Not only is the Riviera Maya sprawling with miles of stunning beaches perfect for Mexico weddings, it is also a region rich with history and culture. Aside from taking in the tropical climate and landscape as well as the amazing food, visitors flock to this part of Mexico to explore the legacies and architectural treasures of the ancient Mayan civilization.

As part of your Mexico wedding celebration, have your coordinator help you plan a day trip for you and your guests to Chichen Itza-the monumental ruins of the Mayan people and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Dating back 1,000 years, Chichen Itza was the bustling epicenter of the Mayan Indians who are recognized for their sophisticated crafts, metal works, and scientific discoveries. Chichen Itza spans over a large area of land and buildings that served as temples and homes still stand. The step pyramid of the Temple of Kukulkan is the largest structure, and was once a sacred ceremonial site with an impressive 90 feet in height. Taking a day to explore this exciting landmark is always an enlightening experience and with the help of the staff at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels, a group excursion to Chichen Itza is easy to coordinate. You have the option to plan half or full day excursions that include transportation and tours with expert guides as well as other activities.

After a day of taking in the beauty of the ancient Yucatan villages, you and your guests can unwind in the luxury of our hotels and enjoy a gourmet meal, or a quiet walk on the beach. We really can't think of a better history lesson...  

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

One of the most fun aspects of mexico weddings is spending time with your closest family and friends. It's great because everyone is automatically in vacation mode and relaxed unlike weddings back home where people are caught up with work and other responsibilities up until the last minute. The daily entertainment and excellent service and accommodations at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels in Riviera Maya, Mexico create a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bond with all your guests during your wedding celebrations. The party starts as soon plane lands in Cancun and doesn't end until the fat mariachi sings.

Mexico weddings at any of the resorts allow special arrangements to be made so that all your guests' rooms are in the same area. This will make it easier for everyone to stay in touch and meet for meals and other activities. Once your guests have settled into their suites in paradise, invite them to a unique dining experience at one of our gourmet restaurants where they are free to ask for seconds, thirds and even fourths! Feel free to reserve one of the private dining areas for your party; it will give everyone a chance to mingle and chat over breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Each one of the properties offers excellent entertainment every day of the week. When the sun goes down at the adults-only El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas, guests love the Guacamayas Bar where live shows and music have everyone dancing ‘til 2a.m. The best thing is that no one has to worry about paying a huge bar tab because premium cocktails are all included. Guacamayas is one of the best places to party the last minute wedding jitters away before the big day. At the kid-friendly Azul Beach Hotel the ‘White Party' is another fun way to celebrate with your loved ones before or after your Mexico wedding.  Everyone is invited to dress in white attire and have fun sipping tropical cocktails and dancing under the moonlight.  Babysitters are available to watch the little ones so that all the parents can party the night away.

Mexico weddings at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels are not only romantic for you and your hunny, it will also be fun for everyone attending the event. From the smallest baby to the oldest grandpa, there is something pleasant for all your guests to enjoy. They will especially love the Gourmet Inclusive philosophy-it means no one will have to miss out on anything because they are ‘on a tight budget'!

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

There are great chapels available at both El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Maroma for Mexico weddings of all kinds. Each one faces the ocean and is the same white color as the sand, creating a beautiful contrast against the turquoise water and green palms. Both chapels are literally a couple of steps from the beach, meaning that weddings here always have a very chic, tropical feel. It is a wonderful location for couples practicing a religious ceremony because of the romantic ambiance it exudes.

The chapels on property at El Dorado Maroma and El Dorado Royale are all comfortably air conditioned and have capacity to seat up to 80 guests at Royale and 120 guests at Maroma. A traditional Mexican ‘Virgen de la Guadalupe' figure stands tall at the altar, which can be decorated in any way the bride (and groom) chooses. Rows of chairs can be adorned with ribbons and the main aisle covered in colorful, fresh flower petals and votive candles to create a stunning look for the main event. Leave the large arched windows uncovered to let natural light flood into the room-an ideal setting to capture beautiful photographs!

 

After the ceremony, the sunset greets the new husband and wife as they walk hand in hand towards the endless beach. With mariachis playing, a clear sky and the lovely chapel as the background, it is like a scene from the movies.

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

So your wedding day has finally arrived. Guests have flown in from all over the world, gowns and tuxedos have been fitted, and butterflies are flapping around in your belly because a 70% chance of rain looms in the forecast... No need to worry! If you have chosen an El Dorado Spa Resort & Hotel or Azul Hotel, by Karisma for your Mexico wedding, you can rest assured that regardless of inclement weather, the show will go on.

Riviera Maya's mild tropical climate is warm year round and temperatures average around 80⁰F. For the most part, the "rainy" season is not very rainy and often rain showers occur in one section of the area and not in another and are gone minutes after it they begin. Winter, summer, spring or fall, there's never a bad time for Mexico weddings in this beach town. 

Since one of the elements that nobody can control is Mother Nature, there is always a Plan B ready to be executed to make sure inclement weather does not affect your function. In standard practice the hotel staff will make a weather determination four hours prior to the event. At that time, the hotel will decide if your ceremony will be held in the predetermined location or moved to an appropriate venue that will guarantee full coverage of the event. The backup plan is discussed ahead of time with all wedding couples so that on the wedding day, should the need arise to shift a location, everyone is aware of the what is going to occur. The staff's priority is to make sure that the bride and groom feel comfortable with the adjustments and that even the smallest details are accounted for.  

Expect the experienced staff at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels, by Karisma to make your dream day come to life despite Mother Nature's sense of humor. Regardless of rain or shine, if you choose a Mexico wedding, the Mayan love gods will always be on your side.

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

Every couple envisions their wedding day in different ways with a unique definition of what love means to them. When a bride and groom begin planning a Mexico wedding at an El Dorado or Azul Hotel, they explain their ideas to the best wedding coordinators in the industry that make every detail a reality. Couples from all walks of life have incorporated their own creative elements- from including their children in the ceremony or taking a dip in the water- to make the experience extra special and unforgettable.

This ‘sand unity' ceremony was inspired by one couple's five year old son. When it came time to exchange wedding vows, the bride and groom shared the moment with their child, who had also prepared something special to say. As they recited their promises, each one poured vibrant colored sand in a delicate glass bottle that would hold the moment forever and signify their unity as a family. This is only one example of the many ways to customize Mexico weddings. The possibilities are as endless as the blue skies in the Riviera Maya.

Whether opting for a traditional or non-traditional wedding, a unity ceremony can add a charming touch to the ‘I Dos'. And whether it is simple or over the top, the Karisma wedding team is available round the clock to personalize and execute it in the most elegant way.

-Paula Negrete,

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

I am an admitted pure beach bum, always have been.  Nothing makes me happier that an amazing beach and that amazing blue azure water that you find all over the tropics.  I was actually looking over my own Destination Wedding photos last night and found that there are certain photos from beach weddings that really accentuate the water.  I'm not a professional photographer, so I don't know what it is - perhaps a combination of the right sun, right spot, right angle, etc.?  I don't know - if anyone is an expert please feel free to chime in.

I went through some of the photos I have here for weddings that we've helped couples plan and found some great ones:

Look at the transition of the blue water - that's what I love - so many shades.

For this one it was probably a boat or jet ski that went by (or perhaps a reef?), because you can see the white water which stirs up those blues again.

I don't even have to say anything about this beach wedding photo - incredible!

-Quentin

For many couples the wedding to-do list is never ending, but ask a couple getting married in Mexico and they will assure that everything is under control. Choosing to have your wedding in Riviera Maya means that every detail- from planning the rehearsal dinner to arranging hotel accommodations for guests- is taken care of by an experienced and certified wedding coordinator. Every kind of wedding ceremony can be created and marriage requirements and documentation are minimal. The advantages of getting married south of the border are plenty and always guarantee an unforgettable celebration, tailored specifically to the requests of the bride and groom.

 

Planning your wedding: All couples getting married any El Dorado or Azul Resort by Karisma begin working with an on-site wedding coordinator within three days of setting their wedding date reservations. It usually takes anywhere between four to six months to plan the event, but the Karisma team is also prepared to put together something amazing even with the shortest of notice. No request is too large or too small, if you want two monarch butterflies released or champagne flown in from a private vineyard in France, it will be done. Most brides that have gotten married in Mexico agree that the best part of working with a wedding coordinator is that everything is completely taken care of eliminating any need to meet with caterers, florists, bakers, photographers, etc. All they have to do is get ready and show up to the ceremony they have always dreamed of.

Mexico Wedding Requirements: The standard requirements for Mexico weddings are very basic. For all legal wedding ceremonies the bride and groom must have the following documentation:  a valid passport, a tourist card (given to all visitors prior to entering the country), a blood test that is administered on property and a U.S. issued wedding certificate (for American citizens.) Also, it is required that the couple arrives three days prior to the wedding. Other requirements vary according to the type of marriage being performed; couples being married in religious ceremonies must submit official letters from their house of worship. Symbolic ceremonies do not require the bride and groom to provide a passport, blood tests or arrive three days earlier. These simple requirements are easy to fulfill and ensure that your union will be valid once you return to your home country.

The peace of mind that comes with having a destination Mexico wedding (and by Mexico, we mean paradise) is priceless. Let the wedding coordinators at El Dorado and Azul Hotels set the tone of your magical day while you worry about spending the afternoon at the spa and being in love.  It's the perfect beginning to your happily ever after...

-Paula Negrete,

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels