Courtney and Dan are ocean lovers, and the setting they chose for their wedding in the Riviera Maya couldn’t have fit them better. Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel sits surrounded by mangroves just south of Playa del Carmen, one of those places where nature does something to the light and the pace of the day slows down in the best possible way.

The day had everything: genuine emotion during the ceremony, Dan’s handwritten vows that stopped the room, golden hour portraits on the beach, a rooftop reception as the sky went pink, and a dance party that Courtney later described as the most memorable part of the entire wedding. Her sister-in-law finally let loose on the dance floor and that was it, the whole room followed.

Courtney put it better than I ever could: “We were amazed from the moment we walked in. The level of detail, personalized service, the beautiful setting of the mangroves, you felt like you were in the jungle. The rooms brought nature in, every single person remembered names and food allergies. These small details make a big difference.”

This was my first wedding at Blue Diamond, and it set a high bar. If you’re considering this venue, Courtney and Dan’s day is a honest picture of what it can be.

Flowers: Dezibel Events · Music & Entertainment: Musi-k Entertainment