Wedding in Cabo - Budget questions

[shorn]

hello ladies! I'm a newbie and just engaged (a week ago!)....my FI just left for Ireland for work and won't be back until June 2011- I'm hoping for a July or August 2011 wedding- which means most is up to me.  I have a budget of around 15K for 60-75 people...is this possible? Do you have suggestions on locations...etc THANKS!!!

[MRSDB2B]

Hi Shorn,

 

First of all congratulations! Cabo will be a beautiful place for your wedding. I too am in the planning process and will share some of the info I have found.

 

First if its between july or aug I would suggest getting married in July. The later you wait the hotter it gets!

 

Second, the cost really does depends on what you want. Some simple beach weddings ceremonies can be quite pricey, some not. i.e. the difference between holding your wedding at the one and only palmilla to say the crowne plaza would blow your mind!

You should first figure out what you really want. Private/or you dont mind having other hotel spectators in the backround of your beach wedding? Go on the resort/hotel websites and check out your options.

 

Next I would recommend finding a coordinator. If you try to plan it yourself, you will have to know all about the requirements Mexico has for couples to get married down here...i.e. medical tests and blood work, and you will have to coordinate everything which can be difficult in cabo. Sometimes communication can be a problem and WCs can fix that and even get you better deals. WC can save you a lot of money so pick one based on what they can do for you. Whether you go with a resort WC or an outside company make sure to do your research! Search through the threads on this site as they have great suggestions.

Have a look at this website www.loscabosguide.com. It lists all you need to know about having your wedding in cabo. I have also put a few of the planners websites which I found on another persons post who said she had been to weddings coordinated by all and they were fab:

www.bajawedding.com
www.cabodreamweddings.com
www.cabosanlucasweddings.com
www.loscaboswedding.com
www.mangoweddings.net
www.miamorwedding.com
www.perfectweddingsbysergio.com

 

 

In terms of venues, you will want to avoid 5 star lux resorts like Las Ventanas Al Paraiso and the One and Only Palmilla Resort hotels. These are definitely out of your price range.

 

There are other less expensive seaside hotels in Los Cabos, like the run-of-the-mill institutional abodes such as the Westin, Hilton or an All-Inclusive such as the Presidente. These are great for guests as they never have to leave the resort but are not very private. IE When you say your vows you might get hundreds of strangers looking on. You can even see pics of weddings at these hotels with people in the distance watching. If this doesnt bother you then they are great options!

 

If you want a affordable more private Cabo wedding and are unable to handle the logistics of a do-it-yourself beach wedding, then consider the Cabo Surf Hotel in San Jose del Cabo. This private beachside boutique hotel is located on prime ocean property around the bend from the aforementioned Palmilla hotel, but miles away from it in price.

The Cabo Surf Hotel can host wedding groups of up to one hundred and offers wedding planning, plush accommodations, and first class dining at sane prices. You can have your wedding on the hotels grassy green lawn next to the infinity pool overlooking the surf break if you dont like the idea of having sand in shoes or sinking ceremony chairs, or barefoot it on the sandy beach.Travel guides note it for its casual elegance and fine menu that features entrees ranging from Kobe beef in cabernet sauce to fresh Baja lobster and other tantalizing seafood dishes. The chef and hotel staff can handle your event catering needs. The hotel’s wedding planner can handle all those important details like: Legal docs, ceremony set-up, flowers, photographer and even the brides make-over.

 

Room rates are $250 to $550 plus 13% tax and $7 a night service charge compared to say the One & Only Palmilla rates: $475 to $2,000 per night. Plus 13% tax and 15% service charge.
 

Hope this helps!