The Fives Beach Hotel wedding of Ronnie & Jake was an exclusive, private affair set among lush gardens with pathways to the beach. Tucked away from the busier resort strip of Playa del Carmen, the AAA Four Diamond Hotel hosted a showcase of intimate settings built for exactly this kind of celebration. 

Photography and videography were provided by Maureen de Vries of M.E. Photo & Films, who captured a day full of heartfelt emotion followed by a reception packed with entertainment and full-scale celebration.

An Elegant Start to the Day

Ronni and her bridal party wore matching nightwear sets as they prepared for the day in their suite. They enjoyed time to relax and take in the beautiful views across the resort from the terrace, and sip glasses of champagne. Ronni’s Justin Alexander gown was a study in refined romance with delicately draped Chantilly lace over an elegant, modern silhouette, finished with a chapel-length train. A simple, long veil allowed the lace pattern beneath it to take center stage. As Ronni's mother helped fasten the final buttons on her dress, the two shared an unguarded hug, one of several moments M.E. Photo & Films captured simply by staying out of the way.

Ronni's bridesmaids carried the same sense of considered style, wearing green dresses, each cut in a slightly different silhouette, and carrying cream floral bouquets. Jake's groomsmen matched the resort's coastal setting in cream linen suits, paired with brown shoes and belts, cream floral buttonholes, and (of course) sunglasses.

Quiet Moments of Emotion

Ronni shared a first look with her father on the property's wooden boardwalk, shaded by the surrounding tropical trees. M.E. Photo & Films favors minimal direction on wedding days, letting real interactions unfold and it showed early on in this sweet emotional exchange.

Next, Ronni approached Jake along the boardwalk for their first look together before sharing their private vows in a serene setting surrounded by trailing plants. During their private vows, Jake grew quietly emotional. "It's OK to cry," Ronni told him, and for a moment neither of them thought about the cameras at all. Though the words were the same ones they would repeat publicly in their wedding ceremony, the private exchange gave the couple a moment that belonged only to them.

A Beachfront Gazebo Ceremony

The approach to their ceremony was through the tropical tree-lined walkway, an idyllic, almost cinematic entrance. They exchanged vows at the property's beachfront gazebo, a setting with sweeping views across the Caribbean horizon. The couple sealed it with a dramatic dip kiss on their way back down the aisle, sending their guests into cocktail hour on a high note.

A Venue of Epic Proportions

Couples marrying at The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences can choose from beachfront, garden, and rooftop ceremony settings, all with their own dramatic features. Ronni and Jake’s wedding felt intimate and exclusive, even within a venue on such a grand scale. The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences also has 2,390 square feet of indoor event space to host up to 300 guests, all conveniently located in Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya, just 35–45 minutes south of Cancun International Airport. Guests staying for the celebrations also have Playa del Carmen's Fifth Avenue and the Riviera Maya's cenotes within easy reach.

Golden Hour at the Private Pier

While their guests settled into cocktail hour, Ronni and Jake slipped away to the resort's private pier on renowned Xcalacoco Beach for golden hour portraits. Enjoying the sound of waves against the shore as the Caribbean sun dropped toward the water, the couple played in the soft white sand and embraced their intimate time together.

With some gentle direction, their portraits make the most of the breathtaking evening light, with Ronni’s veil delicately catching the glow and the warm breeze. These calm, intimate moments are captured in M.E. Photo & Film’s signature style, with candid, unguarded intimacy unfolding naturally in a beautiful setting. The newlyweds also spent important time together to reflect and regroup before walking hand in hand through the gardens to their outdoor reception.

A Reception Built for Celebration

Dinner was served outdoors in the grand garden, beneath the trees and strings of lights. The tables were dressed with lush, cream floral arrangements, including roses, alongside gold-accented glassware and gold cutlery. Their chosen color palette carried the elegance of the ceremony straight through to the evening.

Ronni and Jake made a high-energy entrance to the sounds of cheering and applause, setting the tone for the night ahead. Their first dance took place on the outdoor dance floor, framed by a pyrotechnic display, festoon lights strung between the palm trees, and multiple sparkling mirror balls hanging above.

A Focus on Entertainment

As the evening progressed, their guests took over the dance floor, with Ronni and Jake later firing smoke cannons into the crowd for good measure. A vintage VW campervan, fitted with an illuminated sign, gave guests a striking backdrop for evening photos between songs. The entertainment was spectacular throughout the day, including a live saxophonist and a stunning fireworks display over the resort to finish the evening.

Looking back, Ronni and Jake said they spent part of their honeymoon in Italy revisiting the photos and video from their wedding. They returned to the gallery after dinner on multiple occasions. It's the kind of review every photographer hopes for, from a couple who want to keep coming back to enjoy the visual story of their day, time and time again.

Fives Beach Hotel wedding photography by M.E. Photo & Films

Ronni and Jake’s Fives Beach Hotel wedding photography truly captures the incredible views, luxury details, and elegant outdoor spaces of their venue. M.E. Photo & Films documented the emotions from the excited preparations all the way through to the energetic party atmosphere of the evening celebration.

Looking back, Ronni and Jake said they spent part of their honeymoon in Italy revisiting the photos and video from their wedding. They returned to view their gallery after dinner on multiple occasions. It's the kind of review every photographer hopes for, from a couple who want to keep coming back to enjoy the visual story of their day, time and time again.

This wedding provides inspiration for couples planning a wedding in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and for those looking to celebrate at an exclusive luxury beachfront resort. The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences combines elegance and grandeur with the intimacy of an outdoor ceremony, and the magic of dining and dancing under the stars.

The Wedding Team:

Venue: The Fives Beachfront Residences

Wedding Planner: Shailly Elias Karni / Shailly Weddings

Photography & Videography: M.E. Photo & Films

Florist: The Fives Beachfront Residences

Dress: Justin Alexander , the dress is called Glenetta 

Hair & Make Up: The Fives Beachfront Residences

Stationary & Signs designer Bride´s sister and sister in-law IG: @paige_mueller3 and @carolynmarymueller

Photo Booth: Style Me

Fireworks: The Fives Beachfront Residences

DJ: Studio Lounge Audio and Lighting