Emilio & Eric’s Destination Wedding in Mexico
After a chance meeting at a Puerto Rican gym, a proposal beneath candlelight at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, and a fourteen year engagement, Emilio and Eric celebrated their wedding at Etéreo in Riviera Maya. Bringing together their love of travel, art, architecture and thoughtful design, the weekend was an intimate and joyful celebration of family, friendship and the life they had built together.
Photography André Gouin Photography
THEODORE Mag: How and when did you meet?
Emilio: Eric and I met at the gym in Puerto Rico, what many in our community jokingly call “gay church.” One day his iPod ran out of battery while he was on the elliptical next to me. We started talking, and when he mentioned his Spanish was terrible, I offered to teach him. Those Spanish lessons became the beginning of everything.
Eric: We technically met at the gym, but I really met Emilio over coffee and our early Spanish lessons. What I thought would be casual tutoring turned into textbooks, homework, quizzes, and eventually falling in love.
THEODORE Mag: Tell us a little about that first time you met…
Emilio: I had noticed Eric before we ever spoke. When his iPod died, I jokingly told him he should charge it before coming to the gym, then introduced myself. We talked far longer than either of us expected, and when he mentioned wanting to learn Spanish, I offered to teach him.
Eric: I remember our first official date even more vividly. Emilio arrived a little late, and I had convinced myself I’d been stood up. Then he walked through the door wearing a simple blue polo shirt, and I honestly thought he was the most handsome man I’d ever seen. We talked for hours, and although he spent a surprising amount of time discussing zodiac signs, something clicked almost immediately.
THEODORE Mag: What was the first thing you noticed about each other?
Emilio: I noticed Eric’s warmth, kindness, and genuine curiosity. There was something incredibly approachable about him.
Eric: I noticed Emilio’s confidence first, but what stayed with me was his beautiful brown eyes and the way he looked directly at me. He was intelligent, self-assured, and unlike anyone I had met before.
THEODORE Mag: Tell us about the standout moment or milestone in your relationship…
Emilio: During a weekend at the Horned Dorset in Rincón, I realized I could see myself marrying Eric. It was a quiet moment, but I felt completely certain.
Eric: My realization came years later while we were living in London. We were building a life together in a new country, and one day while walking down Kensington High Street, I thought, “Yes. This is the one.” Looking back, I love that we arrived at the same destination in our own time.
THEODORE Mag: What does marriage mean to you?
Emilio: Marriage is choosing one another every day. It is a renewal of a relationship already built on love, respect, empathy, and communication.
Eric: Marriage is continuing to stay engaged with one another, especially when life is messy or difficult. Love is important, but lasting relationships are built by continuing to choose each other through every season of life.
THEODORE Mag: Who proposed and how?
Eric: I proposed during a weekend at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay (2012). We were preparing to move to London, and while the timing was driven by practical circumstances, I wanted the proposal itself to be unforgettable. After dinner, I had our room decorated with roses, candles, and flower petals before asking Emilio to marry me.
Emilio: Of course I said yes. Neither of us imagined we’d wait almost fourteen years before our wedding, but somehow that perfectly reflects our journey together.
THEODORE Mag: When did you get married?
Emilio and Eric: February 8, 2026, at Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
THEODORE Mag: What was the main influence behind your wedding day?
Emilio and Eric: We wanted our wedding to reflect who we are: warm, intentional, elegant, and joyful. Rather than focusing on a single day, we created an entire weekend where our family and friends could relax, celebrate, and create memories together in one of our favorite places, Mexico.
THEODORE Mag: What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?
Emilio and Eric: Creating an unforgettable experience for the people we love. We wanted everyone to feel welcomed, celebrated, and connected—not just to us, but to one another. The wedding was as much about community as it was about us.
THEODORE Mag: Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?
Emilio and Eric: Absolutely. Bringing our families together from different backgrounds was one of the most meaningful parts of the celebration. We also included speeches from loved ones and embraced the joy of blending our Puerto Rican, Midwestern American, and Mexican influences throughout the weekend.
THEODORE Mag: Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Emilio and Eric: Our inspiration came from our shared love of travel, architecture, art, and thoughtful design. We wanted the wedding to feel timeless, understated, and deeply personal rather than overly elaborate.
THEODORE Mag: How did you choose your suppliers?
Emilio and Eric: We were incredibly fortunate to have an angel guiding us throughout the entire journey: Diana Romo. Alongside her exceptional team, she transformed what could have been an overwhelming planning process into an experience that was seamless, joyful, and genuinely enjoyable. Since neither of us had been married before, we were entering unfamiliar territory. Diana walked us through every step with remarkable patience, insight, and grace, making us feel supported and confident from beginning to end.
She took the time to understand our vision and helped us shape it into the wedding we had always dreamed of. Every vendor she recommended reflected her unwavering standards of excellence and was an absolute pleasure to work with. Diana’s extraordinary professionalism, creativity, and heartfelt dedication elevated every aspect of our celebration. Looking back, we cannot imagine this journey without her, and we will always be grateful for the care and passion she brought to one of the most meaningful moments of our lives.
THEODORE Mag: What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?
Emilio and Eric: Planning a destination wedding while making sure every guest felt cared for. We wanted every detail—from travel logistics to the weekend activities—to feel seamless, which required a great deal of coordination, communication, and teamwork.
THEODORE Mag: Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Emilio: Our honeymoon is planned for next year, when we will embark on an unforgettable journey through Italy. While we look forward to exploring several regions of the country, the heart of our trip will be the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. It feels like the perfect romantic destination to begin this new chapter together.
THEODORE Mag: Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?
Emilio: Never lose sight of why you’re getting married. Details matter, but the relationship matters more. Lead with respect, empathy, and open communication.
Eric: Don’t be afraid of disagreement. Every relationship has moments that are uncomfortable or imperfect. Keep choosing one another anyway. The strongest marriages aren’t built by avoiding challenges—they’re built by facing them together with honesty, humor, and love.
Emilio and Eric’s Team
Planning and Design Diana Romo Weddings
Venue Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection
Photography André Gouin Photography
Content Creation The Muse
Floral Design Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design
Décor and Rentals Canteiro Weddings
Stationery and Creative Graphics Wedding Creative Lab
Hair and Makeup Zoe Elizabeth Makeup
Wedding Cake Lali Pasteles
DJ Mike Montaño
Live Band Los Juanras
Ceremony and Cocktail Music Scenic Music Shows
Entertainment Everbloom Entertainment
MC Carlos Castro
Audio, Lighting and AV Production Inspire Mexico
Tent and Infrastructure Total Tents
Guest Favors But First Favors
Photobooth PIC ME Photobooth
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