PINK AND ORANGE LUXURY DESTINATION WEDDING AT ONE&ONLY PALMILA
A Cabo San Lucas Love Story
Destination Wedding Planner Andrea Eppolito. Images by Stephanie Lynn.
Every once in a while, a couple comes along with a vision that quietly evolves into something extraordinary. What began as an intimate elopement for my couple, Samantha and Jon, at the famed One & Only Palmilla in Cabo San Lucas grew into a decadent destination celebration for nearly 100 guests—and the transformation was nothing short of spectacular.
When I first met this bride, her dream was simple. She wanted to marry the love of her life in front of just a handful of people—their closest family and dearest friends. She wasn’t interested in pomp or pageantry. She wanted connection, peace, and purpose. But as these things often go, love has a way of expanding. And when their guest count started to rise, she knew it was time to bring in a wedding planner who could take the pressure off, finalize her design, and elevate the overall experience. That’s where I came in…Just 28 days before take off!
Setting the Stage: Welcome to Mexico
When guests arrive at a destination like Cabo, the first night sets the tone—not just for the weekend, but for the memories that will linger long after the last champagne toast.
For this welcome event, we embraced the rich, bold vibrancy of Mexico itself. Inspired by the country’s palette and passion, we curated a design that exploded with color—light pink, fuchsia, marigold yellow, and fiery orange. These were not just hues pulled from a paint deck; they were emotions made visible. Joy, warmth, and the thrill of what was to come.
We held the event right on the sand, where guests could take their shoes off, feel the earth beneath them, and truly let go. We brought in a live mariachi band whose sound filled the air and wrapped around every guest like a warm embrace. Atmosphere models floated through the space, costumed in Day of the Dead regalia, paying homage to the heritage of the land and the deep, beautiful traditions of remembrance and celebration.
And the details? Oh, the details.
A wall of fresh coconuts stood at the entrance—each one chilled, filled with cocktails, and branded with the couple’s custom logo. It was functional. It was fabulous. It was fun. Every moment was designed to whisper the couple’s story and to shout their joy from the rooftops. The dinner buffet, curated by the property’s culinary team, was served right on the sand—inviting everyone to eat with their hands, laugh with their hearts, and dance with abandon.
Design with a Soul
Luxury doesn’t always have to be restrained. It can be colorful. Playful. Alive.
What made this weekend so unique wasn’t just the setting or the palette. It was the way we wove the couple’s essence into every moment. They weren’t interested in copying what had been done before. They wanted a wedding that felt like them—a blend of beauty, energy, and soul.
One of the most important design moments came in the form of a custom statement bar. We created a stunning centerpiece that did more than just serve drinks—it served the brand. Wrapped in a custom print that matched the menus, welcome notes, itineraries, and other branded pieces we had commissioned for the weekend, the bar became a conversation piece. A work of art. A bold expression of intention.
For me, branding isn’t just about fonts and colors. It’s about consistency. It's about emotion. It’s the way a couple sees themselves in the world and how we bring that worldview to life through paper, texture, lighting, sound, scent, and scale. We’re not planning parties. We’re telling love stories. One beautifully curated moment at a time.
The Power of a Place: One & Only Palmilla
There are destination venues, and then there’s One & Only Palmilla.
This legendary resort is a study in understated elegance. With its whitewashed walls, lush gardens, and views that stretch endlessly across the Sea of Cortez, it offers more than a venue—it offers an escape.
The property’s ability to feel both intimate and grand makes it ideal for couples like this one, who want to pamper their guests while staying true to a more personal, soulful experience. The resort team was a dream to work with—professional, precise, and endlessly gracious. They understood what we were building and leaned into every idea, no matter how ambitious.
A Place for Every Chapter of Their Love Story
Before the colors, the cocktails, or the coconuts—there was just the two of them.
Their love story began with the kind of intensity you only see in epic romances. Just days after meeting, they ran off together on a spontaneous trip to Cabo San Lucas. No agenda. No expectations. Just a shared spark and a sense that something real was unfolding.
That first adventure led to more than a vacation—it led to a life. Over time, Cabo became their sanctuary. A place to escape. A place to connect. A place to fall even deeper in love. They now own a home on the beach, just steps from the One & Only Palmilla, and it's there that they’ve lived their most important moments.
It was in Cabo that they said I love you for the first time.
It was there that he proposed.
And it was on that very same shore that they would later announce the greatest gift of all—the coming of their first child.
So when it came time to welcome their guests and celebrate their marriage, there was no question of where. Cabo wasn’t just a destination. It was home. It was their beginning, their becoming, and their forever.
The decision to host both the welcome party and the wedding at the One & Only Palmilla wasn’t just about luxury. It was about meaning. About returning to the place where it all started. And about sharing that place—their place—with the people who mattered most.
The Wedding Day: Coming Soon…
While the welcome party was a full celebration in and of itself, it was only the beginning. The wedding day that followed was nothing short of magic—but that’s a story for another post.
Let’s just say that this couple proved you don’t have to choose between small and meaningful or grand and glamorous. You can have both. You can start with intimacy and scale with intention. You can invite the people who matter most into your joy, and you can do it in a way that feels personal, powerful, and completely unforgettable.
Celebrating Life, Luxury, and Above All Else… Love
As a wedding planner and event designer, I only take on a few weddings a year because I believe in doing this deeply. My process is immersive and intimate, built on trust and shared vision. When my clients choose me, they aren’t hiring a planner—they’re inviting a storyteller. Someone who will see them for who they are, honor their history, and dream their future into existence.
While this couple didn't initially think that they needed a wedding planner, they ultimately invited me into their lives, and trusted me to bring their greatest dreams to life. It was power planning at its finest, and some of the most fun I've ever had. Above all, they trusted me, and thanks to my team we delviered!
This Cabo celebration was more than a wedding. It was an atmosphere. A transformation. A living, breathing work of art. And I am so proud to have played a part in its creation.
Stay tuned for the wedding day feature—and if you're dreaming of a destination experience that reflects your soul and stuns your guests, know this: The universe can be bent. The story is yours to write. And I’d be honored to help you tell it.
Always…a
Thank you for following Samantha and Jon’s Cabo San Lucas Destination Wedding at One & Only Palmilla.
Wedding Planner Andrea Eppolito. Photo by Stephanie Lynn.
