Cabo Wedding Cost

Cabo Wedding Cost in 2023: Tips for Budgeting Your Cabo Dream Destination Wedding

If you're considering a destination wedding, you're not alone. According to WeddingWire's 2022 Newlywed Report, more than half of couples who got married last year had a destination wedding. The sun-drenched paradise of Los Cabos, located on the southern tip of Mexico's Baja Peninsula, is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world.

Cabo's beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and luxurious accommodations make it an ideal place to say "I do." But before you start planning your Cabo wedding, it's important to have a realistic idea of how much it will cost. Here are some tips for budgeting your dream destination wedding in Cabo.

Consider the Location

One of the biggest factors in the cost of a Cabo wedding is the location or the Cabo Venue. There are a variety of venues to choose from, ranging from beachfront resorts to private villas to restaurants with panoramic views. Depending on the venue you choose, you may have to pay a location fee. This fee can range from $5,000 to $50,000 USD, depending on the guest count and location.

Flora Farms Wedding Venue

VERY IMPORTANT

If you're at the beginning of your search for a wedding venue in Baja Sur, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Before booking with a hotel, check if you're allowed to bring in your preferred vendors. Often, hotels may charge high fees for external vendors, and even if you opt for their in-house services, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the best, but rather the ones that bring in the highest commissions for the hotel. As a wedding photographer based in Cabo San Lucas, I understand the importance of choosing vendors that align with your vision and budget. Don't hesitate to inquire about vendor policies before finalizing any contracts, as this can significantly impact your wedding planning experience.

Food and Beverage

Food and beverage costs are another major expense for any wedding, and a destination wedding in Cabo is no exception. Your wedding bill will include all the food and beverage needs for your event such as passed appetizers for cocktail hour, wedding dinner menu (plated, buffet, or family style), open bar (at least 5 hours), and a late snack. Depending on the type of venue you choose, you can expect to pay between $280 to $375 USD + tax + service charge per person for European plan hotels or breathtaking restaurants. However, if you're considering an all-inclusive hotel, then you can expect to pay about $185 to $250 USD per person. Keep in mind that food and beverage is less expensive on the wedding day at an all-inclusive hotel.

Donkey drinking a beer with bride and groom during their wedding

Bride and Groom drinking a beer with a donkey


Music

Kilometro music band playing at Sunset Monalisa´s wedding

The cost of music for your wedding can vary greatly depending on the type of entertainment you choose. DJs are a popular choice for weddings and charge approximately $300 to $400 per hour. If you prefer live music, the cost can range from a soloist at around $500 to a full band for $6,000 to $15,000 for a show.

Photography and Video

Choosing a photographer and videographer is a critical decision for your Cabo wedding. When selecting a photographer, you need to make sure you like their style and ensure that they can capture the essence of your special day. A good coverage will be 6 to 8 hours, and that coverage, depending on the photographer, could be between $3,500 to $7,000 USD.

And remembera: after your wedding day passes, the only tangible memory you will have left are your wedding photos

Video services are not what they used to be, you don't get 5 hours of footage like in the old days. Instead, you get a highlights video (maybe 5 to 12 min) and sometimes, if requested, the full ceremony. Keep in mind that video teams and photo teams are separate entities, and their pricing is separate as well.

Decorations, Flowers, and Lighting

Creating the perfect ambiance for your Cabo wedding may include decorations, flowers, and lighting. Achieving the look and feel that you want can be pricey, and the design aspect of a wedding goes beyond flowers. Your overall cost for decor will be determined by various factors such as whether your wedding location has lighting, whether they provide tables and chairs, and whether that furniture suits your style. For florals, be aware that we are not only talking about table centerpieces, but also personal flowers, ceremony structure, aisle flowers, cocktail table mini centerpieces, seating chart touches of flor

 

Bride walking down the aisle at Sunset Monalisa

So, when accounting for rentals, you should consider all the equipment and furniture that you need for your wedding, such as tables, chairs, linens, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, and more. The rental prices will vary based on the type and quality of the items you select, as well as the quantity needed for your guest count.

Wedding Planner

A wedding planner is highly recommended for any wedding, but it's especially important for destination weddings where you may not be familiar with the local vendors and logistics. A good wedding planner can help you navigate the process, find the best vendors, and manage the details on the day of the wedding. In Cabo, a wedding planner may charge anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the level of service and experience.

Other Expenses

In addition to the above-mentioned expenses, there are other miscellaneous expenses that can add up quickly, such as transportation, hair and makeup, favors, invitations, and more. You should account for these expenses in your overall wedding budget as well.

Now, let's talk about how to create a wedding budget. The first step is to determine your overall budget for the wedding. This will depend on your financial situation and priorities. Once you have a total budget in mind, you can start allocating funds to the different categories mentioned above.

It's important to prioritize what's most important to you and allocate more funds to those areas. For example, if having a live band is a must-have for you, then you may need to allocate more funds to that category and cut back in other areas.

It's also important to leave some wiggle room in your budget for unexpected expenses or last-minute changes. A good rule of thumb is to allocate about 10% of your total budget to contingency expenses.

When it comes to selecting vendors, it's important to do your research and get multiple quotes. Don't just go with the first vendor you find, as you may be able to find a better deal or better fit with another vendor.

Finally, it's important to communicate with your vendors and be clear about your budget from the beginning. This will help avoid any surprises or misunderstandings later on.

In conclusion, the cost of a Cabo wedding will depend on a variety of factors, including the location, guest count, vendors selected, and more. However, by doing your research, prioritizing what's important to you, and communicating clearly with your vendors, you can create a budget that works for you and have the wedding of your dreams in beautiful Cabo.

Bride and groom having fun during their photo session the day after their wedding

BONUS: Did those wedding photos look dreamy? You can have yours taken too! 

Gonzalo Verdeja is a destination wedding photographer based in Cabo, Mexico. He is passionate about photography and would love to capture every golden moment of your big day. From engagement to wedding photography services, Gonzalo Verdeja delivers quality professional work. Check out more of his craft at www.gvphotographer.com

Flora Farms wedding

Bride and groom posing during their Jewish wedding at pretty Flora Farms Los Cabos

Jewish wedding at Flora Farms Los Cabos

Flora Farms amazing wedding. Alexa and Jared

This beautiful Cabo destination wedding of Alexa and Jared took place at Flora Farms.

Flora Farms is the ideal wedding venue for those who appreciate fresh and seasonal ingredients as well as locally-inspired products. I photographed Alexa and Jared engagement photos

With 150 guests in attendance, the couple exchanged vows under the traditional Chuppah, surrounded by the lush greenery of the farm. The traditional Jewish ceremony was filled with emotion and love, and it was a privilege to capture every moment.

After dinner, and speeches, it was time to get the party started. There was no way this was not going to be an awesome party with this amazing group of friends and family. I love people that know how to have fun!!

Big congratulations to Alexa and Jared . Thanks for having me as your Cabo wedding photographer!!

At Flora Farms they grow all of the food they serve on site. They even have their own Ranch, where they raise chickens, goats, pigs and rabbits, as well as eggs and cows for their house-made cheeses. When you host your wedding at Flora Farms, you and your guests will enjoy a unique, fresh, seasonal and organic menu.

The reception that followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Guests danced the night away under the stars, and the bride and groom shared a romantic dance that was truly unforgettable. From the beautiful florals and decor to the delicious food, every detail was thoughtfully planned and executed to perfection. The couple's love for each other was evident in every moment, and it was clear that their families and friends were overjoyed to celebrate with them.

As a wedding photographer, I always strive to capture the essence of each couple's love story. This couple's journey from their elopement at Hilton Los Cabos to their stunning Jewish wedding at Flora Farms was truly unique, and I was honored to be a part of it. The love and joy that they shared with their family and friends was contagious, and I know that these memories will be cherished for a lifetime.

In conclusion, this was a truly magical wedding that I will never forget. The couple's love for each other was the shining star of the day, and it was an honor to capture every moment. I wish the newlyweds a lifetime of love and happiness, and I can't wait to see what their future holds.

Q1: Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?

Cabo is such a special place to our families as we have been vacationing there for over 15 years. We knew we wanted to bring all of our friends and family to our favorite place to celebrate such a joyous occasion all together! For our wedding, we envisioned an enchanted magical garden that was definitely brought to life with modern touches – it truly was the most beautiful setting we could have imagined!

Q2: Let´s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?

The setting at Flora Farms is one of a kind in itself – we wanted to embrace the beauty of the space with an enchanted magical garden vibe while bringing modern touches to life. We incorporated white florals with greenery throughout the space with black iron candlesticks and lanterns to enhance the twinkling lights and magical setting.

Q3: What were the florals like in your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the bridal bouquets, centerpieces or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?

The florals were a mix of white flowers with touches of greenery. We had small ceramic bud vases on the tables to add tasteful touches of elegance and had larger floral arrangements on other tables to balance it out. We included white florals around the arch of the barn which served as a beautiful entry way to the bar area. Bridesmaids had small minimalistic bouquets to mirror the floral designs throughout the reception. Groomsmen also had a white floral boutonniere to coordinate with the bridesmaids and overall setting.


Q4: Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?

We created a one of a kind chuppah with a black iron frame, incorporating white florals, greenery and pampas grass at the base to add a natural touch to truly enhance the setting. We also had an energized entrance into the reception and had sparklers go off during our first dance. We loved changing into our second outfits to continue the fun and dancing all night long!

Q5: Let´s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.

We wanted our outfits to fit perfectly into the setting and give a whimsical vibe. The dress was stunning with light fabric and boning at the top – I added a headband to my look as the final touch. For the groom, a blue linen suite was always what he envisioned and he looked so handsome – it had personalized monogram touches on the jacket to make it extra special. We also changed mid-way through the reception to keep the dancing going all night long – the bride changed into a white fringe dress and the groom had a short sleeve white linen button down and sneakers.

Q6: How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.

We met while studying abroad in Prague our junior year of college. We both moved to New York after graduation and have been together for seven years! The proposal was in the coveted Gramercy Park in New York City, where my husband went above and beyond to secure a key to this private park to make for the most perfect proposal and beautiful scenery. We had a party with our closest friends and family afterwards to keep the celebrations going!





Common Los Cabos Destination Wedding Mistakes

He popped the question and you said YES!!! 

The excitement begins and you are so ready to start planning your wedding , you two love traveling so why not considering a Destination Wedding, better yet: Mexico, because Mexico is always a good idea, could be your honwymoon as well.

Hold on, where in Mexico? Cabo, of course, Los Cabos is the most prestigious and the best choice for destination weddings, come on, look at the proximity of this paradise, direct flights from the most popular airports in the US. 

You are doing fantastic, narrowed it down to the one and only most magical place, but now, where in Cabo?

Bride and groom during the sunset after their ceremony at Sunset Monalisa with the famous Cabo Arch behind them

Most Common Destination Wedding Mistakes I´ve seen in Los Cabos

Well, you just got to the point of reaching for help or else this is about to become overwhelming, Los Cabos is the home to tons of magnificent options, before you go any further, get a local pro to guide you through this process! 

Here is a list with the biggest destination wedding mistakes I found in my 14 years of los cabos destination wedding photographer.

Comparing totally different things. 

Planning a wedding is a big task, no wonder why there are people that specialize in it! 

But a Destination Wedding is not just simply a wedding, it is something else!!! 

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that your destination wedding can be compared with your cousin’s, co-worker’s or friend’s back home wedding. A destination wedding entails tons of unknowns that your friends and colleges did not even have to deal with, room blocks, guest list resort, restrictions, event transportation, currency rates, weather conditions, flowers, language barriers…

Cabo Luxury weddings

Creating a realistic wedding timeline is important for several reasons:

  1. It ensures that all events and activities occur in a logical and orderly fashion.

  2. It allows you to coordinate the arrival and departure times of vendors and other service providers, such as caterers, photographers, and musicians.

  3. It helps you plan the flow of the wedding day, including the order of events, such as the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.

  4. It helps you and your wedding party stay on schedule and avoid delays or confusion.

  5. It helps you plan your wedding day so that you can spend time enjoying the company of your guests and celebrating your special day, instead of worrying about the logistics.

Creating a wedding timeline with the help of your wedding planner or using a wedding planning app, can be helpful for the couple to have a stress-free day.

Going over the wedding budget:

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of planning a wedding and overspend on things that aren't important when you are planning a destination wedding.

Esperanza wedding venue right on the cliff

Overthinking on hiring local pros.

I have often received comments from couples who are hesitant to hire my photo services because they are comparing me with their hometown photographer, well, it is up to you to hire whomever you feel more comfortable with, but a local pro is a local pro, you can rest assure that as a local vendor, I will not be texting you on your big day asking how is the best way to get to your wedding location, and I will surely not be causing any stress when I get to security gate at least 45 min before my actual shooting time to register every single piece of equipment, I know how each property works and most importantly, I have seen so many cool spots for wedding photos, because well, this is not my first rodeo!!! 


Not trusting your wedding team. 

Communicating your wishes, ideas and vision is a MUST, you have to ensure you express well your desires, when you choose right, your wedding team will always deliver what you have in mind. 

A piece of advice in here, will be to also listen to your wedding team suggestions and recommendations, they will get what you want but they are the ones that know the how!

My friends can take photos. 

Not because I am a photographer but, once your most whimsical day is over, you will be left with something that will be become too valuable: memories! Make sure you give this huge responsibility to a pro, who will be doing nothing but focusing on capturing your day!!! 

Can you imagine your friend was hitting the bar while you were doing your grand entrance with cold sparklers? 

Los Cabos DJ

A playlist should do it. 

What makes a movie so grand? Without a doubt: its soundtrack!!! 

Brides who have decided not to hire a DJ or a Band, regret not having their wedding ceremony processional coordinated, not having their special dances faded, not having a pro MC to announce every special happening, make sure that couple is not you.

Wrong time of the year.


Cabo is a stunning and fabulous location, we have the most amazing weather almost all year round, yet, I have seen some couples choose the wrong time of the year: August or September, be sure you select the correct wedding date. A good travel agent I´m sure could help you with this or you can ask to local vendor in Los cabos area.

These two months are the hottest and most humid times, we rarely have rain in Cabo, luckily us, this is a glorious desert, but if we do, that is during these two months. Always have a plan B in case bad weather. Check the right venue that can offer you an inside ceremony, bad weather in Cabo is weir I would say only rains 20 days in aregular year, but could be one possibility and more during the summer.

If rain is not a problem, the inclement weather may play an important role, can you imagine yourself in your amazing wedding gown, dying of heat? Horrible, I know! 

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so it's important to delegate tasks to friends and family to help lighten the load. Many brides

Not properly delegating tasks:

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, so it's important to delegate tasks to friends and family to help lighten the load. Many brides  try to do everything by themself

Groomsmen before the ceremony at The Cape

  • Decorating. For the love of all that is weddings do not decorate your own ceremony/reception. ...

  • Day of Contact for Vendors. ...

  • Your Calls and Text Messages. ...

  • Timekeeping. ...

  • Eating. ...

  • Family Wrangling. ...

  • Wedding Gifts.

  • Day of Payments. If you can, pay your vendors before the wedding. ...

What about my wedding gown?


You have said yes to your better half, you have decided on a destination, booked a venue and now you are in search of the most amazing wedding outfit: dress, veil, shoes, jewelry, hair and make up look!!! Aww, this is definitely exciting, well, hold on for a minute and let’s think about the wedding day and its locations. We know it will surely be a long day and you will be wearing your superb dress, shoes and accessories all day, wait a minute, did I just wrote ALL DAY? Yes, I did, so make sure that you understand that as breathtaking as a wedding day can be, it could also be a tad tiring. So make sure you either choose comfortable footwear or get two pairs!!! The ones for just the key moments and the ones for all the running around and the dancing part!!!

The Wedding Dress and its Bustle.

Your wedding dress must be a secret to your fiancé but not to your mom or bridesmaids, make sure that you delegate the super important task of helping you put on the dress to a specific person and ensure this person and you practice before, the last thing you want on the wedding day is to be stressing over not making it in time for your ceremony because no one can help you with the dress.

Also, most wedding dresses require a bustle at one point, most wedding planners are pros at doing so, but just to make sure, have also your maid of honor practice this with you beforehand. 

Getting into your wedding dress:

Practice putting on your dress before the big day. This will help you get a feel for how the dress goes on and any potential issues you may encounter.

Bride and groom having fun on the beach during their Cabo wedding

  1. Have someone help you with the buttons, zippers, and snaps on your dress. This will make the process much easier and less frustrating.

    1. Make sure your undergarments are on before putting on your dress. This will help avoid any unsightly lines or wrinkles in your dress.

    2. If your dress has a lot of layers or a long train, make sure you have someone to hold it while you put it on.

    3. Be mindful of your hair and makeup while putting on your dress. Avoid getting any makeup or hair products on your dress.

    4. Have a backup plan in case of any accidents or mishaps. It's always a good idea to have a needle and thread or a stain remover on hand.

    5. Allow yourself enough time to get into your dress. Don't rush or put yourself under unnecessary stress.

    6. Take deep breaths and relax. Remember that this is your special day and try to enjoy the experience.

Scheduling too many activities. 

I am sure you want to create the most memorable experience for your wedding guests but there is a fine line from AMAZING to EXHAUSTING. 

Just be mindful of your guests’s time, consider their trips hours, and make sure you account for their time to enjoy Cabo and time for them to get ready and be punctual attending to your events.  A wedding website could be a great way to comunicate with your guests

Welcome Party.

In most destination weddings, couples like hosting at least two events, a Party to welcome family and friends or Rehearsal Dinner and The Wedding. 

Per previous experiences, I have seen brides, grooms, maid of honors, best men, totally devastated on the wedding day, suffering and surviving the day rather than enjoying it, but why is that? Plain and simple, they had too much fun the night before! Now based on experience, wether you organize a fun beach party, a formal dinner and dancing or a sunset cruise, I would always recommend hosting this additional and previous event two nights before, this way bride and groom and every guest can experience the night at its fullest and have all day before the wedding to recover. 

Not prioritizing!!! 

Wedding rings and a watch

Visualize your wedding week, what’s the most important thing for you? 

The Ceremony? Civil ceremony or a simbolic ceremony? Photos? Drinks? Whatever that is, make sure that you account for it ALWAYS!!! If photos are your thing, consider at all times, that it will be a long day and that things don’t just happen they are planned, make sure that you communicate your MUST HAVE and have them written, you don’t want the wedding event to be over and realize that you missed that photo you had your eye set on for months.


Not allowing enough time for pictures:

Allow enough time for wedding portraits and group shots, so you don't feel rushed or stressed on your special day.

Too much sun. 

Last but not least, my friend if you have taken the time to read this, all the way to this last number, wedding photos are important to you and I congratulate you for it, they are the most important for me too, now to ensure that you look at your absolute best, it is super important to take care of your skin, SUNSCREEN always, drink tons of water and pass this advise not only to your significant other but also to your wedding party and all your wedding guests. 

Los Cabos beach wedding

VERY IMPORTANT

If you're at the beginning of your search for a wedding venue in Baja Sur, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Before booking with a hotel, check if you're allowed to bring in your preferred vendors. Often, hotels may charge high fees for external vendors, and even if you opt for their in-house services, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the best, but rather the ones that bring in the highest commissions for the hotel. As a wedding photographer based in Cabo San Lucas, I understand the importance of choosing vendors that align with your vision and budget. Don't hesitate to inquire about vendor policies before finalizing any contracts, as this can significantly impact your wedding planning experience.

VERY IMPORTANT

If you're at the beginning of your search for a wedding venue in Baja Sur, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Before booking with a hotel, check if you're allowed to bring in your preferred vendors. Often, hotels may charge high fees for external vendors, and even if you opt for their in-house services, it doesn't necessarily mean they're the best, but rather the ones that bring in the highest commissions for the hotel. As a wedding photographer based in Cabo San Lucas, I understand the importance of choosing vendors that align with your vision and budget. Don't hesitate to inquire about vendor policies before finalizing any contracts, as this can significantly impact your wedding planning experience.

I hope you can avoid at least a few of this destination wedding mistakes

BONUS: Did those wedding photos look dreamy? You can have yours taken too! 

Gonzalo Verdeja is a destination wedding photographer based in Cabo, Mexico. He is passionate about photography and would love to capture every golden moment of your big day. From engagement to wedding photography services, Gonzalo Verdeja delivers quality professional work. Check out more of his craft at www.gvphotographer.com

Sunset photo session on the beach