1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Beach Wedding at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Turquoise water, white sand and warm sunshine—few things are better. But to Marta Betancor (26 and a hotelier) and Jose Luis Rod

Turquoise water, white sand and warm sunshine—few things are better. But to Marta Betancor (26 and a hotelier) and Jose Luis Rodriguez (26 and a webmaster), adding their friends, family and “I do” was the recipe for one wedding weekend they’ll never forget. They stayed with their family at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where they hosted all the festivities, from ceremony to reception. Their wedding planner, Arlenis Ruiz Weddings & Romance, couldn’t have been better: She made sure every detail was taken care of. Everything followed a palette of coral and white to contrast the beach backdrop, and vintage touches added an air of timelessness. One detail Marta and Jose especially loved was the dance party, led by the Shine Band. “I danced until my feet hurt and sang until I had no more voice,” Marta says. Quetzal Photo captured so many happy moments throughout the day—and to Marta, a picture says more than words can describe: “It’s not just a pretty picture, but pictures where you don’t have to say a word, and yet you completely understand what was going on.” See below to find out what she means.

Jose Luis kept his style casual and comfortable for his beach nuptials, and wore a khaki linen vest-and-pants combo.
The floral appliques on the bodice of Marta's Pronovias dress evoked the modern shapes of the calla lilies in her all-white bouquet.
Marta and Jose Luis exchanged their vows on the beach under this linen-draped wedding arch. Potted greenery lined the aisle.
At their beach ceremony, Marta and Jose Luis stood under a wooden arch draped with white linens. Whimsical branches, green hanging amaranthus and white and coral flowers added a romantic touch.
Hanging escort cards with burnt edges continued the vintage decor. The blue script for "Mesa" evoked the colors of the blue water backdrop.
"Senor" and "Senora" signs marked Marta and Jose Luis's beachfront sweetheart table, lined with coral and white potted blooms. Hanging votives enhanced the romance of the beach backdrop.
Marta and Jose Luis's reception took place under a tent illuminated by bistro lights and lanterns at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. “Everything was on the beach, so everyone took their shoes off and were comfortable. You could feel the ocean breeze,” Marta says.
All-white dining tables and white chiavari chairs matched the sandy floor at Marta and Jose Luis's beach reception dinner at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Centerpieces of white, orange and coral flowers surrounding lanterns added color and dimension to the space.
A candy bar added a sweet touch to Marta and Jose Luis's reception at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. They offered a variety of treats and snacks for their guests, labeled with their custom monogram.
Spheres of lights on the sand led the way to Marta and Jose Luis's dance-party reception, which took place under a waterfront tent at Le Reve Hotel and Spa in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
According to Marta, so many moments from her wedding simply can't be put into words. “It’s not just a pretty picture," she says, "but pictures where you don’t have to say a word, and yet you completely understand what was going on.”