Planning Destination Weddings in Mexico for Large Groups (50-200+ Guests)

Destination Weddings for 200 Guests

Having a destination wedding for 200 guests can be a great endeavor for a couple to undertake – but it can also be quite special. Planning a destination wedding of this size will require some time – finding the resorts and hotels that will fit a wedding party of this size but also finding a time that works for everyone on the calendar. It is best to start planning way in advance. The couple needs to select the amenities that they want and need. They also must consider what the resort means for their wedding party, be it family-friendly or adults-only.

Still, if you take the time to carefully plan this trip, it will be one to remember for everyone who attends. There are many different resorts all over the world that offer packages for destination weddings for 200 guests or more – some of the most popular options include Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Advantages of Destination Weddings For 200 Guests

A destination wedding for 200 guests is a large destination wedding – but to have a wedding of that size in another country may also mean that a wedding close to home would likely be even larger. These types of weddings are increasingly difficult to plan and by going away for the wedding, you take away some of that stress. To have a wedding this large at a resort, you are likely going to get some perks that you wouldn’t get typically. You’ll have access to a wedding planner who will have contacts in the area that provide the highest quality flowers, gowns, food, music, photography, and whatever else you’ll need.

For the couple themselves, destination weddings can be more romantic (and double as a honeymoon) over your typical local wedding, even when there are 200 guests. These resorts do this every day so they work like a well-oiled machine – so you can let your hair down and stress less. There will be plenty to keep guests of all ages entertained, from nightclubs and casinos to full-scale waterparks and kids’ clubs.

200 Person Destination Weddings FAQ

A destination wedding where there are over 200 people is considered to be a large wedding. With having a wedding this large at a distance from your home, many people are trepidatious in the planning period.

Where should we go for a destination wedding for 200 people?

If you have a 200 person destination wedding, you will have some limited options as to where you can go. Some smaller areas will not have resorts that are big enough to hold 200 people. If you are willing (or have guests that are willing) to split up the people, then you may have more options.

Some resorts will have multiple wings of rooming sections, so guests can choose the ultimate in luxury, or adults can partake in adults-only room categories. The smaller Caribbean Islands just may not be able to handle a wedding so large, and you will get so much more for your money in places like Mexico, Jamaica, or the Dominican Republic.

Who pays for a destination wedding?

For destination weddings of 200 people, it can be quite costly. Sometimes the wedding venue will absorb some of the costs when many of your guests are staying on-site. The wedding couple, and maybe even the wedding party, could have their stays comped. Often, the wedding couple pays for their wedding package and accessories, while guests pay for their travel and rooms.

When should we let people know we are having a destination wedding?

Space is typically limited for weddings of 200+ people, even if you plan ahead. Often, you will have to plan more than a year ahead to fit this many people in a resort and find a resort that can acommodate a wedding of this size. Give people the earliest notice possible so that they book during the best pricing periods. Depending on your selected resort, you may have to consider a contracted rate for a room block.

Who plans and coordinates destination weddings?

For destination weddings of around 200 people, wedding planners at the resorts themselves should help to coordinate the event. You’ll have a full wedding team to coordinate all of the details, from ceremony to reception, and they’re included with the cost of your wedding package.

Best Wedding Venues For 200 Guests

There are certain wedding venues that are perfect for those that have around 200 guests.

Best wedding venues for 200 guests in the Caribbean: Royalton Saint Lucia
Best wedding venues for 200 guests in Mexico: Dreams Riviera Cancun and Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres
Best wedding venues for 200 guests in Jamaica: Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton
Best wedding venues for 200 guests in the Dominican Republic: Ocean Blue and Sand, and Majestic Colonial
Best wedding venues for 200 guests in Central America: Dreams Delight Playa Bonita, and Planet Hollywood Costa Rica.

Planning a destination wedding for 200 guests can be difficult – but with the right resort and the right travel agency helping you out along the way, it’s easily possible.

Cancun Destination Weddings for 200 Guests

Cancun is one of the most popular options for destination weddings, and if you want to have a wedding with over 200 guests, it is one of the best options. Destination weddings to Cancun have always been popular, even before destination weddings became the leading sector of the wedding industry. This means that there are many hotels and resorts in Cancun that are equipped to handle massive weddings of over 200 people. While most destination weddings will not be this big, there are those select few that will be.

Since Cancun is easily accessible to many people, you should expect that there will be more people RSVPing to your wedding here – plus, it gives everyone a chance to relax and enjoy themselves. As such, there is some pressure on people to plan an absolutely gorgeous wedding. After all, most people will be spending more money than they would attend a local wedding, so a proper vacation is in order.

Thankfully, there are plentiful options that include all-inclusive wedding packages, amenities, and perks that your guests could only dream about before now.

Things To Consider When Planning A Cancun Destination Wedding For 200 Guests

If you are trying to plan a Cancun destination wedding for over 200 guests, there are some basic things you may want to go over. Primarily, you want to ensure that the venue you choose will be big enough for your wedding party and guests to enjoy yourselves. This means that there is enough room for the ceremony and the reception as well for your guests to stay at the hotel. For Cancun destination weddings, there are properties that can hold over 1,000 people, so this should not be a problem if you book early.

Still, there are some questions that you may want to ask of your guest lists – namely, how do they want to travel? Will they bring children? Do they want to drink by the pool or go hiking? Are they older people who may not like something near a lot of noise or will they want a nightclub onsite? Once you have established your numbers and answered these questions, you may also want to think about transportation. Thankfully, Cancun is a fairly easy area to travel too, with plenty of flights available at economical rates.

Cancun, Mexico Wedding Venues

Once you have selected a wedding location (in this case, Cancun), the next step for you is to find the right venue to house your special day. You want to think about how it looks, how accessible it is, and how many people it can hold. You can do a bunch of homework (or we can help) to find the top venue in Cancun – and there are certainly plenty of options. If you are looking for the best Cancun wedding venue for over 200 guests, look no further – we have narrowed down some of the options.

Best Large Wedding Venues in Cancun, Mexico

Here are some of our choices for the best venues to consider for a larger wedding (with at least 200 guests) in Cancun.

Large Weddings in Cancun, Mexico with 200+ People:

Breathless Riviera Cancun, Dreams Playa Mujeres, Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres, Hard Rock Riviera Maya, Hyatt Ziva Cancun, Iberostar Selection Cancun, Sandos Cancun, and Secrets Playa Mujeres.

Get Help Planning Your Large Cancun Wedding

No matter what, planning a large scale wedding is going to be a difficult venture. You want to ensure that everyone has a good time, especially if they are traveling to be with you. Even if it is your special day, you do need to pay attention to how your chosen resort will work for your guests as well.

Click the button below to see more of our Cancun resorts:

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Destination Wedding Weeks with 50 or More Guests

Destination wedding weeks are one of the most thrilling experiences of the entire planning process. A seemingly stressful few days, your wedding week can be tailored to nurture relaxation. Curious about how to structure and approach this week? Consult this handy guide for you to coordinate destination weeks with 50 or more guests.

Day 1

Destination Wedding Checklists to Consult Before Arriving

8 am: Make your flight on-time. It’s easy to misjudge when to arrive at the airport. Take a page out of the parent playbook: get there with 3 hours to spare.

12:00 pm: Arrive at the resort. Do a walk-through of your ceremony and reception venue. Make sure everything is up to your specifications. Verify any technology your reception will be using, from sound systems to lighting packages.

2:00 pm: Meet with the banquet manager if hosting a private reception. Review the featured menu and make any edits or additions where you deem necessary. Maybe ixnay on the escargot. This step may not be necessary if you’ve preselected your menu ahead of time.

4:00 pm: Call all other outside vendors. Confirm the arrival or delivery times of resources, addresses, and what they’re doing at or bringing to the wedding (give them your groom and maid of honor’s phone numbers too).

Day 2

Panama Jack Playa del Carmen Rehearsal Dinner

5:00 pm: Double-check that any welcome gifts are delivered to your guests.

6:30 pm: Rehearsal dinner at an a-la-carte restaurant or another reception venue. A small yet vastly important portion of your wedding week. This is where many of your guests will get to know each other!

10:00 pm: Go to bed early. No, seriously. You’re going to need your beauty sleep.

Day 3

10:00 am: Allow plenty of time to get ready. This means a mani-pedi, hair adjustments, and wedding dress prep. Check-in with your bridal party if necessary.

12:00pm: Eat something. It’s been a stressful day, but make sure you can actually make it to the altar and eat lunch or snacks throughout the day.

4:00 pm: Wedding Ceremony. It’s time. Take a few deep breaths and take in every moment of this experience. Everyone is where they need to be, right here celebrating you and the love of your life.

RELAX and ENJOY your wedding day, switch to comfortable shoes for all the dancing you’ll be doing at the reception.

If you have a bit more time and space in the budget, here are some further activities that you and your wedding guests can enjoy together!

Day 4

Destify Wedding Destinations

10:00 am: Group snorkeling excursion

1:00 pm: Group spa treatment

5:00 pm: Dinner at town

9:00 pm: Live entertainment or nightclub or try your luck at the casino (your chosen resort may have this all on-site)

Day 5

All-Inclusive Destination Wedding Benefits

10:00 am: Farewell Brunch

2:00 pm: Guests leave for the airport.

2:01 pm: Enjoy the rest of your week with your spouse with the many amenities that your resort features. For a unique perk, your travel expert can even book you a honeymoon stay at a different resort nearby.

Everyone’s destination wedding week is going to vary, especially while factoring in 50 or more guests. This is perhaps the beauty of destination weddings, however. Destination wedding schedules are meant to be interchangeable depending on the resort and destination you settle on. But regardless of how hectic the planning process may seem, your wedding week is capable of visualization and structure.

Destination Weddings for Large Groups

As the fastest growing section of the wedding industry, destination weddings are drawing an extreme amount of interest from couples who wish to break the mold for their wedding. Destination weddings for large groups are not only common but entirely doable, with less stress and coordination then you might ever think! And the prices are that much more affordable than a stateside local wedding too. Follow below for our tips on destination weddings for large groups.

Determine Your Group Size

A loose count for a ‘destination wedding large group’ is 50 guests or more. This means you’ll require an all-inclusive resort with at least double that size in available rooms, as you won’t want any chance your resort of choice may sell out before guests can book. Our general rule of thumb for our groups is to book at least 6 months in advance, and wedding guests can place their deposit down in order to lock in their room rate.

Just because you’re at a large resort, it doesn’t mean you can’t find moments of intimacy. Many of our most popular wedding resorts feature private event venues where you’ll be away from the other resort guests. Consider the Secret Garden at Dreams Tulum, or a sky deck like those found in Riviera Maya, where you’ll be up above the general resort grounds. Your resort may offer adults-only sections too, or preferred clubs, where guests will have access to private pools, bars, and even restaurants the standard guest rooms don’t have access too.

Destination Wedding Packages for Large Groups

Not all wedding packages are created equal, and extending your guest capacity beyond your wedding package’s number of guests can add up quickly. We’ll go over that in finer detail later. When you’re booking a resort, take a look at the wedding packages so you can find one that will fit your group, at the largest you envision it. With destination weddings, guests will drop off due to the cost of travel, but you’ll still want a package that includes them just in case.

When a package includes a certain number of guests, that’s accounting for their placement (seats, decor, food, etc.) at both your wedding ceremony and reception. A great example of a welcoming resort for destination weddings for large groups includes the family of Dreams resorts. Their “Beyond Memorable” package welcomes 50 guests at $7,500 and up to 100 guests at $11,999 and includes just about every bell and whistle you can imagine for your wedding ceremony, from private events to a complimentary anniversary stay.

Group Perks and Free Wedding Events

With these destination weddings for large groups come numerous perks and free wedding events you may qualify for. By booking through one channel your group may qualify for free cocktail hours, upgraded rooms, excursions, or even free rooms too. Larger wedding packages may automatically qualify your group for a private reception over a semi-private reception.

The more you book, the more you’ll receive. With your group perks, you could receive a dinner rehearsal included, or a welcome party on the night the majority of your guests arrive, the perfect icebreaker for family members and friends who don’t know each other yet.

Additional Costs and Strategies

As we mentioned, if you go beyond your wedding package’s initial capacity, the cost per guest could really add up. Some resorts welcome them at affordable rates, simply paying around $11 per extra chair. Others may require much more than that, as the cost covers not just their placement at your ceremony, but their food and drinks and the service they’ll be receiving from staff too. If you want decor beyond what your package includes that will cost extra. So will any live entertainment or reception upgrades you would like to add, like light-up dancefloors or fireworks.

Do your due diligence ahead of time with your destination wedding expert, who will provide both wedding packages and wedding resorts for your large group. Avoid contracts unless your resort requires it, as this could leave you with hefty fees if guests are unable to make it. Lastly, for destination weddings for large groups that desire a weeklong stay filled with fun activities (and free perks), compare which resorts offer you the most for your group size.

Punta Cana Destination Weddings for 50 Guests

Marrying the love of your life and want the whole world to see it? First of all, the more the merrier. Second of all, you’re in luck. Welcome to Punta Cana: the pride of the Dominican Republic. Situated on glorious white sands overlooking crystal seascapes, this beachfront gem offers the pinnacle of luxury destination weddings for 50 guests. Whether you’re in the secluded paradise of Cap Cana, or walking the aisle on the world-famous Bavaro Beach, these Top Punta Cana Wedding Resorts will guarantee you spacious venues and accommodations – the essential ingredients to the large-party ceremony of a lifetime:

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

Looking out over the white sands of Juanillo Beach, Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is an expansive hotel immersed in the surrounding natural beauty. Couples planning their destination wedding here can envision waking up on the morning of their big day and going for a sunrise swim before sitting in the beauty chair. Tropical paradise abounds in every direction. Couples can exchange vows in the oceanfront gazebo or an intimate beach venue before enjoying an open bar at cocktail hour.

Future newlyweds can escape here for a few days before their wedding, soaking up the sunshine and lounging by the pool to unwind after months of planning. Every detail is overseen by the hotel’s professional staff, who pride themselves on providing high-quality experiences for all their guests. Make sure to look out for complimentary jet skis and kayaks, as well as zen-inducing hydrotherapy spa programs!

Dreams Onyx Punta Cana

The Dreams Onyx Punta Cana brings luxury to the next level. Situated on the Dominican Republic’s most northeastern coast, it’s no question this all-inclusive Caribbean oasis features popular amenities. From private rose petal baths to direct swim-up bar access, Dreams Onyx provides an atmosphere of passion and elegance for wedding guests of all ages. Couples looking for a modern ceremony in a lavish tropical setting should consider a Dreams Onyx Punta Cana wedding.

It’s attached to the adults-only Breathless Punta Cana, so guests can stay in the adults-only atmosphere next door or at the modern digs of the Dreams resort. The beach makes for the perfect ceremony or private reception venue, and with so many beautiful pools and restaurants to explore, there’s no shortage of entertainment around every corner.

Royalton CHIC Punta Cana

Welcome to the Punta Cana star treatment! On the golden sands of Uvero Alto beach, the Royalton CHIC Punta Cana adults-only all-inclusive resort offers unlimited fun in a contemporary setting. Guests will love the lively atmosphere, stylish architecture, and the amazing pool complex. Need a more exclusive getaway for you bridal party out of your large guest list? For a unique destination wedding book the CHIC Mansion, the resort’s luxury 6-bedroom house – a pad built for privacy and lifelong memories.

The party vibes are abundant which could make this an ideal resort for Royalton CHIC Punta Cana guest lists full of younger couples. Royalton CHIC Punta Cana weddings feature the happening scene and modern decor, complete with an unforgettable ceremony along the pristine beachfront.

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Hard Rock Punta Cana

For couples who need a resort that can please everyone, especially if everyone means a large guest list, then look no further than the Hard Rock Punta Cana all-inclusive resort. The activities and restaurant options are long and enticing, and the huge resort has everything a person could want.

Whatever you desire for your wedding ceremony, Hard Rock has it, from over-water canals to beachfront gazebos capable of accommodating over 100 guests. Depending on the number of guests attending, you’ll also gain access to special perks, like free cocktail hours and private functions where everyone can celebrate! Let’s take a look at how you can score these lavish benefits:

According to Hard Rock Punta Cana, ​​ 50 – 89 rooms or 150 – 269 room nights equates to two private functions for four hours. Even better? Couples can receive one complimentary room night for every ten room nights paid up to a maximum of seven complimentary room nights. Got that guest list ready to go? Great! With over 13 pools and a large beach, you’ll never run out of places to swim and relax.

Besides the pride of the Dominican Republic, Destify has amazing resorts throughout Mexico and beyond! Interested in seeing more of our top properties? Follow the form below to connect with a Destify Couple Experience Specialist: