Dreaming of a destination wedding in the sunny Caribbean? If a beach wedding is on your mind, you’ll love how easy and fun it can be to celebrate your special day in Playa del Carmen.

With miles of gorgeous beachfront for picture-perfect moments, a central location, easy access, and modern amenities, Playa is an ideal place for a wedding. The beauty of it is that you can choose how simple or extravagant you want your day to be–the sky’s the limit!

Maybe you’d like an intimate, rustic-chic beach affair with a few guests. Or perhaps your style tends towards a more glamorous event with chandeliers and champagne, overlooking the ocean. For a unique and memorable day, you could be wed in a traditional Mayan ceremony, or have your wedding in a Colonial-style church or beside a cenote in the jungle. You have so many options here, and they’re all going to be beautiful!

It can be a lot of work, but with advance planning and good communication, your dream wedding can be a reality.

TIP: Many resorts and hotels have their own wedding planners and vendors who work with them to make your day spectacular. (Check what is included in the various wedding packages: photographer, DJ, esthetician, etc.) This simplifies the process and cuts down a lot of stress for the bridal party. Most of the staff in this field are multi-lingual. If you want to use a vendor outside of the hotel’s network, that’s fine but there’s usually an extra fee.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

As you plan your Playa del Carmen wedding, think about your circumstances and preferences. Of course, determining a guest list and a budget right off the bat are essential. Other good questions to ask yourself are:

• How much help in planning a destination wedding do I need?
• Do I want to plan it myself so I can have more freedom? [If you know Playa well, have contacts there and speak Spanish, this is definitely within your reach.]
• Do I want my guests to stay at the same venue where the wedding will be held? [Book rooms well in advance, especially if you have a lot of guests.]
• Would an all-inclusive wedding package be good for me?
• Do I want to hire a local wedding planner to choose a more custom location and package for my wedding?
• Do I want a religious ceremony in addition to the civil ceremony? [Mayan, Catholic, and other religious ceremonies are permitted but have absolutely no legal value in Mexico.]

Check the weather forecast for the month you are planning to have your wedding. Keep in mind that hurricane season/rainy season typically runs from June – August (and sometimes a bit longer).

TIP:  Pack any wedding clothes, shoes and accessories in airtight bags inside your luggage. ABSOLUTELY PACK YOUR WEDDING GOWN AS CARRY-ON. What bride would let her wedding dress out of her sight, anyway, right?

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Typically, weddings in Mexico have two parts:  a civil ceremony and a religious or spiritual ceremony.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:

• PassportValid Passport and a photo-copy of Passport for both the Bride and Groom and each of the 4 witnesses. (Witnesses can be provided if necessary.) Passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Photocopy must include photo and signature.
• Tourist VisaOne photocopy of the tourist visas for Bride, Groom and all four witnesses (2 witnesses for the Bride, 2 for the Groom).TIP:  These are usually handed out on-flight or presented to you at your port of entry.
• Divorce Decree[documents MUST be “Authenticated or Apostilled” in country of origin]If previously married, Authenticated Copies of copies of the Divorce Decree are required. Exceptions can usually be arranged if the Bride’s Passport is in her maiden name.
• Widowed[documents MUST be “Authenticated or Apostilled” in country of origin]If either partner is widowed, Authenticated Copies of Death Certificate are required. Exceptions can usually be arranged if the Bride’s Passport is in her maiden name.
• Birth Certificates**optional**[documents MUST be “Authenticated or Apostilled” in country of origin]A Birth Certificate is NOT required for a groom if he has a valid passport.Birth Certificate is only required for the Bride IF she is divorced and her passport is NOT in her maiden name, or if she wishes to change her legal last name at this time. If a Bride’s passport is in her maiden name, her birth certificate is NOT required in Quintana Roo (all of Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cancun, etc.). If a Birth Certificates is required, it will need to be certified and translated by an approved translator.
• Marriage Application FormsThese forms are attained from any registry office in Mexico. They must be filled out and signed by the Bride, Groom, and 4 witnesses.TIP:  The registry office in Playa del Carmen is located in Plaza Papagayos, on Juarez and 45th Ave.
• Blood TestsIt is best to get this done in Mexico. If you do this in your country of origin, then you must translate all written documentation into Mexican Spanish accompanying the blood tests and all documents must be Authenticated. (HUGE HASSLE.)NOTE: Blood tests MUST be done a minimum of 3 days prior to the day of the wedding. Clinics will promptly take a blood sample and print off results for you to include with your marriage application forms. The paperwork from the clinic will include the following information:HIV
  RPR (social disease)
  Blood Type
  Medical Certificate (in Spanish)

PLAYA DEL CARMEN WEDDING LOCATIONS

RIGHT IN TOWN

MAHEKAL is an upscale beach resort with cabanas and a spa. It is the perfect blend of laidback and chic, with quiet jungle grounds and a great location near downtown Playa [it’s between calle 36 and 38]. Talk about an idyllic honeymoon spot–this place is absolutely enchanting, with an eco-friendly vibe.

With an incredibly wide stretch of beach, you’ll have plenty of room to party at PLAYACAR PALACE. (This beautiful hotel is even white to match your bridal gown!) It’s a sophisticated resort that’s great for families and easy to get to; being located right at the entrance of Playacar community. The food at this hotel is phenomenal, and the service is outstanding.

SANDOS in Playacar is an excellent option as well, with an Adults Only section and Families section. This large hotel has more privacy than other resorts in Playacar (fewer potential photo bombers!), as its located at the southernmost end of the strip.

Another hotel with a prime location that has a lot of wedding experience is THE ROYAL and its sister hotel, GRAN PORTO REAL. Both are located on Constituyentes and the beach. You’ll be pampered here, no doubt about it!

MORE REMOTE LOCATIONS

Still in Playa but at the far northern end is the enormous PARADISUS Resort. This place is luxurious, exclusive, and remote enough to give you that serene tranquility you might be looking for at your wedding.

Going north of Playa, there’s a gorgeous resort called AZUL FIVES. It also has the right combination of a quiet location that’s not too far away from the city. It’s literally at the northern edge of Playa. Here you’ll have a lot of freedom to arrange your wedding your way; with options like a cocktail hour, champagne toasts, rehearsal dinner, etc.

South of the city [less than a 10-minute drive] is BLUE VENADO. This beach club is absolutely stunning. If you’re looking for a magical, captivating spot with a secluded beach, this is it. You won’t find better ocean views anywhere, and it’s all just for you and your guests! The thatched palapa buildings are large enough to accommodate up to 150 guests, and you can keep your toes in the sand the entire time, if you wish!