Ultimate Guide to Destination Weddings in Punta Cana

Punta Cana is a beautiful region within the Dominican Republic. It is also among the most traveled to locations in the country, attracting millions of tourists each year who may be looking for romance, excitement, or anything in between. This vibrant Caribbean town spans more than 30 miles of seaboard on the Dominican's far eastern shores, and is also known as the Coconut Coast. With white-sand beaches stretching as far as the eye can see, it is easy to understand why Punta Cana is considered one of the top spots for destination weddings today.

If you are considering tying the knot in Punta Cana, read on. This guide will help answer some of your many questions about destination weddings
in Punta Cana.

Why Get Married in Punta Cana?

Punta Cana is a coastal community that is tailor-made for visitors looking to relax and unwind in tropical paradise – but that is just the start of its many attractions. Couples are often smitten with Punta Cana's luxurious all-inclusive resorts, warm weather, and picturesque ocean views. It's no wonder why Lonely Planet described the Coconut Coast as "a sort of sea and sun Disneyland."¹

Below are some of the many reasons to have (and to hold) a destination wedding in Punta Cana.

Year-round warm weather. Visitors of Punta Cana enjoy average temperatures ranging from the low 70s to high 80s, no matter the time of year.²

A top-ranked honeymoon destination built in to your wedding experience. U.S. News ranks Punta Cana among its top 20 Caribbean honeymoon locations.³

Star Power. Actresses like Olivia Munn, Gabrielle Union, Jourdan Dunn and Coco Austin have been spotted soaking up the sunshine in Punta Cana.⁴

Amenities Galore. Punta Cana is well-known for its world-class resorts, which range from intimate and romantic, to fun and family-friendly. These resorts (many of which are all-inclusive) are surrounded by lively villages, golf courses, watersports, stunning beaches, and spirited nightlife.

A quick flight for couples and guests. Travelers coming from the U.S. and Canada can enjoy a relatively short and, oftentimes, direct flight to Punta Cana.

Affordability. Thanks, in part, to the close proximity and shorter flights, the Dominican Republic ranks among the most affordable locations for destination weddings.⁵

Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Punta Cana

Getting married in Punta Cana can mean major cost savings for brides and grooms. In fact, you are likely to spend a mere fraction of what couples pay for a traditional, hometown wedding, which now averages close to $20,000 in total.⁶ Destination wedding couples, on the other hand, spent an average of $5,490 on their entire wedding experience (including their honeymoon stay) in 2021.⁷ However, costs can be even less. Depending on your departure city, you can usually score round-trip flights to Punta Cana for under $500.

Punta Cana is also an affordable travel destination for guests. While many destination weddings can cost travelers thousands of dollars, the average cost to attend a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic is only about $5,114⁷.

Of course, prices can vary depending on many factors, such as the size of your guest list, as well as the wedding resort and package you choose. A Destination Wedding Specialist will work with your resort's wedding department to help customize a wedding package that meets your needs, if and when you are ready.

Punta Cana Wedding Venues

Punta Cana offers nearly any kind of destination wedding venue imaginable, and can accommodate many budgets. A good place to start is by envisioning the kind of wedding you and your partner would like to have. Do you want an intimate ceremony on the beach, or inside an old, historic cathedral? Would your ideal ceremony involve overlooking the ocean, atop a sky terrace? Wedding venues will typically fall into two categories: either on the resort grounds or off-site. There are certainly benefits for either type, but an off-site wedding is typically more expensive after factoring in decorations and transportation.

Take some time to explore your options for wedding venues. Some resorts offer couples several different types of venues, depending on their vision. At the Majestic Mirage Punta Cana, for example, you can choose to tie the knot on a white-sand beach, in a gazebo, or even inside an on-site chapel with a priest conducting the ceremony.

Planning a Punta Cana Wedding: Other Considerations

Your Wedding Date

Before booking your big day, it is important to consider the right time of year to visit Punta Cana. Usually, the best time to go is considered to be between March and May, after the holiday rush has cleared out and before hurricane season begins (but be weary of spring break vacation spots). The Dominican Republic enjoys warm temperatures year-round, but Hurricane Season – between June and November – may be worth avoiding for ease of travel for you and your guests.

Your Wedding (and Honeymoon) Stay

There are many resorts to choose from that offer a variety of fun and romance for couples looking to tie the knot. If young children – either yours, your partner's, or your guests' – will be in attendance, then you should consider a family-friendly wedding resort. Coco Austin has been spotted vacationing with her daughter at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, while Jourdan Dunn has taken her son to Nickelodeon Punta Cana. Fun water parks and pool parties can be found at various Riu Hotels & Resorts throughout the country.

Punta Cana is considered one of the world's top honeymoon destinations.³ So if you and your partner are looking for a peaceful paradise to enjoy your first few days of marital bliss, you may instead consider an adults-only resort. One of the top adults-only wedding resorts in Punta Cana, Iberostar Grand Bávaro, offers a swim-up bar, a whirlpool in-room, golf, and gaming fun. There are also options where you can get the best of both worlds; hold your ceremony at a family-friendly resort and then jet off to a sister property that offers a more romantic, adults-only vibe.

Marriage Requirements in Punta Cana

No matter where you wed in the world, there are always certain steps you must take to make your marriage legal. Punta Cana weddings are no exception. If you are a U.S. citizen and getting married in Punta Cana, for example, you and your spouse must present legal documentation such as:

Birth certificates
Passports and tourist cards
A sworn declaration before a notary public
A divorce certificate (if applicable)

Most destination wedding couples, however, will choose to legalize their marriage in the United States and host a symbolic ceremony in Punta Cana, to simplify the process. Your Destination Wedding Specialist – a specialized travel agent with foreign wedding expertise – can help you learn about your options and determine what is needed to make your marriage official. To learn more about the marriage requirements in the Dominican Republic, please visit the guide below.

Punta Cana Wedding Inspiration

The top reason couples choose to have a destination wedding is for the unique and memorable experiences it offers. So why not take advantage of the opportunity? With all of the different wedding venues available in Punta Cana, the kind of wedding you have is only limited by your imagination. For ideas and inspiration, simply chat with a Destination Wedding Specialist. He or she will be able to help you find a resort that can best accommodate (and personalize) your dream destination wedding. Or, check out real couples who have tied the knot in Punta Cana below!

Andrea & Cesar

Punta Cana, D.R.

Heather & Brian

Punta Cana, D.R.

Amy & Anthony

Punta Cana, D.R.

Amanda & Bryan

Punta Cana, D.R.

Melissa & Edwin

Punta Cana, D.R.

Amanda & Bryan

Punta Cana, D.R.