• Real Weddings

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Destination wedding season is back in full bloom and Velas Resorts in Mexico has rolled out a bevy of new offerings to celebrate.

Pre-ceremony, couples getting married at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya have the opportunity to experience a YAAK UN Mayan Trumpet Ceremony. Suggested for the bridal party one day before the wedding, the authentic YAAK UN (translated Fall in Love in the native language) ceremony first unites the wedded to be and their bridal group with an Energetic Cleansing before the couple reads private vows. With Mayan trumpets, tuning forks, cymbals and quartz bowls chimed in the background, the one-hour purification ritual opens the heart, unblocks energy channels, and aligns the group with the true intention of love. Also designed to protect the marriage from negative forces, a Mayan Shaman blesses the couple. To conclude the spiritual ceremony, Mayan cacao will be shared to toast the bride and groom.

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Then it’s on to the rehearsal dinner. A traditional Kermes is the way to go. The popular Mexican Fiesta is full of music games and delicious traditional food that blends together the best of Mexican traditions. At Velas Resorts, wedding guests can enjoy this authentic experience with an interactive Mexican Antojitos station complete with churros, cotton candy, tacos, street corn and more. A mariachi band; traditional games such as Loteria (similar to Bingo), marbles and darts; a fire show and fireworks also make this magical, festive experience ideal for a couple's rehearsal dinner.

Ceremonies are magical in any one of a number of backdrops, from the azure Caribbean to a green lush garden.

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Now on to the celebration! Taking couples and their guests from the wedding to reception festivities, extra-large Frida and Diego mojigangas (puppets) and a mariachi are an authentic twist. A wedding second line is a tradition that celebrates the newlyweds with a festive parade. And, in Mexico, a major part of those celebrations are the mojigangas. These large puppets made of papier-mâché originated from the tradition of the giants (Los Gigantes) in Spain but were introduced in the country in the 1600s. At Velas Resorts, couples have exclusive use of event venues on their wedding day so this offering is a true extravaganza. As soon as the ceremony is finished the couple will start the procession accompanied by a Mariachi band of 12 members and the traditional Frida and Diego colossal figures. Beloved friends and family march together to celebrate the beginning of the new journey for the couple. After finishing the parade, the Mariachi band will stay for the rest of the set at the cocktail venue.

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A margarita cake menu, live streaming of the ceremony and a personal social media concierge to capture and post the special moments a couple says I do are among the other unique experiences for weddings offered at Mexico’s Velas Resorts.

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Velas Resorts in Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos have earned 56 AAA Diamonds, including the prestigious Five Diamond Award. Other esteemed international awards for services and facilities include Virtuoso’s Best Family Program, Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award for spa, and TripAdvisor’s Top Hotels in the World, among others. Offering unparalleled all-inclusive experiences, properties include Grand Velas in Los Cabos, with dramatic ocean views and unique spaces infusing every area of the resort; Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, which enjoys a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains; and Grand Velas Riviera Maya, offering a sophisticated resort experience in the Caribbean with jungle and beach settings. In Puerto Vallarta, Velas Vallarta is a family-friendly all suites resort and spa located on Banderas Bay and Casa Velas is a boutique adults-only hotel located on the Marina Vallarta Golf Course. Casa Velas’ guests have beach access at Táu Beach Club, a casual, relaxed atmosphere overlooking the ocean, with a jacuzzi, pool, delectable cuisine, and an expansive event space. Mar del Cabo, a boutique hotel on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, opened in December 2018 as its only European Plan offering.

• Venues: Velas Resorts