Planning a Sacramento Wedding? This Couple Brewed Their Own Beer for a Whimsical Celebration You’ll Want to Copy!
This Action-Packed Wedding in Mexico Is Perfect Inspo for Adventure-Lovin’ Couples
Planning an action-packed wedding in Mexico and searching for some bold inspiration? You’ve reached the right place!
Derek and Dilena had always wanted an intimate wedding that was unique and tailored to them as well as fun for them, their family and closest friends.
“Derek and I met via my best friend’s mom! She had always talked about her renter that lived downstairs but I wasn’t interested in meeting anyone at the time.” Dilena began.
“On New Year’s Eve, I was just returning from visiting family down South. As soon as I landed, I received a call from my best friend basically forcing me into going to her home to meet this guy. I tried really hard to get out of it, but ultimately said yes. On the other end, her mom was doing the same thing, forcing him to come upstairs to meet someone.” She laughed.
“As soon as we met, the conversation went so smoothly. We talked about our love of aviation, travel,l and adventure. And the rest was history!”
“Our goal for our wedding was to use these characteristics and share a glimpse into our lives with our guests. The first thing our guests heard about our wedding in Mexico was via a personalized luggage tag with save the date and then a boarding pass invitation. We also communicated our wedding festivities via Facebook and our wedding page, sharing some of the neat moments they will experience if they attend.” Dilena explained.
“We also wanted our wedding in Mexico to be an adventure so the day before we took our guests on an excursion. We did everything from zip lining, ATV tours, rappelling, hiking Coba and even a cave cenote!” On our wedding day our first look consisted of us playing volleyball against each other’s bridal party. We ended our first look with a jump off the dock and a swim!”
“The wedding took place on the sky deck overlooking the water; I kept it very simple with fabric against the gazebo and rice cups that my guests could throw after our vows.”
“My dress was from a designer I have been following for a long time. I always wanted something different and that made me cry! I searched long and hard for that perfect dress. I must have tried over 200 dresses. I finally found the dress of my dreams made by Berta. It made me feel beautiful and sexy!”
“Derek and I planned all the details on our own. We designed our save the dates, invitations, welcome bags, favors and even our own centerpieces. For the reception each guest received a leather luggage tag, whilst the tables had simple flowers with candles as I just wanted my guests to enjoy the beauty of the sky deck.”
“The day of my wedding was a super moon. Which for me was a sign that my father was watching me from above. Even when I came out for the very first time in my dress, my veil flew up in the air and hung above for a few moments as if an angel was there! Also, on the stairs I saw a rainbow and there was not even a rain drop in sight!”
“We ended the night with some personalized entertainment, belly dancers, and a lighting show on the beach. And of course, we had to end the night by running into the water! Every moment was perfect, and our guests were in awe of everything we did.”
“After our wedding, we did a day shoot in Mexico. Basically we visited some interesting sites in Mexico and even did a water shoot! We ended our wedding by visiting a local orphanage. Giving back, especially to children, is a huge passion of mine. We visited a local Walmart and bought a truck full of toys and clothes to donate to a local orphanage. We visited the orphanage and passed out everything and were able to play with the kids. It was an amazing way to end our trip. We have decided that for our honeymoon moon we are going to Ecuador to volunteer our time to teach kids who can’t go to school. I cannot wait for our next adventure!”
Vendors:
Wedding bands & Engagement Ring: Hannoush | Tuxedo Shirt: Bonobos | Mens Dress Shoes: Magnanni | Rehearsal Tux: Express | Wedding Dress Designer: Berta | Wedding Dress Store: Alexandra’s Bridal Boutique | Wedding Shoes: Macys | Wedding Resort: Axul Fives | Travel Agent: Trip Guy | Entertainment: DJ, Belly Dancers & Light Show: Lomas Travel | Headpiece: Spark Bridal | Trash the Dress: Lulus | Photographer: AmDragan | Flower Girl Dress: Laurie’s Tutu Boutique | Groom Tux: Hugo Boss
Tips and Ideas for Planning an Action-Packed Wedding in Mexico
Is a wedding in Mexico right for you?
Imagine yourself ziplining through a lush jungle canopy one minute and dancing barefoot under the stars with your new spouse the next. If the idea of swapping a stuffy banquet hall for wild beaches, cenote dips, and mariachi soundtracks makes your heart beat faster, then yes, a wedding in Mexico might be your soulmate.
I’ve planned and attended three Mexico weddings over the years—each more unhinged and magical than the last. One involved fire dancers, another included a tequila tasting mid-ceremony, and the most recent? The bride arrived via ATV. I’m still picking sand out of my clutch. But if adventure is your love language, Mexico is your playground.
What to know before planning an adventure wedding in Mexico?
1. Not all resorts are built for adrenaline.
You’ve got your dreamy all-inclusives and you’ve got your wild, off-the-grid eco-retreats. Choose wisely. If you want to ride horses into the surf or hike to your ceremony site, skip the mega resorts in Cancun and look toward places like Sayulita, Tulum, or Valle de Guadalupe.
Pro tip: Look for venues that specialize in boutique or experiential weddings. Many include on-site coordinators familiar with permit requirements for beach bonfires or drone shots from cliffside vows.
2. Legal weddings require paperwork gymnastics.
Want a legally binding Mexico wedding? Buckle up. You’ll need translated birth certificates, blood tests (yes, really), and a local officiant. Most couples opt for a symbolic ceremony in Mexico and do the legal part at home. Honestly, it saves you from spending your wedding day explaining your cholesterol to a lab tech. For more info – read this.
3. Think like a travel agent…and a jungle guide.
If your guests are flying in from different cities, you’ll need to coordinate transportation, lodging, and possibly group activities. I recommend creating a shared Google Doc with travel tips, outfit suggestions (like “bring hiking sandals AND a formal jumpsuit”), and a rough itinerary.
In one Mexico wedding I attended in Bacalar, the groom arranged a private catamaran cruise the day after the ceremony. Half the guests called it the best part of the trip. The other half were too sunburnt to move. Sunscreen, people. Always sunscreen.
How can you make your Mexico wedding action-packed without chaos?
1. Choose adventure with structure.
You don’t want guests feeling like extras on a survival reality show. Mix adrenaline with downtime. Think: morning cenote swim, chill midday tacos, sunset ceremony. Or partner with a local wedding planner who knows how to balance thrill and comfort like a Cirque du Soleil juggler.
I once saw a couple plan a sunrise yoga session followed by paddleboarding. Romantic? Yes. But most guests opted to sleep in and eat churros. Always give options.
2. Infuse local culture—but do it respectfully.
A Mexico wedding is a beautiful chance to celebrate a culture steeped in color, texture, music, and spice. Support local vendors. Hire mariachi musicians. Serve mezcal cocktails and Oaxacan mole. But avoid turning traditions into gimmicks.
Need inspo? Junebug Weddings has a solid guide on culturally respectful destination weddings.
3. Plan for the unexpected (because it will happen).
Jungle rain. Beach wind. Iguanas crashing your cocktail hour. I’ve seen it all. The best Mexico weddings embrace the chaos with humor. Bring backup outfits, waterproof makeup, and a don’t-sweat-it mindset. (Literally. Humidity is no joke.)
What makes a Mexico wedding unforgettable?
I’ll never forget a wedding I shot in Sayulita where the groom’s grandma did a tequila toast from a hammock and the flower girl got sidetracked chasing butterflies. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. Mexico has this way of stripping back the fuss and making space for what matters: joy, flavor, love—and a splash of wild.
If you’re planning a wedding in Mexico, don’t just chase pretty Pinterest vibes. Chase experience. Chase laughter. Chase tacos. Because years from now, your guests won’t remember the centerpieces. They’ll remember the sunset, the sand in their shoes, and the fact that your vows were interrupted by a parrot squawk.
Quick Tips for Planning an Action-Packed Wedding in Mexico:
- Research local marriage laws or plan a symbolic ceremony.
- Pick a venue that fits your thrill level (resort vs. adventure retreat).
- Build downtime into your itinerary.
- Respect local traditions and work with regional vendors.
- Pack smart: backup outfits, sunscreen, bug spray, Dramamine.
- Hire a planner or coordinator with Mexico wedding experience.
People Also Ask:
Can I legally get married in Mexico? Yes, but it requires paperwork, blood tests, and translations. Many couples do the legal part at home and the celebration in Mexico.
Is a destination wedding in Mexico cheaper? It can be! Smaller guest lists and bundled resort packages help reduce costs, but flights and activities can add up.
When’s the best time for a wedding in Mexico? November to April is drier, cooler, and ideal for outdoor weddings.
What are fun ideas for a Mexico wedding? Tequila tastings, cenote swims, beach bonfires, mariachi bands, jungle hikes, taco trucks.
Now go plan something wildly beautiful—and invite me, please.
Wow! What an inspiring wedding! The photos are so vibrant and the photos of the wedding party look so fun!
The bride’s dress looks sensational! The details on her dress are breathtaking! Perfect!
What a location to shoot in thats are amazing