Riviera Maya Weddings, Mexican Caribbean weddings

YES, I will marry you! Let's do it in Mexico!

Congratulations you are getting married! And you want it to be very special. Well the Riviera Maya is a perfect tropical destination for your romantic event. You really can do almost anything you can dream of here. Weddings can be planned at lavish resorts or an intimate villa. If you prefer a simple ceremony on the beach with a catered reception, that can be arranged as well, or the reception could be at a local restaurant reserved just for you. There are plenty of options. With the advice of a good wedding planner and a little luck, your wedding in Mexico can be the wedding of your dreams.

Since planning a wedding in Mexico can be difficult long distance (especially if you don't speak Spanish) Loco Gringo can recommend two great wedding planners who have plenty of experience planning and coordinating all the professionals and services you will need for your Riviera Maya wedding.

Here are the basic questions

For vow renewals these same questions apply.

When do you want to get married?
How many guests will be attending?
Do you want rehearsal dinners, receptions or other parties in your plans?
Would you like massages or manicures for the brides maids?
Do you want live music, a dj, etc.?
Are you looking for a sit down ceremony or a casual one?
Are you looking for a religious ceremony or a justice of the peace presiding?
What is your budget?

The other thing to discuss with your wedding planner is a back up rain plan. It does rain sometimes, so a alternate plan if the weather is unfavorable is always good to have.

Villa weddings

Loco Gringo has some villas that do permit special events and weddings.
These include:

When you consider reserving a villa for your event you need to keep in mind these homes have policies in place that include event fees and security deposits. Many homes do not allow weddings simply because they are not suitable for a large gathering or event.

Wedding planners
If you need assistance to plan your big day:

Jen Smith Email for Marry Me Akumal website
Natalia Schweitzer Email for Weddings on the Beach website

Both of these women have ample experience planning large and small events, including intimate ceremonies and even the renewal of vows events. It is important, however, to let them know a few things, before they get started. And if you are only looking for a wedding cake, Jen can help you out with a custom wedding cake!

Boutique Hotel weddings

Weddings and special events can be held at any number of boutique hotels on the Riviera Maya. Many of these hotels do not have set policies for this but can provide an itemized list of charges and considerations upon request. Your wedding coordinator will be your liason between the hotel management and you.

Hotel Le Reve in Xcalacoco, just north of Playa del Carmen, is one of our favorite boutique hotels. It has beautiful room suites and a semi-private beach that is perfect for weddings and special events. Please inquire for additional suggestions or more info on Le Reve.

All inclusive resort weddings

Many people choose to be married at a resort because the entire wedding party and guests can all be at the same location. If you think an all inclusive resort is your best option, consider that resorts sometimes have their own wedding planners and you may be required to work exclusively with them. If that is the case, LocoGringo can get you started and also assist with your room reservations because we work with these resorts all the time.

One of the nicest resorts that offers weddings is the El Dorado Royale, Below are some of their wedding packages.

The Free Sweet Wedding

Requirements

Filing of all documents
Justice of the Peace or non-denominational Minster
Professional services of an on site wedding coordinator
Complimentary online bridal registry and wedding web site
Decoration of wedding location including red carpet aisle runner, chairs for 12 people and table with white linen
Romantically decorated suite on wedding night
Breakfast in bed on first honeymoon day
Dinner reservations for wedding group in the El Cocotal International restaurant (maximum 40 persons)
Plus amenities of the Honeymoon & Anniversary Package
The Free Sweet Wedding Package is valid when booking a Casita Suite for a minimum of 7 nights plus 15 additional room nights in any category.

Honeymoon & Anniversary Package

Private romantic candle light dinner on the beach for the couple
Chilled bottle of domestic champagne delivered to couples room upon arrival
Couples ½ hour massage lesson
Tropical floral arrangement in room
Guaranteed king-size bed
Special in room towel arrangement daily
Bathrobes for use during stay

Valid in Canada, USA and reservations booked at published rates only.
Must be booked at least 30 days in advance.

SILVER Wedding Package

Requirements.
Please ask about pricing.

Filing of all documents
Justice of the Peace or non-denominational Minster
Professional services of an onsite wedding coordinator
Complimentary online bridal registry and wedding website
Decoration of wedding location including red carpet aisle runner, chairs for 12 people and table with white linen
Romantically decorated suite on wedding night
Breakfast in bed on first honeymoon day
Dinner reservations for wedding group in the El Cocotal International restaurant (maximum 40 persons)
Heart shaped petite wedding cake for two
Chilled bottle of domestic champagne
Brides fresh floral bouquet
Grooms boutonniere
Plus amenities of the Honeymoon & Anniversary Package

GOLD Wedding Package

Requirements.
Please ask about pricing.

Filing of all documents
Justice of the Peace
Professional services of an on site wedding coordinator
Complimentary online bridal registry and wedding website
Decoration of wedding location including red aisle runner, chairs for 12 people and table with white linen
Romantically decorated suite on wedding night
Breakfast in bed on first honeymoon day
Dinner reservations for the wedding group in the El Cocotal International restaurant (maximum 40 persons)
Heart shaped petite wedding cake for two
Chilled bottle of domestic champagne
Brides fresh floral bouquet
Grooms boutonniere
Blood test
Professional wedding photographer and 36 color picture package plus negatives
Hand made wedding album
Plus amenities of the Honeymoon & Anniversary Package

All offers are subject to change.

Rules and Regulations

Maximum wedding group size is 500 persons.
Conditions, restrictions and cancellation fees apply.
The Free Sweet Wedding Package is valid when booking a Casita Suite for a minimum of 7 nights plus 15 additional room nights in any category. Valid in Canada, USA and reservations booked at published rates only.
Must be booked 30 at least days in advance.
Package inclusions may vary without previous notice.
Room reservations must be made separately

Web page links for: El Dorado Royale, El Dorado Seaside Suites, El Dorado Maroma and Azul Beach. Please email us reservations@locogringo.com and we can get you the wedding package information for these resorts so you can get started on your special day.

The Paperwork!

Civil Ceremony - Foreigner marries Foreigner

In order to get married in Mexico, you must submit the following documents to your Wedding Coordinator at least 3 full working days prior to your wedding date.

Valid passports (cannot use expired passport).
Apostilled Birth Certificates Only necessary if you wish your parent's names on your marriage certificate.
Tourist Visas - present the document provided by customs upon your entry into Mexico.
Four Witnesses. The names, ages, addresses, nationalities, occupations, and valid passports for the four witnesses. The witnesses must also provide a copy of their tourist cards and passports. Witnesses can be Mexican nationals, which we can provide, if necessary.
Blood tests - Blood type, RH factor, Venereal Disease and HIV test. This blood test must be done in Mexico at any local clinical laboratory. Results available in 12- 24 hours.
Doctor's Certification of the blood test. You must have a certificate from a local doctor that certifies the lab results. Some clinical laboratories provide the services of a doctor for a packaged cost, which normally is more economical.
Marriage License and Ceremony Applying for your marriage license can be done in most municipalities, you can reserve the Justice of the Peace months in advance and this reservation is confirmed one week prior to your wedding date.
Arrival Date At least four business days before the ceremony. The couple and four witnesses need to go to the municipal office to sign the license application at least four business days (including the day of the ceremony) if it falls on a business day (does not include Mexican holidays or Sundays when you count your days). When you apply for the license and pay your fee, you must also submit the blood tests results, doctor's certificate, copies of your passports, tourist's visas and show your original passports.

Civil Ceremony - Mexican marries Foreigner

In order to get married in Mexico, you must submit the following documents to the Wedding Coordinator at least 3 full working days prior to your wedding date:

Original and copy of the Mexican's birth certificate.
Original and copy of an official photo ID of the Mexican person.
Passport for the foreigner
Copy and original of an Immigration permit to marry a Mexican.
Original of a blood test (blood type, RH factor, venereal disease, HIV), to be performed here in Cancun within 15 days of the wedding date.
Doctor's Certificate of Health
If the foreigner is living in Mexico, their FM2, FM3 or FMT must be presented also.

*Please note- Couples who have a wedding performed by a priest or minister in Mexico do not receive a Mexican marriage license unless they also have a registered civil marriage with a Mexican Justice of the Peace. All fees quoted are estimates and subject to change.

Civil Ceremony - Mexican marries Mexican

In order to get married in Mexico you must submit the following documents to the Wedding Coordinator at least 3 full working days prior to your wedding date.

Original y copia del acta de nacimiento de los contrayentes.
Original del certificado medico prenupcial con pruebas del VDRL, VIH, y RH (máximo 15 días antes de la boda).
Copias de identificación con fotografía de los contrayentes (pueden ser: credencial de elector, cartilla militar o pasaporte).
Si alguno de los contrayentes es viudo o divorciado copia del documento.
Si alguno es menor de edad, copia de identificación de los padres y estos deberán presentarse el día de la boda como testigos y/o dispensa matrimonial expedida por el secretario del H. Ayuntamiento de Solidaridad o de Ayuntamiento de Municipal de la boda.
Copia de la identificación con fotografía de dos testigos por contrayente.

A few candid wedding pictures

Our thanks to Bartley & Jennifer Smith who provided the photography for this article from their wedding events. Please visit their website: Marry Me Akumal and Turtle Bay Cafe in Akumal, Mexico.