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Hello fellow brides! Getting excited to finally start planning our destination wedding! I have my travel agent/destination wedding planner already. Im just having a really hard time trying to choose a resort! We would like a smaller 5* resort with great food. Ive narrowed down things to Beach Palace, Azul Fives and Now Jade. Can any of you ladies provide some insight and recommendations to help me choose a resort! Also im open to hear recommendations for other resorts as well. Thanks so much
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Our Dream Wedding in Puerto Vallarta, November 2016 After 1.5 years of planning our destination wedding, we just returned from Puerto Vallarta and it was the most flawless beautiful wedding I could have imagined. Upon our engagement in May 2015, I began researching wedding coordinators in Puerto Vallarta. With the type of wedding we wanted, I knew I could not organize it alone. We knew from the beginning that we wanted to have our wedding ceremony at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and the reception at Vista Grill Restaurant…we just needed help making it happen. Of course being in Canada, we wouldn’t even know where to begin in finding vendors for the wedding either. After some research and referrals from friends, we decided to host our guests at the NOW Amber and Secrets All-inclusive in PV. It is an absolutely incredible resort, and the food is unbelievably good. Each meal is fine dining, some of the best meals I have ever had! Since we were not hosting the wedding on resort, we did not receive any special “wedding perks” at the resort, but we were okay with that, we just wanted a nice hotel for our family and friends to enjoy their entire holiday. I was very thorough in researching wedding coordinators in Puerto Vallarta. I contacted almost every coordinator I could find listings for, and requested proposals. Right off the top, I could tell some were trying to take advantage of us, as they were quoting insane amounts for the meal at Vista Grill, which I already knew the prices of the group menu, so I knew they were trying to make a kick back for themselves. This made it easy to cancel out quite a few planners/coordinators. When I found Eva and Michael at Vallarta Weddings, they were my instant favourite. They charge a flat fee for their services, and were incredibly up front about the costs of everything. In retrospect, I would actually say their fee is very low for all of the work they do! I gave them my ideal wedding budget, and they did everything they could to ensure I stayed within that! Eva and Michael’s compassionate approach to their work gave me instant trust in them planning our day. To be honest, I wasn’t very clear in my own “visions” of décor and what not for the wedding, but it was like Eva could read my mind, and would send me pictures of exactly what I liked! They gave us a rough time table of when we should be planning different things, and this helped immensely. After the initial venues were confirmed and deposits made, most of the detailed planning didn’t occur until the last three months before the wedding. Eva and Michael took the time to meet with my parents while they were vacationing in PV a year before the wedding, and also took the time to meet with our Priest who was vacationing in PV, and would be doing our ceremony at the church. This was all extra time and coordination for them, however they were happy to do it and went above and beyond in everything they did. The planning process was entirely smooth and I trusted all of Eva and Michael’s recommendations for every vendor etc., (which all turned out absolutely beautifully ). Two days before we left to fly to Puerto Vallarta, I received an email from Eva asking me to call her urgently, as the Mexican Government had just closed down our reception venue, Vista Grill, that day. I was absolutely devastated of course, and so worried that my wedding, which I had 82 people flying to Mexico for, was going to be a flop after so much planning. Eva was an absolute angel and rock through this, she was so compassionate and understanding I was blown away. Even though this was obviously not her fault, she was apologetic and vowed to do everything she possibly could to ensure our wedding was perfect. The day after we arrived, Eva and Michael picked us up at the resort and we embarked on re-planning our wedding reception. They spent probably 8 hours with us, showing us new venues, and then working out the details as we selected one. We ended up having the reception at the top terrace of the Grand Miramar hotel, which was the most beautiful place I have ever seen! Eva and Michael were also kind enough to take my parents to the venue the next day so they could see it as well. Everything works out for a reason! When times get tough, you really get to see peoples’ true colors… and Eva and Michael truly amazed me I cannot speak highly enough of everything they did for us to make our day perfect! I also can’t imagine the amount of hours they put in over those few days re-planning the wedding. When Eva arrived at our rehearsal the night before, she actually had gold spray paint all over her hands that she hadn’t even noticed, which was from her making my décor! They are some of the most hardworking people I have ever met. In addition to Eva and Michael saving our reception, they also saved my ceremony! Little to my knowledge, my brother’s guitar broke in transit and he was supposed to play the guitar while I walked down the aisle at the church. I found out after that Eva and Michael spent an entire day finding a rental and taking my brother to get it as well! The day of the wedding went so smoothly, you would never know we had so many bumps in the road. We had hair and make up done by Franc Gole and Jesus Avelar, truly the best pair you could get in Vallarta. I haven’t ever had make up done that good even in Canada! When we got back to the hotel, the photographers were there, the flowers were there, and the guys were already downtown with the assistant photographer. We had 10 passenger vans transporting all the guests and bridal party between the hotel, church, venue, and hotel again. Vallarta weddings organizational skills were flawless, it all went very smooth. Soko Sandoval was our photographer, and from the few photos I have seen so far, I am sooo thankful we chose her! She captures every moment perfectly and creatively. We didn’t like typical “posing” wedding photos, so she was great at getting candid and edgy shots! After the ceremony we walked through the streets of PV with her taking photos of us. Her eye for things was amazing, I am so excited to see the rest of the photos. When we arrived at the Grand Miramar and walked out on the upper terrace, I could’ve cried I was so happy. The sunset was beautiful to start, but everything was SO elegant and gorgeous. Beautiful white floral centerpieces with gold highlights, black and gold maraca favours, lights strung above…it was right out of the movies. The wait staff carried around appetizers and cocktails for our guests, the service was incredible. The meal was delicious as well. We had a three course dinner, salad to start, prime rib, and churros for dessert. Everyone commented on how great the food was here. Eva and Michael were still running around busy this whole time, making sure everything was flawless. I learned after that many guests approached them with their own questions (ie. Allergies in salad dressing, kids menu, etc.) and Eva and Michael assisted them graciously. We also had Michael as our DJ and I am so thankful we chose him! I was nervous as I didn’t have time to prepare a song list in the chaos of things, but we briefly told him the styles we like a few days before…and again it was like they read our minds! He played Mexican/Salsa light music during the cocktail hour, acoustic folk covers (think Jack Johnson type music) during dinner, and really got the party going after! We told him we wanted some stuff that was top 40ish for everyone, but with a majority being hip hop based for our younger crowd. He nailed it- I was amazed! He played really cool covers of Snoop Dog that I need to try and find now, blended with some oldies, and into some awesome classic hip hop to finish the night. Our wedding day was absolutely perfect, even better than I ever dreamed it could have been….and I can honestly say it was entirely because of Eva and Michael of Vallarta Weddings. A few of our friends who are not yet married asked us how much the wedding cost, as they estimated it to be well over 50 K Canadian. I am so happy to say that Eva and Michael helped us hold this beautiful wedding for under our budget of 20 k. I share this because I know when planning my wedding, I was always wondering how much things cost. I have no hesitations in referring anyone and everyone to Eva and Michael as I know they are the best you could have in Vallarta! If anyone has any questions please feel free to email me at [email protected]
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How We Met Andrew and I met online early summer of 2014. Our initial conversation started with our likes for rivalry hockey teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. From there the conversation kept flowing and we went on our first date in early July. We continued to talk and go on dates over the next couple of months until we made our relationship official in August 2014. From there the rest is history ♥ The Proposal Every year we make a trip to Florida and stay in Indian Rocks Beach. This time we traveled with another couple (Ellen and Tyler) at the end of March 2016. Ellen and I being typical girls we wanted 'cute and coupley' sunset photos with the boys. On Sunday, April 3rd we finished dinner and walked down to the beach just in time to get in some good photos of the sun setting. Andrew and I took a few photos standing on the beach with the sun behind us, and then he said 'Let's try one more (pose)'. Then he got down on one knee in the water and I immediately started blushing and crying because I was so shocked/happy/surprised. After Andrew gave his romantic spiel and asked me to marry him, I said of course. Travel Agent/Picking a Resort We knew that we wanted to have a destination wedding right from the get go because we are beach bums and love the sun/water. Neither of us have ever been to Mexico, however it seemed like the perfect place for our wedding! The next thing on the list was to find a travel agent. I had been told to shop around for an agent for pricing and most importantly the person knows what they are doing/is easy to communicate with. We went to a local mall and popped into Flight Centre, they directed us to a nearby mall where their group travel specialist was located. Instantly we clicked and my finance and I knew we would be going with this agent based on her knowledge, experience and how helpful she was. The next step was choosing a resort, we wanted the resort to be affordable, yet still nice. We weren't very flexible with our potential wedding dates because the best man is a teacher and it is the only time he could take time off work to come to the wedding. After looking at quotes and reading (wedding) reviews we were sold on the GRAND SUNSET PRINCESS. On May 5th 2016 we put our deposits in for travel May 17th - May 24th. Our guests had the deposit deadline of July 13th to guarantee the rates given by the TA. ....More to come
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Hello ladies, We picked the NOW Sapphire as our DW and the date is set for May 2nd, 2017. I had some questions for past brides or anyone that could be of help. We are paying for my 2 (soon-to-be) stepchildren (1 of which will be at an adult rate as he's over 12 yrs old). Plus our photographer friend. So paying for 4 adults, 1 child as well as our honeymoon (so already at approx. 15k there)--- so we are trying to save where we can! Where there are 5 children so far coming, (that all love to dance), we decided we should have a "reception" of sorts. We currently are set up for the "Complimentary" (Your Moments) wedding package as we did not need a photographer and all packages would still require us to pay extras. We decided on the gazebo with the Preferred Pool as the "dance" location. We want to have the "dance" so that our photos include our first dance, father/daughter, mother/son, etc. photos... plus the kids would not be allowed at the disco later, AND if we were to opt for the disco instead of a reception, the parents of the other children would have to tend to their kids so I'd be missing 4 wedding party members. I'm terrified of all the extra costs. The cost is adding up and I'm not convinced that a "Package" will even help us out either. We're looking at renting the speakers from the resort (180$ per hour - 3 hours), and cost per additional guest after 10 is 22$ approx. (for the Your moments package) we are currently 30 attendding. Renting the Preferred pool is 1000$ and we are using an off site make up and hair team which wasn't cheap but it was something all of us ladies agreed on. 1-I'm thinking of bringing "fake bouquets" cause they seem pretty costly at the resort. I have 4 bridesmaids, 2 groomsmen and the 2 stepsons. What have some of you done regarding bouquets? 2-In regards to renting the speakers, we have also been in contact with a DJ where the speakers, the DJing would all be included but that would come with a vendor fee on top of their fee so approx 700$ I believe. Do any of you have any tips to share? I hear lots of brides mention a DJ app, how user friendly is this? 3-The lighting or decor... we want it to be very pretty for the photos, do any of you that chose the Preferred pool needed to bring anything additional? Lighting starts at 600$ and bringing your own, you'd still need to pay 100$ per pole to hang them. Any experience advice on that location? 4-During the wedding, do they play music or is that an additional fee? 5-Has the WC given out decor or anything complimentary with this package? i.e. aisle runner or little decorations on cocktail tables, etc or do they nickel & dime you every chance they get? 6-I was thinking of having some sort of video (short one), but not paying an abundant amout, has anyone done this at a reasonable cost? Basically - Have any of you chosen the "your moments" package, and if so, could you share your cost saving ideas? We aren't opposed to paying for some extras but just are looking at cost cutting where we can so that we can permit to spend a bit more on our guest bags and "at home party". I'm extremely excited about our choice and when I see all the photos our WC posts of the weddings, I'm in awe - I guess I picture that each bride must have paid for the packages and had a much larger budget than we do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)
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Hi everyone! We are getting married at the Grand Sunset Princess in May 2017! We were considering bringing our centrepieces down with us (to save money since centrepieces are so expensive at the resort). We were thinking a simple mason jar with flowers? Not 100% sure yet. I'm wondering if anyone waited until they were at the resort and go into the markets or Walmart to get centrepiece decor? I'm just trying to decide if it would be easier to get it there or just check an extra suitcase and pack everything in there! Thanks!!
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- 2017 Brides
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Hi ladies, We're getting married in Cabo in April 2017. Has anyone been quoted on outdoor string lights rental/set-up? We're being quoted $120 per 45 foot string light, which seems absurd to me. I just want to make sure this is normal. If you have any other vendors, can you please share their information? Thank you, Perla
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Hi! I am starting my DW research. Planning on November 2017. I have narrowed it down to RIU Playacar and Barcelo Maya. I am leaning more towards RIU Playacar due to price. I also have a lot of family traveling from England. How do I ensure everyone gets the best price when my travel agency doesn't help with flights from England? Has anyone else had this issue? I really want the Barcelo Maya, I have heard only great reviews, however the price is a bit high for my guests, and I do want people to actually come! Has anyone had a good experience at RIU Playacar? It has been renovated since 2015 and the grounds/rooms look great. I'm looking for simple. I don't have a lot of specific ideas myself. I am good to use everything that comes with a package with a few add-ons. But I don't want to be ripped off by going only with what the resort has to offer. Any help or experience would be great! -SMiles.
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Hello! New to the forum, thought I would see if there is anyone else who is or has had a wedding at Hacienda Tres Rios in Mayan Riviera? Doing a search, the last thread on here is about 2 years old and it seems much has changed there since then. We are booked for November 2017 and I am just a little nervous as I am struggling to find many recent reviews or advice regarding weddings here. Specifically I am curious if anyone has had issues with the fact that they sell timeshares there. Or if anyone had any complaints about the beach/water quality. When we visited, the water was rather murky and unlike your typical Caribbean water. I just hope this won't be a major disappointment to our guests. Any help would be greatly appreciated Erica
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Hi All, I am from UK and got engaged on my 40th Birthday at Sandos Playacar so I know that this place is beautiful. I have been looking at posts for Sandos but it looks like the most recent posts regarding wedding experiences was back in 2013. Has anybody recently got married here or about too? Thank you in advance
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To all Mexican Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta area destination brides-to-be... ... WIN YOUR BRIDAL HAIR AND MAKEUP "DREAM LOOK" FROM STYLING TRIO WORTH $830.00 USD! Here's how to enter: 1) Register and create a profile at www.bestdestinationwedding.com 2) Follow link to our Facebook page post and to enter, simply submit a comment under the contest post, describing your "dream wedding look" and the inspiration for this look. 3) Add a link to your "Dream Wedding Look" inspiration board on Pinterest with up to 10 photos that illustrate your "dream look." In the event you don't have a Pinterest account, you can make a collage with up to 10 photos, snap a photo of the collage and post it in the comments with the description. 4) Share with all your friends and family because the posted comment and inspiration board with the most likes at the end of contest period wins! Winner will receive the La Perla makeup and hair package from Styling Trio which includes: 1) Hair & Makeup Trial 2) Hair & Makeup for the Rehearsal Dinner 3) Hair & Makeup for the Wedding Day for free! A value of $830USD HURRY! Contest ends on October 6, 2016 at 5PM Eastern Time. T&C’s: Prize does not include travel charges and winning bride can choose any date in 2016 or 2017 to redeem their prize. Winner must be signed-up with a profile on bestdestinationweddings.com in order to be eligible. This contest ends October 6, 2016 at 5PM ET.
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Hi! My fiance and I are having a destination wedding ceremony in Mexico and have narrowed it down to resorts in 2 different cities - Puerto Vallarta and Cozumel. Both look gorgeous and we are having a hard time choosing which one will be best for us and also our guests! I personally have never been to Mexico so I purely have hearsay to go off of when making this decision...has anyone been to both or either cities and give us pros and cons? If this helps at all, we are considering the CasaMagna Mariott Resort in Puerto Vallarta, and the Secrets Aura Resort in Cozumel (an adult-only all-inclusive resort). We also are getting married in July (I know, not the best time of year in Mexico) because his mom and sis-in-law are both teachers. Any input is appreciated!
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We have booked our wedding at the Dreams Tulum Resort for March 18, 2017. My guest list is about 40 people with the ceremony taking place in the chapel and reception on the beach. Just wondering if there are any brides out there that have had their wedding there recently? If you have any tips, advice, it would be much appreciated! I want to make sure I'm budgeting myself correctly especially with the "extra" fees that may come about.
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Hi everyone! I'm getting married 1/21/17 at Azul Sensatori- A Karisma resort in Riviera maya Mexico. I have had my heart set on using a Live solo musician for the ceremony and having them play the Love Actually theme song ie. Glasgow Love Theme by Craig Armstrong for the processional. I had booked the violinist but their song lists are terrible and so short. It seems ridiculous to pay a grand for 45 minutes when we have zero control over song choices. My WC is looking to see if they will play it but she seems clueless about it so far. Anyone have any experience with these live musicians or have any advice? Anyone book a live musician and get to choose a song for them to play? That's what I'd love clarification on and I feel like my WC will never know. Thank you so much!
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Hello! I know this resort is one of the smaller resorts so not many people are getting married here but I thought I would start a new thread and see if there are any other EL DORADO MAROMA brides this year or to hear from PAST brides and their experience. My wedding is set for September 9, 2016 at EDM with ceremony on sky deck and reception on beach. Booked photos with Sarani Photography (Lunic) and DJ Doremixx. Still working on the smaller details though. I did see the resort in September 2015 when attending the Bride Dress Rehearsal. I was originally booked for El Dorado Royale but my fiancé and I couldn't imagine our wedding there but thankfully fell in love with EDMaroma when we toured it. I would love to hear from future brides that are booked here or past brides that had their weddings here or even if you have stayed at this resort.
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If you've always wanted to spend vacation bliss in an overwater bungalow, that memorable experience can now be yours in Riviera Maya, Mexico at the El Dorado Maroma Palafitos, which officially opened to vacationers in early September 2016. The luxurious overwater suites -- the first of its kind in Mexico -- are situated off the soft white sands of the Maroma Beach, considered by many as one of the top 10 beaches in the world. But besides the breathtaking views, these spacious 600-sq. ft. suites for two also offer a private infinity pool and an oversized deck with lounge chairs, glass bottom floors where you can watch the sea life move beneath your bungalow, and a ladder providing easy access to the clear turquoise ocean water. Each bungalow also features a private outdoor shower and a romantic indoor jacuzzi for two. Every bungalow is also equipped with: - King size bed - Air conditioning & ceiling fan - Smart TV - Telephone - Aromatherapy shower - Make-up mirror - High end toiletries - 100% cotton & thousand-thread-count sheets - Radio/alarm clock - Safety deposit box - Espresso Coffee maker and tea brewing station - Premium stocked minibar - The outdoor terrace is also equipped with luxurious wooden furniture, reading material and blankets Those staying at the all-inclusive suites will also have exclusive beach bed access, 24-hour room service and customized beach picnics. But the spoils do not end there, during your stay you'll also have your own butler, who can take care of all your unique vacation needs, including handling any pre-arrival requests and reservations to the delivery of reading materials, beverages and gourmet bites at the pool. The multilingual butlers will also provide services such as the unpacking of luggage, serving sunrise coffee experience and in-suite full breakfasts. Your personal butler will also ensure the suite is kept in perfect condition and arranged according to guests preferences. Palafitos guests can also exclusively indulge in rest, relaxation and rejuvenation with spa treatments at the overwater Náay Spa. And once your mind and body are at ease, you can dine on exquisite gourmet meals at The Haute Cuisine -- the overwater grill and wine bar serving only those staying at the bungalows. The eatery, which boasts spectacular ocean views and fresh tropical breezes, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner from the open kitchen grill. I had the pleasure of getting a sneak peek of the Palafitos this past spring and I can without a doubt say, it's a slice of heaven perfect for couples looking to spend some much needed time in a paradise all their own. With the bungalow set-up and convenient butler service, you'll feel like you've traveled to your own oasis where luxury and comfort are in abundance. It's the perfect spot for a honeymoon or anniversary trip or simply those wanting to get away and be pampered. Reservations for the Palafitos can only be made through a select group of luxury vacation consultants, like Wright Travel Agency -- the official travel agent group of the Best Destination Wedding Forum. For more information and assistance on booking your stay at the incredible overwater bungalow suites, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.
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Well I finally couldn’t wait any longer to start my planning thread even though I’m still 9 months out from our wedding J I’ve seen so many great ideas on this forum and everyone is so helpful giving ideas. How we met: My FI and I met at university. In our degree of New Media there aren’t exactly a lot of… “normal” guys. It’s mostly the type that live in their mothers basements playing video games and are too scared to talk to girls haha. (No offence if that’s your type… I just prefer a guy who…isn’t that). Well anyways Kyle and one of his best friends lived together and were in every single class together which also happened to be almost all the same classes as me. We talked a bit but I wouldn’t even go as far as saying we were friends after first year of University. Once we got to second year we met properly at a Halloween party where well.. Kyle thought it would be fun to dress up as an office ninja and attack me (batgirl). Its amazing I’m marrying this guy haha. We became really good friends that year and once third year hit and we were back at classes in the fall we decided to make it official and start dating J The Proposal: The proposal all fell into my FI’s lap as I basically did all the hard work for him without even know it it I should start with the fact that I was on pinterest and noticed a couple rings I liked and thought I’d test the waters and show Kyle. He said “cool, send me a picture of them”. I was flabbergasted as marriage had been a taboo topic with him up until that point. Needless to say I took full advantage of the situation and sent him about 10 different rings I liked. I think I overwhelmed him and he said, tell you what, you have one day at the mall and one day only to show me as many rings as you like, and after that you aren’t allowed to even mention rings to me. I accepted the challenge and showed him lots of rings. Amazingly he was more of a ring shopper than I was. He made me go to all the stores a second time when I thought I was done haha. Ansyways, both Kyle and I are outdoorsy/ active people. We normally book a snowshoeing weekend in the mountains in the winter and go hiking lots in the summer. Last summer we didn’t seem to have as much time to go hiking so we decided one night over dinner that we would book a weekend getaway to the mountains to go hiking. (Apparently this worked out perfectly to his plans). I found a great deal for a suite in Canmore, Alberta and I booked it. Our friends had recently been on a hike and told us about it and so we knew where we were going to go hiking. (this was probably all about a month before we were actually going). So then, my parents live in Europe and told me that they were going to come visit at the end of September (unexpectedly). Again, this worked out perfectly for Kyle. He said he was going to send my dad a video asking for my hand in marriage and now he was going to be able to do this in person! Perfect…except I almost cancelled our trip knowing my parents would be visiting and I’d want to spend time with them. Luckily they convinced me to go anyways haha. So our October hiking trip arrived and I packed us hot soup (since it was the fall) for our lunch at the top of the mountains, really only packed hiking clothes and one cute top for dinner that night. Off we went. We hiked up to the top, taking pictures along the way and just having a great hike. We were eating our soup and then I must have put my water bottle lid on so tight I was really struggling to open it when kyle said need help? And I was stubborn and said no way I can do it, and looked up and he was down on one knee with a ring in hand. I was absolutely shocked and I have no idea how I didn’t see it coming. Me being so nervous and excited in the moment I said “thank you” to him when he said “will you marry me”. (Being that I grew up in Europe, Kyle always jokes that there are translation issues between us and he thinks I didn’t understand haha but I did!) He had champagne ready on the mountain for us and then told me that once we got down the mountain back to the hotel we were going for a couples massage and then to Banff for dinner J It was so amazing (except I didn’t really have clothes for the occasion haha). We decided to not go hiking the next day so that we could get back to the city early to tell our families and friends the amazing news! Everyone seemed to expect it except for me. I wasn’t expecting it till the winter when we would go on our snowshoeing trip haha. It was an amazing weekend to say the least. The Travel Agent: Now for the tricky planning…. We knew instantly that we wanted to do a destination wedding since my sister had done that 3 years prior and it was amazing! I also didn’t want to worry about any family drama or worry about feeding 100 people. So we contacted a couple travel agents and started getting some quotes. Everything was coming back way too much money unfortunately. We decided to work with one specific travel agent who at the time seemed on the ball and knew what she was doing. We finally agreed upon a resort in Los Cabos, Mexico. The resort was called Peublo Bonito Pacifica. Things started to get crazy and the resort wouldn’t answer my emails or book our wedding and when they did every little tiny thing was a big extra cost. I had asked my travel agent if booking the flights before confirming a date with the hotel was risky and she said no that’s fine and booked us. Needless to say the travel agent was wrong and became very useless very fast. She would have “family emergencies” every time I needed to get ahold of her or say she was going to call me back and never call me back. She was very rude to me and I was so upset as all this meant we had lost $400! I said enough is enough I’m looking elsewhere and I’m done with you. (FYI do not work with Expedia Cruise Ship Centers – they are so rude and unprofessional, even her manager was incredibly rude to me). So I had gone to the bridal expos/fairs in Calgary and met a few destination wedding travel agents during my whole fiasco and so I decided to call them all and see what their processes were and get more quotes again (this was probably our 4th or 5th round of quotes). I found one travel agent who answered all my questions so fast and got me quotes even faster! She was great! I decided to book with her and put my mind at rest! She is with Tier One Travel and I’d recommend her to any Calgary brides. The resort: We decided to go with the Grand Sirenis Mayan Beach in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico! The resort looks amazing and fun with so much to do and see. Not going to lie, we only got a quote for this resort because my Fiancé found @@calgarybride2015 's review and we were sold! I think my favorite part is that we can book a private location for the wedding and the reception. My sister’s wedding was on the beach and she had a fat man in speedo’s watching her wedding and getting in the photos. I was not keen on having this. We are going to do the free wedding (at this point I just need one more double room booked for 7 days and we will get this package). We are going to upgrade to the private beach and palapa and then pick and choose all of our extras (flowers, ribbons, music, food, etc.). This option seemed like the best bang for our buck! Save the date: I’m a graphic designer and a few years ago I used to make wedding invitations for a living. This was probably the part of our wedding I’ve been most excited for! My favorite color is a teal color (teal, turquoise, aqua), so I knew what my color scheme would be (since my FI hated the idea of pink). I loved the idea of going with a beach theme since it will be on the beach after all. I ended up mainly going with a starfish theme! Super cute! My original idea for the save the dates was literally to put the date down and the resort name. But my TA informed me I only had 3 months to get as many guests as I could signed up for our group rate. Plan: changed. I decided to turn my 1 luggage tag save the dates into 2 luggage tags. I designed them up. Printed them off at staples (and they also did a decent job cutting them). Tied them with ribbon, addressed all our envelopes and sent them off. Oh! Almost forgot, I also made cute little starfish return address labels. I think that’s it for today. Apparently this planning thread business takes a lot of work haha. I will update soon on engagement photos, bridesmaids dresses, booking process, wedding invitations, wedding website, etc.
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Hello, I've received some vendor information from my WC for Beach Palace but when reading the forums, I'm learning of additional approved/ preferred vendors. I thought it'd be good to list them all in one place so that everyone can be in the loop! Please add vendors that you know of and your experience with them (communication/ pricing/ final results). Thanks! This is what I know of so far: Photo: Dream Art Decor: Gama Grupo, Zuniga, LatinAsia Hair/ Make-up: Styling Trio, MVP Photo booth: La Cabina DJ/ lights: JSAV, PSAV Live Music: Tempo Consulting Fireworks: Promedsa
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Hey, ladies! Thought I'd start a post specifically for brides getting married in PV in 2016. Looking for vendor ideas and reviews - specifically for DJs/bands. My date is April 22 and I'm working with Kelley Kahrhoff for coordination. I have ceremony and reception venues booked -- Our Lady of Guadalupe for the ceremony and Villa Celeste for the reception. I'm also in the process of booking Vista Grille for the rehearsal dinner. I still need music, photographer, florist, etc. Anyone else getting married in PV in 2016?? Who are you working with so far?? Any good ideas you've come across for welcome parties?? Thanks!!
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I LOVE reading planning threads for many reasons. Here are a few: They give me ideas I would have never thought of The provide answers to questions I hadn’t even thought of asking but definitely needed to know They make me feel like I am apart of someone’s wedding even though I haven’t had to do any of the hard work The give brides-to-be a rough guideline as to when certain things need to be started/completed They speak to issues brides-to-be run into and what to expect They let you know that how you are feeling or the situations or debacles you are running into are completely normal After being inspired by many other brides-to-be on this site, I have decided to start putting my planning into words. I am hoping by doing this it will motivate me to get the ball rolling again and iron out some of the BIG (and small) items I have been putting off. I hope you enjoy reading a little bit about Michael and I. I’m excited for you all to be reading along as we plan the wedding of our dreams. xo Ashley
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Big news from the Styling Trio Team! We are expanding our business and now we offer our makeup and hair services in The Riviera Nayarit! The Riviera Nayarit on the Pacific Mexico Coast runs nearly 200 miles from Puerto Vallarta in the South to San Blas in the North. The region has near perfect weather, expansive beaches and has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in Mexico. You can find 5-star resorts accommodations or miles of empty beach for something more low key. There is something for everyone in this diverse coastal region and it is a wonderful place for a destination wedding! Here is a list of the most popular destinations there: Puerto Vallarta Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias & La Cruz Punta Mita & Litibu Sayulita Guyabitos & La Peñita Chacala Boca Chilla, Playa Tortugas, Costa Custodia Platanitos to San Blas We at Styling Trio are so happy to be able to expand to this area and to bring some of the best makeup artists and hair stylists from our group to this region. We hope to expand even more down the road, as we love to do what we do best --BEAUTIFY!-- and will travel to more places to make brides look amazing on their special day! If you or anyone you know are looking to have a wedding in the beautiful Riviera Nayarit and are interested in our hair and makeup services, feel free to contact us now as we are on-board and servicing the area. Styling Trio Riviera Nayarit ---Let's go beautify!
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Hi Ladies, I have been a member of this forum for a very long time and it has been essential in helping me to plan my wedding back in 2014. I feel like I have been not so great at giving back, so I'm coming back to share my personal experiences and help other brides to have an amazing wedding in Mexico Like I had:-) I feel like there is a lot of info regarding getting married at All-inclusives and other resorts, but not so much regarding a Beach Villa, which was our dream venue...and we finally have found one in Tulum: Hacienda Paraiso. here is my wedding video: https://vimeo.com/142955264 So this thread is dedicated to a Private Beach Villa non-cookie cutter wedding and what to expect. I hope I can help a few new brides and finally give back. so ask away...:-)
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When it comes to planning your Indian destination wedding, there are typically three important factors to consider when choosing your perfect destination location and venue. 1) Can the resort accommodate the size of my wedding and the different events we'll be hosting throughout my destination celebration? And if so, will my events be in an area that offers a sense of privacy? Destination weddings can typically be on the smaller side, but when it comes to Indian weddings these celebrations often include larger groups of 100 people or more. So when planning your wedding, couples must determine right away whether the resort/venue has the space to accommodate larger celebrations. Since Indian weddings usually also include events leading up to the wedding day, it's important to also find out if the resort has a variety of areas available to host the all the different ceremonies and celebrations. Once those two factors are considered, couples should ask whether these spaces will also give them a sense of privacy away from the hustle and bustle of other resort-goers and other activities happening on the resort grounds. The Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun-Riviera Maya is quite a favorite for Indian weddings because of the resort's expansive grounds, which gives couples a plethora of options for the different celebrations and ceremonies such as the Mayian ceremony, Mehndi and Sangeet ceremonies, Choora ceremony, Jugo ceremony and of course all the ceremonial aspects and traditions that occur during the Wedding day and reception. 2) Can my resort/venue provide an Indian food menu? Because Indian destination wedding celebrations typically occurring over the course of several days, food is a key detail couples must consider when planning their festivities. While many resorts do not prepare Indian food on site, and will instead offer cuisine from an off-site caterer, there are resorts such as Moon Palace that are equipped with chefs who are fully trained to prepare Indian food, including use of all the authentic spices and ingredients needed to provide a variety of dishes throughout all the wedding festivities. This may be a key perk for couples who want to ensure that all the food during their events are freshly prepared and readily available for their guests. 3) Are there vendors in the area that can provide the specific cultural services I need for my wedding celebration? While Indian destination weddings have increasingly become more common, there are destination locations that are more popular and accommodating than others in terms providing all the necessities for these types of cultural celebrations. The Cancun-Riviera Maya region is quite popular for Indian destination weddings because the area is blooming with a variety of top-notch vendors who specialize in Indian weddings. In this area couples can easily find officiants, mehndi artists, dhol drummers, caterers, wedding planners and decor stylists. With a series of events happening during an Indian wedding celebration, decor styling teams like LATIN ASIA -- widely considered experts in the Cancun area when it comes to Indian weddings -- are extremely helpful for couples who want to ensure their festivities are decorated with all the beautiful and cultural details needed throughout their wedding celebration. In Cancun-Riviera Maya, you can also find hair/makeup stylists who specialize in Indian weddings -- an important factor for many Indian brides. The Styling Trio, a Hair & Makeup agency representing talented artists in Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, is one of those companies in the area that have trained artists who specialize and cater to brides having an Indian wedding. When it comes to planning a destination wedding, it's always a good idea to reach out to an expert in the area you're looking at -- be it a wedding planner of a travel agent who knows the area well (like Wright Travel Agency which has a group of agents who specialize in destination wedding locations and venues throughout the world) -- because they can help you get started on the right foot as you plan the wedding of your dreams! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.
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Hi all! I was hoping to get some insight from those of you who have had a wedding at the Grand Palladium Vallarta, another Grand Palladium Resort, or attended any! I am still quite a few months away from our wedding, and we don't have to make any more major decisions until 3 months out from the wedding. It isn't that easy to get a hold of the onsite wedding planners, so I can't really get the answers I'm looking for from them. I am just not really sure what to expect on the wedding day. We are having our ceremony at 4pm, and are paying for a private reception. I am not sure what this "reception" even means on a resort. If anyone can provide me with some details that would be great!!! For example, -I don't know where on the resort this will take place; -how long we have: is it just dinner, or do we get a dance afterwards too; -is alcohol included with the dinner (open bar style? or how does this work); -do people do speeches at these types of receptions? does the resort provide any microphones/sound system for us? If you have any of these answers I would appreciate any help Thanks in advance <3
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Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun is known for its wide variety of restaurants and eateries, but another excellent perk for guests is the resort's 24-hour room service and fully furnished in-room minibar and liquor dispenser. If you're like me -- not a morning person -- room service is the perfect perk when you want to sleep late, roll out of bed and enjoy breakfast or lunch in your pajamas. My husband also happens to be a late-night snacker, so the ability to order from Moon Palace's expansive 24-hour menu was so convenient during our stay (the grilled steak, shrimp cocktail and chicken lettuce wraps were his personal favorites!). Their 24-room service menu is simply a great option for those who want to drink and dine in the comforts of your own room. And because it's an all-inclusive resort, no fees or costs are involved to order room service. Best of all the service is quick, timely and your food is always served fresh! Another special touch that Moon Palace resort goers will enjoy is the in-room liquor dispenser and minibar. The liquor options include full-sized bottles of tequila, rum, whiskey and vodka. And inside the refrigerator, you'll also find a combination of juices, sodas and water -- so whatever your preference, there's an option for you. The dispensers and beverages are replenished daily, so you are always "fully-stocked!" Rest assure, when it comes to staying at Moon Palace, dining and drinks are readily available 24/7 and you don't even have to step out of your bedroom door to enjoy! For more information on Moon Palace resorts and its services, or to book your stay, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE!
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Azul Beach Hotel in Puerto Morelos is not only know for their awesome beach beds located right on the shore, the resort also offers top notch spa services that can take your quest for relaxation to a whole new level. Azul Beach's Vassa Spa gives guests more than just your typical spa treatments, they provide a complete spa experience. Besides being able to lounge and unwind in one of the relaxing warm and cold plunge pools, spa goers can also opt for a Beachfront Sky Massage, or experience a couple’s treatment in one of the spa's double massage cabins. During my recent stay Azul Beach, my husband and I had the opportunity to indulge in an hour-long beachfront sky massage, which takes place under an open-air palapa hovering over the Caribbean Sea, so while you're getting the massage of your life, you can also relax to the soothing sounds of the ocean waves hitting the shore. The spa allows you to schedule appointments for treatments and I didn't have any trouble picking my preferred time slot -- they are quite flexible and accommodating. You can even schedule a moonlight massage if that's what you prefer! Prior to your massage, the spa staff will have you check in and fill out a form to find out what type of massage you prefer while also finding out whether you have any trouble spots or tight areas that need special attention. The experience is customized from beginning to end, with your relaxation and pleasure in mind throughout. I can't say enough about the kindness and professionalism of Vassa Spa's staff, they really go out of their way to ensure that when you walk through their door, you are well taken care of. Getting a massage from one of their trained massage therapists is truly a wonderful experience that one should indulge in during their stay. With hair and makeup options as well as their expansive menu of spa services, Vassa Spa is a great option for brides-to-be and their partners as well as wedding guests. But children can also indulge in different beautifying and calming rituals, such as the Princess for a Day experience. The pampering is open to everyone! Click here for more information about Vassa Spa's treatments, services and prices. And to book your stay at Azul Beach Hotel, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.
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