Real Wedding Cost: Mexico All-Inclusive Destination Wedding vs a US Wedding
Mexico destination weddings aren’t “cheap” and US weddings aren’t just expensive – they’re sneakily expensive.
If you’re torn between getting married in the US or saying “I do” at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, you’re not alone. Most couples I talk to aren’t asking, “Is Mexico cheaper?” anymore.
They’re asking the real question:
“What will we actually spend… and what do we get for it?”
Because here’s the truth: destination weddings in Mexico are not “$10K weddings” like they were a decade ago. But when you compare apples to apples – guest experience, inclusions, food & drink, multi-day celebration, and what you’d pay for the same “feel” in Austin – Mexico can still be the more efficient spend. (Why did I pick Austin for this comparison? Because it’s the closest large city to me.)
Let’s break it down clearly.
A Quick Note Before We Compare Costs
A Mexico destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort and an Austin wedding are built differently:
In Austin, you usually pay for:
- Venue rental (often just the space for a set number of hours)
- Catering + bar (per person)
- Rentals (tables, linens, chairs, glassware)
- Service fees + gratuities
- Planner/coordinator
- Florals, DJ/band, photo/video, officiant, and more
- Transportation
- Hotel stays for you + your guests (separate from the wedding costs)
In Mexico at an all-inclusive resort, you usually pay for:
- A wedding package (with base inclusions)
- “Upgrades” (better décor, more private events, premium bar, etc.)
- Vendors (photo/video, DJ, flowers – either resort or outside vendor)
- Guest travel (which your guests pay for in most cases)
The Real Cost Comparison (Same Guest Count, Similar Vibe)
To keep this fair, let’s compare:
- 80 guests
- A “nice” wedding (not bare-bones, not ultra-luxury)
- Great food + open bar
- Real flowers + real photography
- A fun reception with a DJ
- Some level of design / upgraded look
Scenario A: Austin Wedding (80 guests)
(We’re not talking about some BS numbers from The Knot fooling you with “national averages”. These are real actual numbers based on real mid-range venues and vendors in the Austin area.)
- Venue: $6,000 – $15,000
- Catering: $10,000 – $20,000 (often $125–$250/person all-in)
- Bar: $4,000 – $10,000
- Rentals (chairs/linens/glassware/etc.): $3,000 – $8,000
- Planner: $3,500 – $10,000
- Photographer: $4,000 – $8,000
- DJ/Band: $1,500 – $8,000
- Florals: $3,000 – $10,000
- Cake/Dessert: $600 – $1,500
- Hair + makeup: $600 – $2,000
- Transportation + misc: $1,000 – $4,000
- Taxes, service fees, gratuities (this is where it jumps): +20–30%
✅ Realistic Austin total: $45,000 – $95,000
What? Yes, those numbers are correct, and many couples easily exceed this. I used to be an event planner in Austin and even 10 years ago my average couple spent $75K/$80K on the low end and into the 6 figures for about half of the weddings we planned. Austin weddings add up fast!
This does not include:
- Officiant
- Hotel rooms for you/guests
- Any big “welcome party” style event
- Rehearsal dinner costs (often another $3K–$10K+)
- Morning-after brunch
Scenario B: Mexico All-Inclusive Resort Wedding (80 guests)
Mexico costs can vary wildly depending on resort tier, location, and what you include.
But here’s a realistic breakdown of a 5-star upper end resort:
1) Resort Wedding Package
Many resorts include a base package “free” or low-cost with room minimums…but most couples upgrade.
- Base package: $0 – $3,000
- Mid-tier package: $3,000 – $8,000
- Luxury package: $8,000 – $15,000+
2) Private Events (Common Add-Ons)
This is where destination wedding budgets are won or lost.
- Private cocktail hour / terrace: $1,500 – $5,000
- Private reception venue fee: $2,000 – $8,000
- Per-person reception upgrade (if not included): $30 – $150/person
- Welcome party (optional): $2,000 – $10,000+
- Farewell brunch (optional): $1,500 – $6,000
3) Vendors & Design
- Photographer: $3,500 – $8,500
- DJ: $1,500 – $4,000 (or sometimes included at no additional cost in the wedding package)
- Florals (resort pricing varies a ton): $3,000 – $10,000
- Lighting / dance floor / décor upgrades: $1,000 – $10,000
- Outside vendor fees (if bringing your own): $500 – $3,000+
✅ Realistic Mexico wedding total: $20,000 – $55,000
(With most of our couples landing in the $28K–$45K range when they’re intentional.)
For Those Of Us That Love A Good Visual
|
Expense Category |
Austin, Texas Wedding |
Mexico All-Inclusive Wedding |
|---|---|---|
|
Venue |
$6,000 – $15,000 (space only) |
$0 (usually included in base package) |
|
Food (Reception) |
$10,000 – $20,000 |
Included or $30 – $150 per person upgrade |
|
Open Bar |
$4,000 – $10,000 |
Included (premium upgrades optional) |
|
Rentals (chairs, linens, glassware) |
$3,000 – $8,000 |
Usually included |
|
Planner / Coordinator |
$3,500 – $10,000 |
Included (resort coordinator) |
|
Photography |
$4,000 – $8,500 |
$3,500 – $8,500 |
|
DJ / Entertainment |
$1,500 – $8,000 |
$1,500 – $4,000 |
|
Florals & Décor |
$3,000 – $10,000 |
$3,000 – $10,000 |
|
Cake / Desserts |
$600 – $1,500 |
Often included or minimal upgrade |
|
Hair & Makeup |
$600 – $2,000 |
$500 – $1,500 |
|
Transportation |
$1,000 – $4,000 |
Often unnecessary |
|
Taxes & Service Fees |
+20–30% added |
Usually bundled into pricing |
|
Welcome Party |
$3,000 – $10,000+ |
$2,000 – $10,000+ |
|
Farewell Brunch |
$1,500 – $5,000 |
$1,500 – $6,000 |
|
Hotel Costs for Guests |
Paid separately by guests |
Paid separately by guests |
|
Food & Drinks for Guests (entire weekend) |
❌ Not included |
✅ Included |
|
TOTAL REALISTIC COST |
$45,000 – $95,000+ |
$20,000 – $55,000 |
“But What About Travel?” (The Question Everyone Asks)
Yes – destination weddings require airfare and hotel. But not all destination weddings are international. In fact, roughly the same number of couples have a US destination wedding as have a Mexico destination wedding, so both destination wedding types will cause all or a majority of their guests to have to spring for airfare and hotels.
But here’s the reality of how it’s typically paid – at most destination weddings, guests pay for their own travel. So, when people say, “Mexico is expensive because guests have to travel,” I always ask:
Would those same guests also be traveling and paying for hotels if your wedding was in Austin (or New Jersey or Florida or California or…)?
Many would – especially if your guest list isn’t 100% local.
And in Austin, guests pay for:
- Hotel rooms
- Meals
- Drinks
- Ubers
- Weekend entertainment
In Mexico, most of that is bundled into the all-inclusive stay.
In Austin, you get one night of fun.
In Mexico, you get to vacation with your guests for three to five days.
The Hidden Costs That Surprise Couples (For Both Options)
Austin surprises:
- Service fees + gratuities adding 20–30%
- Rentals you didn’t budget for
- “Per person” costs adding up fast
- Extra events you feel obligated to pay for, for out of town guests (rehearsal dinner, brunch)
- Transportation logistics and guest coordination
Mexico surprises:
- Private events have added fees – you may be at an all-inclusive resort but private events incur additional fees
- Décor/flower pricing if you try to replicate Pinterest exactly
- Outside vendor fees (depending on resort rules)
- The temptation to keep adding “one more upgrade”
So… Which One Is “Cheaper”?
- Austin range: $45K – 95K
- Mexico all-inclusive resort range: $20K – $55K
Mexico is often the better value – and in many cases, still significantly less than what an Austin wedding costs once all real expenses hit.
One more thing to add on “which one is cheaper” – if you think I used Austin because it’s so much more expensive than other areas, you may be surprised to find that this is not necessarily one of the most expensive cities to have a wedding in. I checked around with multiple wedding planner friends in various cities throughout the US and here are some ranges of costs of actual mid-range (nicer but not luxury) weddings in their areas:
- Houston: $45K – $75K
- Florida Keys: $50 – $80K
- New Jersey: $55K – $85K
- San Diego: $70K – $110K
- New York: $80K – $120K
The Best Way to Decide (Without Guessing)
Here’s the decision point I use with couples:
Choose Austin (or any other city in the US) if:
- Most guests are local and you want a one-day event
- You want total control of every vendor detail
- You have guests that are super important to you, but refuse to travel internationally
- You have the budget for it
Choose Mexico if:
- You love the idea of a wedding weekend (or week)
- You want a built-in vacation vibe
- You’d rather spend on experience over “renting a space”
- You want guests to feel taken care of without you funding every meal and drink
The Yellow Umbrella Events Take
Most Mexico destination weddings aren’t budget weddings anymore.
But if you’re:
- Already facing a $60K+ Austin wedding
- Hosting guests from multiple cities
- Wanting more than just “one big night”
Then Mexico often gives you more wedding, more time, and less financial pressure.
Mexico isn’t always “cheap,” but it can still be a smart choice.
Want a Real Quote for Your Wedding?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer because Mexico weddings depend heavily on:
- Location
- Resort chosen
- Guest count
- Room block perks offered, if any
- Season/date
- How many private events you want
You tell us your guest count, your vibe, and your budget comfort zone, and we will recommend resorts that match your style and show you what the real numbers look like before you commit.
Reach out to Yellow Umbrella Events and we’ll help you work out a realistic budget plan (not a Pinterest fantasy).
