How to Plan the Perfect Tropical Destination Wedding in Mexico

Picture this: crystal blue waters, lush tropical jungles, white sands, and stunning orange sunsets. If that sounds like the destination wedding location of your dreams, there’s no better place than Playa del Carmen, Mexico. And Josie and Nick’s romantic beach destination wedding at Paradisus Playa del Carmen is all the proof you need. If you’re considering planning a tropical wedding in Mexico, keep reading for all my tips for planning an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. Plus I’m sharing one of my favorite parts of Josie and Nick’s wedding weekend, their stunning post-wedding photoshoot that kicked off their romantic honeymoon. You won’t want to miss all the dreamy photos we captured, so stay tuned for all the details!

Planning Tips FOR A DESTINATION WEDDING IN MEXICO

Mexico is such a great option if you’re considering a beach destination wedding for so many reasons. First of all, it’s easily accessible for you and your guests. If you opt for a Playa del Carmen destination wedding, the easiest way to get there is to fly into the Cancun airport and take a shuttle ride (about 45 minutes) to Playa del Carmen. There are lots of transportation services that offer shuttles, but depending on where you’re staying many resorts send shuttles to pick up guests as well. Speaking of which, a lot of the resorts in this area are one-stop-shops when it comes to planning your wedding.

Take the Paradisus Playa del Carmen for example- this five-star resort has 17 different event spaces to choose from for your wedding day. From exchanging vows on the beach to having an elegant reception dinner catered by their world class culinary team. While Josie and Nick opted for an intimate celebration, the resort can accommodate up to 500 guests. If something a little more intimate and off-the-beaten path is your style, a Playa del Carmen destination wedding in Mexico is still an amazing option. There are tons of private residences and villas where you can relax with your guests and have a small ceremony. If you do go that route, I would highly advise hiring a wedding planner with knowledge of the area since you won’t have all the resources of some of the larger resorts to plan your wedding day. Either way, I can’t think of anything better than kicking off your lives together as husband and wife than a tropical vacation surrounded by your favorite people.

Guest Experience

One of the best parts of having a Playa del Carmen destination wedding is it gives you and your partner as well as your loved ones a great excuse to take a tropical vacay. So whenever my couples are planning a destination wedding, I always advise them to give recommendations to their guests on how they can make the most out of their trip. If you’re at an all-inclusive resort like Paradisus, they’ll have virtually unlimited activities at their fingertips. I always recommend having options for every activity level since you’ll have guests that will want to just lounge on the beach and others who might want to explore something more adventurous. If you go the route of a boutique hotel or villa, you can also reach out to local tour companies to plan an excursion for your guests to local cenotes or bar hopping in town. If you’re not located directly on the beach, be sure to provide recommendations for nearby spots and how to reach them. A little itinerary included in a welcome bag placed in their room upon arrival is the perfect way to share that information. Bonus points for including some fun touches like a hangover kit or snacks and drinks for them to enjoy in their room!

Honeymoon Photoshoot

And now for my favorite part of Josie and Nick’s wedding weekend in Playa del Carmen, our post-wedding photoshoot. I absolutely love this idea for destination wedding couples. Not only is it a great way to capture that just-married glow, but it’s such a romantic way to kick off your honeymoon and commemorate such a special moment. Be sure to take advantage of your travel wedding photographer before they head home and book a session the day after your wedding like Josie and Nick. We’ve all heard this a million times now, but your wedding day truly does go by in a flash. Honeymoon photos are a great way to slow down and be in the moment with your partner without worrying about cocktail hour starting or anxiously waiting to rejoin your guests and start celebrating! Plus it allows us to capture another location like heading into the ocean for a few shots like Josie and Nick did, which you probably won’t want to do in your wedding day attire. This is a session I’ll be HIGHLY recommending to my future destination wedding clients and definitely think it’s a must-have addition to your wedding photos!

I truly can’t recommend a Playa del Carmen destination wedding in Mexico enough. From the world-class resorts to the pristine beaches and tropical romantic vibes, it’s an awe-inspiring location that you and your guests won’t soon forget. If you’re looking for the perfect travel wedding photographer to tag along and capture it all, I’d love to talk about your wedding day vision and how I can help bring that to life. I have traveled all over the world capturing my couples, so if you have questions on a particular location or planning logistics, don’t be afraid to reach out! If there’s one thing I love to chat about, it’s my favorite destination wedding locations. Just inquire here and set up a time to chat- zero pressure involved!