The Grand at Moon Palace is the luxury section of the huge Moon Palace complex south of Cancún. Wedding listings name the beach, the Grand Gazebo in a manicured garden (about 80), the Lily Gazebo by a pond, other beach and garden gazebos, a chapel, and the Grand Salon Ballroom for up to about 1,000 guests.
The Grand at Moon Palace is where Palace Resorts puts its biggest suites and most ambitious weddings, inside a complex so large that guests move around it by shuttle. That size gives you choice, and it also makes the timeline matter more. Here is how we plan the photography.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortPalace Resorts' luxury resort inside the Moon Palace complex
- Ceremony sitesBeach, Grand Gazebo, Lily Gazebo, other gazebos, a chapel
- IndoorsGrand Salon Ballroom for up to about 1,000
- FamiliesWelcome, with large suites
- Beach facesEast, onto the open Caribbean
Venue names and capacities come from the resort's wedding listings and change with renovations and packages, so your coordinator's current sheet is the final word.
Where the Ceremony Happens
The Grand Gazebo, a large, elegant structure in a manicured garden listed for about 80, suits bigger wedding parties. The Lily Gazebo, beside a tranquil pond, is the romantic choice for smaller ceremonies. Other gazebos range from beachfront, with clear Caribbean views, to garden settings among mature trees.
The beach is the open option with no real capacity limit, and the Grand Salon Ballroom holds up to about 1,000 for receptions. Because distances are long, we keep ceremony, family photos and cocktail hour close together so the golden light is not lost to transfers.
Sunset and Light by Month
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 am | 5:55 pm | 6:27 pm |
| March | 6:56 am | 6:28 pm | 6:57 pm |
| May | 6:10 am | 6:47 pm | 7:18 pm |
| June | 6:06 am | 6:58 pm | 7:30 pm |
| July | 6:15 am | 7:00 pm | 7:32 pm |
| September | 6:35 am | 6:21 pm | 6:50 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:35 pm | 6:06 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:36 pm | 6:09 pm |
South of the airport the beach faces east onto the open Caribbean, so the sun rises over the sea and sets behind the resort, leaving the sand in soft, even light at the end of the day. A good rule here: start the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep the final half hour of daylight for portraits.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
One budget line couples often miss: The Grand at Moon Palace, like nearly every all-inclusive resort here, charges outside wedding vendors for access to the property. It may be a fixed vendor fee or a per-person day pass, and it changes with the season and the package tier. Ask for it in writing while your contract is still open, and ask whether a second photographer counts separately. Our comparison of resort and outside photographers helps you weigh it.
Weddings in the Cancún Hotel Zone, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios weddings and portraits on the beaches of the Cancún Hotel Zone, so you can see how this light and water look on camera. They show our work in the area, not necessarily at The Grand at Moon Palace.
Coverage and Prices
IVAE Studios wedding coverage starts at 1,800 to 2,800 USD for up to four hours. A full day of eight to ten hours with a second photographer is 3,500 to 5,500 USD, and photography with a wedding film is 5,500 to 8,000 USD. All prices are published on our site, and the full edited gallery is delivered within one to three business days.