With it’s white sand beaches and luxury resorts, here’s how to plan a destination Cancun wedding that’s both beautiful and effortless.
Cancun Wedding Guide
If what you’ve envisioned for your wedding includes bright turquoise waters and palm trees as your backdrop, Cancun is the perfect destination. With white sandy beaches and so many stunning all-inclusive resorts, it’s an ideal choice for a wedding that can feel both laid-back, but also incredibly elegant. You can opt for a casual ceremony on the beach with an intimate group, or choose from one of the many beautiful resorts for an elevated vibe.
In this Cancun wedding guide, we will cover everything you need to know about planning a wedding here, from choosing a time of year to deciding on a location. No matter what, a wedding here is sure to be the most incredible adventure!
Why to Plan a Destination Wedding
One of the biggest reasons to choose a destination wedding is the effortless backdrop. Instead of spending a majority of your budget decorating a venue space, you get stunning scenery, whether it’s a beach like Cancun, or beautiful mountain views. The natural beauty of your location does most of the work for you, so you’re able to keep the decor simple and still have stunning photos. This makes it a plus for both your budget and the stress that can come with wedding planning.
Another huge benefit is how a destination wedding feels more like an experience than just a single day. You’re not just inviting guests to your wedding, you’re actually inviting them on a vacation with you! From group dinners to exploring the area together, it becomes a few days of celebrating with your favorite people instead of just a quick ceremony and reception. It’s the perfect way to soak in extra time with family and friends while making memories in a new place.
Destination weddings really can be easier to plan than you think. Most resorts and venues that specialize in weddings have dedicated coordinators, packages, and preferred vendors already lined up. That means less stress on your end, as well as freeing up a lot of your time! With the details taken care of, you can actually enjoy the planning process, and the wedding day itself, without feeling overwhelmed.
Cancun Wedding Venues
Resorts are such an ideal choice for planning a destination wedding because they can have a dual-purpose! Not only can you plan a wedding on site with plenty of help coordinating and catering included, but you and your guests can all stay on site and enjoy all of the amenities there is to offer. Here are some of the best resorts to choose from for a wedding here in Cancun!
- Royalton Riviera Cancun: This wedding was hosted at this beautiful resort that was very family-friendly, with multiple ceremony locations to choose from with views of the water.
- Finest Playa Mujeres: This resort is filled with the most beautiful details, as well as spaces that would wow your guests, including a rooftop terrace ideal for a reception.
- Hilton Cancun: Both the indoor and outdoor spaces here are absolutely stunning, as well as a white-sand beach that would be incredible for portraits.
- Hyatt Ziva Cancún: This resort is sourrounded by the Carribean on three sides and has beautiful oceanfront gazebos, a lighthouse terrace, as well as the option to say your vows right on the beach.
- Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa: A very lush and tropical resort with both beachfront and scenic locations for a ceremony.
When to Get Married in Cancun
When it comes to picking the best time to get married in Cancun, each season has its own vibe, so it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Summer in Cancun
If you don’t mind the heat and a little extra humidity, summer weddings can be a fun choice. Resorts often have better deals during this time, but you’ll want to prepare for afternoon showers. You can still luck out with some pretty beautiful days!
Fall in Cancun
This is the quietest (and often cheapest) time for a Cancun wedding, but it’s also hurricane season. This means it’s good to have a solid backup plan, like a resort that has indoor spaces in case of rain! The upside is you’ll find fewer crowds, lush scenery from the rain, and some great off-season pricing.
Winter in Cancun
This is peak season in Cancun, and for good reason because the weather is beautiful. There’s a lot less rain, warm sunshine and cooler evenings. The beaches are at their best, and your guests will love escaping the winter back home. Just keep in mind, prices are higher and resorts book up fast.
Spring in Cancun
Spring is another sweet spot. The weather is still warm and sunny, but it’s usually less crowded than the holiday rush. You’ll have dreamy beach days without as many tourists, and it’s still early enough in the year to avoid the start of hurricane season.
How To Get Married in Cancun
One of the most important steps in the planning process is to have all of the proper paperwork and nail down the marriage requirements.
Here are Mexico’s marriage requirements:
- A valid passport and tourist card for both members of the wedding couple
- Four witnesses to stand at the ceremony (who also have passports and tourist cards). If you’re eloping, your resort is usually able to provide these witnesses for you.
- Health and birth certificates for the couple
- A prenuptial blood test for both spouses
But you have another option as well! If you want to avoid a lot of the hassle of an offical marriage in Mexico, you can instead make everything official back home and just celebrate here in Mexico with your people!
Cancun Wedding Photographer
When you’re planning a destination wedding, it’s super tempting to just go with the photographer included in your resort’s package, but hiring your own destination wedding photographer can make a world of difference. Resort photographers often work on a tight schedule, shooting multiple weddings a week, and their style can feel more generic or cookie-cutter.
If you want photos that actually capture your personalities, your love story, and all the little in-between moments, bringing in your own photographer is the way to go. They’ll usually arrive a day or two early, scout the best spots for photos, and stick around to capture more than just the ceremony; they’ll document the welcome party, the beach hangouts, the late-night dancing, and everything in between. Basically, you’re hiring someone who’s focused solely on telling your story, not just checking boxes for the resort.
I’m Tessa, a destination wedding photographer based in North Dakota! I’d love to learn more about your photography needs and explore how Twelve9 Photography can beautifully capture your special moments. I believe the possibilities are endless! Let’s connect and discuss how we can create lasting memories together.
