A side-by-side guide from a certified destination wedding travel advisor — no brand partnerships, no fluff.
If you’ve been researching destination weddings for more than five minutes, you’ve probably come across two names more than any others: Secrets and Dreams. Both brands show up everywhere — on Pinterest boards, in Facebook group recommendations, in every “best all-inclusive for weddings” list you can find. And for good reason. Both are solid. Both have beautiful properties. Both can give you a wedding day you’ll genuinely love.
But they’re not the same experience, and the one that’s right for you depends entirely on what kind of wedding — and what kind of trip — you’re actually after.
I’ve worked with couples at both brands, and here’s my honest take.
The Basics: What Are Secrets and Dreams, Actually?
Both Secrets and Dreams are owned by Apple Leisure Group (now part of Hyatt), which means they share some infrastructure — reservation systems, brand standards, that sort of thing. But the experience on the ground is meaningfully different.
Secrets Resorts & Spas are adults-only. Every guest is 18 or older, which shapes everything about the vibe: the pool atmosphere, the late-night energy, the pace of the day. The brand leans into romance, sophistication, and a certain level of quiet indulgence.
Dreams Resorts & Spas are family-friendly. Children are welcome, which means a livelier, louder, more varied atmosphere. If you have guests with young kids — or if you want your own children there — Dreams is the one that actually works.
Wedding Atmosphere: What You’re Choosing Between
Here’s where it gets real. Your resort choice doesn’t just affect your room — it affects the entire backdrop of your wedding weekend.
At a Secrets property, your wedding exists in an adults-only world. There’s no waterpark in the background of your ceremony photos. The pool deck on your wedding day is other couples and friends, not families with floaties. The vibe is romantic by design, and that filters into every detail of the day — including how relaxed your guests feel.
At a Dreams property, the atmosphere is more open. That can be wonderful — it means grandparents, nieces and nephews, and friends with babies can all be there without feeling like they’re cramping anyone’s style. But it also means the resort energy is more varied. Busy. Familial. Less polished-romantic, more inclusive-celebration.
Neither is wrong. But you should be honest with yourself about which one actually matches the wedding you’re imagining.
The Venues: What You Can Expect at Each
Both brands offer a range of ceremony and reception spaces — typically beach, terrace, garden, and ballroom options — but the specific venues vary dramatically by property. Secrets Moxéhé and Secrets Playa Mujeres (both in the Cancún area) have become particularly popular for weddings because of their design-forward, contemporary feel. Dreams Playa Mujeres has stunning beachfront ceremony spots and is consistently well-reviewed for weddings with larger guest counts.
One thing worth knowing: the quality of your wedding venue at either brand depends heavily on which specific property you choose. “Secrets” and “Dreams” are brand families with multiple resorts — some are newer and more impressive than others. Always research the specific property, not just the brand.
The Wedding Packages: How They Compare
Both Secrets and Dreams offer tiered wedding packages that follow a similar structure: a base (often complimentary for couples meeting a minimum stay or room block requirement) plus upgraded options.
Complimentary packages at both brands tend to include the essentials — ceremony setup, a small cake, basic floral, and a few other items — but they’re designed as a starting point, not a complete wedding. Most couples end up adding to them.
What’s actually included varies by property and by year, since packages get updated. This is one of the main reasons I always recommend working with a travel advisor who specializes in destination weddings: I can pull the current package details, compare them honestly, and tell you what’s actually worth the upgrade cost and what isn’t.
The Guest Experience: Thinking Beyond Your Wedding Day
Your guests will spend 4–7 days at this resort, not just your wedding day. That matters more than people realize when they’re deep in venue research.
At a Secrets property, adults-only means your guests will have a consistently relaxed, resort-style experience — good pools, good restaurants, good service, and a pace that doesn’t feel chaotic. It’s a particularly good fit if your group leans toward couples and adults who want a vacation-within-a-wedding experience.
At a Dreams property, the family-friendly environment makes it significantly easier for guests who are traveling with children. It’s often the deciding factor for couples who have siblings or close friends with young kids who wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise.
Ask yourself: how many of your guests have kids, and how central are those people to your day? That one question often makes the decision for you.
Price: Is One More Expensive Than the Other?
Generally speaking, Secrets properties run slightly higher than comparable Dreams properties — partly because of the adults-only premium, partly because of the brand positioning. But this varies enough by property, season, and room category that I wouldn’t make a decision based on brand alone. I’ve seen Dreams properties price out higher than Secrets at certain times of year.
Room blocks and wedding package costs also depend on your guest count and dates. If you’re working with a travel advisor (which I’d always recommend for a destination wedding), they can run actual numbers for your specific dates and give you a real comparison.
My Honest Recommendation
If your wedding is adults-focused — couples, friends without kids, a more intimate gathering — Secrets is almost always the better fit. The atmosphere aligns with what most people picture when they imagine a “destination wedding.”
If you have meaningful people in your life who have young children and you want everyone to actually be there, Dreams is the more practical and often the more joyful choice. You won’t sacrifice quality — you’ll gain inclusivity.
And if you’re still on the fence? That’s exactly what I’m here for. I can walk you through specific properties at both brands, compare packages and pricing for your dates, and help you figure out which one actually fits your vision — not just the one with the best stock photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Secrets and Dreams resorts for destination weddings?
The most fundamental difference is who can attend. Secrets resorts are adults-only — every guest must be 18 or older. Dreams resorts are family-friendly, meaning guests of all ages including children are welcome. This shapes everything: the pool atmosphere, the energy at the resort, and ultimately the backdrop of your entire wedding weekend. If your guest list is all adults, Secrets creates a more polished romantic environment. If you have guests with children who matter to your day, Dreams is the option that actually works.
Are children allowed at Secrets or Dreams resorts?
Children are not allowed at Secrets resorts — all guests must be 18 or older. Dreams resorts are family-friendly and welcome guests of all ages, including young children. If any members of your immediate family or close guest list are traveling with children, Dreams is the brand that can accommodate them on property without any workarounds.
Which is more expensive — Secrets or Dreams resorts?
Secrets properties generally run slightly higher than comparable Dreams properties, reflecting the adults-only premium and brand positioning. However, pricing varies enough by specific property, season, and room category that brand alone shouldn’t drive the decision. The most useful approach is to run actual room block numbers for your specific dates and guest count at the specific properties you’re comparing.
I offer free destination wedding consultations and work with couples at both Secrets and Dreams properties. Book a consultation and let’s look at your guest list, your vision, and your dates together.
Leave a Reply