Cancun Weddings Frequently Asked Questions

• Requirements
• Wedding Packages
• Reserving a wedding ceremony
• Payment
• Dinner & Menus
• General Ceremony Questions

Requirements

How long do we have to be at the resort before we can get married?

For civil and religious ceremonies performed at the Moon Palace, Aventura Spa Palace and Playacar Palace, 3 business days prior to ceremony date are required (Monday-Saturday are considered business days). For civil and religious ceremonies performed at the Cozumel Palace and Vallarta Palace, 4 business days prior to the ceremony are required. Holidays do not apply.

What is the latest time I can arrive at the resort for it to count towards my 3-business day's requirement?

Couples must arrive at the resort by 3:00pm on a business day in order for that day to be considered as the first day.

Are weddings performed at Palace Resorts legal in the United States?

Yes. Civil weddings performed at the Palace Resorts in Mexico are legal in the United States. Please contact your nearest courthouse to find out more information on registering your marriage certificate and obtaining information on whether or not your state requires you to translate the marriage certificate to English.

Do we need to have a passport and birth certificate to get married?

Yes. Both documents are required in order to get civilly married.

How many photocopies of my birth certificate do I need?

You must have a certified copy of your birth certificate with an Apostille document or legalization document attached along with two photocopies.

If my name is different from the passport and birth certificate will this present a problem?

Yes. All names must be exactly the same including middle names.

Is there any additional documentation required when performing a wedding ceremony at Palace Resorts?

Yes. A Tourist Id is required; you will automatically obtain this upon arrival at the Cancun Airport. In addition if either bride or groom have ever been divorced, widowed, had a name change or are adopted an original or certificated copy of the decree or document is required along with an Apostille document. If Canadian please contact the Mexican Embassy nearest you to obtain an Authentication document along with your decree or documents.

What is an Apostille document, why do I need it and where can I get it?

The Apostille Document is a special certification document, which is accepted to countries who are a party to the rules of the Hague Convention. The Apostille document enables you to bypass further certification from the US Department of State and immediately send or take your documents to the country of intended use. Please contact your Secretary of State office for information on how to obtain the Apostille Document or log on to http://www.travel.state.gov/about/info/customer/customer_312.html

For Canadian Residents the Authentication document, which is obtained from your Nearest Mexican Embassy Office, serves the same purpose as the Apostille document.

If I am a Mexican Citizen and getting married with a foreigner, will I need extra documentation?

Yes. Both bride and groom must arrive to the resort 7 business days prior to ceremony date. Foreigner would have to proceed towards Immigration Department to obtain all the necessary documents when civilly marrying a Mexican Citizen. Please contact your assigned wedding coordinator to obtain all the required documents that must be presented.

Can I contact the Immigration Department directly prior to our arrival?

Yes. You can contact them to 011-52-998-884-1658.

Is there an out of pocket fee we must pay for the Free Wedding Package?

There is a mandatory blood test that must be taken at the resort. The cost is approximately $50.00 per person. Translation fees apply to bride or groom for required documents.

Can I translate documents prior to our arrival to the resort?

No. All translations must be done at the resort. Additional fees apply.

I was divorced less than one year ago. Can I have my civil ceremony at the Resort?

Yes. However, a mandatory pregnancy test must be taken. If positive the ceremony will not be performed. No Exceptions.

What diseases do you test for?

HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and all STD's are tested.

Can I have a doctor perform the blood test in my country and take the results to the resort?

No. Blood tests must be taken at the resort.

Will I be able to perform the wedding ceremony if one of the tests came positive?

No, under the Mexican Constitution couples that test positive cannot get civilly married in Mexico.

Will the judge perform the wedding ceremony if all documents are not in order? Are there exceptions?

No. The judge is employed by the Mexican Civil Registry Department and all Documents must be in order. No Exceptions will be made. Please verify all documentation before departure to ensure that you have all necessary documents.

Do we mail documents before we arrive?

No. Documents must be hand carried and presented to the wedding coordinator during the time of your interview.  Only for the Cozumel Palace would a couple have to fax all documents to (305) 375-9508 at least 30 days prior to their arrival.

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Wedding Packages

Can I get married in my country and still receive the Free Wedding Package?

No. The Free Wedding Package can only be obtained if both bride and groom are getting married for the first time. (If you are already civilly married, please ask about our vow renewal packages).

Do I qualify for the Free Wedding package if I do not stay at any of your wedding resorts (Moon Palace, Aventura Spa Palace, Playacar Palace and Vallarta Palace)?

No. Our Free Wedding package is only applicable to couples that reside at one of our wedding resorts that offer this type of package.

Do you offer any Free Vow Renewal Packages?

No. At the moment, all vow renewal packages require an additional cost.

Can I purchase one of your Optional Bridal packages individually?

No. A general package (Free, Superior, Deluxe or Vow Renewal) must be purchased in order to obtain one of our Optional Bridal Packages.

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Reserving a wedding ceremony

How can I reserve my wedding ceremony?

A wedding reservation form must be completed with all required information. You can find this form on the website at www.palaceresorts.com by clicking the Reservation Request icon found on the Main Weddings page.

Will I be contacted once I submit the reservation request form?

Yes. Once your form has been reserved, you should receive a written confirmation via email within 24-48 business hours with all the required information. If you are not contacted within this time period please contact us directly at 1-800-635-1836 ext. 6010.

If I am receiving the Free Wedding Packages do I still need to complete the charge authorization form?

Yes. This form is required as a guarantee for your wedding reservation. The credit card will only be charged if the wedding is cancelled 45 days or less from the wedding date.

Do you perform ceremonies on Sundays?

No. All wedding ceremonies are performed Monday-Saturday only. Holidays do not apply.

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Payment

If I obtain the Superior, Deluxe or Vow Renewal Package is payment required immediately?

A 50% deposit will be required 14 days after ceremony has been confirmed. The final payment is due 30 days prior to wedding date.

When should payment on all Optional Services be made?

Optional Services are to be paid at the resort during your initial interview with assigned wedding coordinator. The only optional services that must be reserved at least 60 days prior to the wedding date is if you are interested in having a private function, religious ceremony or live band.

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Dinner & Menus

Are we able to reserve the restaurant area for our included wedding dinner prior to our arrival?

No. Upon your interview with your assigned wedding coordinator. Bride and groom will receive a list of all restaurants and times that are available for this dinner.

What if I have more than the guests covered by the wedding packages, can I still have my wedding dinner at one of the restaurants?

No. the maximum number of guests that we can accommodate at the Aventura Spa & Moon Palace Resorts is 50 guests. At Playacar Palace 30 guests is the maximum, at Vallarta Palace is 25 and the Cozumel Palace is 30. If planning to accommodate a wedding party with more guests, a private function must be purchased (Pricing is available when clicking on the Optional Services Icon).

What locations can I choose to host my private function dinner if I chose to purchase one?

Private functions are held in our Ballroom or Terrace Areas.  Locations vary according to the resort.

Can all available menus be served in either the Ballroom or Terrace area?

In the terrace area we are only able to accommodate buffet or cocktail functions. In our Ballroom area, any menu can be served.

Is there a minimum number of guests to reserve a function?

There is a minimum of 15 guests to reserve all functions however; a function can be purchased for fewer guests at an additional charge will apply.

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General Ceremony Questions

Is the ceremony performed in English or Spanish?

The ceremony is performed in English however; it can be performed in Spanish upon request.

Can we have the ceremony performed on the beach?

Ceremonies must be performed in our wedding gazebos. All wedding gazebos over look the ocean.  The only resort that offers weddings at the beach is the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort.

Would I be able to ship my wedding dress among some wedding favors to the resort?

Unfortunately Palace Resorts no longer allows packages to be shipped directly to the property

Are their any optional services that must be reserved prior to our arrival to Palace Resorts?

Yes. If interested in purchasing a live band, religious ceremony, minister, tuxedo rentals or a private dinner functions please contact your wedding coordinator at least 60 days prior so she can confirm these services for your wedding ceremony.

Will I have to contact the wedding coordinator upon my arrival to the resort?

No. Upon checking into your room, you will receive an appointment letter from your assigned coordinator informing you on the date and time of your interview.

When do I reserve Salon Services? For example hair appointment, nail services ect.

These will be reserved by your wedding coordinator on the day of your interview.

Do you offer more flower selections than the ones that are on your website?

Absolutely. Your wedding coordinator will present you with a flower album that includes all bouquet & boutonnieres options at the resort.

If I have guests who want to attend the wedding, but will not be staying at a Palace Resort property, can they still attend the wedding?

Yes. However, guests not staying at any Palace Resorts must purchase a day pass upon arriving to the resort. The day pass gives the guests full access to the resorts amenities.

I am getting married at Aventura Spa Palace, can I have my niece whom is 17 attend the ceremony? Will the hotel make an exception?

Due to the strict rules and regulations that govern the Aventura Spa Palace an adult inclusive resort we are not able to make any exceptions. All guests must be 18 years or older.

Will our marriage certificate be issued in English or Spanish?

The Marriage Certificate is issued in Spanish. You must register the marriage certificate with your nearest court. Contact your local courthouse for more information.

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