If there is ever a time to over-indulge in excess, it is on your wedding day, one of the most exciting celebrations of love. Among the most extravagant and thrilling is the destination wedding; a true getaway to escape reality and make fantastical dreams come true.
A popular escape for friends, families, celebrities and even locals, Los Cabos has become one of the top escapes for any occasion. Sandy beaches, exotic spas, stunning sunsets and authentic, one-of-a-kind food all make Los Cabos a premier destination for tying the knot and kissing your single life goodbye. We asked Nubia Villa, the wedding and events coordinator at Esperanza, An Auberge Resort, if she had any tips for brides-to-be and what makes Cabo so unique for your special day.
Cali Frankovic Photography
IM: What are some of the most popular desires of brides in Cabo?
NV: A huge favorite is the beach ceremony at sunset time. Another big winner is the spa. Esperanza, and Cabo in general, are well known for having amazing luxury spa treatments. There is no way a bride is stressed after that.
IM: What makes getting married in Cabo so different from other places in Mexico or even the world?
NV: Cabo has the small-town charm, but at the same time makes you feel very spoiled and special to be here. It is very exotic; the desert scene joins the incredible emerald blue of the Sea of Cortes. Mexico’s warm culture is well-known and the level of luxury services offered is definitely recognized worldwide. Cabo is now the favorite destination in Mexico for top luxury guests.
IM: Are there any special features or luxuries offered at Esperanza that are unique and not found anywhere else?
NV: Esperanza is the most intimate of the five-star luxury properties. With its breathtaking views of the private beaches at Punta Ballena Cliffs, the resort itself is a reason why to get married here. I think the concept of barefoot luxury is really attractive for the sophisticated couples.
IM: What are some of the most extravagant, over-the-top special requests you’ve received?
NV: Each and every wedding is totally different, but having a real donkey during the cocktail hour is something really remarkable. We have covered the resort pool to turn it into a huge ocean-view dance floor, and we’ve reproduced a special grandma’s carrot cake recipe for the cake. It’s all about how we can print the spirit of the family and couple onto their wedding day.
IM: What does the average wedding cost at Esperanza?
NV: This is the most common question but the hardest to answer. No wedding is similar to another. We can do intimate weddings just for two or up to 130 people. We customize every single detail from the menus, beverage selection, décor and setup and, of course, vendors. A wedding that includes nice hors d’oeuvres, three-course dinner, five hours of Esperanza signature open bar, wedding cake and Champagne toast is around $350 per guest. But then on top of that, vendors such as musicians, DJs, officiate, florist, décor rentals, and hair and makeup make it vary according to the final decisions.
IM: What does the most expensive wedding cost at Esperanza?
NV: I will say $2,500 to $9,000 per guest, with a very opulent menu, extravagant flowers, unbelievable bands or even famous artists as entertainment and when the bride and groom pay for their guest’s one-week accommodations, spa treatments and meals.
IM: Do you have any tips for someone thinking about getting married in Cabo?
NV: Cabo is privileged with amazing weather most of the year but the wedding season is considered from October to May. During the summer can be too hot and the rainy season is in September, the only season when humidity is present; a great point that brides love about getting married in Cabo.
Esperanza doesn’t manage wedding packages because they customize every wedding according to the guest’s needs and ideas.
Newly engaged and dreaming of Esperanza? Contact pegah.jam@aubergeresorts.com or call 310.437.4620
Alec and T Photography
Wedding Wisdom from Amy Abbott, owner of Amy Abbott Weddings & Events based out of Los Cabos:
- Take advantage of your Baja surroundings and use locally infused cuisine. Excellent seafood and standout salsas will exceed any traditional wedding meal your guests have tasted in the past
- Plan accordingly; June, July and October sometimes offer lower prices without skimping on experience
- Let loose and trust your wedding planner. While the planning is simpler than a traditional American wedding, it is much different. Stress over which wedding shoes to buy instead
- Don’t be surprised if your guests are blown away
“Expect guests to leave saying “This is the BEST wedding I have ever been to.” Cabo does that for you.” — Amy Abbott
Cali Frankovic Photography
There’s not a stretch of Cabo sand that wouldn’t suit a wedding, but we asked around and the top three Cabo spots to say ‘I do’ are One & Only Palmilla, Esperanza, an Auberge Resort and Flora Farms, the site of Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo’s beautiful wedding.
(Featured in InMexico Magazine 2016)