Elopement in Mexico: All Inclusive Elopement Packages
If you want to plan a beach elopement, Mexico is a great option. There’s plenty of easy and affordable flights from every major city. Mexico has all inclusive resorts in every price range, for every interest. Some big resorts have everything on site, including their own nightclubs and shopping centers. Smaller boutique hotels can offer luxuries like private plunge pools, gourmet restaurants and world class spas.
Mexico is a beach lovers paradise. From the white sandy beaches of Cancun, to the golden dunes of Cabo - you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your wedding. By choosing an all inclusive resort and elopement package, it’s easy to plan a fabulous, intimate wedding for the two of you.
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Eloping at an All Inclusive Resort in Mexico
When you plan your elopement at an all inclusive resort, there’s usually two people who will help you: a travel agent, and the on site wedding planner at the resort.
The travel agent will help you choose the best resort and book your travel. Once your trip is booked, you’ll send payments, and make plans directly with the resort wedding planner. The resort planner will reserve your ceremony time, your dinner reservation and take care of any extras that you want to book for your elopement.
Legal Requirements to Get Married in Mexico
A marriage in Mexico is recognized by the US and Canadian government, as long as you’ve met the local requirements for marriage:
To have a civil ceremony in Mexico, you’ll need to have your documents translated into Spanish and notarized or apostilled ahead of time.
After you’re married, your marriage certificate will be considered legal, but it will be in Spanish. Depending on where you live, you might need to have it translated into English after you’ve gotten home.
The civil ceremony will be performed in Spanish. If you don’t speak the language, most resorts will be able to provide a translator.
You need to arrive in Mexico 3 business days before your wedding date.
You also need 4 witnesses to arrive 2 business days ahead of your wedding date. If you’re eloping alone, don’t worry - many resorts can provide the witnesses for you.
You’ll need to complete a blood test, after you’ve arrived in Mexico.
It seems like a lot, but your resort wedding planner will walk you through all the steps and the paperwork. On the day of the blood test, either the doctor will come to your resort or you’ll take a taxi to a nearby medical clinic. To get married in Quintana Roo, you’ll need to bring translated, apostilled copies of your documents:
Birth certificates
Passports
If either spouse is widowed or divorced, you’ll need a certified copy of the death certificate or divorce decree.
Tourist ID (that you’ll receive from customs when you arrive in Mexico)
Symbolic Wedding Ceremony in Mexico
If you’d rather skip the requirements and have your ceremony in English, lots of couples get married ahead of time, at home. You can go to your local courthouse for a legal ceremony, then plan a meaningful, symbolic ceremony for your Mexico wedding.
Most elopement packages include a symbolic ceremony only. If you decide to have your legal ceremony in Mexico, there’ll be extra fees for the paperwork and officiant. Make sure to ask your resort wedding planner for prices and include it in your budget.
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Mexico?
To elope in Mexico, your biggest expense will be your travel costs. You’ll need to pay for flights and your nights at the resort. You can decide if you want to stay for a long weekend, or make it a week long trip. If you’d like to use a free elopement package, most hotels will require you to stay 7 nights. Plus, since you’re flying all that way - why not stay for a week and count it as your honeymoon!
Sample Budget to Elope in Mexico
If you’ve got a healthy budget, consider booking a full elopement package, and hiring a destination wedding photographer. If you’re on a smaller budget, you can look for a free elopement package, or a package that includes photography.
At Home Costs:
Wedding rings $300 - $1200
Marriage license $100
Legal wedding ceremony $200
Wedding outfits $350 - $1,200
Destination Costs:
Flights to Mexico $380 - $700 (2 people x $185 - $350 roundtrip)
7 nights at an all inclusive resort $700 - $4,000 (7 nights x $65 per night from Villa Palmeras - $510 per night from Haven Riviera)
Elopement package $1,000
Wedding photographer $1,250
Total Cost: $4,280 - $9,650
Bride and groom on a tropical beach in Mexico.
What’s Included in an Elopement Package?
All inclusive packages will have everything you need for your elopement wedding. Plus, they’ll usually include some nice extras, like room decorations or spa discounts. Most packages include:
Symbolic marriage ceremony
Bouquet and boutonniere for the couple
Sparkling wine toast
Small wedding cake
Romantic dinner reservation
What’s Not Included in an Elopement Package?
While the packages have everything, they usually just include the necessities. If you want to add more decorations or flowers, most resorts have catalogues with extras that you can choose from. You might also want to add:
Legal wedding ceremony
Wedding photographer or videographer
Hair and makeup
Private dinner
Save Money on Your Mexico Elopement Package
If you’re on a tight budget, there’s a few ways to save money on your resort, your wedding package or your travel fees:
Choose a resort that offers free elopement packages and don’t add any extras. Most packages are basic, but they include everything you need. You’ll already be in a tropical paradise, so don’t worry about extra decorations or flowers if it’s not in the budget.
Most elopement packages include a symbolic ceremony. Legal ceremonies cost extra. If you’re on a tight budget, it’s less expensive to get married at home first.
Travel during the week instead of on a weekend. Prices for flights will vary, depending on where you’re flying from. In general, flights are cheaper on weekdays.
If you can’t find a resort in your price range, consider looking in a different area. For example, Riviera Maya could be less expensive than Cancun.
If you have trouble finding a resort, try talking to a travel agent. Most agents get paid by commission, so they can help you book your trip without costing you extra.
Free Elopement Packages at All Inclusive Resorts
Choosing a free elopement wedding package is a great way to stick to your budget. Just make sure you’re ok with the limitations:
Some resorts only offer the free ceremonies during certain times. You could end up getting married at 10 am on a Tuesday. But since you’re on vacation anyway - that could be as good a time as any!
While you’re reading the small print, check to see how much notice is required. Some free offers need to be booked 6 months in advance.
Most packages are free if you’re booking a minimum of 7 days. If you’re not staying a full week, you’ll probably need to choose a paid package.
You might need to book your room in a certain category in order to receive a free package. Room categories depend on their size and location. You might need to book a higher category than you planned in order to get the free package.
Depending on your schedule and your priorities, a free package could work out perfectly. Just read the small print before you decide. Once you do the math, you might be better off paying for a more flexible elopement package.
Should You Book an Elopement Package or a Wedding Package?
Most couples decide to elope on their own, with just the couple, plus an officiant. Some couples want to include their parents, siblings, or a close friend or two.
If you want to bring a few people, you can still plan an easy and inexpensive elopement at a resort in Mexico. Most resorts offer basic wedding packages for up to 10 guests. It might be called a small wedding or a micro wedding, but it can be as simple as planning an elopement when you use the resort package.
Small wedding packages usually include a symbolic ceremony, flowers and seating, plus sparkling wine, cake and a dinner reservation. If you have a bigger budget, you can add nearly anything to a wedding package. For more about booking a package with guests, read this next: Choosing An All Inclusive Destination Wedding Package
Best Elopement Packages at All Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
The beach at a resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
If you haven’t traveled to Mexico before, you might be surprised by how many options there are for resorts. If you don’t have a spot in mind, start by considering the three main resort areas: Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cabo San Lucas.
Cancun is best for exciting nightlife, shopping, and beaches that look exactly like a postcard. Riviera Maya has gorgeous beaches, too. Resort beaches in Riviera Maya are usually bigger than the ones in Cancun. If you’re looking for more privacy, Riviera Maya could be a good choice.
Cabo San Lucas is on the opposite side of the country - it’s south of California. If you’re flying from the west coast, you could find shorter or less expensive flights. In Cabo you’ll find golden beaches, dramatic deserts and beautiful spots for an elopement wedding.
All three areas have fantastic resorts at every price level. But there’s a lot! I’m not joking when I say there’s hundreds of resorts to choose from. So don’t try to choose too quickly. Take your time looking at different resorts. With so much information online, you can compare reviews, prices and packages before you make your decision. For more about choosing the best resort, read this next: Best Resort For a Destination Wedding.
If you have a certain resort in mind, contact their wedding department to arrange an elopement wedding. If you haven’t chosen a resort yet, there’s lots of all inclusive hotels that offer elopement packages.
If you see a package you like, make sure to check out their website. Most hotels have resorts in more than one location.They might have resorts in Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum and more. Some even have resorts in Jamaica or Dominican Republic if you want to see all the options.
Please note: I’m not associated with these hotels - this is for informational purposes only and is accurate at the time of writing. Contact the resorts directly for the most current packages and price lists.
Cancun Elopement Packages
Wyndham Alltra Cancun
Wyndham Alltra Cancun is a family friendly resort right on the gorgeous Cancun beach. It’s in the hotel zone, so it’s easy to visit nearby shops, attractions and excursions. One of the best things about the resort is how many locations they have for your wedding ceremony. You can choose from the beach, a gazebo, a chapel or terrace.The package is free if you book 7 nights. If you’re staying less than 7 days, you can purchase the package.
Just For the Two of You Elopement Package
On site wedding planner
Symbolic marriage ceremony and certificate
Bridal bouquet and groom boutonniere
Sparkling wine and wedding cake
Dreams Sands Cancun
Dream Sands Cancun is at the top of the Cancun hotel zone with fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea and Isla Mujeres. The resort has 6 restaurants, plus a buffet, grill, cafe and ice cream parlor. Along with swimming pools, activities, and a full service spa this resort is perfect for a fabulous elopement and honeymoon in one.
At $1,100 the price of the elopement package might seem high, but it includes everything from hair and makeup to photos. If you want an easy choice with one up front price, this is a great option. The package also comes with room and spa perks. Visit their Wedding Package Page to see all the details.
Elope in Luxury Package
On site wedding planner
Symbolic wedding ceremony
Hair and makeup
Day of wedding clothes preparation
Bouquet and/or boutonniere for the wedding couple
Sparkling wine and wedding cake
Romantic dinner reservation
20 digital photos from the wedding ceremony
Mayan Riviera Elopement Packages
Dreams Riviera Cancun
Dreams Riviera Cancun is south of Cancun, in the Mayan Riviera. The resort offers gourmet dining and top shelf alcohol. Plus a full service spa with a hydrotherapy circuit. For your wedding, there’s several beautiful wedding venues to choose from, including the beach, the gazebo, an ocean view terrace or tropical garden.
The resort is owned by the same company as Dreams Sands Cancun, so they offer the same Elope in Luxury Package. The price range for rooms is a bit different, so you can check out both resorts and choose the one you like best.
Elope in Luxury Package
On site wedding planner
Symbolic wedding ceremony
Hair and makeup
Day of wedding clothes preparation
Bouquet and/or boutonniere for the wedding couple
Sparkling wine and wedding cake
Romantic dinner reservation
20 digital photos from the wedding ceremony
Hard Rock Riviera Maya
The Hard Rock Riviera Maya resort combines the fun Hard Rock experience with great food, fun activities and a fantastic beach. For ceremony decorations, they offer choices in different styles, including boho, modern, tropical and lavish. Your ceremony can be set up at a beach location, a gazebo, chapel or terrace.
Most of the packages are designed for up to 32 guests, but the resort does offer elopement ceremonies. Contact the resort wedding planner for more details:
Wedding Inspiration at Hard Rock Riviera Maya
Royalton Riviera Cancun
The Royalton Riviera Cancun is south of Cancun, in Playa Del Carmen. The resort has 9 restaurants and 12 bars, plus activities, a nightclub and a casino. For your wedding, they offer incredible locations, including a sky terrace, a gazebo and the beach. They have a special package for elopement weddings that includes everything you need for only $699, plus some bonuses like room upgrades and spa discounts.
Just the Two of Us Elopement Package
On site wedding planner
Symbolic marriage ceremony
Bridal bouquet and groom boutonniere
Sparkling wine and wedding cake
Private dinner at the beach
Cabo san Lucas Elopement Packages
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is the perfect resort for an elopement wedding. There’s 8 restaurants, plus 9 bars and lounges. With daily activities, entertainment and a full service spa, you’ll have the perfect honeymoon, too. The resort offers a free elopement package that includes everything you need for your wedding.
For Just the Two of You
On site wedding planner
Symbolic marriage ceremony and certificate
Bridal bouquet and groom boutonniere
Sparkling wine and wedding cake
These are just a few of my favorite resorts in Mexico. If you don’t find one you like right away, don’t worry - there’s hundreds more to choose from! Remember, you can always check popular travel websites, like Expedia. Or talk to your local travel agent. Most agents will help you book a trip without charging any extra fees. If you don’t travel a lot, they can also offer you advice about different areas, resorts and flights.
Deciding on your resort is the biggest decision, so take your time. Once you’ve chosen your resort, the rest of your elopement plans will fall into place. And before you know it - you’ll be packing your bags and jumping on the plane!
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