Vanessa Hudgens Wedding: What Really Happened in the Tulum Jungle

Hollywood weddings are usually pretty predictable. You get the big ballroom, the same three florist companies, and a guest list of people who are mostly there to be seen. But when the news broke about the Vanessa Hudgens wedding, it felt different. Maybe it’s because she’s been in our lives since the Disney days, or maybe it’s because she ended up marrying a pro baseball player she met on a Zoom meditation call. Yeah, you read that right. A Zoom call.

Vanessa and Cole Tucker tied the knot on December 2, 2023. They didn't pick a standard resort. They went deep—like, 45-minutes-down-a-dirt-road deep—into the Mayan jungle. Specifically, the Azulik City of Arts in Tulum, Mexico. Honestly, the photos looked like something out of a dream, but the actual logistics? Those sounded kind of intense.

The Vanessa Hudgens Wedding Venue Was a Literal Jungle

Finding the spot was apparently the hardest part for her. Vanessa told Vogue she was over the whole "beach, ballroom, or barn" thing. She wanted something that felt spiritual and raw. When she first toured the Azulik property, she actually almost fainted because it was so hot. Imagine being a global superstar, sweating through a site tour, and then being told the actual ceremony site is another 45 minutes into the thick of the jungle.

Most people would’ve nixed it right there. She leaned in.

The ceremony wasn't just "outside"—it was held at a museum called SFER IK, which is part of the Azulik City of Arts. There are no straight lines there. It’s all curved wood, hanging vines, and massive windows. It looks like a treehouse built by an alien civilization. To keep the vibes right, she did something pretty bold: she took everyone’s phones away. No TikToks, no blurry IG stories. Just 100 people actually looking at each other.

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Why the No-Phone Policy Changed Everything

You've probably been to a wedding where you're watching the whole thing through the screen of the person in front of you. Vanessa wasn't having it. By ditching the tech, she forced a bunch of strangers—Cole’s baseball buddies and Vanessa’s actress friends—to actually talk. She mentioned later that seeing her different friend groups building real relationships during dinner was the part that actually made her tear up.

The Dress (Or Should We Say Dresses?)

Vanessa’s fashion was a massive talking point, mostly because it swerved away from the "Boho Queen" look everyone expected from the Coachella regular. She went with Vera Wang. Not just any Vera Wang, but a custom cowl-neck slip dress in a "light ivory chartreuse."

• The Vibe: Sleek, '90s supermodel energy.
• The Detail: A plunging back and a massive tulle veil.
• The Secret: The veil was embroidered with "Mrs. T December 2nd, 2023" in a gothic font.

She actually found the dress on her first try. She walked into the Vera Wang atelier in New York, put it on, and basically said, "This is it."

Later in the night, she swapped the sleek look for something she could actually "throw around" on the dance floor. The second dress was also Vera Wang, but it was all macrame lace and sheer silk mousseline. It had a garter built-in and was way more "flirty," which makes sense when you're partying in a jungle museum until the sun comes up.

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The Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

The bridal party was huge. Vanessa had six bridesmaids, including her sister Stella and her longtime bestie Sarah Hyland. They wore bronze-toned dresses from the Australian label Shona Joy. It was a smart move—the almond/bronze color popped against all that green jungle foliage without looking like a typical "wedding" color.

Cole had an even bigger crew. He had 11 groomsmen, a mix of family and MLB players like Cody Bellinger and Mitch Keller. He wore a double-breasted Me by Canali jacket with tan trousers. No stuffy black tuxedo in the 90-degree humidity. Thank god.

What Most People Missed About the Ceremony

The ceremony was officiated by Jay Shetty. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the monk-turned-lifestyle-guru who hosts one of the biggest podcasts in the world. But he wasn't just a "celebrity hire." Vanessa and Cole actually met during one of Shetty’s Zoom meditation groups during the 2020 lockdowns. It was a full-circle moment.

The aisle was lined with orange marigolds. In many cultures, especially in Mexico and Hindu traditions, marigolds represent the sun and the fragility of life. They added this massive burst of color to an otherwise very green and brown setting.

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The "Keeled Over" Moment

Vanessa admitted she didn't do a "first look." She wanted the first time they saw each other to be at the altar. It nearly backfired. She told interviewers she literally "keeled over" and had to remind herself to breathe when she saw Cole standing there. She ended up crying off most of her makeup before the photos even started.

Lessons From the Vanessa Hudgens Wedding

If you’re looking at these photos and feeling a mix of envy and inspiration, there are a few actual takeaways you can use for your own event—even if you don't have a Vera Wang budget.

1. Trust your gut on the venue. Everyone told her the jungle was "aggressive," but she knew it was their place. If you want a weird location, go for it.
2. The phone ban works. If you want people to actually connect, you have to remove the distraction. You don't need a professional "phone valet," just a polite sign and some trust.
3. Vows matter. Vanessa was adamant about writing their own. She said being that "raw and vulnerable" in front of everyone they loved was the most beautiful part of the whole weekend.

The Vanessa Hudgens wedding wasn't just a celebrity spectacle; it was a masterclass in staying true to a personal aesthetic even when it's inconvenient.

If you're planning your own destination wedding, your next step should be researching local flora and "off-season" dates. Vanessa chose December because it was the only gap in Cole’s baseball schedule, and it happened to be the best time to avoid the peak heat of the Mexican summer. Look at your own "unconventional" windows—they might lead you to your own version of a jungle utopia.

Check the local weather patterns for your destination at least twelve months in advance to see if "dream" locations are actually habitable during your preferred month.