Meet the Heart Behind Vacay Mode Travels®
We’re Sarah and Alden — a husband‑and‑wife team living in Mazatlán, Mexico and helping couples plan intentional, joy‑filled destination weddings throughout Mexico. We believe your wedding should feel like you: effortless, meaningful, and rooted in the moments you’ll remember forever.
Vacay Mode Travels was built for couples who want more than a package. You want guidance. You want clarity. You want someone who knows Mexico intimately and treats your wedding like it matters — because it does.
How Our Story Became Your Wedding Experience
Our journey started long before Vacay Mode Travels existed.
We met in Wisconsin, fell in love fast, and got married at Lambeau Field in 2013 — a moment that sparked our obsession with celebrations that feel personal and unforgettable. Over the next decade, life took us from Wisconsin to Arizona, through military service, social work, healthcare leadership, and event planning. Every chapter sharpened our skills in communication, logistics, and caring for people during some of the biggest moments of their lives.
In 2022, we took the leap and founded Vacay Mode Travels with one goal: help couples plan weddings that feel intentional, supported, and stress‑free. A year later, we left our full‑time careers, moved to Mazatlán, and committed fully to becoming Mexico‑based experts — exploring resorts, meeting planners, and understanding the nuances that only come from living here.
This isn’t a side passion. It’s our life’s work.
Why We’re Uniquely Equipped to Guide You
Between us, we bring a blend of experience that’s rare in the wedding and travel world:
Sarah
- Certified event and wedding planner
- Certified Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist
- Certified Travel Industry Coach
- Background in social work, healthcare leadership, and operations
- Former COO with a deep love for systems, communication, and people
- The calm, strategic voice guiding you through every decision
Alden
- Former surgical tech with unmatched attention to detail
- Logistics‑minded, steady, and solutions‑oriented
- The person couples always describe as “the grounding presence we didn’t know we needed”
Together
- Mexico‑based, boots‑on‑the‑ground expertise
- A boutique approach that prioritizes quality over volume
- A commitment to clarity, communication, and genuine care
- Certified Travel Professionals
We don’t just plan from afar — we live here, explore constantly, and build relationships with the teams who will help bring your wedding to life.
Our Philosophy: Intentional, Boutique, Mexico‑Only
We’re not the right fit for everyone — and that’s intentional.
We work with a limited number of couples each year so we can give you the kind of support that feels personal, attentive, and deeply invested. Your wedding isn’t “one of many.” It’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment, and we treat it that way. What matters to us:
- Clear communication
- Thoughtful guidance
- A planning experience that feels calm and supported
- Weddings that reflect your story, not a template
- A Mexico‑only focus so you get the most accurate, up‑to‑date expertise
If you value intentionality, trust, and a team who genuinely cares — you’ll feel right at home with us.
A Few Things That Make Us…Us
We’re not “fun fact” people in the cheesy sense — but here are a few things couples always love learning:
- We’ve scouted more than 100+ resorts across Mexico (and counting).
- Our favorite part of a wedding day is the moment right before you walk down the aisle — the breath, the stillness, the meaning.
- We have a tradition of finding one local café in every town we visit and making it “ours” for the week.
- Couples often tell us they feel instantly calmer after our first call — and that’s the best compliment we could ever receive.
- We believe weddings should feel like a celebration, not a production.
What You Can Expect From Us
- A boutique, high‑touch planning experience
- Honest guidance rooted in real Mexico expertise
- Clear communication every step of the way
- A wedding that feels effortless, intentional, and uniquely yours
- A team who treats your celebration with the same care we’d give our own
A few of our favorite things....
“Sarah and Alden co-create a perfect balance for travel guidance. Highly organized in a laid-back fashion. Always available and easy to relate to. Give them a try, they do not disappoint!”
❤ Melissa & Charles
Meet The Team Supporting Your Experience
While we (Sarah & Alden) are the heart of Vacay Mode Travels, we’re supported by a small, trusted team who helps ensure every detail is handled with care.
We keep our team intentionally small, so your experience always feels personal.
Rochelle
Guest Support, Communication, and Marketing Management
Joy
Joy
Admin, Behind-the-Scenes Coordination, and Marketing
Our Commitment to Mexico’s Shores
At Vacay Mode Travels®, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on the environment by giving back to the community through beach clean-ups. Join us on unforgettable trips that not only let you discover the world but also contribute to the well-being of our beautiful beaches. When supporting Vacay Mode Travels®, you can create lifetime memories while shaping a more sustainable future.
VMT Independent Affiliates
Simone - Travel Advisor
I specialize in planning:
- International Travel
- Water Tourism
- All-Inclusive Vacations
Based In:
📍 Apache Junction, Arizona
Career Opportunities
Travel Advisor
Are you interested in a rewarding career as a Travel Advisor? Do you wish you could work anywhere in the world, on your own while having unlimited earning potential?
As a Vacay Mode Travels® Advisor you have everything you desire:
- Flexibility to set your own work schedule
- Be able to work from anywhere in the world
- Unlimited earning potential
- Travel discounts
- One on One support & guidance
- Robust Training Program
- Nest Membership
- Receive everything you need to get started (branding, legal forms, platforms, training)
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Planning your mexico Destination Wedding?
Get Our Destination Wedding Blueprint
Your personalized roadmap to a stress-free, joy-filled celebration in paradise.
Inside you’ll find:
🌴 How to Choose the Right Destination & Resort
🗓️ Detailed Planning timelines
🎉 How to Maximize your Guest's Experience
💡 Inspiration to reflect your love story
💰 Budget clarity without the overwhelm
Crafted by Sarah & Alden—Certified Destination Wedding Specialists who live in Mexico.
We’ve helped couples just like you turn their vision into reality. Now it’s your turn.
👇 Grab your free playbook and start planning with confidence.