Alex Simpson found love close to home with Klinton Marler—then wed 1,000 miles from Dallas.

On her first visit to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Alex Simpson stood on a rooftop and told her mom, “‘This is where I want to get married,’ ” she recalls. “It’s just the most romantic, Old World, beautiful place I’d ever been.” And so, on March 10, 2018, she and Klinton Marler said “I do” in the city that captured her heart and, ultimately, his. The couple, who grew up a block apart and started as friends in high school, knew that they wanted to share their special weekend with guests who could really relax, be present, and have a vacation themselves. “We wanted our guests to see this city we think is the most magical place in the world,” says Alex.

Far and Away

Alex and Klinton’s destination wedding had an at-home feel to it, as they brought along a full roster of Dallas wedding pros, all flawlessly coordinated by planner and designer Emily Clarke. While one of the reasons Alex loves San Miguel is for its “untouched” quality, the flipside of such a remote locale is having fewer area vendors at your disposal. “We would have had to [bring in vendors] from the next closest town. [We figured] if we were asking them to drive or fly in anyway, we might as well bring the people our wedding planner suggested,” she says.

To that end, they used Bows + Arrows for florals, Maitee Miles for hair and makeup, photographer Sarah Kate, and the Jordan Kahn Orchestra—who all hail from Dallas. “Many of them had never been to San Miguel, so they were so excited to go somewhere new, and it really added to the specialness of the day,” says Alex. In addition to Clarke’s expert planning abilities, her intricate knowledge of San Miguel—she vacations there every year—made planning the nuptials from 1,000 miles away a piece of cake.

Are you planning the wedding of your dreams far from home?

Here are some tips and things to consider, according to planner and designer Emily Clarke:

1. Know Your Photo “My number one choice to bring along on a destination wedding is the photographer—and videographer, if you are using one,” Clarke says. “The relationship will extend beyond the event, so you’ll want someone you can trust.”

2. Local vs. Out-of-Town Clarke says she tries to use what she can locally in terms of talent. “We’ll often partner with local talent by hiring local labor or using local florists for some of the events and lead designers on the wedding itself,” she says.

3. Added Expenses Clarke says the bride and groom should expect to pay for transportation, accommodations, and food for traveling vendors. “There should be vendor meals for everyone,” she says. “While they shouldn’t be providing a 7-Eleven sandwich, it doesn’t have to be what the guests are eating.”

Guests: 125

Something Blue: Family heirloom ring with diamonds and sapphires.

First Dance: Ed Sheeran “Thinking out Loud” 

Menu: Heirloom tomato salad with burrata and mixed greens, pea and shrimp soup, braised short ribs and roasted chicken

Honeymoon: Hawaii