Getting Married at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of a wedding where the golden sands meet the azure waters of the Pacific in Ixtapa? Welcome to Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort—a vibrant, full-service haven that offers an expansive blend of natural beauty, endless amenities, and professional service for your special day. With its prime beachfront location, stunning ocean vistas, and a lively, resort atmosphere, Hotel Fontán Ixtapa provides an unparalleled backdrop for your celebration. Whether you envision a grand ceremony on the sand or an elegant reception in a sophisticated ballroom, this exquisite venue promises a wedding experience as unforgettable as its spectacular sunsets.

Renowned for its beautifully appointed spaces and a deeply engaging atmosphere, Hotel Fontán Ixtapa seamlessly blends modern comfort with authentic Mexican hospitality. Its exquisite event areas—from expansive beach settings and lush garden terraces to elegant ballrooms—are designed to reflect your unique love story, all while showcasing the captivating beauty of Ixtapa. Let the natural splendor and extensive 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?

 

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort stands out for its prime beachfront location in Ixtapa, offering direct views of the Pacific Ocean and stunning sunsets. The resort’s expansive and sophisticated design, featuring multiple pools, diverse dining options, and direct access to a vibrant beach, creates a lively and elegant atmosphere perfect for destination weddings. Couples seeking a comprehensive, all-inclusive, and professionally managed resort wedding experience with a wide range of amenities for their guests will find Hotel Fontán Ixtapa provides a picturesque and exciting setting.

Recent guest surveys indicate that **couples increasingly prioritize convenience, extensive amenities, and seamless professional planning**. With its beautiful blend of coastal beauty, resort luxuries, and a focus on attentive, all-encompassing service, Hotel Fontán Ixtapa offers a truly distinctive backdrop for your wedding photos and a memorable getaway for your guests.

 

How Does a Wedding at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort Work?

 

Planning your wedding at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort is designed to be a streamlined and comprehensive process. Their dedicated in-house wedding specialists guide you through every step, ensuring your vision is brought to life with meticulous attention to detail. The resort offers various customizable wedding packages and flexible event spaces that can include everything from ceremony setup and exquisite catering to professional coordination, vendor management, and guest accommodations.

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, and amenity-rich 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 within the resort’s indoor venues.

 

The Basics of Wedding Arrangements

 

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort 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 indoor chapels/spaces, with elegant décor.
  • Reception Venues: Expansive ocean-view terraces, grand ballrooms, or charming poolside areas.
  • Catering: Diverse and delicious cuisine, often emphasizing international and Mexican flavors, with options for plated dinners, elaborate buffets, or gourmet cocktail receptions, all expertly prepared by the resort’s culinary team.
  • Decor and Floral Arrangements: Collaboration with preferred floral designers and decor specialists for stunning arrangements and themes that complement the resort’s grandeur and your personal taste.
  • Entertainment: Assistance with coordinating music (DJs, live bands, mariachis) 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, often with the convenience of all-inclusive benefits.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

In destination weddings at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort, typically:

  • The couple covers the primary wedding costs, such as the wedding package, catering, and coordination services. All-inclusive resorts often bundle many of these services per guest.
  • Guests are usually responsible for their own travel and accommodation, although the resort can offer discounted group rates for room blocks, making their stay more affordable.
  • The couple might choose to host additional events, like a welcome reception, rehearsal dinner, or farewell brunch, often covered through their wedding package or as an add-on.
  • Extra expenses for personalized decor enhancements, premium entertainment, or additional resort 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 within the resort’s comprehensive offerings.

 

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations

 

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort features versatile and expansive spaces suitable for intimate gatherings to grand celebrations:

  • Main Event Spaces (e.g., Ballroom, Grand Terrace): Ideal for medium to large-sized weddings, accommodating anywhere from 50 to 300+ guests, depending on the setup.
  • Beachfront Ceremony Area: Perfect for ceremonies up to 300 guests, offering stunning Pacific Ocean views with various setup options.
  • Lush Garden and Poolside Venues: Offer beautiful, scenic alternatives for ceremonies or cocktail hours, accommodating diverse group sizes.

The resort itself offers an extensive number of comfortable and well-appointed rooms and suites, often with ocean or garden views. Group blocks and discounted rates are readily available for wedding guests, providing convenient on-site accommodation for all attendees. This makes it easy to keep all guests together throughout the celebration.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort’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 or Garden Ceremony: Exchange vows on the expansive golden sands of Ixtapa with the Pacific Ocean as your stunning backdrop, under an elegant gazebo, or amidst the resort’s beautiful tropical gardens.

Poolside or Terrace Cocktail Hour: Guests enjoy refreshing cocktails and exquisite appetizers, perhaps by one of the resort’s inviting pools or on an ocean-view terrace, as the sun dips below the horizon.

Grand Reception: Move to a dedicated reception area, such as a sophisticated ballroom or a beautifully lit outdoor space, for a gourmet meal, heartfelt toasts, and vibrant celebration with ample space for dancing.

Pro tip: Utilize the resort’s diverse settings. Consider a beachfront ceremony, a vibrant poolside cocktail hour, and a grand ballroom reception for distinct atmospheres. Coordinate sunset photos to capture the stunning Ixtapa light.

What’s Included in the Venue Rental Fee?

While specific inclusions vary based on your chosen wedding package, the core venue fee or wedding package at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort typically includes:

  • Exclusive Use of Event Spaces: Use of designated ceremony and reception areas within the resort for the allocated time.
  • Basic Setup & Furniture: Provision of tables, chairs, standard linens, and basic dinnerware for ceremony and reception spaces. Upgraded furniture and specialized decor are often add-ons.
  • Staffing: Professional on-site staff for setup, event service (waitstaff, bartenders), and cleanup.
  • Standard Sound System: A basic sound system may be available for background music or speeches; recommendations for professional AV rental can be provided for more extensive needs like a DJ or live band.
  • Wedding Coordination: Services of a dedicated in-house wedding specialist to assist with resort logistics and vendor coordination.

Remember that premium decor, extensive floral installations, specialized lighting, enhanced sound/visual equipment, and certain menu upgrades are usually additional costs, which your wedding specialist can detail.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies

The Pacific coast of Guerrero, including Ixtapa, can experience tropical rain, especially during the wet season (June-October). Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort, as a full-service resort, has robust backup options. They typically offer elegant, fully-equipped indoor ballrooms, covered terraces, or spacious meeting rooms that can seamlessly accommodate ceremonies or receptions if weather is inclement, ensuring your celebration remains flawless and magical.

Pro tip: Discuss the backup options with your resort wedding specialist during your consultation. View the alternative spaces to ensure they align with your vision, providing peace of mind regardless of the weather. The resort’s professional team is well-versed in executing smooth transitions.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

Booking your wedding at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort 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 package), is required to reserve your date and selected event spaces.

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 and guest count.

Final Payment: The remaining balance is usually due approximately 30-45 days before the wedding date, 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 comprehensive wedding insurance to protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances.

On-Site Wedding Coordination and Planning Services

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort provides professional in-house wedding specialists as a core part of their service, ensuring your planning journey is seamless. Their services typically include:

Dedicated Wedding Specialist: A main point of contact who will guide you through all decisions related to the resort’s services, venue logistics, and liaison with other approved vendors.

Vendor Liaison: Assistance with selecting and coordinating trusted local and international vendors for photography, music, flowers, decor, and more, all within resort guidelines.

Timeline Creation & Management: Developing a detailed schedule for the entire wedding day and ensuring everything runs precisely on time, from guest arrivals to your grand exit.

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

Their expertise in executing beautiful, large-scale events in a resort setting is invaluable for a stress-free and highly organized planning experience.

Dietary and Menu Restrictions

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort boasts an extensive culinary team highly capable of accommodating a wide range of dietary needs and preferences. They offer diverse international and local Mexican cuisine, with flexibility for customization. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, and allergy-specific meals can all be expertly prepared and served across their multiple restaurants and banquet services.

Menu tastings are often included in wedding packages, allowing you to tailor the menu precisely. You can arrange unique culinary experiences like a fresh seafood bar, a gourmet taco station, an upscale cocktail bar with premium spirits, or custom dessert tables to add a unique and luxurious touch to your reception.

Music and Entertainment Restrictions

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort welcomes various entertainment options, from elegant live bands and romantic mariachis to vibrant DJs and cultural performances. As a resort designed for celebration, they typically have more flexibility regarding noise levels compared to smaller, independent venues.

Dedicated ballrooms and event spaces are often sound-proofed or designed to contain music, allowing for extended party hours. For outdoor events, there might be guidelines for amplified music, usually extending later than non-resort venues, often until midnight or beyond in designated areas. The resort’s wedding specialist can provide detailed information on entertainment policies and recommend suitable vendors to ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch.

Parking and Guest Logistics

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

Airport Transfers: The resort or your wedding planner can help arrange private or shared shuttle services from ZIH, or suggest trusted local taxi services. Guests can also arrange car rentals.

Local Transportation within the Resort: Guests staying on-site will find most amenities within walking distance or accessible via resort shuttles/golf carts, if provided.

Parking: Extensive and secure parking facilities are typically available on-site for guests who choose to rent cars or arrive via local transportation.

Providing guests with clear instructions on airport arrival, recommended transportation options, and resort access well in advance is highly recommended for a smooth experience.

Total Cost Breakdown for a Wedding at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort

For an average wedding of about 50-100 guests at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort, a rough estimate for your budget might be:

  • Wedding Package (per person): $100–$250+ USD per person (often includes F&B, basic decor, and coordination). For 75 guests, budget $7,500–$18,750+.
  • Venue Rental Fee (if not included in package or for specific spaces): $3,000–$15,000 USD (for premium locations like a grand ballroom or beach area buyouts).
  • Accommodation (Guest Rooms): Varies widely based on number of nights and room type, but guests typically pay their own. Discounts for room blocks can be significant.
  • Entertainment: $1,500–$6,000 USD (DJ, live band, cultural performers).
  • Photography/Videography: $3,000–$8,000+ USD (depends on hours, photographers, and deliverables).
  • Florals and Enhanced Decor: $1,500–$7,000+ USD (can range from simple elegance to elaborate installations).
  • 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 $20,000 to $60,000+ USD for a 75-guest wedding, highly dependent on specific package inclusions, menu selections, decor choices, and added luxuries. Prioritizing what matters most to you can help manage the budget effectively within a resort setting.

*Please note: These are estimates. Always obtain a customized quote directly from Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort’s wedding team.*

Splurge vs. Save

To save costs, consider a weekday wedding, opting for a simpler package with fewer upgrades, choosing in-season local flowers, or having a daytime event. Utilizing the resort’s standard decor and services is generally more cost-effective. To splurge, consider hiring a renowned chef for a bespoke tasting menu, arranging a spectacular fireworks display over the ocean, a lavish welcome party or farewell brunch, a full-day luxury yacht excursion for guests, or elaborate themed decor and entertainment that transforms the space.

Wedding Arrangements and What’s Included

Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort typically offers a range of comprehensive wedding packages, designed for convenience and a luxurious experience. Common inclusions might be:

  • Ceremony & Reception Venues: Use of preferred beachfront, garden, or ballroom locations.
  • Dedicated Wedding Specialist: Professional in-house planner to coordinate all resort services and act as liaison.
  • Catering & Bar Service: Often an open bar with premium spirits and a multi-course meal (plated or buffet), with options for welcome cocktails and canapés.
  • Basic Setup & Linens: Standard tables, chairs, white or ivory linens, dinnerware, glassware.
  • Wedding Cake: A multi-tiered wedding cake from the resort’s pastry chef.
  • Bridal Suite: Complimentary or discounted bridal suite for the couple, often for the wedding night.
  • Sound System: Basic audio equipment for ceremony and reception.
  • Service & Taxes: Often included in the per-person package price, or clearly stated as an additional percentage.
  • Honeymoon Perks: Some packages include complimentary nights for future stays or other honeymoon benefits.

Pro tip: Inquire about all-inclusive wedding packages, as these often provide the best value and simplicity by bundling accommodation, food, drinks, and many core wedding services, allowing guests to enjoy their stay without worrying about extra costs.

Activities for Other Days

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

  • Organize a group spa day, golf tournament at one of Ixtapa’s championship courses, or a deep-sea fishing excursion.
  • Host a casual beach volleyball tournament or organize water sports activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, or jet skiing directly from the resort beach.
  • Arrange a themed welcome dinner, poolside BBQ, or a fun karaoke night within the resort’s facilities.
  • Guests can enjoy the resort’s multiple swimming pools, fitness center, kids’ club, or explore nearby attractions like Isla Ixtapa via water taxi for snorkeling and fresh seafood.
  • Arrange adventurous excursions like horseback riding on the beach, exploring the Ixtapa Marina, or a day trip to explore the charming markets and pier of Zihuatanejo.
  • Enjoy the resort’s evening entertainment, live music, or themed shows.

Three Practical Tips for Brides

1) Embrace Resort Glamour: Hotel Fontán Ixtapa offers sophisticated settings, so you can choose attire that ranges from elegant and flowing for beachfront vows to more formal gowns for a ballroom reception. Consider a second, lighter dress for dancing. Professional hair and makeup artists are readily available through the resort’s network.

2) Leverage Your Wedding Specialist: The in-house wedding specialist at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort is a treasure trove of local knowledge and logistical expertise. Trust their recommendations for vendors and their ability to manage complex details, allowing you to relax and enjoy your celebration.

3) Plan Guest Experiences: With many amenities on-site, encourage your guests to arrive early or stay longer to enjoy the full resort experience. Provide a detailed itinerary of wedding events and suggested activities, making their visit as enjoyable and effortless as possible.

Two Bride Reviews

“Our wedding at Hotel Fontán Ixtapa was everything we dreamed of and more. The resort handled every detail flawlessly, from the stunning beachfront ceremony to the elegant ballroom reception. Our guests raved about the delicious food and the incredible service. The wedding specialist made the planning process so easy and stress-free. It truly felt like a fairytale!” – Sarah M.

“Choosing Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort for our destination wedding was the best decision! The variety of event spaces allowed us to have distinct atmospheres for each part of our celebration, and the all-inclusive option made it so convenient for our guests. The resort staff were attentive and professional, ensuring a luxurious experience for everyone. Watching the sunset over the Pacific from our reception terrace was absolutely breathtaking. Highly recommend for a grand, seamless Mexican resort wedding.” – Jessica T.

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Photographer

Having photographed weddings across Mexico, Hotel Fontán Ixtapa Beach And Resort offers a dynamic and diverse setting for wedding photography. The expansive beaches of Ixtapa provide beautiful backdrops for ceremonies and sunset portraits, while the resort’s lush gardens, multiple pools, and sophisticated interiors offer varied and elegant scenes. The professional lighting and well-maintained grounds ensure consistently high-quality images. The scale of the resort allows for capturing both intimate moments and the grand celebration of a larger wedding, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere and luxurious experience. The dedicated resort wedding team means excellent coordination, allowing photographers to focus on capturing the beauty and emotion of the day without logistical worries. If you’re dreaming of a comprehensive, amenity-rich wedding experience where every detail is expertly managed, Hotel Fontán Ixtapa is an exceptional choice, promising a grand, seamless, and truly memorable celebration that photographs beautifully.

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