If you're dreaming about having a wedding in Cabo San Lucas, I get it - I've been there. After planning my own destination wedding in Cabo (and living here now), I created this guide to give you every single thing I wish I knew, plus real reviews, real costs, my full wedding weekend timeline, and the most honest breakdown of venues and vendors you will find.
This guide blends expert-level wedding planning info with my actual experience, so you can plan a wedding that feels intentional, personal, beautiful, and stress-free.
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Why Cabo Is the Perfect Destination Wedding Location
Cabo checks all the boxes:
- Beautiful, consistent weather (especially November-May)
- The best hospitality and wedding vendors
- Stunning venues - beachfront, boutique, farm-style, luxury, modern, you name it
- Easy travel for U.S. guests
- Incredible food + cocktails
- The perfect mini-vacation for your guests
Cabo does weddings really well. As in, the planners, vendors, venues... this is what they do every single week, and it shows.
How to Choose the Perfect Cabo Wedding Venue
Choosing a venue in Cabo is overwhelming because there are so many good ones. I toured them, researched them, and have friends who got married at almost all of them. Here's the honest breakdown of the top venues (and why we ultimately chose ACRE).
Acre Baja
My Wedding Venue - Tropical, Modern, Magical
Why we chose it:
It offered exactly what we wanted: a magical vibe, an indoor-outdoor layout, a ceremony surrounded by lush greenery, and a dinner under a mango orchard. Elevated but not pretentious. Unique without trying too hard.
Pros:
- Unique, unforgettable experience
- Food is INCREDIBLE
- Stunning ceremony + reception areas
- Amazing for photos
- Natural, tropical, elevated design
Cons:
- No swimmable beach nearby (if that matters to you)
- Not a hotel - guests must stay off-site
- Transportation required
And honestly? Even with the logistics, it was worth every single thing.
The Cape (Thompson Hotel)
Best for: Stylish, editorial, modern weddings
Pros:
- The view is insane
- Aesthetically the most chic venue in Cabo
- Amazing food + cocktails
- Great for couples who want that "wow" backdrop
Cons:
- Can be pricey
- More modern vibe (not for everyone)
Flora Farms
Best for: Organic, rustic-elegance, farm-to-table weddings
Pros:
- The most charming atmosphere
- Unreal food
- A true "experience"
Cons:
- No ocean
- Not for couples who want something tropical or beachy
- Can feel busy because it's a working farm
Solaz
Best for: Luxury, minimal, architectural weddings
Pros:
- One of the most visually stunning hotels
- Sleek and elevated
- Amazing photo opportunities
Cons:
- On the pricier end
- Not as intimate or warm as ACRE or Flora
Our Cabo Wedding Weekend Timeline
Saturday: Pool Day + Welcome Party (Hilton Los Cabos)
We stayed at The Hilton Los Cabos and did our room block there, and honestly, it was the BEST decision. It has a swimmable beach, which is rare in Cabo.
Pool Day
We coordinated with our planners and the hotel so even guests not staying at the Hilton could join us at the pool. We rented a cabana and spent the entire day lounging, swimming, laughing, and soaking in the sun.
PRO TIP:
Not all Cabo beaches are swimmable, always check before you choose a hotel. Check out which beaches to visit here.
Welcome Party (On the Beach at the Hilton)
Because our wedding wasn't going to be on the beach, we wanted our guests to have that quintessential Cabo beach moment, so we hosted the Welcome Party right on the sand.
The setup included:
- String lights
- Private bar
- Fire pit
- Teepee lounge area
- High-top tables
- Passed appetizers
- Open bar (well… open-ish: beer, wine, margs hosted; anything else was cash bar)
We hired a solo guitar player (Gil Mendoza) because we wanted a fun, elevated vibe, not a full DJ energy yet.
It was truly the perfect night.
My only note: The passed app portions were tiny; guests definitely needed to eat afterward.
Sunday: Our Wedding Day at ACRE. The Perfect Day
- Oh my gosh. I could literally talk about this day forever.
Getting Ready
- I had a sleepover with my best friend at the Hilton, woke up, beach walked, worked out, and had breakfast with family.
- Since I didn't have a bridal party, we didn't have to start glam until noon, which allowed for the slowest, calmest morning.
First Look at the Hilton
- We did our first look on the property, and I loved that we got two completely different venue looks in our photos.
Family Photos Before the Ceremony
- We shuttled to ACRE around 4:15 pm, took family photos, and saw our guests arrive while being greeted with welcome cocktails and a curated playlist.
- I loved seeing people beforehand, staying hidden wasn't important to me.
The Ceremony
- It was beautiful, intentional, emotional, and everything I hoped it would be.
- My cousin (a pastor and incredible speaker) married us, and he honored my late father in the most beautiful way.
- And yes, the famous ACRE peacocks strolled behind us during the ceremony. It was unreal!
Cocktail Hour
- Spanish guitar duo. A MUST in my opinion
Insane cocktails.
Stunning ambiance around the pool deck. - We slipped away for sunset photos, and honestly?
We were gone too long. More on that below.
Dinner Under the Mango Orchard
- This moment will live in my mind forever.
- Golden hour, twinkle lights, warm breeze, incredible food, heartfelt speeches.
- We did a Stella Artois toast instead of champagne to honor my dad. The ACRE team passed them out seamlessly, it was such a special moment.
The Party
- We kicked off dancing with cold fireworks (totally worth it!!) Then surprised our guests with a saxophone player who came out during "Jubel" by Klingande. It created such an epic shift from dinner into party mode.
- We also hired a cigar roller and had him wrap the cigars with my dad's initials. So special, especially for the guys in my family!
- We ended the night with a mini hora loca, dancers and performers hyping the final hour.
It was everything. Truly.
Cabo Wedding Vendors
Planners
- Lucky in Love / Events by Bliss - HIGHLY RECOMMEND
Incredible communication, execution, and professionalism. - Also recommend Lynette Dow Events.
Photographer
- We booked Ximena Zermeño.
She is SO talented; however, she couldn't shoot our wedding last minute, so her team covered instead.
She made up for it with a discount + a separate photoshoot after the wedding.
Still recommend her, but confirm she'll personally be there. - Other photographers I also recommend:
- Photos by Julieta, Courtney Taylor, Los Ebano, Nicola Photography, Everything in Between.
Florals
- Christina G Florals. Gorgeous work.
Glam
- Los Cabos Makeup Artist (hair + makeup)
- Cabo Bronze (mobile spray tan)
Rentals
- Bazaar Rentals
Music
- Alex Cabo DJ Group
- Jefet Sax (saxophone + Spanish guitar)
Transportation
- Impala Cabo Transportation
Cabo Wedding Costs // Realistic Price Ranges
Based on 50-60 guests:
- Cigar roller: $600+
- Planners: $5,000+ (can go up to $20k+ depending on service level)
- Photo + video package: $10,000-$21,000
- Photography alone: $5,000-$9,000
- DJ: $1,800+
- Sax: $1,000
- Guitarist: $400
- Food + bar + staffing (approx 60 guests): $15,000+ (Big range here depending on the packages you choose)
- Florals: $4,000+ to unlimited
- Rentals/decor: $2,000+ to unlimited
- Transportation: $1,400 (round-trip for guests, based on one bus)
- Stationery/signage: $500+
Buy my Cabo Wedding Guide
A curated Wedding Guide to plan your perfect Cabo Wedding
Tips!
Cabo Wedding Tips You Only Learn By Doing It Yourself
What to Pack
- Women: dresses, linens, sandals, wedges, bikinis, coverups, sunscreen, hat, light jacket, jewelry
- Men: linen tops, light pants, linen suit, swim trunks, sunscreen, hat, etc.
Transportation
- Trust your planners, they know Cabo traffic, dirt roads, and timing better than anyone.
Keep Guests Happy
- Give people things to do.
- Include recommendations on your wedding website.
- Feed them, hydrate them, entertain them.
Timeline Mistakes (My Biggest One)
- I didn't build enough buffer between finishing glam and photos.
- We also missed too much of cocktail hour due to sunset photos.
What I Wish I Knew
- Tell guests to bring a light jacket - it gets chilly at night. (If getting married between Dec - March)
- Plan something for day after your wedding if you want one last goodbye moment.
Weddings in Cabo - FAQs
YES. It's one of the best wedding destinations in the world.
November-May
Anywhere from $30k for intimate to $250k+ for luxury.
Technically yes, but not ideal. Better to coordinate transportation.
3-5 days is perfect (Thursday-Monday).
All things Cabo!
- How I Prepared My Body for Labor at 40 (And Why I'd Do It All Again)
- US Passport for a Baby Born in Mexico: Our CRBA Appointment in Tijuana, Step by Step
- Thursday Night Art Walk in San José del Cabo: A Local's Guide to the Most Charming Night of the Week
- Giving Birth in Mexico: What Surprised Me as an American Mom in Cabo
