Barceló Maya Grand Resort is a complex of six resorts whose wedding venues are shared, including the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe for about 100 guests, a beach setting and the Gazebo Palace in manicured gardens. Plan the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep a backup for wind or seaweed.
Barceló Maya Grand Resort is a complex of six resorts whose wedding venues are shared, including the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe for about 100 guests, a beach setting and the Gazebo Palace in manicured gardens. This guide is the photographer's view: venues, light, timeline and the questions to ask before you sign.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortA complex of six resorts whose wedding venues are shared, including the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe for about 100 guests, a beach setting and the Gazebo Palace in manicured gardens
- Beach facesEast, onto the open Caribbean
Venue names and capacities come from the resort's wedding listings and change with renovations and packages, so your coordinator's current sheet is the final word.
Where the Ceremony Happens
Wedding venues are shared across all six resorts of the complex, so a ceremony at one can be paired with a reception at another. Listings name the Chapel of the Virgin of Guadalupe, an indoor space for about 100, a beach setting and the Gazebo Palace in manicured gardens. Barceló recommends booking six to twelve months ahead for high season.
Sunset and Light by Month
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:28 am | 5:58 pm | 6:29 pm |
| March | 6:58 am | 6:29 pm | 6:59 pm |
| May | 6:12 am | 6:48 pm | 7:19 pm |
| June | 6:09 am | 6:59 pm | 7:31 pm |
| July | 6:17 am | 7:01 pm | 7:33 pm |
| September | 6:36 am | 6:23 pm | 6:52 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:37 pm | 6:09 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:39 pm | 6:11 pm |
The coast here faces east onto the open Caribbean, so the sun rises over the sea and sets behind the resort, leaving the beach in soft, even light at the end of the day. A good rule here: start the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep the final half hour of daylight for portraits. If you can face an early start, from roughly August through April the sunrise appears from behind Cozumel.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
One budget line couples often miss: Barceló Maya Grand Resort, like nearly every all-inclusive resort here, charges outside wedding vendors for access to the property. It may be a fixed vendor fee or a per-person day pass, and it changes with the season and the package tier. Ask for it in writing while your contract is still open, and ask whether a second photographer counts separately. Our comparison of resort and outside photographers helps you weigh it.
Weddings in Akumal, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios weddings and portraits in Akumal and along the Riviera Maya, so you can see how this light and water look on camera. They show our work in the area, not necessarily at Barceló Maya Grand Resort.
Coverage and Prices
IVAE Studios wedding coverage starts at 1,800 to 2,800 USD for up to four hours. A full day of eight to ten hours with a second photographer is 3,500 to 5,500 USD, and photography with a wedding film is 5,500 to 8,000 USD. All prices are published on our site, and the full edited gallery is delivered within one to three business days.