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by Paris Permenter & John Bigley For many couples, taking the plunge in Acapulco means watching the city’s famous cliff divers or diving into nightlife action in the city’s well-known discos. For other lovers, though, this Pacific playground offers the perfect place to say “I do.” Although not as popular for nuptials as Cancun and Cozumel, Acapulco hosts a growing number of foreign weddings, many arranged through local hotels and resorts with the aid of their on-site wedding coordinator. Regardless of their location, all weddings in Mexico must include a civil ceremony; religious ceremonies in Mexico have no legal effect. For weddings to be recognized in the US, they must also be recognized in the country where performed so civil ceremonies are mandatory. [Click here for Mexico's wedding regulations.] Civil ceremonies are performed by a judge at the Registro Civil or Civil Registry; in Acapulco, this office is located near the waterfront Fort of San Diego. Most couples, however, prefer to have their ceremony at a local hotel, many which offer a variety of wedding sites including wedding gazebos and beachfront locations. There is a surcharge for all marriages performed outside the Civil Registry office.  The
first step in arranging an Acapulco wedding is for the couple to
make an application for marriage at the Registro Civil, setting
a date and time for the wedding. This written application must be
accompanied by a certificate from a doctor in Mexico stating that
the bride and groom are free of HIV and other diseases considered
in Mexico to be an impediment to marriage; blood tests and X-rays
must be taken in Mexico within 15 days of the wedding date. For Americans and other foreign travelers, there is no residency period. Both the bride and the groom will need birth certificates, valid passports, and tourist cards which are issued upon arrival in Mexico. Except for the US passport, all English language documents must be translated into Spanish and taken in translation to a Mexican consulate in the United States before the trip. Also, clients who have been previously married will need proof of divorce or death. Divorced persons must allow one year after the finalization of the divorce before marrying. After the wedding, the couple will receive a certified copy of the marriage certificate or Acta de Matrimonio; this is obtained from the Registro Civil. The US Embassy recommends that the marriage certificate be authenticated by an American consular officer. Acapulco has a long tradition of vacationers who have come to these cliff and beachside resorts and chosen to marry; Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd married on the terrace of her favorite villa at Villa Vera. (The city has also attracted its share of famous honeymooners including Hillary and Bill Clinton, Jacqueline and John F. Kennedy, and Donald and Ivana Trump.) Couples can follow in Elizabeth Taylor’s footsteps with a wedding at Villa Vera Hotel Spa and Racquet Club (74-44-84-0333, www.clubregina.com). An on-site coordinator arranges ceremonies at numerous sites throughout the property, which includes an extensive spa for pampering brides-to-be and wedding guests. The resort, tucked high over the city with a view of the bay, offers several reception packages for wedding parties with menu offerings which range from rack of lamb to medallions of salmon. Reception menus also include appetizers such as foie gras crisps, desserts such as white chocolate mousse with lychee sauce, and coffee or tea. Mariachi bands can be hired as well! [Click here for related article on Villa Vera.] Another popular hillside wedding site is Las Brisas Acapulco (74-44-69-6957, 888-559-4329, www.brisas.com.mx). The hotel offers several special wedding areas: La Concha Club, Bellavista, and El Mexicano Terrace, each with bay views. [Click here for related Las Brisas article.] Las Brisas offers wedding groups a special rate with the rental of a minimum of 15 casitas. The newlyweds receive a nuptial suite for the wedding night, a floral arrangement with candles in the pool and in the nuptial suite, a bottle of domestic champagne, a sign to the entrance of the nuptial suite with the couple’s names, and a gift certificate for one night’s stay on their first wedding anniversary. Banquet service includes a three-course menu, four hours with mixers, corkage fees, waiter service, music, decorations, and tableware. For a beachside wedding, the Fairmont Acapulco Princess (74-44-69-1000, 800-441-1414, www.Fairmont.com/Acapulco) has wedding packages; the basic package includes the services of an onsite wedding coordinator, one bottle of sparkling wine after the ceremony, witnesses (if required), a tent for the ceremony, white decoration for chairs and table (2-10 persons), and a bottle of sparkling wine in the couple’s room. The Fairmont Acapulco Princess also provides many add-ons for couples looking to introduce local or special touches to their celebration. Mariachi trios and full Mariachi bands are available; another choice is the hiring of a small ensemble from the Acapulco Philharmonic Orchestra. Beauty packages can be booked for the bride at the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa, which offers couple’s treatment suites as well. .
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