Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Many couples are choosing to get married among their closest friends and family while on a sort of group vacation.  Because of the many available flights and all-inclusive resorts, Cancun and the Mayan Riviera are ideal for celebrating your destination wedding. 

Most destination weddings are held at all-inclusive resorts.  Since the meals and drinks are included in your guests’ price, you will have many opportunities to socialize and party with them.  You can spend relaxing days bonding over meals and drinks in a way that is not possible with the traditional wedding model. 

Because there are many things to consider Cancun Easy’s Destination Wedding Check-list can guide you through this daunting task.  Our detail-oriented professional travel planners are on hand to help you with this process.

Request a Destination Wedding

In order for everything to go smoothly, you will need at least two arrangers:  One in Mexico and one stateside.  Our planners will help you: 

• Select the location based on your desires
• Get in contact with your Mexican coordinator
• Secure your date and time
• Assist in your meeting your requirements for a Mexican wedding
• Book your friends and family using group rates and your own personalized website.
• Answer your guests questions regarding travel arrangements and logistics.
• Plan your honeymoon regardless of whether you are going to stay put after the wedding or hop the globe.

 

Each resort in the Cancun region has their own policies when it comes to weddings.  Many resorts only allow one wedding per day and must be booked well in advance.  The adult only properties tend offer several wedding times each day, the times are limited and on a schedule that will be first come first served.

Some resorts offer beach weddings with gazebos or with your feet in the sand.  You may elect to have a wedding in a garden setting or in a chapel.  There are only a few resorts with chapels, though any resort that offers a beach wedding will have an indoor space to use in the case of bad weather. 

The key to having the wedding of your dreams is to ask specific questions of your coordinator.  You would not want to settle on a resort only to find out that they cannot accommodate your desires.  If you want to get married on the beach at sunset, plan ahead and get the date booked early enough so that you don’t have to settle for the garden midday.  The professional planners at Cancun Easy will help you narrow your options and book the wedding of your dreams. 

When planning a destination wedding, the key is flexibility.  Just like any wedding venue, your desired date and specific location may already be booked.  Allow for this when choosing your date. 

The key to getting the date you want is to book early and place your deposit on time.  Make sure that you have written confirmation from the resort or off-site venue before you broadcast it to others. 

Civil Marriages in Cancun, the Mayan Riviera and Cozumel are under the jurisdiction of Quintana Roo, though locally governed. 

These requirements are for reference only.  Please follow the direction of your Mexican wedding coordinator for details relating to your specific circumstances.  There are different requirements than those listed below for marriages between two Mexicans or for marriages between Mexicans and Foreigners. 

The listed requirements are just for reference purposes and only regard two foreigners marrying in this region of Mexico.  You will need:

• To arrive three days prior to your wedding date.

• Four witnesses over the age of 18, who also need to be there three days prior.  (If you don’t bring your own witnesses, you can “rent” them for a fee.)
• Fee for judge’s service and for marriage license:  $350 (subject to change).
• Paperwork listed below.  In order to marry in Cancun and Cozumel you will need the following paperwork:
• Original and copy of Birth Certificate annotated (Apostil) and translated by authorized translator certified in the Spanish language.  (not required in Cozumel)
• Valid Passports (Cozumel requires only the passport and not the Birth Certificate as well.  Cancun and Riviera Maya require both)
• Permission from the Secretary of the Office of Immigration
• Prenuptial clinical analyses of both parties for V.D.R.L., HIV, and R.H.  The results are valid for 15 days.
• Original and copy of official photo identification (Passports) for two witnesses per party (four total).

For marrying in the Mayan Riviera, these additional items are required:

• Immigration permit assigned local registry (No. 2)
• Copy of payment of permit fees to the bank.  (Receipt)
• Copy of legal immigration status:  Tourist, etc.
• Application and official oath of truthfulness.

All of this can be coordinated with your wedding planner in Mexico.  They will need the documents at least 72 hours in advance.

There will be several costs associated with your destination wedding.  Even though an all-inclusive resort includes all meals and drinks, they do not offer private meal service, such as a reception or wedding dinner for free.  The extra staff involved, the special set up and decorations will have a price.  Some of these fees are waived if the bride and groom stay in a upscale room for a length of time. 

There are other costs, such as the fee for a judge to come to the resort to conduct the wedding.  In Mexico only a judge can conduct a wedding.  Religious ceremonies are not recognized by the government. 

Also, if you have guests who are not staying at the resort, but want to come to the wedding, they will have to pay a fee to attend.  It varies by resort, but the day pass for the wedding has a time limit and will usually range from $40 to $80 per person.  Please note:  If you are having your wedding at an adult-only property, only adults who are past their 18^th birthday will be allowed on the property to come to the wedding.  No exceptions are made even for wedding guests. 

Here are some of the things for which you will need to budget, although the prices will vary by resort and by the size of your group: 

• Judge’s fee  ($350.  Subject to change.)

• Decorations

• Flowers

• Videos and pictures

• Reception and Wedding Dinner

• Cake and other special meal items

• Live musicians, DJ or Music Equipment

• Fans, AC equipment and any other special accommodation. 
   

Because you have spent the week with your family and friends and because they have the freedom to extend their stay at the resort you choose, we have some creative ideas to enjoy your honeymoon alone without the crowd you have invited along. 

If you would like the option of having drinks or dinner with your friends and family, but want some privacy, there are resorts with special concierge sections, or resorts where the all-inclusive privileges only go one way.  This would allow you to retreat to your section where your guests cannot join you, but you can join them as you choose. 

You may also want to retreat to a different resort away from the crowd after the wedding or after your guests have gone home.  There are several very upscale resorts with gourmet menus, spas, private pools, swim-up rooms and small intimate settings to which you can retreat.  Resorts by Orient Express, Fairmont, Karisma and many other 5-star properties are represented along the Riviera Maya. 

The Caribbean beach dream honeymoon of your dreams can be just a limo ride away.  If you prefer to jet away to another fabulous destination, we can do that, too.

Request a Honeymoon Quote

Would you like help in paying for your honeymoon?  With CancunEASY you can register for your honeymoon just like you register for dinnerware and kitchen gadgets.  Our honeymoon registry is powered by Tramex Travel. 

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