Should You Hire Local Vendors or Fly Your Own Team to Mexico?

As you start planning your destination wedding, you’re going to hit a major fork in the road. Do you hire the photographer or planner you love from your hometown and fly them with you? Or do you put your trust in destination wedding local vendors you’ve only met over email? It's a tough decision that involves trust, budget, and style.

As a photographer who specializes in this exact world, I want to give you a straight, honest answer. I see couples wrestle with this all the time, and my advice is almost always the same: you shouldn't just hire a "local" vendor, and you definitely shouldn't fly in your hometown team. You should hire a destination specialist—a professional who has built their entire business around serving a global clientele in this specific, beautiful, and logistically unique part of the world.

The Hidden Costs of Flying Your Team In

The first and most obvious hurdle is the cost. That photographer or planner's fee, which already seems high, is just the starting point. You will also be responsible for their round-trip flights, baggage fees (which are significant for photo gear), a hotel room for at least 3-4 nights, a per diem for food, and all their ground transportation. This can add thousands of dollars to your budget per vendor.

But here’s the real budget-killer: the outside vendor fee. Nearly every all-inclusive resort in Mexico charges a steep fee, often from $500 to $1,500 USD, for any vendor who is not on their "preferred" list. This fee goes directly to the resort, not the vendor. So, on top of paying for their travel, you’re paying a massive penalty just for them to walk onto the property. Suddenly, that hometown vendor is astronomically more expensive.

Your Hometown Pro is Out of Their Element

Let's set the money aside and talk about expertise. The photographer you love in your city is an expert at shooting in your city. They know the best parks, the cool urban spots, and how to handle a cloudy day in October. They are not an expert at shooting in the harsh, reflective, 1:00 PM sun on a white beach in Mexico. The light, the humidity, the salty air, and the unique challenges of a resort timeline are a completely different ballgame. They are, essentially, learning on your dime.

A hometown vendor also has zero local connections. When their rental car breaks down, they don't have a driver they can call. When their lighting gear fails in the humidity, they don't have a local network to borrow from. They don't know the resort security rules or the best, most private spots for photos. They are working on an island, and that’s a huge risk for you to take on your wedding day.

The "Local" Vendor vs. The "Destination Specialist"

Now, let's talk about hiring "local." This is where couples get nervous about style, communication, and quality. And to be fair, if "local" just means the in-house vendor your resort pushes on you, your fears might be valid. Those teams are often focused on volume, not a unique, artistic vision. This is where you can end up with those generic, cookie-cutter photos we’ve all seen before.

But there is a massive difference between a generic "local" vendor and a "destination specialist." A specialist (like me) is a professional who has chosen to base their business in a destination market like Cancun or Los Cabos. We may live here, or we may travel here so often that we are local experts. Our business is built from the ground up to cater to an international couple, meaning we have the high-end style, clear communication, and professionalism you expect, combined with the priceless on-the-ground expertise.

The Sweet Spot: Why a Specialist is the Smartest Choice

Hiring a destination specialist is truly the best of both worlds. We have the local knowledge and the international standard of quality. I know these venues like the back of my hand. I know which resorts have the best "Plan B" for rain and which beaches are too crowded at 4 PM. I know exactly where the sun will set at your specific venue in March. I have backup plans, local contacts, and the right insurance for working in Mexico. This isn't just one trip for me; it's my entire professional world.

For vendors like your planner, florist, DJ, and hair/makeup artist, I will always recommend you hire a tried-and-true, recommended destination specialist based here in Mexico. They have the relationships with the resorts and the local supply chains. And for your photographer? It's even more critical. You are not just hiring someone to take pictures; you are hiring an expert guide who can navigate the light, the weather, and the timeline of a destination wedding to ensure your memories are captured flawlessly.

Don't risk your wedding day on a vendor who is out of their element, and don't settle for a generic in-house team. Invest in a professional who specializes in this. You deserve an expert who is as passionate and knowledgeable about your destination as you are.

If you’re looking for a photographer who is a true destination specialist and knows how to make your wedding in Mexico look as magical as it feels, I would be honored to chat.