Destination Wedding Tips & Advice

Getting Married in Cancun: What You Need to Know

For couples looking for a destination wedding location that stands out from the rest should look no further than Cancun, Mexico. Weddings in Mexico are always fun, beautiful, and luxurious – but there is something about having them in Cancun that takes them to the next level. With various types of idyllic landscapes and a wide range of exciting resorts, you will soon see why getting married in Cancun is the perfect way to celebrate your love.

In addition to being budget-friendly, easy to get to, home to world-famous beaches and warm temperatures year-round, Cancun is also one of our top destination wedding locations. Due to this, we have become experts on what it takes to create the perfect destination wedding experience in Cancun.

Like any other tropical location, a Cancun wedding will take a lot of planning. So follow along as we map out what couples need to know about getting married in Cancun.

Marriage Requirements

One of the most important steps in the planning process is to acquire all of the proper paperwork and nail down the marriage requirements.

Mexico’s marriage requirements are as follows:

  • 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

Luckily, by working with us, a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist can take care of organizing this for you, ensuring a stress-free planning process!

Things To Consider When Planning Your Cancun Wedding

With Cancun having so much to offer, there is a lot to consider once you have begun planning. Although it is one of the top traveled-to destinations for our couples, there are still a handful of unique factors that need to be kept in mind!

The Best Time to Get Married in Cancun

One of the greatest things about Cancun is that they have tropical temperatures all year long. This means that there is plenty of sunshine to soak up from January to December! Those looking to make their getaway as affordable as possible should avoid going during the busy season. This is anytime between December to March. Another thing to take into consideration is Cancun’s hurricane/rainy season. This typically occurs from September to November.

Weather Preparedness

Cancun enjoys beautiful weather most of the year, but it also has a rainy season, which runs from May to October. The wettest months in this period are September and October when the area is most likely to experience hurricanes or tropical storms. 

The good news is that there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re prepared. 

Some resorts promise a backup indoor venue in their contracts. If you don’t see it explicitly stated, ask how they handle sudden rain and how your celebration will be moved if necessary.

Discuss backup plans with your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist if you do need to change venues. Consider drafting an email to your guests ahead of time, so they are up-to-date on any changes of plan. 

Want to know Rule Number 1 of how to plan a Cancun wedding? Try to go with the flow. The details of your wedding might change, but with a good plan in place, there’s no reason why it won’t be a wonderful day.

The Average Budget of Getting Married in Cancun

Couples who choose to swap “I dos” far away from home typically are pleased with the price tag of their special day. Not only is your wedding extra unique and beautiful in a tropical location, but it is almost ¼ of the average domestic wedding cost.

Couples getting married in Cancun can expect to pay around $8000 for their entire destination wedding package. This includes roundtrip airfare for the couple, several nights of accommodations, the wedding ceremony, a honeymoon package plus all sorts of special touches like massages and breakfast in bed.

Guests can expect to pay around $750 per person for their accommodations. This can be even less when booking as a group since they are always subject to lower rates and exciting deals. Your Specialist will come in handy here as they are savvy with scoring the best deals like free excursions, complimentary packages, and upgrades.

Budget Properly

You might have heard that having a destination wedding can actually save you money, and this is true!  Here are a few tips to help you budget as you wonder, how do you plan a destination wedding in Cancun. 

Book in the off-season — In Cancun, peak season runs from December to March when the weather is at its best. Consider booking in the off-season (April-October) or the “shoulder” season — May or November — for more availability and lower costs. 

Complimentary packages — Many all inclusive resorts offer complimentary wedding packages. These vary from place to place but often involve a basic wedding package with the purchase of a certain number of rooms in a room category or for a number of nights. 

Book in advance — Cancun is a popular tourist destination, so there is a high demand for accommodation and wedding packages. Book well in advance (12 to 18 months ahead is usually recommended) to secure your space at a more reasonable price. 

Keep your guest list small — Many destination weddings have small guest lists. This isn’t just because guests don’t have the budget to travel themselves; it can also save the wedding couple money by opting for smaller packages. 

Be flexible — With destinations that have high demand, you might not always get your first choice for dates, venues, and other options. Be flexible and explore other choices, which may end up saving you more money!

Our Favorite Destination Wedding Resorts & Venues in Cancun

Cancun has a vast landscape that features all types of stunning beauty. From beautiful white sand beaches to Mayan Ruins, cenotes and much more, wedding couples are able to choose what suits their wedding vision the most. Each of these resorts has luxurious accommodations, unique wedding venues (think caves, sky terraces, and Oceanside gazebos to just name a few), and incredible views.

Here is a list of some of the best resorts meant for getting married in Cancun:

Cancun Hotel Zone

Moon Palace Cancun

Packages starting at $1,800

Moon Palace Cancun Destination WeddingMoon Palace Cancun

Moon Palace Cancun is a gorgeous family friendly resort offering everything you need for a heavenly stay. There is always something to do here, whether you’re interested in top-quality dining, scuba diving in the crystal blue waters, or relaxing on the white sand beach. 

Features of Moon Palace Cancun

  • Six ceremony and reception venues
  • Complimentary wedding package with the purchase of 10 rooms
  • Extra perks like honeymoon package and discounted spa treatments 

Book your Cancun wedding at Moon Palace Cancun >>

Riu Palace Las Americas

Packages starting at $1,699

Riu Palace Las Americas destination wedding

Riu Palace Las Americas is an adults only all inclusive resort, offering a more sophisticated and elegant retreat for your wedding. Here, you can enjoy high-class dining, luxury suites, spa treatments, and more. Riu Palace Las Americas is also home to amazing nightlife, so the party doesn’t stop with the sun.

Features of Riu Palace Las Americas

  • Discounted spa treatments
  • Exchange privileges with nearby sister hotels
  • Onsite live entertainment and dance club
  • Surprise gift for wedding couple 

Book your Cancun wedding at Riu Palace Las Americas >>

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

Packages starting at $3,500

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is an ultra-modern resort specializing in entertainment and luxury. Celebrations here are larger than life! You’ll find a huge number of things to do during your stay, from theme parties and dancing at the onsite disco to live shows. 

Features of Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

  • Complimentary wedding and honeymoon packages 
  • Five venues for the ceremony and reception
  • Onsite amenities including the Rock Spa® and Body Rock® fitness center

Book your Cancun wedding at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun >>

Le Blanc Spa Resort

Packages starting at $3,300

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun

Elegance is the defining characteristic of this adults only resort in Cancun. Awarded the EarthCheck Silver Certification, Le Blanc strives to provide guests with sustainable amenities to protect and nourish the natural beauty around it, making it feel like a tropical oasis just for you.  

Features of Le Blanc Spa Resort

  • Complimentary wedding package with the purchase of 10 rooms and a signed contract
  • Six venues for the ceremony and reception
  • Exchange privileges with sister resorts 

Book your Cancun wedding at Le Blanc Spa Resort >>

Playa Mujeres (North of Cancun)

Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres

Packages starting at $1,750

Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres Destination Wedding

Located in the stunning Costa Mujeres, one of Cancun’s most exclusive areas, Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres is larger than life. One of its biggest attractions is access to nearby championship golf courses, which offer challenging holes in stunning locations.

Features of Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres

  • Complimentary wedding package with purchase of at least 15 rooms for 7+ nights
  • Discounted or complimentary spa services
  • Access to local tours for additional fees

Book your Cancun wedding at Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres >>

Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

Packages starting at $1,299

Dreams Playa Mujeres offers something to keep every guest entertained, from swimming pools to a world-class golf course. Enjoy being pampered in the spa or beauty salon, watch a live show, or just relax on the stunning white sand beach. 

Features of Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

  • Weddings in Paradise package is complimentary when booking at least five rooms for 3+ nights
  • Complimentary newlywed package
  • Free anniversary stay (two free nights with five paid)

Book your Cancun wedding at Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort >>

Riu Palace Costa Mujeres

Packages starting at $1,399

Riu Palace Costa Mujeres offers all kinds of experiences, from fun family activities to exploring Mexico’s nearby natural wonders and ancient ruins. Located just a short distance from Chichen Itza, it’s the perfect destination for guests wanting to both relax and explore. 

Features of Riu Palace Costa Mujeres

  • Discount on all spa treatments for the couple
  • Access to nearby nightlife and Splash Water World waterpark

Book your Cancun wedding at Riu Palace Costa Mujeres >>

Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

Packages starting at $1,299

Located ten minutes from downtown Cancun in a private community in Playa Mujeres, this adults only spa offers unforgettable amenities such as the 18-hole signature Greg Norman golf course and access to the Delphinus® Dolphin Habitat. 

Features of Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort

  • Complimentary wedding package with a minimum of five rooms booked for 3+ nights
  • Free anniversary nights (two free nights with five paid)
  • Complimentary newlywed package

Book your Cancun wedding at Secrets Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort >>

Riviera Maya (South of Cancun)

El Dorado Royale

Packages starting at $599

El Dorado Royale is an adults only getaway nestled in a 450-acre tropical rainforest. Here, guests can relax in luxury with world-class spa treatments, gourmet dining, and 4.5-star accommodations. 

Features of El Dorado Royale

  • Complimentary round-trip transport to and from Cancun International Airport
  • Close to nearby Bonanza Rancho Ecoturistico park 
  • Access to neighboring Aqua Nick®  water park 

Book your Cancun wedding at El Dorado Royale >>

Hotel Xcaret Mexico

Packages starting at $16,750

Located in the jungle of the Riviera Maya, this gorgeous facility seamlessly intertwines Mexico’s natural wonders into its experience. Guests receive complimentary access and transportation to locations such as Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, Xenses, Xenotes, and Isla Mujeres. 

Features of Hotel Xcaret Mexico

  • Six venues, including nearby natural wonders
  • Free Unlimited Entry to 9 Eco-theme Parks by Grupo Xcaret
  • Xcaret Xailing Ferries from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Book your Cancun wedding at Hotel Xcaret Mexico >>

Unico 20 87 Hotel Riviera Maya

Packages starting at $600

Drawing on local cultural influences, the adults only resort offers guests a luxurious stay for relaxation and rejuvenation. From luxury oceanview suites to Mayan-inspired spa treatments, everything at this resort is made to offer a totally unique experience. 

Features of Unico 20 87 Hotel Riviera Maya

  • Six venues for ceremony or reception
  • Complimentary wedding website and registry

Book your Cancun wedding at Unico 20 87 Hotel Riviera Maya >>

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Packages starting at $390

As the winner of “Mexico & Central America’s Leading Green Hotel 2024, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is all about protecting and enhancing Mexico’s natural beauty. Guests are welcome to swim in nearby natural cenotes, relax on the beach, or hit the water park for an exciting afternoon. 

Features of Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

  • Five ceremony/reception venues, including one by a natural cenote
  • Green wedding package offered

Book your Cancun wedding at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort >>

RELATED: The 8 Best Wedding Packages in Cancun

Steps to Getting Married in Cancun

With so much to consider it may seem overwhelming. But don’t worry – your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist will be with you every step of the way. Beyond that, we have summed up the whole planning process in a few simple steps.

Here are six steps to getting married in Cancun:

  1. Determine your budget based on your guest list, decor preferences, etc.
  2. Meet with a Mexico Destination Wedding Specialist who knows all about Cancun weddings
  3. Choose a resort venue in Cancun that matches your needs
  4. Customize a wedding package with your onsite Wedding Coordinator
  5. Book your wedding date and secure a group room block
  6. Send your save-the-dates and finalize the details

Start Planning Your Dream Cancun Wedding Today!

Getting married in Cancun offers endless possibilities to couples and their guests. As one of the top destination wedding locations in the world, it is known to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. With its affordability, gorgeous landscapes, personalized wedding packages, and opportunities to explore and immerse yourself in Mexico’s culture you will never want to leave this dream location!

Fill out one of our wedding planning forms today and get started planning the Cancun destination wedding of a lifetime!

Are you ready to start planning now? Click here to get a FREE quote today! >>>

 

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