Scape & Elope to Cancún or the Riviera Maya
FAQ
I. Planning & Booking
How far in advance should we book your services?
The best time to secure your date is as soon as you have confirmed your ceremony date. Many couples book their wedding or vow renewal months in advance. However, we are happy to accommodate last-minute elopements if our schedule allows. We will confirm your booking regardless of whether it is one year or one day before your ceremony.
What is your contingency plan if it rains?
Do not let rain dampen your special day! If we experience a light, passing rain shower, we will typically wait for it to clear. If the rain is persistent, we will work with you to reschedule the ceremony for the following day at a time less likely to rain. We strongly suggest scheduling your ceremony at least two days before your departure from Cancún to allow for a flexible backup day.
Are deposits refundable upon cancellation?
Once we commit to a date, we must turn down other interested couples. We understand that travel plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, we evaluate refund eligibility based on how close the cancellation notice is received relative to the event date. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel or postpone.
Do you have a backup officiant in case of emergency?
Rest assured, if for any reason beyond my control I am unable to perform the ceremony (e.g., illness), I will immediately contact another trusted, experienced, and bilingual wedding officiant to perform your service at no additional cost to you. We are friends with a strong network of professional officiants here in Cancún.
Can we pay the final balance via PayPal?
Yes, you may pay your final balance via PayPal if you prefer not to carry cash. However, PayPal charges a commission payment fee. You will need to add 5.5% of the remaining total amount to cover this commission fee.
II. Ceremony & Service Details
What are your views on marriage?
As a Christian minister, I believe that marriage is a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, ordained and blessed by God for the establishment of family and the well-being of humankind, and intended to endure for a lifetime. As a minister, my primary purpose in officiating a wedding is to conduct a ceremony that reflects the couple’s values and beliefs, while remaining faithful to my own Christian convictions and without imposing them on others.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes, absolutely! We strongly encourage couples to personalize their ceremony by writing their own vows. This is a beautiful way to make the commitment unique and deeply meaningful. We are happy to work with you to integrate your personal vows seamlessly into the ceremony structure.
Is the ceremony performed in English, Spanish, or both?
I am a fully bilingual wedding minister. I can perform your ceremony entirely in English, entirely in Spanish, or a beautiful bilingual combination (Spanglish). This ensures that the ceremony is comfortable and accessible for both you and any guests who may be attending.
Can we incorporate readings or family traditions?
Yes, we welcome and encourage the inclusion of elements that reflect your journey and traditions. This includes special readings (by me or a guest), personalized rituals like a Sand Ceremony or Unity Candles, or any cultural or family tradition you wish to honor.
How long does the average symbolic ceremony last?
The duration typically ranges from 20 minutes for a simple/basic ceremony, to 35 minutes for a Custom/personalized ceremony. This timing ensures the ceremony feels complete and thoughtful without becoming overly long in the beach environment.
III. Location and Logistics
Can you officiate the ceremony at our resort?
I would love to come to your resort, as I have performed ceremonies at many exclusive venues in the area. However, it is vital to know that MOST RESORTS HAVE STRICT "EXTERNAL VENDOR" POLICIES. TO ENSURE A SMOOTH CEREMONY, PLEASE DETERMINE WHICH SCENARIO APPLIES TO YOUR EVENT: 1. WEDDINGS COORDINATED BY THE RESORT (FULL-SERVICE WEDDINGS) If you have hired the resort's wedding services, I absolutely can come to your hotel! ACTION REQUIRED: You must first ask your wedding coordinator about their external officiant/minister policy and fees before booking. COST SOLUTION: Many couples find that the resort's vendor fee is prohibitively high. In these cases, booking me a room for one night sometimes bypasses the fee. Please check with your coordinator if this is an acceptable workaround. 2. SMALL GROUPS OR ELOPEMENTS (NOT USING RESORT WEDDING SERVICES) If you are not using the resort's wedding coordinator or services for your ceremony: RESORT ACCESS: You must ask the resort if they allow you to bring in an external vendor, even if it is just for a short time. This may require purchasing a day pass for me. ALTERNATIVE: If the resort will not allow access, we will happily hold your intimate ceremony at the closest beautiful public beach location near your hotel.
What public beach locations do you recommend?
We typically hold ceremonies at a beautiful public beach location near your hotel for convenience. In fact, some hotels are situated right next to a perfect public beach area!
Do you provide seating, arches, or decorations?
I DO NOT. The city of Cancún does not allow wedding setups (seating, arches, large decorations) on public beaches. Any photos on my website that include an arch or seating were taken at past wedding ceremonies held at private venues or rental properties.
What areas do your elopement services cover?
I serve all of Cancún and the greater Riviera Maya region, including the Cancún Hotel Zone, Puerto Juárez, Playa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha, and Cozumel.
IV. Legal & Trust
Are the ceremonies you perform legally binding in Mexico?
THE CEREMONIES I PERFORM ARE SYMBOLIC COMMITMENTS AND HAVE NO LEGAL VALIDITY. In México, a Priest, a Rabbi, or a Minister DO NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY to perform civil/legal ceremonies. Only a judge (Justice of the Peace) from the Civil Registry Office can legally marry people here. This means you DO NOT NEED A WEDDING LICENSE from Mexico or your home country for your symbolic ceremony. LEGAL MARRIAGE ASSISTANCE: However, if you are interested in getting legally married in Mexico, I can assist you in organizing your Legal/Civil Wedding with the proper authorities and documentation. TO DOWNLOAD THE DETAILED FEES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR A LEGAL/CIVIL WEDDING IN MEXICO, PLEASE VISIT THE "LEGAL WEDDINGS" TAB IN THE MAIN NAVIGATION MENU.
Are civil wedding fees refundable if we cancel?
The fees are non-refundable once the official Wedding Application has been submitted to the Civil Registry Office and the Justice of Peace has been officially booked. Please refer to the detailed Refund Policy found within the "Requirements of a Civil Wedding in Cancun, Mexico" document, available under the "LEGAL WEDDINGS" tab in our main menu