Cabo is a popular place for destination weddings—and for good reason! Cabo is known for its natural beauty, luxurious resorts, and vibrant culture. If you’re looking for a stunning backdrop for your special day, you can’t beat Cabo.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of planning a Cabo wedding. By the end, you’ll be ready and able to plan your very own dream destination wedding.
Why Should You Get Married in Cabo?
There’s no shortage of reasons why getting married in Cabo is so popular. The city has year-round pleasant temperatures that make it a great spot for weddings, no matter the season. The stunning blue waters that Cabo is known for make for some incredible backdrops for your nuptials. But if a beach wedding isn’t quite you, the desert landscapes that surround Cabo are a great alternative, too.
Cabo is just a short flight from much of the West Coast of the U.S., and many airports across the U.S. and Canada offer direct flights, making it easy and accessible for you and your guests. Cabo is a popular vacation destination as well, which means that you’ll have tons of resorts to choose from in a range of styles and at a range of price points.
What Do You Need to Get Married in Cabo?
No matter where you’re considering getting married, it’s important to understand the requirements for holding a legal wedding ceremony. While the ceremony itself is often what people focus on, it’s the marriage license that’s important. You must obtain a marriage license in the jurisdiction where you’re planning to wed. So if you want to legally get married in Cabo, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license there.
To do this, you’ll need to visit the Civil Registry Office in Cabo. You’ll need to present your passport and a tourist card, birth certificates, and a marriage application form. In addition, you’ll need to get a medical certificate with blood tests. This test must be performed by a doctor in Mexico, and will state that both individuals getting married are free from any diseases. This test must be done within 15 days of your wedding. You’ll also need four witnesses over the age of 18, who must also present their passports and tourist cards. When you return to the U.S., you’ll need to get your marriage legalized in the U.S. for it to be valid there.
This is a complicated process and requires you to arrive in Cabo well in advance of when you plan to wed. However, there is a simpler alternative.
Many couples choose to obtain a marriage license and have a civil ceremony in their home country. Then, you can have a religious or symbolic ceremony for your destination wedding in Cabo. You still get to say your vows and enjoy the full marriage experience, but simplify the legal process by obtaining your license in your hometown.
When is the Best Time to Get Married in Cabo?
Now that you know what you’ll need to get married in Cabo, it’s time to decide when to hold your ceremony. When you choose to get married in Cabo will impact the price of your ceremony and resort stay, the crowds, and even the availability of your top choice of venue. Let’s take a look at what you should know about each season in Cabo.
Summer
Summer in Cabo is considered the low season. This season typically runs from July through September. This season is less popular largely because the weather is hot and humid, with more rainfall than at other times of year. Tropical storms are also more common this time of year.
But while the weather might not be as pleasant as the rest of the year, if you don’t mind the heat, summer can be a great time to score a deal on your resort stay and wedding ceremony, and allow you to enjoy the city with fewer crowds. Resorts often run specials on stays this time of year as a result of the lower crowd levels. If you have your heart set on a popular wedding venue, you’ll likely find that there’s more availability this time of year as well.
Winter
Winter in Cabo is peak season and runs from December through April. This is a popular time of year in Cabo because the weather is dry and sunny, and the temperatures are comfortable. It’s usually nice and warm during the day, though temperatures may be cooler at night.
The great weather this time of year draws more crowds to Cabo during the winter months. This usually means higher prices at resorts. Wedding venues may be tougher to book this time of year as well, and packages may be more expensive. But if you want to tie the knot with great weather, and maybe kick off your marriage with a perfect beach honeymoon, this is a great time of year to do it.
Keep in mind that the winter holidays at the end of December and the Spring break season in late March may draw big crowds to Cabo, and cause prices at resorts to rise.
Spring & Fall
Spring and Fall in Cabo are considered “shoulder seasons.” These run from April to June and October through November. The weather is often still warm and pleasant during these seasons. While temperature may start to climb in June and still be higher at the start of October, there is usually less humidity this time of year.
While prices and crowds won’t be quite as low as they are in the summer, the shoulder seasons are still great times to score a deal on your stay compared to the winter months. Late in the Spring and early in the Fall, you may be able to score lower rates and enjoy fewer crowds than you would in the winter.
Keep in mind that Spring break for many people falls in April. The first few weeks of April can be nearly as busy as the winter months.
Do You Need a Wedding Planner to Get Married in Cabo?
You can plan your own destination wedding in Cabo, but whether you’ve visited the city a dozen times or this will be your first visit, it’s always helpful to have a planner like one of our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists on your side. Our specialists know the ins and outs of Cabo. They can help you choose the perfect season to host your wedding, look for great packages, and even arrange on-site coordinators to make sure that your wedding is stress-free.
Planning a destination wedding and coordinating everything from hundreds of miles away can be complicated. You’ll be researching resorts that you aren’t familiar with, and maybe even bridging some cultural differences. A wedding planner can help you navigate this process from start to finish!
How Much Does a Wedding in Cabo Cost?
How much a wedding in Cabo will cost will vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year, the venue you choose, the accommodations, airfare, your guest count, and other details. On average, a Cabo wedding can be anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000.
If you’re on a budget, you can save money on your wedding by holding your ceremony during the low season, keeping your guest list smaller, and booking a more affordable resort.
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Start Planning Your Destination Wedding in Cabo Today!
Getting married in Cabo can be an incredible chance to say “I do” in a stunning destination. From beautiful beaches with bright blue water to exotic desert landscapes, Cabo has some great scenery. While choosing to hold your legal wedding ceremony in Cabo can be a little more complicated because you’ll need an application, witnesses, and a medical document, you can easily hold a symbolic or religious ceremony and have a civil ceremony back home.
One of the best reasons to plan a Cabo wedding is the chance to kick off your marriage in the perfect honeymoon destination! Now that you know what makes Cabo so special and how to plan your destination wedding, it’s time to get to work. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are here to help them every step of the way. All you have to do is fill out an online wedding planning form to get started! Fill out your form today!
