Vibey tropical wedding in tulum with a stunning color palette

tropical wedding inspiration

Bright vermilion blends with ivory and peach in this vibey destination wedding in Tulum, creating a chic tropical twist on this trending color palette. From the bold florals to the dramatic fashion choices, we simply can't get enough. Keep reading to hear all about this beautiful day and everything that went into planning it from the bride herself. And guess what? She found the venue on Wedding Chicks! Who knows, maybe we'll be featuring your wedding at Kima Tulum next.

the destination: tulum

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We wanted our guests to experience a celebration unlike anything they could find in the United States. We both work in international relations and love traveling. We knew almost immediately we wanted a destination wedding. Exploring new parts of the world has played a huge part in our love story and it was important for us to share our love of travel with our loved ones. We chose Tulum, Mexico for its proximity to the United States and its diverse topography. Riviera Maya’s jungles, beaches, majestic ruins, and vibrant nightlife offer a little something for everyone and could give our guests the experience of being on vacation rather than just attending a wedding.

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During our site visit to Kima, it was love at first sight. Nestled in the heart of the lush Mayan jungle, Kima is a breathtaking venue that boasts beauty and refined elegance, unparalleled by any other wedding location we had encountered. We quickly realized it would be the perfect destination to transport our guests to a unique experience. The property is exceptionally well maintained, and all our guests commented on how comfortable and lovely the venue felt.

the vision: natural beauty

orange white and peach floral arch

We envisioned the natural beauty of Kima as the main backdrop, aiming for our decor to enhance, rather than overshadow, the stunning scenery around us. Our wedding planner, Fer Gallegos, helped us bring our vision to life by balancing bold pops of vermilion with soft neutrals, allowing elegance and nature to seamlessly coexist. The florist, Mandrana Studio, adorned our dinner setting with rich, vibrant flowers. As the sun dipped below the horizon, flickering candlelight illuminated artisan stoneware adorned with petite floral arrangements and tapered candles, creating an enchanting atmosphere, and Take It Photo was there to capture every magical moment.

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Wedding Chicks' real wedding features were the most helpful for me to find inspiration and visualize how different styles and themes could come together. The real weddings also helped me scope out vendors that were available near my location and set expectations as to what is realistic for a IRL wedding. Instagram and Pinterest can often lead you down an unattainable path. Hearing stories from real couples and seeing the end product helped keep me grounded.

poolside wedding reception in tulum

modern tropical wedding ideas

black red peach and ivory wedding tablescape

QR codes to collect photos!?

We love a full-circle wedding moment! When Vanessa was planning her big day, she turned to Wedding Chicks for venue ideas, vendor finds, and endless inspiration, including discovering Never Miss Moments. She used their QR codes to collect guest photos, and it was a total game-changer! We actually featured Never Miss Moments last year, so seeing it in action at a real wedding was just too good!

the flowers

peach ivory and red wedding flowers

The inspiration for the wedding flowers came from the magic of a jungle sunset. We wanted to capture that warm, golden glow that paints the sky in shades of terracotta, ivory, orange, and soft hints of yellow—perfectly blending with the natural surroundings. Each flower was carefully chosen to add texture and depth, bringing to life the organic beauty of a tropical evening.

the dress

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My wedding shopping experience was overwhelming at times, especially with so many opinions from friends and family about the dress. The first store I visited was particularly frustrating—they didn’t have any sample sizes that fit me, so I ended up trying on dresses that felt like oversized trash bags. It was difficult to envision how a dress would truly look when it didn’t fit properly. As I imagined my wedding day, I knew I wanted to strike a balance between elegance and a touch of sexiness. One of the special connections between Steve and me is his appreciation for my curves and my love for showcasing them.

bridesmaids and bridesmen in rust

Finding a dress that reflected both my desire for sophistication and a celebration of my figure was essential to me. After trying on what felt like a million dresses, I had narrowed it down to a "good enough" option. But in the back of my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about the Martina Liana "1510". Before making my final decision, I decided to try on just one last dress. On a whim, one Friday, I visited Elegance by Roya, an upscale bridal boutique in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia—the only boutique near me that had the "1510" in stock. The moment I put it on, I knew—it was the perfect fusion of sexy and elegant. I loved all the sparkle, which felt like a reflection of my bubbly personality. At last, I had found the one.

a touching tradition

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A special moment for me was participating in the Seven Blessings, a Jewish wedding tradition. During the ceremony, seven of our closest friends and family each recited a unique and meaningful blessing over our union, our home, our health, and our family. It was incredibly heartwarming to hear each person share their heartfelt wishes for us.

the entertainment

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We wanted the party to feel like a dance party from the aughts. We ended up hiring a DJ from North Carolina, JD Silverthorne. He kept the dance floor packed— hiring him was one of our best investments in the wedding. A highlight of the wedding was the performance by the fire dancers. They put on an impressive show, executing gravity-defying stunts while wielding flames in the heart of the jungle. We were on the edge of our seats the entire time, and it was such a thrilling way to end the night.

why hiring a planner is a must

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Wedding planning can feel like a cruel twist of fate. You only get to do it once, hopefully, and there’s so much you don’t know. Finding a great planner is crucial, especially since most destination wedding venues require one. It's important to have a planner who understands American culture, has strong contacts, and is mindful of your budget. Equally important is having someone whose personality meshes well with yours; I spoke with my planner almost as much as I did with my partner each day. Clear discussions about budgets with your planner upfront can help avoid surprises, as costs can add up quickly. Having someone to guide you through every step—explaining what is possible within your budget and what is a nice-to-have—is invaluable.

Most importantly, stay focused on creating a celebration that reflects your idea of epic. Many people will offer unsolicited advice on what you should and shouldn’t do. If you want to do something, go for it. If you don’t, that's perfectly fine too. Be true to yourselves, even if some think you’re going overboard. You don’t want to look back with regret later on. Embrace your vision and make your wedding a true reflection of who you are as a couple.

hiring a content creator

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Initially, we were hesitant about hiring a content creator; it seemed like something reserved for those heavily active on social media. Since we had decided against hiring a videographer but still wanted to capture important moments like the vow exchange and toasts, we chose to hire Girl Biz, an all-female creative team based in Cancun. They were fantastic! Not only did we receive clips of our first dance, vows, and toasts, but we also got some fun short videos to share on social media. We are truly grateful to have professional footage from our wedding day to cherish for years to come.

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