Is the "free" resort wedding really free?

12 free all-inclusive wedding packages from 11 resort brands, compared: what it takes to qualify, whether the ceremony is legal, and the fees on top. Plus 35 paid packages. Checked against official brand pages on 2026-10-24.

Not legal advice. Prices change. Resort packages, fees and terms change often and vary by resort. Confirm every price and condition with the resort's wedding department, in writing, before you book or pay. Disclaimer
Brand ↕Package ↕Destinations ↕Price ↕To qualify (stay / rooms) ↕Legal or symbolic · legal upgrade ↕Same-sex (if stated) ↕Verified? · last checked ↕
SandalsSweetheart (complimentary)Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St VincentFree / $1,0007+ nights in a Club or Butler room (otherwise $1,000)Legal
Licence/admin fee extra, $250 (Jamaica) to $750 (Curaçao) by island
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsFree Jamaica Wedding (2027 promo)JamaicaFree (2027 travel)5+ nights in a Club or Butler room; book by Dec 31, 2026Legal, licence fee waived
Jamaica $250 licence fee waived
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BeachesSweetheart (complimentary)Jamaica, Turks & CaicosFree / $1,0007+ nights in a Club or Butler room (otherwise $1,000)Legal
Licence/admin fee extra: $250 Jamaica, $690 Turks & Caicos
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
CouplesOne Love (complimentary)JamaicaFree + $250 fee3+ nights, any roomLegal
$250 government/licence fee
Not offered: FAQ says couple must be male and femaleBrand snippet
checked 2026-10-24
KarismaCrazy For You (complimentary)Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFree / $1,1007+ rooms × 3+ nights on a group contract (otherwise $1,100)Symbolic by default
Judge at extra fee (amount not published); Mexico also needs blood tests + translations
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóCoconut Paradise (free promotional)Mexico, Dominican Republic, Aruba"From 0"Not published (standard price applies if unmet) Not confirmedSymbolic unless stated
Not published; Barceló says legal compliance is the couple's responsibility
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
ExcellenceLovebirds (complimentary)Mexico, Dominican Republic, JamaicaFree / $95020 paid room nights in the wedding party (otherwise $950)Symbolic
Judge at extra cost (amount not published)
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Hyatt InclusiveWedding in Paradise (complimentary)Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Aruba, Curaçao, PanamaFree7+ nights in a qualifying room, or 5+ rooms × 3+ nightsSymbolic (not confirmed)
Judge/minister fees extra (amount not published)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Palace / Le BlancComplimentary Wedding PackageMexicoFree (through 2026)10 paid rooms on a group contract Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil ceremony and filing extra (amount not published)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
RIUFree CollectionMexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, PanamaFreeNot published (third-party: no minimum) Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil add-on + judge, document and admin fees (not confirmed)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
RoyaltonLuxury Complimentary WeddingMexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua, GrenadaFree / $1,099 Not confirmed35 room nights (14 in Diamond Club); otherwise $1,099 Not confirmedSymbolic
Legal option and price not published on pages we could read
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Hard RockComplimentary Wedding CollectionDominican Republic, MexicoFreeNone; reserve 30+ days aheadSymbolic
Civil ceremony: $1,200 admin/government fee ($800 Vallarta), blood test included
Civil ceremonies stated for Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Vallarta; symbolic everywhereOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia Principe3 Free Nights (site-visit credit)Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic3 site-visit nights credited backgroup of 35 room nightsn/a (not a ceremony)
n/a
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsWedding Test Drive (site visit)Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St Vincent$300 or $275 /night ⚠1 roomsn/a (not a ceremony)
n/a
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsReTie the Knot (vow renewal)Jamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St Vincent$400any room categoryVow renewal (not legal)
n/a
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
CouplesRunAway BrideJamaica$450 (per search snippet of official packages page)None stated Not confirmedLegal
$250 government/licence fee
Not offered: FAQ says couple must be male and femaleNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeBlissful (couples only)Jamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $769None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Club MedJust for Us (wedding, engagement or vow renewal)Mexico$895 USDNone statedSymbolic only (as listed)
Legal ceremony not offered on the package page
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
IberostarThe Perfect 10Mexico, Jamaica, Aruba, Dominican RepublicFrom $950 (JOIA Aruba $1,399)3 (couple + 80% of guests)Symbolic
Legal or Catholic ceremony extra in select destinations (amount not published)
Not statedBrand snippet
checked 2026-10-24
RIUClassic CollectionMexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, PanamaFrom $1,099n/s (secondary: no minimum at qualifying hotels) Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil add-on + judge, document and admin fees (not confirmed)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeJoyfulJamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $1,189None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsTwo LovebirdsJamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St Vincent$1,3001 roomLegal
Licence/admin fee extra, $250 (Jamaica) to $750 (Curaçao) by island
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BeachesTwo LovebirdsJamaica, Turks & Caicos$1,3001 roomsLegal
Licence/admin fee extra: $250 Jamaica, $690 Turks & Caicos
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóBlueberry DreamMexico, Dominican Republic, ArubaFrom 2,210None statedSymbolic unless stated
Not published; Barceló says legal compliance is the couple's responsibility
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsBlissJamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St Vincent$2,500 (6-10 rooms/20 guests) / $3,400 (11-20 rooms/40) / $3,850 (21-25 rooms/50)6-25 roomsLegal
Licence/admin fee extra, $250 (Jamaica) to $750 (Curaçao) by island
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BeachesBlissJamaica, Turks & Caicos$2,500 / $3,400 / $3,850 by group size6-25Legal
Licence/admin fee extra: $250 Jamaica, $690 Turks & Caicos
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeDelightfulJamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $2,589None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóMint BreezeMexico, Dominican Republic, ArubaFrom 2,793None statedSymbolic unless stated
Not published; Barceló says legal compliance is the couple's responsibility
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
ExcellenceEverlasting Memories - Excellence Oyster Bay (Jamaica)Jamaica$4,500 Thu-Sun / $3,000 Mon-WedNone statedSymbolic
Judge at extra cost (amount not published)
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
RIURoyal CollectionMexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, PanamaFrom $3,199n/s (secondary: no minimum at qualifying hotels) Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil add-on + judge, document and admin fees (not confirmed)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
KarismaBrewery Wedding (LandShark Brewery)Mexico$3,3393 (tank room); 5 (tank room)Symbolic by default
Judge at extra fee (amount not published); Mexico also needs blood tests + translations
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
KarismaI Love You MoreJamaica, Mexico, Dominican Republic$3,7003 nights; 5 roomsSymbolic by default
Judge at extra fee (amount not published); Mexico also needs blood tests + translations
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
ExcellenceEverlasting Memories - Excellence Punta CanaDominican Republic$5,500 Thu-Sun / $4,000 Mon-WedNone statedSymbolic
Judge at extra cost (amount not published)
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóStrawberry PassionMexico, Dominican Republic, ArubaFrom 4,300None statedSymbolic unless stated
Not published; Barceló says legal compliance is the couple's responsibility
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Club MedDreams Come TrueMexico$4,500 USDNone statedSymbolic only (as listed)
Legal ceremony not offered on the package page
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
RIUCaprice CollectionMexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, PanamaFrom $4,799n/s (secondary: no minimum at qualifying hotels) Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil add-on + judge, document and admin fees (not confirmed)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeBeautifulJamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $5,139None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
ExcellenceEverlasting Memories - Finest Punta CanaDominican Republic$7,000 Thu-Sun / $5,500 Mon-WedNone statedSymbolic
Judge at extra cost (amount not published)
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
KarismaI Do CelebrationJamaica, Mexico$5,600None statedSymbolic by default
Judge at extra fee (amount not published); Mexico also needs blood tests + translations
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
SandalsEpicJamaica, Bahamas, Saint Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Curaçao, St Vincent$7,600 (26-35 rooms/70 guests) / $10,120 (36-49/98) / $13,900 (50-70/140)26-70 roomsLegal
Licence/admin fee extra, $250 (Jamaica) to $750 (Curaçao) by island
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BeachesEpicJamaica, Turks & Caicos$7,600 / $10,120 / $13,900 by group size26-70Legal
Licence/admin fee extra: $250 Jamaica, $690 Turks & Caicos
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Club MedMoments that LastMexico$8,800 USDNone statedSymbolic only (as listed)
Legal ceremony not offered on the package page
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeWonderfulJamaica, Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $8,990None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
Bahia PrincipeSundara (Hindu / South Asian)Mexico, Dominican RepublicFrom $9,375None statedSymbolic
Legal supplement $850 (DR, Jamaica, Mexico)
Brochure: Jamaica does not recognize same-sex marriage; nothing stated for Mexico/DROfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
RIUIndulgence CollectionMexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, PanamaFrom $9,599 (Indulgence Beachfront Bliss, Punta Cana: $12,699 public price)n/s (secondary: no minimum at qualifying hotels) Not confirmedSymbolic
Civil add-on + judge, document and admin fees (not confirmed)
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóTangerine SunsetMexico, Dominican Republic, ArubaFrom 12,600None statedSymbolic unless stated
Not published; Barceló says legal compliance is the couple's responsibility
Not statedOfficial ✓
checked 2026-10-24
BarcelóGolden Sea (Huatulco legal)Mexico10.000 (currency unclear) ⚠ Not confirmedNone statedLegal (judge + certificate included)
Included; but price currency unclear
Not statedNot confirmed
checked 2026-10-24

Of the 12 free packages, 8 give you a symbolic ceremony by default and only 4 include a legal wedding (Sandals, Beaches, Couples), and even those charge a government or licence fee except the Sandals 2027 Jamaica promo. "No minimum stay" is ticked only where an official page says so. "Same-sex: Not stated" means the brand's pages say nothing, not that it is unavailable. Destination links open the matching country page on Wedding Abroad Rules. Verified? Official ✓ = all 5 key facts read on the brand's own page (32 of 47 packages); Brand snippet = official text but not read on the main site; Not confirmed = some facts are third-party only.

Get free help booking a resort wedding. An independent travel agent can compare these packages for you, check the fine print, and set up the room block for your guests, at no cost to you.
Get free help booking →
Our sponsor: Your Independent Inteletravel Agent. Not affiliated with any resort brand. Not a legal service.

Five things the brochures don't lead with

Browse by brand

Sandals

7 packages · free option

Beaches

4 packages · free option

Couples Resorts

2 packages · free option

Bahia Principe

7 packages · no free package

Barceló

6 packages · free option

Excellence / Finest

4 packages · free option

Iberostar

1 packages · no free package

Hyatt Inclusive Collection

1 packages · free option

Palace Resorts / Le Blanc

1 packages · free option

RIU

5 packages · free option

Royalton (Blue Diamond)

1 packages · free option

Hard Rock Hotels

1 packages · free option

Club Med

3 packages · no free package

Get package changes by email

A short email when a resort brand changes its free wedding offer, fees or fine print.

Or subscribe on Substack.