Cancun Gives The Best Value For Your Money (Anywhere)
When it comes to planning the perfect destination wedding, choosing the right location is key. Cancun, Mexico, remains a top wedding destination year after year for good reason. With its world-class resorts, pristine white sand beaches, smooth logistics, and countless activities, I’ll show you why Cancun promises a stress-free wedding experience packed with endless benefits for both you and your guests.
Cancun, Mexico, has been in the wedding & vacation game for quite a long time.
Compared to many other Caribbean locations, you can get 4 to 5-star luxury & service at a 3 to 4-star price.
For example, A resort representative once explained that in the Dominican Republic, which is much newer on the hospitality side, if a glass of juice
spills, someone will come to clean it up. In Mexico, a waiter will see that the juice is about to spill and push it away from the table’s edge.
Best Places to Get Married in Cancun
Cancun boasts a diverse selection of all-inclusive resort wedding venues, offering couples a range of stunning amenities for their wedding, from accommodations to dining and wedding services. Whether you prefer a beachfront ceremony or an elegant indoor celebration, you will have various options to suit your preferences and budget.
By choosing the right venue and package, you can create a memorable and stress-free wedding, allowing you to focus on celebrating your love with family and friends.
Here are a few top picks that will do a fantastic job for your destination wedding:
1. Hyatt Ziva Cancun:
This family-friendly resort features a stunning oceanfront gazebo or lighthouse ceremony location and two beach areas. The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is known for its exceptional service, outstanding food, and luxurious accommodations, making it a top choice for couples who want to host their destination wedding in Cancun. The resort offers various wedding packages that include everything from floral arrangements to gourmet dining, ensuring that every detail of your special day is taken care of. Read my full breakdown of the Hyatt Ziva Cancun here
2. Le Blanc Cancun:
This Adult-Only resort is known for its impeccable service & luxurious suites and amenities. Le Blanc is ideal for a romantic wedding. The Le Blanc offers picturesque wedding venues such as the Blanc Gazebo, the pristine Blanc Beach, the Wind Terrace, and the Luna Terrace. Couples can choose from several wedding packages that cater to different preferences and budgets, such as Love Blooms, Sunset Perfection, and a complimentary wedding package.
The resort also offers a dedicated wedding coordinator to help plan and execute your dream wedding, making the process stress-free and enjoyable.
I have a full breakdown of LeBlanc for a destination wedding here.
3. Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun:
This resort offers a stunning beachfront location with a modern and luxurious ambiance. The beach at Live Aqua is perfect for a sunset ceremony, providing a romantic and picturesque setting for your vows.
4. Nizuc Resort & Spa:
Known for its secluded and pristine beach, Nizuc Resort & Spa offers a tranquil and elegant setting for a beach wedding. The resort’s wedding packages include options for both intimate and grand ceremonies, with personalized services to ensure your day is perfect.
5. Secrets Akumal:
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya offers a breathtaking setting for a destination wedding, combining elegance with the natural beauty of the Mexican Caribbean. Located on a pristine stretch of beach, this adults-only resort is surrounded by lush tropical gardens and the turquoise waters of Akumal Bay. Couples can exchange vows with the ocean as a backdrop or choose a romantic garden venue. With all-inclusive luxury, personalized wedding packages, and top-notch service, Secrets Akumal provides an unforgettable wedding experience, ensuring every detail is tailored to the couple’s dream day. Perfect for intimate ceremonies or grand celebrations.
6. Unico 20º87º
Unico 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya offers a sophisticated and culturally immersive destination wedding experience. Nestled along the stunning Riviera Maya coastline, this adults-only, all-inclusive resort combines contemporary luxury with rich local traditions. Wedding venues at Unico include breathtaking beachfront options, elegant garden settings, and modern indoor spaces, each offering a unique backdrop for your special day. With customizable wedding packages, dedicated planners, and authentic touches like locally inspired decor and cuisine, Unico provides a seamless and memorable wedding celebration in paradise, perfect for couples seeking both elegance and cultural charm.
How to Get Married in Cancun, Mexico
Having a Legal Wedding Ceremony in Cancun involves a few legal steps:
1. Legal Requirements:
You’ll need valid passports, birth certificates, and possibly a blood test. It’s essential to check with the local authorities at the time of your wedding and your chosen resort for specific requirements, which can vary. Some resorts offer assistance with the legal paperwork, making the process smoother for couples.
2. Symbolic vs. Legal Ceremony:
Many couples choose a symbolic ceremony, which is the option I recommend for all my destination wedding clients. In this approach, the couple legally marries in the U.S., such as at a courthouse, and then holds a symbolic ceremony at their wedding venue in Cancun. This option simplifies the process, allowing couples to focus on celebrating without the complexities of legal requirements. However, if you prefer to have a legal ceremony in Cancun, make sure to follow all necessary steps and have the required documents ready.
Best Time to Get Married in Cancun
The best time to get married in Cancun is during the dry season, from November to mid-May. This period offers pleasant weather and fewer chances of rain, making it ideal for outdoor ceremonies. The temperatures are comfortable, and the skies are usually clear, providing a perfect backdrop for your wedding photos.
Additionally, this time of year is less prone to hurricanes, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience for you and your guests.
Best Time of The Year For Best Value
Hurricanes and severe weather aren’t a constant occurrence during the rainy season. So, if you’re open to taking a small risk with the chance of bad weather, you can find excellent value and more affordable pricing from June to November.
Cancun Destination Wedding Packages
Many resorts in Cancun offer all-inclusive wedding packages that simplify planning. These packages typically include the ceremony, reception, basic décor, and more.
Prices can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the resort and package details for a certain number of guests, and don’t include food and beverage. Sometimes, you can qualify for a free wedding based on the number of rooms you have booked in your group, but you’ll likely want to add some things like photography, a dinner reception, a dance floor, a DJ, lighting, etc.
Cancun Destination Wedding Costs
The total cost of a destination wedding in Cancun typically includes travel, accommodations, and the wedding package. On average, couples spend between $10,000 and $25,000, though this can vary depending on your preferences, travel duration, and guest count. It’s crucial to create a detailed budget and review it with your destination wedding travel specialist. Many resorts offer flexible payment plans and customizable packages to suit different budgets, and my goal is to help you find a resort that aligns with both your budget and your wedding vision.
How Safe is Cancun, Mexico?
No matter what you hear in the media, Cancun remains arguably one of the safest places in Mexico to vacation, especially when you stay at resort properties or take tours set up through a legitimate tour company. Cancun’s leading economy is driven by tourism, and there is a strong focus on protection and safety for everyone who visits Cancun. With that said, Cancun is still a major city, and just like if you are visiting Chicago, Detroit, Miami, and other major cities in the U.S., you need to be smart and take certain precautions, such as staying in the Hotel zone and other popular tourist areas that are heavily guarded, and avoiding areas that are known for problems or high crime. I can tell you that any destination wedding consultant with a quality business will NEVER recommend any location or resort wedding venue that isn’t safe and give you and your guests a fabulous experience.
Cancun isn’t just a wedding destination—it’s where your dream destination wedding becomes a reality. With its breathtaking venues, all-inclusive packages, and top-notch service, Cancun provides everything needed for a flawless wedding day. As you begin your journey together, the memories of your Cancun wedding will serve as a lasting reminder of your love and happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of joy, starting with your perfect Cancun wedding.
Rossana Taylor, Beyond the Horizon Travel Agency
Rossana is your personal architect of unforgettable adventures, specializing in crafting dream-come-true destination weddings, honeymoons, special celebrations, and group travel experiences. Born in Peru and fluent in English and Spanish, her love for travel knows no bounds. With meticulous attention to detail, she curates breathtaking vacations to destinations like Mexico, the Caribbean, Peru, South America, Italy, Greece, and beyond. www.specialcelebrationstravel.com
