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 destination weddings that feel 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 clarity. You want guidance. You want a team who knows Mexico intimately and treats your wedding like it matters — because it does.
Your wedding is personal. Your planning experience should be too.
Our Story, 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.
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 learning the nuances that only come from living here.
This isn’t a side passion. It’s our life’s work.
the vacay mode touch
Between us, we bring a blend of experience that’s rare in the wedding and travel world — and uniquely suited to destination weddings in Mexico.
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 grounding presence couples always describe as “the calm 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.
Mexico Wedding Myths
Myth: All resort wedding packages are the same.
Truth: They vary dramatically — and most couples don’t realize how much until it’s too late.
Myth: You can plan a Mexico wedding without understanding the resort’s internal structure.
Truth: Every resort operates differently — and knowing how their systems work is the key to a smooth experience.
Myth: “All‑inclusive” means everything is included.
Truth: It depends on the resort — and the fine print matters.
Most couples don’t know this — but choosing the right Mexico resort determines 80% of your wedding experience.
We help you avoid the overwhelm and choose the perfect‑fit resort based on your vision, budget, and guest needs. No guesswork. No generic recommendations. Just clarity rooted in real Mexico expertise.
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.
- After travel, couples often tell us, 'that was the best week of my life!'
What You Can Expect From Us
- A boutique, high‑touch planning experience
- Timely responses
- 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. Our extended team works quietly behind the scenes, allowing us to stay fully present with you while still delivering the polished, high‑touch experience we’re known for.
We keep our team
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. Our extended team works quietly behind the scenes, allowing us to stay fully present with you while still delivering the polished, high‑touch experience we’re known for.
We keep our team intentionally small so your experience always feels personal. This boutique approach means you receive thoughtful guidance, consistent communication, and a planning process shaped around your story — never a template.
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 believe celebrating Mexico means protecting it. We give back through beach clean‑ups and community efforts that support the beautiful coastlines we call home.
When you plan your wedding with us, you’re contributing to a more sustainable future for Mexico’s shores.
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)