However, for a truly spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime gay wedding, it must be The Brando on star-studded Tetiaroa island. “What was once Marlon Brando’s private atoll is now a super-luxe resort that attracts any couples seeking a truly bucket-list experience. They have a big focus on sustainability too, and arrange beach clean-ups and coral restoration to preserve their stunning island – this is why you won’t find overwater bungalows here”, says Rowe.
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Riviera Maya, Mexico
Mexico is having a moment. From the breathtaking backdrop of Cabo to the sublime cuisine and rich indigenous past of Oaxaca and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico is a Mayan chocolate-box assortment of delicious destinations in which to get married. However, it’s the historic coast of the Riviera Maya that truly makes our jaws drop with its sumptuous coastline and dramatic ruins.
“Riviera Maya is an absolutely gorgeous destination, with powder-white beaches, ancient Mayan historic sites, magical cenotes and so much more here,” says Rowe. “It’s also a country where you can enjoy a full legal wedding ceremony as a same-sex couple, so it’s actually one of our clients’ most popular wedding destinations. You can even get married legally on the beach here, so there’s no need for a separate legal ceremony.”
Meyer has planned several Queer wedding ceremonies in Riviera Maya: “The selection of venues is amazing. Mayakoba, which uniquely takes up different parts of the coastline and brings them together, is superb. Belmond also just reopened their Maroma hotel here, and it’s gorgeous. They renovated all of their rooms, the spa is pure luxury, and the weddings here are just breathtaking.”
Rowe adds: “The Riviera Maya is great for weddings, with the Caribbean Sea providing such a breathtaking backdrop for beach weddings. My hotel pick for this region would be the Chablé Maroma – this luxurious resort is in a peaceful and leafy spot that’s right on the beach, and there’s also lots of traditional wellness experiences here that you can enjoy.”
But beyond the dazzling resorts and five-star service, it’s the unique Mexican culture that keeps bringing Queer couples here to get married. “For me, Mexican culture always comes down to heart. They go out of their way to do whatever they can to make you happy. It’s not hotel training or a formality; there’s just a genuine sincerity there in the culture and in their hospitality,” says Meyer. “Mexican food is also now one of the best cuisines in the world, and they fully embrace it in such a big way.”
