How to Choose the Right Resort for Your Destination Wedding by Barefoot Bride Kristen Wright
When we decided to have a destination wedding, choosing the resort felt like the biggest decision. There are hundreds of beautiful options, and every website makes them look perfect. After going through the process myself, I realized there are a few things that matter most. I joined “Destination Weddings- Cancun brides and Riviera Maya Brides” Facebook group and this is where I really started my research, posting questions, reviewing other weddings and got in touch with Barefoot Bridal.
Think About Your Guest Experience
Your guests aren’t just attending a ceremony; they’re planning an entire vacation. When choosing a resort, consider things like:
- distance from the airport (ours is about 40 mins but transportation is provided to and from arranged through Barefoot Bridal).
- room price options (our room block varies to basic rooms to rooftop plunge suites for our guests to choose from)
- adults-only vs family-friendly (our property has both adult side and a family friendly side)
- restaurants and activities on the property (we chose a resort that had many options for different food and activities every night but that’s not a huge party resort)
A resort that offers a great overall experience will make the trip feel worth it for everyone attending.
Review the Wedding Packages Carefully
Most all-inclusive resorts offer wedding packages, but they can vary quite a bit. Some include ceremony setup, basic florals, a reception dinner, and a coordinator, while others require more add-ons.
Make sure you look closely at what is included so there are no surprises later. I have had other brides share their invoices to get an idea of the final costs. It helps out a ton that the resorts often have so many options to choose from so you can relax and not have to do so many DIY projects. I am bringing a few things from home such as (cake topper, drink stirrers, signature drink sign, some fans, and a save a seat sign). The rest of the décor will be provided by the resort.
Understand the Room Block Structure
I discussed this more in depth in a previous blog that I posted. Room blocks are an important part of destination weddings, and not all resorts handle them the same way. Some require large financial commitments from couples if rooms aren’t filled, while others are more flexible.
Working with a travel partner like Barefoot Bridal helped us understand these options and ensured our guests had flexible deposits and payment plans. I explained to my guests that booking through my room block guarantees someone to assist them when they have questions and the rate locks in. Booking through the resort directly is often through a 3rd party and can get quite messy from what I’ve seen on Facebook reviews.
Look at Real Weddings
Resort websites will always show their best photos, so I found it helpful to look at real weddings on Instagram and in destination wedding Facebook groups. Seeing actual ceremonies and receptions made it easier to picture what our wedding could look like.
Trust Your Instincts
After researching countless resorts, we ultimately chose the one that felt like the right fit. We got engaged in October 2024 and had our resort booked by January 2025 at the Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres. The resort looks beautiful and I have joined a few Facebook groups that are not bridal based to research it more, and so far, all good reviews! I’ll report back once the wedding is over with a complete review.
