The Business of Weddings in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

by Katherine Neumann, of Plug In Audiovisual, WPICC

Over the past five years, Playa del Carmen has become a hotspot for destination weddings, attracting international clients of all ages and backgrounds to its pristine beaches and bustling 5^th Avenue. From couples eager for a fun-filled but affordable fiesta, to those going for an all-out Pinterest-worthy dream wedding, Playa del Carmen has big appeal for all kinds of destination wedding couples.

 HOLA, MUCHO GUSTO!

My name is Katherine and I am a Vancouverite born and raised, now living and working in Mexico. I began my university studies and work experience at Resorts in Mexico at age 18, years later making my permanent home in Playa del Carmen. I got my start in the Wedding Industry here back in 2009, working as the wedding & events coordinator at a local boutique hotel.  I am now Co-Owner of Plug In Audiovisual, a company offering Professional DJs & Audio-visual Design services for destination weddings here in the Mayan Riviera.

Aside from the obvious perks of living at the beach, there are a few important reasons why as a wedding professional, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN….IT’S JUST SO HOT RIGHT NOW

Although this has always been popular location for North Americans clients, we are now also seeing huge numbers of couples from every corner of the globe choosing Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera area for their beach weddings. From intimate elopements to 300 people South Asian weddings, this location is absolutely booming with a diverse international clientele.

Being a foreigner working in Mexico gives me the strategic advantage of having an outsider’s perspective on doing business here. I make sure to address any challenges that our international clients might face when planning a wedding in a foreign country. This could be a difference in customs and tendencies, cultural barriers, response-time, and of course making sure that nothing gets lost in translation along the way.

We work with couples who come to Playa del Carmen looking for an authentic Mexican fiesta with rustic charm, and those who want an uber-chic & glitzy affair under the stars. There are some who want a green wedding with exquisite vegan fare, and others who want a big and bold celebration with extravagant décor and world-class performances.

As Playa del Carmen’s client base grows, the services and products offered here are also evolving to accommodate the diverse styles and customs of our couples from Australia, Panama, Western Europe, Brazil, North America, Peru, the Middle East, Asia and Russia. The constantly changing ideas, inspiration and expectations from this diverse clientele keep things exciting for us!

HOW ABOUT THOSE STUNNING VENUES?

Another exciting thing about working in the wedding industry in paradise is the dreamy venues where we get to do events.  There is nothing we love more than meeting with a couple at a breezy table by the beach to talk about all of the fun we are going to have with the music and lighting for their big day…. and then putting it into action!

 There are the sprawling all-inclusive resorts that offer elegant ballrooms, modern restaurants, poolside terraces and palm tree-lined beaches. The set wedding packages offered by resorts cover all the basics but can be enhanced and customized to suit each couple’s vision and budget, making them very appealing to destination wedding clients.  Resorts typically provide their own vendors in their wedding packages, however it is common for clients to bring in a few of their own specialized “outside” vendors (like out team, for example!) to enhance their experience.

Couples wanting a more exclusive and intimate celebration can book out one of the private villas or boutique hotels. Having the entire property just for their group allows for complete privacy and freedom in regards to time restrictions, set-up, and décor options for their big day. These venues don’t tend to offer set packages or in-house suppliers, meaning the clients handpick the vendors of their choice. These are the type of events where we are most involved, and really get to work closely with the wedding planners and other vendors to bring together a multiple day celebration with lots of personal touches.

Another option that is becoming popular for couples looking for the benefits of having all of their guests stay together at a resort, plus the exclusivity of having a private location for their celebration are the restaurants and beach clubs lining Playa del Carmen’s 5^th avenue. These venues can be rented out for rehearsal dinners, wedding ceremonies and or receptions, and the celebrations can then continue downtown at some of the best local bars and nightclubs.

There is definitely no shortage of possibilities when it comes to finding the perfect venue for a destination wedding in Playa, and I have to say that working in these stunning settings is definitely one of the best perks of the job!

AND LET’S TALK ABOUT THE DREAM TEAMS WE GET TO WORK WITH…

The opportunity to collaborate with amazing international planners and talented local vendors to create custom-designed weddings and unique experiences for every client is by far one of the most fulfilling and downright exciting parts of the job.  Some of the top Wedding Planners from Canada, the United States, Mexico and beyond are choosing Playa as one of the main destinations for their clients’   beach weddings, and with good reason.

When it comes to finding wedding suppliers, Playa del Carmen is absolutely brimming with local talent! There are officiants, make-up artists, catering companies, photographers, décor & floral designers, musicians, production companies, DJs and wedding favour companies who are continuously updating their services to specialize in both local and international customs and trends.  This means that just because couples are getting married in Mexico, doesn’t mean they are limited to tacos, mariachi and bright colours (although of course this will always be a favourite!). It also means they don’t have to fly in their own Mehndi artist or Costa Rican DJ to authentically represent their roots in Mexico. Almost anything that a couple can dream of can now be sourced locally and incorporated into their day for a wedding that truly expresses their unique story and style.

SO, ARE YOU PACKED YET?

 If you are looking for an exciting new location for your next destination wedding (or, let’s be honest, maybe even for your next holiday), you’ll want to keep this wonderful little corner of the world in mind.  We’ve got tons that will appeal to your clients of all ages and interests, stunning venues with un-real backdrops for their wedding celebrations, and a pretty amazing group of local and international wedding pros to collaborate with. And if that doesn’t convince you, maybe the idea of a giant margarita under a palm tree on the beach while being serenaded by a local mariachi might do the trick. (Really, That’s a thing here).