There were two weddings on the property during my stay. While headed to the beach, I caught a glimpse of one ceremony by the waves, secluded at the far end of the property.
Fabric-covered folding chairs sat about 30 guests facing an arch made of greenery, while a musician plucked, and a photographer and videographer stood sentinel. Later, I accidentally wandered through the couple’s reception—thinking I’d found that night’s live entertainment in the Plaza. A small dance floor had been set up in the Valentin’s expansive entryway; a band played standards for revelers.
A couple of days later, I spied another bride and groom taking photographs at dusk in the empty Plaza; I never ran into their celebration (lucky for them), but heard the ceremony had also been on the beach.
Other options for the exchanging of vows include a nondenominational minimalist gazebo (which might otherwise double as a post-ceremony cocktail area) or in the Riviera Maya’s only consecrated chapel, an open-air structure that gets beautiful natural light during the day.
The Valentin offers several wedding packages; most include a judge or minister, a cake and champagne, a bouquet and boutonniere, along with various upgrades and discounts.
If you want to go whole hog, they can also provide a photographer and seated dinner. The upsides: the grounds are beautiful; your ceremony would be accented by local flora, and perhaps a lizard would be one of your witnesses.
The down side: strangers might accidentally wander through your reception (another guest, who’d arrived that night, said he felt awkward traipsing through with his bags). Also, as mentioned before, I’d recommend that oenophiles oversee the beverage selection and be prepared to spend more.
