Dreaming of a Cabo Wedding? Here´s What You Need to Know About Costs

If you’re beginning your wedding planning journey and have set your sights on beautiful Cabo, then this is for you. By now, you’ve likely started gathering information on the costs associated with a wedding in Cabo, probably encountering the frustratingly common response: “It depends!” While this statement is undeniably true, we want to give you a closer look at what exactly these costs depend on and give you a clear understanding of what to expect.

First and foremost, the cost of a wedding in Cabo varies based on several key factors. These include the time of year, the specific venue, the number of guests, and the type of services and vendors you choose. So, let’s break these down:

Cabo doesn’t have traditional wedding venues like big cities do, but it boasts stunning resorts, villas, and restaurants that serve as perfect wedding locations. Here’s a rough estimate of what you might spend on this one:

• Event or Location Fee: $5,000 to USD 15,000

This fee covers renting the space or obtaining the permit to host your event. The exact cost will vary based on your guest count and chosen location.

Your catering costs will include cocktail hour appetizers, a wedding dinner (plated, buffet, or family style), an open bar (for at least 5 hours), and possibly a late-night snack cause a bite can come extra handy after drinking, dancing, and too much fun! Costs vary depending on the venue type:

• European Plan Hotels/Restaurants: $280 to USD 375 per person (plus tax and service charge)
• All-Inclusive Hotels: $185 to USD 250 per person

Yup! Opting for an all-inclusive hotel can be more budget-friendly for your food and beverage needs.

Music is a vital part of your wedding, and the cost, well, it depends! It can vary greatly depending on your preferences:

• DJ: $300 to $400 per hour
• Live Band: $6,000 to $15,000. The price range depends on how many elements you need: soloist, duo, trio, quartet, or a full band show.

You can do just a DJ or combine both live music for some parts of the day and the DJ for the party. It´s all up to what you prefer and the experience you are looking for.

Selecting the right photographer is crucial, as they will capture your precious moments forever. You can’t just decide by comparing prices on this one, you have to make sure the artist’s vision and style are what you like and want for your wedding coverage.

• Photography Services: $4,000 to USD 10,000. It depends on the hour coverage, mostly for 6 to 8 hours.

This pricing is based on the amazing talent available in Cabo, with so many different photo styles. Of course, you can always fly in a destination photographer and again, the price could vary.

 

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

 

Una publicación compartida por Cabo Engagement & Wedding Planners (@creativedestinationevents)

While often handled by a separate team, videography costs similarly align with those of photography. Local vendors typically specialize in either photography or videography, so most weddings will have two separate teams working in tandem to capture your day. While we collaborate closely to ensure the best outcome, each team will provide a separate quote. Keep in mind that modern video services are not about recording hours of footage like in the past. Instead, you can expect to receive a highlights video, typically 5 to 12 minutes long, capturing the most memorable moments. If you prefer, you can also request full coverage of the ceremony.

Creating an exceptional video requires the team to be present for several hours capturing moments such as walking down the aisle or guests’ speeches takes time, as these special moments don’t just happen all at once.

Now, let’s dive into the exciting yet intricate aspect of your wedding: the overall design and ambiance. Achieving the perfect wedding look can be costly, as the design goes far beyond just flowers. Consider that every detail, down to each spoon, has a rental price, and this section of your budget can easily match or even exceed your food and beverage costs, so it surely is one of the aspects that have more impact on your wedding budget. Your style vision, venue amenities, and other several factors will influence your overall expenditure:

Given Cabo’s desert climate, flowers can be expensive here. We don’t have local, seasonal flowers, so all flowers must be sourced from other places. When accounting for florals, remember that they include much more than just table centerpieces. You’ll need to budget for personal flowers, ceremony structures, aisle decorations, cocktail table centerpieces, lounge settings, floral touches for the seating chart or welcome sign, entrance table arrangements, and, of course, reception table centerpieces. If you envision a stunning floral wall as a backdrop for photos or an amazing installation, that will add to the overall cost as well. All these elements together can significantly increase your floral expenses.

Are tables and chairs included with your venue? if so, does the furniture meet your aesthetic preferences? Costs for furniture, cutlery, candles, and other décor items can add up, especially if the venue doesn’t provide standard items like tables and chairs or if they don’t match your wedding vibe.

Does your wedding location provide lighting? If so, what kind? Will the lighting provided be enough for your guest count? Does it match your vibe? If additional lighting is needed, options like fairy lights, bistro lights, or ambiance lighting will add to your expenses.

Will you need a custom-made aisle or platform for the beach? Would you like a hand-painted dance floor? Do you need to build wooden canopies for lighting and décor to bring to life what you envision?

As you can see, it all depends! It´s hard to just put a number here. Your vision will determine the final cost for the wedding aesthetic. Each element plays a crucial role in creating the magical atmosphere you envision for your special day.

Planning a wedding in Cabo allows for immense creativity and customization but requires a detailed budget. Here’s a summary of what you can expect:

1. Venue Fee: $5,000 – USD 15,000
2. Food & Beverage: $185 – USD 375 per person
3. Music: $300 – USD 15,000 (depending on DJ or live band)
4. Photography: $4,000 – USD 10,000
5. Videography: Similar to photography
6. Decor and Lighting: Highly variable, depending on specific needs and venue offerings.

By understanding these costs, you can better plan and allocate your budget, ensuring your dream wedding in Cabo is both beautiful and financially manageable. We hope this breakdown helps you decide if you’re ready to take the leap and have your wedding in this stunning destination. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out – we’re here to make your wedding planning process as seamless as possible!

Ready to start planning your unforgettable Cabo wedding? Contact us today, and let’s turn your dream into reality.