Are you planning on getting married anytime soon? If your answer is affirmative, you might consider holding your wedding ceremony in this beautiful Latin American country. Mexico is on the rise not only as a vacation spot but also as a wedding hub. No wonder the search term “Destination Wedding in Mexico” is very popular on the web.

Probably, the idea hadn’t even occurred to you, but Mexico has dream destinations where you can spend your special day. I’m pretty sure beaches will be the first option for many people, but trust me, there are way more places to choose from. Let’s get started!

 

Beach Weddings

White canopy on the edge of the beach with heart of roses underneath.

As you may already know, Mexico has lots of beaches on both coasts of its territory. You are most likely familiar with Cancún since it is a popular vacation spot among foreigners. Needless to say, it is also one of the most sought-after destinations in the Mexican wedding industry.

Cancún and its surrounding areas are at the top of the list by far. Cancún includes Cozumel, Tulum, Holbox, and Isla Mujeres, among other beaches. Its turquoise waters mesmerize anyone and are the perfect setting for your special day.

But did you know there are several other beaches you could choose from? According to the specialized wedding site www.bodas.com.mx, the perfect beach spots for a wedding are:

  1. Huatulco, Oaxaca
  2. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero
  3. Cozumel, Quintana Roo
  4. Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo
  5. Holbox, Quintana Roo
  6. Tulum, Quintana Roo
  7. Cancún, Quintana Roo
  8. Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca
  9. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
  10. Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit

As you can see, Quintana Roo in the Mexican southeast dominates the list. However, this doesn’t mean you have to abide by this list. There are also incredible beaches in the states of Yucatán, Veracruz, Baja California Sur, and Chiapas, just to mention a few.

 

Haciendas

Second floor of ancient red building with a terrace and lots of flowers and other plants overlooking two trees.

Haciendas were large estates in Spanish-speaking countries, especially used for farming or ranching. Mexico, of course, is no exception. There are beautiful haciendas spread throughout the country, particularly in the south/southeast.

Many of them were transformed into beautiful hotels where you can have a relaxing vacation away from the bustle of the city. They also offer all the services needed for a wedding. Impress your guests with some of the most ancient and beautiful buildings in Mexico. No need to select a theme for your wedding as the venue will be the theme itself.

We could also include ex-monasteries and convents under the same category. There are beautiful buildings that have been restored and feature huge gardens with beautiful flowers, fountains, and impressive decorations that seem to have been taken out of a fairy tale.

The first time I attended such a wedding was in Oaxaca City. My boss at that time got married to his fiancee at Quinta Real, which is a top-notch hotel in the Mexican southern city. This hotel was a convent during the Spanish Colony. I was impressed by all the small details around me. Everything was taken care of. I’m sure he and his wife will remember that day for years to come.

You have several options to choose from when it comes to historic buildings. Among them, it would be worth looking up:

  • Hacienda Uayamón, Campeche
  • Hacienda Vallumbroso, San Luis Potosi
  • Hacienda San Antonio El Puente, Morelos
  • Hacienda Santa Rosa, Yucatan
  • Hacienda El Carmen Hotel & Spa, Jalisco
  • Hacienda de San Antonio, Colima
  • Hacienda de Los Morales, Mexico City
  • Hacienda Viborillas, Queretaro
  • Hacienda Las Trancas, Guanajuato
  • Hacienda de Cortés, Morelos
  • Hacienda Tamchén, Yucatan

Small Towns or Villages

Small-town street lined up with ancient buildings of light colors on both sides and people walking all alongside.

This category overlaps with haciendas since most of them are located in small towns/villages. I once held a conversation with a wedding planner, and she explained to me that although people still look for beach options when it comes to weddings, many of them were resorting to smaller, maybe not too famous, places. People are looking for different options and many small towns offer just that.

Do you want a natural setting for your wedding, but you don’t want a beach? You could consider getting married in the small town of Valle de Bravo. You will have a beautiful lagoon as a backdrop and might be able to witness a very romantic sunset. Even Hollywood stars like Eva Longoria got married there. That should tell us something.

If you want something chicer, you should look at Hotel Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende. They have a terrace where you will get a superb view of the city. The hotel is right in the center of San Miguel and has excellent reviews from its visitors.

Further still, if you would like a beach, but something more intimate at the same time and in a small town, you might want to take a look at Casa Teitiare Estate in Sayulita. Europeans love this venue. There are two houses on the premises. After getting married there, you can spend your honeymoon in this charming town. Kill two birds with one stone.

The list could continue on and on as there are so many places we could talk about. Some of them are not small towns but have that feeling. Such is the case of Querétaro City and Campeche City. There are large cities that still retain that small-town feeling.

Advantages of Holding Your Wedding in Mexico

Brown masculine figure holding a check big green check mark in both hands.

When looking for wedding options in Mexico, it’s important to consider several factors. There are advantages and disadvantages of holding your wedding in a foreign country. Some advantages I can think of:

  • Your event will stand out. More than impressing your guests, you want to make your day as special as you can. This will do the trick.
  • Destination weddings can be more affordable than holding a similar event in your own country. Convert those dollars/euros to pesos and do the math!
  • You can form a stronger bond with the important people in your life.
  • You can organize a kind of vacation along with your wedding.
  • Depending on where your wedding is, you can get married outdoors even during wintertime.
  • When holding your wedding at a hotel, there are discounts and other perks you might be offered.
  • Destination weddings are more intimate. They’re usually attended by close family and friends.
  • Experience another culture from a different perspective and share it with your loved ones.

Disadvantages of Holding Your Wedding in Mexico

White x painted inside a black rectangle.

On the other hand, there are also disadvantages to consider. Among them, we could point out:

  • The logistics can be a little bit complicated if you do everything yourself. It’s easier to hire a wedding planner, but that will inevitably increase the cost.
  • When holding your event outdoors, there is always the risk of bad weather, especially during the rainy season.
  • Hotels will usually require you to book a minimum number of rooms so you can use their facilities for your event. If you don’t have that many guests, you will have to pay the difference out of your pocket.
  • The financial burden on your guests can be heavy. They will have to pay for their flights, accommodations, etc. which can reduce the number of attendees.
  • Many people are still scared of visiting Mexico. When my ex-boss got married in Oaxaca City, only about 60-70% of the invited people attended. Most of them cited their fear of going to Mexico as their reason for not going because of what they saw on the news.
  • The legal process involved can be confusing and bureaucratic.

Final Verdict

As you can see, there are many wedding destinations in Mexico to choose from. There are advantages and disadvantages to consider, but at the end of the day, it’s your decision.

Holding your wedding in Mexico can be quite an experience. The planning process can be fun and challenging. From finding a venue to selecting your guests, choosing the menu, and choosing other activities in the city for your guests, it can be a long process. If a “normal” wedding takes time and dedication, much more a wedding in a foreign country.

I’d like to know your experiences and opinions on the subject. Feel free to leave them in the comments below, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. See you soon!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner. Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking. You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld. This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Rent a car

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com. Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud.

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads. Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read more tips on Mexico travel.

close

Download my FREE ebook to learn more about Mexico travel! All you have to do is join our email list below.

You can unsubscribe at any time. We keep your data private and share your data only with third parties that make this service possible. Read our full Privacy Policy.

18 Replies to “Destination Wedding in Mexico – Make It Special”

  1. Just one word springs to mind: “Wow!” The photos make Mexico look like an amazing destination, whether for a holiday or in order to get married. Apart from the issue of people perhaps not wanting to travel to Mexico, most of the other disadvantages are relevant if you’re getting married in your own back yard, so wouldn’t put me off at all.

    1. If you like the photos, you will love the actual places. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone.

      Some prefer the beach, other something more vintage, but you will find something for sure.

      If I ever get married, I’d love to hold my wedding at one of the places above.

      Thanks for commenting.

  2. Mexico sounds like a dream location for a wedding. It is quite unique and will make the entire affair one that will memories and is looked back on fondly for years. This article was full of useful ideas on where to have the event and actually I have bookmarked the entire website.

    I have a daughter that is in the planning stages now for her wedding and I will see if this is something they would be interested in doing. We have had weddings in a castle (Germany), and in a city center that is 2000 years old (Frankfurt Am Main), so I know they are up for something special like this! Thanks for the article!

    1. Hi, Dave,

      That’s great! Glad to hear you found this useful. Planning a wedding is extremely important. We all want it to be a very special day.

      If your daughter is into historic buildings, we’ve got plenty of those. There are many haciendas, ex-monasteries, ex-convents and the like. They have been well preserved and even restored to hold any special event. They will be the perfect setting for such an important event.

      Feel free to come back for more information. Thanks for commenting.

  3. Hello there. Thanks for this awesome article. It would be of great help to the public as it has been of help to me. I know it’s more of a ladies’ thing, but I must say I love weddings and my favourite location for weddings is the beach. It makes everything open. I also love Haciendas too.

    1. Hi, Feji Ben,

      You’re welcome.

      I think both women and men may be interested in getting information for a wedding. After all, the two of them are getting married.

      There is always something for everyone. Thanks for commenting.

  4. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful article. I really liked this article because I was going to marry my dear man very soon.That’s why I was looking for a beautiful place to make my wedding a memorable one.I’ve heard a lot about this guy from Destination Wedding in Mexico and I know it’s very popular .I selected this beach called Huatulco, Oaxaca as my wedding venue .Then I will take my dear man and wander the small towns around here .I hope everyone liked my plan .

    1. Hi, Shanta,

      I’m always glad to help. 

      Destination weddings in Mexico are on the rise. We’ve got a little bit of everything for all preferences.

      Huatulco is beautiful. I’m sure you’ll love it.

      Thanks for commenting.

  5. Hey, I enjoy while reading your article on Destination Wedding in Mexico – Make It Special. Your article is very helpful to find Cancun and its surrounding areas are at the top of the list by far. Cancun includes Cozumel, Tulum, Holbox, and Isla Mujeres, among other beaches. Now I see the Advantages of Holding Your Wedding in Mexico. 

    1. Hi, Parveen,

      Cancun is very popular in the wedding industry. It’s got lots of beautiful beaches so it’s no surprise.

      Let me know if you have any questions.

      Thanks for dropping by.

  6. You’re right to believe that such an idea would rarely come to mind. However, I’m sure most intending couples would more than likely fancy hosting the ceremony on a beach. Word has spread really fast about the Cancun regarding it’s amazing environment. To be fair, It can be difficult to come up with a more special way to mark that special occasion than by making it happen in the beautiful country Mexico.

    Great post.

    1. Hi, Rhain,

      The truth is there are options for everyone. There are couples who prefer the beach, while there are others who prefer other options. 

      Beach weddings have been very popular for a long time, but other destinations are on the rise. Haciendas and other historic buildings are seeing an increasing demand from customers.

      Thanks for commenting.

  7. I am not married yet I am thinking of finishing the study.But still haven’t thought of where to do the wedding ceremony. Your post looks to be the best in Mexico.I’ve heard a lot about Cancun in Mexico and it’s a very popular place but never thought about a wedding here.And I must recommend to those I know who are not married yet to have a wedding at the beach in Cancun, Mexico.

    1. Hi, Shariful,

      I wish you the best in your studies. There’s always time for everything.

      Glad to hear you found this useful. That’s my main goal.

      Feel free to come back anytime and check out my other articles. Thanks for commenting.

  8. Wow! Such an excellent idea for that special day, Enrique.

    The scenery is just fabulous. I like the idea of holding a wedding ceremony in this beautiful country.

    Who takes care of most of the logistics? My big issue would be the cost of getting the guests to Mexico. 

    Do you find that this plays a big role in getting clients to wed there?

    For the well-heeled, this presents little problem, but for Joe Average, trying to get even 20 to 30 family members there must be a financial mountain to climb.

    Are there special packages that large groups can book in advance to get to these beautiful haciendas at a decent cost?

    I love the concept. Paul.

    1. Hi, Paul,

      Destination weddings can definitely be a memorable experience in anyone’s life.

      Answering your questions:

      The easiest approach would be to hire a wedding planner. They will take care of everything so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just to give you an idea, if I remember correctly, my ex-boss told me he paid around $28,000 for his wedding in Oaxaca City. That price included the wedding planner fees for $3,400. This is way less than what you would normally pay for a wedding planner in the U.S.

      The truth is your wedding can be as luxurious or as frugal as you want. According to the specialized wedding blog destinationweddings.com, the average cost for a wedding of this kind in Mexico in 2017 was $7,622, believe it or not.

      Regarding flights, you can get a good deal for destinations like Cancun. Prices are very competitive. In my experience, I think it’s got more to do with their perception of the country rather than money.

      There are options for all budgets. If you select an all-inclusive resort, that can be more expensive, but there are other options at hand. You can get good deals, but sometimes they will have to be through a wedding planner. But like I mentioned before, hiring a wedding planner won’t necessarily break your bank.

      Last but not least, you will have to compromise with your family and friends. Paying for all of them won’t probably be an option, but still, with the correct planning, you can score a good deal, especially during the off-season.

      I hope to have answered your questions. Feel free to come back anytime. Thanks for commenting.

  9. I really liked your article. Thank you so much for sharing a beautiful article. My uncle and aunty are planning a Destination Wedding. This article has everything they need to know and I would help them with planning a destination wedding. Mexico is a beautiful country. No wonder the search term “Destination Wedding in Mexico” is very popular in the world. Your article is very helpful. Thank you for the information.

    1. Hi, Sabrina,

      Glad to be of assistance. 

      Mexico is a beautiful country, and you will have a unique experience if you hold your wedding there.

      Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for dropping by.

Leave a Reply to Dave Sweney Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.