The domed gazebo, the arched walkways and the beach at RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas sit minutes apart. Put the ceremony in the right hour and the resort photographs itself. Here is how I plan a RIU wedding. Last updated: September 2026.
RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas is one of those resorts where the wedding photographs itself, as long as you put the ceremony in the right hour. The domed gazebo, the arched walkways, the palms, and the beach all sit within a few minutes of each other, and the all-inclusive setup means your guests are already there, relaxed, and ready to celebrate.
I have photographed weddings here for years as a Cabo destination wedding photographer. This is how I plan a RIU wedding so the light, the spaces, and the timeline work together.
| Venue | RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas |
| Type | All-inclusive |
| Ceremony spaces | The domed gazebo, or the beach |
| Portraits | The arched walkways and palm-lined paths |
| Reception | The terrace or ballroom, after sunset |
| Why couples pick it | Everything is minutes apart, and guests are already on-site |
The spaces, and how I use them
The gazebo is the classic ceremony spot here, and it gives a clean, symmetrical frame with the ocean behind the couple. The beach is the other option, more open and more casual. After the vows, the arches and palm-lined paths are perfect for the formal photos, and the terrace or ballroom takes over for the reception once the sun is down.
Because everything is close, we do not lose time walking between locations. That matters more than people think: a fifteen-minute walk between the ceremony and the portraits can cost you the best light of the day.
The light, and an honest warning
I schedule the ceremony for about ninety minutes before sunset. That gives even, soft light for the vows, then warm light for the couple portraits, then blue hour for the first dances. In the summer, everything shifts later, because a mid-afternoon ceremony means heat and hard shadows.
The one thing I plan around here is the crowd. RIU weddings tend to be big and social, and a receiving line can quietly eat the portrait window. I build the couple photos into a specific slot right after the ceremony and keep it protected, so we do not lose the light to well-wishers. The group photos come first, then the two of you, then the party.
The portraits
We start with the formal group photos at the gazebo or the arches, then move to the beach for the couple portraits as the light warms. The resort gives us variety without travel, so a single session can move from architecture to palms to sand in under an hour. For large bridal parties, I bring a second photographer so nothing happens only once.
Planning your RIU Palace wedding
Tell me your date, your guest count, and whether you want coverage of the getting-ready hours and the welcome party. I will help you protect the golden hour and coordinate with your planner and the resort so the photography fits the day. For more, see my guide to the best wedding venues in Cabo and my destination wedding photography page.
See more of my Cabo couples and engagement sessions, and the official Los Cabos tourism board for the area.
