Say “I do” to these extraordinary Los Cabos wedding venues
• Issue 37, Summer – By Ashley Alvarado
There’s no more perfect backdrop for your dream wedding than Los Cabos. The region’s paradisiacal conditions mean you can say “I do” nearly any time of the year and expect sunny skies, swimsuit-friendly weather, and a diverse landscape ready to be explored. There’s a healthy stable of planners—some of which we’ve included in “The Wedding List” directory, page 23—who are eager to help you with every detail of your nuptials, from securing a marriage license to locking in a hot band, organizing activities for your guests, and identifying caterers who can provide a custom, memorable meal. Of course, there is no bigger task than identifying where you will tie the knot. In this wedding wonderland, you can have your pick of venues. And here we highlight a handful of our favorites.
The Aquarium of the World
Legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortés the “aquarium of the world,” and now couples have the opportunity to get married or renew their vows underwater in this spectacular setting. The Bahia Hotel & Beach Club (www.bahiacabo.mx), a lovely boutique hotel in Cabo San Lucas’s Médano Beach district, has partnered with its celebrated on-site restaurant, Bar Esquina, as well as Los Cabos Minister Services and Nautilus Dive Tech to offer customizable packages starting at less than $2,000 U.S.
Wedding Corridor
The sister cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are connected by what’s known as the Tourist Corridor, a stretch of highway that lines the peninsula’s eastern edge and many of its finest hotels and restaurants, including some sensational wedding venues. Romance envelops Sunset da Mona Lisa (www.sunsetmonalisa.com), where iconic views of the sunset over Land’s End have inspired not only the restaurant’s name but also thousands of marriage proposals and countless weddings. The award-winning Pitahayas (www.pitahayas.com) is home to a celebrated menu of innovative Pacific Rim dishes, a rather magnificent palapa you’ll have see to believe, and a setting right on the beach. An experienced and friendly staff complements the stunning oceanfront location at De Cortez (www.decortezrestau rant.com), where you can wed on the beach, inside an intimate chapel, or under a blanket of stars.
The Tourist Corridor hotel Marbella Suites en la Playa (www.marbellasuites.com) exudes traditional Mexican charm while offering all the necessary modern-day conveniences and first-rate service you could want. The boutique hotel is ideal for hosting the entire wedding party before and after your oceanfront wedding looking out at the Sea of Cortés. And the couples massages on the beach are not to be passed up.
Land’s End
Love the ocean? Take advantage of the Cabo San Lucas Bay’s calm waters and the glorious sunsets over Land’s End by chartering a wedding cruise. For an intimate ceremony, you can opt for something from the Cabo Sailing (www.cabosailing.com) fleet of picturesque yachts and sailboats. The eco-friendly SunRider (www.sunrid ertours.com) catamaran is perfect for a large, lavish, and swanky affair, complete with lobster and champagne.
Down by the Bay
Médano Beach provides an excellent setting for any wedding, with a backdrop of the Cabo San Lucas Bay’s lapping waves and the iconic arch at Land’s End in the distance. For more than a decade, the talented Baja Cantina Beach (www.baja cantinabeachclub.com) has worked with couples to design and execute dream weddings that can be as big or small, elegant or toes-in-the-sand as you like.
The Heart of Cabo
Just because you’re having a destination wedding doesn’t mean you need to select a remote location. The Wyndham Cabo San Lucas (www.tesororesorts.com) is located in the heart of downtown and overlooks the city’s vibrant marina. The hotel has its own on-site wedding coordinator who can help with everything down to the last detail. Of course you can add an extra special Cabo San Lucas touch by giving out Tequila Cabo Único (www.tequilacabouni co.com) talavera party favors.
A Mexican Retreat
Also located within the heart of Cabo San Lucas, you’ll find the restaurant and tequila lounge Hacienda el Coyote (www.hacien daelcoyote.com). This gorgeous and spacious space—a popular spot for weddings—celebrates the heart and soul of Mexican food, and its chefs specialize in traditional dishes from around México. Its experienced team can handle all the details, arranging food, providing music and a dance floor, and more.
The Wedding List
From planners to paperwork, we’ve got you covered
The beauty of a destination wedding is that it can be as large or small, as elaborate or simple as you want it to be. Here, we share a directory of Los Cabos businesses eager to help you plan your big day.
Accommodations
Bahia Hotel & Beach Club: The chic boutique hotel in the Médano Beach district offers activity-oriented accommodations, is home to the exceptional Bar Esquina restaurant, and recently introduced one-of-a-kind underwater wedding packages. www.bahiacabo.mx.
Hacienda Encantada: The Tourist Corridor resort offers four-Diamond accommodations and several wedding packages, starting at $1,695 U.S. www.haciendaencantada.com.
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort: The family-friendly hotel—part of the famed hotel chain—offers a luxurious setting for guests as well as weddings in English and Spanish. www.hiltonloscabos.com.
Marbella Suites en la Playa: The boutique hotel on the Tourist Corridor offers comfortable digs for wedding parties, as well as a beautiful backdrop for a beach wedding. www.marbella suites.com.
Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa: Guests at the Marina Fiesta are just steps from all the excitement in downtown Cabo San Lucas, and the resort specializes in custom honeymoon packages. www.marinafiestaresort.com.
Wyndham Cabo San Lucas: Host your wedding party and the reception itself right on the Cabo San Lucas Marina. www.tesororesorts.com/loscabos/wyndham-cabo-san-lucas.
Catering
Denni’s Catering: This Los Cabos–based company is a favorite of movie stars, and it can provide you with not only a completely customized meal but also all your necessary rental services. (624) 143-8198, www.denniscatering.com.
Coordinators
Allure Event: Owner Vari Avila is an expert in creating stylish destination weddings, as well marriage proposals, cruise ship weddings, bridal showers, and more. (949) 209-8713 from United States, (624) 144-3995 from México, www.allureevent.com.
Cabo Wedding Services: Whether you’re looking for a big to-do or something smaller, this team can help identify the perfect wedding location. (624) 145-8304, www.caboweddingservices.com.
Little Big Events: This full-service event company handles everything from party rentals to valet parking. (624) 146-3717, www.littlebigeventscabo.com.
Entertainment
Habana Sweet and Divine Roses: Show and entertainment company specializing in achieving maximum fun and entertainment. www.habanasweet.com.
Mariachi Gavilancillo: Add some traditional Mexican flavor to your celebration. www.mariachigavilancillo.com.
Rosalía de Cuba: The Cuban-born singer can liven up any event. www.rosaliadecuba.com.
Trio Los Mosquitos: An experienced trio that plays everything from classical music to boleros. (624) 172-5276.
Florists
Flowers & Events: The full-service special events company handles flower arrangements as well as decor. (624) 105-2935, www.flowersande ventsloscabos.com.
Photographers
Andrik Oechler: This experienced photographer has shot everything from wildlife to advertising and hundreds of wedings. (624) 146-9067, www.photoandrik.com.
Cabo Image: Los Cabos Magazine photographer Miguel Ventura capably captures all of the special moments of your wedding day. (624) 105-2796, www.caboimage.com.
Cabo Pictures: Stephanie Olvera, the newest photographer at Los Cabos Magazine and owner of Cabo Pictures, specializes in professional portraiture and wedding photography. (619) 600-6443 from the United States, (624) 160-4946 from México, www.cabopictures.com.
Carlos Aboyo: Visit www.caboyo.com/weddings to view an impressive collection of wedding images this Los Cabos Magazine contributor photographer has captured over the years. (624) 122-4777, www.caboyo.com.
Gilda Badillo: This experienced photographer has a fun approach to wedding photography, capturing the most special moments as well as engagement parties, the “trash the dress” moment, and more. (619) 378-0034 from the United States, (624) 144-4227 from México, www.gildaphoto.com.
PhotoAmore: One of the best-known photographers in Los Cabos, Francisco Estrada has photographed everything from Los Cabos Magazine covers to aerials and real estate. Samples of his wedding photography can be viewed at www.photoamore.com. (624) 104-3433.
Venues
Baja Cantina Beach: The full-service restaurant and beach club on Médano Beach helps oversee all the wedding details—whether you’re expecting two guests or 500—while you enjoy an excellent menu and views of Land’s End. www.bajacantinabeachclub.com.
Caborey: The luxury triple-decker catamaran is popular for its extravagant dinner cruises, complete with five-star dinners and a Las Vegas–style floor show. Caborey’s impressive size means it can accommodate just about any size wedding party. www.caborey.com.
Hacienda el Coyote: This gorgeous space is ideal for any Mexican-themed wedding or reception. Chefs specialize in traditional dishes from around México, and the tequila lounge provides plenty of spirit. www.hacien daelcoyote.com.
The Moxitos Beach Club: Want to wed right on the beach? Check out the newest spot on Médano Beach, where you can get married as your guests look on at you, your partner, and the iconic arch at Land’s End. www.cabomoxitos.com.
Pitahayas: The elegant Tourist Corridor restaurant offers a romantic oceanfront location, with several different settings for your wedding and reception. www.pitahayas.com.
Puerta Vieja: Marry with the Cabo San Lucas Bay as a gorgeous backdrop…and the Puerta Vieja team handling all the logistics. www.puertavieja.com.
Romeo & Julieta: Enjoy the romance of Italy and the weather of Los Cabos at this stellar Italian restaurant in downtown Cabo San Lucas. www.restaurantromeoyjulieta.com.
SunRider: For a memorable wedding day, opt for a romantic wedding cruise aboard any of SunRider’s wide range of boats. www.sunridertours.com.
Sunset da Mona Lisa: Quite possibly the most romantic restaurant in all of Los Cabos, this spot is known for its views of the sunset over Land’s End and its reputation for couples getting engaged. It’s been said at least one couple gets engaged there each night. www.sunsetmonalisa.com.
Villa Serena: Though known for its amazing $19.95 U.S. lobster dinner deal, Villa Serena is also home to several potential wedding locations, including a new deck just in front of its pool. www.villaserenarestaurant.com.
