Are you dreaming of an intimate tropical elopement in the Riviera Maya of Mexico?
Choosing to elope on the beach in Mexico, without the financial stress and expectations of a traditional wedding, shows that you don’t need the spotlight of a big, fancy celebration to prove your love to one another or anyone else.
Strip away the grand performance of getting married, and a wedding elopement becomes YOUR special memory to share together, an opportunity to celebrate your love and commitment to each other.
But you may be wondering how to plan a destination wedding elopement in Mexico?
We are Riviera Maya elopement experts, and we want to help make this easy and seamless for you. Read on for our five simple steps on how to elope in Mexico.
Check out Vanessa & Mike’s romantic Holbox elopement here
1. Do you want to get legally married in Mexico?
The first step in planning to elope is to consider whether you want to have a civil (legal) ceremony or a symbolic (non-legal) ceremony.
Consider the differences:
What do you need for a civil wedding ceremony?
- Passports, including copies, for both of you and FOUR witnesses
- Tourist cards (these are issued when you enter Mexico)
- Your birth certificates and copies
- Divorce or death certificates (You must be divorced for ONE year before re-marrying in Mexico)
- Blood test results, done no more than 15 days before your wedding day
- Marriage request form
Everything must be translated by a certified translator and notarized in Mexico. Then your ceremony must be performed by an officiant of the civil registry of the local municipality in Mexico – a Judge.
I know, this sounds a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t worry, this is why we have wedding planners! They will hold your hand through it all. (Contact us to be connected with the best!)
*An important note: If you are a US citizen who wants to get legally married in Mexico, certain states will require your marriage certificate is translated into English to be recognized as legal. Find your state on the list here.
Our Keep it Simple Tip!
If you would rather not jump through all these hoops, not to worry! Easy, stress-free wedding elopements are our specialty!
Have a symbolic (non-legal) ceremony instead.
You can have anyone you want to perform the ceremony, like a friend or a Mayan Shaman, or in the case of our elopement packages – Me!
You don’t need witnesses, so your ceremony will be intimate and uniquely yours. Then you simply visit City Hall in your hometown for the legal “I Do’s”.
2. Do you want an all-inclusive resort wedding?
The next step in planning your Riviera Maya elopement is deciding where to get married. You might automatically think of all-inclusive wedding resorts for a destination wedding, and sure, this can be a good option. There are literally hundreds of resorts to fit your style and budget.
The upside to planning an all-inclusive resort elopement is that you don’t leave the resort, and their wedding packages cover whatever you need.
The downsides are restrictions and cost.
You will need to use the resort wedding staff as your wedding vendors, or pay a hefty outside vendor fee (or a vendor penalty). In a nutshell, if you want a specific wedding photographer, florist, or native English-speaking officiant, they will charge you a hefty price to do so. Read more about Outside Vendor Fees and how to handle them.
Furthermore, most clients contact us once they get the sticker shock of the resort wedding packages.
Our Keep it Simple Tip!
Stay wherever you want, and then plan your elopement off-site or off the resort.
But where else can you get married besides your resort? This brings us to step three…
See more from Kevin & Shelly’s intimate elopement here
3. Do you want an off-resort beach wedding ceremony?
When you picture yourself saying “I Do!” in Mexico, is your vision of sandy toes, warm sunshine, and the sounds of the Caribbean sea?
You can also choose from any number of off-resort wedding venues like beach clubs and private beachfront villas or penthouses. If you want to explore your options, just contact us, we can help!
Our Keep it Simple Tip!
Your easiest and most budget-friendly elopement location is a quiet piece of the seaside on a public access beach with your officiant, photographer, and flowers. A short, sweet barefoot elopement is easy. No bells and whistles. Just the two of you and the salty breeze on your sun-kissed skin.
This is our favorite option! Contact us to learn more.
4. Do you want any wedding guests?
Eloping used to mean running away to get married without telling anyone. But times have changed and so have the Do’s and Dont’s of elopement etiquette.
These days eloping can still be just the two of you, but it can also mean an intimate wedding with a few loved ones there to support you and share the adventure. With a guest list of around ten people, any wedding venue that appeals to you is possible.
This comes down to personal circumstances. Consider inviting guests when:
- Your family will be upset if they are not invited to share your wedding day.
- You want a loved one to marry you to add a personal touch to your wedding.
And you should keep it just the two of you when:
- You want to avoid the stress that comes as a result of others imposing their opinions and desires on you.
- You hope to just pop out of town at a moment’s notice. (This could be tricky for others, especially now!)
Our Keep it Simple Tip!
Minimize wedding stress by keeping your guest list very small, or to just the two of you. Then, have a big party at home to celebrate, if that’s your style!
5. Do you want an elopement photographer?
The final step in planning your Riviera Maya elopement is deciding how to capture the memories!
Elopement photography packages of one hour are perfect for two people.
We recommend packages of 90 minutes to two hours of coverage if you have guests.
Do not skimp on wedding photography! Your loved ones will want to share the moment with you, and professional photos are the best way to do that.
Our Keep it Simple Tip!
Contact us now for help! We are the Riviera Maya elopement experts and will help you pull everything together. We have a network of the very best local wedding photographers, videographers, wedding planners, officiants, florists, venues, and hair & makeup artists. We are your one-stop shop for an easy-peasy fun destination wedding elopement!
A destination elopement in Mexico is the perfect way to an intimate, easy destination wedding.
We wish you the best of luck on your elopement adventure, and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us directly, or comment below.
Would you like to learn more about Fun In The Sun Weddings?
- Go to our Wedding Photography Service Page now.
