Emily & Hayden’s Valentine’s Wedding at Sunset Monalisa

On February 15, 2025, Emily Roth and Hayden Harrington celebrated their wedding at Sunset Monalisa with 106 guests in sun-drenched Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. For the couple—both Senior Program Managers at Amazon—the day marked the perfect blend of romance, coastal beauty, and unbridled fun.

newlyweds cutting their cake during their wedding at Sunset Monalisa

The Colleagues First to Forever

Emily and Hayden’s connection began in Seattle in July 2021, after years of collaborating remotely. “We had been working together for two years without meeting in person,” Emily recalls with a smile. That in-person introduction sparked an instant bond that grew into something undeniable.

Two years later, in July 2023, Hayden orchestrated the perfect proposal during a trip to Washington’s San Juan Islands. After a day of whale watching, with orcas swimming alongside their boat, Hayden dropped to one knee. “I was totally surprised, but it was absolutely perfect,” Emily says.

The Destination Found on Instagram

When it came time to plan the wedding, Emily knew exactly where she wanted to celebrate—even though she’d never been there. “I saw a girl from my high school post her wedding on Instagram, and I remember thinking: I don’t know where she is, but I want my wedding to be like that!” That venue turned out to be Sunset Monalisa, perched on dramatic cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Without hesitation, Emily reached out, booked the space, and committed to Cabo.

The weekend kicked off with a rehearsal dinner at The Firepit at The Cape, followed by a welcome party at The Rooftop at The Cape, where guests mingled with ocean breezes and panoramic views. The following day, both the ceremony and reception unfolded at Sunset Monalisa, perfectly timed to the glowing Baja sunset.

The Planning

Emily and Hayden enlisted the expertise of planner Gaby Curiel, whose attention to detail and calm leadership allowed the couple to truly enjoy every moment of the journey. “From the very beginning, Gaby made everything easy,” Emily shares. “I didn’t want to make a million decisions—I wanted someone to present ideas, and I’d sign off. That’s exactly what happened. Every idea she brought forward was great, and I trusted her completely.”

The couple booked their venue a year and a half in advance, which stretched the planning process into manageable phases. “It made the whole experience stress-free,” Emily adds. The only challenge was not knowing exactly how things would look until the big day—a natural hurdle of planning a destination wedding. But Emily embraced it: “Honestly, none of it was hard. We trusted the team and just went with the flow.”

The Valentine’s Day Vision

The couple leaned into their February 15th date with a playful Valentine’s theme—soft pinks and bold reds layered into florals, linens, and accents. The result was festive yet elegant, a nod to romance without ever feeling overdone.

Florals included a hand-tied bridal bouquet with seasonal blooms, seven bridesmaid bouquets, six boutonnieres, and a dramatic ceremony installation featuring large arrangements and grounded floral pillars. Reception tables were dressed with a mix of rectangular and round ceramic arrangements, with additional pieces adorning cocktail tables, the seating chart, and even the cake display.

Guests received thoughtful welcome bags filled with sunscreen, Advil, snacks, and keepsakes tucked into custom drawstring bags—both practical and personal.

The Bride’s Style

Emily walked down the aisle in a lace Casablanca gown with a deep V neckline and chai undertone that highlighted the intricate lacework. “It was unique and sexy, yet classy. I felt confident and beautiful—I cried when I tried it on,” she remembers.

She paired the gown with a Casablanca veil, Aquazzura white heels, and diamond earrings. A diamond necklace, gifted by Hayden the day before, added sentimental sparkle.

Later that night, Emily changed into a shimmering Retrofête Avanyah Embellished Knit Dress with silver Converse sneakers—perfect for dancing under the stars.

reception of a wedding at Sunset Monalisa

The Celebration of Love and Music

The ceremony was personalized with vows written by the couple, which, to their delight, mirrored one another in tone and sentiment. “It showed exactly why we work so well as a couple,” Emily says.

As the sun set over the Pacific, violinist Smart Music provided live ceremony music. Cocktail hour continued with guitar melodies, before the reception opened with a lively saxophone set alongside DJ Alex Cabo Events.

The dances were some of the most memorable moments of the night. Emily and Hayden’s first dance was followed by a heartfelt father-daughter dance and a lively mother-son dance that had guests cheering. Soon after, everyone flooded the dance floor for what Emily describes as “an epic party that went all night.”

Reflecting on the day, Emily beams: “It was everything we wanted—beautiful, stress-free, and the best party of our lives. Gaby and her team made sure we could focus on celebrating with our family and friend, and that it would be a lifetime memory for all.

The Vendors