Mexico ticks many boxes as a destination wedding location. It’s exotic, has incredible cuisine, offers stunning coastlines, and is only a stone’s throw from the U.S. Unsurprisingly, many couples consider hosting a Mexico-set wedding ceremony, and if you’re considering the same, we don’t blame you.
But how much does a Mexico destination wedding cost? Are you likely to break the bank and return home with empty pockets and a sunburn? Or is it a smart, savvy move that will leave you with plenty of extra cash to splash out on sunscreen and more?
Here’s what you need to know.
Many factors play into the total cost of any wedding, and destination weddings are no exception. Key considerations include:
So long as you don’t go for 5-star, ultimate luxury accommodations and wedding venues, the upshot is that a Mexico destination wedding is generally far cheaper than one held on home soil. According to a 2022 article from Carats & Cake, you can expect to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 for a Mexico wedding, depending on the type and location of the event. In comparison, the publication noted, a wedding in the U.S. cost, on average, around $20,000 in 2020.
So what exactly goes into the total cost of Mexico destination weddings?
Well, quite a lot. However, the good news is the total cost is still generally less than that of a traditional wedding, and your job/budgeting is even easier if you opt for one of the all-inclusive wedding packages that many resorts offer, as you won’t need to book and pay for multiple separate vendors.
Here’s a list of typical costs for a Mexico destination wedding.
Will your current PTO cover your entire trip, or will you need to take unpaid days? If the latter, how much money will you lose?
This includes taxis, flights, and transfers to and from the airport. Also, will you need transport to get around while you’re in Mexico? According to Trip.com, round-trip economy flights from the U.S. will set you back around $200–$500.
Include your accommodations for the entire stay, not just the wedding night. Expect to pay roughly $900–$4,700-plus for a seven-day stay in an all-inclusive resort. Prices can vary depending on your desired amenities, the resort you choose, and the time you travel.
These vary wildly in cost and depend on the resort. Some are free and included in the price of your stay. Others start at around $2,400 and go up to $11,500-plus for something as simple as eloping to host a full-fledged wedding with numerous guests.
If your wedding package doesn’t include one, expect to pay $500–$6,000 for a wedding photographer. We recommend shopping around for the right photographer and even looking into elopement photographers!
The groom’s and/or bride’s outfits and accessories will factor into your total wedding costs. The cost can vary greatly depending on whether you choose traditional wedding attire or something simpler. Check out how to save on your wedding attire here!
Don’t forget these! Wedding rings can cost $500–$1,100, but the price you pay is completely based on your preferences. You could spend no money and use family heirloom rings, or you could pay top dollar for from-scratch custom rings. Custom wedding bands are a great way to memorialize your wedding!
A resort wedding package will cover a certain number of guests, but you’ll have to pay extra for more guests, so choose your wedding party carefully. Anticipate at least an additional $26–$130 or more per extra guest to accommodate the extra seat, a plate of food, and a slice of cake. You can easily avoid this extra cost by carefully controlling your guest list.
No doubt you’ll want to sample the best of Mexico while you’re there, so factor in this expense, too. Base this cost on your own spending habits, and try to be honest with yourself about how much you’re likely to spend.
As a side note, don’t hesitate to ask or haggle for a better price when booking or purchasing wedding services. You never know what you might get in return, and it doesn’t hurt to ask politely. You may find yourself with a few freebies thrown in, or a free night’s stay, particularly if you can guarantee a certain number of guests will attend your wedding.
Whether you go to the East Coast or West Coast, Mexico boasts many desirable areas for destination weddings. Location, however, will definitely influence your costs.
Over on the East Coast of Mexico, we have the following popular areas:
On the West Coast, you might consider:
Picking an all-inclusive resort for your Mexico destination wedding is a smart move. Not only will you know what your costs will be upfront for certain aspects of your trip, such as accommodations, dining, and fun, but you also won’t have to fork out any extra once you’ve arrived.
Another advantage of choosing all-inclusive resorts for destination weddings in Mexico? Most tend to offer their own version of an all-inclusive wedding package.
A typical wedding package at an all-inclusive resort will include:
For example, Dreams Sapphire Resort and Spa is an all-inclusive resort in Cancun that offers very comprehensive destination wedding packages for $3,799 and upwards, depending on how many guests you have.
The Grand Velas in Riviera Maya is an exclusive, all-inclusive resort that offers bespoke wedding packages.
The Hard Rock Hotel in Cancun offers a range of wedding packages, including a basic complimentary package, as well as a still-affordable $5,000 all-inclusive package.
A destination wedding in Mexico generally costs between $5,000 and $15,000. However, many factors, such as quality of accommodation, number of guests, etc., can influence the total cost.
Destination weddings in Mexico are generally cheaper than domestic weddings. A U.S.-based wedding is almost $30,000 on average, compared with an average of $5,000–$15,000 for a Mexico-based wedding, which results in at least 50% in cost savings.
The Mexico wedding season runs from October through July, with December–July being the most popular months. This is when temperatures are most agreeable, and the likelihood of hurricanes is far lower. However, because these months are popular, they are also when prices are highest.
The cheapest months to get married in Mexico are August and September. The risk of encountering bad weather is high, though, so many prefer to travel later in the year, in October or November, when bad weather is less likely, but prices are still reasonable.
You must be on Mexican soil for at least three days before you can legally marry. Keep in mind that you cannot get married on a Sunday.
That dream beach wedding at one of Mexico’s stunning venues may not be as out of reach as you first anticipated. In fact, a Mexico destination wedding can be far cheaper than a traditional wedding in the U.S. But, as with anything, it takes some careful research and planning to ensure the best deals and the right price.
At The Groom Club, we’re dedicated to helping our readers find the best and most affordable ways to host a destination wedding. Whether you’re considering an elopement or just need tips on planning a destination wedding on a small budget, check out our many articles on all things destination weddings.
