Getting Married at Unlimited Ixtapa: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of a wedding where luxury meets the stunning Pacific coastline of Ixtapa? Welcome to Unlimited Ixtapa—a vibrant, all-inclusive resort that offers an exceptional blend of sophisticated amenities, breathtaking ocean views, and comprehensive service for your special day. With its expansive pools, diverse gourmet dining, and a lively, full-service atmosphere, Unlimited Ixtapa provides an unparalleled backdrop for your celebration. Whether you envision a grand ceremony on a beachfront terrace or an elegant reception in a contemporary ballroom, this exquisite venue promises a wedding experience as unforgettable as its spectacular sunsets.

Renowned for its beautifully appointed suites, world-class facilities, and a deeply welcoming atmosphere, Unlimited Ixtapa seamlessly blends modern luxury with authentic Mexican hospitality. Its exquisite event areas—from pristine beachfront gazebos to elegant garden settings and spacious ballrooms—are designed to reflect your unique love story, all while showcasing the captivating beauty of Ixtapa. Let the natural splendor and exclusive amenities of this resort set the stage for your dream wedding.

Planning your perfect wedding in Ixtapa? Explore some of the best wedding photos in Ixtapa in this stunning destination, showcasing breathtaking moments captured in paradise.

Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

Unlimited Ixtapa stands out for its prime beachfront location in Ixtapa, offering direct views of the Pacific Ocean and stunning sunsets. The resort’s comprehensive all-inclusive concept, featuring multiple gourmet dining options, a range of luxurious pools, and world-class amenities, creates a vibrant and sophisticated atmosphere perfect for destination weddings. Couples seeking a luxurious, full-service, and hassle-free wedding experience, with diverse options for celebration and guest entertainment, will find Unlimited Ixtapa provides a picturesque and exciting setting.

Recent guest surveys indicate that **couples increasingly prioritize seamless planning, diverse activities for guests, and exceptional culinary experiences**. With its blend of expansive resort luxury and attentive service, Unlimited Ixtapa offers a truly distinctive backdrop for your wedding photos and a memorable getaway for your guests.

 

How Does a Wedding at Unlimited Ixtapa Work?

 

Planning your wedding at Unlimited Ixtapa is designed to be a streamlined and luxurious process. Their dedicated on-site wedding coordinators guide you through every step, ensuring your vision is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. The resort offers various customizable wedding packages that can include everything from ceremony setup, gourmet catering, and premium open bar to professional coordination and vendor management.

This dedicated support means you can relax and savor the moments while the resort’s expert team handles the logistics, allowing you to focus on celebrating your love in a beautiful, stress-free environment.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

Ixtapa enjoys warm weather year-round, but the best months for a wedding are typically from November to May. This period offers pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The drier season also provides consistent, beautiful natural light for photography.

Marrying during these months ensures optimal weather, while the summer/fall season (June-October) can be more humid and prone to afternoon showers, potentially offering cost savings but requiring stronger backup plans for outdoor events.

 

The Basics of Wedding Arrangements

 

Unlimited Ixtapa offers thoughtfully designed wedding packages tailored to various styles and sizes. These typically include:

  • Ceremony Setup: Options for beachfront ceremonies under an elegant gazebo, lush garden settings, or sophisticated terrace spaces with stunning ocean views.
  • Reception Venues: Diverse options from elegant ballrooms to private beachfront areas and specialized restaurant terraces.
  • Catering: Gourmet dining experiences, often with a choice of international and local cuisine, offering plated dinners, elaborate buffets, or themed stations, all handled by the resort’s expert culinary team.
  • Decor and Floral Arrangements: Collaboration with preferred florists for elegant, tropical floral designs and decor that complement the resort’s luxurious ambiance and your personal style.
  • Entertainment: Assistance with coordinating music (DJs, live bands, mariachis) and other entertainment to create the perfect atmosphere for your celebration.
  • Premium Open Bar: High-quality beverages and mixology included as part of the all-inclusive package.

These arrangements serve as a foundation and can be customized extensively to perfectly align with your dream wedding.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

In destination weddings at Unlimited Ixtapa, typically:

  • The couple covers the primary wedding package costs, such as the event fees, catering, and on-site coordination services. These packages are often priced per person.
  • Guests are usually responsible for their own all-inclusive resort stay (room nights, flights, transfers), though the couple may negotiate group rates or contribute to certain guest expenses.
  • The couple might choose to host additional events, like a welcome cocktail party or farewell brunch, covering those costs for their guests as an add-on to their all-inclusive stay.
  • Extra expenses for personalized decor enhancements, upgraded entertainment, or unique pre/post-wedding activities are typically the couple’s responsibility.
  • Gift registries or contributions towards travel/experiences are common, allowing guests to contribute in meaningful ways.

This structure allows the couple to tailor the main event while guests enjoy the ease and amenities of an all-inclusive stay.

 

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations

 

Unlimited Ixtapa features versatile spaces suitable for a wide range of wedding sizes:

  • Beachfront Ceremony Area: Perfect for ceremonies ranging from 50 to 200+ guests, offering stunning Pacific Ocean views.
  • Terraces & Garden Spaces: Ideal for cocktail hours and receptions for 50-150 guests, with scenic backdrops.
  • Ballrooms: Spacious indoor options for grand receptions, accommodating 100 to 300+ guests, offering air-conditioned comfort and sophisticated ambiance.
  • Specific Restaurant Buyouts: Intimate dining experiences for smaller groups.

As an all-inclusive resort, Unlimited Ixtapa offers hundreds of luxurious rooms and suites, ensuring all your guests can stay on-site. This enhances the shared experience, convenience, and gives guests access to all resort amenities and activities throughout their stay.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

Unlimited Ixtapa’s dedicated wedding team expertly manages the flow of your day from saying “I do” to your final dance. A typical sequence might look like this:

Beachfront Ceremony: Exchange vows on the pristine sands of Ixtapa with the Pacific Ocean as your stunning backdrop, often under a beautifully decorated gazebo or arch.

Ocean-View Cocktail Hour: Guests enjoy premium cocktails and gourmet appetizers on a grand terrace or by a resort pool, as the sun dips below the horizon, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

Elegant Reception: Move to a dedicated reception area, such as a luxurious ballroom, a private garden, or a beachfront setup, for a delicious multi-course meal, heartfelt toasts, and an evening of dancing and celebration.

Pro tip: Utilize the resort’s diverse spaces. Consider a poolside welcome reception, a pre-ceremony spa session, or a specific restaurant for your rehearsal dinner to maximize the all-inclusive experience and keep guests engaged.

What’s Included in the Wedding Packages?

Unlimited Ixtapa’s wedding packages are designed to be comprehensive, often including:

  • Dedicated Wedding Coordinator: An on-site expert to guide you through planning and manage your wedding day.
  • Ceremony & Reception Setup: Basic décor, chairs, tables, linens, and setup for chosen event spaces (beach, garden, ballroom, terrace).
  • Gourmet Catering: Multi-course dinner, buffet, or food stations, featuring diverse cuisine options by the resort’s culinary team.
  • Premium Open Bar: Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for the duration of the event.
  • Wedding Cake: A custom-designed wedding cake from the resort’s pastry chef.
  • Basic Sound System & DJ: Often included for background music, speeches, and reception dancing.
  • Bridal Suite & Amenities: Special inclusions for the couple, such as a complimentary room upgrade, sparkling wine, and breakfast in bed.
  • Honeymoon Privileges: Potential perks like late checkout, special turndown service, and romantic dinners for the couple.

Specific inclusions vary by package tier (e.g., “Always & Forever,” “Ultimate Wedding,” “Beyond Memorable”). Upgrades for premium décor, specialized lighting, enhanced entertainment, or additional events will be extra costs, coordinated with your wedding coordinator.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies

The Pacific coast of Guerrero, including Ixtapa, can experience tropical rain, especially during the wet season (June-October). Unlimited Ixtapa is well-equipped with various covered and indoor spaces that can serve as a beautiful backup for ceremonies or receptions if weather is inclement. These typically include:

  • Elegant Ballrooms: Air-conditioned and professionally designed, offering a sophisticated indoor setting.
  • Covered Terraces: Large, open-air but covered spaces with ocean or garden views.
  • Function Rooms: Versatile spaces that can be adapted for smaller ceremonies or cocktail hours.

Pro tip: Discuss the backup options with your wedding coordinator early in the planning process. Ensure you are comfortable with the alternative space, even if it’s just a contingency plan. The resort’s multiple facilities mean you’ll always have a beautiful option, rain or shine.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

Booking your wedding at Unlimited Ixtapa involves a standard payment structure:

Initial Deposit: A non-refundable deposit, often ranging from $1,000–$5,000 USD (or a percentage of the estimated total), is required to reserve your date and selected package.

Scheduled Payments: Further payments are typically scheduled at intervals (e.g., 9, 6, and 3 months prior) to cover estimated costs based on your chosen package, upgrades, and guest count.

Final Payment: The remaining balance is usually due approximately 30-60 days before the wedding date, often after final guest counts are confirmed.

Cancellation policies are strict and vary depending on the timing of the cancellation relative to your wedding date. Review your contract carefully and consider wedding insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances.

On-Site Wedding Coordination and Planning Services

Unlimited Ixtapa provides dedicated on-site wedding coordinators as a core part of their service, ensuring a seamless planning and execution experience. Their services typically include:

Dedicated Wedding Coordinator: A main point of contact to guide you through every decision, from package selection to menu tasting and vendor liaison.

Vendor Management: Assistance with selecting and coordinating trusted local and preferred resort vendors for photography, videography, music, flowers, additional decor, and more.

Timeline Creation & Management: Developing a detailed schedule for the entire wedding weekend, including welcome events, ceremony, reception, and farewell brunch, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

Rehearsal Coordination: Guiding your wedding party through the ceremony rehearsal at the venue.

Their expertise in executing sophisticated, large-scale events within the resort setting is invaluable for a stress-free planning experience, allowing you to truly enjoy your celebration.

Dietary and Menu Restrictions

Unlimited Ixtapa, with its extensive culinary team and multiple gourmet restaurants, is highly capable of accommodating a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. They offer diverse international and local cuisine, with flexibility for various dietary requirements such as vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergy-specific meals.

Consultations with the resort’s culinary team are usually included, allowing you to tailor the menu precisely to your tastes and guest needs. You can arrange unique culinary experiences like a gourmet seafood BBQ, an authentic Mexican street food station, a premium wine and tequila tasting, or a custom dessert bar to add a distinctive touch to your reception.

Music and Entertainment Restrictions

Unlimited Ixtapa welcomes various entertainment options, from romantic live musicians for ceremonies and cocktail hours to lively DJs and full bands for receptions. As a large resort, they have designated areas for music and entertainment, often with more flexible noise policies than private villas.

Typically, outdoor amplified music may have a curfew (e.g., 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.), but the resort often offers indoor ballrooms or dedicated night clubs where celebrations can continue late into the night. Your wedding coordinator will advise on specific regulations and help you plan your entertainment flow to ensure a seamless party while adhering to resort policies.

Transportation and Guest Logistics

Most guests will arrive via Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH), which is conveniently located approximately a 20-30 minute drive from Unlimited Ixtapa. To facilitate guest transportation:

Airport Transfers: The resort or your wedding planner can help arrange private or shared shuttle services directly from ZIH to the resort. Taxis are also readily available at the airport.

Local Transportation: Guests staying at Unlimited Ixtapa will likely find most of their needs met within the resort. For exploring outside the resort, local taxis are plentiful, and the resort can assist with car rentals or organized excursions.

Parking: As a large resort, ample on-site parking is typically available for guests who choose to rent cars, although it’s rarely needed for all-inclusive guests.

Providing guests with clear instructions on airport arrival, recommended transportation options, and the ease of staying at an all-inclusive resort well in advance is highly recommended.

Total Cost Breakdown for a Wedding at Unlimited Ixtapa

For an average wedding of about 80-120 guests at Unlimited Ixtapa, a rough estimate for your budget might be:

  • Wedding Package Fee (per person): $120–$250+ USD per person. This covers the ceremony setup, basic decor, catering, open bar for the event. For 100 guests, budget $12,000–$25,000+.
  • Guest Accommodations (All-Inclusive): Guests typically pay their own room nights, which average $150-$300+ USD per person, per night. This is generally not part of the wedding package cost for the couple, but is a significant part of the overall cost for guests.
  • Photography/Videography: $3,000–$8,000+ USD (depends on hours, photographers, and deliverables). The resort may have preferred vendors or require a fee for outside vendors.
  • Florals and Enhanced Decor: $1,500–$6,000+ USD (depending on complexity, leveraging resort’s existing beauty).
  • Entertainment: $1,500–$5,000+ USD (DJ, live band, specialty acts).
  • Taxes and Service Fees: Typically adds 16% VAT plus a 10-15% service charge on top of services. Budget at least 26% of total costs for this.
  • Additional Events/Upgrades: Welcome party, farewell brunch, upgraded bar, specialty linens, lighting, fireworks, etc., can add $5,000–$20,000+.

Total estimated costs for the *wedding events themselves* could range from $20,000 to $60,000+ USD for a 100-guest wedding, highly dependent on specific package tiers, customization, and added luxuries. Prioritizing what matters most to you can help manage the budget effectively.

*Please note: These are estimates. Always obtain a customized quote directly from Unlimited Ixtapa’s wedding team or your wedding planner.*

Splurge vs. Save

To save costs, consider a weekday wedding, opting for a simpler package, utilizing the resort’s standard decor and floral options, or choosing a buffet instead of plated service. Limiting custom elements and leveraging the resort’s existing beauty can also help. To splurge, consider hiring a renowned external photographer/videographer, arranging a private fireworks display, an elaborate themed dinner, a custom-designed dance floor, a premium liquor package, or offering unique guest experiences like a catamaran cruise or a professional golf tournament.

Wedding Package Inclusions & What’s Included

Unlimited Ixtapa offers various wedding packages, typically tiered from basic to luxury, providing a comprehensive set of inclusions:

  • Standard Wedding Package: Often includes symbolic ceremony setup, basic seating, a wedding cake, sparkling wine for toast, on-site wedding coordinator, and bridal bouquet/groom’s boutonnière. May require a minimum number of paid room nights for guests to qualify for a complimentary package.
  • Mid-Tier Packages: Build upon the standard, adding elements like private cocktail hour with appetizers, private dinner reception with open bar, DJ services, basic floral centerpieces, and enhanced bridal suite amenities.
  • Luxury/Premium Packages: Offer extensive upgrades, including premium bar, gourmet menu options, enhanced décor, additional live entertainment, spa credits, additional private events (e.g., welcome party, farewell brunch), and often a complimentary honeymoon stay.

Pro tip: Unlimited Ixtapa often offers generous promotions for weddings, such as complimentary package upgrades or cashbacks based on the number of guest room nights booked. Be sure to inquire about current promotions and how they can enhance your wedding experience.

Activities for Other Days

Keep your guests entertained throughout their stay at Unlimited Ixtapa and the surrounding area:

  • Encourage guests to enjoy the resort’s diverse amenities: multiple swimming pools, water sports (kayaking, paddleboarding), fitness center, spa, and daily entertainment programs.
  • Organize a group excursion to nearby attractions like Isla Ixtapa for snorkeling and fresh seafood, or a visit to the charming fishing village of Zihuatanejo for local markets and artisan crafts.
  • Arrange a welcome cocktail party or a themed dinner at one of the resort’s specialty restaurants.
  • Guests can indulge in golf at championship courses nearby, deep-sea fishing charters, or simply relax by the pool or on the beach with premium service.
  • The resort often offers evening entertainment, live music, and themed nights, providing built-in activities for guests.

Three Practical Tips for Brides

1) Leverage Your Wedding Coordinator: Your Unlimited Ixtapa wedding coordinator is an invaluable resource. They are experts in resort logistics and local vendors. Trust their guidance, communicate clearly, and let them handle the complexities so you can relax and enjoy the process.

2) Embrace the All-Inclusive Experience: Encourage your guests to arrive a few days early or stay longer to fully enjoy the resort’s amenities. The value of an all-inclusive extends beyond the wedding day, offering a true vacation experience for everyone.

3) Plan for Golden Hour Photos: Ixtapa’s sunsets are legendary. Coordinate with your photographer and wedding planner to schedule your couple’s portraits and any significant ceremony moments around the “golden hour” for truly spectacular and memorable photos with the vibrant Pacific backdrop.

Two Bride Reviews

“Our wedding at Unlimited Ixtapa was everything we dreamed of and more! The resort staff, especially our wedding coordinator, made the entire process so easy and stress-free. Our guests raved about the gourmet food, the beautiful pools, and how seamlessly everything flowed. Having everyone stay at the same luxurious resort created such a wonderful, extended celebration. Highly recommend for a truly unforgettable and luxurious destination wedding.” – Sarah M.

“Choosing Unlimited Ixtapa for our wedding was the best decision. From the stunning beachfront ceremony to the elegant reception in the ballroom, every detail was perfect. The all-inclusive concept was fantastic for our guests, making their travel effortless and fun. The food was incredible, the drinks kept flowing, and the service was impeccable. We loved that our friends and family could relax and enjoy the resort’s amenities alongside celebrating with us. It was a dream come true!” – Jessica L.

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Photographer

Having photographed weddings at large resorts in Mexico, Unlimited Ixtapa offers a wealth of photographic opportunities. The grandeur of the resort’s architecture, the expansive pools, and the pristine beachfront provide diverse and luxurious backdrops for your wedding day. I particularly love capturing the vibrancy of guests enjoying the resort amenities, the dynamic energy of a large reception, and of course, the stunning Ixtapa sunsets. The resort’s ability to handle large guest counts and complex logistics means couples can relax, allowing for more natural and joyous expressions in photos. If you’re envisioning a wedding that combines sophisticated luxury, comprehensive service, and a lively atmosphere where every detail is taken care of, Unlimited Ixtapa is an exceptional choice. It photographs with a grand, vibrant, and truly memorable feel, reflecting the expansive joy of your special day.

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