The Art of the Elopement (& Intimate Destination Weddings)

A Celebration of Love and Intention

In the first Sex and the City movie, Carrie initially wanted a small, intimate wedding under 75 guests that was a simple celebration of her love to Mr. Big. But as the plans unfolded, the guest list ballooned to over 300 people and turned into an extravagant event that Mr. Big later referred to as "a circus."

This is the reality many couples face: a well-intended vision of a wedding can easily become overwhelmed by expectations, logistics, and the desire to please others. The focus is turned away from what matters most—the couple themselves.

The term "elopement" has long been associated with secrecy, spontaneity, and the rush of hurried romance as two lovers run away to make an impulsive decision. Today, elopements have taken on an entirely new meaning with thoughtful, deeply intentional celebration of love that allows the couple to step away from external pressures and focus solely on what they personally want for their wedding day. It’s about choosing a wedding that reflects your values, your story, and your vision of a perfect day. An elopement is no longer just about minimizing stress or cost—it is about prioritizing connection, romance, and authenticity to create a wedding experience that is undeniably yours.

Crafting Your Dream Wedding

So now that you've decided to consider an elopement or boutique destination wedding, how do we create this incredible experience for you? At Slo Luxe Travel Design, we specialize in managing all the necessary logistics that allow our couples to truly enjoy their wedding (as well as the destination wedding planning!) without stress. Every couple is unique, and our role is to curate a destination wedding that aligns with your personal vision and preferences of a dream day.

Personalized Venue Matching

Finding the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important aspects of planning your elopement or intimate wedding. We take the time to understand you and your personal style to match you with a venue or host resort that reflects both. Sometimes, the perfect setting becomes clear by the end of our consultation call, while other times we refine the options based on your feedback until we find the one that speaks to you. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, we are always discovering new trends, sought-after resorts, and hidden gems.

For couples looking to marry in Europe, we work closely with on-location partners who possess an unparalleled understanding of their regions. These experts help us find unique settings such as private villas, manor houses, castles, and exclusive vineyards to create an ambiance that feels both personal and breathtaking. If additional wedding planning assistance is needed, they can also connect us with a local wedding planner who can fine-tune the details and ensure everything aligns with your vision.

Seamless Travel Coordination

A destination wedding should be effortless for both the couple and their guests. We handle every aspect of the travel components, from flights and accommodations to ground transportation and curated tours. We offer a customizable wedding website that allows your guests to conveniently access all necessary travel information, book their accommodations, and review important wedding details. This not only simplifies the process but ensures that your guests have all the tools they need to enjoy their time away. If one of your guests need a more personalized touch, they are always welcome to schedule a phone call to discuss their travel plans.

Wedding Planning Support

About five months before your wedding day, we schedule a Zoom meeting to go over wedding details such as color schemes, menu selections, and key elements of your celebration. We encourage couples to create Pinterest boards or collect inspiration photos to help us bring their vision to life. Then at 90 days before the wedding, we set up a meeting with the on-site wedding coordinator at your venue to ensure that all details are aligned. A final check-in is usually scheduled 30 days before the wedding to finalize logistics and address any last-minute needs.

While we provide pretty extensive wedding planning support, it’s important to note that we are not wedding designers. Our role is to coordinate the necessary logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly. If you have a highly detailed wedding vision with elaborate decor needs, we may recommend hiring additional assistance with a local wedding designer or planner who specializes in creating more intricate wedding designs. However, we can assist with recommending photographers, videographers, florists, decor specialists, and hair and makeup artists and more to ensure that every element meets your expectations.

Mexico & the Caribbean: All-Inclusive Elegance

For couples seeking luxury with seamless ease, all-inclusive resorts provide a stunning backdrop with world-class service, culinary excellence, and effortless coordination. Some of our favorites are:

• Grand Velas Resorts (Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos) – Offering an unparalleled level of service, Grand Velas Resorts are the epitome of beachfront luxury. Their intuitive concierge level service, all-inclusive gourmet dining, and stunning locations create an unforgettable wedding experience whether you’re exchanging vows on a private terrace overlooking the ocean or in a stunning garden setting. They really know how to make you feel special!

• Hotels Xcaret (Hotel Xcaret, Hotel Xcaret Arte, La Casa de la Playa) – A blend of luxury and culture, Hotels Xcaret offer a unique destination wedding experience in the heart of the Riviera Maya. With natural caves, cenotes, and lush tropical settings, couples can celebrate their love in an environment that merges touches of nature with the magic of Mexican culture. Your guests will never be bored with multiple eco and entertainment theme parks that offer an endless array of included activities.

• Secrets Cap Cana (Dominican Republic) – Nestled on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, Secrets Cap Cana provides an adults-only, all-inclusive escape designed for romance on stunning beaches.

• Secrets Moxché (Riviera Maya, Mexico) – This contemporary resort exudes modern elegance with stunning wedding venues such as rooftop ceremony locations, beautifully designed suites, and an ambiance that balances tranquility with unique entertainment venues (like a secret Speakeasy night club and a golf simulator).

Europe: Timeless Romance

For couples dreaming of an exclusive, European destination elopement, we recommend:

• Belmond Caruso (Amalfi Coast, Italy) – Perched on a clifftop overlooking the Mediterranean, Belmond Caruso is a timeless retreat offering one of the most romantic settings in the world. With lush gardens, frescoed halls, and infinity pools cascading into the horizon, this venue is an exquisite backdrop for an intimate wedding or elopement.

• Canaves Santorini (Greece) – Built into the famous white-washed cliffs of Oia, Canaves Santorini is a dreamlike venue for elopements. Couples can say their vows against the backdrop of the Aegean Sea, followed by an intimate reception with world-class cuisine and breathtaking sunset views.

• Zoetry Mallorca (Spain) – Set in the tranquil countryside of Mallorca, this refined estate blends historic charm with modern luxury. The peaceful surroundings, lush gardens, and elegant architecture provide a romantic, storybook setting for an intimate wedding or elopement.

For those envisioning an even more private affair, renting a private villa, manor house, or boutique hotel is a perfect alternative. Our in destination partners offer a wide range of options that we can perfectly match to you.

Elopements and intimate destination weddings are about stripping away the excess and embracing the essence of love in slow luxury bliss—a deeply personal, breathtakingly beautiful celebration that reflects what truly matters to you as a couple. Whether it’s a sun-drenched beachfront ceremony or a candlelit exchange of vows overlooking the Mediterranean, the art of the elopement is in the details, the intention, and the love that surrounds it. Let’s create something extraordinary- together.