What's Included in an Outdoor Wedding Package (and What to Ask Before You Book)
Furniture, linens, décor, catering and planning: what an outdoor wedding package covers and what to ask before you sign.
There's something special about getting married outdoors: the late-afternoon light, the garden, guests in no hurry to leave. But once you start collecting quotes, the word "package" can mean very different things from one venue to the next. One includes almost everything, another just the chairs.
Before you compare prices, it helps to know what goes into a package and what to ask so there are no surprises.
What makes up a wedding package
The venue. A garden for the ceremony or reception and, ideally, an indoor hall or tents as a backup. Ask which spaces are included and for how many hours.
Furniture. Tables and chairs for all your guests. Ask whether there are different table and chair options, and whether setup and teardown are included.
Linens. Tablecloths and napkins, which change the whole look of your tables. Ask to see the colors available.
Décor. This is the broadest word in any package. Does it include centerpieces? Fresh or artificial flowers? Lights for the evening? Ask for photos or a proposal.
Catering. The menu, waitstaff and tableware. Ask how many courses the menu has, whether there's a vegetarian option and whether you can do a tasting first.
Planning and coordination. Someone who coordinates vendors, keeps the timeline on track and handles whatever comes up that day so you don't have to. Ask who your contact will be and when they start working with you.
What's often priced separately
Every venue is different, but these are often quoted separately:
- Music or DJ
- Photography and video
- Wedding cake
- Drinks and bar service
- Civil or religious ceremony
- Guest lodging and transportation
It's fine if they're separate. What matters is knowing from the start so you can build a realistic budget.
Questions to ask before you book
- What happens if it rains or the sun is too strong? Are there tents or an indoor hall, and when is that call made?
- How late can the party and the music go?
- How early can vendors come in to set up?
- Can I bring my own vendors, or do I have to use the venue's?
- How do the deposit and the remaining payments work, and what if I change the date?
- Where do guests park?
- Who is my contact on the wedding day?
Ask for everything you're promised to be written into the quote.
If you're getting married from abroad
If you live far away and plan to get married in Riviera Nayarit, a few things help:
- Ask for a video call to tour the venue, ideally at the same time of day as your wedding.
- Keep everything in writing. Save every agreement in one WhatsApp thread so nothing gets lost.
- Think about your guests. Where they'll stay, how they'll get there from Puerto Vallarta and how they'll get back after the party.
- If you want a legal civil ceremony in Mexico, ask early about the paperwork you'll need.
Compare with the same list
Once you have several quotes, put them side by side with the same questions. Check what each one includes, what's missing and what you'd need to book separately. Sometimes the package that looks more expensive ends up close to the others once you add everything up.
And don't forget what doesn't fit in a quote: how you're treated, how quickly they answer and whether you feel at ease. You'll be working with that team for months, so it's worth finding people you like.
If you're planning an outdoor wedding in Bahía de Banderas, message us on WhatsApp and we'll send you a quote.