(This article has been updated to reflect our most recent experiences)
Have you have already started planning a destination wedding in Mexico? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the incredible amount of fantastic options for weddings in Riviera Maya?
Well, you are not alone!
How do you separate the best resorts for getting married on the beach, from the duds that your guests will hate? You need a little local knowledge and insider advice narrowing down the choices, and so it is for you that we have compiled this ultimate list of the best all inclusive wedding resorts in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
What are the criteria for making it onto our list? We are basing our recommendations on three elements:
1. Our own past experiences in working with a resort while providing photography for a wedding.
2. The feedback we receive from our Brides and Grooms about their experience with a resort.
3. The outside vendor fee that the resort charges the client. (What is a vendor fee, you ask?) If the fee is more than $500 per vendor, or if their policy makes it difficult for you to hire your own preferred outside vendors, then the resort has not been included on our ultimate list. Period.
So, without further ado, and in no particular order…
Best Family Friendly Wedding Resorts
Will you or your wedding guests be bringing children along? Here are the best all inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya for families:
Great For The Kids ~
(Excellent kids clubs, and activities for your youngest wedding guests)
(Katelyn & Andrew, Grand Palladium)
grand palladium
Located 85 kms south of the Cancun airport, you will find a massive resort made up of four complexes: The Grand Palladium Kantenah, Grand Palladium Colonial, Grand Palladium Riviera Maya, and The Royal Suites Yucatan. It can take as long as 30 minutes to cross one end of the resort to another! The upside to this is that there is no shortage of activities and restaurants to occupy your wedding guests. And their kids club is the very best around.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, along with incentives, ranging in price from $740 to $4900 USD. The outside vendor fee is $300 USD.
(Check out Katelyn & Andrew’s beach wedding at Grand Palladium!)
princess hotels
Princess resorts have two massive neighbouring hotels, just north of Playa del Carmen. Hotel Grand Riviera Princess and Hotel Grand Sunset Princess are close enough to the action in Playa del Carmen that you can escape if you want to, but the hotels offer enough family-friendly activities that you may not need to.
Beach wedding packages range from $800 USD to $2700 USD, and their current outside vendor policy is $300 USD per vendor.
(Claire & Adam, Riu Palace)
riu palace riviera maya
The Riu Palace Riviera Maya is located inside the beautiful, palm tree-lined, gated community of Playacar, a 10-minute walk into Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th avenue. If you want to explore, shop, golf, try local restaurants or sample the warm Mexican culture, then this is an unbeatable location. You get the best of both worlds here; one of the best resorts in Riviera Maya, without being trapped in the middle of nowhere for a week.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $810 to $3000 USD. The vendor fee is $250 USD or a night’s stay in the hotel.
Download our FREE Ultimate Guide To Getting Married In The Riviera Maya
(Darrielle & Jobit, Sandos Caracol)
sandos caracol ecoresort
Located 70 kms south of the Cancun Airport is the Sandos Caracol Ecoresort. Besides being one of the best resorts to get married at, what we love most about this resort is the respect they pay to the environment, and it’s cool jungle vibe. It is a big resort, with tons of activities to keep the kids happy. The water park is awesome, and their kids club is one of the best around. An extra bonus is it’s relative proximity to Playa del Carmen, in case you are itching to get out of the resort and explore.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $1250 to $3250 USD. Their vendor fee is $300 USD.
(Check out Darrielle & Jobit’s beach wedding at Sandos Caracol!)
(Nikki & Joe, Now Jade)
now jade / now sapphire
The Now Jade and Now Sahhire are only a quick 28 kms from the Cancun airport, meaning that you can be off the plane and into the pool lickety split, saving you and your wedding guests valuable vacation minutes! The resorts are a good enough size to provide you all with everything you need, without being so big that it takes all day to walk down to the beach.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $999 to $3299 USD. The vendor fee is $350 USD.
(Check out Nikki & Joe’s beach wedding at Now Jade!)
(Amy & Sam, Dreams Riviera Cancun)
dreams resorts
The Dreams resorts are conveniently located everywhere from Cancun to Tulum for weddings in the Riviera Maya. We like their Riviera Cancun and Sands locations, and are particularly fond of their hotel situated inside the beach community of Puerto Aventuras, 72 kms from the Cancun airport. It’s small, and accessible. You can saunter out of your resort and wander along the restaurant-lined marina, watching the dolphins as you enjoy a gelato or a margarita. Golf and boating adventures are right on your doorstep. Come and see why so many snowbirds have made this community their winter home.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $999 to $2999 USD. The photography vendor fee is $120 USD, and other vendors range from $120 to $500 USD.
(Check out Kelly & Manny’s beach wedding at Dreams Sands!)
Best Adult Only Wedding Resorts
If you and your guests are leaving the kiddies at home, and planning on some good quality adult time, then the following options are for you!
excellence playa mujeres
The Excellence Playa Mujeres is located just a hop, skip and an 18 km jump north from the Cancun airport. This means more time for you and your wedding guests at the pool bar! It is a nice sized resort, giving you everything you need for a great holiday, without the 30-minute walk through the resort to the beach. They also have several locations for a beach wedding on site.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $850 to $2400 USD. Their vendor fee is $500 USD.
(Melissa & Brian, Valentin Imperial Maya)
valentin imperial maya
The Valentin Imperial Maya is located 48 kms south of the Cancun airport. This is a nice sized resort, giving you everything you would expect from a 5 star all inclusive, including one of the largest pools in Mexico. We also love that they have responsible environmental practices.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $888 to $4724 USD. Their photography vendor fee is $435, and other vendors range around that price as well.
(Check out Melissa & Brian’s beach wedding at Valentin Imperial Maya!)
(Samantha & Jordan, Secrets Siversands)
secrets resorts
We agree, you really can’t go wrong with the Secrets brand. We chose this location in particular for our list because it is located just 20 kms south of the Cancun airport, has a beautiful beach, and gazebo pier for weddig ceremonies, and has an incredibly low vendor fee!
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $999 to $3299 USD. Their vendor fee is only $150 USD.
(Check out Samantha & Jordan’s beach wedding at Secrets Slversands here!)
royal hideaway playacar
This little gem from Occidental hotels and resorts is located inside the beautiful, palm tree-lined, gated community of Playacar, a 10-minute walk into Playa del Carmen’s famous 5th avenue. If you want to explore, shop, golf, try local restaurants or sample the warm Mexican culture, then this is an unbeatable location. You get the best of both worlds here; a great all inclusive resort for your wedding, without being trapped in the middle of nowhere for a week.
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $2499 to $4999 USD. Their vendor fee is $150 USD for photographers and nothing for other outside vendors.
(Caroline & Hayden, Royal Playa del Carmen)
the royal playa del carmen
You can’t beat the location of the Royal Playa del Carmen, nestled right in the heart of the famous 5th avenue promenade! You get 5-star luxury, with the added benefit of being able to easily venture outside of your hotel to explore. Experience all the best that Playa del Carmen has to offer!
Many all-inclusive beach wedding packages are offered, with incentives, ranging from $549 to $10,500 USD. Their fee for external photographers is $200 USD.
(Check out Caroline & Hayden’s beach wedding at The Royal Playa del Carmen!)
There you have it! These resorts produce some of the very best destination weddings in Riviera Maya, Mexico! Let us know what you decide, and please, give us your feedback so that we can keep this list current.
***If you are still deciding whether an off resort wedding location might be more your style, check out our 5 best off resort venues in Riviera Maya.
And if you’re looking for the best local Riviera Maya photographer, contact us here today! We are Fun in the Sun Weddings, your number #1 choice for wedding photography in the Riviera Maya.
Download our FREE Ultimate Guide To Getting Married In The Riviera Maya
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