How much does a Mexico Destination Wedding Cost?

Isn’t that the magic question? How much does a Mexico destination wedding cost?

Well, we will try our best to break it down for you as there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

This blog article will cover:

elegant beachfront wedding ceremony at atelier hotel playa mujeres
Beach wedding Ceremony at Atelier

Destination Wedding Package Inclusions

Wedding package inclusions vary greatly depending on the hotel. The examples we are including, have packages that include at least a ceremony and a private 3-hour wedding reception as that seems to be the most popular with our wedding couples.

However, many hotels offer packages that will include a semi-private dinner in one of the existing restaurants instead of a private event. Packages that include semi-private events will cost less.

Also, consider that every package includes a symbolic ceremony. If you want a legal wedding, extra costs will apply.

rooftop area set for a wedding reception with string lights and crossback wooden chairs
Rooftop Reception at Dreams Las Mareas

Cost of the hotel versus cost of the wedding package in Mexico

These are two separate things. You and your guests will have to pay for the all-inclusive accommodation and prices can vary depending on the star rating of the hotel, the number of services available, and the season.

Cost comes down to the level of service you want. Want a butler greeting you with champagne and a cold towel? Want a pillow menu, gourmet options, and waiter service at the pool? Aim for the swankier, more expensive hotel.

lazy river and loungers at Excellence Playa Mujeres
The Excellence hotels offer Pool Butler service

If you are fine with a normal check-in counter, more basic accommodation without all the bells and whistles as long as you have an open bar and options to eat? Then you are fine with the more affordable options.

Hotels offer concessions when you are booking a group, which are discounts, but you can read more about group pricing and freebies here.

The wedding package cost is separate from the accommodation cost.

main lobby area at sandos playacar
main reception area at the Sandos Playacar

If I have already paid for an all-inclusive hotel, then why is there a cost for the wedding?

Your all-inclusive plans will include all your food, and drinks (alcoholic and non). Events are extra. So when you are having a wedding, they are not charging for food and drink, they are charging for the setup, the extra staff to prepare the events, the wedding coordinator and team, and the dismantling of the events once they have ended.

This is why a semi-private reception is often much less expensive since it will occur in one of the restaurants at the resort that is already open.

Large beach wedding reception with extra decor that can increase a Mexico destination wedding cost
Decor can add to a Mexico destination wedding cost

How does the season affect the wedding cost?

We consider 4 seasons:
Low season – mid-August through until the end of October (peak rainy season but off-peak for rates)
Shoulder season – April (after Easter, May through mid-August, November through until mid- December (sweet spot, normally good weather + good rates)
High Season – Winter months, January, February, and March (you will pay more, but will escape winter!)
Super High Season – Christmas, New Year, and the 2 Easter weeks (most hotels will not host many weddings during these dates and everything will be at 100% occupancy)

The hotel pricing will vary greatly depending on the season you choose. If you are willing to travel during a shoulder or low season, you can get a much higher quality hotel for a lesser price.

You will also want to consider the weather when planning a destination wedding in Mexico. The Cancun area (including Riviera Maya, Tulum, and Playa Mujeres) will have a rainy season, whereas Los Cabos has an average of 350 days of sunshine per year!

The cost of the wedding will not vary depending on the season, although there are a few hotels that knock off a couple of hundred dollars.

wedding couple in the rain
Rain is not ideal but can make for beautiful photos

Free Destination Wedding Packages

Yes, free destination wedding packages exist.

However, read the fine print. The free packages are only for a wedding ceremony (or vow renewal) and do have certain conditions.

For instance, they will include a simple ceremony at less ideal times such as 11am or 2pm. They will include up to 10 people for the ceremony, and a toast. Most come with certain booking conditions such as booking room category X (normally one of the most expensive ones) for X nights and receiving the free wedding package.

Here is an example of a Free Wedding Package and its inclusions
• Bridal bouquet • Groom boutonniere • Ceremony location set up and decoration • Playlist for ceremony • Wedding Cake (10 people) • Sparkling wine for the first toast to the Newlyweds (10 people) • Semi-Private dinner at a specialty restaurant (10 people)

That said, if you are planning a simple ceremony or vow renewal, a free package is a great perk especially if booking according to the criteria.

Need help finding the free destination wedding package that is right for you? Get in touch

colorful saris on the beach destination wedding
Indian wedding in Playa del Carmen – gorgeous women and colors

Average affordable Mexico destination wedding cost

We have chosen two average affordable destination wedding packages with low-cost based on budget all-inclusive hotels in Mexico.

Here are two examples that both have inclusions for a wedding ceremony and private reception.

Keep in mind that all packages will have extra inclusions like a room upgrade, couples massage, breakfast in bed the day after the wedding, a special gift, % of spa treatments, etc. but in order to keep things cleaner, we have simplified it.

Accommodation cost: $100-$130US per adult per night during shoulder season

Wedding Package Sandos Caracol

30 guests for $3150
Services of the wedding coordinator plus

Ceremony Package: Ceremony setup / Sound system and microphone during the ceremony / 1 centerpiece for officiant’s table / 1 bouquet and 1 boutonnière, or 2 bouquets, or 2 boutonnières / Officiant services

Reception Dinner: Private 3-hour dinner reception with open bar / Basic setup and ambient lighting / Sparkling wine for the wedding toast / 1 tier custom made wedding cake

Want more info about Sandos Caracol Weddings? Read our complete guide

Beach Wedding Gazebo at the Sandos Caracol

Barcelo Maya Grand Wedding Package

30 guests for $2750
Services of the wedding coordinator plus

Ceremony package: Wedding location / Justice of the Peace or Non-denominational Minister / Live music during the Wedding Ceremony / Bridal Bouquet and Groom Boutonniere

Reception Dinner: Private dinner reception and open bar in a Banquet Room during 3 hours / One Tabletop flower arrangement / Sparkling wine for ceremony toast / Wedding Cake

Simple beach wedding ceremony at Barcelo Maya Grand Resort

Average moderate Mexico destination wedding cost

Here are two examples of a moderate destination wedding package cost.

Accommodation cost: $140- $170US average per adult per night during shoulder season.

Now Natura Wedding Package

25 guests for $3399
Services of the wedding coordinator plus

Ceremony package: service of a judge or minister / Preparation and ironing of couple’s wedding day attire / Bouquet(s) and boutonniere(s) for wedding couple / One corsage and one boutonniere for wedding party / Sound system with speaker and microphones / Hairstyling and makeup application for one member of the wedding couple for day of the ceremony

Reception Dinner: 1-hour private cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres / 3-hour private dinner reception / Wedding cake and sparkling wine / one natural floral centerpiece for the reception table/ 24 full-color photos

Want more info about Now Natura Weddings? Get details here

Pool and grounds at the Now Natura Hotel
Ground and pool at the Now Natura

Wedding Package Atelier Playa Mujeres

20 guests for $4950

Services of the wedding coordinator plus
Ceremony package: Artist painting live during the ceremony / Basic setup included for ceremony / Bouquet or boutonniere for the couple / Government permit for holding events on the beach / Sound system for the Ceremony

Reception Dinner: Special open bar with hors d’oeuvres (1 hour) / Plated ol3-course meal with 3 hours of open bar / Wedding cake / Sparkling wine / 1-hour coverage with photographer and digital album with 20 pictures PLUS a Semi-private brunch on the day after the wedding

sky bar terrace with pool and lounge area, atelier hotel
Sky Bar area at Atelier hotel

Average luxury Mexico destination wedding package cost

Here are a couple of examples of the cost of a wedding package at a luxury resort.

Accommodation cost: $200- $230US average per adult per night during shoulder season.

Wedding package Dreams Playa Mujeres

20 guests for $3799
Services of the wedding coordinator plus

Semi-Private Rehearsal Dinner for 10 pax prior to the wedding
Ceremony package: Service of Judge or Minister / Preparation and ironing of the couple’s wedding day attire / Hairstyling and makeup application for one member of the wedding couple for day of ceremony / Bouquet(s) and/or boutonniere(s) for wedding couple / Two boutonnieres and two corsages for wedding party / Ceremony décor- 20 white chairs, ceremonial table, and aisle runner / one natural floral centerpiece for the ceremonial table

Reception Dinner: 1-hour private cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres /Live Mexican music trio during the cocktail hour / 3-hour private dinner reception / Wedding cake and sparkling wine / one natural floral centerpiece for the sweetheart table / 50 full color photos / 15 minute edited video of the ceremony

Dreaming of a Dreams Playa Mujeres Wedding? Get more info here

beach wedding gazebo area dreams playa mujeres
Beach gazebo for weddings on the beach at Dreams Playa Mujeres

Custom Destination Wedding Packages

Really looking for a unique destination wedding experience totally customized to you and your vision?

Many hotels do allow you to piece together your own wedding package. A lot of the more luxurious properties (Example: Andaz, Palmaia, Nizuc Cancun) only offer packages that are customized to the wedding couple and their needs.

If you prefer to have your wedding at an off-site venue such as a beach club or villa, you also have the option of hiring an outside wedding planner who will help you plan your wedding from scratch.

Extra wedding costs to consider

Most packages for a destination wedding in Mexico are not necessarily all-inclusive of everything you might want, so here are a few things you can add on at an extra cost that you may want to consider.

custom design wedding maracas
Custom maracas are a nice touch for a destination wedding in Mexico. Shake for a kiss!

DJ, Dancefloor, Cold Fireworks

If your package includes a private reception, you are free to bring your own playlist and use the sound system (normally included).

For some that want a party, investing in a DJ may be a good idea. DJ costs will be approximately $300US per hour and include basic equipment.

Dancefloors are optional but do add an extra touch when on a soft surface like in the case of a beach reception. You can start with a basic 6×6 dancefloor and tweak it to a personalized vinyl 12×12. Costs will vary depending but figure at least $800US to start.

Cold Fireworks are always a magical touch during the first dance.

first dance for bride and groom with cold fireworks at a destination wedding in playa del carmen
Cold fireworks add a magical touch

Photography / Videography

Very few packages include photos or videos. Photos of your wedding and events are a great souvenirs and often a worthwhile investment.

You can choose to go with the hotel-approved vendor (often the least expensive option), bring someone from home, or hire an outside vendor as your photographer of choice. Package pricing will vary depending on how much coverage you want (3 hours with 1 photographer versus 8 hours with 2 photographers). Same idea for the videography options.

How to plan your timeline to make the most of your wedding photos – pro tips from a renowned local photographer

Trash the Dress photo shoot in Cancun at Playa Delfines
Trash the dress photo session in Cancun.

Flowers, Decor, Lighting and other tweaks

Most packages will include the basics. Bouquet for the bride, boutonniere for the groom (this can be tweaked in the case of same-sex weddings), white chairs, white linens, and possibly a table centerpiece.

If you want to add on extra floral arrangements for bridesmaids’ bouquets, centerpieces, a floral arches, etc, all of these will be at an additional cost.


Same for wedding decor. The minimum will be included in the package, and tweaks will come at a cost.

Akumal Bay Beach Wedding Labna Palapa
Heavy accent on florals and greenery added cost to this tropical destination wedding

String lights and another additional lighting can end up being a very expensive addition. One way around this is to bring your own or try to rent locally.

Ways to keep costs down are by bringing your own decor, and faux florals, and by using outside vendors.

How to get help planning a destination wedding in Mexico

Well, not to toot our own horn, but we are pretty good at helping!

Our team is based near Cancun, and we have seen almost all the hotels and stayed at many. We have also explored Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta!

Based on your ideal wedding cost, your group size, and your wedding vision, we will match you to the perfect hotel for your destination wedding in Mexico.

We speak English, Spanish and French and are licensed for US and Canada.

Get to know our team or get in touch!

Conclusion

The cost of a destination wedding package in Mexico varies depending on a lot of factors. As much as we would like to present you with one answer, we can’t.

However, we hope that this guide has helped you make sense of the options and the cost and what you should consider when planning your destination wedding in Mexico.

We are here and happy to help!

1-888-472-7077

[email protected]

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We are a team of dedicated, passionate travel experts that understand just how important your destination wedding is. Our job is to make your destination wedding planning EASY. Just get in touch!

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