Wedding Wednesdays Q&A: Private Estate vs. Resort Wedding

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time for our Wedding Wednesdays Q&A! Today’s question is about the debate between a private estate vs. resort wedding: My fiance and I are doing a destination wedding in Mexico and we’re really excited to pick our venue. We’re debating between doing it at a private estate vs. at a resort. We’ve picked some out that we think we’d like, but we’re just not sure which route makes more sense. What are the pros and cons of each? Can you help us to figure it out?

Of course, we can! This is a big debate between a private estate vs. resort wedding, so you’re not alone in your dilemma.  Usually, we get to know our couples so that we can make the best suggestions for their destination wedding, however since we’ve not met, I’ll go over the basic differences and then you can make a decision from there.  So, let’s start off with resort weddings.

The great thing about resorts is that you and your guests can all stay together at the same place. This can be really fun especially if you are planning activities together or just want to meet up for drinks. You’re in the same place so it just makes it easy.  Another pro of having a resort wedding is that they will have almost everything on site for you (food, servers, linen, tables, chairs, china, etc…) so you don’t have to bring it in. And of course, resorts are usually placed right by the water, or in beautiful locales so you are guaranteed a great setting.

The downside of a resort wedding is that usually their weddings are set packages meaning you don’t have a lot of choices. Customization and personalization are harder to do because that isn’t their aim. For couples who are looking for it to be easy and don’t care too much about choice, then this can be a pro. Lastly, because it is a resort, there will be other guests around the property which will make it less private.

On the other side with private estate weddings, you’ll have tons of privacy because the whole property will be yours. It’s really nice to be able to be alone with your guests together in a special place. Private estates are also totally customizable and full of choice because you will need to bring everything in from the caterer to the forks.  This can be a con for some if you don’t want to coordinate that many moving pieces (although you could always hire a destination wedding planner who would help with all of this). Private estates are also more off the beaten path which means your wedding will be unique purely because of the wedding venue. It’s not a place everyone gets married, so it is more special.

One of the biggest downsides of a private estate wedding is that you’ll have to think about how to get your guests there whether that means giving great directions or shuttling them (which is the nicer way to go). But of course, when you shuttle guests you also force them to stay at the party (but who wouldn’t want to stay at your wedding, right?).

The last bit we didn’t discuss is the price. Generally, resorts will be more budget friendly because everything is included, but that isn’t always the case. It just depends on your choices and the wedding you’re looking to have.

Good luck with your decision and before I go, I’ll leave you with one last piece of advice, hire a wedding planner!  They will help you to sort through these types of decisions and can make the best recommendations for all aspects of your wedding. You’ll also enjoy both the planning and the wedding day so much more.

(Photo credit: Del Sol Photography)

Is there a wedding planning issue, you just can’t figure out? Send it our way and we’ll help you sort it out.