How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Oaxaca
How to Plan a Destination Wedding in Oaxaca
Planning a wedding in another country can be a lot: venues, catering, a second language, and customs you may not know yet. I’ve photographed weddings in Oaxaca since 2008, and this is the order I’d do things in.
If you’re still deciding on Oaxaca, here’s what’s different about a Oaxaca wedding.
Your Oaxaca wedding planning checklist
1. Choose your season and budget (12–18 months out)
- November to March is cooler, with little to no rain. Rain usually comes from about June through September, mostly as afternoon or evening storms.
- Día de Muertos is October 31 to November 2, and December has the Christmas lights.
- Set a budget that includes travel and accommodations.
2. Choose your venue (9–12 months out)
- Look at colonial hotels, haciendas, and gardens. Here’s my list of the 10 best Oaxaca wedding venues, and how I’d narrow them down by guest count. Thinking of the coast? Here are my tips for a Oaxaca beach wedding.
- The popular venues book early, so don’t wait too long.
3. Book your planner and photographer (8–10 months out)
- A bilingual planner who knows Oaxaca makes everything easier, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. Here are the planners I recommend.
- Book your photographer. (I also shoot vintage film if you like that look.)
- Book catering, flowers, and music.
4. Plan things for your guests (6–8 months out)
- A calenda, a mezcal tasting, or a group trip to Monte Albán or the weaving village of Teotitlán. Here are the day trips I recommend most.
5. Paperwork and travel (4–6 months out)
- If you want to get legally married in Mexico, it’s done through the Registro Civil, with apostilled birth certificates and certified Spanish translations, among other documents. Your planner can handle it. Many couples do the legal part at home and have the ceremony here.
- Book flights and hotels for yourselves, and help your guests with theirs. You can send them my free guide for wedding guests.
6. Decor and menu (3–4 months out)
- Local textiles, pottery, and marigolds work well as decor.
- Many couples serve Oaxacan dishes like mole.
7. Final details (1–2 months out)
- Confirm contracts and the timeline with every vendor.
- Plan a welcome event and a rehearsal dinner.
8. The week of the wedding
- Arrive a few days early, and let your planner handle the logistics.
A few more tips
- Rain: if your date is between June and October, ask every outdoor venue about covered space.
- Mezcal: have non-alcoholic drinks too, like agua de jamaica.
- Guests: welcome bags with sunscreen, a map, and a few Spanish phrases go a long way.
- Altitude: Oaxaca City is about 5,000 feet up, so take the first afternoon easy.
Working with me
I speak English and Spanish, I’ve lived in Oaxaca since 2007, and I know the venues and what time of day each one looks best. I do photo, video, drone, and film. When you’re ready, check my 2027–2028 availability. And after the wedding, here’s why a printed album is worth it.