The Wedding Planner
Claudia Alvarez
Special Events Sales Manager
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

You can picture the perfect setting for your tropical wedding: the swaying palms, the seaside breeze, the fiesta spirit that captures all your guests. You just might find that spirit at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa, an elegant resort that's the setting for many nuptials every year. We recently interviewed Claudia Alvarez, special events sales manager at this beachfront hotel, for her tips on planning a wedding at this property. Claudia, like other planners interviewed in this monthly column, has passed the Marriott International Wedding Certification Program. Claudia also gives us her advice on using decorations to set the stage for a destination wedding.

What aspects of your property are most attractive to brides?

Definitely our beautiful gazebo for the ceremony. It is in a private garden with a spectacular ocean front view…it is gorgeous.

Additionally, since we are two Marriott properties side by side (JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa and CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort), we can offer many venue options for the dinner reception. For example, at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun we have a gazebo, La Isla, which is located just in front of our pool and can perfectly accommodate between 50 and 130 guests for a reception dinner. We also have the pool garden and the beach if the couple prefers a totally outside dinner reception.

JW Marriott Cancun has a big garden, the Sea Side Garden, as well as a beautiful terrace, the Adult Pool Deck, which is very popular for small wedding receptions of between 30 and 80 people. And of course we offer our spectacular ballrooms for late evening reception parties.

What are the most popular wedding venues at the property, both for large and small weddings?

The outside areas are the most popular venues because of the marvelous ocean views. For big weddings, the Sea Side Garden at JW Marriott Cancun and the Pool Garden at the CasaMagna Marriott Cancun are the best options. For smaller weddings, the Adult Pool Deck at the JW Marriott Cancun and La Isla at the Marriott CasaMagna Cancun are great options, but many couples choose the beach for small or big weddings.

What local elements can a bride add to her wedding to give it a regional atmosphere?

Definitely a Mariachi band is something that gives a wedding a regional atmosphere. Many couples whether they live locally or are foreign, ask for this kind of music in their weddings. It is fabulous, and if it is accompanied by a Mexican menu, you will really have a Mexican atmosphere in your wedding.

One other thing that needs to be taken into account is that we are in a Mayan area, and for this reason many couples have a Mayan ceremony as a complement to their vow exchange.

For brides planning a weekend wedding, what nearby attractions or on property activities are of special interested for their guests?

This is dependent on the age of each guest because Cancun has activities for everybody. For example, we have a marina near the hotel, which offers many activities such as a jungle tour by the lagoon, or snorkeling, kayaks, parachute. We also have a Mayan archaeological area close to the hotel, “Ruinas del Rey” (King’s ruins).

For golf fans, there are two different golf courses near the hotel. And of course you can’t miss our beautiful Spa in the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.

Photos courtesy JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa and CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort

To plan a Marriott wedding, call the Marriott of your choice and ask to consult with the hotel's wedding event planner. For more information on Marriott Hotels, Resorts, and Suites, call 1-800-228-9290 or see www.marriott.com.