May 2026 - Wedding Review
We had the most amazing stay at Ocean Riviera Paradise and honestly couldn’t recommend it enough, especially for anyone considering a destination wedding.
We got married here at the end of May with around 40 of our family and friends, and it truly was such a special and memorable experience from start to finish.
The hotel itself is beautiful, so clean, well maintained and with endless choice for food, drink & daytime activities.There are so many restaurants and bars across the resort that you’re never stuck for options. The hotel app made everything really easy too, from booking restaurants to checking daily activities, and getting around was simple with the shuttle buggies (although everything is easily walkable, including the beach).
We were also lucky enough to be upgraded to Privilege on arrival, which was such a lovely surprise as part of our wedding. Rosa, our butler, was just incredible, always on hand via WhatsApp, so friendly and attentive, and made everything effortless from restaurant bookings to keeping us up to date with daily activities. She really added something special to our stay and checked in regularly.
For our wedding, we had our vows at the Chill Out Terrace, which is such a beautiful open setting. It has a really relaxed, scenic feel which felt very private. However it is fully open, it may not be ideal if you have concerns about weather/ rain. Due to that we moved our cocktail hour and reception to Pez Vela last minute and we are so glad we did.
The whole set-up at Pez Vela was absolutely stunning. The atmosphere was incredible, with the sound of the sea in the background and such an authentic “Mexico” vibe. We had a saxophonist playing for our cocktail hour which created the most amazing atmosphere, followed by cocktails and food on arrival, and then a beautiful three-course meal for the reception. The food completely exceeded our expectations and so many of our guests commented on how good it was.
We also had a private couple’s dinner on the beach a few days after the wedding which was such a lovely touch and a really special moment for just the two of us. Again the food and personalised service was outstanding.
A huge thank you to Mitzi, our wedding coordinator. Getting married abroad can feel quite daunting as you’re not always in control, but she supported us every step of the way. She was incredibly responsive before we arrived (even jumping on a Teams call to put our minds at ease), and once we were there, she made sure every single detail was covered. We felt completely reassured, and on the day itself everything ran perfectly — we were able to just relax and enjoy every moment.
I also had hair and makeup done at the spa for my hen party (Coco Bongo’s night) which was ok but I'm glad this wasnt for the wedding itself. For the wedding day I chose an external supplier, VO Evolution, who came to our room on the morning they were fantastic. They did my hair and makeup along with the bridesmaids & mother of the bride and everything was exactly what we wanted.
The hotel location is perfect too, only about a 15-minute taxi ride to Playa del Carmen. We also did Xcaret which was a great trip and very close by.
There’s also so much to do at the hotel itself. The entertainment was varied (we went to the Michael Jackson show in the theatre which was brilliant), and there are lovely extra touches like the ice cream parlour (open from late afternoon — a big hit with the kids!) and Mike’s Coffee shop, which is open all day and does amazing iced coffees, smoothies, sandwiches and cakes.
We also loved how family-friendly the resort was. We had children ranging from 2years to 17years and every single one had the best time.
As the wedding couple, we were made to feel like VIPs throughout. From a warm welcome with a banner on arrival to our room being beautifully decorated on the night of the wedding with fizz, chocolates and rose petals, it really made everything feel extra special.
Overall, this resort gave us memories we will cherish forever. The staff, the setting, and the care they put into everything really made it stand out.
As newlyweds, we truly couldn’t recommend more.
