Cozumel is the place to be if you want to add a little Mexican spice to the Caribbean flavor. And since it has several hotels and resorts and specialized hospitality services, many couples look forward to a Cozumel wedding.
Lined with palm trees, Cozumel’s white sandy beaches and turquoise waters offer the perfect place to say your vows and experience the best time of your life.
Spread over a region of 30 by 10 miles, the island is big enough for exploration yet small enough for a calm wedding. And even though it’s a relatively small island, it offers several activities to keep you and your guests busy while you enjoy the wedding festivities.
About Destination Weddings in Cozumel
Why Get Married in Cozumel
Cozumel has among the world’s largest reef systems and incredibly visible sea life. A Cozumel wedding can be elegant yet economical, making it a favorite wedding destination for thousands of couples.
Since most hotels and resorts have their own wedding planners, you don’t need to get overwhelmed with details.
Most hotels have customizable packages according to your preferences and budgets. There are different types of hotels for different requirements. You can get it at Cozumel, intimate or lavish, no matter what kind of wedding you want.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Cozumel
A beach wedding can cost you between $5000 and $10,000. This includes a beach ceremony, a pre-wedding cocktail, DJ, an open bar, a wedding cake, wine for the toast, and a beach buffet dinner.
The prices can go up or down depending on the number of guests. For this price, you will not get flights and accommodation. If you want to add them to the package, it will cost approximately $1000 per person.
If you’re looking for a budgeted destination wedding, you can plan an elopement instead of a lavish affair.
The Best Cozumel Wedding Venues
The Westin Cozumel
With 945 sqm of event space, this hotel has enough room for a huge wedding gathering. The largest space in the venue can accommodate 400 guests and there are four event areas.
There are customizable packages for your Cozumel wedding ceremony as well as reception and cocktail events. When your heart desires a romantic beach wedding, The Westin Cozumel can help you out.
It has suites, boutique rooms, and cabanas so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean. Some rooms come with private plunge pools and whirlpools. This luxurious hotel has everything you want at your dream wedding.
The Westin Cozumel also has a resort-style pool, lined with sun lounges and palm trees. For the most scenic views, walk to their Sky Lounge which offers amazing views of the ocean and the city.
Whether you want to enjoy a candlelit dinner with your new spouse or a light lunch, you’ll find several options in their restaurants from continental dishes to full American breakfasts.
Book a pre-wedding rejuvenation treatment at the Zazil Spa and relax in the Jacuzzi. Or complete a quick workout at the Westin Fitness Studio. When you’re at The Westin Cozumel, you’ll be delightfully pampered.
Cozumel Palace
Experience the joy of saying “I do,” under the Caribbean sun and later go diving or snorkeling with your new partner. Have your perfect wedding vacation at Cozumel Palace.
With Preview Paradise, you can have an exclusive two-day sample event before your big day in which you can tour the venue, sample cakes, check out the décor options, and more. When you book the Cozumel Palace resort for your wedding, the two-day preview stay is free.
There are alluring settings such as Tropical Sunset, Pure Paradise, and Tropical Traditions, and you can select the right one based on your preferences.
And when you’re enjoying the pre-wedding celebrations, the Awe Spa Bliss at this venue will help you get refreshed before the big day.
All suites of the resort peer into the cool blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Want to relax after a long day of exploration? Take a dip into the double whirlpool and then savor the delicious delicacies made in one of their kitchens.
Enjoy the crisp breeze of the beach while you laze in your personal hammock on the beach. This place will let you have the dream Cozumel wedding you’ve been looking for.
Presidente Intercontinental Cozumel Resort Spa
This resort sits in front of the Cozumel Reef Marine Park and offers a beautiful private beach where you can take an idle stroll with your special one.
The resort offers dedicated staff for your wedding preparations so everything is done while you relax and enjoy the modern amenities offered here. It’s a pet-friendly hotel so if you have a furry friend who wants to join you on your special day, bring them along.
There are exclusive service packages such as Memorable Experiences and Bride Ideas that will bring all celebrations to life, just the way you want. From bachelorette parties to wedding ceremonies and from receptions to honeymoons, they will plan everything for you while you immerse yourself in the blissful feelings of true love.
There are so many Cozumel wedding options you can try. Whether you want a Mayan ceremony or an underwater one, you can do it here. The resort offers diving and snorkeling classes so you can have a unique wedding.
And when you need a break from all the adventurous activities, head to their Ikal Spa which offers several Mayan traditional therapies.
Iberostar Cozumel
Explore the second-largest reefs in all of America on private boats from Iberostar. Let your guests experience true luxury with completely equipped bungalow suites that offer access to the spa, extensive private beach, and several pools.
How do you want to celebrate your big day? A paradise beach ceremony or a green tropical event? Iberostar will have the right venue for you depending on your preferences. Enjoy the beautiful views of Caribbean waves or lush gardens with gourmet cuisines and the most excellent banquet services.
At Iberostar, you won’t find generic wedding packages. Instead, everything will be tailor-made exactly according to your requirements. You can stay in your home country and discuss your needs online.
No matter which style you want, it will be done in a sustainable and eco-responsible way. You can decide your budget and they will prepare an all-inclusive deal for you. Live the impeccable fairytale Cozumel wedding with Iberostar.
With the perfect island full of landscapes, you cannot go wrong with this wedding venue. This resort will create the perfect backdrop for you, whether you want the great outdoors or bungalow-style indoors.
Experience rustic nature combined with modern facilities to have the best time of your life and create memories you’ll cherish forever.
Dreams Cozumel Cape Resort & Spa
Dreams Cozumel bursts with adventure on a heavenly stretch of beach. Experience true romance and adventure with your dream wedding here. With the perfect balance of serenity and excitement, this resort offers luxury suites with access to breathtaking barrier reefs along with other beautiful sites.
Dreams Cozumel on-site restaurants are known for their gourmet international flavors and poolside cocktails. Their Secrets Aura is open to adult guests. No matter what kind of wedding style you’re looking for, you’ll find it here at Dreams Cozumel.
They offer four customizable wedding packages – Dreams Wedding in Paradise, Dreams of Love, Dreams Ultimate, Beyond Memorable, and Explore in Luxury. All packages are all-inclusive and prices are completely transparent.
Along with the amazing seaside views, you also get to experience their club amenities such as exclusive access, upgraded suites, advanced concierge services, etc.
For the ultimate honeymooning experience, try their Master Suite which spreads across 1,593 square feet and comes with a private dining area, a big terrace, and a private pool. It has its own bar and is ideal for a new couple.
Hold a beachfront ceremony or inside their beautiful resort, the choice is yours. No matter what kind of Cozumel wedding you’re looking for, you can bring it to life at Dreams Resort.
Cozumel Destination Wedding Legal Requirements
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
A legal or civil Cozumel wedding implies that your marriage certificate will be issued here.
A symbolic wedding, on the other hand, is when you get married in your home country but hold the ceremony in Cozumel. So while your vows are read in a fancy beach resort, your marriage is originally registered in your home country.
When you get legally married in Cozumel, you’ll need to get some documents certified by the Mexican consulate in your country. To avoid the extra paperwork, most couples get legally married in their own countries and hold symbolic weddings in Cozumel.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
You’ll need some documents to get legally married in Cozumel. Here are the documents you need:
- Passports of the bride and groom
- Copies of birth certificates of the bride and groom
- The names, addresses, and other details of the parents of the bride and groom
- Four witnesses. You can discuss this with the hotel that’s arranging your wedding
- Health certificates and reports from a certified practitioner in Mexico
- Divorce/death certificates of previous partners if applicable
Legal Marriage Timeline
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Get your blood tests done about 20-25 days before your wedding date. These tests will be done in your home country. But you’ll need to show them to a doctor in Mexico to get a health certificate.
- Discuss your witness needs with the hotel or resort you have selected.
- Collect all the documents mentioned above.
- When you arrive in Mexico, you’ll receive an immigration visa. Keep a copy of that.
- Get your marriage registered in Mexico. The license costs $350 and you’ll have two days to confirm the license.
Cozumel Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
Cozumel is about 10 miles from Riviera Maya. A ferry from Playa del Carmen will take about 40 minutes to reach Cozumel. Ferries run every hour from morning to late night and generally charge $10 one way.
If you have landed in Cancun, it’s best to take a bus to Playa del Carmen and then take a ferry to Cozumel. This will take a total of 3 to 4 hours.
You can also fly from Mexico City to Cozumel. A flight will take about 3 to 4 hours and cost about $100.
Cozumel Weather
Cozumel has tropical weather that stays pretty warm throughout the year. Being tropical, the rainy season is mostly muggy and somewhat uncomfortable.
The rainy season lasts from May to October. Winter falls between November and April and is largely dry. There might be some showers in the winter but most of it is sunny. Summer falls from May to September.
The winter temperatures can go down to 21oC and summer temperatures can go up to 33oC. The average temperatures vary between 23oC and 30oC throughout the year.
The sea temperature generally stays between 26oC and 29oC, which means it’s always comfortable to take a dip in the ocean.
Budgeting Tips
Here are some ways to save money on your Cozumel wedding:
- Create a budget and adhere to it: Make sure you stay within the budget you have decided.
- Cut the guest list: Destination weddings are expensive so keep the guest list short.
- Select an off-season date: Rainy months are often the cheapest. Discuss the pricing with the hotels you have selected.
- Use the beach: Keep Cozumel beaches as the main décor and save money on extravagant decoration.
- Set priorities: Most resorts allow you to customize the package. When you select add-ons, keep your priorities in mind.
Best Time of Year for a Cozumel Wedding
Since Cozumel has a sunny tropical climate, it never gets too cold here. However, you might want to avoid the rainy season since it’s often humid and fairly uncomfortable.
The peak season in Cozumel is from November to March, which means the prices are going to rise. Also, it’s the peak tourist season so if you’re planning to get married in these months, book the hotels in advance.
If you want to avoid tourists, you can select the months of April and June that are warm and comfortable.
Want to learn about other wedding destinations? Go through our guides for Tuscany wedding, Maui wedding, and Cancun wedding options.