Getting Married at Finca Las Moras Oaxaca: ULTIMATE GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Finca Las Moras Oaxaca is a popular event venue situated just outside Oaxaca City, offering a spacious and picturesque setting specifically designed for large celebrations, such as weddings. Known for its extensive, well-maintained gardens, central areas, and dedicated event facilities, it provides ample room and versatility for couples looking to host a significant number of guests in a beautiful, easily accessible location that offers privacy compared to downtown options.

Primarily focused on hosting events and accommodating large guest counts, Finca Las Moras provides the essential venue infrastructure but offers flexibility by requiring couples to bring in all external services, most notably their chosen caterer. Planning a wedding here involves securing the venue rental, arranging *all* external catering, and hiring an experienced planner to manage vendors and logistics for a seamless event benefiting from the venue’s scale and focus. Weddings here benefit from the venue’s scale and focus on events, allowing for ample space and vendor flexibility. Costs reflect the rental of a large, event-ready property plus the separate expenses for catering and all other services, potentially ranging widely based on guest count and customization.

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?

 

Finca Las Moras is an excellent venue for couples seeking a spacious, flexible, and comfortable wedding experience within a large property specifically designed for hosting events, featuring beautiful gardens and ample capacity for larger guest lists, located conveniently accessible from Oaxaca City. If you value having significant outdoor and covered space for your celebration, need a venue that can comfortably accommodate a large number of guests, appreciate the flexibility to choose your catering and vendors, and prefer a dedicated event setting over a public hotel or restaurant, Finca Las Moras is a great choice. It’s ideal for couples who envision a lively celebration with plenty of room for guests, set against a pleasant garden backdrop.

The venue’s key highlights include its large and versatile gardens, significant covered event area (palapa), substantial guest capacity, and status as a dedicated event venue with vendor flexibility (especially catering). Perfect for a spacious, flexible, and larger-scale Oaxaca City wedding.

 

How Does a Wedding at Finca Las Moras Work?

 

Planning a wedding at Finca Las Moras typically involves:

Contacting the Venue: Reaching out to Finca Las Moras’ events team to inquire about availability and discuss options for renting the property for your event date.

Understanding Venue Rental: Clarifying the venue rental fee structure, included hours, available spaces (gardens, palapa, etc.), and any minimum guest count considerations.

Arranging External Catering: Selecting and contracting a high-quality external catering company for *all* food and beverage services. Finca Las Moras typically allows external caterers, providing kitchen or service area facilities for them. This is a key planning step outside the venue contract.

Hiring an External Planner (Essential): An experienced planner is crucial for managing all aspects, including event design, detailed timeline, vendor coordination (venue, caterer, decor, music, etc.), and guest logistics (especially transportation to the venue).

Vendor Selection & Coordination: The couple and their planner will select and contract *all* vendors for decor, florals, rentals (furniture, linens, tableware, specialized items), music/entertainment, photography, videography, etc. The caterer is also an external vendor in this model.

Guest Accommodation: Finca Las Moras may have limited on-site facilities (e.g., for getting ready or a single suite), but primarily functions without guest accommodations. Guests will need to arrange their own lodging in hotels or properties in Oaxaca City, requiring transportation to/from the venue.

The process centers around renting the dedicated event space and building the entire event (including catering) using external vendor support, all coordinated by a planner.

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

Given the significant use of outdoor garden spaces, the best time for a wedding at Finca Las Moras is during the dry season, from late October/early November through April/early May. These months offer the most reliable weather for outdoor ceremonies and enjoying the grounds. The rainy season (May-September) requires a solid backup plan utilizing the venue’s large covered area (palapa) or indoor salons, which are designed for this purpose.

 

The Basics of Wedding Planning (Event Venue + External Catering Model)

 

Finca Las Moras operates on a Dedicated Event Venue + External Catering model:

Venue Rental: This is the core booking, involving the rental of the property or specific areas for a set period on your wedding day. Pricing is based on a venue rental fee, which can vary by season and day of the week, and is separate from all other costs.

External Catering: Food and beverage services are provided entirely by a catering company chosen and contracted directly by the couple. Finca Las Moras provides the space and facilities for the caterer to work. This cost is separate and typically a per-person rate.

Included by Venue: Exclusive use of the contracted venue spaces (gardens, palapa, etc.) for the agreed-upon time. Basic venue staffing (e.g., on-site venue manager for property, security, basic cleaning). Dedicated setup and teardown time. Use of basic venue facilities (restrooms, potentially some service areas for vendors).

Building the Event: The couple (via their planner) is responsible for bringing in *all* culinary services (food, beverage, catering staff, kitchen equipment not provided by caterer), ALL decorative elements, ALL florals, ALL lighting and sound, ALL rentals (furniture, linens, tableware, specialty items), ALL music/entertainment, photography, videography, etc. The caterer and other vendors work under the coordination of the external planner.

Additional Costs: Venue rental fee, Catering costs (per person + potentially staffing fees, equipment rentals from caterer), external planner fees (essential), costs for *all* contracted external vendors (decor, florals, rentals, music, photography, videography), permits, insurance (if required), guest accommodation, guest transportation to/from the venue.

This structure provides a large, versatile space while offering maximum flexibility to customize all other elements, particularly catering and design, entirely through external vendors.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding (Event Venue)?

 

Cost allocation follows the dedicated event venue + external catering structure:

  • The couple typically pays for:
    • The Finca Las Moras venue rental fee.
    • The External Catering costs (per person + related service/equipment fees).
    • External Wedding Planner fees (essential).
    • Costs for *all* contracted external vendors (decor, florals, music, photography, videography, all rentals, guest transportation/shuttles to the venue).
    • Permits, insurance (if required).
    • Their own travel.
    • Optional hosted events (welcome party, brunch – potentially at the finca or elsewhere).
    • Personal items.
  • Guests typically pay for:
    • Their flights to Oaxaca (OAX).
    • Their accommodation in Oaxaca City (Finca Las Moras does not have guest rooms).
    • Airport transfers to their lodging.
    • Transportation from their lodging to the wedding events at Finca Las Moras *unless* shuttles are provided by the couple.
    • Any food & beverage outside of the hosted wedding events.
    • Optional extras (tours, shopping).
    • Wedding gifts.

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations (Large Event Finca)

 

Finca Las Moras offers extensive space suitable for large-sized weddings within its property setting:

Event Capacity: Comfortably hosts large-sized weddings (e.g., 150 – 300+ guests), utilizing its expansive gardens and large covered area. The venue is known for its ability to accommodate bigger guest lists compared to many downtown venues.

Event Locations: Spacious and versatile options include:

Expansive Gardens (Jardines): The primary feature, offering multiple potential spots for ceremonies, cocktail hours, and photos amidst greenery.

Large Covered Area / Palapa (Palapa Principal / Area Cubierta): A significant semi-outdoor or indoor/outdoor structure capable of hosting large receptions, providing shade and rain protection.

Open-Air Spaces (Espacios Abiertos): Various lawn or patio areas usable for different event components or guest flow.

Accommodations: Finca Las Moras is a dedicated event venue and does not have significant on-site guest rooms designed for wedding guests. There may be limited space for getting ready or vendor use, but wedding guests will need to secure lodging independently in hotels or properties in Oaxaca City, requiring transportation to the venue.

 

Ceremony and Reception Logistics (Spacious Layout)

 

Logistics involve coordinating flow across the finca’s large property and managing multiple external vendors:

Venue Navigation: Finca Las Moras’ layout spreads across expansive gardens and around the main covered area. Planning guest movement between ceremony (e.g., a garden spot), cocktail hour (e.g., a different garden area or patio), and reception (e.g., the main palapa or event hall) is managed by your external planner. Clear signage and event staff direction are essential for larger guest counts navigating the spacious grounds.

Vendor Access: Coordinated by the Finca’s venue manager and your external planner. Dedicated event venues typically offer ample setup time before the event. Significant space is generally available for vendor setups and load-in/out, which is crucial when bringing in catering, decor, rentals, and entertainment externally.

Setup: The venue provides the space and basic facilities. Your external caterer handles all their equipment and dining setup. All other external vendors (decor, florals, lighting, sound, furniture rentals beyond any basic included) manage their specific setups. An experienced planner is absolutely key for coordinating multiple vendor teams working simultaneously across the large property.

Transportation: *Essential*. Finca Las Moras is outside the immediate city center walking zone. Guests require pre-arranged transportation (shuttles coordinated by the couple/planner) to get to and from the venue from Oaxaca City, especially at the end of the night. Airport transfers (OAX) to downtown lodging are standard (approx. 20-30 minutes). Providing transportation to the wedding from city hotels is a critical logistics point to plan and budget for.

Proximity to Airport: Convenient access to Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) via taxi or private transfer (approx. 20-35 minutes, depending on traffic and exact location of the finca).

 

What’s Included in Venue Rental Booking?

 

Inclusions with a Finca Las Moras venue rental booking are focused on the space and basic infrastructure:

  • Exclusive use of the contracted venue areas (e.g., Gardens, Covered Area, etc.) for the agreed-upon time.
  • Basic venue staffing (e.g., on-site venue manager for property, security, basic cleaning of common areas like restrooms).
  • Dedicated setup and teardown time before and after the event.
  • Use of basic venue facilities (restrooms, potentially a kitchen or service area for external caterers).
  • Potentially some basic existing furniture (e.g., benches in garden, built-in bar area – *verify what is included in your contract*).

Common exclusions (meaning you need to rent/contract these externally): The Venue Rental Fee itself, ALL Catering services (food, beverage, catering staff, catering equipment), ALL decorative elements, ALL florals, ALL lighting (beyond basic property lighting), ALL sound systems, ALL music/entertainment, ALL furniture rentals (tables, chairs, lounge furniture, dance floor) unless specifically included in the base rental (verify contract), wedding cake, photography, videography, external wedding planner (essential), permits, insurance (if required), guest transportation to/from the venue, personalized favors, officiant, legal fees.

Obtain a detailed venue rental contract from Finca Las Moras and separate contracts for your external caterer and all other vendors, specifying exactly what is included in each.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies (Large Covered Area)

 

Finca Las Moras offers a primary large covered area as a backup plan for outdoor elements:

Large Covered Area / Palapa: The main covered structure (often a large palapa or salon) provides a spacious and reliable setting to move the ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception into in case of inclement weather, ensuring guests are protected. This is the key, multi-functional backup space designed for large events.

Backup options utilize the venue’s existing robust event structure, ensuring a seamless transition and comfortable experience for guests regardless of weather, especially for larger gatherings.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

 

Payment terms align with dedicated event venue bookings with external catering:

Deposit: Required to secure Finca Las Moras for your date and confirm the venue rental booking. A separate deposit is required by the caterer and most other external vendors.

Payment Schedule: Phased payments for the venue rental fee leading up to the event date. Catering and external vendor payments follow their own separate schedules and contracts with the couple/planner.

Final Payment: Typically due shortly before the event (e.g., 30 days out) for the remaining venue balance. Catering and external vendor final payments also align with their individual contracts.

Cancellation Policy: Booking a dedicated event venue like Finca Las Moras is a significant commitment; cancellation policies are usually strict with escalating penalties for the venue rental fee closer to the date. Cancellation policies for catering and other external vendors are separate. Comprehensive wedding insurance is highly recommended.

Vendor Payments: Each external vendor (venue, caterer, rentals, etc.) has their own separate payment schedule and contract with the couple/planner. Managing these multiple contracts and payment streams is a key function of your planner.

 

Coordination: Venue Manager vs. External Planner

 

Understanding the support system:

Finca Las Moras Venue Manager: Your primary contact at Finca Las Moras for the event. They manage all *venue-provided* services: booking the space, overseeing property maintenance, coordinating access for *all* external vendors (including caterer), ensuring compliance with venue rules and timing restrictions, overseeing basic venue staffing (security, cleaners), and ensuring the physical property is ready for your event. They ensure the space itself is functional and accessible. They do *not* manage your overall event design, timeline for the day, or the execution of *any* external vendor services (catering, decor, music, 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 (caterer, florist, musician, photographer, rentals – furniture, linens, tableware, etc.), creating detailed master timelines that coordinate the venue access, caterer setup/service, and all other vendor activities, managing guest logistics (welcome bags, transportation to the Finca), handling *all* contracts (venue, caterer, other vendors), and serves as the primary point person for everyone on the wedding day, troubleshooting issues and ensuring seamless execution across all external elements and the venue space. Absolutely essential for this venue type.

 

Dietary and Menu Restrictions (External Catering)

 

Handled entirely by your chosen external catering team:

Catering: Provided entirely by a high-quality external catering company chosen and contracted directly by the couple. This offers maximum flexibility in menu selection, allowing you to choose a caterer that specializes in specific cuisines (including Oaxacan, international, or fusion) and presentation styles that match your vision. Menu tastings are arranged directly with your caterer.

Dietary Needs: Handled directly by your chosen external catering team. Ensure you select a caterer experienced in handling a wide range of dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies, etc.). Communicate all specific needs and guest counts clearly to your caterer and your planner during the menu planning process. They will be responsible for creating and executing the necessary alternative dishes.

 

Music and Entertainment Restrictions (Venue Policies)

 

Entertainment policies for a large event finca outside the city center typically offer more flexibility regarding style and volume, while still having curfews:

Style: Accommodating to a wide range of entertainment suitable for larger celebrations. Live bands (Mariachi for arrival, traditional Oaxacan bands, Cumbia bands, cover bands) and DJs are common and can utilize the spacious covered area or dedicated areas.

Curfews/Noise: As a dedicated event venue, noise restrictions are generally more lenient than downtown properties, but curfews for amplified music still exist due to potential neighbors, even if less frequent. Music will likely need to cease by a specific hour (e.g., 1 AM or 2 AM). The large covered area is typically the designated zone for loud music and dancing late into the night. Discuss specific policies and desired music types/times with the Finca manager and your planner early on.

Vendor Policies: External entertainment vendors must comply with Finca Las Moras’ rules regarding setup, sound levels, timing, power requirements, and space usage. Your planner must coordinate this closely with the venue manager.

 

Parking and Guest Logistics (Finca Location)

 

Logistics for an event finca outside the city center involve planning guest arrival and departure as it requires transportation:

Airport Transfers: Guests arrange standard transport from OAX (approx. 20-35 minutes) to their chosen accommodation in Oaxaca City.

Accommodation: Guests stay in hotels or rentals in Oaxaca City. Finca Las Moras does not have on-site guest rooms for wedding parties.

Transport to Finca Las Moras: *Requires planning*. Guests will need transport to the venue. Options include taxis, ride-shares (less reliable for return late night), or preferably, pre-arranged shuttles provided by the couple to transport them safely and efficiently to and from the venue from designated points in the city center. Shuttles are highly recommended for larger groups.

Internal Transport: Navigating within Finca Las Moras involves moving between the gardens and the covered area/other structures. The layout is spacious. Consider accessibility for guests with mobility issues, especially across garden areas, and discuss with the venue and your planner.

Parking: Finca Las Moras typically has dedicated and ample on-site parking for guests and vendors. This is convenient for guests who rent cars or drive. However, providing shuttles is generally recommended for ease and safety, especially for destination guests.

Vendor Access: Coordinated load-in/out plan required for all external vendors (including the caterer) with the Finca manager and planner, utilizing the dedicated setup time. Ample space is usually available for vendor vehicles during setup/teardown.

 

Total Cost Breakdown (Finca Las Moras Wedding)

 

For an estimated wedding of 150 guests at Finca Las Moras:

Venue Rental Fee: $4,000 – $15,000+ USD (Variable based on date, time of year, day of week). This is the cost for renting the property.

External Catering (Food & Beverage): $120 – $280+ USD per person ($18,000 – $42,000+) – Cost of chosen menu and drinks from your external caterer, includes catering staff & potentially equipment. This is a primary variable cost.

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

Rentals (Furniture, Tableware, Specialty Items, Decor Base): $8,000 – $30,000+ (Often a significant cost as most items are rented externally).

Decor & Florals: $6,000 – $25,000+.

Music & Entertainment: $3,000 – $10,000+.

Photography/Videography: $4,000 – $12,000+.

Guest Transportation (Shuttles): $2,000 – $8,000+ (Estimate for shuttles to/from the city).

Contingency, Service Charges (on catering/rentals), Taxes, Permits: $4,000 – $12,000+.

Total estimated *event* cost (paid by couple) typically ranges from $40,000 – $120,000+ USD for 150 guests, heavily influenced by venue fee, guest count, chosen external caterer, and extensive external vendor/rental selections, reflecting the flexibility and scale of a dedicated event venue.

 

Splurge vs. Save

Save: Choose a date with a lower venue fee (e.g., off-season or weekday), select a mid-range external caterer with standard packages, minimize specialized rentals by utilizing the venue’s included facilities and focusing on essential furniture/tableware rentals, simplify decor and florals by leveraging the garden’s natural beauty, opt for talented local musicians or a DJ within typical event hours, provide basic shuttle transport at key times.

Splurge: Secure a prime date with potentially higher venue fee, select a high-end bespoke external caterer with premium menu and beverage options, invest in extensive external rentals (specialty furniture, high-end linens, custom tableware, advanced lighting/sound systems), bring in custom, elaborate decor and floral installations throughout the gardens and covered areas, hire a renowned band or DJ for extended performance (within curfew), commission top-tier photography and videography to capture the scale and details, provide frequent or personalized shuttle services for guests.

 

Finca Las Moras Venue Rental Inclusions (Summary)

 

Key components based on the Dedicated Event Venue + External Catering model:

Finca Las Moras Venue Rental includes: Use of contracted venue spaces, basic venue staffing, potentially basic existing furniture, dedicated setup/teardown time, use of basic facilities (restrooms, caterer area).

Common Exclusions (requiring external vendors): Venue rental fee itself, ALL Catering (food, beverage, caterer staff, caterer equipment), ALL Decor, ALL Florals, ALL Lighting, ALL Sound, ALL Music/Entertainment, ALL Furniture Rentals (unless specified basic items included), Tableware, Linens, Wedding Cake, External Wedding Planner (essential), Guest Transportation, Personalized Details, Officiant, Legal Fees, Insurance, Permits.

Verify details based on your specific Finca Las Moras venue rental contract and all separate vendor contracts.

Activities for Other Days (City Access & Day Trips)

 

Guests attending a wedding at Finca Las Moras will be staying in Oaxaca City and have easy access to its attractions, requiring transportation primarily for the wedding day itself:

On-Site (Focused): Guests are primarily on-site at the Finca for the wedding event itself, enjoying the spacious grounds and facilities designed for the celebration.

Off-Site (City Exploration): Guests can easily explore the best of Oaxaca City from their hotels downtown (a short drive away). Attractions like Santo Domingo Church, the Ethnobotanical Garden, the Zócalo, museums, galleries, and markets are readily accessible via taxis, ride-shares, or coordinated shuttles. They can immerse themselves in the city’s culture, art, and cuisine independently on days surrounding the wedding.

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. Tour operators and taxis/drivers are readily available in the city center. Transportation from the Finca can also be arranged via your planner or local services if needed for group excursions on wedding days.

Three Practical Tips for Brides 

 

Hire an Expert Planner for Full Vendor Coordination: Finca Las Moras is a venue-only space requiring you to bring in *all* other services, most significantly catering and all rentals (furniture, etc.). Hiring an experienced wedding planner in Oaxaca who excels at coordinating multiple external vendors is absolutely critical for a seamless event at this venue. They will be the central hub for bringing together the venue, caterer, and all other partners.

Prioritize Guest Transportation Logistics: Since Finca Las Moras is not walking distance from city hotels and guests will need a way to get to and from the venue safely, planning guest transportation is paramount. Work with your planner to arrange comfortable and reliable shuttle services from central locations in Oaxaca City to the venue for the wedding and back at the end of the night. Clearly communicate these details to your guests well in advance.

Design the Space Intentionally, Including Rentals: With Finca Las Moras providing the basic space, you have a blank canvas for design. This means renting almost everything from furniture (tables, chairs, lounge areas) and tableware to linens and potentially extensive lighting. Work with your planner and design/rental companies to create a cohesive look that fits your vision and takes full advantage of the spacious indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring guest comfort and flow throughout the event.

 

Two Bride Reviews 

 

“Finca Las Moras was the perfect venue for our large Oaxaca wedding! We loved having so much space for our guests to spread out, and the gardens were beautiful. Being able to choose our own caterer and bring in all our favorite vendors was a huge plus for personalization. Our planner was absolutely invaluable – we couldn’t have done it without her coordinating everyone at the Finca. Providing shuttles for our guests from the city was definitely needed, but the venue itself was exactly what we wanted for a big, festive celebration.” – Andrea P.

“We chose Finca Las Moras because we had a large guest list and wanted a venue designed specifically for events. It offered the space and flexibility we needed. We worked with an amazing external caterer, and our planner seamlessly brought together all the decor, music, and rentals to create our vision. It was a bit more complex with so many outside vendors compared to a hotel package, but the result was our perfect, custom Oaxaca wedding with plenty of room for everyone to dance the night away!” – Sofia C.

 

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Pro

 

Photographing a wedding at Finca Las Moras involves embracing the scale and versatility of a dedicated event venue. The extensive gardens offer numerous potential backdrops and require navigating open spaces, while the main covered area provides a central hub for the reception. My focus would be on capturing the energy of the large celebration, utilizing the gardens for portraits and ceremony, documenting the flow between the different areas, and capturing the personalized design elements brought in by the couple and their vendors. Challenges include managing light in varied outdoor and semi-outdoor environments, ensuring comprehensive coverage across the expansive property with potentially large guest counts, coordinating with multiple vendor teams (including the caterer and numerous rental companies), and capturing the party atmosphere within the designated loud music zones. Finca Las Moras is ideal for couples who prioritize ample space for a large guest list, desire vendor flexibility (especially with catering), and want photos that reflect a grand, lively, and personalized garden celebration.

Want to get in touch?

Click here!