Getting Married at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of a wedding where panoramic ocean views meet culinary excellence in Zihuatanejo? Welcome to El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo—an iconic oceanfront restaurant that offers a stunning blend of breathtaking views, exquisite cuisine, and impeccable service for your special day. With its panoramic cliffside views, stunning bay vistas, and a sophisticated, romantic setting, El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo provides an unparalleled backdrop for your celebration. Whether you envision an elegant ceremony overlooking the bay or a gourmet reception with a spectacular sunset backdrop, this exquisite venue promises a wedding experience as unforgettable as its magnificent ambiance.

Renowned for its beautifully appointed spaces and a deeply romantic atmosphere, El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo seamlessly blends sophisticated elegance with authentic local warmth. Its exquisite event areas—from elegant terrace spaces to intimate dining salons—are designed to reflect your unique love story, all while showcasing the captivating beauty of Zihuatanejo Bay. Let the natural splendor and exclusive charm of this venue set the stage for your dream wedding.

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

Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo stands out for its premier cliffside location in Zihuatanejo, offering unparalleled panoramic views of Zihuatanejo Bay and stunning sunsets. The venue’s elegant and sophisticated design, featuring multi-tiered terraces and an iconic lighthouse view, creates a refined and romantic atmosphere perfect for destination weddings. Couples seeking an exquisite, upscale yet intimate dining experience for their wedding, away from large resort crowds, will find El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo provides a picturesque and charming setting.

Recent guest surveys indicate that **couples increasingly prioritize unique, intimate settings and personalized guest experiences**. With its beautiful blend of natural splendor and refined culinary artistry, and a focus on attentive service, El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo offers a truly distinctive backdrop for your wedding photos and a memorable escape for your guests.

 

How Does a Wedding at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo Work?

 

Planning your wedding at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo is designed to be a personalized and seamless process. Their experienced in-house events team and preferred local planners guide you through every step, ensuring your vision is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. The venue offers versatile event spaces and bespoke wedding arrangements that can include everything from ceremony setup and gourmet catering to professional coordination and vendor management.

This dedicated support means you can relax and savor the moments while the venue helps handle the logistics, allowing you to focus on celebrating your love in a beautiful, stress-free environment.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

Zihuatanejo 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.

 

The Basics of Wedding Arrangements

 

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo offers thoughtfully designed wedding arrangements tailored to various styles and sizes. These typically include:

  • Ceremony Setup: Options for ceremonies on an ocean-view terrace or a dedicated viewpoint, with elegant decor.
  • Reception Venues: Multiple elegant ocean-view terraces, private dining rooms, or a full restaurant buyout.
  • Catering: Gourmet, fresh cuisine emphasizing fine dining, local seafood, and elevated Mexican flavors, with options for plated dinners or elegant buffet presentations, all prepared by their acclaimed in-house culinary team.
  • Decor and Floral Arrangements: Collaboration with professional florists and decorators for sophisticated floral designs and decor that complement the venue’s elegance and your personal style.
  • Entertainment: Assistance with coordinating music (local musicians, DJs) and other entertainment to create the perfect atmosphere.

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 El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo, typically:

  • The couple covers the primary wedding costs, such as the venue rental or buyout, catering, and coordination services.
  • Guests are usually responsible for their own travel and accommodation, although the venue or local planners can suggest nearby options.
  • The couple might choose to host additional events, like a welcome dinner or farewell brunch, covering those costs for their guests.
  • Extra expenses for personalized decor, enhanced entertainment, or 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 manage their personal travel arrangements.

 

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations

 

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo features versatile spaces suitable for intimate to larger-sized weddings:

  • Main Event Terraces (e.g., Lighthouse Terrace, Bay View Terrace): Ideal for medium to larger weddings, typically accommodating 50-150 guests for a seated dinner.
  • Cliffside Ceremony Point: Perfect for ceremonies up to 150 guests, offering stunning Zihuatanejo Bay and Pacific Ocean views.
  • Entire Restaurant Buyout: The entire restaurant can be booked for exclusivity, accommodating larger events and ensuring complete privacy for your celebration.

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo does not offer on-site accommodations, allowing guests to choose from Zihuatanejo’s diverse range of luxurious resorts, boutique hotels, and charming villas. For additional guests, their team can provide a curated list of recommended nearby hotels in Zihuatanejo to suit various budgets and preferences, and assist with group booking coordination.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo’s team or your chosen planner expertly manages the flow of your day from saying “I do” to your final dance. A typical sequence might look like this:

Cliffside Ceremony: Exchange vows on an elegant terrace overlooking Zihuatanejo Bay, with the iconic lighthouse and Pacific Ocean as your stunning backdrop, perhaps under a beautifully decorated arch.

Sunset Cocktail Hour: Guests enjoy craft cocktails and gourmet appetizers on one of the panoramic terraces or in a chic lounge area, as the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues.

Gourmet Reception: Move to a dedicated reception area, such as dinner under the stars on a grand terrace or within an elegantly appointed dining room, for an exquisite meal, heartfelt toasts, and a sophisticated celebration.

Pro tip: Embrace the venue’s stunning elevated views. Consider an ‘elegant coastal’ theme, incorporate elements of refined Mexican design, and let the breathtaking panorama of Zihuatanejo Bay be your ultimate backdrop.

What’s Included in the Venue Rental Fee?

While specific inclusions vary, the core venue fee or buyout cost at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo typically includes:

  • Exclusive Use of Property: Often, a full restaurant buyout is available for weddings, ensuring complete privacy and exclusive use of designated event areas for the allocated time. This ensures an intimate and dedicated experience.
  • Basic Setup: Provision of elegant existing venue furniture, high-quality linens, and basic setup for ceremony and reception spaces. Enhanced décor and specialized furniture can be arranged through their preferred vendors.
  • Staffing: Highly professional in-house staff, including culinary teams, waitstaff, and bartenders, are integral to the service. Additional specialized staff can be arranged as needed.
  • Basic Sound System: A simple sound system may be available for background music or speeches; recommendations for professional AV rental can be provided for more extensive needs.

Remember that premium furniture, extensive floral installations, specialized lighting, or upgraded sound/visual equipment are usually additional costs, coordinated with your planner or the venue.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies

The Pacific coast of Guerrero, including Zihuatanejo, can experience tropical rain, especially during the wet season (June-October). El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo typically has elegantly appointed indoor dining rooms and extensive covered terraces that can serve as a beautiful backup for ceremonies or receptions if weather is inclement, ensuring your celebration remains magical.

Pro tip: Discuss the backup options during your site visit or initial consultation. Understand where the alternative space is located and ensure it aligns with your vision, even if it’s just a contingency plan. The charm of Zihuatanejo venues often means even backup spots are lovely.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

Booking your wedding at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo involves a standard payment structure:

Initial Deposit: A non-refundable deposit, often ranging from $2,000–$5,000 USD (or a percentage of the estimated total), is required to reserve your date and the venue.

Scheduled Payments: Further payments are typically scheduled at intervals (e.g., 6, 3, and 1 month prior) to cover estimated costs based on your arrangements and guest count.

Final Payment: The remaining balance is usually due approximately 30-45 days before the wedding date.

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

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo’s experienced in-house events team provides dedicated coordination for venue-related aspects and works closely with preferred local wedding planners to make your journey seamless. Their services, or those of a recommended planner, typically include:

    Dedicated Contact/Planner: A main point of contact to guide you through decisions related to the venue, and to liaise with other vendors.

    Vendor Liaison: Assistance with selecting and coordinating trusted local vendors for photography, music, flowers, and more, as catering is provided in-house.

    Timeline Creation & Management: Developing a detailed schedule for the wedding day and ensuring everything runs on time.

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

Their expertise in executing sophisticated, memorable events in the Zihuatanejo setting is invaluable for a stress-free planning experience.

Dietary and Menu Restrictions

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo, renowned for its acclaimed in-house culinary team, is highly capable of accommodating a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. They focus on exquisite, fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, emphasizing gourmet seafood and elevated Mexican-Mediterranean fusion cuisine. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-specific meals are crafted with the utmost care and expertise.

Consultations with the chef are usually included, allowing you to tailor the menu precisely. You can arrange unique culinary experiences like a sophisticated raw bar, a live gourmet cooking station, a premium wine pairing with local and international selections, or artisanal tequila/mezcal tastings to elevate your reception.

Music and Entertainment Restrictions

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo welcomes various entertainment options, from romantic local musicians and acoustic sets to lively DJs or small bands. As Zihuatanejo, while vibrant, maintains certain tranquility, the venue will have guidelines regarding noise levels, particularly for outdoor events.

Typically, outdoor amplified music may have a curfew, often around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. If your celebration is planned to extend late into the night, the venue team can advise on suitable indoor spaces or suggest transitioning to a quieter, more acoustic vibe to continue the party while respecting local policies and the peaceful atmosphere.

Parking and Guest Logistics

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

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

Local Transportation: Movement around Zihuatanejo is easy by local taxis, ride-sharing, or walking in central areas. For exploring more, car rentals are available.

Parking: Parking is typically available on-site or nearby for guests who choose to rent cars.

Providing guests with clear instructions on airport arrival, recommended transportation options, and local travel well in advance is highly recommended.

Total Cost Breakdown for a Wedding at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo

For an average wedding of about 50-80 guests at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo, a rough estimate for your budget might be:

  • Venue Rental/Food & Beverage Minimum: $5,000–$15,000+ USD (often operates on a food and beverage minimum, or an exclusive use fee, ensuring complete privacy for your event).
  • Food and Beverage (per person): $100–$200+ USD per person. For 60 guests, budget $6,000–$12,000+. Note: This often contributes to or is the primary component of the venue minimum.
  • Entertainment: $1,000–$3,500 USD (local musician, DJ, or small band).
  • Photography/Videography: $2,500–$6,000 USD (depends on hours, photographers, and deliverables).
  • Florals and Enhanced Decor: $1,000–$4,000 USD (leveraging the venue’s elegance and local, tropical flowers).
  • 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.

Total estimated costs could range from $15,000 to $40,000+ USD for a 60-guest wedding, highly dependent on specific buyout terms, menu selections, decor choices, 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 El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo’s team or your wedding planner.*

Splurge vs. Save

To save costs, consider a weekday wedding, simplifying decor to highlight the venue’s natural elegance, choosing local, seasonal flowers, or opting for an elegant buffet rather than a multi-course plated meal. Leveraging El Faro’s acclaimed in-house catering is usually more cost-effective. To splurge, consider hiring a renowned local chef for an enhanced bespoke menu, arranging private yacht charters or personalized spa experiences for your guests, an exclusive fireworks display over the bay, or a premium wine and spirits pairing tailored to your menu.

Wedding Arrangements and What’s Included

El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo excels in crafting bespoke arrangements rather than fixed packages, allowing for a highly personalized experience. Common inclusions in a venue buyout or wedding arrangement might be:

  • Venue Rental/Buyout: Exclusive use of the restaurant or designated event areas for a set period (e.g., evening event), typically subject to a food and beverage minimum.
  • Basic Ceremony Setup: Use of elegant outdoor terraces with stunning bay views, premium seating, and sophisticated decor options.
  • Minister/Officiant: Assistance with arranging services (symbolic or legal, with legal requiring separate paperwork/fees).
  • Cocktail Hour Setup: May include a designated area and basic setup for a welcome drink or cocktail hour, with their professional bar service and gourmet appetizers.
  • Reception Catering: Gourmet custom menu (plated, buffet, or tasting menu) prepared by El Faro’s renowned culinary team.
  • Bar Service Options: Comprehensive bar service options, including open bar, consumption-based bar, or curated premium selections, managed by their expert staff.
  • Wedding Cake: Sourced from a trusted local baker, with various flavors and designs.
  • On-Site Contact/Manager: To assist with venue logistics and coordinate with your chosen wedding planner and vendors.

Pro tip: Opting for an exclusive restaurant buyout ensures complete privacy and a truly bespoke experience, making it feel like your private culinary oasis for the evening.

Activities for Other Days

Keep your guests entertained throughout their stay in Zihuatanejo and the surrounding area:

  • Organize a group visit to nearby beaches like Playa La Ropa or Playa Las Gatas, or exploring the vibrant markets, charming pier, and art galleries of downtown Zihuatanejo.
  • Book a luxurious yacht charter for a day of snorkeling, island hopping, or sunset cruising around Zihuatanejo Bay and beyond.
  • Arrange a welcome cocktail reception, a pre-wedding mezcal tasting, or a relaxed brunch on one of El Faro’s terraces.
  • Guests can enjoy swimming and sunbathing at Playa La Ropa, exploring Ixtapa’s lively resort area, indulging in spa treatments, or simply relaxing by their hotel pool.
  • Arrange adventurous excursions like deep-sea fishing, exploring nearby nature reserves, or taking a culinary tour of local flavors.
  • Explore the vibrant artisan markets and boutique shops in Zihuatanejo, or discover unique pieces at local art galleries.

Three Practical Tips for Brides

1) Embrace the Tropical Elegance: Zihuatanejo’s climate is warm and tropical. Opt for elegant, breathable fabrics for your attire, and consider hairstyles and makeup that complement the sophisticated yet natural ambiance. Given El Faro’s elevated setting, comfortable elegant footwear is advisable.

2) Cherish the Sunsets: Zihuatanejo is famous for its spectacular Pacific sunsets. Time your ceremony or key photo moments like couple’s portraits to coincide with the golden hour for breathtaking, magical photos.

3) Hydrate and Relax: The heat and humidity, combined with celebratory drinks, mean staying hydrated is key for everyone’s comfort and well-being. Encourage your guests to drink plenty of water. Embrace the tranquil yet vibrant charm of Zihuatanejo and savor every moment of your celebration.

Two Bride Reviews

“Our wedding at El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo was simply perfection. The panoramic views of the bay were absolutely breathtaking, creating an incredibly romantic setting for our ceremony and dinner. The food was gourmet and exquisite, and the service was beyond impeccable. Our guests were raving about the entire experience. It felt truly exclusive and unforgettable!” – Sarah M.

“Choosing El Faro for our wedding reception was the best decision we made. From the initial planning to the last dance, their events team was incredibly attentive and professional. The ambiance was pure magic, especially at sunset, and the culinary team created a bespoke menu that delighted everyone. It was an elegant, intimate, and wonderfully seamless celebration overlooking one of the most beautiful bays.” – Jessica L.

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Photographer

Having photographed weddings across Mexico, El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo offers a wonderfully elegant and dramatic setting for wedding photography. The breathtaking panoramic views of Zihuatanejo Bay, the dramatic sunsets, and the sophisticated, architectural elegance of venues like El Faro Restaurant provide a wealth of stunning backdrops. The elevated vantage point means stunning golden hour portraits with the bay and ocean as a backdrop are a must, capturing that quintessential dreamy coastal wedding feel. The refined setting of such a venue allows for capturing elegant, heartfelt moments and the true essence of a sophisticated, joyous celebration surrounded by loved ones. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s less about a typical resort wedding and more about exquisite dining, unparalleled views, and a refined, memorable experience, El Faro Restaurant Zihuatanejo is an exceptional choice. It photographs with an elegant, dramatic, and truly unforgettable feel, reflecting the unique spirit of your special day.

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