Elise & Beau: a wedding under Yucatán’s golden light

The couple wanted a celebration  intimate, unfussy, and full of feeling. Yucatán gave them all and more!

Why they chose a Yucatan wedding

Elise and Beau envisioned a celebration that felt warm, effortless, and alive. Surrounded by history, nature, and open skies. 

Picture old stone walls, palms swaying in the breeze, and that golden-hour light that makes everything glow. Just outside Mérida, the haciendas gave them exactly that: a place where every moment, from the vows to the last dance, flowed effortlessly in one perfect setting.

If you’re just starting your venue search, our guide to haciendas is a helpful first step: Yucatan wedding.

Planning an intimate ceremony in Mérida

Under the soft Yucatán sun, Elise & Beau stood side by side, ready to turn their love into something lasting. Their symbolic ceremony was intimate and heartfelt, filled with personal vows and quiet emotion beneath the warm Yucatán sky. It was a moment that perfectly captured what they wanted most: a wedding that felt entirely their own.

If you’re exploring your options, this is a great place to start comparing ceremony styles and shaping your own vows: symbolic ceremony.

They planned their “I do” to end just before sunset. That one choice gave them portraits bathed in golden light and a seamless flow for their guests. As the sun dipped lower, everything shifted: the florals turned to honey, the barro grew richer, and the hacienda walls glowed deep.

 

 

Cocktail hour with a Mexican heartbeat

While Elise & Beau slipped away for photos, the Hacienda Xcanatun´s courtyard came alive. The first notes of mariachi filled the air as guests, many visiting from the U.S. gathered under the fading light. Trays of Yucatecan bites and glasses of mezcal moved through the crowd, mixing laughter with the scent of lime and spice. In that moment, music, flavor, and place danced together, capturing the soul of the celebration.

For more ideas that blend culture and celebration, explore: Mexican wedding experience.

The palette that set the mood (and the photos)

They embraced a palette inspired by fall deep reds, burnt oranges, soft greens, and golden mustard tones that came alive as the sun began to set. The florals felt fresh and natural: lilies, daisies, mini gerberas, and hints of amaranth arranged in rustic barro clay vessels. And the sweetest surprise? Tiny tangerines nestled between the blooms, a perfect nod to Yucatán’s citrus roots.

Reception: where design met comfort

The sweetheart table sat near the dance floor, framed by simple vertical columns and florals that trailed like a soft cascade. Wood furniture was finished with a natural varnish so it felt warm, not formal. Personalized matchboxes rested on each table (guests loved them), and the couple brought their own glassware pieces, small, personal anchors in a destination setting.

Dinner that tasted like Yucatán

They invited their guests to experience Yucatán through its flavors, unique dishes prepared with local spices and crafted by the hands of the region’s own cooks. A colorful buffet offered cochinita, bright notes of lime, and earthy, fire-roasted salsas. It was hospitality at its most genuine, where flavor and heart made everyone feel at home.

The Night That Kept on Dancing

As the evening unfolded, Elise & Bo opened the floor with their first dance, a moment that set everything in motion. Guests soon followed, filling the courtyard with energy, color, and laughter. Rosy reds, peach, tangerine, mustard, and soft gold reflected the couple’s palette, glowing under the Yucatán night. The celebration flowed effortlessly, closing the day exactly as it began: surrounded by love.

A vision of YUC’ATÅLOVE ®, captured by Rodriguez, Gerardo.

If you’re planning your own Yucatan wedding

• Start with places that let your story happen in one flow: Yucatan wedding.
• Choose a ceremony format that gives you freedom: symbolic ceremony.
• Add cultural touchpoints that feel natural to you both: Mexican wedding experience.