narrator: newly engaged couple, james and christina, are in the process of planning their dream wedding. she called me bridezilla. it would be very nice if you could maybe contribute a little bit. narrator: but with opposing ideas of where they want to get married-- on a beach. luxurious and modern. this is gorgeous. james: i want something with natural beauty, culture. [screaming] that was a wow factor right there for me. narrator: -- will they be able to compromise on the perfect destination to say their i do's? i will get my own way. i feel like i'm definitely going to get my way. no. james, it's on. you're going down. i don't think it's gonna work. [music playing]

i'm christina, i am a labor and delivery nurse. and i'm james, i'm a general contractor. i own my own business. on the day of our wedding will actually be one year since the day we met. we met up in tahoe. we were both at the casino. she was at the roulette table behind me and-- i guess you could say it was kind of a creeperish that i was watching. like paying attention-- observing i should say. her cousin was standing and she was sitting down next to her. and so i kind of weaseled my way in-- in between us. i think one of the very first bets i made, i just kind of threw a coin out there late. it hit the number i wanted so i won a lot of money. and i put my arm around her and i was like, you're staying with me the rest of the night. what first attracted me to james is his really outgoing, bubbly, friendly personality. because i'm definitely more of the quiet one. and he's good-looking too.

i mean, of course she's gonna think that. talking to her, it was just so fluid and easy. you look beautiful. thank you. love you. it was almost like finding a missing piece of you. seven weeks after we met-- we had talked about ring shopping. i was very forward with her-- that i had intentions of marrying her someday. a random day in january popped in my head. i was like, i'm gonna do it tonight. took pretty much an army. like i'm texting all her friends. texting and calling her mom. ok, can we do something to get her out of the house? and then i'm calling him on the phone and i'm like, all these people are trying to get me out of the house. she was being stubborn. he was like, well, maybe your parents really need to talk to you. and i'm like, fine. then when he was done, i guess he had texted my mom. my mom was kind of like, ok, bye. you need to go somewhere. i came home and he had flower pedals up the stairs into the bedroom. and then he had hearts made of rose petals. and he was down on one knee. and then i remember saying yes and hugging him.

and he was all sweaty. like nervous. i'm kind of the girl in the relationship when it comes to that stuff. you know, i was like all giddy and-- probably lifted my leg a little bit like they do in the movies. so this is the wedding website i made. put all these pictures of us doing all our travels and adventures. when i think about my dream wedding, i think mostly about him. that's good [laughs]. i would say that i have definitely been more involved in the wedding planning. she calls me bridezilla. like it would be very nice if you could maybe contribute to this website a little bit. since i've kind of done everything on my own here. i could add something on there. i'm down to more of the details than she is. the thing missing on here is-- where? where we're getting married. we've agreed on mexico. and we've also agreed on the caribbean side of mexico. the caribbean side just has this amazingly beautiful water. the scenery is just gorgeous. and whether it be a rainforest-type setting, the beach, the landscape there is just beautiful.

the beach in the background-- ocean. pretty there. totally could be us. it's also an excuse to go on vacation. it's our wedding, a vacation, a honeymoon, everything. we've decided on mexico. but we're a little torn on cancun or riviera maya. it's gonna end up my way. you know, just because you're a little spoiled and you kind of get whatever you want, doesn't mean that when it comes to this-- that you're going to get your way. i want to get married in cancun, on a beach, at a luxury-- beautiful, modern resort. i love the gorgeous beaches. the ocean is my happy place. it's very relaxing. look how nice this resort is. it's like fancy. it's super modern. look at the pretty beach in the background. james: i mean, there's just nothing else to it other than just being right there on the beach. i'd like to get married in the riviera maya because i feel it's more cultural there. more tropical.

i'd like to incorporate a little more of the jungle area-- something with a lot of natural beauty-- into our wedding. rather than just the standard beach wedding. i don't think it's gonna work. i put up a pretty fair fight. he's gonna wear me down. yeah, wear her down. and i think i can just get her on my side eventually. [music playing] here's to a happy, awesome, amazing wedding in riviera maya-- - you mean cancun? - no. riviera maya. i think you mean cancun. riviera maya but same thing. mexico. riviera maya. i love you. love you.

narrator: with its breathtaking beaches and crystal clear waters, cancun is one of the most sought after wedding destinations in the world. from the k club to royalton riviera cancun. this buzzing city on mexico's yucatan peninsula offers an array of luxurious venues.

but where as bride-to-be, christina has her heart set on cancun, self-proclaimed bridezilla, james, needs a bit more persuading. putting wedding planner jessica pedrosa to the test to please them both. christina is already convinced that she wants a wedding at cancun. describe me your wedding. i think definitely the ocean in the background. the soft sand. luxurious and modern. we have to work a little bit more on james. i don't know about that. we want to persuade him and make him realize that we are the best option. team christina, go! i think jessica and i got this. we got this. you'll have to put up a good fight. it will be. a really nice fight. [music playing] ok, guys, this is what you can expect for a wedding here at royalton riviera cancun. christina: it is gorgeous.

it's exactly what i imagine. the white sand, the beautiful ocean, the sun. i mean i was definitely looking for something a little more tropical but i can't deny how beautiful it is here. it's definitely amazing to have the beach. you're in cancun, mexico. we have the best beaches. the ocean, the palm trees, the sand. everything is really perfect. what do you think about this decor? christina: i love the gazebo. i love the chandelier. the flowers. she's mentioned many times how she definitely wants a chandelier incorporated. i was hoping to get some more traditional-- more authentic-- mexican culture brought into the wedding. [mariachi music] jessica pedrosa: what more mexican than the mariachi? the traditional mexican music. we can have that for you. it definitely brings a positive uplift to it. makes me want to move and shake-- upbeat. done. ok. james, you can't deny that this is paradise. james: it's definitely beautiful. it's two against one. i'm the bride. you lose. yeah, but i'm definitely the bridezilla so--

hahaha. if you love this, i can't wait to show you what we can do for the reception. james: wow. babe, this is exactly what i was talking about. it's perfect. james: it's beautiful up here. i do love the structure. i love that it provides some shade. i love the wind, the breeze, the ocean in the background. you like it? christina: absolutely, yeah. the colors, the tablecloths, the chargers. just give me one reason why this cannot be the perfect spot for the wedding? [sighs] you can't. another point for us. but it gets better. chef: that's a shrimp baby salad. and what you see in the middle-- it's a balloon made out of mozzarella fresh cheese. oh, wow. that's good. wow. chef: grilled filet mignon. i like that. winning him over. and what about the presentation? it's gorgeous. chef: grilled rack of lamb. and the stone that you see over there--

it's a potato stone. might not be sharing. - jessica pedrosa: how is it? - it's good. a lot of flavor. jessica, the food here is fantastic and everything. but do you guys have anything more-- like authentic mexican cuisine? what are you like talking about? like tacos. this is a wedding dinner. i mean, you are looking for this luxurious setup and decor. and i think this will be the perfect complement. it's what i wanted too. what i was hoping for. stop eating it! why? because i want to eat it but i'm having to talk. oh, me. i bet you do. james i know you want to introduce mexican things on your wedding. this is the best you can find in mexico. that's good because i love tequila. we'r- it's good.tart with - it's good. i like it. is this a good shooting tequila? like for taking shots? [silence] definitely not.

it's a good one. don julio 1942. whoa. i love don julio. is tequila something you consider having in your wedding? i think that was a no-brainer to begin with. we have a jose cuervo. reserva de la familia, which is the top of the jose cuervo. cheers to luxury. it's really smooth. that one's different. we can all agree on tequila. now that we're in the party mood i have a surprise for you. hello, guys, welcome on board. hi, how are you? jessica told me that you love the water. this is the perfect place where you can have the wedding party. [music playing] it's perfect. i love being out on the water and seeing the city in the background. and the beautiful sunset. if you have 15 guests or more, you can have it private. we have open bar, saxophonist. you can have dj to party all night. yeah, we're definitely down in partying. i think it's perfect. definitely a nice option to consider. [music playing]

christina: today everything was absolutely perfect. from the ceremony to the reception in this boat. and i think you really came out with some really good reasons why-- the food. -- the food. the tequila. i mean-- the beach. but i feel that tomorrow you're going to see how easy it is for you to fall in love with riviera maya. i don't think so. announcer: destination i do is sponsored in part by cancun. the jewel of the mexican caribbean. plan your trip now at cancun.travel

narrator: luscious tropical jungle, mayan ruins, and a network of underwater wonders known as cenotes. riviera maya's beauty extends well beyond its coastline. making it the perfect wedding destination for groom-to-be, james, who's hoping that riviera maya expert, liz perrella,

will be able to help him convince his beach-loving bride christina to substitute the golden sand for the green of nature. welcome to riviera maya. i'm convinced that we can change christina's mind. riviera maya is more than just beautiful beaches. i just want that-- she knows that we can take mayan influence, mayan culture, and nature to her wedding. just right here in the middle of the jungle, we have these natural pools named cenotes. and actually you can have your wedding there. - team james? - yeah! we'll see what do you have to offer. [drumming] oh, wow. oh, wow. christina: oh my goodness. james: it's breathtaking. liz perrella: this is the only area in mexico that cenotes exist. for the mayans it's the entrance of the underground world.

and we have prepared special ceremony for you. so you have to get into the heart. this represents the union. you are my queen and you are my king. [flute] this is a mayan beverage and it's special because it fulls your body of energy. the water-- it's energy that purifies us. it's seven kisses. the seven corners of the rainbow-- with all the energy that the rainbow represents. liz knocked one out of the park. the mayan culture, the jungle, the tropical feel. it's amazingly beautiful and we definitely got the water into it like she wanted. i thought the cenote was one of the prettiest things i've ever seen. but i still really would like the beach. i think that we have to show christina a little bit more.

[music playing] welcome to belmond maroma resort and spa. this is your reception. it's your private jungle. james: it's definitely beautiful. the jungle, the tropical feel. what do you think, christina? i think it's very gorgeous. look up. i know. james: size matters. that's a big chandelier. so-- it's very pretty. i know that, christina-- you want the elegance for your wedding. traditional details. and you want nature. no? so i think that this place is the right place for that. still missing a beach. beautiful view. beach is right there. i'll get you your sand pail for ya. you'll forget about the beach when the food's here. what kind of food is it? i want to introduce you daniel camacho. he specializes in mayan food. we're going to start with the guacamole. who's the best in the kitchen?

definitely him. i would be the best in the kitchen because i'm the one who cooks. christina: it's very good. i have a surprise for you. grasshopper. it's already cooked with lime and juice. all you need-- you need to try. oh, we're doing this. you could've put the grasshoppers in there and never told me and i probably wouldn't even know. in mexico we have of a lot of kind of chili. but the most spicy chili is the habanero, and it's from this area. do you bite into it whole? if you want to. it's good. oh, there's the hot. liz perrella: it's after it yeah. whoa, yeah. dang it! daniel camacho: the fish a tikin xic. the tikin xic is a [inaudible] fish that we have in this area. mm. it's delicious. james: this is something that all our guests would definitely like. it's great food. - team james. - yay! chef? team james? team christina!

now it's time for the party. [chanting] this is something from the mayan culture. this kind of dances-- they make it when a wedding is made. so this is a very special dance. [cheering] that was a show. i was just blown away with the intensity they had. and the dancing and the passion that they have for their culture. that's definitely something that'll keep everyone entertained and talking. i would prefer having like dj and dancing. but it was really an awesome experience. you impressed me. yay! yay! i'm on team liz now. i mean, i don't know who james is but i'm on team liz. i'm very glad that you like it. and i hope that you come back and get married here.

announcer: destination i do is sponsored in part by riviera maya. where paradise is forever. plan your trip now at rivieramaya.com

narrator: soon to be wed couple, james and christina, have different ideas of where they want to get married. the easiest choice is definitely riviera maya. riviera maya was gorgeous and it was awesome. i just feel like for our family and our friends, a better choice is gonna be cancun.

narrator: and with their big day looming-- it's crunch time. we really need to make a decision. i know. they're both awesome. whatever the decision is-- we're gonna have one amazing wedding day and the beginning to an amazing chapter. so-- cheers to that. i love you. narrator: so will it be cancun or riviera maya? [music playing] i'm telling you, i messed it up. definitely a little nervous. a little excited. i wanna hurry up and see her. i can't wait to kiss her. the anticipation leading up to it is definitely starting to get to you. you're like, come on. i'm super excited. i can't wait. james: we definitely chose the right location after a lot of talking and contemplating. it was definitely the best fit for us, for our guests. and it's definitely a beautiful place to get married. so i'm definitely happy with where we picked. christina: we chose cancun because i wanted the ocean and the beach and sand and the views.

i'm not gonna lie. i was a little blown away by the rooftop venue. all you had was just ocean straight behind you. riviera maya was amazing and it was beautiful. everywhere liz took us-- the cenotes, the belmont. but in the end what my baby wants, my baby gets sometimes. so-- christina: sometimes? ok, 99.9% of the time. oh! no more crying. you look gorgeous. christina, one year ago today you walked into my life. i can't imagine one day, one hour, one second, without you in my life. i love you 'til the end of time. james, i promise to love you always. be you best friend and lover. i love you, babe. it is my honor to now pronounce you husband and wife. you may kiss the bride. [music playing] [cheering]

james: it was amazing. christina: yeah. [inaudible] party, bu apparently that's not allowed. christina: no, we have to go take pictures. oh. dj: please everybody-- clap your hands and give it up for mr. and mrs. james torres! (in unison) woo hoo! we're married! james: wedding day was awesome. christina: everything went as planned. no catastrophes. no bridezilla moments. i might have had a mini one but-- it felt totally just right for us. the reception space was perfect. eating dinner on the beach. digging toes in the sand. walking barefoot. james: i feel i still kind of got my ways though too. we ended up going with the mexican dinner. i got my tacos and they were amazing. the tequila was flowing.

unfortunately, i didn't have enough of it. i got so worked up-- christina: he got too busy dancing. i was too busy dancing, talking, eating. but my shot of tequila was amazing. it's a honeymoon, a vacation. we definitely love the fact that we'll be able to get out there and explore and just have fun. we can even go to riviera maya-- yeah. -- as part of our vacation. we can. this is the beginning of the rest of our lives. you're stuck with me forever. more like you're stuck with me. i think you should really re-evaluate that. i know. i love you. i love you too.

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there's a pair for every ver hi. of you. i'm sara gore, and this is "open house". this week, we are exploring some unique homes with design inspiration you are not going to want to miss. we're with this design duo at an apartment renovation that maximizes space and style. plus, we are inside this elegant penthouse, a detail-rich brooklyn townhouse, and this bespoke villa with a tropical flair. but before all that, we are inside what has to be one of the most personal homes in all of new york city. michael somoroff: the space is not just decorative. like everything that civilizes us, it's actually, on some level, an extension of art. [upbeat music]