Eloping in Puerto Vallarta: Who You Actually Need

Most elopements in Puerto Vallarta come down to three vendors: a photographer, a hair and makeup artist, and a planner who can pull the logistics together. Puerto Vallarta lists 18 photographers, 9 hair and makeup artists and 15 wedding planners, so there is room to compare before you book. Here is what each category covers, a few specific photographers to look at, and what to ask before you sign anything.

Photographer

For an elopement, the photographer is usually the vendor couples spend the most time researching, since the photos are often the main record of the day. Puerto Vallarta has 18 photographers listed, with ratings in the 4.9 to 5 range.

Three to look at:

• Chas Studios, based in Puerto Vallarta, rated 5 from 209 reviews.
• Evgenia & Co, based in Puerto Vallarta, rated 5 from 126 reviews.
• Underground Studio Puerto Vallarta, based in Puerto Vallarta, rated 5 from 108 reviews.

These three profiles are currently unclaimed, which means the information comes from public business listings rather than a description in the photographer’s own words. That is worth knowing before you reach out, and our How we list vendors guide explains what claimed versus unclaimed means on this site. Either way, ask directly: how many hours are included for an elopement-length shoot, how many images you get, and how soon after the day you receive them.

Hair and makeup

Puerto Vallarta lists 9 hair and makeup artists, with ratings between 4.8 and 5. For an elopement, confirm whether the artist travels to your location, whether a trial is included or billed separately, and how far in advance you need to book given it is a smaller team than a full wedding roster.

Planner (and the officiant question)

A planner is often the difference between an elopement that runs smoothly and one where you are solving logistics on the day itself. Puerto Vallarta lists 15 wedding planners, with ratings between 4.3 and 5.

There is no separate officiant category listed for Puerto Vallarta. If you need someone to perform or certify your ceremony, ask your planner directly how they handle this and what you will need to arrange it, since this is not something we can confirm from a vendor listing. The same goes for any legal paperwork: ask your planner what applies to your specific situation rather than assuming.

What to ask any vendor before you book

Whichever of these three you contact first, ask what their quote includes before you commit. It also pays to check this in writing with your venue: ask whether it charges an outside-vendor fee, since that can affect your photographer, hair and makeup artist, or planner choice if they are not already approved to work there.

• What exactly is included in the quoted price, and what counts as an add-on.
• Whether the venue or resort charges an outside-vendor fee for vendors it did not select.
• How far in advance the vendor needs to confirm an elopement date.
• Whether the rating and review count you see is current, since these can change.

Vendors some elopements add on

Some couples keep it to the three core vendors above. Others add one or two extras depending on the ceremony. For reference, Puerto Vallarta also lists 4 videographers (rated 4.9 to 5), 8 florists (rated 4.3 to 4.9), 5 DJs and music vendors (rated 4.8 to 5), 8 mariachi acts (rated 4.8 to 5), 8 catering vendors (rated 4.9 to 5), 4 rentals and decor vendors (rated 4.4 to 5), and 7 venues (rated 4.5 to 4.8). None of these are required for a small ceremony, but they are there if you decide you want one more layer.

Where to start

If you are still deciding what an elopement in Mexico actually involves, start with our broader Eloping in Mexico guide, then come back to the Puerto Vallarta categories above once you know roughly what you want. The full Puerto Vallarta destination page lists 86 vendors across every category if you want to browse beyond the three covered here.

Whichever vendors you end up contacting, treat the rating and review count as a starting filter, not a final answer. Get their current availability, ask what their quote covers, and confirm venue fees in writing before you book anything for your date.