Choosing a Backdrop to Suit your Wedding Style

Choosing a venue that aligns with your vision and style

In a previous blog post, we covered the importance of wedding design in creating a day that is authentically you. Defining a design concept for your wedding is hard.. we know.. especially in the early stages of planning. One of my initial tips to couples is to focus on choosing a venue that will serve as the backdrop for their day. From luxury villas and elegant boutique hotels to jungle bars, boho beach clubs or modern rooftop restaurants, the possibilities for the overall look and vibe of your wedding day are endless in the Mexican Caribbean.

I find that the overall vision of most of our weddings can fit into three main themes:

(1) traditional Mexican (2) boho chic and (3) modern elegance. There are venues dotted around the Mexican Caribbean to serve all of these themes, and the décor and vibe at each venue can help you establish the baseline for your aesthetic.

Traditional Mexican

Hacienda-style villas in the Riviera Maya and authentic Haciendas in the Yucatan have become extremely popular venues for weddings. With their high ceilings, picturesque archways, exposed wood beams, antique fixtures, and open-air courtyards, these venues are ideal for couples who are seeking to incorporate a traditional Mexican theme to their wedding. (Learn more about how to embrace traditional Mexican themes to make these venues really shine!)

Some of our favourite traditional haciendas are located inland, not far from Merida. If you are interested in learning more about these venues, we highly recommend you head over to these sites Private Haciendas and Starwood Luxury Collection who offer an array of incredible venues. I would be happy to go over these in more detail with you!

If you do not wish to venture inland but would still like to include traditional Mexican architecture in your design, there are options in the Riviera Maya, such as the Riviera Maya Haciendas, Hotel Esencia or  El Pueblito Mayakoba all located within a 15 mins drive from Playa del Carmen.

Rivera Maya Haciendas. Photography By Sweet Caribbean Photography

Boho Chic

Boho Chic weddings embrace nature and tend to focus on the ocean and/or the jungle as a backdrop. This wedding theme has featured heavily in top wedding blogs such as Style Me Pretty and Junebug Weddings for several years and has led the way in inspiration. Macramé, dream catchers, colorful rugs and barefoot brides with flowers in their hair embrace the ideals of the nomad life. It’s about dreamy details and dancing the night away under the stars.

There are several boutique hotels we recommend for a Boho Chic wedding. In Tulum, we have created magical events at  Ana y Jose Charming Hotel and Hip Hotel Tulum. In Playa del Carmen, we recommend Mahekal, which is nestled among a lush tropical oasis in the center of town.  These venues offer accommodation, which allow our couples to spend several days enjoying the company of their loved ones.

Beach clubs are also a great option if you find organising accommodation for your guests too much of a hassle. Blue Venado Beach Club in Playa del Carmen and Mia Restaurant and Beach Club are fantastic venue-only options with a bohemian feel.

Ana y Jose Charming Hotel. Photography by Kape Photography.

Modern Elegance

There are couples who do not wish to be married with their toes in the sand. They envisage a venue where their guests will be wearing high-heels, long dresses and leather shoes with designer suits. They might even prefer an air-conditioned ballroom, chandeliers, candlesticks (with candles that don’t blow out in the wind!), mirrored tables and large restrooms!

Hotels such as Gran Velas or Grand Hyatt in Playa del Carmen can offer large elegant spaces for a more classical wedding.

For couples preferring a private one-day rental, I recommend Villa La Joya, a gorgeous villa located just North of Playa de Carmen.

Villa La Joya. Photography by Quetzal Wedding Photo.

Choosing your venue is one of the very first decisions you will have to make in your wedding plans, and it sets the stage for the atmosphere of your day. While the general style of your wedding can likely fit into one of these three ideals, the design can still be as versatile and unique as your own love story. To find your individualism, align with the aesthetic that resonates with and represents who you are. Every detail that follows will then fall into place.

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