The words “free” and “wedding” are rarely seen together, but there’s a way to spend your money so that the wedding itself is at no cost.
There’s one saving grace for budget-conscious couples that allows them to get the destination wedding of their dreams in stunning locations like Mexico…for free.
Yep, that’s right, a free destination wedding in Mexico.
Many resorts offer complimentary wedding packages that make destination weddings possible for a much lower price.
Think of it as booking a vacation surrounded by your loved ones and getting a wedding for free!
Every resort defines a “free wedding” differently and offers a unique selection of complimentary elements.
Free weddings are great for eloping and intimate affairs, but they can also allow mid-sized or large groups to experience your special day in a unique and picturesque setting.
Different packages offer a range of opportunities, so it’s important to find the package that best suits your dreams.
Let’s jump in and learn more about free destination weddings in Mexico!
The budget for your wedding depends on a range of factors.
Ultimately, it’ll come down to what matters to you most.
The average cost of a destination wedding is around $30,000 as of 2023, which includes more costly locations like Hawaii or European countries.
The wonderful thing about choosing locations like Mexico is that the average cost of destination weddings in Mexico is often between $10,000 and $20,000, excluding travel.
There are plenty of packages where you can save serious money.
Even better: Complimentary wedding packages can drop your costs even lower!
They make it easier to stick to your budget by carving off thousands of dollars you’d otherwise spend on expenses like venue hire, wedding coordinators, or photographers.
It’s important to mentally frame what you’re spending money on when taking advantage of free destination wedding packages.
By offering a free wedding package, resorts are effectively only asking you to pay for an all-inclusive stay in their resort.
They then reward your choice by offering free wedding packages to allow you to host your wedding with them.
In this sense, all you have to do to have your wedding without spending any money is to choose one of these free wedding packages and meet the criteria.
Consider taking a minimalist approach to your big day to keep your costs as close to nothing as possible.
This means using only the elements included in the package without any additional add-ons.
Although this can sound like a less glamorous approach, some of the most elegant and enjoyable weddings enjoy this simplicity, especially when you have a beautiful backdrop to rely on.
Typically, guests pay for their own stay when you choose an all-inclusive resort as the location for your destination wedding.
Because these are all-inclusive resorts, this means that when guests pay for their stay, that includes their food, accommodation, and drinks.
The same is often true of travel costs; guests commonly pay for their own flights into Mexico.
Make sure that you understand the conditions for any free wedding package, as the resort may require a minimum stay period or that the married couple-to-bestay in a specific room category.
The wedding can be free as far as the resort and its services are concerned.
This means your decorations, cake, food, music, and even your officiant can all cost you nothing, depending on your chosen package.
It’s important to remember that there are some costs you may be unable to avoid because they’re essential to getting married, such as legal or licensing fees associated with weddings outside of the US.
Depending on the package, some essential elements may still come at an additional fee, such as hiring a Justice of the Peace or minister to perform the ceremony.
Keep reading to see our team’s curated list of the top resorts for a free destination wedding in Mexico:
Beach Palace Cancun is in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone, perfectly primed for beautiful beach-front scenery.
Beach Palace Cancun is also an accessible destination from Cancun Airport and is close to many other top attractions.
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Note that you also earn Palace Resorts “Wedding Credits” of $20 per room per night to personalize or upgrade your wedding.
Best for: Couples and groups of up to 30 want a luxury experience close to or on the beach.
One of the gems of the Yucatan Coast is the Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun boasts some of the best views in Cancun to provide your wedding with an unforgettable backdrop.
They offer diverse wedding options, including Christian, Jewish, LGBT, Hindu, Islamic, Asian, and non-denominational ceremonies.
Hyatt Ziva offers a range of complimentary wedding packages and is a terrific option if you’re planning to have about 50 guests at your destination wedding.
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Best for: Couples and groups of up to 50 who want to stay close to the beach and have a passion for gourmet food and beverage.
Dreams Playa Mujeres offers couples a chance to experience a wedding in paradise with a strong financial incentive.
Nearly all the Dreams resorts offer complimentary wedding packages, but the most popular right now is Dreams Playa Mujeres.
This Dreams resort is located just north of Cancun and offers as much fun on the golf course as relaxation in the spa.
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Best for: Couples or more intimate groups of around ten guests who want to get away from Cancun’s hotel zone. This resort is especially appealing to avid golfers.
The Always and Forever Wedding Package at the Azul Beach Resort allows couples to enjoy a picturesque wedding in Riviera Maya.
This resort is south of Cancun, which allows wedding-goers to enjoy distance from the bustle of the hotel zone.
Azul Beach Resort is considered medium-sized, with 430 luxury suites and offers one of the best wedding packages in Cancun.
Best for: Couples with a love for gourmet food and beverages. The scalability of the Cash for Your Bash Promotion means this is a suitable resort for larger weddings.
Another resort to consider if you’re seeking a free destination wedding in Mexico is the El Dorado Maroma, another Karisma resort that offers the Always and Forever package.
El Dorado Maroma is also away from the hustle and bustle and offers an adult-only experience that’s one of the best in Riviera Maya.
El Dorado Maroma was voted one of the top four resorts in Mexico by readers of Condé Nast Traveler.
The Always and Forever package is also offered at other Karisma resorts, including Generations and the El Dorado Royale and Casitas.
Always and Forever package can be complimentary through Karisma’s Cash for Your Bash Promotion.
This factors in the time of year, room category, and chosen resort to reward the wedding couple.
Best for: Couples wanting a quiet and romantic wedding. Guest numbers are also scalable because of the Cash for Your Bash Promotion.
The complimentary wedding package at the Hard Rock Riviera Maya includes your ceremony right on the beach for a stunning turquoise backdrop.
Hard Rock Riviera Maya resort is in Puerto Aventuras, allowing guests to see even more of the Mayan Riviera.
Best for: Groups of over 20 guests as your private events will become free
The Grand at Moon Palace Cancun is another Palace Resort that offers unique scenery and integrates its Wedding Credit program to allow couples to upgrade their complimentary package by booking more guest rooms.
If you talk to anyone on our team, it’s no secret we’re obsessed with the Grand, as it’s consistently rated one of our favorite family-friendly destination wedding resorts.
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Note, as with the Beach Palace, you can earn “Wedding Credits” of $20 per room per night to personalize or upgrade your wedding.
Best for: Foodies and groups looking for endless activities. The Wedding Credit program incentivizes weddings with larger groups staying at the resort.
Now, before we move away from the topic of resorts that offer free destination wedding packages, let’s take a look across the Caribbean at one of our favorite resorts in Jamaica.
Sandals South Coast offers free tropical weddings with some very attractive perks, not to mention the atmosphere and island surroundings!
Best for: Couples wanting a romantic tropical wedding with a competitive offering. The more people you bring, the better your offer gets, meaning this resort is an excellent option for those who wish to have large weddings requiring as many as 50 rooms.
If the idea of enjoying your special day in a tropical paradise appeals to you, be sure to look out for our guide on Jamaican destination wedding venues!
We know there are many considerations when trying to get your destination wedding for free, which can all seem confusing and overwhelming.
With our years of experience, we’ve found there’s an affordable option for everyone, whether you want an intimate “flip-flop” wedding or an all-out bash with all your nearest and dearest.
The complimentary wedding options you can find all across Mexico’s finest resorts are an excellent way to achieve your paradise wedding.
We work with you alongside on-site wedding planners in Mexico’s top venues to help the cost become another thing you don’t have to stress about.
Our experienced wedding planners at Destination Weddings by Vacationeeze are with you every step of the way.
With decades of experience planning hundreds of weddings, our team understands what couples are looking for and how to navigate working with the resorts.
Our dedicated team will work with all your friends and family so you can focus on planning your dream wedding.
Ready to start planning your big day?
Call us at 215-454-2070 or get in touch with us here.
Jared is a certified destination wedding travel advisor and has been recognized as a top agent by Palace Resorts, Karisma Resorts, Lomas Hospitality, and Hyatt Inclusive Collection.
He caught the travel bug early in his life as his parents (the founders of Vacationeeze!) instilled a passion for travel and adventure in him and his siblings.
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