The Pros and Cons of Planning a Destination Wedding in Mexico

Elegant beach wedding setup in Mexico, showcasing a serene view of the ocean.

There are countless reasons why a destination wedding in Mexico is such a popular choice for couples.

Understanding the pros and cons of a destination wedding in Mexico is crucial as you plan your big day.

Not only is it a wonderful experience for the couples getting married, but also for everyone traveling to celebrate with them.

In this article, I'll share some insights into the advantages and challenges to help you consider if Mexico is the perfect location for hosting your wedding.

Let’s delve into what makes Mexico one of the best destinations for weddings in 2023 and beyond.

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of a Destination Wedding in Mexico

Let's examine the pros and cons of planning a destination wedding in Mexico in depth to help you make a well-informed decision.

Pro: Easy Access From The U.S

A KLM plane flying over the Caribbean, illustrating the easy access from the U.S. to Mexico for destination weddings. Image credit: Shamia Casiano via Pexels

For the most part, Mexico is easily accessible to U.S. citizens and offers plenty of daily flight options.

This allows for ease of travel for you and your wedding guests and ensures that if there are flight delays or cancellations, several flight options will be available for backup.  

Pro: PLENTY of Incredible Resort Options And Venues to Choose From

Aerial view of Hyatt Ziva Cancun, showcasing its luxurious pool and beachfront amenities. Image courtesy of Playa Resorts Media Valet.

Whether you are heading to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, or the Cancun/Riviera Maya area, you will have more than enough choices of resorts & wedding venues to host your wedding celebration.  

With the myriad of options available, you’ll also have your pick of luxury, chic, modern, or authentic resorts with lively, quiet, active, or pampering atmospheres.

From boutique resorts with intimate settings to mega resorts with Vegas-style shows, Mexico truly offers something for EVERY wedding group!  

Lots of Incredible Wedding Venue Options: 

Beach wedding setup at Hyatt Ziva Cancun with a floral arch overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Image courtesy of Playa Resorts Media Valet.

In addition to these great resort options, if you want or need to get married in a chapel, you can find Catholic & protestant chapels with picturesque views of the ocean! 

You will also have an array of choices for private rooftops with unobstructed views where you not only can say “I Do!” but also dance the night away under a canopy of stars. 

And don’t forget you can also find stunning beaches set amidst beautiful skies at sunset, infinity pools with overwater platforms, secret tropical gardens, and more.

Pro: Amazing Value of Luxury & Service For The Price! 

Luxurious suite at Ava Resort Cancun, showcasing the value of luxury and service at an affordable price. Image courtesy of AIC Media Valet.

If you are looking for incredible luxury & service for the money, Mexico will get you the most bang for your buck when it comes to the level of luxury and service you receive for the price.

Part of the reason is that Mexico is just miles ahead of other destinations when it comes to hospitality & tourism.  

A quote I once heard from a travel insider pretty much sums it up like this.

“In (the location I was at) if your drink spills, a waiter will come right away to clean it up.  In Mexico, the wait staff will see the glass on the edge of the table and come to put it back in a safer spot.”  

PRO: Wedding Package Value for Price

Elegant wedding reception setup at Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen, showcasing the value of wedding packages in Mexico. Image courtesy of Playa Resorts.

The same is true for wedding packages. Your destination wedding budget goes so much further in Mexico!

You’ll be amazed at the celebration you can plan that will be a day you and your guests will never forget!

Pro: Endless Excursions, Activities, & Cultural Experiences

The iconic pyramid of Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most famous cultural and historical sites, offering endless excursion opportunities for visitors.

Regardless of what part of Mexico you head to, you’ll have your pick of awesome experiences at your fingertips!

Historical ruins, underground caverns, artistic cities, waterfalls, mountains, whale watching, snorkeling, nightlife, shopping, golf, catamaran cruises, day trips to nearby islands, you name it!

There is something for everyone to enjoy in Mexico!

Con: Legal wedding requirements

Signing legal documents for a wedding in Mexico, highlighting the necessary legal requirements. Image credit: Cheesecate via Pexels.

Each State in Mexico has different requirements for your wedding in Mexico to be legal, but you can expect bloodwork, translation of documents, witnesses, and 3-4 days of residency.  

If you don’t need to have a legal destination wedding, then I suggest you and your fiancee get married legally in the States (basically at the courthouse) and then you will do a symbolic wedding in Mexico for your Destination Wedding ceremony. 

No one will know, but you and it will save you from jumping through a lot of hoops.  

Pro: Two Unique Areas of Mexico to Choose From:

Comparison of Riviera Maya’s serene white-sand beach and Cabo’s dramatic rocky coastline, highlighting the diverse wedding locations Mexico offers.

Mexico has two completely different but equally romantic & beautiful areas to have an amazing destination wedding!  

1. Caribbean Side

2. Pacific Side

The Caribbean Side

Breathtaking view of Tulum Beach on the Caribbean side of Mexico, featuring crystal-clear waters and lush palm trees.

The Caribbean side of Mexico is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, along the Caribbean Sea, and is the most popular area for any type of travel.

This is where Cancun, Riviera Maya, and many of the other popular travel spots are located.

Everything mentioned above will be available to you on the Caribbean side of Mexico, including white sand beaches and the ability to enjoy the Caribbean Sea if you or your group love getting in the water.  

The Pacific Side: 

Picturesque beach in Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific side of Mexico, showcasing its lush surroundings and vibrant waters.

The Pacific Side of Mexico is, of course, located along the Pacific Ocean and was originally best known for travel spots such as Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Now, the hottest new spots to have a destination wedding in Mexico are either Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta!  

Located at the end of the Baja Coast, Cabo is home to luxury resorts, amazing foodie experiences, championship golf, yoga retreats, movie star getaways, and authentic cultural experiences.

The beaches are wide and beautiful here as well, but with darker sand than the Caribbean side and are not usually swimmable due to the ocean currents and rip tides.  

One of the most popular vacation destinations, Puerto Vallarta is known for its stunning landscape, friendly people, beautiful marine life, and so much more!

Which Part of Mexico is Best For Your Destination Wedding?

The hardest decision you’ll have to make when planning a destination wedding in Mexico is which part of Mexico is best for your wedding vision and which resort or wedding venue will give you the wedding vision you are looking for.

That’s where having the assistance of a destination wedding designer can come in handy.

Con: Canun/Riviera Maya seaweed issues

Seaweed accumulation on a beach in Cancun, illustrating the seasonal seaweed issues in the Riviera Maya.

With Cancun and Riviera Maya being the most popular locations in Mexico to host a destination wedding, I felt obligated to mention this “con.” 

Over the last few years, environmental factors have caused an increase in the seaweed that floats into the waters and on the shore.

It is impossible to predict when there could be a lot of seaweed or not as much because it can come and go at any time of the year.  

While resorts are continually cleaning up the seaweed, it does affect the beauty and clarity of the water.

So If you are planning a beach wedding or want perfectly clear water, this area of Mexico may not be the best option for you.

If water color is extremely important to you, then I suggest the Pacific side of Mexico, along the Baja Peninsula, such as Cabo San Lucas or the artistic, colorful, and lush Puerto Vallarta. 

Stunning beach at Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side of Mexico, known for its vibrant water color and dramatic landscapes.

Cabo’s water is a beautiful bright blue, and there are numerous excellent resort options available for your wedding there as well. 

The only negative is that a majority of the beaches in Cabo, though beautiful,  are not swimmable due to strong currents and waves.

Puerto Vallarta’s water is a stunning blue green surrounded by a lush and tropical jungle and mountains.

Puerto Vallarta offers really unique wedding venues like private off-shore islands that are ideal for an oceanfront celebration. 

With so many amazing wedding venues & resorts, cultural activities, and numerous excursions you can do as a group, Mexico offers many advantages over challenges when it comes to planning a wedding.

Delving into the pros and cons of a destination wedding in Mexico has highlighted that while there are some cons, the pros, like stunning settings and exceptional value, greatly outweigh them.

Mexico continuously emerges as a fun and romantic location for weddings.

If you’ve been trying to sort out the details of your destination wedding but feel stuck, I encourage you to schedule a free 30-minute strategy call with me today.

Let’s navigate the pros and cons of a destination wedding in Mexico together and move your wedding plans forward! Use this link to schedule today!