8 Things To Know About Getting Married In Mexico

Mexico is a breathtaking destination known for its culture, vibrant cities, and wild landscapes. If you’re considering getting married in Mexico, get ready for sun kissed beaches, ALL the vibes, delicious cuisine, clear blue waters that seem to go on forever … and margaritas!

If you’re wondering how to get married in Mexico, I’m here to help you plan! Here’s a list of 8 things you should know about before you start the planning process:

1. Legally Getting Married

The legal requirements to get married in Mexico are a bit tricky to navigate. Getting a marriage license in Mexico is a bear, and the process can be stressful for foreigners. 

I recommend taking care of all the documents needed to get married in Mexico back in Canada before your wedding. Have an intimate ceremony, either at the courthouse or with an officiant, somewhere near home. 

After that, you can host an unforgettable party down in beautiful Mexico in honour of your marriage! You could also opt for a fun group excursion and/or a pre-wedding adventure-oriented photo sesh — included with my packages!

Handling the legalities before you arrive allows you to immerse yourself in the celebration while avoiding the Mexico marriage requirements. 

2. Best Times for Getting Married in Mexico

There is no singular best month to get married in Mexico, but “peak season” is between November and April. This is the country’s dry season. The moderate weather will feel like summer to us Canadians! 

Keep in mind, tons of other people consider this window the best time to go to Mexico. That means there will be more tourists along with higher prices for accommodations and activities. But if you plan your trip throughout the offseason, make sure to have a “Plan B” for rain!

Also, make sure to do research about the specific region you’ll be visiting. For example, If you’re headed to Michoacán to see the Monarch butterfly migration, do it in mid-late November or late March. 

3. Beach vs Desert vs City vs Jungle

There are tons of gorgeous Mexico wedding locations. But before you start looking into specific venues, or even regions, you’ll want to decide on the type of landscape. 

This enchanting country has a wide range of options, each kind offering a different vibe:

Beach (Cancun, Cabo)

Sandy toes, snorkelling, and waterfall hopping await. Think eco-tours on the water, fishing excursions, and parasailing on the Yucatán Peninsula. 

Jungle (Tulum, Chiapas region)

Lush green flora and exotic wildlife abound. Explore emerald-coloured hiking routes, enjoy ziplining and rappelling, or go bungee jumping!

Desert (Cabo, Puerto Peñasco)

Sandy dunes and hidden gems with local delicacies sprinkle the dry desert landscape. Go on an ATV excursion, ride camels, kite surf, or check out cacti in a desert botanical garden. 

City (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico City)

Historical sites, cultural touchstones, and impressive museums appear at every turn. See murals, open-air markets, and palaces offering tours. Enjoy seasonal festivals, theatre, and live mariachi music. 

4. All-Inclusive vs À La Carte

Once you’ve decided on a type of landscape, you’ll need to think about a venue. But which type of venue are you drawn toward? What kind of experience are you looking for?

Insider tip: Some couples opt for an all-inclusive Mexico wedding resort to keep things simple, while others prefer to create their own adventure by choosing venue, accommodation, activities, and more “à la carte”.

All-inclusive resorts are truly a blast and their packages let you relax. Especially if you choose one of the best wedding resorts in Mexico, you’ll save time and simplify the planning process. 

But if you’re an adventure junkie like me, you may prefer an à la carte approach! It’s not always more cost-effective, but it can definitely end up being a lot cheaper. For example, instead of spending $4,000 per couple at a 5-star resort in Cancun, you could expect to pay the following:

• Car rental — $120
• Gas — $20
• Cenotes entry — $3
• Historical ruins tour — $30
• Catamaran rental — $50
• Airbnb — $150-$400 per night…it could be cosy or luxurious, it all depends on how bougie you want to be!
• Meals — $10
• Buy a flight ticket for $600-800
• Stay for 3-5 days rather than a full week, which might be more convenient for you and your guests!

All of those costs amount to about $2,000-2,500 per couple. This means you’d save around $2,000-1,500 by using the à la carte approach! 

Booking everything separately also lets you customise every detail of your wedding. You’ll be able to bring in independent vendors and control everything from decor to catering spreads. 

5. Choosing Your Venue & Location 

When searching for and choosing between Mexico wedding venues, start by thinking about how you want your celebration to feel. 

Are you envisioning a huge party or an intimate dinner? What type of holiday do you and your partner typically enjoy? Do you fantasise about a luxe villa stay or an action-packed adventurous experience? 

Answering these questions before deciding on a location will help guide you.

Insider tip: Make a tentative guest list before searching for a venue, so you can find options perfect for your group size.

Here are a few of the best wedding destinations in Mexico, or the best places to get married in Mexico:

If you’re travelling from Cancun airport by ferry:

• Isla Holbox
• Isla Mujeres

The sand on these gorgeous island beaches feels like nothing you’ve ever felt between your toes before!

If you’re travelling from Cancun airport by car:

• Tulum
• Cancun
• Playa del Carmen

Your guests can save money by driving themselves to Quintana Roo — the area surrounding these locations.

If you’re travelling to Central Mexico:

• San Miguel de Allende
• Mexico City
• San Jose del Cabo

These bustling cities have so much to offer for fast-paced couples.

Here are a few of the best wedding venues in Mexico:

Venue options in Tulum:

• Ambre & Epices Luxury Hotel Tulum: An 8-bedroom, full-concierge luxury Airbnb perfect for a bougie couple hosting a small ceremony!
  
• Hacienda21 Tulum: A 10-room “hacienda” with 6 pools and a yoga studio, ideal for active couples.
  
• Kima Tulum: A sprawling oasis on 2.5 acres with a jungle vibe and capacity for 100 guests.
  
• Namron Hospitality Tulum: An organisation that hosts boutique hotel wedding celebrations, receptions, and dinners.
  
• Casa Violeta Tulum: At this tranquil boutique hotel you can opt for a beach, restaurant, or jungle ceremony.

RELATED: How to Plan Your Tulum Wedding

Venue options near Cancun:

• Ser Casasandra: A private Mexico beach wedding venue on Isla Holbox that offers tons of activities.

Venue options in Cabo:

• Acre Resort: This lush sanctuary with elegant treehouses is perfect for nature lovers getting married in Mexico.
  
• Cabo Surf Hotel + Spa: A fun-oriented hotel with amazing wellness offers and a variety of wedding venue options.
  
• Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: This is Mexico’s number one resort! It’s luxurious and presents a truly immersive cultural experience.
  
• Blue Desert Cabo: From panoramic ocean views to dune access, this location has it all. Choose from a number of villas and even bring your pets!
  
• Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort: This idyllic resort offers on-site wedding planning services, bridal celebrations, and beachfront ceremonies.

6. Hosting Guests

Hosting your marriage in Mexico for foreigners definitely requires some planning and communication.

Make sure you give your guests plenty of notice to prepare! Send save-the-dates at least a year in advance, and give tons of details. Be available to answer questions they might have.

If you’re opting for an à la carte approach, help your guests as much as possible by providing anything they might not know. Give them advice about:

• International “easy-roaming” plans
• Which airport to fly into
• Where to rent a car

and make sure to provide:

• An expected budget
• A list of accommodation options
• A phone number or email so they can reach out with any questions.

Insider tip: Create a wedding website with all the useful info in one place!

Basically, just help your guests with planning and preparing as much as possible! It’ll reduce stress and make everyone’s experience easier and more enjoyable!

7. Planning Activities

The range of activities you can do in Mexico is honestly astounding! Sign up for time slots in advance when possible, especially if you’re getting married in Mexico during peak season.

Here’s a list with just a tiny fraction of the things you can choose to experience:

• Cenotes
• Kayaking
• Catamaran tours
• Snorkelling
• Jungle trekking
• Historical tours
• Biking
• Deep sea fishing
• Cave swimming
• Scuba diving
• Hang gliding
• Waterfall hikes
• Reading poolside with a drink in hand!

Insider tip: Even if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort — which usually offers planned activities — I recommend booking things on your own!

Activities planned by resorts are often more pricey, so you’ll save by paying companies directly.

8. Exploring The Area

If you’re into adventure and trying new things, then you’ll love exploring Mexico! It’s a beautiful country with incredible landscapes, friendly people, and lots to see and do. Do some research ahead of time and make a list of different things that sound fun to you. If you can plan things ahead of time, you’ll be able to fit in a lot of exploring. 

Also, make sure to leave time to just drive and see where you end up! I stumbled across the best meal of my life at a little restaurant that I never would have found online. Be open to exploring and trying new things. 

Insider tip: Resorts can have higher prices and restrictions on which days/times you can go exploring. So… if you want total freedom and lower costs, try renting a car and blazing your own trail!

No matter where you choose to go, you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Getting married in Mexico for foreigners might require some preparation, but is totally worth it in the end. I’m a creative, passionate photographer who’s obsessed with helping couples plan their perfect destination weddings.

Let me help you plan intentionally, and then capture all the fun and magical moments on your big day! Check out my packages & pricing, and get in touch with any questions!