Seven Romantic Resorts Perfect For A Destination Wedding

By: Kelsey Casselbury

Excellence Riviera Cancun is an adults-only resort set in a prime Cancun location. Whether you and your guests want to relish in the luxury of the tropical resort or head off-property for the nightlife and excitement of bustling Cancun, excellence features something for everyone – including six pools, eight restaurants, and a full-scale fitness center. Before your wedding, get pampered at the swim-in Miilé Spa, which includes a dedicated spa menu for couples, and then choose one of three customizable wedding packages to make your day one to remember.

Located on the spectacular Maroma Beach, considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful beaches, El Dorado Maroma offers a luxurious resort setting for those ages 16 and older. Private infinity pools? You got it. Swim-up suites? Find them here. A lavish spa? Of course. Concierge services? Definitely. And for those getting married, choose from two beachfront locations as well as a beachfront wedding chapel. All couples receive the services of the resort’s wedding coordinators, who can help you plan the ideal tropical wedding, whether it’s a ceremony for two or an affair with friends and family.

Resorts can be family-friendly and luxurious at the same time – just look at Grand Velas, located in the Riviera Maya, a vacation destination for all ages with a AAA five-diamond rating. The resort, which offers a variety of all-inclusive wedding packages, is surrounded by 80 acres of jungles, protected mangroves and cenotes, freshwater wells, as well as more than 1,000 feet of white sand beaches. Soon-to-be newlyweds can choose from five wedding packages, including one that is complimentary when at least eight rooms are booked for a minimum of three nights. Whether you desire an intimate ceremony on the beach or a grander ballroom affair, the wedding specialists at the Grand Velas can help you plan the perfect day.

Located just 3 miles from Playa del Carmen, the Viceroy Riviera Maya encompasses 6 acres of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Guests will enjoy the all-villa resort, which offers an “Extreme Takeover” destination wedding package, offering the ultimate in resort luxury. The all-inclusive package consists of three nights for up to 82 people – offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks daily, along with use of the Viceroy’s other amenities. The Viceroy embraces traditional Mayan culture, offering regional wedding customs, such as the “Good Wish Mayan Ceremony.”

Couples tying the knot at Playacar Palace, located in beautiful Playa del Carmen, can choose from one of nine lavish wedding collections designed by celebrity wedding planner Colin Cowie. Say your “I dos” on the white sand beach, tropical gardens, or the elegant solarium. Planning your wedding doesn’t need to be a stressful process – the planning staff at Palace Resorts can cater to your desires. Looking beyond the wedding, Playacar offers 200 well-appointed guest rooms with balconies overlooking the Caribbean Sea and Cozumel Island. Each room includes a double Jacuzzi – how’s that for romance?

Tie the knot in one of the fastest-growing resort destinations, Los Cabos, located on the stunning Sea of Cortez. Luxury resort Las Ventanas sees 350 days of sun per year, so weather doesn’t need to be a worry on your wedding day. Romance is in high supply at Las Ventanas – the resort offers a variety of gorgeous locations to get married, including the white-sand beach, but also features a “Department of Romance,” which offers a carriage ride for two, a chance to sleep under the stars, or enjoy a private gourmet dinner for two.

Twenty-five minutes north of Cancun, you’ll find Playa Mujeres. This location combines the convenience and activity of Cancun with the feeling of being hidden away in a private oasis. Excellence Playa Mujeres is adults-only, making it a prime location for couples who’d like to host a grown-up affair. Wedding locations include romantic gazebos, private yachts, or exclusive villas, while guests will enjoy VIP amenities, picturesque views of the Caribbean Sea, and perfectly manicured resort grounds – along with 2 miles of white-sand beaches, seven swimming pools, and nine gourmet restaurants. What more does a destination wedding need?