San Miguel de Allende Wedding Costs

WeddingsDestination WeddingsMexico Weddings
Written By Thelma de Prado

Everything you should know about all the costs associated with having a Destination Wedding in San Miguel de Allende, México.

About three months ago we executed a magical destination wedding and we couldn't wait to write and share this article withe all future brides having the idea of getting married in this magical town located in Guanajuato, México.

San Miguel de Allende a Spanish speaking town is known for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and stunning natural surroundings.

The first time I went to San Miguel I was impressed with the people, the food, the town but most of all the level of service they can offer to make an amazing destination weddings (no wonder why the town has won severals awards by Condé Nast Traveler).

If you are flying from the States I would recommend you land in Querétaro (QRO) there are non stop flights from Dallas (American Airlines and Houston (United Airlines). Leon I would not recommend due to security reasons and longer distance. If you cannot find a non stop I would suggest making a layover in Mexico City (in that case Aeromexico si your best bet - airline partner with Delta Airlines).

A few things to keep in mind before making a decision of having your destination in San Miguel de Allende:

  1. Weather:

    • San Miguel de Allende has a semi-arid climate, with dry and sunny days throughout most of the year. The rainy season runs from June to September, so it may be best to plan your wedding for the dry season (from October to May).

  2. Location:

  3. Logistics:

    • Planning a destination wedding can be complicated, so it's important to work with a destination wedding planner who knows the area well. They can help you with everything from finding the perfect venue to arranging transportation for your guests. In our case we have both Sparks Weddings to help you with the planning of all the events related to the wedding (welcome dinner / cocktail + wedding day + farewell breakfast of brunch) and Sparks Travel to help you with all travel related matters for you and your guests (airline tickets, transportation, accommodations, excursions and experiences).

  4. Culture:

    • San Miguel de Allende is a culturally rich city with many traditions and customs. Incorporating these into your wedding can be a beautiful way to honor the local culture and make your wedding unique.

      • Examples: Callejoneadas, “Day of the Death” themed carnival or Mariachis.

Now moving on with what’s important: COSTS!

Fixed Costs

As the name says it, these costs won’t change no matter how many guests you have. This is something that in a destination wedding represents about 80% of the total budget (only 20% will be related to the amount of guests you invite - yes! not always the .guest list is the most important thing regarding budget).

As a reference, a typical destination wedding in Mexico is around 50 – 150 guests. A local (Mexican) wedding can host up to 1,000 guests - because you end up inviting your abuelita, your vecinos, your tias, your primos, and the friends of the friends you haven’t seen in more than a decade (LOL).

These costs include services such as: venue, officiant, instrumental music for ceremony, cocktail hour music, live band for dinner, DJ for reception, photographer, videographers, renting of classic car, “callejoneada”, mariachis, carnival, professional bartender, shuttle transportation, fireworks, photo-booth and wedding planning fee.

Venue:

In San Miguel de Allende you can find hotels and private venues.

Personally I prefer to work with hotels. Why? Because they are used to have events  every week of the year and have service 24/7. Benefits for your wedding such as early set up times (maybe a few days before instead of the day of), more flexible tearing down times and assistance for anything that can come up during the process and wedding day.

Another advantage is the a hotel will request a 2-3 nights room block with a minimum vs a private venue of hacienda that they will request a complete buyout of the property for 2-3 nights.

Hotels such as Live AQUA, Rosewood and Belmond will charge you for (they can either separate each service or send you a closed package)::

  • Venue fee - some may charge each area differently (if you want to use different areas for ceremony, cocktail or reception for example).

  • (Variable cost) - Appetizers for cocktail hour (I suggest between 8-12 per guest and even better if you add a station like a charcuterie station)

  • (Variable cost) - Served (3 course menu) dinner or buffet style dinner

  • (Variable cost) - Unlimited beverage package including sodas, natural beverages, ice, glassware for 5 - 6 hours (depending on how many hours you have on your contract). I recommend you hire at least 5 hours:

    • Cocktail hour - 1 hour

    • Dinner and reception - 4 hours

  • (Variable cost) - Mid night menu usually tacos, tortilla soup or enchiladas.

  • Governmental permits such as volume, noise and some other the you might need to celebrate your wedding.

  • Tasting (for your visit before the wedding)

  • (Variable cost) - Basic tables, basic chairs, dinning ware, cutlery, glassware, staff, bartenders, stewards and all the required staff will be provided by them.

  • Please don’t forget they will charge you with a 16% VAT plus service charge (15-18%). Unfortunately this is non negotiable.

Please remember that once you sign a contract you can always go higher on all services quoted. So I strongly suggest you sign with 50% of your guest list, they will NOT make an exception and you will have to pay for the services you have signed.

Private venues or haciendas will charge you for:

  • All areas - doesn’t matter if you only use one area, they will charge for all areas. Some even have special ares for getting ready (bride + bridesmaids and groom + groomsmen).

  • All rooms they have inside the property (most of them have between 7-15 rooms).

  • These prices include taxes and service charge.

  • Most of these venues DO NOT PROVIDE THE CATERING. That would have to be added to the list of vendors.

All prices are different sine each venue has at least 5-8 different menus with different prices but each menu should be somewhere around USD$ 175.00 - USD$ 225.00 per guest.

Music

Music in Mexico is EVERYTHING make sure to hire the best groups so your guests have the best music experience they can.

The services you hire should be::

  • Ceremony music (a string quartet) +- USD$ 400.00 - USD$ 500.00 for an hour

  • Callejoneada (including mariachis): +- USD$ 700.00 - USD$ 800.00 for an hour

  • Cocktail music such as a saxo player: I honestly don’t know since this was complimentary from the live music who played during reception dinner. But it should be somewhere around USD$ 200.00 - USD$ 300.00

  • Live band: definitely something that is worth it. For our wedding we hire FULDA and they were AMAZING (high end quality and performers) +- USD$ USD$ 6,000.00.

    • We saw another two other bands but we didn’t not end up hiring not because of their quality but FULDA had more songs that the couple wanted to be played for their wedding. This bad were Fanku and Le Funk.

  • DJ: very very important that you pick the right one. We worked with DJ Esli Cano and he was very good. We also had a meeting with Korrea DJ but same story with live band, couple had a better connection with Esli. +- USD$ 2,500.00 - USD$ 3,000.00.

  • Mariachis - as part of the callejoneada or else you should hire them independently for cocktail hour or happy hour.

  • “Día de los Muertos” themed carnaval: a must!!! it lights up the wedding like you have no idea. In this wedding guests weren’t even expecting this amazing surprise. The company we hired had performers with customs and painted masks, zanqueas giving out tequila, mojigangas (San Miguel de Allende tall dolls with bride and groom themes) plus they gave out catrinas and masks for the guys. +- USD$ 1,500.00

Our live band (which was amazing!) was: FULDA

Photographer

This and the videos are the only physical things you will keep for the rest of your life. You MUST invest in an amazing photographer!

Unfortunately there is a big range of prices and it all depends on how much you would like to invest.

We always try to go local and hire local vendors BUT I have seen so many talented photographers around the world that I wish I could recommend them all. Here is a list of a few:

Mexican talents:

Around the world talents:

Please make sure to hire a package of at least 8 - 10 hours with 2 - 3 cameras. Best best 10 hours and 3 cameras (so EVERY moment is captured). It is physically impossible to be in different angles and locations at the same time. In weddings there is ALWAYS something happening.

Turn around time: between 2-5 months. Please ask for sneak peaks (event if they charge you more, believe me you do not want to wait that long until you get a few pictures).

Prices range from USD$ 4,000.00 - USD$ 10,000.00

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

For this weeding we were extremely lucky to have had Adriana & Christian, all the way from Ecuador, as our photographers. They are also REALLY AMAZING! (this pictures was from their wedding in January of this year).

Videographer

As mentioned before IT’S a MUST! Videographers are SO important for this day. They are able to capture live reactions, emotions and so many thing you will want to you see after the wedding. You will NOT BE ABLE to see everything so to be able to capture all this is a MUST.

Please make sure to hire a package of at least 8 - 10 hours with 2 - 3 cameras. Best best 10 hours and 3 cameras (so EVERY moment is captured).

You should request:

  • 1 minute teaser video for social media (this should be delivered 10-15 days after wedding day.

  • 3 minute short video (highlights)

  • 15 - 20 minute wedding day feature film

  • Bonus (at an extra cost):

    • Behind the scenes video (set up, vendors, flowers, everything you WILL NOT SEE for sure).

    • Extra videographer

    • Additional events (rehearsal dinner, welcome cocktail, welcome event, breakfast / brunch).

    • Immediate delivery

Turn around time: between 2-5 months.

Our favorite videographers around the world:

Prices range from USD$ 4,000.00 - USD$ 10,000.00

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

Arocapro was our amazing team behind the video cameras for this wedding. We have worked with them several weddings and each time they surprise us!

Make Up & Hair

This is a very important vendor you will have for your wedding, please make sure to select it wisely.

We have had brides where hair and make up are EVERYTHING and wisely they decide to bring someone from their hometown since they can go back and forth to make as many trails as they want.

San Miguel de Allende offers this services and they are very good, however if you think you will be hard to please make sure to bring someone from your hometown.

Also you need to know that all stylist both hair and make up require minimums for wedding day (usually you + 3-4 additional such as you mother, sisters, mother in law, sisters in law). Bridesmaids can also be included and if you have more than required they will request more staff.

The list of stylists we recommend in San Miguel de Allende:

Our talented Mexican stylist: Maria Jose Porras doing magic with the bride.

Photo by: Adriana y Christian

Classic Car

 We love the idea of renting a classic car for a San Miguel de Allende wedding. It gives the wedding a touch of elegance and romance.

Please take note that most of the classic cars (if not all of them) DO NOT HAVE air conditioning. For the May wedding we did not hire this service because it was very hot and bride decide not to hire it (instead she took a private Mercedes Benz small shuttle with A/C).

Some models you can find in San Miguel de Allende are:

  • Platinum Ford - T year 1930

  • Black Jaguar MK-2 year 1960

  • Red Porsche Speedsert 356 year 1960

  • White / beige Jaguar MK-2 year 1964

  • White Jaguar S-Type year 1966

This service should be around 3-4 hours and cost around USD$ 700.00 - USD$ 900.00

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

Other fixed costs:

  • Officiant: he / she usually requires a contribution for cerebrating your wedding. The May wedding we had was a catholic mass so we had to make all the paperwork and necessary payments.

  • Professional bartender / mixologist - if you wish to add an extra as part of the entertainment for your guest then you should definitely hire a professional. They will make sure all your guests will be delighted looking at his show. Please remember he is an entertainer rather than a simple bartender. If you want a bartender then just stay with the one that catering company already provides.

    • Hour +- USD$ 40.00 - USD$ 60.00

  • Shuttle transportation - if you are having a wedding in San Miguel de Allende these services are required for your guests (after all they are paying for their plane ticket and accomodations):

    • Transportation from the airport (remember is Querétaro the closest one to San Migue de Allende) to San Miguel de Allende. For the May wedding we were able to organize all of the guests so we had 3 full shuttles coming from the airport.

    • Transportation for your events:

      • Welcome cocktail / Welcome dinner / Rehearsal dinner

      • Wedding day

      • Breakfast / brunch the day after the wedding

    • Transportation to the airport from San Miguel de Allende

    • For the transportations from / to the airport please make sure to get a quote for the whole shuttle and round trip rate if possible. Otherwise ask for the per person rate round trip.

      • Between USD$ 200.00 - USD$ 225.00 for a 10 person shuttle bus.

    • For wedding day please make sure to get a hole day rate for the amount of shuttles you need and events you may have. If you are having the ceremony, cocktail and reception in the same venue then you just need a round trip rate but if everything is in different venues take the hole day rate.

      • Between 10 - 12 hours USD$ 575.00 - USD$650.00 per shuttle for 20 guests.

  • Fireworks, indoor fireworks, confetti machines, fog machines, color bengalas, CO2 machines - always add these special effects to your wedding.

  • Entertainment - please make sure to add something like a carnaval party for cocktail hour or for la “hora loca” (crazy hour) where shots and upbeat music is playing.

  • Wedding planning fee - a non negotiable if you are planning a destination wedding (EVEN if you have relatives living in the city you have decided to host your wedding we strongly suggest you hire a professional (US!!!!).

Variable Costs

As the name states all these costs are affected directly by the guests you invite to the wedding.

Catering

We already gave you an explanation of these costs in the fixed section. It is complicated but it is a fixed / variable cost at the end.

Please refer to the Fixed Costs section for more information about this cost.

For this wedding we had the catering service directly from AQUA. I personally took the time to sent to the general manager a thank you note regarding the excellent work his staff did for this wedding:

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

Cake & Dessert Station

This cost will include: the dessert station (a typical dessert station should have sweets and pastries) and of course the cake.

Please do not have cake for all your guests we usually quote 50% - 60% of the entire guest list.

For dessert table, however, we do quote 90% - 100% of the guest list (this table will be open from the beginning until the end of the wedding).

For this wedding we only had a dessert station which was a combination of Ecuador + Mexico. We used Petite Gourmandise for our table and it was absolutely fantastic! We loved the churros (must for every Mexican wedding).

Coffee Station

This cost will include: the coffee station with (of course!) local coffee. You may decide between having a station without alcohol or with alcohol.

If you like coffee this definitely has to be added as part of your vendor list. The coffee the catering company serves is black coffee with creamer or milk (not bad but it can be 10 time better with a coffee station).

You may request a station with:

  • Expressos

  • Macchiatos

  • Cappuccinos

  • Lattes

  • Caramel lattes

  • Chocolate mocha

  • Chai or Matcha

  • Cold beverages such as frapuchinos, ice lattes

  • Carajillos (with Licor 43)

Antigua Guatemala Wedding Cost

We hired Rodalo Coffee Station in San Miguel BUT in Guatemala our favorite coffee station is by Artista de Cafe.

Wines, Liquor & Beers

You should never buy alcohol in advance (specially if you are having a destination wedding). Most of planners have a benefit of requesting a package “in consignment” meaning that you will only get charged for the bottles you open. As planners we are able to offer you the benefit in Guatemala and anywhere in the world.

Making calculations of how much your guests will drink is very difficult and it cannot reflect the amount your guests will actually consume. As planners we always have more than enough and we even calculate a 20% more of the actual formula that we use.

This cost will include all the bottles of wines, liquor and beers for all the events during weeding week (not only wedding day).

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

Decorations

Welcome to the enchanting world of wedding decorations, where every detail transforms a cherished event into a mesmerizing tapestry of love and celebration.

Wedding decorations are the artistic expressions that breathe life into venues, reflecting the unique personalities and dreams of couples on their special day.

From the delicate arrangement of blossoms that adorn tables to the twinkling lights that illuminate dance floors, these carefully curated elements weave a narrative that captures the essence of the couple's journey.

Mexico is the country that has all kinds of flowers and colors. Even if you decide to have a white and green elegant wedding to a colorful bright wedding; Mexico will give you everything that you are looking for.

This cost will depend 100% on the type of flower you pick, the amount of guests and the flowers that you want to have in all the events your wedding involves. It cannot be a fixed or closed price.

This quote will include:

  • Design fee

    • Ceremony:

      • Bouquet - for the bride and your bridesmaids

      • Boutonnière - for the groom and groomsmen

      • Ceremony arch

      • Aisle decorations

      • Altar decorations

      • Side decorations

      • Necessary rentals (tableware, glassware, silverware, napkins, table cloths, chairs, tables, etc.)

    • Cocktail & Reception:

      • Classic car decorations

      • Sweetheart centerpiece

      • Table centerpieces

      • Ceiling decorations

      • Bar decorations

      • Cake table decorations

      • Signs decorations

      • Lightning

      • Tent

      • Dance floor

      • Necessary rentals (tableware, glassware, silverware, napkins, table cloths, chairs, tables, etc.)

Others included:

  • Mock up (for your previous visit to the city where your wedding will be)

  • Stationary (if you wish to add this here it can be added - I recommend this since the designer will know everything and make sure everything is combined).

  • Welcome bags

This wedding was designed and decorated by the one and only Saraí Flores and her amazing team. They have offices in San Miguel de Allende and in Cabo San Lucas.

Welcome bags / Wedding favors

Wedding favors are a delightful way to express gratitude to your guests for joining you in celebrating your special day.

These tokens of appreciation can range from traditional to creative, reflecting your personality and the theme of your wedding.

Consider enchanting options such as personalized keepsakes like engraved keychains or custom mini succulents, which guests can take home and nurture just as your love continues to grow.

For a touch of indulgence, artisanal chocolates or locally sourced honey jars add a sweet note to the festivities.

To captivate the senses, aromatic candles or small bottles of fragrant oils offer a fragrant reminder of your love-filled day.

For those with a penchant for sustainability, eco-friendly options like reusable tote bags or plantable seed paper cards not only convey your thanks but also promote a greener world.

Whatever you choose, wedding favors are a small but meaningful way to leave a lasting impression and send your cherished guests home with a piece of the joy and magic that filled your celebration.

Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende

Wedding favors: Mini Zacapa Rums with a thank you note!

Photo by: Daniel López Pérez

Arriving in style by Helicopter

Imagine a wedding entrance like no other – a breathtaking and exhilarating journey that will leave guests in awe and create memories that will be cherished forever.

Arriving in style by helicopter to your wedding is the epitome of grandeur and uniqueness.

The world unfolds below you in a panoramic display of beauty, while you and your beloved share an intimate moment suspended between the heavens and Earth.

The gentle touchdown marks not only your arrival but also the beginning of a new chapter in your love story, with the whirr of the blades echoing the palpable excitement in the air.

This extraordinary entrance isn't just a mode of transportation; it's a statement of your love's boundless heights and the daring spirit that sets your journey apart.

So, prepare for an entrance that defies tradition and lets your love take flight, soaring to new heights as you embark on a lifelong adventure together.

Other costs you need to consider:

  • Your visit to Mexico before the wedding

  • Samples requested from vendors

  • Travel agency services in which we EXCLUSIVELY us our sister company Sparks Travel

  • Wedding day shuttle transportation for guests

  • Extra vendors such as: Photobooth, live painter, cartoonist, etc.

  • After party fees

  • Welcome events celebrations

  • Breafaskt / Brunch celebration (day after wedding) 

Something to consider:

Based in our experience a destination wedding in Mexico is more expensive than in Guatemalan (Antigua Guatemala for example). Mainly because the destination per se is more expensive than Antigua Guatemala (where most of our weddings are).

This wedding was a complete adventure and a leaning process. We enjoyed every minute and we loved working with so many vendor from Ecuador + Mexico and Guatemala.

We are so thankful Anakarina & Juan Estaban trusted us with their destination wedding in San Miguel Allende.

In July we were beyond excited to find out that our wedding was feature in the #1 Mexican luxury wedding blog FRIDA ENAMORADA:

Anakarina & Juan Esteban Destination Wedding San Miguel de Allende by Arocapro.

Thelma de Prado
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