5 All-Inclusive Resorts in the Mexican Caribbean to Get Married At
If you're dreaming of a destination wedding in Mexico, the Mexican Caribbean is one of the most popular places to start your search.
From Cancun and Costa Mujeres to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, you'll find an incredible selection of all-inclusive resorts for destination weddings. The challenge? There are so many resorts to choose from that narrowing down the right one can feel overwhelming.
And while you may have visited the Mexican Caribbean before, the resort you remember for foam parties and questionable food when you were 19 probably isn't the resort you're going to choose for your wedding!
Today, we're looking at five all-inclusive resorts in the Mexican Caribbean that specialize in destination weddings. These properties offer dedicated wedding teams, beautiful ceremony and reception venues, and experience hosting couples and their guests from around the world.
As a destination wedding travel agent, I help couples navigate the resort selection process and coordinate the travel side of their destination wedding. And one of the biggest things I've learned after more than a decade of planning destination wedding group travel is that there isn't one resort that's perfect for every couple.
That's why this isn't a traditional "top 5" list.
Instead, I'm highlighting five very different resorts so you can start thinking about which type of destination wedding experience is right for you.
What to Look for in a Destination Wedding Resort
Before we get into the resorts, it's important to understand why choosing your wedding resort is such a big decision.
Your resort isn't just where you're getting married. It's also where your guests will be spending several days of their vacation.
When I'm helping couples plan a destination wedding in Mexico, some of the questions I encourage them to consider include:
Is the resort adults-only or family-friendly?
Do you want a newer resort or an established property?
Is Cancun, Costa Mujeres or Riviera Maya the right location?
What type of beach and wedding setting do you want?
How important is the resort's wedding department?
What types of wedding venues are available?
What is your approximate budget for the resort stay?
What will your guests be looking for during their vacation?
Do you want your wedding to feel modern, romantic, tropical, artistic or traditional?
The answers to these questions can quickly narrow down your options.
With that in mind, here are five Mexican Caribbean wedding resorts worth putting on your list.
1. AVA Resort Cancun
Let's start with one of the newer names on this list: AVA Resort Cancun.
AVA offers something a little different from some of the established Cancun destination wedding resorts.
The property was designed with a contemporary feel, so if your wedding vision is less "traditional Mexican resort" and more modern luxury meets Caribbean, AVA is a resort worth putting on your radar.
The resort offers ocean-facing rooms, and the property was designed with dedicated wedding and event spaces in mind.
For couples looking for a newer resort with a modern aesthetic, AVA offers a different experience from some of the more established all-inclusive wedding resorts in the region.
If your Pinterest board is filled with clean lines, contemporary décor and Caribbean views, this could be one to explore.
2. Hotel Xcaret Arte
Next up is a resort that really doesn't feel like a typical all-inclusive: Hotel Xcaret Arte.
Located in the Riviera Maya, Hotel Xcaret Arte is an adults-only property built around Mexican art, architecture, nature and design.
And one of the biggest selling points is the resort's All-Fun Inclusive concept.
Your vacation can go far beyond the resort itself, with access to Xcaret's parks and experiences, transportation, restaurants and a huge variety of activities.
For a destination wedding in the Riviera Maya, this creates a really interesting possibility.
Your wedding doesn't have to be the only experience you create for your guests. You can think about the entire trip — from welcome events and excursions to group activities and the wedding celebration itself.
When it comes to the wedding, Hotel Xcaret Arte also offers a variety of venues, including unique settings that incorporate the property's natural surroundings.
It's worth noting that Hotel Xcaret Arte is adults-only, while its sister property, Hotel Xcaret Mexico, welcomes guests of all ages.
For couples who want their Mexico destination wedding to feel like a full vacation experience for their guests, this resort is definitely worth researching.
3. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Now we're going in a completely different direction with Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun.
This adults-only resort has earned a reputation as a beautiful setting for a romantic Caribbean getaway, and it's located on a stunning stretch of beach in the Riviera Cancun area.
For weddings, couples can choose from a variety of settings, including:
Beach ceremonies
Garden settings
Terraces
Ballroom celebrations
That variety means the resort can work for different wedding styles and group sizes.
The overall aesthetic here is more classic Caribbean romance.
It feels upscale and elegant without relying on the ultra-contemporary design you'll find at some of the newer Mexican Caribbean resorts.
If your vision is a romantic beach destination wedding in Mexico, combined with an adults-only all-inclusive experience, Secrets Maroma Beach is one resort to consider.
4. Dreams Riviera Cancun
Next is Dreams Riviera Cancun, a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that's also an established name in the destination wedding industry.
This is a resort I think is particularly interesting for couples who want the experience and infrastructure of an established wedding property.
When this resort came onto the scene, it helped move destination weddings away from the idea of a simple, cookie-cutter wedding package where you picked a color and called it a day.
Instead, the focus was on creating more personalized celebrations.
That means couples can have a lot of variety when it comes to décor, wedding venues and the overall design of their event.
The resort also has a well-established wedding department with experience hosting destination weddings.
For me, this resort is less about being the newest or trendiest property and more about choosing an established Mexico wedding resort with an experienced wedding team.
It's also family-friendly, which makes it worth considering if your destination wedding guest list includes children, parents and grandparents.
If you're planning a family destination wedding in Mexico, Dreams Riviera Cancun is one to add to your research list.
5. Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Finally, we have another family-friendly option: Hyatt Ziva Cancun, located right in the heart of the Cancun Hotel Zone.
This resort has a particularly unique location because it's situated at the tip of a peninsula.
On one side, you have dramatic crashing waves, while the other side offers the turquoise-blue water that many couples picture when they imagine a Caribbean destination wedding.
That unique location creates a beautiful setting for wedding photos and ceremonies.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun also offers several wedding settings, including gazebos, terraces and beach locations.
Like Secrets Maroma Beach, this resort has an upscale feel without being overly contemporary.
And because it's family-friendly, it can be a great option for couples who want their friends and family — including children — to celebrate with them.
For couples looking for a Cancun destination wedding resort that's family-friendly and offers beautiful beach settings, Hyatt Ziva Cancun is worth exploring.
How to Choose the Right Mexican Caribbean Wedding Resort
As you can probably tell, these five resorts are very different from one another.
And that's exactly why I don't consider this a traditional "top 5" list.
There isn't one best all-inclusive resort for a destination wedding in Mexico.
The right resort depends on you, your fiancé and your guests.
When helping couples plan destination weddings, I recommend starting with a few key questions:
Adults-Only or Family-Friendly?
This can immediately narrow down your options.
If you're envisioning an adults-only celebration, resorts like Hotel Xcaret Arte and Secrets Maroma Beach may be worth exploring.
If you're inviting families with children, a family-friendly property such as Dreams Riviera Cancun or Hyatt Ziva Cancun may make more sense.
Cancun or Riviera Maya?
Location can have a big impact on your guests' overall experience.
Cancun offers easy access, a large hotel zone and plenty of activities outside the resort.
The Riviera Maya offers a different atmosphere, with resorts spread along the coastline between Cancun and Tulum.
Costa Mujeres is another area worth considering as you expand your search for destination wedding resorts in Mexico.
New Resort or Established Wedding Resort?
Some couples are drawn to the newest resorts with contemporary design and modern amenities.
Others prefer an established property with a long history of hosting destination weddings.
Neither approach is inherently better. It's about what matters most to you.
What Is Your Budget?
Your resort choice will also have a significant impact on your overall destination wedding budget.
Remember that you're not only considering the wedding itself. Your guests will need accommodations and transportation, and there may be additional costs for wedding events, excursions, décor, photography, entertainment and other services.
This is one area where working with a destination wedding travel agent can be particularly helpful.
Why Work With a Destination Wedding Travel Agent?
Planning a destination wedding involves much more than choosing a wedding venue.
You also have to think about your guests' resort accommodations, room categories, travel dates, deposits, payment deadlines, transportation and communication with your group.
That's where a destination wedding travel agent or destination wedding travel planner can help.
A travel professional who specializes in destination weddings can help you compare resorts based on the things that actually matter to your group — not just how pretty the resort looks online.
They can also help you understand the travel side of your wedding, including:
Choosing the right all-inclusive resort
Comparing destination wedding resorts
Coordinating room bookings for your guests
Managing a destination wedding room block
Communicating travel information to your guests
Keeping track of deposits and payment deadlines
Helping guests with their individual travel arrangements
Coordinating group transportation
Helping you navigate the destination wedding planning process
And perhaps most importantly, having someone manage the travel details gives you one less thing to worry about while you're planning your wedding.
If you're searching for a destination wedding travel agent in Canada, a destination wedding travel planner, or someone who specializes in Mexico destination weddings, working with a specialist can make the process much easier to navigate.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Destination Wedding Resort
The Mexican Caribbean has an incredible number of all-inclusive resorts, and these five are just a starting point.
AVA Resort Cancun, Hotel Xcaret Arte, Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Dreams Riviera Cancun and Hyatt Ziva Cancun all offer something different for couples planning a destination wedding.
The resort that looks perfect on Instagram isn't necessarily the resort that's the right fit for your wedding.
Your guest list, budget, preferred location, resort style and wedding vision should all play a role in your decision.
And you don't have to figure it all out on your own.
If you're considering a destination wedding in Mexico and aren't sure which resorts make sense for you and your guests, working with a destination wedding travel agent who understands both the resorts and the group travel side of destination weddings can help you narrow down your options.
After more than a decade of planning destination wedding group travel, that's exactly what I love helping couples do.
Happy wedding planning!