Getting Married at Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique: GUIDE

by Advice & Tips, Wedding Venue Guides

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique is a stylish and centrally located luxury boutique hotel in the heart of San Miguel de Allende’s historic center. Housed in a beautifully restored colonial building, it offers a blend of historic elegance and modern sophistication. Ideal for couples seeking an intimate, chic, and convenient wedding experience with immediate access to the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The hotel is celebrated for its stunning courtyard, sophisticated rooftop terrace with iconic views of the Parroquia, gourmet dining, and personalized service. This venue provides a refined setting, exceptional cuisine, and comfortable on-site accommodation, making it a prime choice for a memorable and stylish celebration in San Miguel.

As a boutique luxury hotel, Casa 1810 offers comprehensive wedding services tailored for smaller to medium-sized events. This includes dedicated event coordination, exquisite in-house catering through its acclaimed restaurant(s), and comfortable guest accommodations within its limited number of rooms and suites. It provides exclusive use of specific elegant spaces like its main courtyard, rooftop terrace, or private dining areas for wedding events. Options range from a romantic courtyard ceremony to a cocktail hour and reception dinner with unparalleled rooftop views, featuring high-quality gourmet cuisine. Costs reflect the property’s prime location, boutique luxury status, and personalized level of service, but a wedding here guarantees historic charm, contemporary style, and focused attention, creating an unforgettable celebration in San Miguel de Allende.

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Index

Is This Venue Right for Your Wedding?

 

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique is an exceptional venue for couples seeking a chic, intimate, and convenient wedding experience right in the vibrant heart of San Miguel de Allende. If you value stylish colonial architecture, a stunning rooftop with city views, high-quality gourmet dining, personalized service, and the ease of being steps away from the city’s main attractions, this boutique hotel is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for couples who desire a sophisticated, urban celebration with a focus on design and tailored hospitality.

The venue’s key highlights include its prime historic center location, sophisticated boutique atmosphere, beautiful central courtyard, iconic rooftop terrace with Parroquia views, exceptional in-house gourmet catering, comfortable guest accommodations, and focused, personalized service. Perfect for a stylish, intimate, and convenient San Miguel wedding.

 

How Does a Wedding at Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique Work?

 

Planning a wedding at Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique typically involves:

Contacting the Events Team: Reaching out to Casa 1810’s dedicated wedding or events department to discuss your dates, estimated guest size, and preferred style of celebration within the hotel’s elegant spaces.

Discussing Packages or Minimum Spend: Understanding their wedding offerings, which typically involve packages bundling venue space use, in-house F&B, and some services, or a minimum spend requirement on F&B and potentially room nights to secure exclusive space use. All F&B is handled by the hotel’s acclaimed kitchen.

Space Selection: Choosing from the hotel’s charming central courtyard, elegant rooftop terrace, or private dining areas for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, based on your guest count and vision. Confirming associated fees or minimum requirements for each space.

Working with Hotel Event Manager: Collaborating with the assigned hotel event manager for all *hotel-related* logistics: room block management, check-in for wedding party, F&B menu details, bar services, layout planning *within the hotel*, and adherence to hotel policies. They manage the seamless execution of the hotel’s contracted services.

Considering an External Planner (Highly Recommended): Essential for managing the overall design vision, budget tracking, sourcing and coordinating *all* external vendors (decor, music, photo/video, external rentals not provided by hotel), creating detailed timelines for the entire wedding weekend, coordinating off-site guest activities (welcome parties, brunches outside the hotel), and providing dedicated support beyond the hotel’s scope, especially for events across multiple locations or intricate designs.

Vendor Coordination: Ensuring all external vendors meet the hotel’s standards and adhere to access protocols within the boutique structure and downtown location. The hotel often has a list of preferred vendors.

Guest Accommodation: Guests may stay at Casa 1810 via a contracted room block, which is part of the boutique experience. Given the limited room count, guests also often stay at other hotels or rentals nearby in the historic center.

The process leverages the hotel’s personalized hospitality model, offering a stylish and convenient experience based on in-house F&B and on-site accommodation (for a limited number of guests).

 

Best Months to Get Married

 

The prime season for weather in San Miguel de Allende is during the dry months, from late October/early November through April/early May, ensuring optimal conditions for enjoying Casa 1810’s beautiful courtyard and rooftop terrace. The rainy season (May-September) often brings afternoon/evening showers, which can impact outdoor plans, but the hotel has elegant indoor and covered spaces readily available as refined backup options.

 

The Basics of Wedding Planning (Boutique Hotel Package/Minimum Spend)

 

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique operates primarily as a Boutique Hotel Wedding Venue, with event arrangements typically structured as follows:

Guest Stay Options: Guests may stay at the hotel via a contracted room block, but due to limited capacity, many guests will book alternative boutique hotels or rentals nearby in San Miguel de Allende’s historic center.

Wedding Planning Structure:

Packages: The hotel may offer wedding packages that bundle venue space use, in-house Food & Beverage, basic rentals (tables, chairs, linens, tableware), service staff, and potentially other inclusions (like a suite for the couple). Pricing is usually per person.

Minimum Spend: Events are often based on a minimum spend requirement, primarily on Food & Beverage and potentially room nights, to gain exclusive use of specific venue spaces or the entire property. This structure requires contracting *all* other elements (decor, music, rentals beyond basics) separately.

Focus on In-House Expertise: Expect high standards for gourmet catering provided by the hotel’s own acclaimed kitchen/restaurant. The hotel’s event manager will focus on the hotel’s deliverables.

Additional Costs: Legal/religious fees, external planner (highly recommended), all vendors not included in package (decor, music, photo/video, etc.), upgrades to F&B or rentals, guest travel & airport transfers, optional hosted events not at the hotel (welcome party, brunch elsewhere), personal items.

Clarifying whether you will be booking a package or meeting a minimum spend, the requirements for room blocks, and what exactly is included, is crucial for budgeting and planning with a boutique hotel venue.

 

Who Pays for a Destination Wedding?

 

Cost allocation generally follows traditional wedding standards for a hotel wedding model:

  • The couple typically pays for:
    • Hotel wedding package or minimum spend (covering venue space and F&B).
    • Any upgrades to F&B, rentals, or services within the hotel contract.
    • External Planner fees (if used).
    • Contracts for all external vendors (photo, video, music, decor/rentals *not* included in hotel package, etc.).
    • Guest transportation to and from the airport (BJX/QRO).
    • Optional hosted events (welcome party, brunch) inside or outside the hotel.
    • Their own travel and accommodation (often a complimentary suite is included in packages).
    • Legal/religious fees.
    • Personal items.
  • Guests typically pay for:
    • Their flights to Guanajuato International Airport (BJX) or Querétaro International Airport (QRO).
    • Their accommodation booking at the hotel (if space is available in the room block) or elsewhere nearby in San Miguel.
    • Local transportation in San Miguel (though the hotel is very walkable).
    • Any F&B not included in hosted events.
    • Optional extras (tours, shopping, dining in San Miguel).
    • Wedding gifts.

Venue Capacity and Guest Accommodations (Chic Boutique Hotel)

 

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique offers elegant spaces suitable for:

Event Capacity: Comfortably hosts intimate elopements up to medium-sized weddings (e.g., 20 – 100 guests), utilizing its courtyard, rooftop terrace, or dining areas depending on the size and event type. The rooftop typically has capacity limitations, especially for seated dinners.

Event Locations: Multiple beautiful and versatile options include:

Central Courtyard: A charming and elegant space perfect for ceremonies or cocktail hours.

Rooftop Terrace: Offers spectacular views, ideal for cocktail hour, smaller ceremonies, or lively receptions (often with noise restrictions). Capacity needs careful consideration.

Restaurant/Dining Areas: Elegant indoor spaces suitable for reception dinners, especially for larger groups or later in the evening.

Layout Flexibility: The layout allows for a beautiful progression between event components using the courtyard and rooftop.

Accommodations: Casa 1810 is a boutique hotel with a limited number of rooms and suites. Guests may stay at the hotel if rooms are available, often requiring booking a room block. However, due to the small number of rooms, the majority of guests will need to secure accommodation at other properties in the highly walkable historic center.

 

Ceremony and Reception Logistics (Boutique Hotel Layout)

 

Logistics require planning within a charming boutique hotel structure in the city center:

Venue Navigation: Navigating between the courtyard, lobby, and rooftop requires planning for guest flow, potentially using stairs or limited elevators. The hotel staff assists with directing guests. Rooftop access needs specific planning.

Vendor Access: Requires strict coordination with the hotel team for load-in/load-out times, access points (which can be limited in boutique hotels), and adherence to hotel rules for vendors operating on-site. Delivery times and vehicle sizes are restricted in the historic center.

Setup: Planning for setup within defined architectural spaces like the courtyard and rooftop is key. Requires coordination for power distribution, lighting design, and rental placement (tables, chairs, stage, dance floor) within these specific areas. Respecting the historic structure is paramount.

On-Site/Nearby Accommodation: Guests staying at the hotel are on-site. Guests staying elsewhere in the historic center are within easy walking distance, simplifying transport *to* the ceremony/reception. Airport transfers (1.5-2 hours) are still required for guests arriving/departing BJX/QRO.

Proximity to Historic Center: Being in the absolute heart of the city offers unparalleled convenience for guests but means navigating city traffic and pedestrian areas for vendors and any necessary external transport.

 

What’s Included in Hotel Wedding Fees/Packages? 

Inclusions vary based on the chosen wedding package or minimum spend agreement:

  • Grants exclusive use of the contracted event spaces within the hotel (courtyard, rooftop, dining areas) for the contracted time period.
  • Includes comprehensive in-house Food & Beverage service (from cocktail hour to reception dinner and bar), based on the agreed-upon menu and package, prepared by the hotel’s restaurant kitchen.
  • Typically includes basic rentals such as tables, chairs, house linens, standard tableware, and glassware available through the hotel.
  • Includes required service staff for F&B (waitstaff, bartenders) and basic on-site event supervision by the hotel’s event team.
  • May include a complimentary suite for the couple on the wedding night, especially if booking a room block.
  • Often requires a minimum guest count or minimum F&B spend, and potentially a room block commitment or full property buyout for larger events or exclusive use.

Common exclusions: Guest accommodation (separate booking, often off-site for most guests), all external vendors (decor beyond basic, flowers, music/entertainment, photography/videography), specialized or upgraded rentals (premium linens, unique chairs, lounge furniture), guest transportation (other than on-site movement), legal/religious fees, welcome party or brunch events not included in the core package (though can often be hosted here for additional cost).

Obtain a detailed wedding contract outlining the exact inclusions, minimums (spend or guest count, potentially room nights), F&B specifics, timing, and any complimentary items.

Backup Plan for Outdoor Ceremonies (Indoor Dining/Covered Courtyard)

 

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique has elegant indoor and covered options for weather contingencies:

Indoor Dining/Private Rooms: The hotel’s restaurant or private dining spaces provide sophisticated indoor shelter and can be quickly set up for ceremonies or moved-in cocktail hours/receptions if needed.

Covered Courtyard Areas: Portions of the main courtyard may offer permanent or easily adaptable covered spaces that can serve as a weather-protected alternative for parts of the event.

Seamless Transition: As a full-service hotel, the staff is experienced at executing a smooth transition to the backup location if weather requires.

Ensure your contract specifies the dedicated backup space and the plan for transitioning, particularly if your plan relies heavily on the rooftop.

Payment Terms and Cancellation Policies

 

Payment terms align with boutique hotel event contracts:

Initial Deposit: A significant deposit is required to secure your date and event spaces.

Payment Schedule: Phased payments are typically due at intervals leading up to the wedding date.

Final Payment: Due closer to the event (e.g., 30-60 days prior), based on final guest count and selections.

Cancellation Policy: Hotel contracts have strict cancellation clauses with escalating penalties. These are also often tied to room block fulfillment or minimum spend requirements. Comprehensive wedding insurance is highly recommended.

Vendor Payments: External vendors have their own separate agreements and payment schedules.

 

Coordination: Hotel Coordinator vs. External Planner

 

Understanding the support system for a boutique hotel wedding:

Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique Event Contact: Your primary contact for all things *hotel-related* – managing your room block (if applicable), coordinating check-ins for the wedding party, liaising with hotel staff, overseeing the execution of the contracted F&B, bar service, included rentals, and event flow *within the hotel’s spaces*. They ensure the hotel’s deliverables are met to their standard. They do not plan your entire wedding beyond the hotel’s specific services.

External Wedding Planner: Provides personalized, comprehensive planning for the *entire wedding experience*. Manages overall design vision, budget, sources and coordinates *all* external vendors (florists, musicians, photographer, videographer, specialized rentals not included by the hotel), creates detailed timelines for the full wedding weekend (including off-site events), coordinates guest communication (especially regarding accommodation elsewhere), handles transportation logistics (airport, potentially local if needed), and acts as your advocate and on-site manager for all aspects, bridging the gap between hotel services and external vendors. Highly recommended for a destination wedding at a boutique property for seamless execution and bespoke design.

 

Dietary and Menu Restrictions (In-House Gourmet Catering)

 

Handled seamlessly by Casa 1810’s acclaimed kitchen/restaurant:

Catering Provider: All food and beverage is exclusively provided through the hotel’s in-house gourmet kitchen, known for its high quality and modern approach. Wedding menus are crafted to a high standard.

Menu Customization: The hotel offers curated wedding menus and is typically flexible in creating bespoke menus or incorporating specific requests to suit your tastes. Tasting sessions are usually part of the process.

Dietary Needs: Highly capable of handling common and specific dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies) with advance notice, maintaining a high culinary standard. Discuss all needs in detail with the hotel’s event and culinary teams.

 

Music and Entertainment Restrictions (Hotel & Historic Center Policies)

 

Entertainment policies reflect the chic boutique hotel environment and its central location:

Style: Welcoming to elegant live ensembles, professional DJs, traditional Mexican music (like mariachi or traditional folk), and other performers that complement a sophisticated setting.

Curfews/Noise: Due to its location within the historic center and the nature of the boutique hotel with rooms nearby, there are likely strict noise curfews for outdoor music (especially on the rooftop, potentially 10-11 PM). Music must typically transition to a more enclosed or indoor space for later hours. Volume must be carefully managed to respect guests and neighbors within and around the hotel.

Vendor Policies: Standard hotel requirements for professional external vendors (insurance, access protocols, setup/teardown times). Check for any preferred vendor lists or specific restrictions on equipment placement or performance areas within the hotel’s spaces, particularly the rooftop.

 

Parking and Guest Logistics (Historic Center Convenience)

 

Logistics for a hotel located right on the main square:

Airport Transfers: Guests arrange transport from BJX or QRO (approx. 1.5-2 hours) via private shuttles or taxis. The hotel concierge can assist with arranging these.

Accommodation: While a limited number of guests may stay at Casa 1810, the majority will likely stay at numerous other hotels or rentals within easy walking distance in the historic center.

Transport to Venue: Not needed for most guests staying nearby. Taxis/rideshares are readily available in the city center if needed for local transport.

Parking: Casa 1810 has very limited or no on-site parking, common for venues on the main square. Valet service may be available, or reliance on nearby public parking (limited and expensive). Vendor parking requires close coordination due to restrictions in the historic center.

City Exploration: Being literally steps from El Jardín and the Parroquia allows guests unparalleled ease in exploring the city’s main attractions, shops, and restaurants on foot.

 

Total Cost Breakdown (Boutique Hotel Package/Minimum Spend)

 

For an estimated wedding of 70 guests at Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique:

Hotel Wedding Package / Minimum Spend: $180 – $450+ USD per person for F&B & basic inclusions ($12,600 – $31,500+ for 70), plus potential venue use fees or a higher minimum spend requirement (total minimum spend could range from $25,000 – $80,000+ depending on season, day, spaces used, and potential room block requirements).

External Wedding Planner: $7,000 – $20,000+ (Highly Recommended for coordination and design).

Decor, Florals & Specialized Rentals: $10,000 – $40,000+.

Music & Entertainment: $3,000 – $12,000+.

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

Guest Transportation (Airport): $1,000 – $5,000+ (depending on group size and service level). Local transport likely minimal cost due to location.

Contingency, Service Charges (Hotel 15-20%+), Taxes (Hotel & Vendor): $6,000 – $18,000+.

Total estimated *event* cost (paid by couple) typically ranges from $44,600 – $191,000+ USD for 70 guests, reflecting the prime, iconic location, boutique luxury amenities, gourmet F&B, and the necessary vendor team for a high-end celebration.

 

Splurge vs. Save

Save: Choose a mid-week or off-season date, select a simpler hotel F&B package, minimize extensive external rentals by utilizing the hotel’s included items, opt for a local DJ instead of a large band, focus decor on 1-2 key areas (e.g., ceremony courtyard, reception tables). Limit hosted events to just the main wedding day. Fully embrace the hotel’s existing style.

Splurge: Host multiple events at the hotel (rehearsal dinner, welcome cocktails on the rooftop, farewell brunch), upgrade to premium F&B and bar packages, invest in elaborate custom decor/florals/lighting/specialty rentals, hire a top live band, provide luxury airport transfers, potentially buyout the limited hotel rooms for closest family/wedding party. Maximize use of the rooftop view.

 

Hotel & F&B Inclusions

 

Key components based on chosen package or minimum spend:

Hotel Wedding Package/Minimum Spend includes: Exclusive use of contracted event spaces (courtyard, rooftop, dining) for set hours, in-house Food & Beverage service (catering, bar, staff) based on selected menu/package, basic tables, chairs, house linens, standard tableware, glassware, on-site hotel event contact for hotel logistics, potentially a complimentary couple’s suite, room block arrangement (if applicable).

Exclusions: Guest accommodation (separate booking required by guests, mostly off-site), all external vendors (decor beyond basic, flowers, music, photo, video, etc.), specialized or upgraded rentals, guest transportation (airport, local if needed), legal/religious fees, welcome party/brunch (unless in package or booked separately).

Verify all details in the official hotel wedding contract.

Activities for Other Days (Historic Center On Your Doorstep)

 

Guests staying at Casa 1810 (or nearby) are perfectly positioned to enjoy:

In San Miguel Centro (Immediate Walking Distance): Directly step out onto the main square, El Jardín, and face the iconic Parroquia. Explore world-class art galleries and artisan shops, wander through vibrant markets (Ignacio Ramírez, Artesanías), enjoy countless restaurants and cafes, experience the city’s rooftop bar scene (starting with Casa 1810’s own!), visit museums, or simply soak in the atmosphere of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

Off-Site (Day Trips): Visit nearby thermal hot springs (La Gruta, Escondido Place), explore local vineyards and wineries on the Ruta del Vino, visit the historic town of Dolores Hidalgo Cuna de la Independencia Nacional, explore the botanical garden (Charco del Ingenio).

 

Three Practical Tips for Brides

 

Maximize the Rooftop Experience: Casa 1810’s rooftop terrace with its stunning views is a major highlight. Consider using it for your cocktail hour or even a smaller ceremony. Be mindful of capacity and potential noise restrictions for later in the evening, but definitely plan for photos and guest enjoyment in this iconic space, especially at sunset.

Embrace the Boutique & Central Location: The charm of Casa 1810 is its intimate size and unbeatable location. Lean into the boutique feel for your design and guest experience. Since most guests will stay elsewhere, providing clear information on nearby accommodations and leveraging the hotel’s walkability for event flow is key.

Hire an External Planner: While the hotel’s event contact manages their services, a boutique hotel often requires more extensive external vendor coordination (decor, music, rentals) than a larger resort. A skilled external planner is essential for managing these aspects, creating comprehensive timelines that incorporate off-site guest logistics, and ensuring a cohesive design and experience across all parts of your wedding weekend.

 

Two Bride Reviews 

“We chose Casa 1810 for our wedding because we fell in love with its style and location. Getting ready in their beautiful suite, having our first look in the courtyard, and then seeing our guests enjoy cocktails on the rooftop with the Parroquia lit up – it was magical! The food was fantastic, and the staff were so attentive. It truly felt like a private, luxurious home for our celebration.” – Elena S.

“Casa 1810 was the perfect backdrop for our intimate San Miguel wedding. The aesthetic is just stunning. We used the courtyard for our ceremony and moved up to the rooftop for dinner and dancing. The view speaks for itself! Our planner worked seamlessly with the hotel team to bring everything together. The convenience for guests to walk to everything in town from the hotel was a huge plus. Highly recommend for a chic and memorable wedding.” – Clara F.

 

My Final Thoughts as a Wedding Pro

 

Photographing a wedding at Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique offers unique opportunities to capture modern elegance within a historic framework. The hotel’s stylish design, intimate courtyard, and especially the breathtaking rooftop terrace overlooking the Parroquia provide diverse and iconic backdrops. My focus is on utilizing the beautiful natural light in the courtyard, capturing the vibrant energy of the rooftop at sunset and into the evening, highlighting the sophisticated details of the decor and dining, and documenting the joy and connection of the couple and their guests in this chic setting. Challenges include navigating the hotel’s layout, adapting to changing light conditions (especially on the rooftop), managing coverage in potentially smaller spaces, and respecting noise/timing restrictions for photography/videography setup. Casa 1810 is ideal for couples seeking modern, stylish wedding photography that incorporates the unmistakable charm and iconic views of San Miguel de Allende.

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