Congratulations to anyone reading this, for it’s safe to assume you’ve recently got engaged! That, or you’re living vicariously, which of course, there’s nothing wrong with either. Anyhow, if you are starting to plan your wedding, and you’re thinking outside the box with a destination, then might we suggest Mexico is a pretty amazing choice?
Gorgeous, golden sands, culture and history by the bucketload, a fantastic, varied cuisine and warm, hospitable people…need we continue? If that’s tickled your fancy and you’d like to drill down into the detail, then read on; our 5 IDEAL destinations in Mexico for your wedding.
COZUMEL
Whether you’re looking for a beachfront wedding or one set against lush verdant landscapes, Cozumel could well be the destination for you. Due to its long-standing reputation as a great place to tie the knot, there are many vendors, planners and wedding bands on site ready to take the paradox of choice out of the planning stage.
Mid December through late April tends to be the best time to host your Cozumel wedding and while there, guests won’t be bereft of entertainment; it’s a true gem in the Caribbean Sea with some of the best scuba diving on the planet and Mayan ruins, specifically the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site, offering historical intrigue.
Aside from the world-class diving and heritage sites, the Punta Sur Ecological Park (which includes the island’s best beach) covers 2500 acres and contains a rich ecosystem, including crocodiles in the marshland, sea turtles close to the shore and exotic plants native to Cozumel. Don’t forget your camera!
LOS CABOS
Stretching from Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos is known as a celebrity hot spot and Spring Break mecca with all the exclusive beach clubs, bars and villas that go with that title. If you’re looking for something a little more low key, boat rides to nearby private beaches are available with fair frequency, with private boat tours in Cabo by La Isla Tour our favourite. Winter months in Los Cabos have the best weather but early spring could work as well for your wedding.
Try to avoid hurricane season, which is at its most severe from August to October, if you want to avoid the curse of rain on your wedding day, but on speed.
RIVIERA MAYA
The coastal stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula offers a mix of Mayan ruins and pristine beaches to provide the perfect balance of tropical and historical feels. Cancun, the area’s major hub, sits on the tip of the peninsula and is a great place for those who love a totally boisterous nightlife.
But if you’re looking for a more peaceful place to say your ‘I do’s’, you could head out to enjoy the rustic charm of Playa Del Carmen, a once sleepy fishing village which is now a hipster haven with oodles of cool. Plan your Riviera Maya wedding for the months between mid-December and Easter to ensure the best weather possible.
GUADALAJARA
It needn’t all be sun, sea and saying I do. If you’re the type who prefers the hustle and bustle of the city (and less sand in your wedding shoes) then another of the best wedding destinations in Mexico is the country’s second metropolis, Guadalajara, could provide the perfect backdrop to your nuptials.
Your party could pay homage at La Minerva, an iconic statue and fountain of a Roman goddess and a fitting tribute to marriage. Nearby Lake Chapala is also as mystical and romantic a backdrop as you could ever ask for. What’s more, the city knows how to throw a knees up for a reception worthy of the proceeding day’s tequila hangover.
TULUM
Phew, that was enough time away from the beach, and the gravitational force of the tide has pulled us right back in. Arguably Mexico’s single most stunning spot, if you’re looking to get hitched in the shadow of the ruins of an ancient civilisation, you should head to Tulum. This humbling place is perched above 40-foot cliffs, and features the famous El Castillo – a striking ruin of a Mexican pyramid, one of many that stood tall over the country thousands of years ago.
You could have your ceremony on the golden sands below then head inland for the party; the Papaya Playa Project is the hippest hangout in town and an upscale, suave affair fit for a special celebration. Or if you can’t tear yourself away from the sand (not sinking is it?) then Nomade has great music, great food and sits right on the coast.
Okay, so Mexico it is for your big day. You’ll need some guidance on first timer tips to the country, right? Check out our 5 IDEAL things to know before your holiday to Mexico here.