Mexico Destination Wedding

In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Mexico.

Weddings in Mexico: What You Need To Know

Mexico is a popular destination for weddings due to its beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture.

A destination wedding in Mexico is the perfect way to celebrate your love with a touch of romance.

From the stunning beaches to the colonial cities, there are endless possibilities for creating a one-of-a-kind wedding.

There are many beautiful and unique locations to choose from, and the weather is perfect for a wedding year-round.

And with so many wedding packages available, it’s easy to find a package that fits your budget.

Whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony or a lavish affair, a destination wedding in Mexico is sure to create lasting memories.

But first: you need to know where in the world Mexico is…

Where is Mexico?

Mexico is located in southern North America. It has extensive coastlines on the Gulf of Mexico to the east, and the Pacific Oceanto the west. The northern border with the United States is 1,969 miles (3,169 km) long, and in the south it borders Guatemala and Belize.

Area: 758,450 sq mi (1,964,375 sq km). Population: (2022 est.) 128,550,000. Capital: Mexico City.

Mexico Facts To Know:

  • Language: Spanish
  • Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)
  • Airports: Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Cancún International Airport (CUN), Guadalajara International Airport (GDL)
  • Official Tourism Website: https://www.visitmexico.com/en/
  • Driving side: Right

Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Mexico for your special day:

4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Mexico

Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!

But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Mexico:

1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests

Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Mexico or closer to home.

You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.

Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:

2. Decide on a budget

When it comes to having a Mexico wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.

But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.

Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:

3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget

No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.

Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Mexico:

4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details

A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.

Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Mexico

Mexico Weddings: Key Information

Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.

To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Mexico:

  • What is the average cost of a wedding in Mexico?
  • What are the marriage requirements for Mexico?
  • What is the weather like in Mexico?
  • What should you pack for a trip to Mexico?
  • What things are there to do in Mexico?
  • What are the best Mexican wedding venues?

Read on to find out more:

How Much Does a Wedding in Mexico Cost?

Marriage license cost in Mexico is $30.

The cost of an Apostille stamp in the United States is $20 per document.

Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Mexico

As each of Mexico’s 31 states and the Federal District has its own General Civil Registry Office, the conditions for tying the knot in Mexico might vary from one jurisdiction to the next.

Therefore, it is recommended that you get in touch with the relevant agency in the area where your wedding will take place to learn more about the specifics of the procedure and any prerequisites.

When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:

  • Valid passport, and a copy of the passport.
  • Valid Mexican entry documents – visas, migratory form, etc.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Provide the relevant documentation if one or both partners are divorced or widowed.
  • Medical certificates (blood tests and chest X-rays).
  • Some states require a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) that you can obtain from your local register office.

Other legal requirements are:

  • You must request a marriage permit from Mexican Immigration upon arrival.
  • To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
  • Four witnesses are needed at the ceremony, who must be at least 18 years old and have valid identifications.
  • The marriage permit needs to be requested from the same jurisdiction where your marriage will take place, and depending on the state the process may take up to two weeks.
  • Blood tests are required, and cannot be older than 14 days. They have to be done in Mexico.
  • Some states require chest X-rays, so it is best to check locally.
  • All international paperwork has to be translated into Spanish by an official translator in Mexico, and notarized by the Mexican government. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
  • Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
  • What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.

Expect your legally recognized marriage certificate (acta de matrimonio) to arrive between 6 weeks and 4 months after your wedding in Mexico.

In Mexico, only civil marriage is regarded as legal. Although a religious ceremony is not required, a civil ceremony is still required for a marriage to be recognized by the law. The majority of Mexicans have both a civil ceremony, and a church wedding.

You may need to apply for a foreign marriage permit if you want to marry a Mexican citizen or permanent resident.

What Is The Weather Like in Mexico?

Northern Mexico’s coastlines and deserts are best explored in the spring (March–April) and fall (September–October), with October being the best month in general.

Even though the big reason for visiting the tierras frìas is to avoid the summer rain, consider avoiding the month of September as it is also a rainy month. It is possible to visit the Tierras Fras in the wintertime as well; however, you should be aware that the evenings may be rather chilly there.

You may visit tierras calientes from December to February to escape both the heat and the rains of summer, and those are nice months since October and November are still quite rainy in certain areas. April and May are the hottest months of the year since the rains have not yet arrived.

In terms of the sea, the southern coast is pleasant and sunny in winter (e.g. Christmas and New Year), with a warm sea (about 82 °F/28 °C), making it ideal for a beach vacation. The ideal time to visit Acapulco is from November through April.

The Yucatán and Gulf of Mexico coasts don’t have the best weather in winter for a beach vacation: the sky is often overcast, it sometimes rains, and the Norte may bring a little bit of cold air.

The best season is spring, which lasts from March to May with a preference for April. In March, there may still be a little amount of cold air, particularly during the first half of the month, whereas in May it starts to become hot and there are the first thunderstorms.

Cabo San Lucas and the rest of southern Baja California have pleasant springs as well. Even in the summer, the air on the northern coast of Baja California is mild enough to sunbathe, even though the water is quite cold.

What should you pack for your trip?

In winter: If you are visiting the Chihuahuan desert and the mountains, pack warm clothes, a jacket, a hat, gloves.

If you are going to Baja California, the tierras templadas, or the eastern plains, pack clothes for spring and fall.

For Mexico City and the tierras frìas, bring clothes for spring and autumn during the day, and also a warm jacket and a hat for the evening.

For the highest mountains, bring warm clothes – a down jacket, gloves, and a beanie.

For the tierras calientes, pack light clothing, and a sweatshirt for the evening in Yucatan and Riviera Maya.

If you will be going to the reef, bring snorkeling equipment, including water shoes or rubber-soled shoes.

In summer: Remember to bring light clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light raincoat.

If you’re visiting the Chihuahuan Desert, you may want to bring a sweater for the cooler evenings.

Pack a jacket, an umbrella, and a sweatshirt or jumper for the evening in Mexico City and the tierras frias.

You should wear warm clothing, a warm jacket, a wind jacket, gloves, a cap, and hiking shoes if you plan on climbing the highest mountains.

Mexico Weather By Month

Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Mexico:

Average Temperatures in Mexico

The table below shows the average temperatures in Mexico each month:

Month Min (°C) Max (°C) Mean (°C) Min (°F) Max (°F) Mean (°F)
January 19.2 27.6 23.4 67 82 74.2
February 19.4 28.4 23.9 67 83 75
March 20.4 29.1 24.7 69 84 76.5
April 22.2 30.4 26.3 72 87 79.4
May 23.9 31.6 27.7 75 89 81.9
June 25 31.8 28.4 77 89 83.1
July 24.5 32.5 28.5 76 91 83.3
August 24.1 32.8 28.4 75 91 83.1
September 23.8 32 27.9 75 90 82.3
October 23.2 30.9 27 74 88 80.6
November 20.9 29.1 25 70 84 77
December 19.7 28.1 23.9 67 83 75
Year 22.2 30.4 26.25 72 86.7 79

Average Rainfall in Mexico

The table below shows the average rainfall in Mexico each month:

Month Millimeters Inches Days
January 40 1.6 6
February 55 2.2 4
March 60 2.4 3
April 35 1.4 3
May 75 3 7
June 170 6.7 13
July 140 5.5 16
August 140 5.5 17
September 175 6.9 18
October 145 5.7 15
November 45 1.8 6
December 55 2.2 6
Year 1140 44.9 114

Sunshine Hours in Mexico

The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Mexico each month:

Month Average Total
January 7 225
February 8.5 245
March 9 270
April 8.5 260
May 8 250
June 7.5 230
July 7 225
August 7 225
September 7 205
October 7.5 235
November 7 210
December 7 210
Year 7.6 2780

Sea Temperatures in Mexico

The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Mexico each month:

Month Celsius (°C) Fahrenheit (°F)
January 26 79
February 26 79
March 26 79
April 27 80
May 28 82
June 28 83
July 29 84
August 29 85
September 29 84
October 29 83
November 28 82
December 27 80
Year 27.6 81.6

What To Wear in Mexico? (Packing Tips)

It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.

We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Mexico so that you can make the most of your time there.

  • Pack loose, comfortable clothing that will help you stay cool in the heat.
  • Sunscreen: The Mexican sun can be quite intense, especially during the summer months.
  • Hat and sunglasses: A hat and sunglasses will help you in the hot Mexican sunshine.
  • Insect repellent: Mosquitoes and other insects can be a nuisance when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors. Pack insect repellent to keep them at bay.
  • Beachwear: If you are planning on spending time at the beach, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit, and a towel.
  • Sturdy comfortable shoes: If you plan on doing any hiking or exploring, be sure to pack sturdy shoes and plenty of water.
  • Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
  • Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
  • Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
  • First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
  • And finally, pack a sense of adventure and an open mind – Mexico is a beautiful and culturally rich country, and there’s no better way to experience it than by immersing yourself in the culture.

Things to Do in Mexico

There are many different things to do in Mexico, no matter what time of year you visit.

Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:

Best Mexico Wedding Venues & Hotels

With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Mexico?

Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:

Wedding Venues in Mexico

  • Hotel Playa Fiesta in Puerto Vallarta
  • Hacienda Vista Hermosa in Cuernavaca
  • The Reef Resorts in Playa del Carmen
  • Zama Beach Club
  • Villa la Joya

Hotels in Mexico

  • Comfort Inn Hermosillo Aeropuerto
  • Hotel Casa Faroles Centro Histórico – Zacatecas
  • Encanto de la Sierra Hotel – Mascota
  • Hotel MEX cuautitlán – Cárdenas
  • Hotel JYE by Serranillo – Mineral del Monte Hgo
  • Kapok Bacalar – Plant Based Hotel – Buenavista
  • Hotel Xcoco Inn – Texcoco de Mora
  • PAL.MAR Hotel Tropical – San Francisco
Check out the full list here: 60+ Wedding Destination around the World