If you’re getting married and considering a destination, chances are you’ve considered going south of the border and want to have a vacation in paradise with all of your loved ones, but you might not know the first thing about How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Mexico so we are here to help!

If you plan to have your wedding somewhere in Mexico, read our guide first.

If you plan on having your wedding in Mexico, here are some things to keep in mind:

• The country is popular for destination weddings. Many people choose Mexico as their destination wedding because of its beauty and history as well as its warm climate. There are many beautiful beaches and resorts that can be used for your ceremony or reception (or both). You’ll also find hundreds of vendors who specialize in helping couples plan their perfect day!
• Couples should take note of the legal requirements when planning their nuptials. While many states have relaxed laws regarding marriage equality, it’s still important that each couple understands what those laws require before moving forward with any plans. In most scenarios, we recommend that our clients get “legally” married in the US before they depart for their “ceremonial” wedding abroad. This essentially means you are completing your paperwork locally but exchanging your vows and having your party abroad.

How much does a wedding in Mexico cost?

For our last 3 weddings in Mexico, the cost varied tremendously which is why figuring out what you want first will help your planner decide on the best location. Our last few weddings in Mexico ranged from $1600 per guest – $800 per guest. Consider a multitude of factors including but not limited to: location, # of events, amenities included and if you are providing transportation to and from different events. The level of design incorporated into your wedding ultimately has a big part but your dollar stretches farther in certain destinations than it does others so work with your planner to decide on this first!

Best Beach Destinations in Mexico for Weddings

Mexico is a great destination for destination weddings. The beaches of Mexico are beautiful, and the weather is warm year round. There are many things to do in Mexico, from swimming with whale sharks to exploring ancient ruins to eating delicious food at one of our favorite restaurants.

Site Selection

• The first thing to consider when selecting your destination wedding venue is the weather. If you’re planning a beach wedding, it’s important to know that parts of Mexico have an average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 Celsius). Most of our clients choose to get married during what is considered winter in North America (November-February)
• Hire a wedding planner with experience in the city where you’ll be having your ceremony. They’ll be able to help navigate any legal requirements and provide advice on what types of accommodations are available for couples who want their big day at home or abroad!
• Think about whether or not there are any cultural differences between where you are from and where you are getting married and embrace them if you can! For example, in San Miguel de Allende, your wedding is often accompanied by Mojigangas, towering paper-maché puppets that dance through wedding processionals, festivals and parades.

Research the legal requirements for getting married in the country you’re considering.

• Research the legal requirements for getting married in the country you’re considering.
• Check the laws of your home country, as well as any other countries where you want to travel after your wedding and before your actual destination wedding.

Hire a wedding planner with experience in the city you’re planning to have your wedding in.

Hiring a wedding planner is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your destination wedding. The right person will help you make sure everything runs smoothly and ensures that everyone has fun on your big day.

When it comes time to hire someone, look for someone who has experience in the country you’re planning to have your wedding in or has past destination planning experience. Consider referrals from other couples who have already worked with them; these are usually trustworthy sources of information about what works best at various locations around Mexico City, Los Cabos or Tulum!

Think about the weather and arrange for a backup plan if it rains or is sunny and hot.

You should be prepared for any weather. If it rains or is sunny and hot, you don’t want to be stuck with a problem you didn’t foresee.

Have a backup plan if you need it and consider this before your book your venue. If you HATE the possibility of getting married in a conference room, reconsider what your top wedding venue will be or see about possible tenting options. Think outside the box! We had a client with a smaller guest count who utilized a beautifully decorated breakfast restaurant on the property that we transformed for their wedding when bad weather threatened their cocktail hour plans. With the massive built-in bar and beautiful lighting, it was almost better than our original plan!

Ask for recommendations for every vendor before making a decision.

Before you start deciding on vendors, decide on your absolute must-haves and your non-starters. If you don’t know what you want, a never-ending list of options won’t help! Figure out what you like most and then work with your planner to find the best fit!

Plan ahead as much as possible.

• Plan ahead as much as possible.
• You’ll avoid last-minute stress and save money, too!
• The best deals are available during the planning process, so take advantage of that time to find out what you want before making a decision.

Don’t pack your suitcase until everything’s been booked and approved by you.

Don’t pack your suitcase until you’ve finished your wedding packing list! We always work with clients to build a custom wedding packing list for every wedding regardless of destination. This becomes extra helpful when traveling! We usually recommend dividing up your important items between carry on and checked bags to mitigate any lost luggage issues and always recommend popping an air tag into any bag that doesn’t travel with you on the plane!

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of details that need to be taken care of. There may be last minute changes or last minute surprises, so be prepared for that. Take time to enjoy the experience and don’t forget to pack your passport!

Be prepared for some last-minute changes, like unexpected weather or flight delays.

Last-minute changes are a fact of life. When you’re planning your destination wedding, be prepared for some last-minute changes, like unexpected weather or flight delays.

We always recommend arriving at least 3 days prior to your first event. This means if your wedding is on a Saturday and your welcome party is on Friday, arriving on Tuesday is ideal. This gives you time to unpack, decompress, relax a bit and also run any last minute errands you need to before other guests to arrive and your attention is spent on hosting! This also allows a decent amount of time for any missed or delayed flights so you still can attend all of your events and might just miss a day or two at the pool instead of a whole party dedicated to you.

Take time to enjoy the experience, not just work on the last details of your wedding.

One of the best parts of traveling is being able to immerse yourself in a new culture, meet new people and have fun. When you’re planning your wedding ceremony and reception, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the details.

The thing is though: these things don’t matter as much when you’re celebrating with your partner instead of trying to impress someone else. If you s are having an amazing time enjoying Mexico City’s rich colorful architecture and delicious food, then so will everyone else who attends your destination wedding! So take some time off from working on last minute details so that instead of worrying about what kind of candles or napkins should go where, enjoy every moment out there together!”

Concluding Thoughts

Now that you’re fully prepared for your destination wedding, it’s time to enjoy yourself. This is the most important aspect of planning a destination wedding: make sure you have fun! There is no point in getting stressed about every detail if you don’t enjoy yourself along the way. If you can’t find something enjoyable or relaxing during your trip and/or stay, then maybe this isn’t the trip for you.

However, if all goes well and everything goes according to plan (and sometimes it doesn’t), then congratulations! You’ve planned an amazing destination wedding and made memories that will last forever!

Conclusion

Mexico is a beautiful and exotic destination for a destination wedding. If you’re looking for something different, Mexico may be the perfect spot for your big day. While planning your wedding in Mexico may take more time than usual, there are so many things to consider that it’s well worth every minute spent researching options and getting everything in order.

If you’re looking for a planning partner that can hep you plan the most fun and beautiful destination wedding you’ve ever experienced, drop us a line and let’s chat about our favorite spots in Mexico!