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Showing results for tags 'Mexico'.
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Hello- I am recently engaged (November 2013) and we know we want a destination wedding!! Now the hard part.... picking a resort and a date!! We want to give our guests a heads up of the date well in advance so they have time to plan for it. We believe we have narrowed it down to The Royal Playa del Carmen resort. Now for the date.... We are considering either February or April 2015 for our wedding. I have read numerous sites about prices and weather but we still can't decide! Ultimately, we want to avoid "spring breakers" and super busy seasons! We are mindful of the cost to our guests so we are also trying to avoid the high season. We have targeted the following dates: Saturday, February 14; Friday, February 20; Friday, April 10; or Friday, April 17th. We are afraid that if we have it in February that we might run into Spring Breakers. I have also read that February can be considered part of the high season. However, the plus side of February is that most people are ready to escape the cold winter weather! I have read that April is great for weather. However, Easter falls on April 5, 2015. Our guests would likely arrive on Tuesday or Wednesday the week after Easter. I'm not sure if the prices will still be high at this time due to the holiday or if the resorts slow down (and thus prices decline) during this time. If we have to, we are considering pushing it out to April 17 but also want to avoid it getting too warm. I do like the sun and prefer the water be nice enought to swim in! However, I don't want everyone sweating profusely during the wedding and being uncomfortable as I do prefer the ceremony and reception to occur outside. Does anyone have any insight on weather and/or prices for these dates?? HELP! Thanks in advance!
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Hello, My name is Melissa, and I'm excited to be a part of the BDW community. My fiancé and I have been engaged for 7 months now, and we just started to get into our planning. We visited Mexico this past December and after visiting a few hotels, we've decided on either Azul Fives or Grand Velas Riviera Maya for a wedding May of 201. We realize these are two very different hotels, price points and experiences overall, but we love them both. We've received contracts from both and find the process a bit overwhelming. If anyone has any advice regarding negotiations or recommendations on the properties, your point of view would be greatly appreciated. Lastly, since we live in Chicago,we're also considering engaging a wedding planner. Does anyone have any recommendations. Congrats to everyone and I appreciate your help, Melissa
- 27 replies
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- Cancun Riviera Maya
- grand velas
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Let The Planning Games Begin
girlinthecity97 posted a blog entry in girlinthecity97's Wedding Planning Adventures
While we had been talking of getting married for a while, things became "official" on Saturday, November 30th. While in my mismatched pj's with my hair tied up in a scarf and no one around, my fiance shocked me by (FINALLY) popping the question and presenting a ring that had been a post-it note doodle (instead of one of the 2 settings I'd picked as "options"). He's pretty conservative and always wants to "see-it" especially when it comes to big purchases. So the fact that he went with my doodle was HUGE! I'm glad he did . Planning Frenzy: Finally feeling "super official" I set out on a planning rampage. Since my fiance is so easy-going and a "pleaser", I felt it only fair to consider a destination wedding since this was something he felt strongly about. Against his feedback, I made a beeline for Barnes & Noble to buy The Knot's Destination Wedding guide and a planner - which I now realize, I really didn't/don't need. Armed with my fancy new planning guide and planner, I sat down and followed the advice of a good happily-married friend: "Pick 3-5 MUST-Haves and forget the rest." My top 3 were "no-brainers" (and thankfully aligned with my fiance's): Location - get pricing for "home" (here in the states) vs. a Destination. For the Destination, I used my own travel experience to help us choose a location that would give us (and our guests) the biggest "bang for buck" while being fairly easy & affordable to get to. All roads led to MEXICO! Food - a resort that had not just decent but GREAT food. We love a great meal and have a family full of "foodies" so this was an absolute MUST! My fiance pointed out that everyone still raves about the food from my sister's weddding 10 years ago & we should strive for the same! FUN - a resort that had activities for guests to do should they not want to book excursions etc... When hashing out the "MUSTs we differ on such as videography, she suggested that I remember to be flexible as well as realistic - which I recently had to apply after getting a pretty pricey videography quote (more on that later). After spending COUNTLESS exhausting hours combing Google and Tripadvisor for reviews of various resorts, I created a spreadsheet (yes a spreadsheet ) to compare the "Top 5" I felt matched the above "Musts." I found myself getting utterly confused and feeling greatly overwhelmed before creating the spreadsheet. Also, an "A-type" by nature, I was afraid I had somehow overlooked a property to consider. So I naturally bugged my fiance with non-stop "hey, what do you think about this place?" questions. Tired of having his sports watching interrupted, he suggested we consider consulting a Travel Agent/Advisor. I tend to be of the "I got THIS" mindset and figured I could calm my fears/concerns with a post on sites like this. I'm proud to admit I was wrong! If you are in the early stages of planning and are unsure where to start, I cannot recommend enlisting the help of a Travel Agent/Advisor (TA) enough! Leave it to the Pros: After checking with DW friends and reading various reviews, I selected 3 pros to conduct a phone interview with. The Knot's DW guide suggested interviewing TAs to assess knowledge, expertise, and fit (among other things). Instead of calling, I emailed each professional as an initial assessment. The TA we selected was the most responsive and addressed every question/point of interest/concern I listed in my inquiry. Upon speaking with her, she confirmed our 1st impression and lived up to the reviews we'd seen on-line. She also provided unsolicited candid feedback re the best time of year for our budget etc... I shared my spreadsheet with her and she did not hesitate to provided candid insight on the properties listed, as well as provide others that we should consider based on what we are looking for. Finding the right TA will really take what I felt was the biggest "weight" off of you - especially if you can't do a scouting trip! The TA will also take care of your guests travel arrangements, help negotiate best rates etc... Some also can advise you on the location contract - helping to avoid room minimum penalties etc... To Scout or Not To Scout: We are opting to scout because a) I'm "A-type" (remember?) and b)the front-runner resort offers a deeply discounted weekend where you can taste the food, see the location etc... Initially, DF (dear fiance) was adamant about NOT doing a scouting trip. After pointing out his practice of not making big purchases/investments without doing thorough research and "seeing-it", he relented. I further pointed out that due to the size, our wedding is a "big ticket" item so why should this be treated differently?! Thanks to our TA, we have 3 locations of interest that we'll be visiting at the end of the month. In the meantime, I've set my sights on my remaining "Musts": Photographer & videographer, which I hope to narrow down to 2-3 before our trip so we can meet them. After getting a quote ( )from my "dream" videographer here in the states, I had to revisit the "Musts" and rank them in order of true priority & practicality. While a video is something I really want, it is something that will realistically be watched once in a blue after the wedding. With that said, I've moved this to a very strong "Nice to Have." I think this post has gone on long enough so I will end here....until next time.... xoxo - me p.s. please excuse my niece's toes. she wanted to help take a pic of my ring.- 11 comments
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- Planning Tips
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Hi everyone! So happy I found this site! If anyone has any tips, photos, advice, or information regarding weddings at Riu Palace Mexico(from after 2012) and can send to me, I would be so grateful!! You can post here, message me, or e-mail me: [email protected] Thanks a ton and Happy Wedding planning to you all!
- 26 replies
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- Mexico
- Resorts & Hotels
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Hi everyone, We're just getting started on our planning for an early 2015 wedding in Riviera Maya and have a few resorts that are at the top of our list. What was everyone's first step ? Contact the resort directly or talk to an independent wedding planner in the area ? I'm hoping that maybe an independent planner can help me with the contract since I've heard the resorts like to nickle and dime you for any type of customization and add fees for outside vendors. They might also be able to help out with details and communication since the resort planners can be pretty tied up with all the other weddings they're handling. I'm a little overwhelmed sine I think we'll have close to 100 guests. Looking forward to talking to everyone !
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- independent wedding planner
- Mexico
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Hi brides (and grooms!) I'm a new BDW bride-to-be, but have been "creeping" the site for a while now! My fiance and I are getting married in Las Caletas in April 2015. I know there are other LC forums out there, but the packages and whatnot have changed over the years. So, I was hoping this thread could be somewhere we could share our own Q&As, info from experience, tips, tricks, advice, and so on as it pertains to a DW/Las Caletas/Puerto Vallarta in particular. I'll start us off! We're looking at using Secrets Vallarta Bay as our resort - any feedback you could provide would be great! We have people coming from all over Canada (and internationally, as well) for a total of about 50 guests. What pointers do you have for group bookings. I've had advice to book a group vacation package (flight & accommodations) through an airline like west jet/air canada. I've also thought about booking the rooms as a group block and having everyone plan their own flights. Again - feedback, please! Thank you all!
- 32 replies
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- las caletas
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Hello Ladies, I just bought a wedding dress and I need some advice. The wedding gown I just bought is so far from what I ever imagined wearing that I have no idea how to style it and Im afraid Im going to be overdressed at my own wedding! Our wedding is only three months away and it'll be on the beach at Las Caletas in Puerto Vallarta. We want the wedding to be laid back and fun and I wanted something really different for my dress. Monique Lhuillier's Candy in pink was my dream dress but even used that was totally breaking the bank! The dress I bought is called Braxton, by Maggie Sottero (pict below). I love the dress but it's so heavily beaded that it seems too fancy for the venue and the look and feel I had wanted. I wasn't planning on wearing shoes since we'll be in the sand. Does anyone have any other suggestions for dressing down my gown? hair, make up, veil, flowers, etc? Im not even sure about the wedding colors anymore. I had been thinking pinks, peaches, corals with gold but now Im not sure. I also posted a pict of the original bouquet that I wanted in those colors but I think its too bright for the dress. We go to visit the site in two weeks and I'll need to make all of these decisions. Thanks!! for those who cant see the attachments here are links: dress: http://www.sotteroandmidgley.com/dress.aspx?style=4SK816&page=0&pageSize=36&keywordText=&keywordType=All flowers: http://www.theknot.com/weddings/photo/bright-bridal-bouquet-118336
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“Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it.” ― Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember www.photofeelingsrivieramaya.com
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- Trash The Dress
- Beach Weddings
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“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” ― William W. Purkey www.photofeelingsrivieramaya.com
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- Beach Weddings
- mayan riviera
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“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss
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- Beach Weddings
- mayan riviera
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“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ― Elbert Hubbard Playa del Carmen, México / February 2013 www.photofeelingsrivieramaya.com
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- Beach Weddings
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Brand new, never used (I forgot them in the room!), handmade Muchas gracias Paddles bought from Etsy. Originally purchased for $36. + shipping. They look exactly like this except one says "Muchas" and one says "Gracias". Will take offers.
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Destination weddings are truly special because they enable the happy couple to have an intimate celebration with close family and friends. For the ultimate destination wedding experience, some brides opt to have their wedding at a private villa. Most villas offer all of the luxuries of high-end resorts (and sometimes more!), but on a much more personal scale. Imagine having your wedding take place at a picturesque villa inhabited only by you and your guests. The surroundings, the experience and the memories will never be forgotten. If you’re considering a villa wedding in Mexico, BDW has done the work for you! Take a look at our guide to some amazing villas in various parts of Mexico and start planning your dream wedding. VILLAS IN RIVIERA MAYA Casa Vela Come and enjoy and exotic vacation experience at this 100 acre nature preserve near Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya adjacent to Mayakoba just south of Cancun. Casa Vela is a handcrafted, all hardwood home that accommodates two couples in luxurious privacy. Each suite has king size bed and private full bathroom with separate shower and toilet rooms. One suite also has a marble tub, while the other suite has a sleeping loft with two singles which works well for families with children. Click here for more information, pics, rates and to book. Villa highlights: If you book at least 5 nights, a chef is included 24/7 concierge Maid and gardener service Modern kitchen Wireless internet Paddle board, fishing boat and other athletic equipment available Special notes: Maximum Occupancy: 6 guests Children are welcome Pets are not allowed Non-smoking villa Security Deposit is required 4 Hours AC per day (solar powered) 300 meter walk to the villa from the entrance (cars not permitted directly at the villa) Check-in: 3:00pm Check out: 12 Noon Holiday Rates are slightly higher, please inquire All rates subject to change Villa Aqua Flowing curves, swimming pool and lots of luxurious space...Aqua Villa is full of light and space with multiple living areas, gourmet kitchen and much more to enjoy on holiday in Mexico. Aqua Villa has a privileged location. It is just few minutes walking distance to the beach and is also very close to downtown Playa del Carmen. A relaxing 10-15 minute walk will take you to "La 5ta Ave.", the heart of playa where you will find shopping, dinning and entertainment. Click here for more information, pics, rates and to book. Villa highlights: Concierge service Cook Gardener and maid services Special Notes: Maximum Occupancy: 12 guests Children are welcome Pets are not allowed Non smoking villa Check-in: 4:00pm Check out: 12 Noon Holiday Rates are slightly higher, please inquire All rates subject to change Weddings & Social events permitted VILLAS IN PUERTO VALLARTA Puerto Vallarta Beach Club The Puerto Vallarta Beach Club is a private enclave of one to four bedroom luxury beachfront villas with all the world-class services of a 5-star resort. The Villas are peacefully nestled in a tropical waterfront jungle on a private estate, yet walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the fun nightlife of Puerto Vallarta. Each Villa can be rented for as few as 3 nights. The Puerto Vallarta Beach Club offers 3 free-standing, exquisitely designed beach front tropical villas. Located on the best part of Los Muertos Beach, the villas can be rented separately or together. When combined with Villa Verano a 12-bedroom estate just above the Beach Club, groups of up to 44 may be graciously accommodated. The Beach Club also provides the flexibility of renting from 1-10 rooms. A full-time English-speaking concierge provides all guest services. Among the many world-class amenities, there is a fully air-conditioned gym, a club house, and beach service. There is no other property of this kind on the Mexican Riviera, and membership is not required. Click here for more information, pics, rates and to book. Villa highlights: An on-site concierge can assist with wedding planning. Wedding coordinators are also offered! Infinity pool Gourmet kitchen with on call chefs and personal grocery shopper Full spa services Housekeeping Private beach Kayaks and beach sports equipent are provided Wireless internet, long distance phone service, house computer Flat screen TVs Special Notes: Rates do not include services such as spa treatments, on-call chefs, and your personal grocery shopper. Christmas/New Year's rates available upon request. Check-in Time: 3:00pm Check Out: no later than 11:00am Villa Verano The Villa has been host to movie stars, international VIPs, and dignitaries, and has been televised in 31 countries. Villa Verano offers up to 11 bedrooms plus a 1 bedroom owner's "beachhouse." Perched on the most tranquil end of Los Muertos Beach, the Villa has the finest location in Vallarta with the best grounds and largest pool of any other Villa in Puerto Vallarta, just walking distance to all the shops, restaurants and nightlife. The full time staff of 10, including 2 executive chefs, are considered one of the finest trained staffs in Mexico. The Villa's concierge fulfills all the guests' desires from planning personalized menus to orchestrating spa services by the pool. When combined with the Puerto Vallarta Beach Club Villas, up to 44 guests can be comfortably accommodated, all on one private estate. Click here for more information, pics, rates and to book. Villa highlights: Spa services Housekeeping services Personal grocery shopper Access to a private beach Special Notes: Rates quoted are for 8 bedrooms please add $336 per bedroom per night in high season (11/01 - 5/15) and $252 per bedroom per night in low season (5/16 - 10/31) + government tax There is an 8 bedroom, 4 night minimum year round with the exception of any reservation that includes Thanksgiving Day (10 bedroom, 7 night minimum) and Christmas/New Year's (11 bedroom, 7 night minimum) Holiday rates are slightly higher.please inquire Check in time is after 3 pm, check out time is prior to 11 am Security Deposit is required All rates subject to change Other Useful Resources for Planning a Villa Wedding in Mexico: Cabo Wedding Planning Forums Riviera Maya, Cancun & Surrounding Areas Wedding Planning Forums Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planning Forum Fun Things to Do in Mexico: Visit the gorgeous underwater cenotes. Many BDW brides have taken amazing Trash the Dress photos here! Visit the Ruins of Chichen Itza. (It's an UNESCO World Heritage site!) Visit the Tulum Mayan Ruins Visit Xcaret Park in Riviera Maya, an eco-archaeological park where you can snorkel, swim with dolphins and more! Zipline above the jungle canopy Legal Requirements for Obtaining a Marriage License in Mexico: Consent: People under the age of 18 may not get married in Mexico without parental consent. With parental consent, boys have to be at least 16 and girls need to be at least 14 years of age. Foreigners Getting Married to Foreigners: You don't need to be resident in Mexico in order to get married there, you'll just need a passport and your tourist permit, plus some other paperwork (see below). If you plan to get married to a Mexican in Mexico, you will need additional documentation. Chest X-rays and Blood Tests: These must be done locally in Mexico, as the results of the blood tests and the X-ray documentation must be in Spanish and the tests need to be done within a certain time frame of the Marriage Application Form being completed. Not all states require the Chest X-rays. Check locally. Four Witnesses: You will need to have 4 witnesses present at the legal ceremony, and they must have valid identification (Passport). Validity Outside of Mexico: Your Marriage Certificate will be valid world-wide, BUT you should get your certificate 'legalised' in Mexico to ensure it is legally accepted when you get back home. The process is the reverse of getting your Native documentation legalised by the necessary authorities (e.g. Foreign Office) for marriage in Mexico (see below); The registry office in Mexico will tell you where this can be done locally. Required Legal Documents An American or other foreigner wishing to be married in Mexico must present to the appropriate Civil Registry certain documents described in the paragraphs below. All documents from the U.S., except for the valid U.S. passport, must be authenticated by an American authority (usually the Secretary of State), from the state where they originated, who attaches an "Apostille" to the documents listed below. Important! ALL Foreign documents listed below (with the exception of your passport) will need to be: Translated into Spanish; Notarised by your nearest Mexican Consulate and; Be 'Legalised' in the country where you live by the appropriate organisation or authorities. (In the UK the Foreign Office undertakes this task; link to the Legalisation page the on the Foreign Office's web site for details about obtaining this service). Marriage Application Forms: These forms are attained from the local registry office in Mexico. You will need to specify whether you will get married under joint or separate property on this form. Passport: Full Passport, valid for at least 6 months and a copy of same (both the bride and groom). Travel Permits: Original copies of the tourist permit which was completed at the port of entry or other resident permit (visa, FM3, FM2, etc) Birth Certificates: These will need to be certified and translated by an approved translator. Contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for more details. Divorce Decree / Death Certificate: If either or both persons were previously married, then copies of Divorce Decree/ Death Certificate, if applicable (see Previously Married) will be required for presentation. Chest X-Rays: The Plates from the Chest X-rays (Get these in Mexico) Blood Test Results: Written results of the blood test, written in Spanish (Get blood test done in Mexico). Again, these must be done locally in Mexico, as the results of the blood tests and the X-ray documentation must be in Spanish and the tests need to be done within a certain time frame of the Marriage Application Form being completed. Not all states require the Chest X-rays. Check locally. The Marriage Process In Mexico, only civil marriage is recognized as legal. Persons wishing to do so may also have a religious ceremony, but it has no legal effect and does not replace in any way the legal binding civil marriage. A civil wedding in Mexico is fully valid for legal purpose in the U.S. Civil marriages are performed by the Civil Registry of each municipality (Registro Civil). Marriages are performed without charge at the premises of the "Registro Civil". They may also be performed elsewhere, but in this case a fee is charged which should be ascertained from the "Registro Civil". Foreigners are not subject to a residence requirement but will have to identify themselves by a presentation of their tourist cards and of a valid passport and a copy of their birth certificates authenticated and translated as described above. Foreigners planning to marry a Mexican citizen should pay particular attention to the special requirements listed in paragraph below. Persons previously married must present proof of the termination of that marriage in the form of a divorce decree or death certificate. If the divorce or death took place outside of Mexico, it must be authenticated and translated into Spanish. Divorced people cannot marry in Mexico until one year after the termination of the divorce. If either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse will be needed as part of the documentation requirements. If you plan to marry a Mexican National in Mexico, you'll need to fulfill some additional requirements: In addition to all of the above documentation, you will need to obtain permission from the "Secretaria de Gobernacion - Oficina de Migracion" where for a fee of around US$200/£130 you'll need to acquire a permit to marry a Mexican national. The document is known as "Permiso para contraer matrimonio con un nacional". The office issuing this permit must be the same office that has jurisdiction over the area where the marriage is to take place - so check beforehand! This process can take from two days to two weeks, depending on the State and the people at the local government office: be prepared to be patient if you have to! Foreigners wishing to marry a Mexican citizen must first obtain permission to do so from the "Instituto Nacional de Migración" Secretaria de Gobernación (Ministry of Interior). Marriage Fees You will need to pay your Marriage License fee (approx £20/US$30*), allow the waiting period to go by (anything from 30 minutes to a few days, depending on the State), and then the ceremony can take place and the marriage will be legal. The least expensive option is to have the ceremony performed at the Local Registry Office. For a further fee, you can arrange for the ceremony to take place elsewhere (hotel, beach, colonial mansion, etc). You will need to make further arrangements with all parties involved, or instruct your Wedding Planner to arrange this on your behalf. Once the civil ceremony has been completed, you will need to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio). This will prove that you have been legally wed in accordance with Mexican law, and the marriage will be recognised just about everywhere in the world where it can be, including the USA, Canada, United Kingdom / EU.
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Tips on how to Calculate a budget for a wedding in Puerto Vallarta These are some general guidelines to prepare an estimate or your "mas o menos" budget for your destination wedding when it is not in an all-inclusive hotel scenario or a restaurant. I assume other venues are similar in the way they operate so this could be handy for you even if you are not choosing Martoca Beach Garden as your venue for your wedding. The venue should rent here in Puerto Vallarta area for 2,200 to 5,500 dollars on a beach front setting. The price also depends on wether it is a weekday or a weekend since weekdays are usually half price. Some places are villas so they charge you 5 night stays mandatory which could cost up to 10,000 a night for the villa which has many rooms. The catering may vary from 30 dollars a person to 150 dollars a person. This includes tables, chairs, dinnerware and service andall that is needed for catering and the banquet setting. Anything more and you are paying way too much. Unless of course a world class chef is doing the cooking and even then it would have to be a 6 or 7 course dinner. The Open bar should cost from 25 dollars a person for beer and wine and soft drinks to 55 dollars for a specialty bar and a full premium bar with top notch liquors. A decent average bar should be 35 usd per person for 8 hour open bar. DJ and dace floor for 8 hours should cost you from 800 usd up to no more than 3,000 usd with all included for a big nightclub setting with LED lighting, strobe lights, smoke and whatever else you can think for entertainment. The ceremony gazebo should cost anywhere from 300 dollars and up since this varies with taste and decorations. Mostly flowers can make the biggest difference in cost. A simple setting should be 300 usd. These are the core items for a wedding in a venue. Wedding planners charge 10% of the total cost of the wedding or they may charge a flat fee. A good fully bilingual coordinator will charge about 2,000 dollars for a good quality wedding. There are others who may charge 1,000 dollars but the service will be lacking much promptness and they will not be able to speak English effectively. There are however wedding designers who charge 5,000 or 6,000 dollars for there services. it really depends on your budget and your desire for special decorations. Most of the extra cost is spent on flowers and special decorations or handmade items. It definately makes a difference but if you just want a great party with good food and drinks and excellent music and fun the whole enchilada should run you on average about 200 dollars a person for a very nicely decorated wedding wit great quality food and service. Happy hunting for your perfect spot that suits your budget.
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Dream Weddings Mexico Dream Weddings Mexico is the premiere destination wedding consultancy specializing in beach weddings in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum. We love to plan, coordinate and execute luxurious and stylish weddings, and we will be so happy to work with you. You have just stepped into wedding planning heaven! Our philosophy: Dream it, live it, love it!! Vendor Contact Information: [email protected] www.dreamweddingsmexico.com Phone: 011 52 998 914 01 01 Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/dreamweddingsmx/ Our Work:
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HOW TO GET MARRIED IN MEXICO White sandy beaches combined with turquoise water, friendly people, amazing sunsets and a vast array of ceremony locations make weddings in Mexico spectacular and above all, memorable. Playa del Carmen is a lovely destination to get married. It has charm, entertainment, and romantic beaches to which a couple can escape. Get married in Playa del Carmen and start a romance of a lifetime. General Overview Situated just south of the border of the United States, Mexico is easy to get to and has become a great destination wedding and honeymoon spot. Generally, the best time of year to go to Mexico is from October to May, but two periods to avoid are the week leading up to Easter and the Christmas and New Year's holidays, as they are extremely busy times in Mexico. The climate can range from hot and humid to warm and dry, and there is sure to be a spot in Mexico to suit your wedding needs. A visa is not required to enter and stay (up to 72 hours) in Mexico if you are a US citizen, but if you are planning a lengthy stay you will need to obtain a government tourist card for a fee of $20 (usually included in ticket prices if you fly to Mexico). Destination weddings in Mexico cater to all budgets and are diverse with beautiful resorts, stunning beaches and traditional Mexican fiestas. Undoubtedly the most popular destination for a Mexico wedding is Riviera Maya which draws couples to its shores. Legal Requirements to get married in Mexico You must present your tourist card when you apply for your marriage license, and you must be married in a civil ceremony at a Civil Register Office (or other location, but there will be an additional fee). If you want, you may have a religious or other ceremony later on, but the only legal wedding ceremony is the civil one. In some cases, you'll need Spanish translations of your birth certificates. Mexico also requires blood tests for HIV and RPR (syphilis) and chest x-rays to be completed in the country – in all, the process from applying for your marriage license to getting married will take about three business days. The cost for a wedding in Mexico is about $200 US dollars. Mexico Weddings Most Mexican weddings have two ceremonies: the civil and the religious. The site of your wedding is up to you as well; you can either have a small beach ceremony or a festive authentic Mexican fiesta for many guests. Mexico wedding packages are available for all price ranges and wedding styles. Mexico Reception There are many different forms of receptions you can have following your wedding. Whether you'd just like a quiet candlelight dinner on the beach with your new spouse or a large reception with all your friends and family, the hotels in Mexico can accommodate any sort of reception plan. If you choose to have a traditional Mexican reception, you should think of hiring mariachis (Mexican musicians) or have your reception at one of the wedding rooms that many hotels in Mexican cities provide for this purpose. Mexico Wedding Activities There are lots of things to see and do in Mexico. Off the shores of Mexico's many beaches (such as Playa del Carmen) you can go snorkeling, diving, boating and enjoy many other water activities. Yucatan offers historic monuments built by the Aztecs and other Mexican wonders. There are as many different sites and activities available as there are distinct areas of Mexico. Mexico Wedding Guests If you're planning on having guests at your Mexico destination wedding, please make sure that you send out “Save the Date” cards about four to six months before the wedding so that your guests can have plenty of time to make arrangements to get to your wedding spot. Plan a few events for your group, such as an archeology tour or other side trips. One of the best things about Riviera Maya is the fact that you can get everything you dream, and it goes from the simplest things, up to the most elaborated... We are certain that whatever your decisions, your wedding is going to be full of magic. From Le Rêve Hotel & Spa, we would like to wish you a happy wedding planning!