What does luxury mean to you? As a busy entrepreneur, luxury is an experience where I get a much-needed respite from decision fatigue. Whether planning a vacation or a wedding, there’s something beautiful about knowing that every little detail is looked after and all you have to do is show up and look fabulous.
Enter the tropical destination wedding. Far too often, resort weddings get a bad rep as being cookie-cutter experiences that lack personality, but Karisma Hotels & Resorts is changing the narrative. The global brand behind the Margaritaville Island Reserve Collection has given the destination wedding a glow-up with a range of romance offerings meticulously designed to match every couple’s vision and budget.
I recently attended a week-long wedding celebration at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya and was blown away by everything I experienced. Nestled along a gorgeous stretch of the Caribbean Sea in Puerto Morelos, Mexico – a short drive from the Cancun airport – Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya offers a variety of highly customizable wedding options alongside highly unique amenities that I’ve never experienced before – despite having stayed at dozens of all-inclusive resorts.
If you’re considering saying “I do” in paradise, here are a few reasons to consider Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya for your celebration.
Relaxed Tropical Elegance.
Inspired by the easy, breezy tropical lifestyle of singer/philosopher Jimmy Buffet, Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya seamlessly blends the conveniences of an all-inclusive resort with the bespoke charm of a boutique hotel.
Throughout the property, you’ll find whimsical nods to Buffet’s legacy through artwork featuring his iconic lyrics and other subtle references, like the Salted Rim – a lobby bar decorated with a stunning chandelier made of margarita glasses.
Inspired by the sea, sand, and sky, the guest rooms boast all-white linens and unique furnishings with delicate maritime touches (think: lively tropical artwork and a gorgeous walk-in rainforest shower adorned in stunning turquoise tiles.)
I could have easily stayed in bed all day had I not had an event to attend and the many dreamy pool areas to enjoy – Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya has three main pools and offers a variety of swim-up suites.
Accessible Luxury.
The wedding offerings at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya reflect a similar laid-back yet personal approach. With a commitment to only host one wedding per day, Karisma Hotels & Resorts recently launched three new wedding packages – Crazy For You, Love You More, and the I Do Celebration. What impressed me about these packages was the lack of fine print.
The new “Crazy For You” package also makes luxury accessible to all, with complimentary offerings for newlyweds who book five rooms or three nights each, ensuring a romantic and elegant experience with dedicated wedding services.
The other packages build on these offerings with a “make it yours” approach that allows them to be customized to suit a couple’s desires and tastes.
Stunning venues.
In addition to intimate beach settings and stunning ballroom wedding venues that accommodate up to 400 people, Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya offers an Island Wedding option. Through this experience, newlyweds exchange vows on a clear platform over a crystal pool, providing attendees with serene views of the white sand beach and turquoise waters.
For couples craving rooftop romance, The Sky Terrace Wedding offers breathtaking panoramic views and an airy reception featuring award-winning dining options.
Culture and Inclusivity.
At Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, love is love. The resort enthusiastically welcomes all couples and joyfully plans LGBTQ+ weddings.
For couples seeking a culturally specific celebration, sister property, Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun (located down the road from Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya) offers the South Asian Wedding Experience, a culturally-infused celebration blending tradition and love. It features vibrant events like the Sangeet Ceremony and Baraat Procession, a spectacular Wedding Mandap, and intimate moments such as semi-private dinners and receptions.
In addition to offering inclusive and culturally specific weddings, Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya doesn’t shy away from sharing its Mexican cultural traditions with guests. The resort’s weekly Mexican food display allows guests to sample regional specialties, that can also be included in a couple’s receptions. For example, a Trompo (meat roasted on a spit) – a Mexican street food staple in their reception.
Couples and guests can also indulge in luxurious treatments at the St. Somewhere Spa that blend top-tier spa practices with elements of Mayan folk medicine, like the Mescalito Mi Amor ritual where agave oil is massaged onto the skin.
Sustainability.
From decorations and centerpieces to single-use plastics, a wedding creates significant waste. Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya shares a commitment to sustainability. Since 2012, they have implemented a sustainable management system for waste, water, energy, and other resources. With their turn-key wedding packages, luxe decorations get reused, extending their life so you can feel good about saying “I do” in paradise. Single-use water bottles are also no longer offered for environmental reasons.
A legacy of life-long memories.
After weathering the pandemic years, making memories with their loved ones is a top priority for couples, says Gil Machain, Head of Weddings at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya.
With its “gourmet-inclusive” programming and bespoke amenities, the resort is focused on facilitating special moments. Wedding parties can bond over a game of rooftop pickleball, enjoy a fireside s’mores experience, indulge in the Avocado Boat experience – which involves a floating picnic of 60+ tacos served in the pool – or visit Le Chique, a Michelin-star restaurant located at the nearby Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun.
The resort’s meticulous attention to detail, from customizable wedding packages to stunning venues and luxurious amenities, ensures that every celebration is as unique as the couple themselves and that families can create a legacy of unforgettable memories.
