A Glamorous Jungle Disco Wedding at Playa

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Location: Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Setting: Resort
Season: Winter
How long did the couple plan the event: less than 1 year
Number of guests: 86
Wedding theme/style: Wild, glamorous, sexy, jungle, disco.

Garrett and Andrew, a vibrant couple from Brooklyn, New York, have been together since 2015. Their journey began at a disco-themed party in New York City, officially becoming a couple during NYC Pride weekend in June. Garrett, a landscape designer known for his work on rooftops, terraces, and backyards throughout NYC, gained fame through Bravo’s TV show “Backyard Envy.” The show’s second season finale was particularly special as Garrett proposed to Andrew during the episode.

Reflecting on their favorite weddings, Garrett and Andrew realized that intimate destination celebrations stood out the most. They wanted a wedding that would honor their love and unite their diverse circle of friends for the first time.

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Creating the Concept

"We envisioned a three-day party free from traditional wedding norms – a true celebration of love and friendship."

Andrew

The couple worked closely with Diana Romo Weddings to make their dream a reality. “Diana and her team were instrumental in bringing our vision to life in a realistic and inspiring way,” Garrett expressed. The chosen colors were inspired by the jungle location, with variations of green, gold, and leopard print accents. The floral arrangements by Maria Limon featured local greenery and gold-painted elements, enhancing the natural jungle setting.

The festivities started with a welcome dinner. “It was really important to try to include as many special touches and little surprises for our guests as possible,” the couple explained. They wanted everyone to see the effort we put into making the whole weekend memorable. Welcome bags were custom-made with unique colors for each guest by a local artisan and filled with some of our favorite things from the area, like Copal – a resin from tropical trees.

Fashion and Attire

"When we finally did our last fitting a week before the wedding we couldn’t believe how good it felt and looked."

Andrew

Garrett and Andrew knew they wanted their suits for the ceremony to really stand out with a modernized 70’s cut. “We visited a lot of custom tailors, and we were getting stressed out because we wouldn’t be able to find or afford them,” shared the couple. After extensive research, they found The Tailory New York, a custom tailor shop that understood their vision. Garrett opted for a white silk suit, while Andrew chose gold colors, both featuring wide lapels and strong shoulders.

To finish the looks, they also made custom silk shirts in complementary colors. They both chose loafers, and Andrew found a pair from Versace with gold hardware. Instead of floral boutonnieres, the couple wore vintage gold brooches from Etsy.

One of the things that made the day most special was our guests’ commitment to the couple’s vision. They had sent a deck to everyone with detailed inspiration of what to wear and what not — and no one refused. “People might have complained at first, but it ended up being really fun for everyone to dress up, and it made the photos all look amazing,” the couple recalled.

The Ceremony

"Nothing about the wedding was traditional."

Andrew & Garrett

The ceremony, held at the beautiful Viceroy Riviera Maya, was a blend of modern elements and personal touches. They walked down the aisle to a live performance by their friend Natalie Prass, followed by a custom ceremony officiated by their friend James, which included personal vows. The unique setting and personalized ceremony left a lasting impression on their guests.

Decor and Atmosphere

For the dinner tables, Garrett and Andrew wanted to reflect the jungle beach vibes while standing out with gold and leopard print, nodding to the 70s disco theme. “We used tall vases with spray-painted gold palm fronds and leopard sculptures along the tables with leopard print table wraps,” Garrett explained. Diana Romo Weddings also came up with the innovative idea of using curved tables so everyone could see each other, mimicking the natural curves already present in the space.

The Reception

"It became a dinner dance party before we even got to the dance floor!"

Garrett

The reception, held by the pool, was a dazzling affair that captured the essence of Studio 54 vibes. “When guests first arrived, we wanted to immerse them in the gold and disco atmosphere,” Garrett said. They started with signature margaritas, and guests found their seats by looking for their escort cards, which were vintage Interview Magazine covers with their faces and names on them. Disco music played throughout the dinner along with gold lights in the palms.

When it came time to transition from the dinner party to the dance floor, it was important for the couple to have the lighting change color, signaling a change of location and guiding everyone to the palapa. The main feature of the dance party was a 38” disco ball suspended over the dance floor. Garrett explained, “We told Diana we wanted one big disco ball!” They aimed for a minimal design overall, letting the disco ball be the main impact, with lights shining from every angle.

The Dance Party

"There was always something new to look forward to and a new surprise."

Andrew & Garrett

The night was filled with unforgettable moments, but one that truly stands out is when Garrett and Andrew left the dance floor to change into their party crystal top outfits. “We had a moment in our room to reflect on everything that had happened and how much fun we were having,” Garrett shared. They rushed back to the dance floor for the bouquet toss, using gold-painted flowers and veils, ripping them off each other during Madonna’s “Like a Prayer,” with gold confetti flying everywhere.

They also worked closely with their wedding planner to choreograph the night, seamlessly moving to new spaces for each part of the celebration. A Grace Jones‘ drag performance was a total highlight of the party. This meticulous planning ensured the evening was filled with excitement and special touches.

Advice from the couple:

• First, it’s never too early to start planning. We had about a year and it still didn’t feel like enough time.

• Also be sure to have a great team to work with you and help see your vision for the wedding. Come with an overall concept, vibe, or theme you would like. The more inspiration, images, and vision you have for your wedding, the more helpful it is for everyone who’s helping. We could never have pulled off such an amazing weekend without the great team who worked with us.