Getting Married at La Cruz Habitat Marina: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of a wedding where sophisticated modern style meets the serene beauty of the Banderas Bay? Welcome to La Cruz Habitat Marina—a unique and chic waterfront venue that offers an exquisite blend of nautical elegance, vibrant atmosphere, and impeccable service for your special day. With its stunning marina filled with luxury yachts, panoramic ocean views, and the charming town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle at your doorstep, the Marina provides a truly distinctive backdrop for your celebration. Whether you envision an intimate ceremony at the breathtaking Sky Bar or a grand reception along the glittering promenade, this extraordinary venue promises a wedding experience as memorable as its spectacular sunsets.

Renowned for its contemporary design and upscale ambiance, La Cruz Habitat Marina seamlessly blends modern sophistication with the authentic charm of a Mexican fishing village. Its stunning venues—from the panoramic Sky Bar Terrace to the elegant oceanfront ballroom and the vibrant Marina Promenade—are designed to reflect your unique love story while showcasing the captivating beauty of the Riviera Nayarit. Let the modern charm and chic nautical setting of this venue set the stage for your dream wedding.

Planning your perfect wedding in Riviera Nayarit? Explore some of the best wedding photography in Punta Mita, showcasing breathtaking moments captured in paradise. 

Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

La Cruz Habitat Marina stands out for its modern, nautical-chic aesthetic and vibrant atmosphere. Its unique setting, featuring a world-class marina, stunning contemporary architecture, and panoramic views from the iconic Sky Bar, creates a sophisticated and dynamic backdrop. This venue is perfect for couples who want a stylish, non-traditional wedding that feels both upscale and connected to the local culture of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. Those seeking a memorable celebration with a unique flair will find La Cruz Habitat Marina to be the perfect match.

Recent wedding trends show that **couples are increasingly seeking unique venues that offer a distinct experience**. With its blend of luxury yacht-life and authentic local charm, the Marina provides an unforgettable setting that moves beyond the typical beach resort, ensuring a celebration that is both elegant and full of character.

 

How Does a Wedding at La Cruz Habitat Marina Work?

 

Planning your wedding at La Cruz Habitat Marina is a streamlined and personalized experience. Their dedicated events team works closely with you to bring your vision to life, focusing on every detail to ensure a flawless day. The Marina offers a selection of stunning indoor and outdoor venues, alongside customizable packages that cover everything from ceremony design and gourmet coastal catering to vendor coordination and on-site management.

This high level of professional support allows you to relax and enjoy the planning process, confident that the experts are handling all the logistics. You can focus on celebrating your love in a beautiful, stress-free, and uniquely modern setting.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

The La Cruz and Riviera Nayarit area enjoys beautiful warm weather year-round, but the best months for a wedding are typically from November to May. This period offers pleasant temperatures, low humidity, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, especially for venues like the Sky Bar Terrace. The dry season also provides consistent, luminous natural light for exquisite photography.

Marrying during these months ensures optimal weather for your event, while the summer/fall season (June-October) can be more humid and prone to afternoon showers, potentially offering some flexibility in dates but requiring a solid indoor backup plan.

 

The Basics of Wedding Packages

 

La Cruz Habitat Marina offers thoughtfully designed wedding packages focused on modern elegance and personalization. Each package typically includes:

  • Ceremony Setup: Options for a breathtaking ceremony on the Sky Bar Terrace with 360-degree views, or a chic waterfront setting on the promenade, including stylish seating and modern décor.
  • Reception Venues: Access to the Marina’s premier spaces, such as the expansive Marina Promenade, the elegant Oceanfront Ballroom, or the sophisticated Sky Bar for cocktail-style receptions.
  • Catering: Gourmet menus curated by talented chefs, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced seafood and modern coastal cuisine, offered in formats from multi-course plated dinners to stylish food stations.
  • Decor and Floral Arrangements: High-quality decorative elements and floral designs with a modern, nautical-chic aesthetic, with ample opportunity for customization to match your personal style.
  • Entertainment: Professional assistance in coordinating top-tier entertainment, from a sophisticated jazz trio or modern DJ to a lively local band, to create the perfect ambiance for your celebration.

These packages provide a strong foundation and are fully customizable to ensure your wedding is a unique reflection of your love story.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

For destination weddings at a unique venue like La Cruz Habitat Marina, the cost distribution is typically:

  • The couple covers the primary wedding costs, such as the venue rental, catering package, entertainment, and professional coordination services.
  • Guests are usually responsible for their own travel and accommodation. The Marina’s event team can often assist with recommending nearby boutique hotels and luxury condos in La Cruz, sometimes with preferential rates.
  • The couple might choose to host additional events, such as a welcome cocktail party at the Sky Bar, a rehearsal dinner at a local restaurant in town, or a post-wedding sailing excursion.
  • Extra expenses for highly personalized decor, specialized entertainment, or unique activities like chartering a yacht are typically the couple’s responsibility.
  • Gift registries or contributions towards a honeymoon fund are common, allowing guests to contribute in a way that feels personal and meaningful.

This structure allows the couple to create a unique event while guests manage their personal travel arrangements to this beautiful destination.

 

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations

 

La Cruz Habitat Marina offers a variety of versatile spaces suitable for intimate gatherings or grander celebrations:

  • The Sky Bar Terrace: Perfect for stunning ceremonies or cocktail receptions, accommodating up to 100 guests with panoramic views of the marina and bay.
  • The Marina Promenade: Ideal for larger, open-air receptions set against a backdrop of luxury yachts, with capacity for up to 250+ guests depending on the setup.
  • The Oceanfront Ballroom: An elegant indoor option for receptions or as a weather backup, comfortably seating up to 180 guests for dinner and dancing.
  • Pool Club & Restaurant: Offers a more relaxed, chic setting for welcome parties or smaller receptions, suitable for 50-120 guests.

While the Marina has some on-site accommodations, most guests will stay in the charming town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, which offers a wonderful selection of boutique hotels, luxury condos, and private villas, all within a short walk or drive. The venue’s planners can help coordinate lodging options for your group.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

La Cruz Habitat Marina’s expert event team orchestrates a seamless flow for your wedding day. A typical modern and chic sequence might look like this:

Ceremony with Panoramic Bay Views: Exchange vows on the breathtaking Sky Bar Terrace, with 360-degree views of the marina, the mountains, and the entire Banderas Bay as your backdrop.

Cocktail Hour on the Water: Guests enjoy artisan cocktails and delicious canapés along the chic promenade or even aboard a chartered yacht for an unforgettable sunset experience.

Reception Under the Stars: Transition to your reception on the Marina Promenade, with elegantly decorated tables set against the glittering lights of the yachts, for a gourmet dinner, heartfelt toasts, and a vibrant dance party.

Pro tip: Maximize the venue’s unique character. Blend the modern architecture with the nautical elements. A ceremony at the sleek Sky Bar followed by a lively reception on the promenade creates a dynamic experience that guests will never forget.

What’s Included in the Venue Rental Fee?

While specific inclusions are detailed in your customized wedding package, the venue fee or package cost at La Cruz Habitat Marina typically covers:

  • Exclusive Access to Chosen Venue Spaces: Private use of your selected ceremony and reception areas, such as the Sky Bar Terrace and Marina Promenade, for your event duration.
  • Standard Setup & Furniture: High-quality chairs, tables, standard linens, and basic modern décor elements for the ceremony and reception.
  • Dedicated Staffing: A full team of professional waitstaff, bartenders, and event personnel to provide attentive and seamless service.
  • Basic Audio-Visual: A sound system suitable for ceremony music and announcements, plus ambient lighting for the reception area.

Keep in mind that highly customized décor, elaborate floral installations, specialized lighting, a stage for a band, or upgraded AV equipment are usually additional costs that can further enhance the chic atmosphere.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies

While the weather in the region is generally beautiful, occasional tropical rain can occur, especially from June to October. La Cruz Habitat Marina is well-prepared with stylish and effective backup options. The elegant, air-conditioned Oceanfront Ballroom provides a beautiful indoor alternative with large windows overlooking the marina, ensuring your celebration remains sophisticated, comfortable, and dry without sacrificing the view.

Pro tip: During your planning, discuss the backup plan in detail. Ask to see photos of the indoor space set up for a wedding, so you can feel confident that your day will be stunning, no matter the weather.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

Booking your wedding at La Cruz Habitat Marina involves a clear and standard payment structure:

Initial Deposit: A non-refundable deposit, typically in the range of $3,000–$8,000+ USD, is required to secure your date and chosen venues.

Scheduled Payments: A payment plan will be created, with installments due at key milestones (e.g., 9, 6, and 3 months prior to the event) based on your estimated total cost.

Final Payment: The final balance, adjusted for your final guest count and selections, is usually due 30-45 days before your wedding date.

Cancellation policies are typically firm due to the nature of event booking. It is highly recommended to purchase comprehensive wedding insurance to protect your investment from any unforeseen circumstances.

On-Site Wedding Coordination and Planning Services

La Cruz Habitat Marina provides an excellent on-site wedding coordination team dedicated to making your planning process smooth and enjoyable. Their comprehensive services typically include:

Dedicated Event Coordinator: Your main point of contact who will guide you through venue-related decisions, from space layout and menu selection to event timelines.

Vendor Recommendations: Access to a curated list of trusted local vendors for photography, music, florals, and more, all experienced with the venue’s logistics.

Timeline Creation & Management: Development of a detailed schedule for the wedding day to ensure everything from guest arrival to the final send-off runs smoothly.

On-Site Supervision: Your coordinator will be present on the day of the wedding to oversee setup, manage vendor arrivals, and handle any logistical issues that may arise, allowing you to be fully present.

Their expertise in executing events at this unique nautical venue is a key asset for a stress-free and beautifully orchestrated wedding day.

Dietary and Menu Restrictions

The culinary team at La Cruz Habitat Marina excels at creating sophisticated, modern coastal cuisine and is highly experienced in accommodating a full spectrum of dietary needs. Taking advantage of the famous La Cruz fish market next door, menus often feature incredibly fresh seafood, along with creative international and traditional Mexican dishes. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergy-specific meals can all be elegantly prepared and seamlessly integrated into your menu.

Custom menu consultations and tastings allow you to craft a dining experience that perfectly suits your tastes and your guests’ requirements. Consider unique touches like a fresh ceviche bar, a gourmet taco station, or a signature cocktail created just for you.

Music and Entertainment Restrictions

La Cruz Habitat Marina is a vibrant venue that welcomes a wide variety of entertainment, from a chill-out DJ for a sunset cocktail hour to a full live band for your reception. The venue adheres to local regulations regarding noise, particularly for outdoor spaces like the Promenade and Sky Bar, to respect the marina community and nearby residents.

Typically, outdoor music will have a curfew around 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. If you plan to party later, the event can often be moved to an indoor space like the Oceanfront Ballroom, where the celebration can continue into the night. Your coordinator will provide clear guidelines so you can plan accordingly.

Parking and Guest Logistics

Most guests will arrive via Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), located about a 30-40 minute drive from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The Marina offers excellent logistics for a seamless guest experience:

Airport Transfers: The event team can help you arrange reliable private transfers from PVR for your guests, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming start to their trip.

On-Site Transportation: The town of La Cruz is very walkable, with many accommodations, restaurants, and shops located near the Marina. For destinations further afield, local taxis and ride-sharing services are readily available.

Parking: Ample and secure on-site parking is available at the Marina for guests who choose to rent a car or drive to the event.

Providing guests with clear arrival instructions and transportation recommendations is a great way to ensure they feel comfortable and well-cared-for.

Total Cost Breakdown for a Wedding at La Cruz Habitat Marina

For a stylish wedding of about 50 guests at La Cruz Habitat Marina, a rough budget estimate might look like this:

  • Wedding Package/Venue Fee: $10,000–$25,000+ USD (This can vary greatly based on the day of the week, season, and specific venues chosen, e.g., Sky Bar + Promenade).
  • Food and Beverage (per person): $150–$250+ USD per person (Varies based on menu choices, bar package, and service style). For 50 guests, budget $7,500–$12,500+.
  • Entertainment: $2,500–$7,000+ USD (For a quality DJ, small live ensemble, or band).
  • Photography/Videography: $5,000–$12,000+ USD (Depending on coverage hours and deliverables for a destination wedding).
  • Florals and Enhanced Decor: $3,000–$8,000+ USD (To achieve a polished, nautical-chic look).
  • Taxes and Service Fees: Plan for an additional 16% VAT and a 10-15% service charge on top of most costs. This can be 26% or more of your total.

Total estimated costs could range from $25,000 to $65,000+ USD for a 50-guest wedding, depending heavily on your specific choices for dining, decor, and entertainment. A detailed consultation with the Marina’s event team is essential for an accurate quote.

*Please note: These are estimates for a chic, upscale experience. Always obtain a customized, detailed quote directly from La Cruz Habitat Marina’s wedding team.*

Splurge vs. Save

To save costs, consider a weekday wedding, which often comes with lower venue fees, or host a chic cocktail-style reception instead of a formal sit-down dinner. Simplifying floral arrangements and using the venue’s stunning natural backdrop can also help. To truly splurge, charter a luxury yacht for a welcome party, hire a renowned live band for the reception, arrange a spectacular fireworks display over the marina, or host a gourmet seafood feast prepared by a private chef featuring the catch of the day from the La Cruz market.

Wedding Packages and What’s Included

La Cruz Habitat Marina offers bespoke wedding packages tailored to a modern, sophisticated aesthetic. While details are always customized, common inclusions are:

  • Exclusive Venue Fee: Use of a designated space like the Sky Bar Terrace for the ceremony and the Marina Promenade for the reception.
  • Ceremony Setup: Stylish seating, a modern ceremony structure/altar, and basic audio for music and microphones.
  • Minister/Officiant: Arrangement of symbolic or legal officiant services (legal services involve separate fees and paperwork).
  • Cocktail Hour: An open bar with a selection of national and international spirits and a set number of chef-selected gourmet appetizers.
  • Reception Dinner: Choice of a multi-course plated dinner, an elegant buffet, or trendy food stations featuring modern coastal cuisine.
  • Drinks Package: An open bar for the duration of the reception with a tiered selection of spirits, wine, and beer.
  • Wedding Cake: A beautifully designed wedding cake from a preferred local baker, with flavor and style customization.
  • Dedicated Event Coordinator: The services of the on-site coordinator to manage all venue-related logistics and ensure a smooth event flow.

Pro tip: Ask about unique package add-ons, like a signature “His & Hers” cocktail service, a late-night taco bar, or a complimentary sunset sail for the couple on a day before or after the wedding.

Activities for Other Days

Keep your guests entertained with activities that showcase the unique charm of La Cruz and the surrounding Banderas Bay:

  • Organize a group sailing lesson or charter a catamaran for a day of snorkeling and exploring the bay.
  • Host a welcome party at the Marina’s pool club or the chic Sky Bar at sunset.
  • Encourage guests to explore the famous La Cruz Sunday Market for artisan crafts, food, and live music.
  • Arrange a group dinner in the town of La Cruz to experience authentic local restaurants and the vibrant music scene.
  • Plan a day trip to the nearby surf town of Sayulita or the quaint village of San Pancho.
  • Book a whale watching tour (in season, from December to March).
  • Organize a tequila or mezcal tasting led by a local expert.

Three Practical Tips for Brides

1) Embrace the Climate & Style: The Riviera Nayarit is warm and can be breezy by the water. Opt for a hairstyle that works well with a little wind and choose a dress made of breathable, elegant fabric. Wedge heels or elegant flats are a practical and stylish choice for walking along the promenade.

2) Leverage the Local Vibe: Incorporate elements of La Cruz into your wedding. Think about welcome bags with local artisan goods, a menu featuring the fresh catch from the fish market, or hiring a local musician for your cocktail hour. It adds a memorable, authentic touch.

3) Explore the Photo Ops: Beyond the venue itself, the area is rich with photo opportunities. Schedule time for portraits on a luxury yacht, amidst the colorful streets of La Cruz, or on the nearby beach. This variety will make your wedding album truly dynamic and unique.

Two Bride Reviews

“Our wedding at La Cruz Habitat Marina was beyond anything we could have imagined. The venue is so incredibly modern and chic! The ceremony on the Sky Bar gave us the most breathtaking photos, and our reception on the promenade with all the yachts lit up was pure magic. The team was fantastic and made everything so easy. Our guests are still talking about how unique and cool our wedding was!” – Jessica L.

“We chose La Cruz Habitat Marina because we wanted something different from a typical beach wedding, and it delivered perfectly. The atmosphere is sophisticated and vibrant. The service was impeccable, the food was delicious (especially the fresh seafood!), and the views are simply stunning. It was the perfect blend of a luxury event and a relaxed, fun party. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect or memorable day.” – Megan P.

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Photographer

From a photographer’s perspective, La Cruz Habitat Marina is a visual dream. It offers a powerful alternative to the traditional beach setting. The clean, modern lines of the architecture contrast beautifully with the organic shapes of the ocean and mountains. The marina itself provides an incredible backdrop, with the graphic repetition of masts and the glittering reflections on the water, especially at dusk. The Sky Bar offers a panoramic vantage point that is simply unmatched, perfect for epic sunset portraits. It’s a canvas that allows for dramatic, sophisticated, and fashion-forward imagery. If you’re a couple looking for a wedding album filled with unique, vibrant, and stylish photos that tell a story of modern love by the sea, La Cruz Habitat Marina is an exceptional choice.

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