception: “We would’ve had 30 minutes of dancing if we didn’t. Best decision ever.”
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Capture the moment: “Pay for the photographer and videographer you love. That video? I watch it five times a week.”
*excluding couple's stay*
WANT TO HEAR IT STRAIGHT FROM MEGAN?
Watch our full interview where she talks planning, pricing, partying, and why destination weddings just hit different!