Let Us Know Your Pronouns
It's beneficial to let your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist know your pronouns and any other gendered word preferences. When planning a wedding, you'll most likely come across instances where the terms "bride" and "groom" are used often. Simply let us know what makes you feel most YOU, so we can ensure a comfortable experience from start to finish.
Furthermore, we're happy to adopt the following gender-neutral wedding titles and terms throughout your planning process:
Find An Inclusive Destination & Venue
A major priority when planning a gay destination wedding is to make sure you get married in an inclusive destination, at an inclusive resort/venue. Not only should you consider destinations where same-sex marriage is legal, but also their overall equality index. Our LGBTQIA+-friendly resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean are hand selected to ensure a total embrace for everyone, so you don't need to worry about any types of discrimination throughout your stay.
Our top LGBTQIA+ friendly wedding destinations are:
Find the perfect LGBTQIA+ friendly wedding resort
Sandos Playacar
Riviera Maya, Mexico
4 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$
Family-Friendly
3 Venues
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Cancun, Mexico
4.5 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4.5/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
5 Venues
Riu Palace Aruba
Palm Beach, Aruba
4 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
3 Venues
Dreams Curacao Resort, Spa & Casino
Curacao, Caribbean
4 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$
Family-Friendly
2 Venues
Armony Marival Resort & Spa Punta de Mita – MGallery Collection
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
4.5 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4.5/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
8 Venues
Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres
Cancun, Mexico
5 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 5/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
7 Venues
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya, Mexico
4.5 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4.5/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
6 Venues
Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica
Costa Rica, Central America
4.5 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4.5/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$$
Family-Friendly
10 Venues
Ocean Riviera Paradise
Riviera Maya, Mexico
4 Star Resort Note: Hotel Class - 4/5 star rating based on hotel quality ranking
Average Cost: $$
Family-Friendly
3 Venues
Unfortunately, we must recommend avoiding the following destinations if you or anyone on your guest list is part of the LGBTQIA+ community: Antigua, Jamaica, Nevis, St. Kitts, St. Lucia.
Plan Your Ceremony
The first step to planning a destination wedding ceremony in another country is to determine if you want the marriage to be legal or not. Many couples opt for a symbolic (otherwise known as commitment) ceremony in their chosen destination. Then, upon their return home, they will legalize the marriage in their home state. This is an especially convenient option for LGBT+ couples, whose destination may be welcoming to the community, but not legally recognize same-sex marriage yet.
Make sure to hire an inclusive officiant/non-denominational minister to perform your ceremony. Your onsite wedding coordinator can assist with this to ensure your vows are personalized to your exact vision.
Other considerations include:
Remember that the most important aspect of your destination wedding is celebrating your love and commitment with your dearest friends and family. With thorough planning and consideration, your gay destination wedding can be a truly magical experience.
Wedding Planning FAQs
When planning an LGBT+-friendly destination wedding, it’s important to work with a professional who can guide you through the important steps to ensure you have a kind and inclusive experience. The first step is to contact a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist who has expertise in gay-friendly travel. Next, you’ll want to research the destinations you’re interested in and understand their stance on equality and same-sex marriage. When choosing a venue, consider resorts that are either part of the IGLTA, or are known to welcome LGBT+ travelers on property. Once you have those important steps nailed down, you can focus on the fun part – choosing a wedding date, sending your invitations, selecting your decor and finalizing the details before jetting off to paradise!
Many destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean are gay-friendly and support same-sex marriage, including:
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Riviera Maya, Mexico
- Cancun, Mexico
- Saint Martin/Sint Maarten
- Puerto Rico
- Aruba
- Curacao
- Saint Croix
- Riviera Nayarit, Mexico