Weddings here in the Mexican Caribbean (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) are certainly popular! The latest statistics reveal that more than 50,000 couples get married here EACH YEAR! As a result, the wedding industry in Quintana Roo state is a huge plus to the main tourism industry. There are numerous providers in all the specialties—wedding planners, photographers, caterers, hair and makeup artists, etc.
The majority of couples plan their events at large resorts, especially all-inclusive resorts. Those resorts typically have onsite wedding coordinators who work with the couples to plan the event details. The resorts typically also maintain a list of “approved” outside service providers, such as decorators and photographers, and require couples to use them, citing maintenance of standards, security, and a proven ability to show up on time! Should a couple wish to use their own provider, the hotel will charge an extra fee, like a day pass to let that provider enter the grounds. If the couple requests a special decoration or something that the hotel doesn’t provide, they may need to bring it themselves, because of these limitations on outside providers.
More than 50,000 couples get married in the Mexican Caribbean each year!
There are independent wedding planners in all of the main markets here in Quintana Roo who work in a variety of settings—independent hotels, beach clubs, restaurants, and sometimes in private villas. From our research, it seems that most maintain lists of trusted allied providers with whom they work regularly. The reasons: reliability and trustworthiness. So many professionals have had to deal with bad providers that they are limiting with whom they will work. We of course have carefully vetted our allied service providers and are certainly willing to stake our reputations on the quality and reliability of their services.
Because of the size of the wedding industry, many providers have sought out niche markets in which to stand out. Sometimes it’s based on the language(s) they speak! You can find a photographer who mainly deals with French-speaking clients, and I personally know a makeup artist who specifically markets herself as an “Italian makeup artist” just because of the caché that brings. (Yes, she’s wonderful and she does speak English!)
Our service providers are really excited about working with Lesbian and Gay clientele! They have had little experience so far, but we have been extra careful to find people who either have a special connection to our Community or who actively want to work with us.