From the Yucatan Peninsula to the waterfront in Downtown Long Beach, Hotel Maya welcomes a native Maya Priest (Shaman), called Yaxkin Can May, to officiate the authentic “Maya Union” ¬– wedding – between Jenyce Cash and Esther Woody on Sunday, June 11 at 11 a.m. The “Maya Union” ceremony is free to the public to attend and will take place seaside at The Esplanade at Hotel Maya.
A traditional “Maya Union” ceremony is conducted in the Mayan language, is spiritual and interactive, taking place in front of the sea, in balance with nature, the four basic elements of fire, earth, water and air, and the universe. The Shaman will bless the union setting an altar for the creator and to mother earth with flowers, seeds and other elements that will be used throughout the ceremony. Guests will stand in a circle around the altar to await the entrance of the wedding couple. The Shaman will welcome them with a purification ritual using Copal, a native plant burned by the Mayas as incense. Then, the couple will walk into the altar and with everyone together, the Shaman will ask permission to the four cardinal points, and the spirit of the ancestors, to guide the couple through light and unconditional love in a spiritual union. The altar holds the traditional offerings to the creator including corn, beans, rice, fruit, to represent the gifts of prosperity and fertility.

“We are honored to have our union blessed by the Shaman during our authentic ‘Maya Union’ wedding ceremony in the beautiful outdoor, waterfront beach area at Hotel Maya,” said Jenyce Cash and Esther Woody. “This is an incredible and moving experience that will be further enhanced by our honeymoon in the Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico.”

Once Cash and Woody accept each other as a caring couple, they will share the fruit and vows, and will receive a flower crown. Then, the couple will take their hands and kiss, symbolizing respect, tenderness, comprehension, and love. The Shaman will ask each of the guests to pronounce one word with his or her wishes for the new couple. Finally, the Shaman invites their parents and the closest family members to pray and offer the best wishes to the newlyweds.

“We are pleased to host the couple for the Maya ceremony. With June a traditional wedding month, we felt an authentic ‘Maya Union’ was perfect for the season,” said Greg Guthrie, General Manager at Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton. “This is one of many Maya cultural events we have planned this year with our monthly ‘Mayapalooza’ celebration that includes dynamic and extraordinary programs that celebrate the best of the Maya civilization.”

During the “Maya Union’ ceremony the Mesoamerican dance group Copali Copili directed by its leader Raymond Ramirez, will perform sacred authentic Maya and ancestral music. In addition, there will be the blowing of the conch shell, drums, and the copal ceremony going on; the couple offers seeds and petals to the sea, asking for abundance and fertility. The ceremony will conclude with guests showering the newly married couple with flower petals.

The official “Maya Union” couple was selected for their love for each other, Hotel Maya, and interest in the “Maya Union” ceremony. Hotel Maya’s wedding gift for the couple is an all-expense paid honeymoon to Hilton’s largest resort in the Caribbean and Latin America, Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort.

Assisting in the arrangement of the “Maya Union” ceremony and Shaman appearance and participation is Marco Pacheco, President and Founder of Casa De La Cultura Maya, based in Los Angeles, Calif.

The “Maya Union” is part of Hotel Maya’s “Mayapalooza” celebration during 2023 that includes live Mesoamerican dance performances, live animal interactions, art demonstrations, culinary experiences, live music, auto exhibition, interactive storytelling, academic lecture and other exciting events for both kids and adults to enjoy in Fuego or on hotel property.

Fuego, the modern, Latin infused indoor-outdoor restaurant and lounge, offers a unique seaside setting featuring 13-foot-tall glass walls that fully retract with seating on the patio area. Fuego’s stunning open-air views and expansive patio seating include the Pacific Ocean, Long Beach skyline and Queen Mary. Fuego restaurant is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Eat, drink and celebrate at Fuego at Hotel Maya’s waterfront patio dining area for Saturday and Sunday weekend Brunches. For reservations, which are preferred, please call 562-481-3910 or visit https://www.hotelmayalongbeach.com/fuego-restaurant or https://www.opentable.com/fuego-maya-hotel.

Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton is located at 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802. For additional information or to make room reservations, please call 562-435-7676, visit http://www.hotelmayalongbeach.com, like http://www.facebook.com/hotelmaya or follow on http://www.Instagram.com/hotelmaya.