Are you in the early stages of planning a destination wedding in Mexico?
Chances are, this is all new to you. You likely do not have much experience in this department!
Where do you begin? And more importantly, how do you even know what questions to ask to make sure you don’t end up with big disappointments on your wedding day?
Of course, you start the way every dutiful bride does; by Googling wedding websites or forums, or reading about Beach Wedding 101 from The Knot.
Sure, that will give you a start. But then what? What about all the important questions that a bride never even thinks to ask?
What can easily make or break your wedding day?
On the hunt for questions you should be asking, I went straight to source, and asked the extraordinary Yazmin de la Mora, top wedding coordinator here in the Riviera Maya, what questions she feels should be on every bride’s FAQ list when planning a beach wedding in Mexico. Here is what she said:
Safaa & Al’s Playa del Carmen wedding
1. Ask about Privacy
“Since most of the locations in the area are all-inclusive hotels, sometimes brides do not realize that privacy and all-inclusives do not go hand in hand. Brides often do not think about it until they have already signed a contract with the hotel.” Yazmin says.
Beaches in Mexico are public property. What this means for you is that any multitude of hotel guests and Looky-Loos wandering by during your special moments can stop and enjoy the scene at their leisure.
You might be envisioning marrying your man with sand between your toes and the waves crashing on the beach, but if you choose an all inclusive resort that scene usually includes a hundred bathing suit-clad strangers watching you from the pool bar above.
that gives you the creeps, there are SO many other options for wedding venues at your disposal in the Mayan Riviera! Villas, beach clubs, boutique hotels, all of which will offer privacy and can be just as affordable at the end of the day.
If you value privacy, then be sure to explore your options before you sign on the dotted line.
Darcelle & Justin’s Playa del Carmen wedding
2. Ask about Lighting
“Another important detail that brides should be considering is lighting. They might think about many details but lighting is very important! I would say the same or even more important than flowers or décor. Most brides do not even consider it in their budgets or try to save money in that area….an awful mistake!” Yazmin tells us.
I will admit, I had not even thought about this myself, and I am in the business of wedding photography where lighting is everything!
Consider what the right lighting does to set the mood for any event; you dim the lights before a dinner party, light candles for a romantic evening, and dance under colorful flashing strobes at a club. So add another column to your wedding budget for Lighting.
Download our FREE Ultimate Guide To Getting Married In The Riviera Maya
Lindsay & Rob’s Riviera Maya wedding
3. Ask for a site inspection
“Another thing to consider will be site inspections. Sometimes you can save a lot of money by paying for a flight and coming to the area to do a site inspection. You can choose the right locations, wedding planner, and vendors.” Yazmin offers.
However…..”Do not rent a car and try to do it on your own. You will be losing a lot of time, and will never find the most incredible locations that hide along the Mayan Riviera that only wedding planners get to know!” An extra vacation to the Riviera Maya of Mexico with your the love of your life?
Sigh. Sounds rough, but if you must...
Jessica & Brian’s Tulum wedding
4. Ask for Help
A great wedding planner may sound like an added wedding expense to you right now, but they are worth their weight in gold! There are a lot of resorts down here to choose from as wedding venues, but not every great hotel is equally great for holding a wedding.
(Check out our Ultimate List of Best Wedding Resorts)
Many are not the great deal they appear to be once you consider everything that is not included in the package price, like the outside vendor fees! A wedding planner can help save you time and money while turning your wedding day vision into reality!
Yuri & Adolfo’s Playa del Carmen wedding
There you have it. Four questions to ask before planning a destination wedding. Getting these answers should help you avoid any major disappointment down the road.
What tip was most helpful to you? Tell me about it in the comments below!
Are you looking for the best Playa del Carmen wedding photographer for your beach wedding? Then contact us today! We are Fun In The Sun Weddings, for the best Riviera Maya wedding photography in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum.
