Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was packed with Puerto Rican culture. Here are a few expert-approved takeaways for couples planning their wedding celebrations.
When Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny took the stage for his historic halftime performance at Super Bowl LX, the internet exploded with praise for his immersive set that transported viewers to the streets of San Juan and New York City. From the vibrant energy of the barrio to the deep-rooted sounds of Plena, the show served as the perfect showcase of how to celebrate Puerto Rican identity on a global scale. For Boricua couples, this performance provided a blueprint for a wedding that feels less like a formal event and more like an authentic fiesta patronal.
We consulted leading Puerto Rican wedding experts to learn how the flavors, rhythms, and traditions that define the island can transform your celebration into a shared cultural moment. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Transform Your Venue into a Vibrant “Neighborhood”
The halftime show’s set design was immersive and transportive. Experts suggest recreating that immersive feel by swapping traditional buffet lines for interactive stalls that transport guests to a local Puerto Rican square.
“Food stations are a must, coco frio stands, and piraguas are always a hit! Puerto Rico coffee is some of the best coffee in the world, so we have coffee carts that offer guests options,” says Sari Skalnik, owner and master wedding planner of Tropical Weddings & Events.
Planners suggest bringing in elements like piragua carts or a traditional lechón carving station that will help create a narrative of Puerto Rican life that is both nostalgic for locals and incredibly unique for visitors. “From fresh coco frío station, and piragua carts at the cocktail hour, to a lechón a la varita carving station with pan sobao for a late night snack. These are familiar to locals but incredibly memorable for destination guests when presented with design and seamless flow,” adds Liliana Albizu Lizardi, owner and head planner of Handcrafted Weds & Events, Inc.
2. Let the Pulse of Plena Lead the Way
Experts recommend incorporating Plena performances to craft a high-energy bridge between different parts of your wedding day.
“One of Puerto Rico’s most traditional and lively rhythms is plena, which Bad Bunny features in his album on songs like ‘Café con Ron' and ‘dtMf.' Pleneros add a lively, communal energy that gets guests dancing,” mentions Geraldine Davila, owner and lead planner of Velada Events. “Their live performance, sometimes adorned by other Puerto Rican mascots, can be brought in as a party starter, party ender, or to transition guests from point A to point B.”
The magic of Plena lies in its ability to turn a group of observers into a single, celebrating community. “In my experience planning weddings in Puerto Rico, what truly elevates the experience is when Plena becomes interactive. When guests are invited to clap, dance, and follow the rhythm, the celebration transforms into a shared moment of joy,” adds Damaris Rivera, boutique and luxury wedding planner at Exclusive Weddings & Events PR.
3. Design With Authentic Boricua Identity
A truly inspired wedding moves beyond incorporating a theme and focuses on a deep connection to the local community. This means using a color scheme, florals and materials that reflect the island’s natural landscapes.
Bad Bunny’s set was layered bold tropical hues, weathered wood tones, corrugated metal façades, and bursts of florals that echoed Puerto Rico’s vibrant streets and lush landscapes. It wasn’t minimalist or muted — it was dimensional, saturated, and proudly rooted in place.
Take that same approach with your wedding design. Instead of choosing a generic “tropical” palette, look to the island’s natural contrasts: deep hibiscus reds, bougainvillea pinks, mango orange, palm green, and oceanic turquoise. Incorporate textured elements like woven palm fibers, hand-thrown ceramics, raw wood tables, linen with visible weave, and layered botanical installations that feel abundant rather than sparse.
“We see inspiration pulled from the island’s coastline, tropical gardens, and historic architecture through color palettes, handcrafted textures, and locally inspired motifs,” remarks Igrayne Vidal, wedding and catering sales specialist at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. “Subtle references to Taíno heritage, artisan ceramics, woven fibers, and botanical installations allow the environment to feel authentic and elevated.”
4. Feast on a Boricua Menu of Favorites
From piragua carts to neighborhood vendors, the halftime show channeled the heartbeat of the barrio — let that same energy guide your cocktail hour and dinner.
“Think cocktail hour and dinner with favorites like sandwiches de mezcla, alcapurrias, bacalaítos, pan sobao, tostones, mofongo or amarillitos, paired with coco frío, coquito, classic mojitos, Medalla beer, and a signature piña colada station, with maga flowers woven throughout the décor,” states Sasha Gregory, owner of Complete Weddings + Events Charleston.
5. Choose a Soundtrack That Bridges the Generations
Much like Bad Bunny honors the legends who came before him, your wedding soundtrack should span the history of Puerto Rican music, ensuring every guest, from abuela to your best friends, feels seen.
“Couples can curate a soundtrack that honors every era in the room, from the romantic boleros abuela and abuelo love, to the upbeat rhythms of childhood Saturday mornings at home, and the late-night dances that forged lifelong friendships now standing beside you on your wedding day,” says Sharlene Arcia, owner and lead planner at LT Events. “Blending these meaningful rhythms and even adding live entertainment throughout the night, such as a batucada, creates an immersive, emotional experience that celebrates Puerto Rican culture.”
Even if you are hosting a destination wedding outside of the island, you can still bring the authentic heartbeat of Bomba to your celebration to keep the culture alive. “For a destination wedding in Punta Cana, we incorporated Puerto Rican elements. During the ‘Hora Loca,’ we featured Bomba — one of Puerto Rico's oldest musical genres using traditional drums. I actually had the pleasure of performing as the singer for the couple and their guests!” adds Erimar Benitez, founder and head planner of Briella Wedding & Event Planners.
6. Incorporate Entertaining And Interactive Salsa Performances
Bad Bunny’s halftime show pulsed with synchronized Latin dance breaks: sharp footwork, partner spins, and high-energy formations that turned the field into a full cultural spectacle.
“You can bring these elements into your events by incorporating local performers and entertainment inspired by this style. Invite salsa dancers and ‘vejigantes’ to teach your guests to dance like true Puerto Ricans,” says Tara Dickie, director of event sales and service at Fairmont El San Juan Hotel.
7. Enhance Your Toast with Rum Rituals
One of the most unforgettable moments from Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show came from a simple shared drink. Mid-set, the stage transformed into a New York City street where he walked up to a replica of Brooklyn’s Caribbean Social Club — known locally as Toñita’s — and Bad Bunny accepted a rum shot from the beloved club’s owner, María Antonia “Toñita” Cay, before sipping it on camera. It wasn’t just a visual prop: Toñita’s has been a cultural anchor for Puerto Rican New Yorkers for more than 50 years, and including her and that bar on the world’s biggest stage was a nod to community, tradition, and the kinds of everyday gatherings that bring people together.
Rum is a central pillar of Puerto Rican history … crafting a dedicated rum experience could add a layer of sophistication and heritage to your wedding bar service. “Couples frequently incorporate curated rum experiences, from guided tastings featuring local distilleries to signature cocktails infused with tropical fruits,” concludes Vidal. “Ceremonial rum toasts or interactive mixology moments create shared rituals that feel festive and communal. These beverage experiences connect guests to the island’s legacy while elevating the celebratory atmosphere.”
Photos by Tiffany Le Visuals from Chanel and Maria's Cultural Wedding
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