Every single time I visit Mexico, I get to the end of my trip wishing I never had to leave. Without fail. I swear, it’s heaven on Earth, and you cannot convince me that it’s not the perfect destination for a luxurious, tropical, beachside wedding! While there are so many areas of Mexico that make for incredible vacay spots, Cancún is one of my personal favorites, and is also one of the areas I recommend most to couples for weddings. With endless white-sand beaches just waiting for you to dig your toes in, stunning turquoise waters, colorful coral reefs, and an abundance of amazing tourism opportunities, it’s seriously the dream come true—which is why I’ve put together this guide to how to plan a Cancún wedding, including a few of the best Cancún wedding venues, Cancún travel tips, and SO much more. Warning: you’re going to be ready to pack your bags & book a flight as soon as you’re done reading 😉

Table of Contents:

• Where is Cancún?
• Why Get Married in Cancún?
• Cancún Destination Wedding FAQ’s
• How to Get Married in Cancún As Foreigners
• 5 Best Wedding Venues in Cancún
• My Top Cancún Travel Tips
• Cancún Wedding Photographer
  
  

Where is Cancún?

To start, where is Cancún? Cancún is a city in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, in the southeast part of the country along the Caribbean Sea. With its prime location on the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancún is obviously most known for the tropical oasis it provides to tourists from all over, and has easily become one of the top vacation destinations in this part of the world. To get there, you’ll want to fly into the Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is about 12 miles south of the main area of Cancún!

Once you’ve arrived in Cancún, there are a few different ways you can get around during your trip: buses, cabs/taxis, Uber, or renting a car. The only thin to note about getting around via Uber is that Ubers can’t legally pick you up at the Cancún Airport, so you’ll need to either have your own transportation or book a shuttle to take you to your hotel/resort.  But if you’re comfortable driving in a foreign country, then I definitely recommend renting a car so that you have all the freedom & flexibility to explore on your own time! It’ll be much more cost-effective and time-saving than booking a bunch of tours if you want to see some of the more scenic sites in the area, and then you don’t have to rely on public transportation or apps like Uber to get you where you need to be. 

Why Get Married in Cancún?

I could go on and on forever about why I adore Cancún, but I’ll try to keep it brief so I don’t bore you. Cancún is amazing for SO many reasons, but one of my favorites is just how diverse it is! When you visit Cancún, not only do you get one of the top resort cities in the world with absolutely breathtaking beaches; you also get a ton of fascinating culture and history, dining and shopping, and endless opportunities for outdoor adventures & activities. Cancún truly has something for everyone, and for every type of couple—whether you and your partner’s ideal wedding would be an intimate celebration at a small beachside venue followed by an adventurous hike, or a huge party at a luxury 5-star resort complete with an on-site spa and wellness center. Or anywhere in between! 

Quick fun fact: most of the resorts in Cancún are located in the “Zona Hotelera,” or the Hotel Zone, which was actually specifically created back in the 1970s to attract travelers to the area. So if you were wondering why a lot of the major resorts are so close together, that’s why—and I’d say they did a dang good job, because we all just keep coming back for more!

Along with the upscale resort vibes Cancún has to offer, it’s also got some of the best, most vibrant nightlife around. It’s the ideal place to invite your friends and fam for a vacation; you can go from exploring Mayan ruins and learning about Mexican culture during the day to partying it up once the sun goes down, sipping on margaritas as you lounge around on the beach (or dance the night away at a poolside bar). You will NEVER run out of things to do in Cancún or ways to experience the area, no matter how many times you visit or how many days you spend!

One of the (many) other incredible things about Cancún is that it’s beautiful all year round. Like, seriously: the weather is nearly perfect at any point in time, from January to May to October. Sure, there are certain months that are warmer than others, wetter than others, and more humid than others, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a time in Cancún that isn’t pretty dang amazing when it comes to the climate. I’ll be talking more about this in just a minute, so keep reading if you want to find out what times of year I’d recommend having a Cancún wedding!

Cancún Destination Wedding FAQ’s

Next, I wanted to answer some questions I frequently see couples asking about weddings in Cancún!

Is Cancún a good place to get married?

Whoops—I think I may have already answered this one! But again, I could talk for hours about everything that makes Cancún a not just good place to get married, but an AMAZING place to get married. 

Here are the main things that makes Cancún a premiere location for weddings:

• The ease of access from the U.S.
• The bright blue turquoise waters & white-sand beaches
• The endless activities available (outdoor, indoor, adventurous, relaxing, you name it)
• The luxurious oceanside resorts & spas
• The exciting nightlife opportunities
• The beautiful weather year-round
• The fact that it’s one of Mexico’s safest vacation cities

How much does it cost to have a wedding in Cancún?

It’s honestly different for every couple, I can’t really give you one specific estimate! The cost of your Cancún wedding will depend on a few major things:

• How many people you’re inviting
• What venue you choose
• How long you’re staying in Cancún
• What your priorities are
• What your budget is
• What costs you’re covering for your guests (if any)
• What vendors you hire (and whether they’re local, or you’re paying for their travel to Cancún)

According to Paradise Wedding, the average cost of a wedding venue in Cancún is between $5,000-$7,000 for an all-inclusive wedding with 30-60 guests. But that number only accounts for a fairly intimate group of guests, and is only for a venue—so the cost of your wedding as a whole would be higher than that. While I can’t tell you exactly how much your Cancún wedding will cost, you can start to figure out an estimate on your own by listing out your priorities, deciding on your ideal budget, and starting to research possible vendors!

If you’re looking for ways you can save money on your Cancún wedding, here are a few ideas to help you cut down your costs:

• Invite a smaller group of people, and have a party back home at a later date to celebrate with the rest of your loved ones
• Book a resort venue with good block room rates
• Hire local vendors that you won’t have to pay travel fees for, or find vendors who include travel in their packages/prices
• Stay at an Airbnb instead of a luxury hotel during your trip
• Cut out the wedding favors for your guests—they’re already getting an amazing experience in Cancún thanks to you!
• Instead of a wedding registry, ask your guests to contribute to a honeymoon fund (you’re  not directly saving money through this one, but you’re gaining money you can use for your honeymoon!)

As far as Cancún wedding photography costs go, my Cancún wedding packages start at $4,200 for weddings over 60 people, and $3,600 for weddings fewer than 60 people. But if you book me when I’ve already got a trip planned to Cancún, all the travel fees will be waived! I’d love to chat with you about my travel schedule + help you find the package that works best for you!

What is the best time of year to have a wedding in Cancún?

Like I stated before, Cancún is pretty beautiful all year-round, but there are definitely different times of year that are better for certain things than others, such as outdoor activities or lounging around by the pool/beach!

Summers in Cancún are hot, but temperatures typically don’t get above 93°F—it’s the humidity that’ll getcha. Hot season in Cancún lasts from June to September, with temperatures typically ranging from 77°F-90°F, and cool season is from December to March, with temperatures ranging from 67°F-83°F. Dry season is from November to April, and wet season is from May to October. And hurrican season is from August to November!

If your main priority is clear, warm days without any rain so you can relax by the pool or on the beach, I’d say the best time to get married in Cancún would be from late January to early May, which is when you’ll get the hottest weather and the best chance at blue skies! 

Additionally, If you care more about having comfortable temperatures to do outdoor activities such as hiking, you may want to steer closer to the beginning of the year, from December to early March, when temperatures are lower but still plenty warm. That’s usually the busiest time of year, too, because a lot of folks are looking to escape the cold temperatures of winter and enjoy a warmer, tropical climate! I’d say that for these reasons, winter (December-March) is the best time of year to have a wedding in Cancún.

What is the best time of day to get married in Cancún?

It’s totally up to you, and what you want the timeline of your wedding day to look like! If you want to have a golden hour ceremony on the beach, then you should aim to have your ceremony about 40 or so minutes before sunset. If you want to have a morning ceremony followed by a yummy brunch and a day out on the water/at the beach, then you might opt instead for a late morning ceremony, when temperatures aren’t too hot yet. If you want to have the whole morning and early afternoon to get ready for your wedding, and you want to have plenty of time in the evening for a reception/after party, then go for a late afternoon ceremony. 

Here’s what you should keep in mind when choosing a time of day for your Cancún wedding ceremony:

• Temperatures
• Lighting
• Crowds/tourists
• Setup/breakdown time
• How much time you want to get ready
• How much photography coverage you’ve booked
• How long you have your venue for 
• Activites you want to do in the morning/evening
• Time for meals/snacks

What are the busiest months in Cancún?

The busiest months in Cancún are definitely the winter and early spring months, usually from December to early April. This is when a lot of people want to come visit for the holidays and to escape the cold, as well as for a vacation during spring break! So if you want to get married during the least busy time of year, you’ll want to choose a date in the summer or fall, between May-October.

What are the most expensive months in Cancún?

The busiest months (December-April) are ALSO the most expensive months, due to higher amounts of tourists and increased demand for things like flights, hotels, transportation, etc. Some wedding venues will even be more expensive during peak tourism season, so if you want to save money on most areas of your trip, you could have a summer or fall wedding instead of a winter wedding—just beware that hurricane season of between August-November!

How to Get Married in Cancún As Foreigners

Before we dive into some of the most breathtaking Cancún wedding venues, we need to cover some of the legal stuff—aka how to actually legally get married in Mexico if you’re foreigners, because the process is different than here in the U.S.

I also want to mention the option of a symbolic wedding, which is when you get legally married in the U.S. before your trip, and then have a symbolic wedding in Mexico instead! It’s a lot easier to get your documents all signed and good to go back home than having to go through the full process of getting your birth certificates translated, requesting a marriage permit, etc. Then when you’re in Mexico, you can still have a ceremony, but it’ll just be symbolic and not actually anything legal—it’ll save you a lot of time!

Here’s what you’ll need to do if you want to get married in Mexico as U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Embassy & Consulates:

• Complete a marriage application
• Have a valid passport
• Have up to date tourist permits with Mexican Immigration Authorities
• Request a marriage permit from Mexican Immigration
• Have your birth certificate and three photocopies
• Have an Apostilled birth certificate translated into Spanish
• Have four witnesses over the age of 18
• Get a prenuptial medical exam done, including test for HIV and syphylis (must be done in Mexico no more than 15 days before your marriage)
• Have valid photo ID and one copy
• An appointment scheduled for the day before your wedding date with the Civil Registry Office

You can read more about marriages in Mexico for U.S. citizens here!

5 Best Wedding Venues in Cancún

There are SO many phenomenal wedding venues in Cancún, so trust me when I say that you won’t have any issues finding the perfect one for you; the only problem you’ll face is trying to pick just one! Below are 5 of the best Cancún wedding venues that would be the perfect place to host your tropical celebration. 

1. Finest Playa Mujeres

Finest Playa Mujeres is my personal favorite Cancún wedding venue, offering literally everything you could ever dream of for a luxurious beachside wedding in Mexico. Pristine white beaches? Check. All-inclusive accommodations and top-tier wedding packages? Check. Glistening pools, on-site spa experiences, a golf club, a fitness center, and a huge assortment of fun activities for all ages? Checkkkk. The team of wedding professionals at this resort are absolutely incredible, with tons of experience planning unforgettable beachfront weddings that ensures your day is nothing less than flawless. With a number of unique venues to choose from (including a gorgeous spot on the beach, a romantic courtyard under the palm trees, and a charming gazebo), it’s SO easy to create your dream Cancún destination wedding at Finest Playa Mujeres. There are truly options for everyone, and for every type of celebration, from private elopement ceremonies to large gatherings of all your friends and fam! Everyone will absolutely adore you for the once in a lifetime experience you’re giving them by getting married at this tropical paradise 😉 

Venue options:

• Beach
• Grand Palapa
• Stone Gazebo
• Sky Bar Terrace
• Las Dunas Beach House
• Convention Center
• The Palms
• Paradise Palapa

Packages: $850-$2,400+

Packages include:

• On-site assistance
• Minister service for a symbolic ceremony
• Ceremony decor
• 1-hour cocktail party
• Florals (varies by package)
• Sound system
• Spa services (varies by package; e.g. hair, makeup, massage, etc.)

2. Sandos Cancún

An all-inclusive resort on a private white sand beach with idyllic ocean views, a luxury spa, gourmet restaurants, and a multi-layered infinity pool? Say less—Sandos Cancún is without a doubt one of the most lavish wedding venues and resorts in all of Cancún. Located in the Hotel Zone (of course), Sandos Cancún sits between the Mayan Riviera coastline and the Nichupte Lagoon, boasting a wide array of opulent amenities, services, and experiences for any couple looking for a truly top-tier tropical getaway. Sandos Cancún has a variety of gorgeous wedding venues available including an expansive beach, an open-air penthoues terrace, and a rooftop terrace overlooking the bright blue sea; each of which is absolutely jaw-dropping and made for epic wedding celebrations! You’ll have access to your own personal wedding planner to ensure your day goes as smoothly as possible, along with a ton of different wedding services to choose from such as ceremony setup and decor, private cocktail hours, music and entertainment, and even complimentary honeymoon amenities. And did I mention there are endless activities and unique experiences going on right at the resort?! You and your guests won’t even need to leave the property to have the trip of a lifetime!

Venue options:

• Beach
• Penthouse terrace
• Rooftop terrace

Packages: $4,450-$6,450+

Packages include:

• Symbolic ceremony
• Ceremony setup
• Florals
• Private cocktail hour with open bar
• Private dinner reception with open bar
• Ambient lighting
• Reception setup
• Sparkling wine and custom wedding cake
• Centerpieces
• Sound system
• Personal wedding coordinator
• Makeup and hair at the Sandos Spa
• Couple’s massage at the Sandos Spa
• Complimentary honeymoon amenities

3. Villa La Joya

Villa La Joya is a premiere destination wedding venue located just south of Cancún, offering couples a breathtaking private villa to get married in—a bit different (and more secluded) than the large resorts in the Hotel Zone. This venue is an amazing option if you and your partner want a bit more privacy, and want to enjoy your own exclusive space with all of your guests, rather than stay at a resort with hundreds of other people around! It’s a freaking dream come true of a venue, with an abundance of luxury, phenomenal ocean views (and super easy access to the beach), and one of the best parts: no resort restrictions or limitations placed on your wedding, since it’s a private residence! You’ll have the beach all to yourselves and won’t have to worry about bad weather—Villa La Joya partners with Clear Sky Tents to provide these massive, clear tents that create a beautiful (and protected) setting in case you need to escape a rainy day. The architecture of this venue is to DIE for, with beautiful arches galore, thoughtful details at every turn, gorgeous patterns and textures, and a spacious pool right by the beach. Trust me, your guests will thank you if they get to spend time at this incredible spot!

Venue options:

• Beach
• Pool house/patio (able to be covered)
  
  Packages: N/A – reach out to venue for information

4. NIZUC Resort & Spa

Honestly, are we even surprised that the next venue on this list is another award-winning luxury resort on the beach? One of my favorite things about NIZUC Resort & Spa is the way they’ve laid out their wedding website to give you a really beautiful glimpse into what your wedding day at the resort could actually look like, starting with breakfast in bed, a relaxing massage, and then an oceanside ceremony surrounded by everyone you love. With four different luxurious outdoor venues to choose from (including a lush tropical garden and a tranquil spot on the beach), NIZUC offers an idyllic destination for a beachside escape, where you’ll be able to lounge around on the beach, relax in soaking tubs, rejuvenate at an award-winning spa, and swim in scenic infinity pools. NIZUC even has on-site fitness classes and excursions including snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, yachting, and more activities that will make your trip absolutely unforgettable!

Venue options:

• NIZUC Garden
• A’Kan Terrace
• NIZUC Beach
• Terra Nostra Terrace & Lower Deck

Packages: N/A on website – contact venue to request a proposal

5. Azul Beach Resort

Our final Cancún wedding venue for today (though there are MANY more incredible options to choose from) is Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancún, nestled on a gorgeous spot in Playa del Carmen just 15 minutes from the airport. With both adults-only and family-friendly areas around the property, it’s super easy to tailor your experience to be exactly what you want it to be, whether that looks like a luxury getaway with your closest friends (and the kids left at home), or a family-centered affair with the whole group! Azul Beach Resort will blow your mind the moment you step foot on the property, featuring 6 different pools, 6 restaurants, 400+ lavish suites, and an on-site spa for all the relaxation + rejuvenation you could ever ask for. Yes, that even includes swim-up suites and easy access to one of the most gorgeous beaches in Mexico! The staff at Azul knows what they’re doing, ready to provide you with an effortless wedding experience from start to finish thanks to their dedicated planning services, all-inclusive packages, and honeymoon options that’ll make for the dreamiest post-wedding celebration.

Venue options:

• Roof Garden
• Lavaz Gazebo
• Sky Deck
• Palapa Yoga

Packages: $3,500-$5,200+

Packages include:

• Dedicated wedding planner
• Personalized wedding website & honeymoon registry
• Non-denominational minister
• Florals
• Ceremony decor and seating
• Candlelit dinner on the beach
• Honeymoon breakfast in bed
  

My Top Cancún Travel Tips

Last but not least, I thought I’d throw in a few final Cancún travel tips to make sure your trip is as incredible & stress-free as possible! As your Cancún wedding photographer, I’ll also be more than happy to help provide you with my guidance and expertise when it comes to planning your wedding, and giving you advice on the best places to go, where to stay, where to eat, etc. 🙂

1. Don’t forget the sunscreen (and sunglasses, and hats)
2. Monitor hurricane season (August-November)
3. If you’ll need transportation from the airport (such as a shuttle), book it ahead of time
4. Avoid drinking the tap water (stick to bottled)
5. Spend time touring places like the Tulum Ruins, Mayan Beach, and the iconic Chicen Itza
6. Keep pesos on you for tipping
7. Pack layers (even if you think you won’t get cold!)

Cancún Wedding Photographer

Now that you know pretty much all there is to know about tying the knot in Cancún, it’s time to hire a pro to help you make it happen + document the incredible day you’re bound to have! I’m Marisa, and I’m a PNW based photographer obsessed with all things Cancún. I’ve visited multiple times and every single time I fall more and more in love with this magical destination. If you’re looking for a Cancún wedding photographer who will provide you with a personalized experience, dreamy photos, and an authentic story of your one-of-a-kind day, I’d love to be the photographer for you. You can learn more about what I offer and get a peek at my Cancún wedding packages and pricese here, and if you’re ready to plan your celebration, let’s freaking make it happen!

Need some wedding inspo to help you start envisioning your big day? Check out a few of my recent blog posts below:

Intimate Garden Wedding

Modern Farmhouse Wedding

A PNW Wildflower Photoshoot Guide