How to Plan an Elopement and Intimate Wedding in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
One of the Best Places to Elope
You’ve likely never heard of Todos Santos and for good reason! This wonderful beach elopement location is off the beaten path on the Pacific Ocean side of the California Baja Peninsula. Todos Santos is truly untouched. Adventurous couples looking for an undiscovered wedding destination will fall in love with Todos Santos, Mexico.
There is so much to consider when planning a wedding, especially a destination elopement or intimate wedding. Consider the key information below when planning your Todos Santos wedding.
An Ideal Elopement Location
While Todos Santos is definitely an obscure location, it’s only about an hour and fifteen-minute drive north from Cabo San Lucas. You can easily fly into Cabo, rent a car and experience amazing views on your drive up the Baja Peninsula to this eclectic, artist town. The ease of transportation, combined with the unique vibe, make Todos Santos an ideal destination wedding location.
A few small towns make up the surrounding area of Todos Santos. These include: Cerritos, which consists of the only swimmable sandy beach on the Pacific side; El Pescadero, home to acres of fresh vegetables used for farm to table dining; Las Tunas, which feels like a tropical paradise surrounded by palm trees; and La Pastora, with breathtaking ocean views at beautiful villas scattered through the desert.
When to Plan Your Destination Elopement
Like any other top travel or wedding destination, Todos Santos experiences both high and low seasons. The high season is January to May, and the slow season starts in June and goes until October, when the weather is warmer. September and October are ideal. During this time, you can fully experience the local culture due to fewer tourists. Also, hotel rates are cheaper during the low season. November and December get busy with weddings, as the holidays allow for extended time off and people combine weddings with vacations. Travel rates are also more expensive during this time.
The climate is enjoyable year-round as it is regulated by the Pacific Ocean, which means there aren’t big variations in temperatures. My favorite time of year is October and early November when the summer heat and humidity decrease. I also love how it feels like I have Todos Santos and the surrounding area to myself.
Destination Wedding Resources
The remoteness of Todos Santos means a limitation of some resources. For couples wanting a simple wedding ceremony and reception with the landscape as the main focal point, this works perfectly!
Todos Santos is full of creative resources to help create your ideal wedding day. For example, you can use local, unique and natural items like local beach wood to create a ceremony arch and wrap fresh cut bougainvillea around your arch. Local artisans can create custom items for your wedding day, like escort cards made from painted tiles, handwoven fans to keep your guests cool and of course, local hand-cut Papel Picado to strand across your dance floor.
If you want a fully designed wedding ceremony with set-up, florals, rentals, and all the details, there are options to bring in vendors from Cabo!
Todos Santos Wedding Venues
Unlike Cabo, Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum or other popular Mexican elopement locations, Todos Santos is affordable for planning a destination adventure wedding. Many villas, hotels and vacation rentals are set on the beach or in a picturesque location. This allows you to minimize the costs and logistics by hosting your ceremony and reception in one place. It is easy to bring everything you desire for an elopement wedding to the site of your choice, including entertainment and personal chefs.
With a custom wedding, you aren’t limited to a set elopement package. You can get married on the beach or the cliffs then head to an intimate dinner or small wedding reception at a local restaurant, like Hierbabuena or Jazamango. Each guest will feel like they’ve been a part of your intimate wedding every step of the way while enjoying a vacation stay at one of the available boutique hotels or villas. Todos Santos provides ample options for your perfect and unique wedding venue.
Life functions at a slower pace in Todos Santos, which means things may not run on a schedule or as planned. That’s the beauty of a small wedding with your closest family and friends. You can relax and enjoy the day in a beautiful environment, and go with the flow.
Todos Santos Local Charm
Todos Santos offers a rich character founded in the arts, surfing, healthy living and exceptional culinary experiences. The land is untouched in comparison to many top elopement destinations. You can quickly walk down from a mountain to experience beaches, cacti and hidden Palm groves. The cliffs that fall into the Pacific Ocean remind me of Big Sur and the Italian coast, minus the tourist.
Todos Santos has attracted artists, surfers, foodies, and bohemians for years, creating a unique vibe. The cobblestone streets are reminiscent of another time in history, while the brightly painted walls create a tropical paradise. From the ocean to the nearby Sietta de la Laguna mountains and hot springs, the options for adventures and photography locations are limitless.
Inviting Local Hospitality
Finally, the people in Todos Santos, including the natives and expats, are nothing short of welcoming. You will meet people from all walks of life and all parts of the world, who treat each visitor as a special guest. The town attracts those immersed in the outdoor culture and from cities with laid back vibes like Austin, Texas. Expect nothing short of amazing hospitality when you visit. It’s a small town with big-city accommodations.