Canadian, Hindu and & Cultural Traditions at your Playa del Carmen, Mexico Wedding

People from all over the world choose Playa del Carmen or Tulum for their Riviera Maya destination wedding. We will personalize your ceremony and reception with any traditions you like, so just let us know how we can help. Here are some popular traditions: 

Chinese wedding ceremony: The color “red” is the color for luck and joy, which can be integrated into any wedding using red attire, linens, floral, seat cushions and party favors. Chinese parasols are wonderful for destination weddings to help shade the Caribbean sun during the ceremony. The Chinese culture also utilizes feng shui to examine the Chinese almanac along with the Bride and Groom’s birth time and date to choose a wedding day. 

French and German traditions host a “marriage cup” where the Bride & Groom toast with a traditional cup from their homeland.

Hispanic American traditions usually sees the Bride wear a mantilla, (white lace veil) and a traditional white wedding dress. For church decor, white roses are common and the Bride usually purchases 3 bouquets, (one for the altar for the Virgin Mary, toss bouquet and her own bouquet). Thirteen gold coins (arras) are given to the Bride from the Groom, as a sign of “giving her all his possessions, where he promises to use all he possess for her support". The “lazo” , a very long rosary rope is draped around the Bride & Groom, as the couple kneels at the altar. For music, a mariachi band plays traditional pieces, “mole” is served during dinner and wedding cookies can be offered for dessert.

Indian celebrations consist of multiple events with marigold garlands, a mandap (or four pillar canopy) and lavish colors usually consisting of red, gold, maroon, purple, orange and silver. The Hindu Bride usually wears a red and gold sari with a veil to cover her face and wears multiple jewelry pieces. Prior to the wedding day, mehndi (where hands are feet are beautifully decorated with henna) is performed to bring good luck to the Bride. After a joyous procession, usually where the Groom rides a white horse to the venue, (yes, we can do this in Mexico…..) and accompanied by drummers, the Bride and Groom exchange garlands in the varmala ceremony just before entering the mandap. When the Groom places the garland around the Bride’s neck, it symbolizes she has accepted him. Or, as another tradition, the Groom ties a mangalsutra (black and gold beaded necklace with a gold or diamond pendant) around his Bride’s neck.

As Wedding Planners, we love to custom design your special event, so be sure to share your traditions or cultural wishes withus during the planning process.