Cassie South

They look great! That was very nice of your TA

Hi there ndavan, Being a TA, I have visited many properties in the Riviera Maya (wedding site inspections) and I'm a total foodie. I've experienced both extremes, food that was so bad I got sick and some of the best food I've ever eaten. To sum it all up, I highly recommend the Karisma properties. I've been to all of them and not once have I experienced a less then delicious meal. Obviously if you have children attending you'll need to go to one of the Azul properties. Mid size to small I'd recommend the Beach or Fives. If you're after adults only, I loved the El Dorado Seaside Suites! Another property that will please the palate is the Occidental Royal Hideaway Playacar That's my opinion! If you want specifics, just let me know! Ginger Blum Manager

Hi there Mrs. Cantatore, I just finished a wedding with about 100 guests at that property. I wasn't getting married, I'm a TA but we do more then just the travel, we actually help with the wedding as well so I have learned a lot. If you have any specific questions, fire them my way I may know the answer. One thing that came up right away, this property does not accept US Dollars, but they will bill you in US dollars. Weird, but true! Another thing, the Jacuzzi suites are very limited so if your guests are looking for the higher room categories they need to book them early! Ginger Blum Manager

Hi there tsc2012, Our agency has dealt with almost every company down there so I certainly have recommendations based on good and bad experiences! I highly recommend using "Your Cancun DMC". They are punctual, experienced and have very knowledgeable guides. On top of that, their pricing is very competitive as well. Their website is http://www.yourcancundmc.com/ They will be able to help you with Chichen Itza, Coba, Playa Del Carmen, whatever. They also will assist in emergencies (one of my guests lost her Mexican Tourist Card once and they sorted everything). The best thing is their turnaround time. They actually respond! I also highly recommend doing it before you get down there... Trying to arrange a group excursion when half your guests are at the pool bar, some are in their rooms, others in restaurants, honestly you'll waste half a day trying to sort everyone. Do it in advance or if you have a TA ask them to do it. Your Cancun DMC will pay your TA a commission so most TA's will be happy to work with them. Hope that helps! Ginger Blum

Hi there Kazala, Don't worry, there is always a surcharge for the sky weddings. Lots of reasons for it... It's a bit harder to set up (carting everything up to the top floor rather then just the beach) plus they have invested money in creating the venue as well. Plus, should you choose to broadcast your wedding via a live stream (available only to sky wedding brides), they must have technicians at hand in order to make sure the broadcast goes smoothly. Great choice though, it's an amazing spot Well worth the surcharge! Ginger Blum

Hi there Canadian ladies! Hey I just found a Canadian website that is basically Groupon for weddings. They have some amazing deals so I thought I'd share. The site is www.weddeals.ca Check it out if you're still shopping! Ginger Blum Manager

Hi there brides, Anyone looking for a lovely Reform Rabbi in Mexico to marry them should get in touch with Phillip Ponser. I've used him recently in Cancun and have another wedding with him in Puerta Vallarta in April. He's very kind and also speaks Spanish. His website is www.Rabbiposner.com Reform Rabbi's can be tricky to find in Mexico so I thought I'd share his contact details. Ginger Blum Manager - Blue Petal Weddings

Hi there ladies, I just came back from a very thorough wedding site inspection at the Azul Sensitori, as well as most of her sister properties. There are loads of photos on our Facebook page, check it out at www.facebook.com/bluepetalweddings As I walked around this property, the more I realized the sky was the limit with weddings here… I was shown multiple beautiful gazebos, appropriate for receptions, cocktail parties and ceremonies. Some surrounded by gardens, another on the beach. Next to one of the beach gazebos was a beautiful white arch set up for a wedding just about to commence, and I was lucky enough to see Ivan Alcaraz, one of the onsite wedding coordinators in full action! When I saw the sky is the limit, I mean it, for on one of the rooftops, overlooking the turquoise horizon was the Sensitori’s Sky Wedding venue. The water and sky were so blue, the horizon plays tricks with the eye, not knowing where each one began and ended… A perfect backdrop for a perfect wedding... Webcams are set up discretely to broadcast the ceremony home to loved ones unable to attend, a sensitive touch to one of the complications of getting wed so far away. This property has so many spectacular options for cocktail parties and receptions I’m not sure how couples will chose! Standing in Plaza Zabaz, imaging the beautiful reception set ups being described to me, I closed my eyes to see a first dance under a gazebo of fairy lights with the palms swaying gently… Oh yeah, you can’t do that in Canada! The Vassa Spa (which actually has spa rooms for children!) has a breathtaking bridal suite. With only three treatments, this is complimentary for three hours before the ceremony on the big day. Three treatments…? Easy! Ample room for bridesmaids as well, this is a wonderful place for a bride to spend her last few hours as a Miss with her closest friends. The spa isn’t the only place that makes children feel special. They actually have their own check in (colourful steps take them up to see over the reception desk) where they get a milkshake and mom and dad get their hands on one of the thirty flavours of Mohito! There is a very large wet play area for kids to run around in circles and squeal until they drop and the Sensitori is home to the most impressive kids club I’ve ever seen. A gym, a doll room, a Lego room, a games room, an arts and crafts room, a nap room, food activities and even a large theatre where they can perform for their parents! It’s amazing and it doesn’t end there. Even infants, (with a quick request from your travel agent) are given special treatment. Your room will be set up with a change table which converts into a baby bath, a crib, infant toys, a bottle warmer, and even a tiny little branded robe to match mommy and daddies. The attention to detail for families really makes this property stand out amoung the competition. There are many fabulous restaurants onsite that can facilitate semi private dinners and cocktail parties, too many to mention, but one cannot ignore Le Chique. Serious Oh La La! Adults only here, a super funky wine cellar which you can sit inside and enjoy a fourteen course meal (extra charges apply) this is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Something unique… Tucked away discretely on a few chosen roof tops are enough solar panels to heat the hot water for the entire resort. One of the many green initiatives at the Karisma properties. Absolutely loved this property, if you guys have any questions please send me a direct message! Ginger at Blue Petal

Oh ladies, Thanks for the recommendations! Much appreciated. Really feeling the love We have brides all over North America but yes, we "The Petals" are based in Yaletown in Vancouver. Anyone is welcome to come by anytime and have a chat anyone on my team. We love visitors and have an amazing espresso machine! We are actually hosting a "Destination Wedding Event" on the evening of Nov. 29th and will have representatives from Real Resorts, Dreams, Zoetry, Now, Secrets, Occidental Resorts, Palace Resorts, Le Blanc Spa, Hard Rock Resorts, Barcelo Resorts, Air Transat, Sunquest, and more, plus local wedding industry support such as photographers and make up artists. I am just working on the announcement for the forum (hopefully will be sorted in the next few days) but all the information is on our website at www.bluepetalweddings.com Anyone in the lower mainland is welcome to attend. We are going to have amazing prizes (like a trip to preview the resort choices for your destination wedding!) and so much more. Feel free to send me a direct message or check out our website if you have questions. And thanks again kat2012 and Awaywego. I'm happy to get great feedback! Ginger Blum Manager