How to Elope in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide
White sandy beaches, amazing food, and ancient temples are all things you can experience on your elopement day in Mexico. This country is quickly becoming a popular destination for couples all around the world looking for an adventurous elopement experience, and this guide covers just that. Learn about how to elope in Mexico with this thorough guide which covers:
How to Elope in Mexico: The Ultimate Guide
Can Foreigners Elope in Mexico?
Yes, foreigners can elope in Mexico. While you don’t have to be a resident of Mexico to get married there, it is a lengthy process. Two non-residents can get married in Mexico with a passport, tourist visa and some paperwork (it’s been said that Official Mexican government processes aren’t the fastest, heads up!) Often times with out-of-country destination weddings and elopements, our couples will file the legal paperwork in their home state and elope with a symbolic ceremony.
How to get a marriage license in Mexico
These steps pertain to two U.S. citizens getting married in Mexico. If you are from a different country or have a different situation, be sure to contact the Mexico Embassy to get more information.
To get a marriage license in Mexico:
You will need a passport, tourist card, birth certificate, and a chest x-rays along with a blood test (which must be done in Mexico). All documents must be translated into Spanish, notarized by the nearest Mexican consulate, and ‘Apostilled’ in the country you currently live.
Marriage license fee in Mexico:
The marriage license fee to get married legally in Mexico is $30 and the waiting period depends on where you will be eloping, as some licenses have longer waiting periods than others.
Personally, we recommend that our couples have a legal ceremony in their home country, followed by a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, as the process to obtain a marriage license is lengthy and complicated.
If you want to learn more about how to get a marriage license in Mexico, check out this super thorough guide.
Contact us for your free Mexico elopement consultation →
A view of the ocean in Sayulita, Mexico where we shot a destination wedding earlier this year.
How much does it cost to elope in Mexico?
Mexico is one of the most affordable places to visit, but it can also be one of the most luxurious if you’re wanting to stay in a fancier resort.
It costs $30 to elope in Mexico, that is, if you’re only wanting the marriage license.
If you’re looking at hiring vendors for your elopement, flying into Mexico, and staying in a nicer Airbnb, expect to pay around $10,000 for your elopement. If you really want to go all-out for your big day and stay in a 5-star resort, expect to pay closer to $15,000-$20,000.
That being said, this is just a general estimate. You can put together a gorgeous elopement for much cheaper than this, especially in Mexico.
A sample breakdown of the cost of an elopement in Mexico
Estimated cost of an amped-up, dream elopement $13,250-$23,250
Photo/Video team $9,000
Wedding dress / attire $1,000-$5,000
Marriage license $100 (this varies)
Officiant $500
Flowers/Archway $1000-$3000
Hair /makeup $650
Elopement reception/celebration $1000-$2000
Travel and Accommodation $2000-$5000
Estimated cost of a simple elopement in Mexico $12,150-$16,150
Photo/Video team $7,000
Wedding dress / attire $1,000-$3,000
Marriage license $100 (this varies)
Officiant $500
Flowers $400
Hair /makeup $650
Elopement reception/celebration $500
Travel and Accommodation $2000-$4000
Not bad considering the average cost of a traditional wedding is $44,000. We’re a little biased because we had a dream elopement experience (ours cost roughly $10,000) where we spent a week together in the Caribbean celebrating our marriage and having the most intimate, relaxed, and fun wedding vacation of a lifetime. We’d love to help you live out your best wedding dreams too. We’re open books on all things referrals, suggestions, timeline building, activity ideas, and just a rad photo/video experience altogether.
Contact us for your free Mexico elopement consultation →
Witnesses and officiants for Mexico elopements
Do I need witnesses and an officiant to elope in Mexico? Yes, you will need an officiant and witnesses to elope in Mexico.
However, the officiant must be from the civil registry of the local municipality of Mexico if you want your marriage to be legal. If you opt for a symbolic ceremony instead, you can have a friend or family member officiate.
You must have at least 4 witnesses for your Mexico elopement, if you’re going the long route through the Mexico municipality. If you choose to file the paperwork in your home state and then plan a symbolic ceremony in Mexico, your witness list is totally up to you.
7 Best places to elope in Mexico
Mexico is home to various resorts and elopement locations. There are a variety of different landscapes to choose from for your elopement. Below are a few of the best places to elope in Mexico.
Tulum
Tulum is a popular destination for weddings and elopements. Here, you’ll find a variety of different venues, Airbnbs, and outdoor locations for elopements. You’ll also be amazed at the various beaches, forests, and high-end resorts. Don’t let the popularity of Tulum scare you away- this destination is full of small-town magic, hippy vibes, and local wonders that will keep you exploring for more.
Sayulita
Sayulita is a hidden gem that has grown exponentially in the last few years. Once a quiet, sleepy surfers town, Sayulita is great for first time-visitors wanting to experience the magic of Mexico. We shot a destination wedding in Sayulita this year and if you’re looking for all the vibrant and boho elopement inspiration, check out Andie and Kandace’s gallery here.
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Cancun mainly known for its beaches. This is a great location for couples looking for something a bit more private and romantic. If you’re wanting a beach elopement, be sure to check this place out.
Valle de Guadalupe
Valle de Guadalupe is a romantic region known for its vineyards. Here, you’ll find green cliffsides, breathtaking ocean views, and beautiful wineries. Not only is the location beautiful, but the wine is amazing and would be such a fun thing to experience during your elopement.
Mexico City
If you want to be immersed in the culture and love big cities, consider having an urban elopement in Mexico City. There are colorful landscapes, great food, and a variety of activities to try during your stay.
Tarahumara Mountain Range
If you’re looking for a stunning private elopement location, the Tarahumara Mountain Range is one of the best places to elope in Mexico. There are numerous hiking trails and overlooks for couples wanting something more outdoorsy.
Red Dunes of Pacula
The Red Dunes of Pacula is a hidden gem location in Mexico. This location will make you feel like you’ve just stepped onto Mars. The red on the hills is extremely vibrant and serves as a very unique location for pictures.
Best time to get married in Mexico
It’s hard to say when the best time to elope in Mexico is, as each area is drastically different when it comes to the climate. When we shot this destination wedding in Sayulita in January, it was the perfect weather. We think anytime post-holiday season is the best time to plan a wedding in a place like Mexico. Just when the winter blues start to kick in, the high 70’s temps and the smell of sunblock is the exact feeling needed to get you through until spring. Plus, most of the crowds have dispersed from summer and holiday vacations.
If you want more in-depth information on when to visit Mexico, check out this super helpful guide.
Pro tip: Avoid visiting Mexico in the summer. Not only are prices much higher, but there are tons of tourists and the beaches get flooded with seaweed, making them virtually inaccessible for an elopement.
Best places to stay for your mexico elopement
Known primarily for its all-inclusive resorts, Mexico has some of the best places to stay. However, I will be talking more about Airbnbs, as hotels don’t have as much privacy. Keep in mind that you may have to pay a bit extra to have your photos taken at a resort, as most high-end resorts must grant special permission to the photographer visiting.
Tulum
Cancun
Mexico City
Get in touch with us for help planning (and documenting!) your Mexico elopement →
Best venues in Mexico to Host an Elopement or Micro Wedding
Because sometimes in life, we just want it all done for us. If this is the route you take, I don’t blame you. We specifically chose our micro wedding venue based on how easy it was to get married there and what they had to offer in terms of planning, decor, food, etc.
Here is list of the best (and top-rated) wedding venues in Mexico to host the elopement or micro wedding of your dreams.
Image sourced Sunset Monalisa
The Sunset Monalisa is an iconic restaurant based at the tip of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico that has nine different terraces to choose from to host your micro wedding. “Infused with spectacular views of the Sea Of Cortez & Los Cabos iconic Land’s End. Magnificent Mediterranean Cuisine, impeccable service, and distinguished set-ups are why so many couples choose to have their wedding at this fine-dining restaurant.”
Image sourced from Acre
ACRE is an abundant sanctuary (over 25 acres!) of lush greenery and a modern esthetic that will certainly check all the boxes when planning your micro wedding in Mexico. “Featuring elegant treehouses, organic farms, private event spaces including a tiled dance floor set in a mango orchard, an open-air rooftop perched above the bustle of the bar, an inviting restaurant surrounded by verdant palms. , and an award-winning bar and restaurant, connection and celebration are at the heart of what we do.”
Image sourced from Hotel Xcaret
Hotel Xcaret is located in the Riviera Maya near Cancun and Tulum. From the looks of their website, there are some truly stunning options to choose from for your micro wedding including 400 year-old iconic stone caves, a glass bridge that leads you to an underground rive, and of course the many idyllic scenes where the white sands meet the ocean blues. Hotel Xcaret is equipped with everything you need to experience the best party of your life.
Image sourced from Wedding Chicks, photo credit to Andre Gouin
Banyan Tree is another natural gem in the Riviera Maya. With Asian influences, lush forests, and the pristine coastline that Mexico is known for, this luxury micro wedding venue is well-equipped to host your nuptials, whether it’s private or you include 60+ guests. Taken from their website, “Be transformed by the power of travel. Our destinations invite you to experiences beyond the ordinary, journeys that inspire, restore, renew; ourselves, our planet, and our communities that sustain us.”
Image sourced from Hacienda Santa Rosa
Hacienda Santa Rosa is a luxury hotel and event space in Santa Rosa. Beautiful gardens adorn this private retreat that features an indigenous spa and an insight restaurant. This space is definitely for the more intimate of gatherings. If you stay at the Hacienda, they suggest taking a day trip to Merida and discovering the cultural heart of the Yucatán Peninsula. This area is perfect for those who want a little more culture out of their wedding moon (wedding + honeymoon = wedding moon) You’ll find plenty of art, music, history and regional cuisine to explore nearby.
Photo credit: The Breiters (that’s us)
Playa Secreta had to make this list of micro-wedding venues in Mexico. We were lucky enough to document a destination wedding in Sayulita earlier this year and discovered the magic of Playa Secreta. This hidden gem is a place that you just stumble upon. An unassuming entrance in a narrow, Sayulita street, this venue feels like you’ve entered another world, hidden in the palms. What we liked most about Sayulita (the magical, vibrant town where Playa Secreta lives), is how accessible everything was for all the guests traveling out of town. Affordable flights, stunning homes for rent, and the walkability of the town were the cherry on top for this destination wedding.
If you’re planning a destination wedding and Mexico is on your list, check out this micro wedding in Sayulita to see the appeal of the venue Playa Secreta.
Things to do in Mexico for your elopement
Go snorkeling
Sip a margarita on the beach
Have your first dance under a full moon
Try some authentic Mexican food and chocolate
Hire a tour guide to show you around
Explore the street art
Mexico Elopement Packages
We’re Michelle and Thomas, a husband and wife team who helps couples elope in the U.S. and around the world. We provide photography and videography services, assist with planning, and help couples all around the world learn how to elope or host a destination micro wedding in Mexico.
We’re your biggest cheerleaders to choose freedom on the best day of your freakin’ life. We’ll guide you every step of the way and help you have an elopement experience that won’t have one ounce of regret. All while documenting those once-in-a-lifetime moments through photos and video that will always remind you that you chose freedom, feeling good, and living your best damn life.
Our Mexico elopement packages for photo & video start at $7520.
