Fun & Festive Ideas for a Cinco de Mayo Wedding

Aside from offering your guests tacos and tequila, we love when couples have mariachi performers play at the end of their ceremony, leading guests to the cocktail hour in style. Consider using colorful, bold Mexican art prints on pillows or linens at the ceremony or reception, and suspend papel picado flags overhead at a welcome party to really set the mood. Another fun way to incorporate Mexican culture is to have sombreros available as props for the photo booth, or consider renting donkeys, mules, or burros to pose with your attendees.

Of course, one of the best ways to honor the country is to have a destination wedding in Mexico, but for those saying "I do" stateside, you can still incorporate these lively influences without having guests travel. For more ideas and inspiration, take a look at the photos below! To see more from these wedding events, click the link below each photo!

Embroidered Getting-Ready Attire

In lieu of the popular robes or pajamas, gift your bridesmaids with beautiful "something blue" embroidered dresses made by Mexican artisans.

Wedding Portraits with a Donkey

One thing is for certain: everyone loves animals! Hire a donkey (or burro) to come to your wedding reception for photos you'll never forget!

Colorful Welcome Bags

Even if you're not hosting a destination wedding in Mexico, you can still provide your loved ones with colorful, patterned welcome bags featuring your favorite Mexican candies and treats.

Vibrant Ceremony Décor

An outdoor wedding is a wonderful way to make your guests feel like they're on vacation! Whether you decide to decorate your ceremony like a Spanish chapel or add colorful blooms to accentuate terracotta tile flooring, guests will love the vibrant décor.

Mariachi Music

Mariachi music dates back to the 18th century, and the celebratory music is still going strong at real weddings in Mexico and across the world. Take it one step further by partaking in the Mexican callejoneada tradition – a wedding parade that takes guests from the ceremony to the party – of San Miguel de Allende!

Fiesta Party Flags

Consider hanging a papel picado banner of fiesta party flags over guest tables at a welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or the wedding itself to set the festive mood! 

Spanish Welcome Sign

Especially if you're having a destination wedding in Mexico, add some Spanish to the mix! In fact, the perfect way to get the party started is to welcome guests with some Español – bienvenidos!

Festive Fiesta Fare

If your wedding reception dinner is fairly formal, have some fun at cocktail hour with your Mexican food favorites! Serve tray-passed chips and guacamole on top of margarita shooters, or try miniature tacos served on top of a lime next to tequila or margarita cocktails.

Brightly Colored Napkins & Accessories

One thing is for certain when you're planning a wedding or event inspired by Cinco de Mayo: don't be afraid of color! Even if the rest of your décor is fairly neutral, have some fun with cocktail napkins in bright or neon hues.

Tile Escort Cards

In lieu of traditional escort cards, consider having guests' names hand-painted on patterned tiles that can also serve as coaster favors for your loved ones. 

Colorful Floral Centerpieces

Bright, vibrant blooms in shades of hot pink and yellow, accented with fresh greenery, will bring the lively spirit of the holiday to your celebration – whether it's indoors or outdoors!

Spanish Table Numbers

Consider labeling tables with table numbers in Spanish if you want to honor your heritage – or use a traditional number with colorful, patterned stationery to give off a festive feel.

Piñata Décor

Piñatas are a staple at many Mexican celebratory gatherings, and they're a fun addition for a wedding as well! Mario Lopez's wedding (pictured below) featured a kids' table with piñata décor in the center!

Tequila Favors

Miniature bottles of tequila can be used along with escort cards to get the party started or as take-home favors to leave a future taste of the party with attendees.

Dance Floor Décor

It's not a Cinco de Mayo wedding without plenty of fun dancing! Decorate the dance floor with twinkling lights and star-shaped paper lanterns, or add a Mexican tile-inspired vinyl to the dance floor itself to create a wow factor!

Donkey, Burro & Mule Rentals

Whether you're getting married in Mexico or you always wanted a destination wedding but are staying home for your nuptials, renting a donkey, burro, or mule for rides or the photo booth is a great way to create an unforgettable moment for your guests.

Sombrero for Décor or Photo Booth

If you're having a photo booth at your wedding, be sure to have some of Mexico's traditional hats – sombreros – on hand for a prop or costume!

Wedding Venue in Mexico

One of the easiest ways to have a fiesta feel for your celebration is to exchange vows in Mexico, so guests can experience the sun, sand, and sea as well as the culture first hand!

For more wedding ideas, discover real weddings in Mexico to inspire your own destination wedding, see this couple's California wedding featuring Mexican traditions, and read must-have tips for a destination wedding weekend!