What do you need to know?

Destination weddings have become popular – and with good reason. They can be beautiful, romantic, and offer an exotic flair, if done the right way. With a destination wedding in Mexico, the “devil is in the details,” but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome if you go into it armed with the correct information, which is often provided by the resort where the ceremony is performed. Mexico is warm, culturally interesting, and can be inexpensive. There are miles and miles of beaches and many luxury resorts that cater to those planning a destination wedding.

 

Location, location, location

First you’re going to need to decide upon a location. Many hotels and resorts in Mexico offer wedding packages and you’ll want to look into what packages are available at what resorts and hotels. This is where price and availability will come into play. Obviously, you will need to work with the resort or hotel to come up with a time that you and your soon-to-be spouse, your guests, and the location are mutually available.

 

Some Resorts that offer Wedding Packages in Mexico

Riviera Maya

The Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, located right on the silky white sands of the Riviera Maya, offers a location of extreme natural beauty that makes a romantic setting for a wedding and honeymoon. The resort has professional wedding coordinators that can plan every aspect of the wedding from the flowers, decorations, food, beverages, entertainment, guest accommodations to catching you up on the legalities of a Mexican marriage.

This luxury resort offers three packages: the “Wedding in Paradise Package,” and the “Love in Paradise Wedding Package.”

The Wedding in Paradise Package includes a wedding planner, a room upgrade for the bride and groom, unpacking for the bride and groom and preparation of their wedding attire, welcome amenities, a couples massage, a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a wedding cake, sparkling wine for up to 17 guests, menu cards, up to an hour of photography, a judge or minister to perform the ceremony, a romantic dinner for the bride and groom during their stay, turn down service, and a complimentary anniversary night if the couple stays four nights or more over their first anniversary.

The Love in Paradise Wedding Package offers all of the above plus a romantic surprise dinner for the bride and groom, hairstyling and makeup styling for the bride prior to the ceremony, turndown service with rose petals, scented oil bubble bath, and champagne, a sparkling wine toast for up to 20 guests in Waterford champagne flutes, a live duo for one set, a specialty spa basket on the day of arrival,  a 10% discount (not including products) at the spa for the bride during the stay, and a cocktail party that includes canapés and a one hour open bar that includes premium liquors.

 

Puerto Vallarta

The Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is one of the most romantic destinations in Mexico. This resort offers beachfront view with crashing waves and lovely sunsets. This resort offers the “Crystal,” “Pearl,” and “Diamond Collections.”

The Crystal Collection includes a legal ceremony or religious ceremony with all of the needed paperwork, documents, and medical services, a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a centerpiece for the minister’s table, rose petals for the aisle, a wedding cake, a bottle of sparkling wine and petit fours, breakfast in bed the day after the wedding, and the services of a wedding coordinator.

The Pearl Collection includes everything in the Crystal Collection plus a sparkling wine toast, a sound system for the ceremony, a violinist or saxophonist for the cocktail hour, cocktail set up, a premium bar and Hors D’oeuvres, transportation from the airport, and a 50 minute couples massage on the beach.

The Diamond Collection includes everything in the Pearl Collection plus a DJ and a dance floor with robotic lights and a bubbles machine, and a three course dinner from the all-inclusive menu.

 

Los Cabos

Palmilla One & Only Resorts hosts weddings in its historic chapel. The chapel is located on a hill overlooking the beautiful resort and the chapel is typically Mexican in style with whitewashed arched doorways and windows. The wedding couple may arrive at the chapel in a horse-drawn carriage.

This resort offers a Celebration Consultant who can arrange for a Justice of the Peace or a Minister. There will be a private beach cove for the day that includes floating daybeds and lunch. The wedding couple will have private dinners for two for four nights, breakfast daily for two, private roundtrip airport transfers in a Hummer H2, and special rates for parties of 30 rooms or more.

Included are floral arrangements for the altar, an altar runner, ceremonial candles, and the horse-drawn carriage with a coachman and footman.  Optional arrangements include music, pressing services, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake and groom’s cake, personalized menus, private dining for the wedding party and guests, a photographer, and a celebration CD with photos of the ceremony.

The bride receives a manicure and pedicure, hairstyling and makeup by a professional stylist.

 

Legalities of Mexico Marriages

If both you and your future husband/wife are both foreign (not Mexican):

• You will need both of your “Tourist Cards” that you were given at the airport
• You will need both original birth certificates plus a copy of each
• You will need to have had blood tests within 15 days of your wedding to check for HIV, Rh factor, and syphilis.
• Both of your passports
• If either one of you is widowed or divorced you need certificates of divorce or death certificates.
• You will also need the originals and copies of identification for two witnesses.

If you are Mexican and marrying a Non-Mexican (or Vice Versa)

• You will need the same blood tests as above.
• The same information for the witnesses
• A foreigner’s passport
• The original and a copy of the Mexican party’s official identification including a photo
• An original and copy of both birth certificates but the foreigners will have to have been translated into Spanish by someone proficient in the language.
• You must have gotten permission from the Migration Office of the Secretary of the Interior.

 

What to wear

Many bridal shops now have special sections for destination weddings. Keep in mind that it’s warm and humid in Mexico and that you most probably will be married on the beach. You may want to look for light materials, and a dress with a shorter train (if you’re worried about dragging a train through the sand.) Hairstyles should be appropriate for a breezy beach and often veils just get in the way as they blow around. Shoes should be appropriate for walking on sand.

 

Things to remember…

• Your wedding event is a vacation for the guests so plan events around the wedding. Research local areas of interest and you may even want to make up a brochure that tells the guests about things they can do before and after your wedding day.
• You may want to provide small in-room gifts to welcome your guests that can include such things as lotions, soaps, candles, candy, or snacks.

And there you go! Now you’re ready for your perfect destination wedding in Mexico!