Weddings: Made for Romance

Love-filled getaways await

By Sarah Muñoz

With the most diverse of venues, minute attention to detail and hands-on service, you’ll be hard pressed to find as idyllic a spot for weddings and special events than Los Cabos. When it comes to romance, this destination exceeds expectations with great exclusivity — think moonlit receptions and violinists at Fiesta Americana Grand Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort, Mexican fiestas amid manicured gardens, gourmet fare and fireworks lighting up the night.

There are many reasons why Los Cabos is one of the most popular spots for destination weddings. To start, so many hotels and resorts here have a dedicated wedding staff who are well versed in preparing magical moments, and also offer great packages that make for completely stress-free planning, as the resort does the work for you — as casual or elegant an affair as you wish. Another wonderful perk: Los Cabos’ wide versatility of venues and services. Make your grand entrance on horseback from the beach or on a regal stairway that winds down onto a ballroom fit for a princess’ ball — or anything in between. Additionally, a great number of flights from the U.S. make it very easy to get here.

Yet another advantage of a wedding in Los Cabos is that you will find everything you could possibly need and want for your special day — and then some. A small army of service providers, expert wedding planners, top-tier chefs and other purveyors guarantee wonderful photo and video memories of your most special moments, unforgettable catering options and exquisite décor. Music? Choose a harpist, a live band or mariachis to animate the occasion. Los Cabos has celebrated elaborate Hindu ceremonies, set up chuppahs for Jewish weddings and offered up its churches for Catholic nuptials with effortless grace. If you think you might have a tough request for your special day, trust that Los Cabos has heard it all and made it happen.

And as ideal and convenient as Los Cabos is for couples getting married, it’s also a wonderful escape for wedding guests and honeymooners because of the destination’s many possibilities. They can swim with dolphins, take a cooking class, have a private tequila tasting, go on a desert safari or explore the ocean on a dinner cruise. Moreover, the popularity of girlfriends’ getaways and man-cations, combined with Los Cabos’ expertise in weddings, has expanded into options for day- or weekend-long bachelor and bachelorette parties that can encompass everything from hours of collective spa time to happy hour cocktails at sea, five-course feasts and late-night dancing. These have become increasingly popular as celebs like Nicole Richie have enjoyed their “last nights of freedom” here, so expect a full roster of can’t-miss activities for the whole group, including tours of popular clubs and daytime fishing excursions.

So what’s hot in Los Cabos’ romance offerings? Sunset ceremonies by the sea, of course; vow renewals for any anniversary with extended honeymoons for in-depth Baja exploration; and even baby-moons, which allow new parents to escape with the little ones and get much-needed pampering. Another option that keeps increasing in popularity is the ecoconscious celebration. Secrets Marquis Los Cabos, whose ecofriendliness is legendary, offers a Green Wedding package that comes with organic bouquet, centerpieces and meals, plus the pièce de résistance: couples can assist in the release of baby sea turtles during September and October, as Secrets Marquis Los Cabos is a certified sea turtle watch-and-rescue site that protects five species.

All-Inclusive Bliss
Resorts such as Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos expertly combine Los Cabos’ best attributes with great choices for couples. “Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos has the most amazing sunsets, with vibrant rays of reds and golds reflecting off the serene desert and shimmering ocean,” says Amanda Davis, Product Manager, Romance, AMResorts. “Additionally, the architecture of the property reflects an elegant Mexican hacienda, so couples will be able to incorporate the rich traditions of Mexico into their wedding day.” Zoëtry never has more than one wedding per day, she adds, so brides have the spotlight entirely on them for their most special of days.

Every guest at Zoëtry enjoys its Endless Privileges program, which features daily meals and beverages of all types, daily fruit and champagne, 24-hour in-room dining and more. Their wedding packages, which may include everything from printed menu cards to the bride’s hairstyling, also offer couples a free night when staying at least four nights on their first anniversary.

Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa, also from AMResorts, has its own all-inclusive program that goes well beyond the norm, named Unlimited Luxury. It includes all meals and day and evening activities, plus the Explorer’s Club for kids. Wedding packages are just as generous, including everything from the wedding cake to discounts at the spa. Ceremonies are held in a romantic gazebo, on the beach or on one of the resort’s terraces. Like in so many other resorts, special group rates are available when the wedding party and their guests book a specific number of nights. With the Dreams Weddings in Paradise package, the couple can receive a complimentary wedding when they book a Honeymoon Suite or higher category for at least seven nights or if five rooms are reserved for a minimum of three nights in any room category. The complimentary package, which is also good for a vow renewal ceremony, includes the minister or justice of the peace, wedding organization, preparation of the wedding dress and groom’s suit or tux, the bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake and sparkling wine for 10 guests and more. Dreams Los Cabos also offers complimentary anniversary nights when couples book a specific number of nights a year later. 

In San José del Cabo, the all-inclusive Barceló Los Cabos Palace Deluxe offers a wealth of romantic options for the bride and groom. They can say their “I do’s” on the beach or in a gazebo, or opt for a religious ceremony at the Mission San José del Cabo Anuiti. The resort’s wedding packages can be personalized to fit the couple and feature a room upgrade to the next category available, a honeymoon breakfast in the room the morning after and much more. They can even receive a free ceremony if the entire wedding party books a minimum of 70 room nights.

Like Barceló, the all-inclusive Meliá Cabo Real has its own dedicated romance and weddings Web site where couples can pick and choose between great offers, including honeymoon and anniversary packages that come with couples’ massages, bottles of sparkling wine, Jacuzzi or bathtub décor for a tandem soak and more. The resort also works with customized proposals, providing a great selection of services, including music, photography, tailored set-ups and other choices.  

Creating Magic
While most big resorts have their own on-site wedding planners and coordinators, only Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, has a Director of Romance. Esmeralda Silva helps create some of the most uniquely luxurious experiences for couples, including Sleeping with the Stars at Las Ventanas, where the twosome sleeps in a king-size bed right on their rooftop suite or penthouse terrace with the twinkling lights of the Baja sky above. They also enjoy a telescope with a guide to view the different constellations, a phone, a coffee machine, candles and other conveniences while “camping out.”

“Love is in the details,” says Silva. “I get to know the couple and work closely with them to create romantic experiences tailored for them that will ignite their passion, bring them together and be remembered hopefully forever.” Other options from Las Ventanas’ Romance Menu include a helicopter marriage proposal, a private salsa lesson, a horse-drawn carriage ride, a romantic cruise aboard Las Ventanas’ yacht and even an intimate theater for two, right on the sand.

Given its privileged location at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, couples choosing Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa get to enjoy their own live orchestra of crashing waves and one of the most intimate and picturesque settings for a ceremony. The resort has a gazebo situated just steps away from the ocean; opposite the sea is a natural mountainous rock formation that provides additional privacy. With tiki torches on the sand, seasonal flowers about, fireworks at the ready and the assistance of the on-site coordinator, any type of wedding, anniversary or vow renewal ceremony is a picture-perfect event. Best of all, Grand Solmar also has an array of packages that treat the couple to massages and other perks.

Legal Requirements for getting married in Mexico

All documents except Tourist Visas should be submitted well in advance of the wedding, because they must be translated into Spanish. Civil weddings are performed in Spanish by a judge and are legal worldwide.

• Valid passports
• Copies of Tourist Visas (received on the plane)
• Copies of birth certificates
• Copies of divorce decrees, if applicable (It is necessary to be divorced for one year before being married in Mexico. The divorce decree must be translated by an official in Baja California Sur.)
• Blood test performed in the state where you are being married
• Four witnesses over the age of 18

Lorena Fabela
Meet Las Ventanas’ Amor Aficionado

By Rick Stedman

If you truly want to impress the love of your life, consult the Department of Romance at Las Ventanas al Paraíso. Romance and PR coordinator Lorena Fabela is the amor aficionado who serves in the unique capacity of fulfilling the wishes of lovers in love. “We always try to look for the ‘wow’ effect,” she explains. A sampling of that “wow” effect might include a helicopter proposal, candlelit dinner for two on the beach, a private cruise on the Sea of Cortés or an aromatherapy massage for two. Whatever the request, the goal is the same: To make the romantic dreams of every Las Ventanas guest a reality.

Before guests arrive, they fill out a personal profile regarding their preferences and a list of options. “Most of the time, women are very specific with what they want,” says Fabela, “while the men tend to go more with my recommendations.” Whether it’s an opulent display of affection or simply a time to retreat from the world, Las Ventanas guarantees your love meter will be off the charts by the time you depart.

Setting the tone throughout Las Ventanas are the enchanting Mediterranean-Mexican style architecture and design. In each room, guests will find personal spas, rooftop patios and telescopes for stargazing. In addition, all suites feature butler service, spacious living areas, wood-burning fireplaces and magnificent panoramic views of the sea, sand and desert gardens. There are also three love trees throughout the property that turn guests’ fancy to thoughts of love at this fantastic Five-Diamond resort.

“We have achieved a Five-Diamond rating for the eighth straight year because our entire staff is passionately dedicated to setting international standards for a luxury resort by delivering the ultimate personalized service and an unsurpassed guest experience,” says Managing Director Lionel Álvarez. “Lorena has personally provided our guests with memories that will last a lifetime.”

Fabela, who grew up in Mazatlán and studied international marketing, has lived in Los Cabos for six years. “Los Cabos is paradise,” she declares. Thus, working at Las Ventanas al Paraíso, which is Spanish for “windows to paradise,” seems like the perfect match. The irony of Lorena Fabela heading the Department of Romance is that she herself is single. “After working at this job for three years, I have seen a lot of romantic expressions, and I have certain expectations,” she explains with a smile. “I am waiting for my perfect match.”

To continue learning more about the fine hotels, resorts and condos in Los Cabos, please visit: www.VisitLosCabos.org or click here for a complete quick list of accommodations.

Why is Cabo so much fun? There is so much to do! Click here for a list of dive, watersports, fishing and tour operators. You'll also find links to Cabo's world class golf courses, spas, adventure tours, horseback riding, wedding coordinators and cruises.