1. Real Weddings

A Destination Wedding at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Since they took their first vacation together in Mexico, Odalys Lopez (29 and a teacher) and Carlos Rodriguez (34 and a photographer) decided to retur

Since they took their first vacation together in Mexico, Odalys Lopez (29 and a teacher) and Carlos Rodriguez (34 and a photographer) decided to return to the same location with their friends and family to celebrate their marriage. The couple hosted a destination wedding at the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and held an outdoor ceremony at the gazebo with a beach backdrop of clear, turquoise water. The bride wore an Allure Bridals V-neck wedding dress with spaghetti straps and a low back to stay cool in the heat, and the groom dressed in a light gray suit by Caravelli. As guests arrived at the hotel, they were given a small bag with a palm tree stamp, which included travel-size must-haves and a card with a personalized stamp thanking them for their love and support. On each place setting, guests found a small natural-wood maraca with a tag that stated, "Shake your maracas to make the Mr. and Mrs. kiss." “The best part of the reception was the light-up dance floor and the cool breeze,” Odalys says. The bride and groom love to dance, and wanted everyone out of their seats and moving to the music. Odalys and Carlos purchased miniature sombrero souvenirs for their guests as a thank-you for joining them in Mexico. “It’s best to incorporate little touches that are heartfelt for guests when they arrive from long distances,” Odalys says.

Odalys and Carlos’ rings are a classic set. The engagement ring is a round diamond with pave diamonds around the shank with a matching wedding ring. The groom’s wedding ring is simple and gold.
The bride’s mother passed away a few months before the wedding, so Odalys incorporated her mother’s favorite colors into her bouquet: pink and coral. “My favorite color is green, and a touch of green was added in little ways,” the bride says.
Odalys and Carlos had a destination wedding and were married at the Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. “Our first vacation together was in Mexico and we felt it was a good middle ground for friends and family to travel to,” the bride says.
The bride wore green shoes by Nine West for a bright pop of color to match in the tropical setting. The shoes had big floral embellishments at the toes and a heel with a strap in back to be comfortable at the outdoor ceremony.
Casual Gray Groom's Suit at Mexico Wedding
Spanish Wedding Chair Signs
The couple found a personalized stamp on Etsy that was bilingual in Spanish and English, which had a saying that thanked guests for all their support and love. It was stamped in green ink and placed on ivory card stock.
The couple decided to purchase souvenirs in Mexico as a thank-you for their guests after the wedding. They gave out colorful miniature sombreros for everyone who traveled to Mexico to be with them on their wedding adventure.
First Dance at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya