Getting Married in Mexico | How To Plan Your Dream Destination Wedding

So you are planning a destination wedding in Mexico. Congratulations! How exciting! The idea of running away to a magical beach location with your loved one sounds so romantic and ideal. While you may be cutting out a lot of the stress of planning a large local wedding, there are still some things you should look out for while planning your wedding out of the country.

We put together some tips and tricks to help guide you with

putting together your destination nuptials in Mexico.

Most Popular Mexico Wedding Locations and How to Get There

When it comes to getting married in Mexico, there are so many choices! From the beautiful beaches of Cancun, to the rocky cliffs of Cabo San Lucas, your options are endless. We have compiled a list of the best places to get married in Mexico and how to get there!

Cancun – Cancun isn’t just for spring breakers. With some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it is the perfect place for a destination wedding. Southwest airlines now flies to Cancun so the tickets there can be very affordable, and with the airport right next to the Hotel Zone, accessing your wedding would be easy for your guests.

Isla Mujeras – Just a short ferry ride away from Cancun, Isla Mujeras is seriously such a gem of a place to have a wedding. Most of the tourist and locals get from place to place by golf cart, so a rental car isn’t necessary and the amount of airbnbs available around the small island is plentiful. It has a very safe and private feel so it may be the perfect location for the couple looking for a more unique and intimate wedding location.

Riviera Maya – Riviera Maya refers to the entire beach area south of Cancun on the Yucatan. It includes popular wedding destinations like Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Morales and Tulum. There are numerous large impressive resorts along the beach to have your wedding at. The most popular and least expensive airport to fly in to these areas is Cancun, but you can easily rent a car, take a taxi or a private transfer to your hotel. Tulum is only 1.5 miles from Cancun.

Cabo San Lucas – If you are looking for a more rocky desert beach wedding, then Cabo is the perfect place to get married. With beautiful cliffs and unique wedding venues that have breathtaking views, Cabo San Lucas is a popular place to tie the knot.

Best Places to Get Married in Mexico. Some Venue Ideas!

Royalton Riviera Cancun: The beautiful Royalton Riviera Cancun is located just outside Cancun only 20 minutes from the airport. It has an adults-only boutique section but More importantly, it has a great stretch of beach and a stunning sky terrace for the wedding of your dreams in Mexico!

Finest Playa Mujeras: From a beach wedding to a sky bar terrace, this resort has it all. Located only 20 minutes outside Cancun, we think this resort could be the perfect place for your Mexico destination wedding.

Ritz Carlton Cancun: Looking for a little more luxury? Situated in the center of the Hotel Zone, the Ritz Carlton Cancun has a fantastic overview of the Caribbean Sea. While it offers a more luxurious experience for you and your guests, it still has the Mexican flavor you are looking for for your big day.

Hard Rock Cancun: If you are looking for an all inclusive package for your Mexico wedding, then this resort may be a good fit for you. This resort is the definition of stylish and fun, and it’s right in the Hotel Zone.

Grand Hyatt Playa Del Carmen: For those couples who want a Playa del Carmen destination wedding in the heart of the scene, look no further than the Grand Hyatt. Because it is a larger property, the Grand Hyatt offers many different locations for your ‘I do’s’—from the Grand Ballroom with 330 guests to the Citrus Patio that’s complete with a waterfall, you can enjoy a mix of ocean and land.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba Resort & Spa: This resort in Playa Del Carmen is seriously breathtaking. As one of the only Banyan Tree’s in the Americas, this brand was originally founded on the beaches of Thailand, and you’ll find nods to its flagship throughout. From a opulent grand hall entrance to a picturesque beachside with cabanas, there are plenty of options for parties of any size.

Villa La Joya: This is a private residence in Playa Del Carmen. Having your wedding here gives you the luxury of planning without resort restrictions. Situated just north of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, it offers a more personalized destination wedding experience. Couples looking for a scenic beach wedding with a touch of elegance and extravagance find this venue to be the perfect fit for their special day.

Ak’iin Tulum Beach Club: Having your wedding in Tulum is a very different experience. Tulum isn’t full of large resorts but rather super boho and chic boutique hotels. At Ak’iin Tulum you can enjoy beautiful jungle settings and white sand beaches. They do a lot of weddings at this beautiful hotel, so they really know how to throw a party.

Dreams Tulum: If you are looking for something a little more resort-like and all inclusive, the Dreams Tulum Resort is stunning. It has gardens and a large roof overlooking the ocean to choose from for having your wedding. Places like this are truly all inclusive, so if you want to bring along your own hair and makeup or photographer, make sure you read the fine print!

Sunset Mona Lisa: Located in Cabo San Lucas, the Sunset Mona Lisa was voted one of the top five coolest venues in the world. They have a terrace overlooking the ocean and nine different locations to choose from to have your wedding.

Las Ventanas Al Paraiso: With simply stunning views and unique buildings, this Cabo San Lucas Resort is the perfect place for a wedding. This most prestigious venue offers exclusivity and perfection, catering to only one wedding or meeting group at a time. If you are considering a petite event, this is the resort for you.

Sheraton Los Cabos Hacienda Del Mar: Few places offer a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding, like Sheraton Grand Los Cabos, Hacienda del Mar. This hacienda-inspired resort infuses your celebration with Old Mexico charm. Exchange your vows on a pristine beach, inside the picturesque chapel, or in grand ballroom with glittering chandeliers.

When is the Best Time to Get Married in Mexico?

If you are wanting to have a Cancun wedding, the rainy season is from May to October and can be muggy and humid. We have found that during this time it can rain, but typically not all day. Their dry season is from November to April and is a little cooler. The highest chance of a hurricane is in September and October. If you are wanting a Tulum wedding, or perhaps to get married in Playa Del Carmen, the weather is extremely similar to Cancun, as it is only an hour away.

If you are researching a Los Cabo wedding, it is dry and beautiful most of the year, with a small rainy season hitting around August and September.

How to get a Marriage License When You Get Married in Mexico

Most Mexico weddings require a valid passport and an original and copy of birth certificates annotated and translated by an authorized translator who’s certified in Spanish. Death and divorce decrees are required if applicable.

For your civil ceremony in Mexico, you and your fiancé(e) should expect to provide the following:

• Marriage application forms, which can be obtained from the local registry office
• Valid passports, as well as one copy of each person’s passport
• Birth certificates
• Your visitor’s permit, obtained at your port of entry. Or, if you’re resident in Mexico, a copy of your resident permit.
• Divorce Decree / Death Certificate, if applicable
• Chest X-Ray Plates, done in Mexico, if applicable
• Blood Test Results, done in Mexico no more than 14 days before the date of application
• Foreign Marriage Permit, if required by your municipality
• Requirements do vary from state to state, and depending on the type of wedding you’d like to have. Certain religions may require additional paperwork, so it’s best to inquire with both your local municipality and your minister, if applicable.

Plan to have all of your documents translated into Spanish, and notarized by the Mexican consulate in your home country. This will prevent any confusion or re-verification that can add time to your waiting period.

What Does it Cost to Have a Wedding in Mexico?

The average cost of a wedding at a 4.5 star hotel for 45 guests, excluding accommodation, ranges from $5,000 to – $15,000. Mexico is definitely less expensive to get married in as opposed to the United States. It can also be so much less stressful as a lot of the resorts and hotels offer all inclusive packages and all you have to do is show up! Having a destination wedding also really cuts down on your guest list, saving you lots of money!

Why to Hire a Photographer to Take With You vs. Resort Photographers

When you are planning a wedding in a resort town like Cancun or Cabo, a lot of the resorts offer all inclusive packages. This means they include your flowers, your hair and makeup and your photography. But lets be honest here, most of us don’t want one of those resort photographers! Talk about cheesy and old fashioned, most of the photographers included in the resort package lack the modern and elegant skills that couples want for their photos.

Your photos are what you will have to take home with you after the event is over, so we highly recommend hiring a photographer you love and can trust. Yes, they are budget friendly for those who don’t prioritize photography, but for most they just are not a good fit.

Do your research! A lot of photographers will travel to your wedding and it is a lot less expensive than you think! We, for example, pretty much charge the same for a wedding in the states as we do in Mexico! We love to travel and see new places so for us, this is such an opportunity! We will be with you from the start of the day till the end, and promise to document your day to the fullest, capturing each little detail and heartfelt moment. You will have images to look back on that you love and most importantly, we will make you feel comfortable so you can be your natural self in front of the camera.

Once you have booked and paid us, you’re done! That covers airfare, hotel, and car rental. We’ll show up at least a day before your wedding to scout the area, and find all the perfect portrait locations, including a spot if you’re doing a first look. It’s always great to have the same photographer who shot your engagement session come along with you to your destination wedding. You know how they work, you are comfortable with them and trust them. We travel all the time for weddings and are used to shooting in new fun locations, plus we can offer a different perspective than a local.

We would LOVE to capture your beautiful day in Mexico! You can find out more about our Mexico wedding packages here: Mexico Wedding Photography Packages

To contact us about photographing your day click here: Contact Maura Jane Photography