Destination Wedding Tips x Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort

There is no easy way of planning a destination wedding, especially when it's from afar. However, there are some professional tips and tricks that help make the arranging a little less stressful for the couple. Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort’s team of dedicated wedding experts have given Dauphine's readers the inside scoop of seamless destination wedding planning.

The resort's wedding coordinator, Alexis Brooks, took it upon himself to seek out the expertise of local Playa del Carmen image consultant, Lu Miranda for some additional insights on destination weddings. From attire to hair and makeup, and the best ways to incorporate local flare while not losing a sense of home, Alexis and Lu provided tips that are both interesting, insightful, and will ensure that any event goes off without a hitch. 

Where do I begin?

Once you decide on Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort as your wedding destination, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and let the wedding team do the rest. Throughout its inaugural year, the team witnessed an array of nuptials, ranging from casual barefoot beach affairs to elegant ballroom soirees, and has even achieved the seemingly impossible, catering to couples with kosher dining preferences and typical Hindu traditions like Sangeet and baraat. Basically, there’s nothing they won’t try to do to strive to make your special day extraordinary.

Upon arrival, guests can forget about all the stressful planning and focus on relaxing and preparing for the big day with treatments at the Cenote Spa or a fun night on La Quinta Avenida for a joint bachelor/bachelorette party. And with a promise to only book one wedding per day, couples will never have to fight for the attention of their wedding specialist, choice of access to wedding locations, or for access to backup options across the resort.

How can I make my guests feel at home at a wedding that’s far from home?

By staying together! Destination wedding guests are your friends and family who really love you and are willing to travel and spend extra money to be sure they are there with you on your special day. It is important to show them how much that means to you by making sure they have the most comfortable and enjoyable experience possible.

With the resort’s special group wedding rates, you can ensure that your friends and family are all able to stay together in one place. Consider the resort your home away from home. And the best part is that you don’t even need to leave the resort to have an amazing stay. No transportation, no coordination, just relaxation. 

What are the rules of etiquette for going barefoot at a beach wedding?

The rules have changed in regards to proper shoe protocol at beach weddings. It is now commonplace and totally acceptable to go barefoot – brides included, who standout not with heels, but rather with foot jewelry and ribbons. Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen accommodates for this trend, offering a dedicated space for wedding guests to kick off their shoes before digging their toes in the sand. The wedding team can also help you get more creative by ordering personalized flip flops or laying out a designed runner to guide guests down the aisle.

What are the best hairstyle, make-up, and attire tips to survive the heat and humidity?

For hair, choose a loose braid or put previously curled hair in an up do. These styles will not only stand up to the heat, but will also be protected from the wind coming off the sea. For makeup, be sure to use a primer before applying and try using airbrushed make-up as it lasts longer. For clothing, choose light and fresh fabrics such as chiffon, cotton muslin, organza, satin, silk crepe, or silk or chiffon charmuese silk. 

Luckily, Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort wedding packages cater to the bride and her bridesmaids, providing access to a private bridal suite where a dedicated team of hairstylists and makeup artists help prepare them for the big “I do.”

What are some dos and don’ts for destination wedding guests?

Do…Come with a partner or a good friend to enjoy the wedding, dance, and make the most of an amazing weekend.

Don’t… Plan too much for the nighttime. Often times the couple will already have an itinerary in mind, from a welcome reception and rehearsal dinner to, of course, the wedding itself. Also, don’t make a day trip for the following morning as you may be invited to the post-wedding brunch.

If you’re the best man or maid of honor, be sure to make sure your friends know your plans so they can incorporate them into the overall destination wedding itinerary. Remember that they selected you because they are your best friends, so be helpful and friendly at all times. Don’t give them more work. 

How can couples incorporate their local surroundings to their Mexican destination wedding?

Mexican culture is known for its bright colors and flavors, and weddings are no different. Incorporate some subtle spice to your special day by incorporating blue papel picado (paper banners cut from tissue paper) or talaveras (decorative clay pottery) into the décor to bring a sense of old traditions and your “something blue.” 

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort’s “Paseo” provides the perfect backdrop for this. It is the resort’s internal extension of the famed Fifth Avenue, providing guests with a safe, modern, location for pre-wedding cocktails with just the right touch of tradition.

And, on the culinary side, the resort has an amazing Executive Chef who, along with his expert staff, can help you to literally eat your heart out with Mexican delights. For example, forgo the typical wedding cake and try a Mexican dessert table that features churros, wafers, coconut candies, and more. 

How can we avoid the dreaded morning after hangover?

Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort’s wedding team was built for moments like this. They can make sure all your guests are taken care of the day after your wedding with a trusty hangover kit. A pair of sunglasses, some Clamato juice, sports drinks, and headache medicine can go a long way the morning after the reception. And they are more than happy to coordinate with the food and beverage team for a private buffet of natural juices and smoothies, greasy treats, and carbohydrates to soak up any alcohol that’s still in your system. 

Photos / Interview Courtesy: Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort