Getting Married at Rancho Escondido Sayulita: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of a wedding that embodies the authentic bohemian charm of Sayulita, nestled in a hidden corner of its lush, vibrant landscape? Welcome to Rancho Escondido Sayulita—a private sanctuary that offers a stunning blend of rustic elegance, natural beauty, and intimate seclusion for your special day. With its wild tropical surroundings, unique character, and the soulful spirit of Sayulita, Rancho Escondido provides an unparalleled backdrop for your celebration. Whether you envision an intimate ceremony under a canopy of ancient trees or a lively reception under the stars in a charming courtyard, this unique venue promises a wedding experience as unforgettable as the magic of Sayulita itself.

Renowned for its secluded feel and authentic Mexican character, Rancho Escondido seamlessly blends rustic charm with the free-spirited vibe of Sayulita. Its distinctive spaces—from hidden garden nooks to expansive open-air settings—are designed to reflect your unique love story, all while showcasing the captivating beauty of the region. Let the natural splendor and exclusive charm of this hidden ranch set the stage for your dream wedding.

Planning your perfect wedding in Sayulita? Explore some of the most beautiful Sayulita wedding photos, showcasing breathtaking moments captured in this vibrant paradise.

Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

Rancho Escondido Sayulita stands out for its secluded location, nestled within Sayulita’s lush jungle landscape, offering an escape into nature with authentic Mexican charm. The venue’s rustic elegance, sprawling grounds, and unique architectural elements (like charming palapas or historic stonework) create an intimate and free-spirited atmosphere perfect for bohemian and nature-loving couples. If you appreciate privacy, an authentic connection to the local culture, and a venue that feels like a hidden gem, Rancho Escondido offers a picturesque and soulful setting.

Recent wedding trends show that **couples increasingly prioritize unique, personalized experiences and venues with strong character**. With its blend of natural beauty, rustic chic design, and the vibrant spirit of Sayulita, Rancho Escondido provides a truly distinctive backdrop for your wedding photos and a memorable, authentic experience for your guests.

 

How Does a Wedding at Rancho Escondido Work?

 

Planning your wedding at Rancho Escondido Sayulita is designed to be a personalized and heartfelt experience. Their dedicated venue team, or highly recommended local Sayulita wedding planners, will guide you through crafting your day, ensuring your vision comes to life with creativity and local expertise. The venue often offers a beautiful canvas, allowing for customizable options with trusted local vendors for everything from ceremony setup and artisanal catering to unique decor and entertainment.

This collaborative approach means you can infuse your personality into every detail, while experienced hands manage the logistics, allowing you to relax and celebrate your love in a beautiful, authentically Sayulita environment.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

Sayulita enjoys warm weather year-round, but the best months for a wedding are typically from November to May. This period offers pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and minimal rainfall, creating ideal conditions for outdoor ceremonies and receptions under the stars. The drier season also provides consistent, beautiful natural light for photography, and the surrounding jungle remains lush and vibrant, especially in the months following the rainy season (June-October).

Marrying during these months ensures optimal weather. The summer/fall season can be more humid with afternoon showers, potentially offering cost savings but requiring robust backup plans. The landscape is exceptionally green during this time.

 

The Basics of Wedding Packages

 

Rancho Escondido Sayulita often provides a venue rental foundation, allowing couples to customize their day with their choice of vendors, or offers packages in collaboration with local planners. A typical offering might include:

  • Ceremony Setup: Options for uniquely natural settings, such as under a majestic ancient tree, in a tropical garden, within a charming rustic structure, or an open-air chapel-like space.
  • Reception Venues: Access to characterful spaces like a grand open-air palapa, an intimate courtyard adorned with string lights, or an elegantly rustic hall, often highlighting the natural surroundings.
  • Catering: Generally facilitated through preferred local Sayulita chefs and catering companies specializing in fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, offering everything from traditional Mexican feasts to contemporary international cuisine, often served family-style or via creative food stations.
  • Decor and Floral Arrangements: Basic rustic-chic decor elements might be included or available for rent. The venue encourages personalization, working well with local florists and designers to match your theme.
  • Entertainment: Assistance with coordinating local musicians (e.g., mariachis, acoustic guitarists, local bands, DJs) to create the perfect Sayulita vibe.

These elements serve as a starting point, with extensive customization possible to perfectly reflect your dream Sayulita wedding.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

In destination weddings at Rancho Escondido Sayulita, the financial responsibilities typically follow this pattern:

  • The couple covers the primary wedding costs, such as the venue rental fee, catering, decor, entertainment, and planner services.
  • Guests are usually responsible for their own travel and accommodation in Sayulita. The venue or planner can often provide recommendations for nearby boutique hotels, villas, or casitas, sometimes with group arrangement possibilities.
  • The couple might choose to host additional events, like a welcome taco night or a farewell brunch, covering those costs for their guests.
  • Extra expenses for highly personalized decor, unique entertainment, or specialized pre/post-wedding activities (like surf lessons or jungle tours) are typically the couple’s responsibility.
  • Gift registries focusing on experiences or contributions towards the wedding/honeymoon are common.

This structure allows the couple to create their desired event while guests manage their travel to the charming town of Sayulita.

 

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations

 

Rancho Escondido Sayulita is often suited for intimate to medium-sized weddings, offering versatile spaces:

  • Main Event Space (e.g., Grand Palapa, Courtyard, or Rustic Hall): Can typically accommodate groups from 50 to 120 guests for a seated dinner and dancing, depending on the specific layout.
  • Intimate Ceremony Spots (e.g., Garden, Under a Feature Tree): Ideal for smaller gatherings, elopements, or micro-weddings, often hosting 20-60 guests.
  • On-Site Accommodations: Some ranch-style venues may offer a few charming casitas or rooms on-site, perfect for the wedding party or immediate family. For the majority of guests, Sayulita provides a wide array of options, from boutique hotels and surf lodges to private villas and Airbnbs, all within a short distance.

The venue or your planner can assist with recommendations for guest lodging to ensure everyone enjoys the authentic Sayulita experience.

Ceremony and Reception Logistics

The team at Rancho Escondido Sayulita, or your chosen planner, excels at orchestrating a seamless flow for your unique celebration. A typical sequence might be:

Ceremony in a Lush Garden or Rustic Setting: Exchange vows in a picturesque spot on the ranch, perhaps under the shade of a magnificent tree, surrounded by tropical flora, or within a charming, rustic structure.

Cocktail Hour with Local Flavors: Guests mingle and enjoy signature cocktails (perhaps featuring tequila or mezcal) and locally-inspired appetizers in a different area of the ranch, like a breezy courtyard with string lights, a scenic overlook, or around a central fountain.

Reception Under the Stars or a Grand Palapa: Transition to your main reception area for a memorable dinner, heartfelt toasts, and dancing. This could be an open-air setting, beneath a large, beautifully lit palapa, or in an elegantly decorated rustic hall.

Pro tip: Leverage the ranch’s unique features. Consider a welcome station with fresh coconuts, incorporate local artisan crafts into your decor, or arrange a late-night bonfire with s’mores and acoustic music to maximize the authentic Sayulita experience.

What’s Included in the Venue Rental Fee?

While specific inclusions vary, the venue rental fee or package cost at Rancho Escondido Sayulita typically covers:

  • Exclusive Access to Ranch Grounds: Use of your selected ceremony and reception areas, plus other designated spaces on the property for the agreed-upon duration.
  • Basic Infrastructure: Access to existing lighting, power sources, and restroom facilities.
  • Some Furnishings: Depending on the venue, this might include some rustic tables, chairs, or basic lounge furniture. Always clarify what is included.
  • On-Site Venue Manager: A point person for property-related logistics, vendor access, and ensuring the venue aspects run smoothly on the day.
  • Vendor Recommendations: Often a list of trusted local Sayulita vendors for catering, decor, music, etc.

Remember that extensive decor, specialized furniture rentals, catering, bar services, and advanced audio-visual equipment are usually sourced through external vendors or as add-ons.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies

Sayulita can experience tropical showers, especially during the wetter months (June-October). Rancho Escondido Sayulita typically has charming and effective backup options. This might include a large covered palapa, a rustic indoor hall, a converted barn-like structure, or elegant tenting solutions that maintain the venue’s unique aesthetic and protect your celebration from the elements.

Pro tip: Discuss the backup plan in detail during your venue tour or consultation. Ensure you’re comfortable with the alternative space and how it would be styled, so you have peace of mind regardless of the weather.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

Booking your wedding at Rancho Escondido Sayulita generally involves a payment structure like this:

Initial Deposit: A non-refundable deposit, often ranging from $1,500–$4,000 USD or a percentage (e.g., 25-50%) of the total venue rental fee, is required to secure your date.

Scheduled Payments: Additional payments are usually scheduled at key intervals (e.g., 6 months, 3 months, and 1 month prior) based on your agreement and any additional services secured through the venue.

Final Payment: The remaining balance is typically due 30-60 days before your wedding date.

Cancellation policies can be strict and will depend on how far in advance the cancellation occurs. Thoroughly review your contract and consider investing in wedding insurance for protection against unforeseen circumstances.

On-Site Wedding Coordination and Planning Services

Rancho Escondido Sayulita may offer a dedicated on-site venue coordinator primarily focused on property logistics, vendor access, and ensuring the smooth operation of the venue itself on your wedding day. Their services might include:

Venue Point of Contact: Assisting with site-specific questions and layouts.

Preferred Vendor List: Providing recommendations for trusted local Sayulita planners, caterers, florists, etc.

Overseeing Venue Setup: Ensuring the venue’s provided elements are in place.

For comprehensive wedding planning, design, and coordination of all vendors and timelines, Rancho Escondido often works closely with, or recommends, experienced independent Sayulita-based wedding planners. These planners are invaluable for their local knowledge and ability to bring your full vision to life.

Dietary and Menu Restrictions

Rancho Escondido Sayulita typically partners with excellent local caterers who are well-versed in accommodating a wide array of dietary needs and preferences. These Sayulita-based culinary teams are known for their fresh, farm-to-table approach, using vibrant local ingredients. They can expertly prepare:

Authentic Mexican cuisine, fresh seafood, international dishes, and creative fusion menus. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, pescatarian, and allergy-specific meals can all be beautifully crafted.

Consultations with your chosen caterer will allow you to tailor the menu. Consider fun, local touches like a gourmet taco bar, fresh ceviche station, or an artisanal tequila and mezcal tasting.

Music and Entertainment Restrictions

Rancho Escondido Sayulita generally welcomes a variety of entertainment to enhance your celebration, from local mariachi bands and acoustic guitarists to lively salsa groups or DJs. As Sayulita is a community-conscious town, there are often noise ordinances to respect.

Outdoor amplified music may have a curfew, typically around 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM. The venue management or your planner will advise on these specifics and can help plan for transitioning music to an indoor space if available, or shifting to lower-volume acoustic music or a silent disco for later festivities, ensuring the party continues while respecting local guidelines.

Parking and Guest Logistics

Guests will typically fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is approximately a 45-60 minute drive to Sayulita, depending on traffic. For transportation to and around Rancho Escondido Sayulita:

Airport Transfers: Pre-arranged private or shared shuttles are recommended from PVR to Sayulita. Your planner or the venue can often provide recommendations for reliable services.

On-Site Parking: Rancho Escondido likely offers some on-site parking, which is a bonus in Sayulita where parking can be limited. Clarify the capacity with the venue.

Getting Around Sayulita: For guests staying in town, golf carts are a popular and fun way to navigate Sayulita’s charming streets. Local taxis are also available. Consider arranging group transport from central Sayulita points to the Rancho for the wedding day.

Providing clear directions and transportation advice to your guests well in advance is key for a smooth experience.

Total Cost Breakdown for a Wedding at Rancho Escondido Sayulita

For an average wedding of about 50 guests at Rancho Escondido Sayulita, a rough budget estimate might be:

  • Venue Rental Fee: $4,000–$10,000 USD (for exclusive use, basic setup, and access to grounds).
  • Food and Beverage (per person, via external caterer): $70–$180+ USD. For 50 guests, this could be $3,500–$9,000+.
  • Bar Service & Drinks (via external caterer/bar service): $40 – $100+ per person. For 50 guests, $2,000 – $5,000+.
  • Entertainment (local talent, DJ): $1,000–$3,500 USD.
  • Photography/Videography: $3,000–$7,000 USD (varies by package and professional).
  • Florals and Enhanced Decor (rustic-chic, bohemian): $1,500–$5,000+ USD.
  • Wedding Planner/Coordinator (if not included or for full service): $2,000–$5,000 USD.
  • Furniture Rentals (if needed beyond venue’s basics): $1,000 – $4,000+ USD.
  • Taxes and Service Fees: Typically adds 16% VAT on many services, plus potential service charges from caterers/vendors. Budget at least 20-25% of relevant subtotals.

Total estimated costs could range from $18,000 to $48,500+ USD for a 50-guest wedding. This is highly dependent on your specific choices for catering, decor, entertainment, and level of customization. Working with a local planner can help you navigate costs and vendors effectively.

*Please note: These are estimates. Always obtain a customized quote from Rancho Escondido Sayulita and your chosen vendors.*

Splurge vs. Save

To save costs at Rancho Escondido Sayulita, consider: a smaller guest list, choosing a less peak day/season, simplifying floral arrangements by using more local greenery, opting for a delicious but more casual catering option (like a gourmet taco bar or family-style meal), or DIY-ing some decor elements. To splurge, consider: hiring a renowned Sayulita wedding designer for a truly bespoke look, investing in unique lighting to transform the natural landscape at night, bringing in a popular live band, arranging an artisanal mezcal and craft beer tasting bar, offering unique local welcome gifts, or adding a pre-wedding surf camp or post-wedding brunch at a chic beach club.

Wedding Packages and What’s Included

Rancho Escondido Sayulita might primarily offer a ‘Venue Rental’ package, giving you the freedom to build your dream team of vendors. This foundational package typically includes:

  • Exclusive Use of Property: For a set number of hours on your wedding day (e.g., 8-12 hours).
  • Access to Designated Areas: Specific zones for ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
  • Basic Infrastructure: Existing ambient lighting, power outlets, and functional restroom facilities.
  • On-Site Property Manager: To oversee venue operations on the day.
  • Vendor Access: Coordination for setup and breakdown times for your chosen vendors.
  • Preferred Vendor List: Recommendations for trusted local professionals who know the venue.

Some venues might offer more inclusive packages by bundling services from preferred partners (e.g., basic furniture, a level of coordination). Always clarify what is included versus what needs to be sourced externally. This à la carte approach allows for high personalization.

Pro tip: Ask about any included decor items (e.g., existing string lights, rustic barrels) and any restrictions on bringing in your own decor or vendors.

Activities for Other Days

Keep your guests enchanted with the Sayulita spirit throughout their stay:

  • Organize group surf lessons at Sayulita’s main beach or a nearby surf break.
  • Explore the vibrant heart of Sayulita: browse artisan boutiques, colorful art galleries, and the bustling town square.
  • Host a casual welcome party with street tacos and margaritas at a local cantina or even at the Rancho if permitted.
  • Arrange a day trip to the nearby serene village of San Pancho (San Francisco) or discover a hidden local beach.
  • Book a boat tour to spot dolphins, turtles, or whales (in season), or to visit the Marietas Islands (check permit availability).
  • Offer a morning yoga or wellness session at the Rancho or a local studio.
  • Hike or horseback ride through the jungle trails surrounding Sayulita.
  • Enjoy a farewell brunch at a beachfront cafe.

Three Practical Tips for Brides

1) Embrace the Sayulita Vibe: Opt for comfortable yet chic attire. Flowy dresses, stylish sandals or even going barefoot for parts of the day, and natural, bohemian-inspired hair and makeup will feel right at home. The terrain at a ranch can be natural and uneven, so advise guests on footwear too!

2) Leverage Local Talent & Materials: Sayulita is brimming with talented artisans, musicians, chefs, and florists. Incorporating local flowers, crafts, music, and food will make your wedding feel truly authentic and support the community. Think vibrant papel picado, hand-painted signs, or a local tequila tasting.

3) Plan Transportation Thoughtfully: Sayulita’s charming streets can be narrow, and parking at unique venues like a secluded ranch might be limited. Clearly communicate transportation options to guests. Consider arranging shuttles from central points in Sayulita to Rancho Escondido, or provide good information on local taxis and golf cart rentals.

Two Bride Reviews

“Rancho Escondido Sayulita was the magical, hidden paradise we were searching for! The natural beauty and rustic charm were breathtaking, and it felt so private and special. Our wedding felt so personal and intimate. The venue manager was helpful, and our planner connected us with amazing local vendors who understood our vision. Our guests absolutely loved the authentic Sayulita experience and the uniqueness of the Rancho. Truly unforgettable!” – Emily R.

“We wanted a wedding that felt like ‘us’ – relaxed, beautiful, a bit wild, and deeply connected to nature. Rancho Escondido Sayulita was perfect. The grounds are stunning, offering so many incredible spots for photos, from jungle backdrops to charming architectural details. Dancing under the stars at our palapa reception was an absolute dream. If you want a unique, non-resort wedding that truly captures the heart of Sayulita, this is it! ” – Alex B.

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Photographer

Having photographed weddings across Mexico, Rancho Escondido Sayulita offers a wonderfully authentic and picturesque setting that truly captures the bohemian soul of this unique town. Its rustic charm, combined with the wild beauty of Sayulita’s landscape – think lush tropical foliage, perhaps glimpses of agave or rolling hills, and old, character-filled structures – creates a photographer’s dream. The way the golden hour light filters through the canopy of trees or illuminates a charming, candle-lit courtyard is pure magic. It’s the perfect canvas for couples seeking a wedding that’s both effortlessly chic and deeply connected to the vibrant, artistic spirit of Sayulita. The textures, the earthy colors, the privacy, and the laid-back atmosphere all contribute to capturing truly unique, heartfelt, and story-rich images.

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