Allie & Parker’s Colorful Garden Wedding at Andaz Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya, in Mexico
You know how much we love colorful weddings, so when we saw this garden wedding at Andaz Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya, in Mexico – we had to feature it!
We talked to Lucy from Lucy Gallagher Boutique Weddings (the talent behind this shoot!) and she got for us the personal story of this stunning shoot, told by the bride herself…
“Parker and I met in November, 2018. At the time, I was attending law school and he lived with a few friends in a house near my school. We quickly realized after the first few dates how much we had in common, with similar family dynamics, a love of finding new restaurants, and a common joy of spending time with friends…
“Over the years, our relationship grew stronger, with memorable trips to California, Park City, and the Caribbean. In August, 2023 Parker proposed in my favorite place, Avalon, NJ. Parker and I spent many summers together in Avalon, so it was particularly special to get engaged there and celebrate with friends and family.
“The first wedding Parker and I ever attended together was a destination wedding in the Caribbean. We absolutely fell in love with the idea of a full weekend of festivities with the warm weather and beach as our backdrop. Through friends, we learned about Mayakoba and all that the community has to offer. Within 1 hour of being at Andaz Mayakoba, we knew we had found the perfect wedding venue.”
Inspiration behind the day + design:
“Parker and I wanted to embrace all the lush greens and bright colors of Mayakoba. When we saw the blank canvas and open-air design that the Balam Garden at Andaz offered, we knew we wanted to add bold, bright colors everywhere. We worked with florist and designer, Vanessa Jaimes, to transfer the garden with pops of reds, yellows, pinks and oranges. Vanessa outdid herself particularly with the floral ceremony arch and the vibrant centerpieces on each table. It was truly a dream come true to see all of the colors and lights in the large garden area come together on our special day.”
Favorite memories of the day
“Our favorite memory of the day was dancing with our entire family. From the start, we knew we wanted our familiar very involved in the day. We initially bonded over our shared family values and knew we wanted to celebrate this on our wedding day. After I danced with my mom and Parker danced with his mom, we brought out all of our parents and siblings to share in a family only dance, which was a really special moment for everyone involved.
Music choices
“We worked with Plug In Audiovisual, who I cannot recommend enough. We sent the DJ about 30-35 that we love, and he really ran with that list and created a perfect set list. We mixed in pop, electronic music, and some classic songs. All of our guests told us how much they loved the music and our dance floor stayed packed all night!”.
Advice for brides planning now
“Trust yourself and your instincts. Planning a wedding is a new experience for almost every bride. It is very easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing or listening to so many opinions. You start to question yourself, your taste and your vision. You have to trust yourself and remember that it is your day, no one else’s. People have the best intentions with their advice but remember that you are the one celebrating and will remember this day forever so go with what feels right for you and not what you think is trendy or a requirement for a wedding.”
Vendors
Photography: Take It Photography, Instagram
Venue: Andaz Mayakoba, Instagram
Planning: Lucy Gallagher Boutique Weddings
Florals: Vanessa Jaimes, Instagram
Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville, Instagram
Makeup Artist: Zoe Elizabeth, Instagram
Paper Goods: Wedding Creative Lab
Tabletop rentals and Furniture: Rebel Bloom
Music: Plug In Audiovisual, Instagram
Why We Love The Idea of a Garden Wedding at Andaz Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya
There’s something utterly enchanting about a Garden Wedding at Andaz Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya. Just take a look at the photos above and imagine yourself in the same wedding scenario: lush greenery that feels like being in a tropical jungle.
For couples who prefer a more private wedding, a ceremony away from the beach is always a good idea. The “Balam” Garden at Andaz (“Balam” means Jaguar in Maya) offers the perfect intimate location away from the beach onlookers. For couples who are set on having less of a “boho” and more of a “chic” wedding, garden weddings also allow guests to keep their high heels on throughout the event.
Andaz Mayakoba is a modern, colorful hotel. It is a boutique hotel which extends through the lagoons, mangroves and beach of Mayakoba.
And let’s be honest, the Riviera Maya’s climate is a dream come true for an outdoor celebration, but mainly during the winter months (December to March). Remember it’s the tropics, so from June to October it’s the hurricane season 🙂
And the food—oh, the food! You can’t have a wedding in Mexico without indulging in the local cuisine. Imagine a reception filled with gourmet tacos, fresh ceviche, and cocktails that pack just the right amount of punch. It’s a feast that matches the vibrant surroundings, making your celebration not just memorable, but unforgettable.
In essence, a Garden Wedding at Andaz Mayakoba Resort, Riviera Maya is where nature’s charm meets the elegance of a luxury resort, creating a wedding experience that’s as serene as it is stunning. It’s the perfect setting for couples who want to tie the knot in a place where every moment feels like a beautiful, tropical dream.