Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de los Muertos, is a famous three-day celebration in Mexico where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives. From October 31^st to November 2^nd, families throughout Mexico commemorate their late loved ones through beautiful traditions, from intricate altars and skeleton decorations to floral offerings.

In honour of the Day of the Dead, we put together some inspiration on how to incorporate the iconic celebration into your destination wedding.

Create your own custom altar

Constructing altars is the principal custom during the three-day celebration. Altars are often decorated in vibrant colours and piled high with offerings or ofrendas. Creating a custom altar and decorating it with images of loved ones is a great way to honour their memory and make them a part of your ceremony.

Incorporate Mexican marigolds into your arrangements

Mexican marigolds, also known as flor de muerto, have long been believed to help guide the souls of loved ones from the afterlife to the world of the living. They’re also a great addition to wedding centrepieces, bouquets and boutonnieres.

Dress for the occasion

One of the most recognized symbols of the Day of the Dead is the sugar skull, a sweet treat left on altars for loved ones, usually with their name written in icing. While they would make a fun dessert, you can also incorporate this iconic tradition with some decorative makeup for a unique wedding look.

There are many beautiful traditions observed during this holiday that would make great additions to your ceremony. Your wedding day is a memory that you’ll cherish forever and there’s no better way to share your big day with loved ones, both in this life and the next, than with a Day of the Dead inspired celebration.