Cupid must love couples deciding to exchange vows in Los Cabos during the winter. Whether keeping it low key by eloping or opting for a glamorous soiree with friends and family, escaping the cold for festivities with sun, sand and surf has definite appeal beyond the wedding photos where the bride and groom sport natural suntans.
Here are five reasons engaged pairs should consider tying the knot at Land's End this winter.
1) The Weather
While the Los Cabos weather is a bit cooler in the winter than during spring, summer and fall, it's definitely warmer than nearly everywhere else across the United States and Canada. From October to April, Los Cabos' average temperature is typically 80°F during the day and in the 60s at night.
Dazzling with more than 300 days of sunshine, the destination has a very low 10-inch average annual rainfall that accumulates mostly during September and October. The average year-round water temperature in the Sea of Cortez is 72°F.
This beautiful weather, warm water and abundant sunshine merge for blissful time shared before, during and after the ceremony.
2) Destination Access
Those bound for Los Cabos have access to some 500 weekly flights into San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SDJ) from nonstop and connecting markets.
This winter's flight schedules show nonstop service on American Airlines from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) and Houston (IAH), United from San Francisco (SFO), Interjet from New York (JFK), Delta from Los Angeles (LAX), Denver (DEN), Sacramento (SMF) and San Jose (SJC), and Alaska from San Diego (SAN). Volaris also flies from Tijuana, which is gaining popularity among visitors from the San Diego area. A variety of airline charters are also available.
3) Whale Season
Los Cabos has it covered with year-round recreation that runs the gamut - from championship golf and diving in what Jacques Cousteau nicknamed "The Aquarium of the World" to hiking, ATVing and ziplining.
Winter's grandest appeal among nature lovers, however, unfolds as migrating whales make their way south from the Arctic to enjoy Baja bays and lagoons for giving birth and rearing their young. Of the 11 whale species found across the globe, eight make their way to the waters off Los Cabos. It doesn't get much more romantic than a spouting whale in the background while exchanging vows on the beach at sunset.
You can catch this action from the shore, your private terrace at a luxury resort or aboard one of Los Cabos' numerous boat excursions.
4) Destination Wedding Action
Winter weddings in warm destinations like Los Cabos will typically find friends and family providing RSVPing "yes." The bride can keep her pals engaged with resort spa treatments and intense retail therapy. The groom can arrange a day of sportfishing or championship golf. Then the entire wedding party can regroup in the evening for a sunset cruise at Land's End or margarita fest on the beach fronting their resort.
5) Wedding Packages
Most resorts and hotels provide wedding packages that include ceremony, reception and honeymoon options designed to stretch budgets while maintaining a high level of quality. Other perks may include a personalized wedding coordinator to assist every step of the way, honeymoon amenities and even free nights when returning to celebrate an anniversary.
Ceremony site options are equally appealing since couples and guests aren't required to bundle up and head to a heated indoor venue. Count on lush gardens, terraces, gazebos, sandy beaches and courtyards brimming with flora and fauna. Resorts and hotels offer all the bells and whistles for customizing nuptials to reflect a couple's unique personality, tastes and budget.
Making It Legal
The major difference in required paperwork for a Mexico wedding is that the nearest Mexican consulate must validate all documents. Hotels and/or wedding coordinators may assist with this process.
Basic requirements include:
- Current passport as proof of ID and marital status
- Certified copy of each party's birth certificate
- Tourist card (received upon arrival in Mexico) or visa
- Names, addresses, nationalities, occupations and ages of each individual's parents
- Health certificate and blood test (hotels will assist with setting up the Mexico-required tests)
- Four witnesses (these can be provided by a local wedding planner or a hotel for an extra fee), plus their names, addresses, occupations, ages and photo IDs
While it typically takes two to four days for a couple to complete the requirements in Los Cabos, it may require less time when a wedding coordinator is involved. Those truly tight on time should consider a Symbolic Ceremony. This route is easier to tailor since it's void of religious and legal requirements. Most selecting this option are married in a civil ceremony either before or after the actual Mexico ceremony.
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