Getting Married at Casa Oaxaca: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Dreaming of an intimate Oaxaca wedding celebrated with world-renowned gourmet cuisine and set within a beautiful, historic colonial house in the heart of the city? Explore Casa Oaxaca, Oaxaca City, a celebrated restaurant known not only for its exceptional culinary experience but also for its charming colonial architecture, picturesque courtyard, and elegant spaces perfect for a sophisticated and delicious wedding celebration. Located just a short walk from Santo Domingo Church and the Zócalo, this venue offers a truly unique setting featuring stunning traditional architecture, a central open-air courtyard, and intimate dining rooms.

Casa Oaxaca functions primarily as a high-end restaurant that can be booked for exclusive private events, with its celebrated in-house catering being the absolute core of the offering. Weddings here are typically intimate, elegant, and deeply focused on the culinary experience, utilizing spaces like the central courtyard, elegant indoor dining rooms, and potentially a rooftop terrace. While the acclaimed in-house kitchen manages the exquisite food and service, an external planner is highly recommended for overall event design and vendor coordination. Reflecting the exclusivity and quality, costs vary, but a Casa Oaxaca wedding promises gourmet excellence, intimate elegance, and a celebration built around the vibrant heart of Oaxacan cuisine.

Capture the elegance of your Oaxaca wedding in stunning photos. Check out the finest Oaxaca wedding photography to help inspire your celebration.

Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

Casa Oaxaca is an exceptional venue for couples seeking an intimate, gourmet, and culturally immersive wedding experience that blends the charm of a historic colonial house with world-class culinary excellence, right in the heart of Oaxaca City. If you value an unparalleled dining experience, beautiful and unique architectural spaces (courtyard, dining rooms), a central location within walking distance of city attractions, and a focus on sophisticated hospitality, Casa Oaxaca is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for couples who envision a celebration where the food is a central highlight, set in an elegant and authentic Oaxacan ambiance.

The restaurant’s key highlights include its celebrated in-house catering focused on Oaxacan alta cocina, stunning colonial house setting with picturesque courtyard, intimate dining rooms, and prime downtown location. Perfect for a gourmet, elegant, and centrally located Oaxaca City wedding.

 

How Does a Wedding at Casa Oaxaca Work?

 

Planning a wedding at Casa Oaxaca typically involves:

Contacting the Restaurant: Reaching out to Casa Oaxaca’s private events team to inquire about availability and discuss options for booking the space for your event date.

Understanding Booking Options: Clarifying minimum spend requirements for food and beverage, potential venue/buyout fees, and which areas of the restaurant are available for private use (full buyout vs. specific rooms/courtyard).

Working on the Menu: Collaborating with Casa Oaxaca’s kitchen team to select or customize your wedding menu, which is exclusively provided in-house.

Hiring an External Planner (Highly Recommended): An experienced planner is crucial for managing all aspects beyond the restaurant’s core offering, including design, timeline, and *all* external vendors.

Vendor Selection & Coordination: The couple and their planner will select and contract external vendors for decor, florals, music, photography, videography, and any rentals beyond standard restaurant settings.

Guest Accommodation: Guests will need to arrange their own accommodations in nearby hotels in Oaxaca City. Casa Oaxaca does not offer on-site guest rooms.

The process centers around booking the renowned restaurant space and building the event around their exceptional culinary service using external design and vendor support.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

Similar to other venues in Oaxaca City, the best time for a wedding utilizing Casa Oaxaca’s courtyard or rooftop terrace is during the dry season, from late October/early November through April/early May. These months offer pleasant temperatures and minimal risk of rain. The rainy season (May-September) can bring afternoon showers, which the restaurant is equipped to handle by moving the event into its charming indoor dining rooms or covered areas.

 

The Basics of Wedding Planning (Restaurant Event Model)

 

Casa Oaxaca operates on a Restaurant Private Event model, where the focus is on the culinary experience and the booking of the venue space:

Venue Booking: This involves reserving specific areas of the restaurant or potentially a full buyout for your event. Pricing is often based on a minimum spend for food and beverage, sometimes with an additional venue or buyout fee.

In-House Catering (The Core): Food and beverage are provided exclusively by Casa Oaxaca’s acclaimed kitchen and bar. This is a primary driver for choosing this venue and ensures a high-quality gastronomic experience.

Included: Use of the contracted restaurant spaces, the chosen in-house menu and beverages, basic restaurant staffing (servers, kitchen, bar), and standard restaurant table settings (plates, silverware, glassware, basic linens).

Building the Event: The couple (via their planner) is responsible for bringing in *all* decorative elements, florals, specialized rentals (like unique chairs or premium linens beyond standard restaurant stock), music/entertainment, photography, videography, etc.

Additional Costs: Minimum spend or venue/buyout fee, external planner fees (highly recommended), costs for *all* external vendors, potential upgrades to menu/beverage, permits, insurance (if required), guest accommodation, guest transportation.

This structure prioritizes the exceptional dining experience while providing flexibility for personalizing the event’s aesthetics and atmosphere through external vendors.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

Cost allocation follows the restaurant event booking structure:

  • The couple typically pays for:
    • The Casa Oaxaca venue booking fee or minimum spend (covering space, food, beverage, basic service).
    • External Wedding Planner fees (highly recommended).
    • Costs for *all* contracted external vendors (decor, florals, music, photography, videography, specialized rentals).
    • Any upgrades to the in-house menu or beverage selection.
    • Their own travel.
    • Optional hosted events (welcome party, brunch – potentially at the restaurant or elsewhere).
    • Personal items.
  • Guests typically pay for:
    • Their flights to Oaxaca (OAX).
    • Their accommodation in Oaxaca City (Casa Oaxaca does not have guest rooms).
    • Airport transfers to their lodging.
    • Transportation to/from Casa Oaxaca for the wedding events (likely walking distance from many central hotels, or short taxi rides).
    • Any food & beverage outside of the hosted wedding events.
    • Optional extras (tours, shopping).
    • Wedding gifts.

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations (Historic House)

 

Casa Oaxaca offers beautiful spaces suitable for intimate to medium-sized weddings within its historic house setting:

Event Capacity: Comfortably hosts intimate to medium-sized weddings (e.g., 50 – 120 guests), utilizing its courtyards, dining rooms, and terrace. Full buyouts accommodate higher numbers within this range.

Event Locations: Charming and versatile options include:

Central Courtyard (Patio Central): A beautiful central open-air space, ideal for ceremonies, cocktail hour, or a primary dining area.

Elegant Dining Rooms: Beautifully decorated indoor spaces perfect for receptions, smaller dining groups, or backup in case of rain.

Rooftop Terrace: Offers city views, great for cocktail hour or smaller, intimate gatherings.

Accommodations: Casa Oaxaca is a restaurant and does not have on-site guest rooms. Guests will need to secure lodging independently in nearby hotels or properties in Oaxaca City, which are plentiful due to the central location.

 

Ceremony and Reception Logistics (City Center Layout)

 

Logistics involve coordinating flow within the restaurant’s multi-space layout:

Venue Navigation: Casa Oaxaca’s layout flows through courtyards and rooms. Planning guest movement between ceremony (e.g., courtyard), cocktail hour (e.g., terrace or covered patio), and reception (e.g., courtyard or dining room) is key. The intimate scale makes this relatively easy.

Vendor Access: Coordinated by the restaurant manager and your external planner. External vendors (florals, decor, music) need to adhere to restaurant access times, which are typically tighter before opening hours. Space for setup might be limited compared to larger venues.

Setup: Restaurant staff handle setup of dining tables and basic settings. External vendors manage their specific setups (decor, sound systems). An experienced planner ensures smooth coordination in a potentially confined space.

Transportation: Very convenient due to the central location near Santo Domingo. Guests can walk from many central hotels, take short taxis, or use ride-shares. Airport transfers (OAX) to downtown lodging are standard (approx. 20-30 minutes). Shuttles are rarely needed for guests staying in the city center.

Proximity to Airport: Convenient access to Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) via taxi or private transfer (approx. 20-30 minutes, depending on city traffic).

 

What’s Included in Private Event Booking?

 

Inclusions with a Casa Oaxaca private event booking are centered around the core restaurant offering:

  • Exclusive use of contracted areas within the restaurant (e.g., Courtyard, specific Dining Room, Rooftop Terrace) for the agreed-upon time.
  • In-house catering: the chosen food menu (multi-course meal) and beverage package (alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks).
  • Basic restaurant staffing: servers, kitchen staff, bartenders, maitre d’.
  • Basic restaurant table settings: standard plates, silverware, glassware, basic house linens.
  • Setup and cleanup of included items (dining setup).
  • Use of basic restaurant facilities (restrooms, kitchen).
  • Restaurant Manager support for venue-related and catering logistics.

Common exclusions (meaning you need to rent/contract these externally): ALL elaborate decor, ALL florals, specialized lighting (beyond basic restaurant lighting), ALL music/entertainment, wedding cake (verify if they can provide or work with an external baker), photography, videography, wedding planner, any rentals *beyond* the standard restaurant setting (e.g., specific chair styles, premium linens, lounge furniture), permits, insurance (if required), guest transportation beyond arrival/departure, personalized favors, officiant, legal fees.

Obtain a detailed private event contract specifying exactly what is included, minimum spend requirements, timing restrictions, and rules for external vendors.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies (Charming Indoor Options)

 

Casa Oaxaca offers beautiful and seamless indoor spaces as a backup plan:

Indoor Dining Rooms: The elegant and beautifully decorated indoor dining rooms provide a perfect, intimate setting for a ceremony or reception in case of inclement weather, maintaining the restaurant’s charming ambiance.

Covered Courtyard Areas: Depending on the configuration, parts of the courtyard might offer covered areas, providing a partial solution.

Backup options utilize the restaurant’s inherent architectural beauty and are conveniently located within the house structure.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

 

Payment terms align with exclusive restaurant event bookings:

Significant Deposit: Required to secure Casa Oaxaca for your date and confirm the private event booking.

Payment Schedule: Phased payments leading up to the event date, potentially based on guest count estimates and minimum spend confirmation.

Final Payment: Typically due shortly before the event (e.g., 30 days out), based on final guaranteed guest count and minimum spend calculation.

Cancellation Policy: Booking a high-demand restaurant like Casa Oaxaca exclusively is a significant commitment; cancellation policies are usually strict with escalating penalties closer to the date, potentially including the full minimum spend. Comprehensive wedding insurance is highly recommended.

Vendor Payments: Each external vendor has their own separate payment schedule and contract with the couple/planner.

 

Coordination: Restaurant Manager vs. External Planner

 

Understanding the support system:

Casa Oaxaca Restaurant Event Manager: Your primary contact at Casa Oaxaca for the private event. They manage all restaurant-provided services: booking the space, planning and executing the chosen menu and beverage service, overseeing kitchen and serving staff, handling standard table settings, and managing logistics *within the restaurant’s operations*. They ensure the culinary and service aspects are flawless. They do *not* manage your overall event design, timeline, or any external vendors (florist, musician, photographer, etc.).

External Wedding Planner: Provides personalized, comprehensive planning for the *entire event*. This includes overall design vision, budget management, sourcing and coordinating *all* external vendors, creating detailed timelines for vendors, the restaurant staff, and guests, managing guest logistics, handling contracts, and serves as the primary point person for everyone on the wedding day, troubleshooting issues and ensuring seamless integration between the restaurant’s services and all external elements. Absolutely essential for this venue type.

 

Dietary and Menu Restrictions (In-House Catering)

 

Handled by Casa Oaxaca’s renowned culinary team:

Catering: Provided exclusively by Casa Oaxaca’s celebrated in-house kitchen as the central element of the private event booking. This offers access to some of the best Oaxacan cuisine available, with menus crafted using fresh, high-quality ingredients. The experience is gourmet and a major highlight for guests. Menu tastings are typically available.

Dietary Needs: Handled directly by the Casa Oaxaca kitchen. Given their high standards, they are well-equipped to accommodate a wide range of dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.) with advance notice. Communicate all specific needs and guest counts clearly to the restaurant’s event manager during the menu planning process. They are accustomed to creating exceptional alternative dishes.

 

Music and Entertainment Restrictions (Restaurant Policies)

 

Entertainment policies for a city center restaurant prioritize ambiance and neighbor/guest comfort:

Style: Welcoming to entertainment that complements the intimate and sophisticated atmosphere. Traditional Oaxacan musicians (Trio, Marimba for daytime/cocktail), acoustic groups, or a skilled DJ playing at a moderate volume are suitable. High-volume bands or anything that significantly disrupts the neighborhood peace may be restricted.

Curfews/Noise: As a restaurant in a potentially mixed residential/commercial area downtown, there will be strict noise limitations and likely curfews for amplified music, especially in the courtyard or terrace areas. Music will almost certainly need to transition to a lower volume or cease by a specific hour (e.g., 10 PM or 11 PM). Discuss specific policies and desired music types/times with the restaurant’s event manager and your planner early on.

Vendor Policies: External entertainment vendors must comply with Casa Oaxaca’s rules regarding setup, sound levels, timing, and space usage. Your planner must coordinate this closely with the restaurant.

 

Parking and Guest Logistics (City Restaurant)

 

Logistics for a city center restaurant are similar to a city hotel, focusing on easy access via walking or local transport:

Airport Transfers: Guests arrange standard transport from OAX (approx. 20-30 minutes) to their chosen accommodation in Oaxaca City.

Accommodation: Guests stay in hotels or rentals in Oaxaca City. Casa Oaxaca does not have on-site guest rooms.

Transport to Casa Oaxaca: Very easy due to the prime central location. Guests staying nearby can easily walk. Taxis and ride-shares are readily available for guests staying slightly further out. Shuttles are generally unnecessary for guests staying within the core downtown area.

Internal Transport: Navigating within Casa Oaxaca involves moving between the courtyard, dining rooms, and terrace via stairs (for the terrace) and walkways. The layout is manageable for an intimate event. Consider accessibility for guests with mobility issues and discuss with the restaurant.

Parking: As a city center restaurant, on-site parking is likely very limited or non-existent. Guests will primarily rely on walking, taxis, or ride-shares. Valet parking might be an option to inquire about, but street parking is difficult downtown.

Vendor Access: Coordinated load-in/out plan required for external vendors with the restaurant manager and planner, adhering to restaurant operating hours and city center access restrictions. Space might be a constraint.

 

Total Cost Breakdown (Casa Oaxaca Wedding)

 

For an estimated wedding of 100 guests at Casa Oaxaca:

Venue Booking / Minimum Spend: $10,000 – $30,000+ USD (Variable based on date, time of year, day of week, areas booked, and negotiation). This might be a flat fee or a Food & Beverage minimum.

Catering (Food & Beverage above minimum): $150 – $400+ USD per person ($15,000 – $40,000+) – Cost of menu and drinks, potentially exceeding minimum spend. This is the primary variable cost.

External Wedding Planner: $6,000 – $15,000+ (Highly recommended).

Rentals (Specialty Items, Decor, etc.): $4,000 – $15,000+ (Beyond standard restaurant settings).

Decor & Florals: $5,000 – $25,000+.

Music & Entertainment: $2,000 – $8,000+.

Photography/Videography (Luxury): $6,000 – $15,000+.

Contingency, Service Charges (often added to F&B), Taxes, Permits: $5,000 – $15,000+.

Total estimated *event* cost (paid by couple) typically ranges from $50,000 – $150,000+ USD, heavily influenced by guest count, menu choices, minimum spend, and external vendor selections, reflecting the high-end culinary focus and city center location.

 

Splurge vs. Save

Save: Choose a lower guest count within the restaurant’s capacity, select a standard menu and beverage package from Casa Oaxaca’s offerings, minimize external rentals by utilizing the restaurant’s existing aesthetic and furnishings, opt for talented local musicians suitable for the ambiance (e.g., Trio, Marimba) within noise limits, focus floral/decor on key focal points like dining tables or ceremony backdrop.

Splurge: Secure a full restaurant buyout for maximum privacy and space flexibility, upgrade to premium menu items and beverage selections, invest in extensive external rentals (specialty chairs, high-end linens, unique table settings), bring in custom, elaborate decor and floral installations throughout the spaces, hire a renowned band or DJ with a sophisticated setup (mindful of noise restrictions), commission high-end photography and videography to capture the gourmet details and ambiance.

 

Casa Oaxaca Private Event Inclusions (Summary)

 

Key components based on the Restaurant Private Event model:

Casa Oaxaca Booking includes: Use of contracted restaurant spaces, in-house catering (food & beverage), basic restaurant staffing, standard restaurant table settings, setup/cleanup of included items, Restaurant Manager support.

Common Exclusions: Decor, florals, specialized lighting, music/entertainment, photography/videography, external wedding planner, most rentals beyond basic restaurant items, guest transportation, personalized details, wedding cake (verify). Anything beyond the standard, exceptional restaurant operation.

Verify details based on your specific private event contract with Casa Oaxaca.

Activities for Other Days (City Center Access & Day Trips)

 

Guests attending a wedding at Casa Oaxaca benefit immensely from its prime city center location:

On-Site (Focused): Guests are primarily on-site for the wedding event itself, experiencing the beautiful space and exceptional dining. The restaurant’s ambiance is the key on-site feature outside of the event.

Off-Site (Walking Distance): Explore the best of Oaxaca City by foot! Casa Oaxaca is located within easy walking distance of major attractions like Santo Domingo Church and Cultural Center, the Ethnobotanical Garden, the Zócalo (main square), numerous museums, art galleries, vibrant markets (Mercado 20 de Noviembre, Abastos), and countless other fantastic restaurants and Mezcal bars. Guests can easily immerse themselves in the city’s culture and cuisine.

Off-Site (Day Trips): Day trips to sites outside the city are easily arranged from downtown Oaxaca. Popular options include visiting the ancient Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán, the stunning petrified waterfalls of Hierve el Agua, or exploring nearby artisan villages renowned for specific crafts like textiles (Teotitlán del Valle), black pottery (San Bartolo Coyotepec), or wood carving (Arrazola). Tour operators and taxis/drivers are readily available in the city center.

 

Three Practical Tips for Brides

 

Hire a Planner to Bridge Restaurant & External: For a venue like Casa Oaxaca, which is primarily a restaurant hosting an exclusive event, an external wedding planner experienced in Oaxaca is absolutely essential. They will be the crucial link between your vision, external vendors (decor, music, photo/video, rentals), and the restaurant’s operational specifics, ensuring that the design elements and timeline seamlessly integrate with Casa Oaxaca’s culinary service and space usage.

Embrace and Highlight the Culinary Excellence: The main draw of Casa Oaxaca is its world-class food. Make the dining experience a central, celebrated part of your wedding. Work closely with their team on the menu, consider wine or Mezcal pairings, and ensure your guests understand they are about to enjoy an extraordinary meal. Your photos should definitely capture the beautiful plating and dining moments!

Plan Around the House’s Layout and Limitations: Understand the flow of guests between the courtyard, dining rooms, and terrace. Consider how many guests fit comfortably in each space for different parts of the event. Be mindful of potential space constraints for large installations or dance floors compared to dedicated event venues. Plan vendor logistics for setup/teardown within the restaurant’s operating schedule and spatial limitations.

 

Two Bride Reviews 

 

“Our wedding at Casa Oaxaca was a dream come true for food lovers! The setting was incredibly romantic and authentic, but the highlight was truly the meal – it was the best food we’ve ever had at a wedding, simply outstanding. The team was professional, and our planner did an amazing job making the space feel magical.” – Daniela R.

“We wanted an intimate wedding where the Oaxacan culture and cuisine were front and center, and Casa Oaxaca delivered perfectly. The courtyard was beautiful for the ceremony, the dining rooms felt elegant and cozy for dinner, and the food was just divine. Being so central meant our guests could easily walk back to their hotels after celebrating. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience!” – Carmen P.

 

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Pro

 

Photographing a wedding at Casa Oaxaca is a privilege because you’re capturing moments in a space synonymous with Oaxacan excellence and beauty. The colonial architecture, vibrant colors, play of light in the courtyard, and the exquisite presentation of the food offer fantastic photographic opportunities. My focus would be on documenting the intimate atmosphere, the architectural details, the genuine joy shared, and importantly, capturing the visual story of the incredible culinary experience – from preparation glimpses (if possible) to the beautiful plated dishes and guests savoring the meal. Challenges include navigating the different, potentially smaller spaces efficiently, ensuring consistent lighting in varied indoor/outdoor settings, managing any noise restrictions during the party, and capturing the intimacy without being intrusive in a restaurant environment. Casa Oaxaca is ideal for couples who prioritize a world-class gourmet experience and seek elegant, intimate wedding photos that embody the sophisticated charm and culinary heart of Oaxaca City.

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