When it comes to planning a destination wedding in Mexico, our first thought is usually the beach. From Baja to Puerto Vallarta to Tulum, Mexico’s beaches are unrivaled because they are romantic, often very easy to get to, and the fun, food and festivities typical of Mexico. But all it takes is a trip inland to find equally magical places.

For us at Men’s Vows, the most magical of those places is Yucatán. The Yucatán Peninsula is home to three of the most exceptional colonial cities Mexico has to offer: Mérida, Valladolid, and Izamal. Its laid-back beaches—Progreso, Celstun (home to thousands of flamingos), and San Crisanto, to name a few—are not overrun by tourists making for an old-school Mexican beach getaway. And its range of archeological sites and natural wonders are among the best Mexico has to offer. Can you say Chichén Itzá everyone?! You will be very hard-pressed to find a destination in Mexico that offers as much of Mexican culture as the Yucatán does. 

Mérida, the capital, is a storied city with the warmth of a small town and the grandeur of a city that at one time had more millionaires than any other city in the world. Today, Mérida is second only to Quebec City as the safest city in the Americas. And as one of a handful of Mexican states that recognize gay weddings, Mérida is the place to host a destination wedding in Mexico. A wedding here will be the stuff of manor homes, mariachi concerts, and sublime foods.

There are several stunning options for wedding venues, but we especially love El Minaret on the grand boulevard of Paseo de Montejo.  This stunningly restored home from 1908 is a classic example of the wealth and culture that connected this region more closely to France and Cuba in the nineteenth century than to the rest of Mexico.  The Wayam Mundo Imperial is an impressive boutique hotel with 52 suites and modern design that will provide a compelling contemporary counterpoint to Mérida’s colonial past.

There are plenty of options for smaller rehearsal dinners and events. Picheta is a gorgeous restaurant overlooking the central square and cathedral, serving contemporary interpretations of typical Yucatecan cuisine. Similarly, Teya offers the most classic of dishes in the chicest of settings. But it is at the Museo de la Gastronomia Yucateca, where your guests will learn everything about Yucatecan cuisine. The exhibition space highlights the culinary history of the region and its ingredients, while the restaurant uses traditional techniques to prepare dishes most authentically. Think of cochinita pipil made in a fiery pit on the museum’s grounds. For a more elegant affair, Kuuk delivers flawless service, artistically prepared menus, in a beautifully restored colonial home just steps away from Monumento a la Patria, a monumental sculpture built from 300 individual artworks that tell the history of Mexico.

While Mérida has endless experiences to keep your wedding guests in thrall, a trip to Cenotes Hacienda Mucuyche or to archeological sites such as Chichén Itzá or Uxmal are 1-2 hours away by car.

If your idea of the perfect wedding is the Mexican version of a Bridgerton ball, look no further than one of the many haciendas within and surrounding Mérida, that are ideally sized for you and your guests to take over, and that are sure to impress even your most well-traveled family and friends.  A surprising fact is how reasonably priced these exceptional settings are. In fact, it would be challenging to find anywhere else in North America the level of grandeur and exclusivity these haciendas offer for the price.   

A few of our favorites includes the Hacienda San Antonio Hool located within the city limits and a short drive from the center. The hacienda’s artistically restored buildings provide a wide variety of settings providing your visitor’s unique experiences throughout a wedding weekend.  Haceinda Xcanatun by Angsana, on the northern side of Merida delivers attentive, personalized service from the renowned Banyan Tree hotel group in Thailand, with just 18 suites for family and friends.  A majestic option just an hour from the city is Hacienda Temozon, part of the The Haciendas by Luxury Collection.  A living museum with vast grounds, a stunning pool and locally-sourced, traditional Mayan dishes will provide your guests an experience of what life might have been for those whom this region made great.

And for those of you looking for a resort and spa experience, Chable Resort and Spa is just 45-minutes from the center of Merida, but a world away.  This award-winning destination boasts some of the most elegant accommodations in the country, attentive service, and a renowned spa and wellness center.  Organic gardens supply the restaurants, and a wide variety of breath-taking settings accommodate a wedding of any size. 

For those of you eager for something more off-the-beaten-path, look no further than the picturesque and tranquil towns of Valladolid and Izamal.  Both towns are easily accessible from either the airport in Mérida or Cancún and provide experiences that deliver a culturally rich and memorable wedding, at a fraction of the cost. 

In Valladolid, the hotel Meson del Marques is the center of the action, while the chic Don Diablo restaurant on the rooftop offers views of the square in the cool evening breeze.  Their sister property just minutes outside of town, Hacienda Selva Maya offers a distinctive venue for events and a dramatic cenote right on the grounds that’s the ideal setting for a traditional Mayan ceremony. The Oriundo Luxury Nature Villas provide luxurious accommodations on the same property.

The small “Pueblo Mágico” town of Izamal, also known as the Yellow City and home of the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, is an utterly charming village.  The Grupo Izamal is a family- owned collection of small inns and restaurants that perfectly suit intimate weddings and receptions.  Unpretentious in every way, the Villa San Antonio de Padua and Casa Azul give smaller weddings hometown hospitality with locally curated menus of Mayan specialties. 

When planning a wedding in Mérida or anywhere in the Yucatan turn to Badel Gomez at Soiree Event Planning. Her deep knowledge of the region and endless resources for top-flight purveyors and vendors, will ensure our that your vision for your big day and the details on your big day handled to a level that even you will be surprised by! As with all people and experiences in Mexico, Badel’s hospitality and warmth is an unrivaled delight.  

If you truly want something different, the Yucatan provides endless options for any size wedding.  You will find welcoming locals, incredible value, easy access all in one of the safest regions of North America. And, best yet… you can enjoy any of Mexico’s beaches for your honeymoon!

Photos: Richard Dusseau