A Los Cabos, Mexico Wedding Venue

Words by Jennifer Stein
Photos courtesy of One&Only Palmilla

Touting an average of 350 days of sunshine a year, one of Los Cabos’ only swimmable beaches and dramatic oceanfront views should be enough to win your destination wedding or honeymoon business. But, the One&Only Palmilla takes it so much further.

A true luxury resort on the edge of the Baja Peninsula, this slice of paradise is the vacation spot for Hollywood celebrities and the world’s elite for good reason. It’s private, it’s exquisite and they cater to your every whim – even ones you didn’t know you had.

Any property can surround you with posh accommodations, and this one has luxury in spades, but not every resort can offer the lost art of genuinely kind service. Think black car airport transfer complete with Wi-Fi; bags whisked away and unpacked in your room; your favorite wine or snack waiting for you on the terrace; a special little “something” the chef prepared to whet your appetite (not included on the bill) and poolside, complimentary head and foot massages. These are just a sampling of the services you’ll enjoy as a guest of the One&Only Palmilla.

If you decide to take the marital plunge here, you’ll feel like royalty, not just for the day, but the entire weekend. The resort only books one wedding a weekend, specifically so they can concentrate entirely on you. Arianna Ocampo, Director of Groups and Special Events, feels strongly about treating each wedding like it were her own. “We speak the ‘wedding’ language. We have a full staff dedicated to each event 24-7 and it shows.” She’s right. The couple is given their own cell phone upon check-in so they can reach the staff anytime, day or night with requests or questions. Now that’s what I call white-glove service.

If venue options are a high priority, you won’t be disappointed. One of the signature backdrops is the Chapel – a historic building built in 1956 with a dramatic, tiled staircase and courtyard that allows for an immediate reception following the ceremony. Cultural perks such as a mariachi-led recessional down to the beach and a barefoot-in-the-sand reception under the stars with expertly prepared cuisine are also popular choices. The One&Only Palmilla is able to accommodate almost any size group, big or small.

When it comes to pampering, the One&Only Spa is, hands-down, one of the best in the world. Meandering lush gardens lead you from the spa lobby to your own private treatment villa. Each villa has its own sumptuous daybed and some even come with an open-air courtyard and cabana. This is one spa experience you won’t ever want to end. If it has to, you can follow it up with a visit to OBO Salon by Jonathan and George. Love your locks with professional blowouts, updos, color treatments – you name it.

This resort destination has it all: private plunge pools, stellar and award-winning service, Michelin-starred cuisine, breathtaking sunsets, lavish accommodations and an idyllic location…dearly beloved, what are you waiting for?

This article first appeared in Destination I Do's Spring/Summer 2017 issue. You can order a copy here.