Dreaming of a sun-kissed wedding in paradise? The Riviera Maya beckons with turquoise waters, endless beaches, and vibrant sunsets. But before you say “I do,” dive into these 24 helpful tips, from the perspective of a Cancun Wedding Photographer, to ensure your destination wedding in Mexico is as flawless as the scenery.
Before booking your Riviera Maya wedding, compare vendor fees across resorts. Some venues can be more pricey, but Beach Clubs and Private Villas often offer a cost-effective alternative with no fees!
Expect your resort wedding planner to take longer responding to emails, with less frequent communication. For closer collaboration and detailed planning, consider hiring an external wedding planner.
Before booking your wedding date, double-check with the resort for any planned disruptions like construction, festivals, or events. This ensures your special day unfolds in serenity, with your backdrop free from distractions.
Arrive early for your Riviera Maya wedding! Three days provide a buffer to handle unexpected delays or finalize preparations, ensuring a stress-free start to your wedding journey. This frees up time for a welcome party or rehearsal, letting you relax and celebrate before the big day.
Conduct a wedding rehearsal to ensure a smooth ceremony. Understanding the optimal positions for key moments is crucial for photography. For instance, couples often don’t stand directly in the middle of the ceremony arch when a friend or family member is officiating. Practicing these details will help everyone know their positions and create a visually appealing ceremony.
Request that your resort removes the wristbands from the bride, groom, families, and wedding party on the wedding day. Alternatively, you can cut them off yourself for a cleaner and more polished look on your Riviera Maya wedding photographs.
Prepare your Getting Ready Room! Make sure your getting-ready room is spic and span before the photographers arrive. A clutter-free space translates to gorgeous wedding photographs! If you have options for getting ready rooms, opt for the one with abundant natural light and white walls for optimal photographic results. Trust us, your photos will thank you!
Familiarize yourself with the wedding day itinerary and share it with your guests. Having a well-organized plan ensures a smooth flow of events, preventing confusion for you, your guests, and your vendors. A structured wedding day contributes to a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Stay hydrated throughout your wedding day with plenty of water and electrolyte-rich drinks. Don’t forget nutritious snacks or light meals to keep your energy levels high and to ensure you can savor every magical moment.
Having an open bar welcome party the day before your wedding is generally not advisable if you want all guests to fully enjoy and attend your wedding day. Instances have occurred where wedding party members and family members couldn’t make it to the wedding day festivities due to the events of the night before. It’s something worth considering!
Consider hosting your rehearsal dinner or welcome party two days before your Riviera Maya wedding. This timing helps prevent wedding day hangovers for both you and your guests, ensuring everyone is ready to enjoy the celebration without any lingering effects from the previous night.
Skip the midday sun! The Riviera Maya’s sunshine can be intense, making your guests melt faster than a scoop of gelato. Plus, “raccoon eyes” aren’t exactly the look you’re going for in photos. Let’s aim for a later ceremony, say after 4 PM, for happy faces and picture-perfect moments.
For picture-perfect night photos, skip the sunscreen and mineral makeup on your face. These can reflect flash, leaving behind unwanted shines and shadows in photos.
Speaking of sunscreen, make sure to apply it before your wedding in Riviera Maya! Tan lines and wedding dresses are not a good combination. Keep in mind that we do not edit out sunburns or tan lines, so it’s crucial to protect your skin. This includes being mindful of sunglasses tans as well!
Regarding the weather, December-March brings stronger breezes in Riviera Maya. If your hair is long, consider an updo for a smoother and more comfortable celebration on your wedding day.
Select the optimal season for your Riviera Maya wedding. Given the tropical climate, rain is a possibility at any time, but you’re more likely to experience it in September or October compared to April or May. Additionally, June, July, and August tend to be exceptionally hot. Consider these factors when planning your wedding date.
Don’t sweat the weather forecast! While Mexican skies can surprise, with rain showers popping up like confetti, they rarely last long. Only hurricanes and tropical storms throw a real wrench in the plans. So, ditch the forecast anxiety and embrace the carefree rhythm of the tropics. Your wedding day in Riviera Maya will unfold beautifully, rain or shine, and those unexpected sprinkles might just add a touch of magic to your photos!
No one wants their bags got missing. While most airlines allow carrying your gown as carry-on, a quick heads-up call before your flight is your secret weapon. Confirming their specific policies and any potential size restrictions ensures smooth sailing (or soaring, rather!) for your precious cargo. Remember, a little pre-flight planning saves a lot of on-board anxiety.
Having perfectly-fitted attire for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is the secret sauce to stunning images. Trust us, when everyone feels like a million bucks, it shines through in every photo, creating memories that last a lifetime. So, let’s get those hems adjusted, nips and tucks perfected, and ensure everyone rocks their wedding day best. Remember, a little pre-planning goes a long way towards wedding photos that capture pure joy and effortless elegance!
While a classic 3-piece suit might hold a certain charm, let’s be honest: the Riviera Maya’s tropical heat and humidity can turn it into a sauna in no time. Imagine grooms and guests mopping their brows and battling heat exhaustion – not exactly the picture of wedding bliss! Instead, let’s prioritize comfort and style with lighter, breathable options.
Prepare pictures of your desired hair and makeup styles to share with your hair stylists and makeup artists. Clear communication is key, as we’ve encountered instances where brides were dissatisfied with their resort hair and makeup services due to misunderstandings. For an even better outcome, consider hiring a professional and scheduling a trial day to ensure your expectations align with the final look.
Opt for natural light when having your makeup done; it’s a given, but crucial for a flawless look. Additionally, strongly consider hiring a makeup professional, just as you would a photography professional. Ensuring expertise in both areas minimizes the risk of any unwanted surprises on your face (or hair!) on your big day.
For a better atmosphere and more energetic party, it’s highly recommended to have a real dance floor. Without one, guests might be more reserved, staying spread out and participating less in the dancing and partying. Trust us, everyone, introverts and extroverts alike, will appreciate a dedicated space to let their happy feet do the talking.
Ensure you have a skilled MC and DJ for your wedding in Riviera Maya. They play crucial roles as the directors of your party, enticing people onto the dance floor and maintaining a lively atmosphere. Opting to play music from an iPhone yourself is rarely effective, and technical glitches may occur, potentially leaving one of your guests to assume the role of “tech person” instead of enjoying the reception. Hiring professionals ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Fun is the ultimate wedding accessory, and it’s FREE! We know you’ve put a ton of thought into this day, so now it’s time to relax, trust the pros, and soak in the love. This is your celebration, your love story on film, and we’re here to capture every sparkle and smile. So, forget the stress, grab your honey, and get ready for the most fabulous day of your lives! We’ll be the ones behind the lens, making sure every memory shines bright during your wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Check out our popular articles about Top 5 Reasons why it’s a great idea to plan your dream Destination Wedding in Mexico or 8-Hour Wedding Photography Timeline for your Cancun Destination Wedding.