An Intimate Elopement Experience
If 2020 was not reason enough to inspire an effortless elopement for your wedding day, we've got a few more reasons why eloping can be the perfect plan for your "I Do"! Non-traditional weddings are undoubtedly on the rise as couples today are simply seeking an alternative to the stress of traditional, large weddings. Besides being stress-free and effortlessly elegant, elopements offer a romantic escape with the one you love — including intimacy, adventure, travel, and unparalleled beauty of unique surroundings. We can't think of anything more romantic than professing your love to your partner in a completely private setting, against a breathtaking Belize backdrop! At Ka'ana Resort, we offer many years of experience in planning intimate, tailor-made elopements in that perfect setting — making your dream day a reality.
If you're already engaged and haven't considered an elopement, Kris and Andrea's story of their Belize elopement is likely to change your mind! This lovely couple answers a few questions about their extraordinary day, offering an inside look at an elopement with Ka'ana Resort:
What do you love most about Ka'ana planning your wedding?
Planning a wedding in another country could easily getting overwhelming. Whether you need help with a few details or the entire process and all paperwork (as we did) Ka'ana, and their entire staff, made it a breeze allowing us to fully enjoy our time leading up the big day!
We loved the feeling of being absolutely tended to, encouraged, and supported throughout. You cannot fully appreciate this until you experience it and realize the dream of a stress-free wedding day!
The options Ka'ana provides allowed us to curate the perfect day from ceremony locations, preferred photographers/videographers (definitely use this option), as well as each location's best angles and times of day, even up to our after-ceremony dinner location and menu. Even the extra touches you didn't know you wanted created a far better experience than even the bride dreamed (and she dreams big!).
It doesn't stop there. You'll be in Ka'ana's care until the moment you leave. Even if you depart via surprise helicopter ride for the groom, plotted by the bride, organized by the resort, kept secret by the ENTIRE staff, and requiring a very express ride to the helipad by the general manager! Go big or go home? With Ka'ana you can do both!
What should guests expect when choosing Ka'ana for their elopement or honeymoon?
What happens if disaster threatens your wedding day? Well, our dream archeological site for the ceremony was cut-off by river flooding…During the dry season…The day before the ceremony. Not a problem for Ka'ana and their staff. They had a second (and even more ancient to our delight) site ready, booked, and planned for, which ended up being even more perfect! Seriously! No crisis can shake the Ka'ana staff that became family in the space of only seven days. Family is no exaggeration. Everyone is genuinely excited for you, happy to chat, happy to explain anything, happy to help with anything you may need. Genuine and happy, that's what to expect with Ka'ana!
They make the world stop for you on your big day. Creating a support system such that even an anxiety-prone bride-to-be remained calm when "bridal panic" threatened. Allowing you both to stay in the moment from the time you wake up until you turn in on the big day. What more could you want?
What about the little things? Breakfast served before the day kicks off? Champagne and fruit while getting ready? Yes, and delivered so beautifully it made the photographer swoon.
Flowers delivered to the suite to make the bride beam? Of course, and without request!
Room and garden made beautifully romantic for your return after the ceremony? I think we know by now, that's a big YES!
Anyone looking to book with Ka'ana for their very special day will have their expectations met and exceeded on more levels than we could count!
And if this is your post-nuptial trip, it's a Honeymoon you won't forget! You can customize every aspect of your plans outside of your wedding day. The hand-picked tour guides for your out-of-resort excursions are top-notch and wonderfully engaging enhancing your already magical experience!
What do you think makes Ka'ana such a special place to elope?
First and foremost, the people. Ka'ana staff Lorena and Mark were our witnesses, but within a day of meeting them became our Maid Of Honor and Best Man. They did so much for us and became a big part of why our wedding day was simply wonderful!
Even a last minute, very random, sparklers idea for after the ceremony was made to happen! Sparklers!
The cherry on top was when Mark and Lorena honored us with a wonderful firework send off the night before departure simply because of a small comment made a few days before! Would your family think of that?!
Another big reason for choosing Ka'ana was sustainability. We wanted time away to cherish the beautiful surroundings and not impact them, this is clearly Ka'ana's vision. With such a deep respect and pride in the area and country it felt as if we were participating in the culture and wonders, not taking from them.
Forget farm-to-table, this is garden to table. Tour the gardens where your food for tonight is growing. Walk the paths and chat with the warm and welcoming experts growing today's menu. As with all Ka'ana's staff they are happy to answer any questions you have of the local flora, engagingly labeled throughout the grounds.
You will experience this expertise with all the food and beverages at Ka'ana. It's a HUGE part of this experience. (We were told by the helicopter pilot that people go to Ka'ana for the dining alone and it will take a single meal to see why).
You can also step into Ka'ana's on-site Mayan kitchen to create traditional home cooked favorites with local experts. With the recipes emailed upon request you can recreate these delights of Belize in your own kitchen (with a little practice).
Unbeknownst to us Belize turned out be a foodie paradise. Ka'ana makes this jewel a centerpiece of your experience. Each meal brought local gastronomic delights! From locally made Kombucha and fresh juices to creative mixologist concoctions! The bar will deliver unique and truly exquisite signature drinks, from elevating a standard margarita to the best you have had, to spinning an Old Fashioned with a Belizean flair that makes it unlike any other, or the Ka'ana special ‘Belizean Nights' that became the groom's favorite tipple. All of which are freshly garnished from the garden. If wine is your preference the wine cellar is stocked, and even hosted our intimate wedding dinner!
Are all the options getting a little overwhelming? Give an hour notice and a massage in the serene spa (or in your private casita garden should you choose) will be ready to soothe any FOMO.
What makes the Cayo District & Ka'ana so unique for destination weddings & honeymoons?
When choosing our destination we looked all over the world, literally. Our idea was to go to a place that would encompass our wanderlust, have deep ties to nature, steeped in history, and be an EPIC adventure elopement! We chose here, and we chose very well.
The history of the area creates a feeling that is indescribable. To know that you have the option of saying your vows in an archeological reserve that dates back to 700bc is electrifying! The idyllic setting, nestled in the rain forest just outside of San Ignacio needs to be seen to be believed.
The town of San Ignacio, and the twin town of Santa Elena just the other side of the river, provides the opportunity to mingle with the incredibly friendly locals, peruse the local arts, try the local fare, or sit in the town square and enjoy spectacular coffee or tea with infusions you simply must try (there were also plenty of bars, although due to covid restrictions these were closed during our visit).
Want adventure?! The Cayo region hosts some of Belize's greatest treasures with many just a short ride away. Ka'ana can arrange an array of excursions throughout the region (including customized transport, guides, and supplies). With so much to see and do you will not run out of exhilarating experiences such as rain forest hikes, zip-lines, wildlife sanctuaries, cave/river tubing, archaeological site exploration, spelunking to ancient Mayan sites. ATM cave is a MUST!
Even more adventure awaits across the Guatemalan border which was unfortunately closed during our visit due to the pandemic.
Clear out your phone storage, it will be filled with memories you'll want to share!
Being a COVID couple was very stressful (I'm sure you can imagine), particularly as each day the world was changing. Our experience was so much greater than we imagined (even pre-COVID planning), and this was in very large part thanks to our Ka'ana family that we can't wait to visit again and again!!!
Booking your Elopement Experience:
Ka'ana enhances the joy and ease of wedding planning with tailor-made wedding packages, including everything from a bottle of wine on your arrival, to florals, the cake, and live music for the wedding dinner. Allow us to sweep you off your feet with an intimate elopement package.