Consider This Pink-and-White Welcome Party in Cancun, Mexico, Your Guide to the Ultimate Big-Day Kick Off

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bride and groom holding hands walking on wooden path next to water — Abby Jiu Photography

To welcome their 60 guests to their March 16, 2019, destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico, Katie and Nick kicked off the weekend with a party on the beach. With their toes in the sand, guests noshed on delicious Mexican fare, sipped craft cocktails, and enjoyed décor that teased the color palette of the big day still to come: pops of pink with plenty of white to spare.

Katie and Nick held the welcome party the night before their wedding; the celebration began at 6 p.m. and lasted until the sun had set on the beach at the venue, Nizuc Resort and Spa. With the help of wedding planner Grit & Grace and florist Canteiro Weddings, Katie and Nick created an event that was laid-back enough to ease them into the wedding day—but was fun, as well: There was dancing, an Instagram-ready swing (the groom's favorite décor element), and plenty of speeches.

A highlight, Katie says, is when her friends secretly produced a video to be shown at the party. In the video, the friends recorded their wishes and advice for the couple. "Laura [of Grit & Grace] managed to get a TV set up on the beach, so the whole party could be surprised with the personal video montage," Katie says. "It was epic!" But for Nick, the best moments were those before the guests had arrived. He loved "seeing the space…and sharing an intimate moment with Katie," the groom explains.

As for the bride's favorite décor moment? She "loved the fire pit, which was a last-minute addition. It was great to have a central space for everyone to be together," she says.

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The Bride and Groom in White

bride wearing white lace dress laughing with groom wearing all white — Abby Jiu Photography

Katie wore a white lace dress from Alexis, which she paired with Prada pumps. Nick matched her look by donning white slacks and a white oxford shirt—with white Vans shoes to boot.

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In the Sand

Nizuc Resort and Spa beach welcome party venue — Abby Jiu Photography

The couple held their welcome party on the beach of Nizuc Resort and Spa, where their wedding would take place the following day. As for the party's décor? "We incorporated pops of pink throughout the event to keep the theme consistent," Katie explains, when asked how this pre-wedding event's decorations connected to the main celebration's.

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Swinging Into Married Life

bride sitting on wood and rope swing set on beach — Abby Jiu Photography

Nick's favorite party element was a wood-and-rope swing set placed in the sand. "It was a great backdrop for photos," he says.

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Chic Wedding Party

bride and groom with wedding party all wearing white on beach — Abby Jiu Photography

The couple's wedding party members wore white to the welcome party, matching the bride and groom.

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Pink-Tiled Bar

pink mosaic tiles decorated beach bar — Abby Jiu Photography

A bar on the sand embraced the couple's color palette with pink mosaic tiles.

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Personal Signature Cocktails

bride and groom holding palomas and mojitos signature cocktails — Abby Jiu Photography

The couple served two signature cocktails: palomas and mojitos. "We named the two cocktails after our dogs who couldn't make the trip to Mexico," Katie says.

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Taco Central

large light up TACO sign on beach — Abby Jiu Photography

Katie and Nick offered up Mexican fare during the party: A taco station and churros, which were served with caramel or chocolate dipping sauces. The taco part of the menu was built into the décor landscape—marquis letters spelling out the traditional dish were placed just in front of the fire pit.

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Minimal Décor

The couple set up seating areas with rentals from Canteiro Weddings, choosing long white tables and poufs for seating—and that's it. "We actually did not have any flowers," Katie says of the décor. "We wanted it to be very minimalist and chic.

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