Here’s Why I Love Destination Weddings at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean
I’m going to give you a heads up - I am an absolutely HOPELESS romantic.
I love it all - the flowers, the gifts, the sweet looks, the PDA, the grand gestures, the little moments. I love every single bit. I love seeing people in love, celebrating their love, communicating their love, receiving their partner’s love, and living their love.
All of this to warn you that there isn’t much I don’t like about weddings… period.
But when it comes to destination weddings at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, there are some things that I especially like.
It can actually be a VERY cost-effective choice
When you book your destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean, your costs can be considerably less than if you’re paying for a standard wedding in the United States.
Contrary to popular belief, your flights, accommodations, and wedding package at your all-inclusive resort venue will likely come in under what you’d end up paying for your venue, your vendors, your food, and your drink packages, etc. etc. etc.
Additionally, these resorts have vendors onsite or preferred vendors, and many offer discounts, freebies, and other perks to destination wedding couples - but I’ll explain more about that further down.
It’s easy for the couple
Like, super easy.
Most all inclusive resorts have a dedicated team of wedding planners onsite, and if you work with a destination wedding designer, it’s pretty likely we already have a solid relationship with the team at your resort to make sure things go extra smoothly.
When I say easy, I mean it. These teams work on HUNDREDS of weddings each year, and if you’re booking your destination wedding at a reputable all-inclusive resort, they have it down to an absolute art.
AKA: The right people at the right resort get your plan for your vision of your dream destination wedding, and your work is done.
Plus, your accommodations, food, beverages, house cleaning, entertainment, and venue are all in one place - for you, AND your guests.
Not to mention the VIEWS! You want beach? Jungle? Mountains? Waterfalls? All of the above? Consider it done, and get ready for the most amazing wedding photo album you’ve ever seen. Make sure to check out our featured destination wedding photographers if you’re still searching for yours!
Now, you just need to figure out how you’re going to pack your wedding dress(es)
Couples choose a wedding package and inclusions
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean LOVE the business you bring to their properties with your destination wedding, and the great ones show you by offering you a suite of destination wedding packages with amazing inclusions.
Usually, you’re looking at several options that increase in price as they increase in inclusions. You may also see a la carte style.
This is fantastic for couples that like to customize, and want to make sure they aren’t paying for anything they don’t want. You can browse the options at your resort, OR you can figure out what components you absolutely MUST have for your destination wedding and choose your all-inclusive resort based on who can match what you’re looking for.
Customization
Speaking of customizing your destination wedding, make sure you take the time to really study the resorts and destinations that appeal to you. Some resorts may have stricter rules about adjustments you can make to their offered packages, or how many guests you can have, or whether or not kids are allowed (spoiler alert - some all inclusive resorts don’t allow guests younger than 18 years old on the property, even for a wedding!).
But let’s not forget that you have the opportunity to create your DREAM destination wedding, anywhere in the world.
How custom is that??
Choosing an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean for your venue means you’ll get to consider options such as:
Beachfront, jungle, cityscape, mountainous, or a combo?
Adults only, or family friendly?
Boutique and intimate, or massive and sprawling?
How many swim up bars?
Indoor or outdoor wedding and ceremony?
Hair and makeup in your suite, or in the spa?
Potential for freebies
As I mentioned, these resorts LOVE the business your destination wedding brings them. Depending on how you book your destination wedding, guest minimums, and other conditions of the resort, you as the wedding couple have the opportunity to get married for free.
Yes, you read that right - free.
And if not free, if you’re booking your destination wedding at a reputable all-inclusive resort, they will offer you special touches such as a free spa treatment, breakfast in bed the morning after your wedding, or even a free reception for a certain number of people included with your wedding package.
Make sure you thoroughly understand conditions and requirements for any perks based on guest attendance, because you may end up on the hook financially for any guest rooms that aren’t filled depending on how you booked your destination wedding.
Other fairy-tale ever after perks that I’ve seen resorts offer their wedding couples include MAJORLY upgraded rooms, a free private dinner on the beach, and photography and videography services included.
Of course, these perks ALLLLL depend on where you’re staying, when you’re there, what the current offerings are, and availability.
Consider your guests entertained
Grab your to-do list and cross of coming up with an entire schedule to make sure your wedding guests are entertained.
And if you’re working with me to design your destination wedding, maybe just go ahead and toss that to-do list out the window
You’re inviting the people you love most in the entire world to celebrate your beautiful wedding day at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean, which means there’s probably going to be at least one pool, a gorgeous beach, free flowing food and beverages, resort entertainment, and endless options for excursions and adventures!
…Problematic guests
We all have to admit it - not everyone we love is an angel.
If your wedding guests are getting TOO crazy, and not in a good way, a reputable resort will have staff that can take care of any issues without you having to worry about a thing, or even be involved if you prefer.
And if these guests get upset with you, you can always remind them that it was up to the resort’s decision, not you.
Plus - an international destination wedding requires passports for all travelers, as well as flights, as well as days off work (maybe), etc. etc.
And I know that some people on your guest list won’t want to put in the effort or spend the money, which is such a bummer…… orrrrr, can be a major win for you (you know what I’m saying?)
Did I hear someone say Two Weddings??
Legal ceremonies internationally can quickly bury you in paperwork and requirements in a language you don’t know, which means that a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico or the Caribbean presents you with the perfect opportunity to celebrate your wedding twice.
Almost all of my destination wedding couples get married legally here in the United States before their destination wedding, and celebrate with a beautiful intimate ceremony and reception.
THEN, they take off for their dream destination wedding to have a symbolic ceremony in their dream destination of choice.
I don’t know about you, but the thought of celebrating the biggest day of our lives (so far) more than once sounds amazing.
It’s honeymoon time
Forget about worrying that you won’t be able to make time for your honeymoon.
The second your reception is done, your honeymoon can begin (if you want it to!)
A lot of my couples LOVE that they can immediately dive into honeymoon mode without any additional planning, logistics, or payments.
Plus, if you want, you can hang out with your invited guests while you celebrate your honeymoon!
And if you DON’T want to see any of their faces, you can always escape to your beautiful room, elsewhere on the resort, on an excursion, or to another property entirely. This is a GREAT option for couples that want privacy and don’t want to see their guests after the wedding day, but don’t want to delay their honeymoon or take another flight. I can help arrange your honeymoon stay and your transportation, and none of your guests need to know where you disappeared until you post about it on Insta.
One downside to bring up
For my LGBTQIA+ couples: PLEASE be aware that not all countries in the Caribbean allow LGBTQIA+ couples to have legal ceremonies yet, and some also prohibit symbolic ceremonies at this time. Make sure to consult the national laws of the destinations you’re considering prior to booking your destination wedding.
To wrap it up,
let’s just say that for the right couple, a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico will be absolutely perfect. Couples that want a relatively cost effective, easy to organize, one stop shop destination wedding venue, I really recommend you consider this option! If you’re looking for something a bit more private, such as an Italian villa, or something more rustic and adventure based, like a dude-ranch in Montana, it might not be the right choice.
I really recommend outsourcing the design of your destination wedding if you’re finding yourselves feeling more stressed than blessed in your engagement, and here are the questions you should be asking the destination wedding designers that you’re interviewing.
Cheers to you and your forever together!
I’m Erin, your travel bestie. Based in Michigan with plans to see the entire globe, I am passionate about empowering my travel clients to create and experience your very best adventure. After studying abroad in Rome during college, marrying the love of my life in 2020 (COVID wedding!), and becoming a mom, I know that we all want to spend less time stressing on the internet and more time enjoying the people we love. Let me help you achieve this by taking on the work of your next vacation so you can spend more time enjoying your people.
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