Washington Commanders’ Terry McLaurin Marries Caitlin Winfrey (Exclusive)

• Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin married his longtime love Caitlin Winfrey on Feb. 15 in Los Cabos, Mexico
• Their destination wedding weekend featured fireworks, fire and mirror panther dancers, stilt walkers, whale watching, a mechanical bull and more
• “We had so many surprises planned for our family and it was fun to see their real-time reactions to those things. They are memories I will hold on to forever,” the bride tells PEOPLE

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin is married!

The NFL star, 29, tied the knot with his girlfriend of 10 years, Caitlin Winfrey, on Feb. 15 in a “dreamy and moody and romantic” wedding attended by 114 guests at Solaz, a luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos in Mexico.

After getting engaged at a butterfly conservatory in Florida on Dec. 8, 2023, the bride and groom “knew right away” that they wanted to have a destination wedding. Because of McLaurin’s “busy travel schedule,” the couple often “miss out” on family time and events, so they wanted their wedding to be an occasion where their loved ones could come together and “let loose from their everyday life.”

“Our vision was for our wedding to be like a big family reunion filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that would create memories to last a lifetime,” Winfrey tells PEOPLE of the celebration planned by Amy Abbott Events.

Solaz offers scenic ocean and mountain views, which make for a breathtaking outdoor ceremony. The resort’s “personalized, intimate, elevated feel” also added a “modern vibe.” 

Winfrey walked down the aisle, which was lined with greenery and white flowers, accompanied by her father to “Unconditional” by Sinead Harnett. She wore Verdin Bridal New York‘s Rosalie dress, a constructed bustier gown with floral lace detailing and a cathedral train.

“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I know I wanted to look timeless,” says Winfrey, who found her dress at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City, and even met Mexican designer, Gustavo Nunez, during her first try-on.

She continues: “I fell in love with my dress because it made me feel dreamy, feminine, and romantic and the floral lace appliqué detailing resembled my favorite [flower], baby’s breath.”

The dress was paired with its matching veil and accessorized with a diamond tennis bracelet and necklace designed by AQ Jewelers in Ashburn, Virginia. For her “something borrowed,” Winfrey wore her mother’s diamond stud earrings.

Meanwhile, McLaurin made his way down the aisle to the tune of “The Boss” by Rick Ross. He wore a custom black double breasted tuxedo designed by Chris Fields, which was styled with a black satin Tom Ford bowtie, white orchid boutonnière and Dolce and Gabana cufflinks. He also accessorized with a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5980 watch and gold Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelet.

For a personal touch, the wedding date and initials were embroidered onto McLaurin’s tuxedo shirt cuffs. Inside his jacket was a picture of him and Winfrey from high school, where they first met when they were 16 and 17 years old in 2012. 

Guests were asked to wear hues of green, brown, gold or black.

Winfrey and McLaurin — who began dating in 2015 — exchanged heartfelt handwritten vows atop a circular platform stage surrounded by white florals. The sky painted a stunning sunset as ocean waves softly rippled behind them.

“We even got to see some whales jumping up from the water during it!” Winfrey says.

The ceremony was officiated by family member Brett Fuller. 

The party continued at the reception, which included mirror panther dancers, stilt walkers, saxophonists, shot girls, fireworks and more.

“I wanted it to feel like the party of the century,” Winfrey says. “I wanted lots of entertainment and a DJ that was able to create a club-like atmosphere that would keep people on the dance floor all night.”

The newlyweds had their first dance underneath twinkling fairy lights to the tune of “Only One for Me” by Brian McKnight. Winfrey later changed into a sparkly second bridal look, Milla Nova‘s Dyjen dress.

For dinner, guests enjoyed a grilled Caesar salad before beef tenderloin, spiny lobster tail with beurre blanc sauce, sweet potato purée and grilled asparagus. Dessert included a sweet corn cake and chocolate mousse. They also sipped on the “Marry Me Margarita,” a signature cocktail made up of La Pasión Añejo Tequila, Damiana liquor, passion fruit and pineapple.

Afterward, the couple sliced into a three-tier red velvet cake decorated with pearls and orchids before a group champagne toast.

Before the wedding, a “Mexican street fair themed” welcome party was held at Solaz.

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“[The] event was filled with many cultural foods, decor, shopping, and entertainment. I wanted to bring the streets of Los Cabos to the resort,” Winfrey says. “We had a vendor market come for guests to shop, a mechanical bull, a game room, lots of Mexican food, an open margarita bar, 360 Photo Booth, Batucada, fire dancers, a DJ and more.”

To end the weekend, everyone enjoyed a yacht day. Spread between two yachts from Pelican Cabo, the newlyweds and their friends and family enjoyed whale watching, swimming, eating tacos, drinking from an open bar and listening to music. 

“It was fun to plan this whole weekend and not really tell anyone the intimate details until it was time for the event,” Winfrey says. “We had so many surprises planned for our family and it was fun to see their real time reactions to those things. They are memories I will hold on to forever.”

McLaurin and Winfrey honeymooned at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi.

Additional Credits:

Wedding Coordinator: Amy Abbott Events @amyabbottevents, Ivette Hernández @ivette.hernandez.g

Rental Company: Yaya Rentals and Cristina G Rentals

Flower Company: Cristina Gonzaález

Hair and Makeup: Piel Canela

Photographer: Julieta Amezcua

Videographer: McNeil Films

Lighting, AV and DJ: Alex DJ

Ceremony Music: Musicale

Happenings: Baja Event Source

Printed Material: Serendipity

Signage and woods: Serendipity

Cake: Solaz