A Wedding in Oaxaca, One Unforgettable Celebration

I discovered wedding planning totally by accident about 13 years ago — and only once — thanks to my lovely guests Andy and Poppy, who stayed at El Diablo y la Sandía.

One morning over tea, they casually announced:

“We’re getting married in Oaxaca… in one week. Twenty-five guests are coming. Nothing is planned yet.”

Our famous breakfast table were guests have a moment to interact with each other.

And just to clarify, I am not a wedding planner. I’m just a curious, helpful B&B owner with too much enthusiasm and zero boundaries. But something about them — maybe the excitement, maybe the randomness of the news, and surely their lovely energy — made me jump in straightaway.

And just like that, my quiet morning turned into a seven-day sprint — and an unforgettable story about what makes Oaxaca one of the best places in the world for a destination wedding.

Before I knew it, I was scrambling to figure out how to pull off a wedding in seven days. The result? One of the most magical, unexpected weddings I’ll ever remember — and this post is my tribute to that adventure.

Note: If you’re here looking for the legal steps and how-to guide, scroll to the end — I put it all there.

The Paperwork Sprint (Featuring a Very Rock-and-Roll Groom)

Step one: figure out the paperwork. Turns out that in Mexico, you need a medical certificate to get legally married. That sounded complicated… until the clinic staff took one look at Andy — very handsome, tattoos, long hair, total rockstar vibes — and said:

“¡Ah, pareces rockero!”

Boom. Stamp. Done.

No tests, no fuss.

Only in Oaxaca.

Next stop: El Registro Civil, (the Civil Registry). For foreigners marrying in Oaxaca, the requirements are fairly straightforward — but you do need to come prepared.

Once everything is accepted, the Registry schedules a date and assigns a judge (or authorized official) who will lead the legal ceremony. And then me, who would stand next to the judge, at the ceremony, translating the whole thing, I had never donde that before.. OMG it was a challenge.

One more signature, one more stamp, and we were officially on track.

Finding The Perfect Venue… By Walking Around

With the legalities sorted, we went looking for a venue walking around town. Oaxaca is full of hidden romantic corners, and we found the perfect one — a magical tree-lined alley near Los Aquitos. Quiet, rustic, intimate… and photogenic from every angle.

The Music: Irish Soul Meets Oaxacan Streets

No Oaxacan wedding is complete without music.We struck gold with an Irish fiddler who busks around the city, paired with a blind accordion player named Max whose music makes everyone smile. Their mix of Irish folk and Oaxacan street-soul set the tone for the celebration.

The Procession: A Donkey, Cobblestones, and 25 Australians. Oh and a pretty famous English DJ. —I am not telling you who it was.

When the big day arrived, everything felt like a movie. Poppy, radiant in her dress, arrived on a donkey, clip-clopping through the cobblestoned streets. Behind her, 25 cheerful Australians in high heels, and myself, followed along, laughing, sweating, and dancing our way toward the ceremony.

Music played, mezcal flowed, and the sunsets of Oaxaca did what they do best — turn everything gold. Also, the fact that the bride was actually the niece of some English royal — just made the donkey entrance even better.

It was somewhat chaotic, spontaneous, joyful, and full of heart — the exact essence of Oaxaca.

Small Disclaimer: It’s been 13 years, and my memory may be about as reliable as high heels on cobblestones so if you were at the wedding and your version differs, drop it in the comments — I want all the conflicting evidence.

A very authentic wedding in Oaxaca

What Made This Wedding Unique

A royal niece.

A donkey.

Two musicians.

Twenty-five Australians and a popular English DJ.

And a week of pure improvisation.

Thinking of Getting Married in Oaxaca?

If Andy and Poppy could pull it off in one week, imagine what you can do. Whether you want a small elopement under ancient trees or a lively fiesta with mezcal and a calenda parade, Oaxaca is one of the most enchanting wedding destinations in Mexico.

Sometimes, all it takes is: a little spontaneity, a beautiful location, good people, and openness to what the city offers, music in the streets, cobblestones under your feet, laughter under trees, local mezcal, and a bit of chaos that turns into charm.

So if you dream of a destination wedding where authenticity, warmth, and adventure come together — Oaxaca might just be perfect for you.

Come stay at El Diablo y la Sandía or El Diablo y la Luna, explore the city, meet local vendors — and let Oaxaca show you what’s possible.

Magical things happen here, even when they start over breakfast and a cup of tea.

Me, a happy and highly involved bed and breakfast owner, hugging the bride

Why Oaxaca Is Perfect for a Destination Wedding

Oaxaca has a natural ability to transform ordinary moments into stories you tell for decades.Couples choose it because of:

• Colonial architecture and stunning colors

• Local traditions that blend beautifully with modern ceremonies

• Incredible food and mezcal

• Talented florists, musicians, designers, and artisans

• Romantic hidden corners everywhere

• An atmosphere of celebration that never feels forced

  
  

How to Get Married Legally in Oaxaca (Step-by-Step Guide)

Whether you’re planning months ahead or deciding over breakfast like Andy and Poppy, here’s what you actually need.

1. Medical Certificate (Certificado Médico Prenupcial)

You can get it at any clinic. It usually requires:

• Simple health check

• Blood test (sometimes skipped in practice)

• Small fee

2. Documents Required

• Passports (valid)

• Tourist cards (FMM)

• Birth certificates (sometimes)

• Completed marriage application (solicitud de matrimonio)

3. Visit the Registro Civil

There you:

• Submit your documents

• Pay a fee

• Choose your date

• Book the judge (Juez del Registro Civil)

4. Judge Fee & Ceremony Location

The fee varies depending on whether the judge travels to your venue or if you marry at the office.

5. Additional Notes

• You can marry in Spanish and bring your own translator.

• You receive an official Mexican marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio).

Recommended Wedding Planner in Oaxaca

If you want someone who does this professionally (and brilliantly), I highly recommend:

✨ Yadira Castañeda

Instagram: @eventos_y_bodas_oaxaca

https://www.yadiracastaneda.com/

She knows every venue, every florist, every musician, and will handle everything with charm and precision.

FAQs About Weddings in Oaxaca

Do we need a wedding planner? Not mandatory, but highly recommended — especially for bigger weddings or custom events.

Is Oaxaca safe for destination weddings? Yes — it’s one of the most visited and welcoming cities in Mexico.

Can we have both legal and symbolic ceremonies? Absolutely. Many couples do.

How far in advance should we book?6–12 months is ideal, but small weddings can be done in weeks.

Is there good food for guests with dietary restrictions? Yes — Oaxaca is surprisingly adaptable (vegan, gluten-free, etc.).