Best Destination Resorts For a Catholic Wedding

As a couple considering a destination wedding, you may be wondering if resorts have a Catholic church for your ceremony.

While the process of finding a Catholic wedding chapel can be tricky, there are plenty of resorts with chapels of their own.

Typically, for a small additional fee, you can experience a hassle-free Catholic wedding followed by a beautiful reception overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

Why trust us?

Our expert team of destination wedding travel planners has planned hundreds of destination weddings across Mexico and the Caribbean.

We’ve worked with couples of varying religions to identify the best venue, package, and resort to fit each couple’s cultural traditions and budget to create a lasting memory for you and your guests.

Here’s our hand-curated list of 10 of the best Catholic wedding venues for a destination wedding.

Dreams Tulum

Located along a white-sand beach within the Tulum jungle, Dreams Tulum promises a unique setting for any destination wedding.

With traditional Mexican designs and contemporary decor, you can expect luxury accommodations for guests of all ages.

The property itself is built in the shape of haciendas for an authentic charm.

The rooms offer a tranquil atmosphere with a terrace and hammock for total seclusion.

You will find a range of watersports at the beach while the spa offers a moment of calm with a selection of massages and wellness treatments.

Close by, you’ll find ancient Mayan ruins and the Xel-Há natural aquatic theme park.

If you’re planning a Catholic ceremony, consider hosting your reception in the Secret Garden, one of our favorite venues in Mexico.

Key Amenities:

• A gorgeous pool area where you can relax all-day
• Onsite watersports, a kids’ club, and complimentary green fees for guests who wish to play golf at the Riviera Maya Golf Club
• A lavish spa complete with state-of-the-art facilities and beachfront treatment rooms

Wedding Highlights:

• A lovely Catholic wedding chapel with an old-world charm, for up to 40 guests
• There are no additional fees to use the Catholic chapel, just a priest fee of $500
• Options for an overflow of guests outside the chapel for larger weddings

Best for: Location close to Tulum

Generations Riviera Maya

Another family-friendly resort, Generations Riviera Maya is an impressive hotel with a unique Gourmet Inclusive concept.

Designed for couples, families, and wedding parties, this exclusive resort boasts a premium location on a secluded beach in the heart of Riviera Maya.

Adults will have that they have access to El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas Royale — both located next door.

Meanwhile, the children will be kept entertained at the kids’ club.

If you’re in need of some pampering, unwind at the Naay Spa and indulge in a beachfront massage.

Within the hotel, you will find five a la carte restaurants with everything from traditional Mexican cuisine to classic Indian fare.

Generations is a small resort, but all rooms are oceanfront which is a pretty uncommon for a resort in Mexico.

We love the venues and wedding team at Generations and think the pier is a stunning venue choice for your cocktail hour or reception to follow the Catholic ceremony.

Key Amenities

• 159 suites each with oceanfront views
• Three swimming pools, including an infinity pool and kids’ pool
• Five gourmet restaurants and three bars, including swim-up options
• The Naay Spa, a luxury wellness area complete with a sensations pool, sauna, relaxation areas, steam rooms, and a whirlpool polar pool for an unforgettable experience

Wedding Highlights

• A beautiful church with stunning sea views for up to 150 guests
• The fifth floor Sky Terrace, with exceptional views of the surrounding area
• An area directly outside the church that’s ideal for cocktail parties
• The church also offers direct access to the beach

Best for: Luxury weddings

El Dorado Maroma

El Dorado Maroma is a beautiful adults-only resort, with a boutique feeling on a stunning stretch of white sand beach.

Couples can choose from a range of activities to make you feel relaxed before and after the wedding.

Practice yoga each morning or make a splash with some water sports.

Treat yourself to a beachfront massage at the spa for a moment of R&R.

When it’s time to eat, fulfill your cravings at one of four restaurants.

Each restaurant uses fresh ingredients straight from the hotel’s greenhouse.

Maroma beach is one of our favorites in Riviera Maya and is the perfect venue for your reception.

El Dorado Maroma is also one of the only resorts in Mexico to offer overwater bungalows, making your wedding celebration even more special and unique.

Key Amenities:

• Six swimming pools including a natural salt water pool
• Dance classes, Spanish lessons, and cooking classes
• The Naay Spa, where you can enjoy a soothing couples massage in an oceanfront palapa
• Four gourmet restaurants and six bars

Wedding Highlights:

• A traditional chapel for beautiful church weddings
• A reception on the Beach Area Lima Limon for up to 120 people
• Four different packages with personalized options

Best for: An overwater bungalow luxury stay

Moon Palace Cancun

Great for families, the Moon Palace Cancun is one of the best family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, only 15 minutes from the airport.

With a selection of swimming pools and a tranquil spa, this hotel is the perfect place to unwind in style.

Expect high-end accommodation, chic designs, and an exciting range of restaurants.

If you want to explore the surrounding area, the concierge team can organize a range of unique excursions, including a zip-lining adventure through the jungle.

Our team loves the wedding package offered at Moon Palace as it provides a ton of value to our couples.

You can read our full review of Moon Palace Cancun here.

Key Amenities:

• 27-hole golf course
• Awe Spa, a world-class wellness center with a restorative hydrotherapy circuit
• 17 dining options with everything from wood-fired pizza to Pan Asian cuisine

Wedding Highlights:

• A contemporary Catholic chapel for up to 80 guests
• A beautiful event space directly outside the chapel for cocktail parties and receptions
• An impressive range of venues from intimate beach receptions to decadent ballrooms

Best For: Luxury weddings and fun for the whole family

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Grand Velas Rivera Maya is an incredible AAA Five Diamond resort with something for everyone.

The resort itself is split across three properties, including a couples’ only section and one that’s just for families.

For families, there’s a baby concierge with useful amenities including stroller hire, bottles, and pacifiers.

The Kids’ Club provides a range of fun-filled activities while the Teen Club is open to young people aged 13 and over.

For couples, there’s an infinity pool and a luxury spa with a hydrotherapy circuit, clay room, polar pool, and sensory showers.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya is one of our top picks for a luxury destination wedding.

Key Amenities:

• Three unique properties in one resort with something for everyone
• A world-class spa and wellness center, great for some pre-wedding pampering
• Eight restaurants, from French dining at Bistro to dinner in the jungle at Chaka
• A gorgeous white sand beach, with an exclusive waiter service

Wedding Highlights:

• The Virgen De Guadalupe Chapel, a traditional Catholic chapel for up to 85 guests
• A unique setting in the Yucatan jungle
• A wide range of reception venues including the Zen Pool Terrace (up to 40 guests) and the Grand Velas Convention center (up to 1800 guests)

Best for: Unique wedding locations

El Dorado Royale

Voted one of the top 100 hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler readers, you can expect nothing but the finest hospitality and accommodation at El Dorado Royale.

This five-star adults-only all-inclusive resort has everything you need for a memorable destination wedding.

The resort boasts a wide selection of swimming pools, with quiet nooks to discover.

Fill up on Mexican, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, to name just a few.

If you’re looking for something to drink, there are a selection of bars dotted throughout the hotel.

Sip cocktails on a swing by the beach or simply swim up to the bar from the comfort of the pool.

If that’s not enough, the hotel is also home to the Naay Spa, with a selection of nourishing wellness treatments including its signature chocolate exfoliation.

We love the wedding team at El Dorado Royale and they have one of the best wedding packages in Riviera Maya.

Key amenities:

• A selection of gourmet options with everything from healthy light bites and fresh fruit juices to authentic Japanese sushi
• Activities throughout the day including cooking lessons, Spanish lessons, archery, tennis courts, beach volleyball, and more
• The Naay Spa, complete with a hydrotherapy circuit and a selection of holistic wellness treatments

Wedding highlights:

• An intimate chapel for up to 40 guests
• The Chapel Terrace Gazebo for panoramic receptions under the stars
• A wide variety of wedding packages tailored to your needs

Best for: Adults-only weddings with less than 40 guests

Hard Rock Riviera Maya

Hard Rock Riviera Maya is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that brings the fun for the whole family.

Offering an unbeatable location along a white-sand beach, you will feel relaxed from the moment you arrive.

At the expansive pool area, you will find a water park with a selection of slides.

Children will love the Kids’ Club while the adults enjoy some time-out at the Rock Spa; a trendy area with hydrotherapy current pools, steam rooms, and more.

Families can also participate in a range of group activities, including laser tag, golf, and bowling.

End the day with a delicious dinner at one of the hotel’s impressive restaurants, with everything from pizza to bao buns.

With the perfect combination of luxury and family-friendly activities, our team agrees that Hard Rock Riviera Maya is one of the best family-friendly resorts for a destination wedding.

Key Amenities:

• A private beach with a selection of non-motorized watersports
• Excellent dining options with 14 restaurants and bars to choose from
• The Rock Spa where you can relax in style or the Body Rock fitness center, with a selection of classes from mindfulness to spinning
• Three pool areas with swim-up bars and an exclusive waiter service

Wedding Highlights:

• The San Charbel Catholic chapel, with magnificent glass walls overlooking the ocean
• The chapel has capacity for up to 100 guests with overflow options
• A chapel fee of $1,100, including a sound system and chapel usage
• A selection of unique reception venues, with something to suit all styles and preferences

Best for: Fun vibes and excellent entertainment

Hotel Xcaret

Home to a beautiful wedding chapel, Hotel Xcaret is a luxury family resort in the heart of Riviera Maya, just ten minutes from Playa del Carmen.

Within the resort, you will find 11 restaurants and state-of-the-art wellness facilities.

The hotel sets itself apart with outstanding dining facilities, including a Japanese grill and a 100% vegan restaurant located within a charismatic cave, for a memorable dining experience.

Through the hotel’s All ‘fun’ Inclusive program, guests will also enjoy free access to the Grupo Xcaret parks, including waterparks and zip lining adventures.

Key Amenities:

• 900 suites across five unique buildings
• The Muluk Spa, a world-class wellness center with fabulous treatments, including an agave body exfoliation
• A complimentary ferry ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeres

Wedding Highlights:

• One of the most beautiful church wedding chapels in Mexico, located at the top of a pyramid structure with spectacular sea and jungle views
• Space for 150 guests inside the chapel, with overflow options
• A long list of options for your wedding reception including dinner in a cave or a party on the beach
• No additional fee for Catholic weddings

Best for: Stunning views and unique reception venues

Atelier Playa Mujeres

If you don’t intend to invite kids to your wedding, the Atelier Playa Mujeres is a great choice.

With authentic Mexican designs and a wonderful art collection, this five-star hotel promises a memorable cultural getaway.

Enjoy unlimited access to various activities and watersports, including kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, before resting your feet at the Nuup Spa.

Take a dip in the 1360 square meter pool or tuck into culinary delights at one of the hotel’s gourmet restaurants.

Finish the day with a tropical cocktail and sunset views at one of the stylish bars.

Key Amenities:

• 593 luxury suites
• More than 20 restaurants and bars
• The Nuup Spa complete with a hydrotherapy circuit, beauty salon, and 18 treatment cabins

Wedding Highlights:

• A traditional wedding chapel in a secluded part of the resort, with breathtaking jungle views
• Up to 94 guests are permitted in the chapel with options for an overflow of guests outside
• A chapel fee of $1500 which includes a priest, use of the chapel, paperwork, and a sound system
• The bridal party can enjoy access to the exclusive bridal Dress-Up Lounge at the Nuup Spa, with a private bar and plenty of space to get ready

Best for: Couples looking for peace and quiet before and after the wedding

TRS Coral

Retreat to the Yucatan Peninsula for an unforgettable destination wedding at the TRS Coral, a gorgeous resort with an idyllic location on a sandy beach in Costa Mujeres.

The Party Lovers wedding package is one of the best all-inclusive wedding packages under $10,000 that may be a great fit for you and your celebration.

With elegant suites, multiple swimming pools, tennis courts, and a beach club, this adults-only hotel is the perfect place to unwind before and after your big day.

Enjoy daily entertainment at the Chic Cabaret & Restaurant with jaw dropping performances and good food.

For total relaxation, the Zentropia Palladium Wellness & Spa is a world class center with an outdoor relaxation area, Jacuzzi, whirlpools, steam rooms, an ice cabin, and incredible treatments to leave you feeling refreshed.

For fans of the Netflix show, Love is Blind, you may recognize TRS Coral from season 2!

Key Amenities:

• 469 suites complete with a private balcony or terrace
• Seven a la carte restaurants and 18 bars, each with their own individual atmosphere
• A world-class spa and a Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre

Wedding highlights

• An exquisite Catholic chapel located in the hotel’s “Village”, shared with the Coral Hotel Costa Mujeres
• Three floor to ceiling glass windows with incredible sunset views
• One of the tallest Catholic chapel ceilings in the area, for an additional sense of grandeur
• The chapel seats 100 guests with a fee of $650, including chapel usage and a sound system

Best for: Couples looking for sleek architecture paired with traditional Yucatan vibes

Recap: 10 resorts with a Catholic chapel for a destination wedding

If you are looking for a church wedding venue in Mexico, these resorts take the time and hassle away.

Planning a Catholic wedding in Mexico may be tricky, but with the help of an experienced travel advisor to identify the right venue, you’ll be saying “I do” in no time.

Along with beautiful chapels, these resorts also offer fantastic all-inclusive packages along with luxury accommodations and non-stop entertainment to ensure that you and your guests have the most memorable stay.

 

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