How Many Days to Plan for Your Destination Wedding in Mexico
Hey there, newly engaged friends! After shooting hundreds of destination weddings, I've heard this question more times than I can count: "Evan, how many days should we actually plan for our destination wedding?" Trust me, I get it. You're trying to give yourselves enough time while not asking too much of your guests.
Look, I've seen it all—from the rushed 48-hour whirlwind weddings to the week-long celebrations that feel more like family reunions. So let me share what I've learned about creating the perfect timeline for your celebration abroad.
The Minimum Timeline
Let's get real—you technically need just three days for a destination wedding. Day one: arrive. Day two: get married. Day three: head home. Is it possible? Yes. Would I recommend it? Not really.
You have to consider the jet lag, and you will feel like you haven't even experienced Mexico. Plus, your legal ceremony has to be symbolic since Mexico requires you to be in-country for several days before legally marrying. Take it from someone who's seen the regret firsthand—don't squeeze your once-in-a-lifetime celebration into the absolute minimum time possible.
The Ideal Timeline
From what I've seen through my experience over the years, the sweet spot falls between five and seven days. This isn't just some arbitrary number—it's based on watching hundreds of couples either stress through their wedding or actually enjoy it.
Let’s say you planned a 6-day celebration that goes like this: arrival day (with nothing planned so you could recover from travel), welcome party day, group catamaran excursion day, wedding day, "hangover brunch" recovery day, and departure day. Give yourself this gift if you can.
Legal Requirements
Here's something most couples don't realize until too late—many countries have rules about how long you need to be there before legally marrying. In Mexico, you typically need to be there about four business days before saying "I do" legally. And you'll need blood tests done in Mexico, various documents translated and authenticated, and more paperwork than you probably expected.
This is why about 60% of my destination wedding couples opt for what we call the "legal at home, symbolic abroad" approach. They quietly handle the paperwork at their local courthouse before or after their trip, and treat their destination ceremony as the "real" one emotionally, if not legally. If you're set on making it legal at your destination, that's completely doable too—just build those required days into your timeline from the start.
Consider Your Guest Experience
Your wedding is about you, but let's not forget—you're asking people to take time off work, spend money on flights and accommodations, and possibly arrange childcare to celebrate with you. Finding the balance between "too short to be worth the trip" and "too long to be realistic" matters.
The Welcome Party
I can't stress this enough—your welcome event might be the most important part of your destination wedding after the ceremony itself. This is where everyone gets their bearings, meets each other, and sets the vibe for the days to come.
By the time your wedding day arrives, it feels like everyone had been friends forever. Give yourself and your guests at least one full day between arrival and wedding to make this magic happen.
Activity Days
Group activities might seem like just a fun extra, but they're actually relationship gold for your guests. This is where your college roommate bonds with your partner's cousin, where your dad finds out he and your new father-in-law both love deep-sea fishing.
Not everyone will go for activities, but those shared experiences create connections that make the wedding reception feel like the best kind of party—where everyone already feels comfortable with each other. Even if you're working with a tighter timeline, try to carve out at least one activity window where guests can choose to connect.
The Wedding Day
Here's my number one tip as someone who's documented hundreds of wedding days: plan NOTHING else on your actual wedding day. I mean it. No morning excursions, no breakfast with extended family, or travel arrangements.
The couples who seem most present in their wedding photos are invariably those who protected this day. No rushing, no stress-checking watches. Your wedding day in a breathtaking destination deserves your full attention—don't split it with anything else.
Recovery Day
Listen, destination weddings are emotional and physical marathons—especially for you two as the stars of the show. Building in at least one recovery day before heading to the airport isn't just nice—it's practically essential. Your future selves will thank you.
Extended Stays: Honeymoon
About half my destination wedding couples choose to stay on for their honeymoon after guests leave. Think about it—you're already somewhere gorgeous, you've paid for the flights, and you're acclimated to the time zone and culture.
Many resorts offer special honeymoon packages that can be tacked onto your wedding stay, often with room upgrades or special experiences. Even if a full honeymoon isn't in your budget, consider staying just 2-3 extra days to decompress together before heading back to reality.
Budget Considerations
I know what you're thinking—"Evan, this all sounds amazing, but every additional day costs money." You're absolutely right, and I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't acknowledge that reality.
Every destination wedding budget has different priorities. I've photographed million-dollar extravaganzas and intimate gatherings of just 12 people at boutique hotels. Your extended timeline doesn't have to break the bank—many of my couples plan just one or two "hosted" events and provide guests with suggestions for other days. Others go all-out with fully planned and paid experiences every day. There's no right answer here, just the right balance for YOUR priorities and budget. If you're choosing between more days or more elaborate details, I'll tell you what I tell all my couples: in all these years of shooting weddings, I've never heard anyone say "I wish we'd spent more on centerpieces," but I've heard countless people say, "I wish we'd had more time."
Your Perfect Timeline
Here's the beautiful thing about destination weddings—there's no one-size-fits-all timeline. Your perfect schedule depends on so many factors: your relationship, your guests' needs, your budget priorities, and what your dream celebration looks like.
The key is being intentional about how you use your time and setting clear expectations for your guests. Don't just default to what your venue suggests or what your planner has done before—really think about what rhythm will allow you and your people to be fully present.
Why Timeline Matters for Photography
As your potential photographer, I have to emphasize—your timeline dramatically impacts the quality and variety of your wedding images. I can make magic in any conditions, but giving your photography breathing room elevates everything.
If photography is a priority for you, consider how your timeline allows for golden hour sessions, relaxed portraits without rushing, and capturing those candid moments that happen when people have time to truly connect.
Ready to Plan Your Perfect Destination Wedding Timeline?
I've seen firsthand how the right timeline transforms a destination wedding from potentially stressful to genuinely joyful. After photographing celebrations across Mexico's most stunning locations, I promise you—the time you invest in thoughtful planning now will pay off in memories you'll treasure forever.
If you're dreaming of a destination wedding in Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Cancun, or anywhere along Mexico's gorgeous coastlines, I'd love to help capture your celebration. At Arch Wedding Studio, we specialize in telling the complete story of your destination wedding—from welcome events to honeymoon portraits. Let's chat about creating a custom photography package that fits your unique timeline and vision. Drop me a line at ewhitney1023@icloud.com or check out our portfolio to see if our style speaks to you. Your Mexico wedding adventure is waiting—let's make sure every beautiful moment is preserved!