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Written by Promedsa -- a top fireworks and special effects company in Cancun/Riviera Maya If you are thinking about having fireworks at your Destination Wedding in Riviera Maya - GREAT! (They are sure to look awesome and wow all your guests!). However there are some important factors you should know about and consider before adding this wow factor to your Wedding Day. Find out the Policies and Regulations at Your Wedding Resort/Venue The first thing we suggest doing when you become interested in adding fireworks to your wedding is to contact your appointed wedding coordinator at your chosen resort. As each resorts/venue has different policies and regulations when it comes to fireworks, it is best to know exactly what rules you’re dealing with as they can vary considerably. It is best to know from the start what your resort will and won’t allow. Take for example some resorts (especially along the Riviera Maya strip) that have large palapas along their beaches, or incorporated into their grounds, will not allow ground-based fireworks. The straw-like material on the roofs of these structures are very flammable, resulting in fireworks not being permitted on the property grounds. If you find yourself with a resort that does not permit fireworks from their grounds do not fear! These resorts will (and do) allow fireworks to be fired from a boat or barge in the sea. This ensures that the resort structures are 100% safe whilst still giving you your beautiful moment. Use a fireworks company that has been authorized by local Civil Protection and can obtain the necessary permit. As one of the top firework and special effects companies in Riviera Maya, we take safety VERY seriously. After all, we are dealing with explosives! We believe safety should be the number one rule on site and we train each member of our team to take every safety measure possible. When it comes to laws associated with Fireworks in Riviera Maya, it is very important that the company you use has been authorized by local Civil Protection. This organization needs to be notified when events are taking place that require fireworks. Gaining permission from Civil protection gives us the go ahead to proceed with the event. It means there has been acknowledgment that the event is going to happen in safe place and that nobody outside a trained team from a reliable company will be handling the explosives. The last thing we need to gain in order to distribute fireworks at your event is a SEDENA Permit. This permit classifies that the company is legal and is complying with all updated fire laws in order to work with explosives. Use a fireworks company that is trustworthy and reliable. As you can see from the above, it is very important you choose a company that is reputable. We want you to be 100% confident that your WOW moment is going to come from a company of great experience and a top-notch service! If you have any questions when it comes to having fireworks or special effects at your wedding, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We have more than 20 years experience in this field and it would be our pleasure to work with you and help you along the way to your dream day! For more information on Promedsa's services, visit their website at: www.promedsa.com.mx Promedsa is one of the top fireworks and special effects companies in Cancun/Riviera Maya. They work with clients from all over the world to add the 'WOW' factor that they are looking for into their events. Weddings is an area Promedsa is particularly experienced in and they take great pleasure in making every couple's dreams come true.

I am spoiled for life. Why? Because I just spent eight blissful days at a beautiful boutique-style all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and frankly, I don't think I'll ever be the same again. The minute I left Azul Beach Hotel, I was already thinking about planning a trip back with the rest of my family. First you must know that as a lifelong traveler, I am not accustomed to the all-inclusive way. Having only been to two all-inclusive resorts in the past, most of my travels comprised being "more adventurous" and thrifty -- that is, find a nice affordable resort and then trying a plethora of different restaurants throughout my stay. This is how my parents vacationed with us as kids and as I grew old enough to travel on my own, it's eventually how I vacationed with my husband and my kids too. But now, I'm 39 and I'm here to say -- my weeklong stay at this all-inclusive resort spoiled me rotten and I'm thoroughly convinced this is the way everyone should vacation and here's why: The steady stream of food and drinks. Let's face it, part of the lure of going on vacation is eating and dining on delicious food as you please. Well being at an all-inclusive resort, you have the ability to eat and drink till your heart's content. Want to sip on a cocktail or two after dinner? Or perhaps an early morning coffee or smoothie is what you crave. Food and drinks are readily available 24/7 and at an all-inclusive you simply walk into a restaurant or dining area and place your order without having to look at prices -- because you can have anything on the menu without worrying about the costs. All-inclusive menus also encourage you to try new dishes because everything on the menu is included. Have you ever wanted to try something new at a restaurant but feared that you wouldn't like it then suffer diner's remorse, then wishing you had ordered a usual staple? When it comes to an all-inclusive you have the freedom to be more adventurous when it comes to your dining experience and that can be pretty exciting, especially when you're on vacation! If you've got kids, knowing that they can order anything they want on the menu can also be a relief -- especially if you've got picky eaters. You don't have to worry about carrying money around the resort (with exception of money for tips). I have this habit of carrying my purse everywhere "just in case" I need money. When you're at an all-inclusive there is really no need to carry around cash except for tips. So you have peace of mind when heading out to the pool for the day that you need not carry a wallet full of your debit/credit cards with you. Being able to vacation without making sure you've got enough money on you is truly relaxing. It's easy to dine separately or coordinate meals together, especially if you have a larger group. If you've traveled with a large group before, you know how difficult it can be to coordinate meals while also making sure to pick a restaurant that can satisfy everyone's tastes and budget. At an all-inclusive, eating alone or planning meals together is a much easier process. Everyone in the group can eat/snack whenever they please, but if you opt to eat together, it's so much easier to choose when you know costs aren't involved. You'll love the flexibility and convenience of room service. My family and I are extreme night owls, so we're usually asleep while others are enjoying breakfast and just waking up as breakfast is about to end. But when you're at an all-inclusive you often have the option of 24-hour room service and that's like gold when you want to eat breakfast but you're not much of a morning person. It also comes in handy if you're a late night snacker -- like my husband. When you're at a regular resort, room service normally comes with higher prices. But an all-inclusive, price doesn't even come into play. You can snack as you please. Spending your day in the ocean or lounging by the pool can often leave you craving a delicious drink or snack and beach/poolside service is pretty much a given at most all-inclusive resorts. So rest assure, if you're sitting poolside reading a book all afternoon, you won't need to get up anytime soon, because soon enough a server will come by asking if you want a drink or snack. Lots of all-inclusive resorts will also have snack bars, bakeries or dessert bars on site to help curb your appetite in between meals. Now how perfect is that? The service is second to none. I can't say enough about the level of service I have received at the all-inclusive resorts I've stayed at. Your resort fees not only go toward lodging and dining, but you're also paying for top level customer service in every aspect of your resort stay. The staff is there to please you completely from the moment you check into the resort till the time you leave. During our stay at Azul Beach Hotel, we were blown away by the engaging nature and kindness of all the resort workers -- especially during our meals. The servers were funny and engaging and always went out of their way to make sure we were happy with our meal from beginning to end. The top-notch service alone makes the all-inclusive experience stand on its own. You have access to free entertainment. All-inclusive resorts are usually packed full of entertainment options for guests. Whether it be nightclubs, bars or lounges or shows for both children and adults -- you'll have a wide variety of entertainment and activities to choose from. These resorts are focused on keeping you happy and entertained while on the property so you don't feel the need to leave for anything. If you're the type that always needs to be connected, free wifi is usually also included during your all-inclusive stay. You have access to non-motorized water sports. Many all-inclusive resorts give their guests full usage of sports and water equipment like snorkels, kayaks, and paddleboards. Family friendly resorts will also give children access to beach and pool toys, which helps a lot when you're trying to limit how much to pack in your suitcase. While there may additional charges for certain sport/water activities, you usually get considerable access to a variety of tools/equipment with your already paid-for resort fees. It can help you save on your Wedding Day. Several all-inclusive resorts will throw in bonuses when couples choose to have their wedding on-site -- especially if you have a large group. These perks can help you save a ton when it comes to planning your celebration. So make sure to ask the resort what their wedding packages or options include. Often times, all-inclusive resorts will work with preferred travel agencies who can also offer additional perks if their entire wedding party/guests book through that particular agency. (Wright Travel Agency -- the official agency of bestdestinationwedding.com, is a preferred agency with several of the destination wedding resorts throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica as well as other prime destination locations. To contact the Wright Travel, click here.) You don't worry about staying on a budget. There's something completely liberating about going on vacation and not having to worry about how much you've spent and how much cash you have left in your wallet. When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, the money for your lodging and food/drink has been paid upfront and your time there can be spent in total relaxation mode. If you haven't tried an all-inclusive resort, you should try it at least a couple times. Even if you're one of those travelers like me who's grown accustomed to always being on the go -- the all-inclusive experience is worth trying at least once. You just may find yourself spoiled by it like me and waking up post-vacation, wondering why no one is there bringing you a cocktail or ready with your morning omelette To find out more information about booking an all-inclusive vacation for your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or 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.

Perhaps you have a milestone wedding anniversary coming up, or maybe you and your sweetheart just want another opportunity to celebrate your love. Whatever the reason may be -- big or small -- planning for a destination vow renewal is a great idea! But if you're on the fence and just can't decide whether to renew your I Do's, here are six reasons why you should say "yes" to planning a destination vow renewal: 1. It's another chance to celebrate your love and renew your commitment to each other. I'm sure you already know this, but being in a marriage takes work. And being in a happy marriage takes even more work. Every relationship has its ups and downs and rest assure your and your spouse will go through trials and tribulations that will test your relationship, and if you are able to weather the storm and come out on top together -- that is plenty of reason to celebrate. A vow renewal is a wonderful way to celebrate your commitment to each other once again, to tell the world you love each other once again and to remind yourselves why you walked down the aisle the first time 2. It's a reason to gather your families and friends and if you have children, a chance to incorporate them into your celebration. Perhaps you've been in a whirlwind of busy schedules and life's demands, and just haven't had time to spend with your loved ones. Well planning a destination vow renewal is a great opportunity to gather the crew and spend some quality time together. Wedding celebrations allow for a unique opportunity for everyone to gather for a happy occasion and have a good time, so why not do it somewhere epic? And if you've had children since you first tied the knot, nix the traditional bridal party and allow your kids to be by your side instead. Have your sons or daughters walk you down the aisle to meet dad. Let your kids be your bridal party -- having them be an integral part of the celebration will give them something to always remember and cherish. 3. It's a chance for "do-overs" -- especially if the first time wasn't ideal or perfect. If your first wedding wasn't perfect or what you always dreamed it would be, a vow renewal is a great opportunity to do it right the second time around. For a lot of couples, their first wedding celebration came with budget limitations and money set aside for the bigger picture -- i.e., buying a house, starting a new life as husband and wife. But when it comes to your vow renewal, you may find yourself in a better place financially and a lot more stable as a couple. So why not create the wedding you truly always wanted? Maybe there was a venue you really wanted to get married at but for whatever reason, wasn't an option the first time (budget, availability, etc.) Make it happen this time around and plan for the celebration of your dreams -- hire the photographer you really want to work with, wear the dress you wish you would have chosen the first time, wear your hair and makeup the way you wish you would have -- essentially take what you learned from the first time around, do it over, and do it perfectly And if you actually loved your wedding celebration the first time, take the opportunity to fine tune it to perfection this time around or simply do it all over again. Also, when it comes to the vow renewal, you don't have to feel obligated to invite everyone you did the first time -- just invite your core, the people you truly want to be there. Vow renewals can be big and elaborate, or small and intimate, it's really up to you. 4. It's an opportunity to celebrate family and friendship: it takes a village. Use this celebration to say thank you to your circle and support system. Celebrate with the ones you truly love, the people who have been by your side through the ups and downs of your life and your marriage. Gather the ones you love and celebrate life and love -- go out there and make new and wonderful memories together! 5. It's an opportunity to take an epic vacation/adventure to a place you've never been to. Is there a location you've always wanted to go to? Or maybe there's a special spot that you've been to before that you'd like to share with your circle. If so, why not plan a vow renewal at that special place? Everyone loves a reason to go on a great vacation, so incorporating an epic destination spot into your vow renewal plans can work perfectly for you and your guests. If you're planning on having a smaller group, this allows you to splurge a little more. Take a look at the castle in Europe, check into Karisma's gorgeous Villa Carola private home at Azul Beach in Cancun. Make this celebration epic in every way possible by choosing a destination that you've been dying to visit. 6. It's a special time to document with photos -- family, friends and with your sweetheart. As a wedding photographer, I may be biased, but a vow renewal is a great opportunity to capture beautiful photos of you and your sweetheart and your family and friends. If you couldn't afford the photographer you wanted the first time you shared I Do's perhaps this time around it may be in your budget. Pictures are the footprints of our lives, so make those precious memories with the ones you love and document them well! - - - 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.

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!

The hours leading up to your wedding can be extremely stressful, but at the same time, those precious moments of preparation before you say "I Do," are also uniquely exciting and beautiful. As a wedding photographer, I can honestly say, these hours of preparation leading up to the ceremony often yield some of my most favorite images of the day. Besides the fact that I think I get to work with some of the sweetest and most beautiful brides and grooms (yep, shameless plug!), I know that prepping my clients for the "Getting Ready" shots I plan to take helps immensely in giving me the opportunity to take photos I know they will love and appreciate when they look back at their Wedding Day. Here are a few tips I share with my couples on ways you can help your wedding photographer take beautiful "Getting Ready" photos on your big day: 1) Get ready in a space that has plentiful window light: Whether you choose to get ready in a hotel room or in the bridal suite at your venue, choose a space that has a good amount of window light -- trust me, your photographer will thank you! Light is the most important factor for capturing beautiful photos -- whether it come in the form of natural light (sunlight) or artificial light (flash or video light). I happen to prefer natural light when it comes to Getting Ready portraits because it gives my images a clean, bright softness that my clients have come to love. A room with natural light coming from a large window source will also be what your makeup artist prefers to use as well. So keep this in mind when you're deciding where to prep and get dressed on your Wedding Day. 2) Clean and tidy up the area where you plan to get ready before your photographer arrives: I know on the Wedding Day the rush of getting hair and makeup done as well as making sure everyone has their dresses and the right accessories can often result in a bit of a tornado effect in the preparation room. And that's totally OK and understandable. But asking some of your bridesmaids to help tidy up the space before your photographer arrives will help your photographer move around freely in the area and also capture clean portraits without any clutter in the background. 3) Set aside the details you'd like your photographer to photograph: If you're one of those brides who's spent months carefully crafting your wedding day look, you'll definitely want your photographer to capture your beautiful details. Give your photographer a helping hand by putting aside these details so when he/she arrives, the items are easy to access and can quickly be photographed. That means doing the following: hanging your wedding dress on a nice hanger (wire hangers do not photograph well, custom hangers are perfect as well as a clean wooden or velvet hanger) putting aside your wedding ceremony and reception shoes gathering your jewelry and garter having all the rings in a box -- engagement ring and both wedding rings a clean invitation and envelope as well as any save the dates your bridal bouquet along with at least 1 bridesmaid bouquet 4) Have the people who are helping you put your wedding gown on (bridesmaids, mom, aunts, grandmothers, siblings) be ready and completely dressed: When it's time for you to put your wedding gown on, anyone helping you get dressed should be completely ready and dressed from head to toe. You will be picture-perfect once your wedding dress is on, and those surrounding you, should look their best too. Anyone helping you get ready on the Wedding Day should be prepared to be part of your "Getting Ready" photos and if you plan on having a wedding album, you will want them to look picture perfect too! 5) Give your photographer a good amount of time for "Getting Ready" photos: This is the most important tip -- because without time, you're not giving your photographer a chance to create the images you want. I realize that timelines can't always be stretched or changed due to venue restrictions or timeframes, but when you do have control of setting your timeline, allow your photographer ample time to work without stress or time crunches. Ideally, I like to begin shooting at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony to capture "Getting Ready" portraits. This gives me ample time to photograph details (at least 45 minutes), about 15-20 minutes for the bride to get dressed and receive any touch-ups, 15-20 minutes for bride portraits and another 15-20 minutes for the bride to take photos with her bridesmaids. If the couple plans to do a "First Look," then I like to begin shooting 2.5 to 3 hours before the ceremony begins to allow for the big reveal as well as romantic portraits. If you give your photographer time, he/she has a much better chance to deliver the images that will not only tell the story of your day, but also images inspired with creativity that you will love for years to come. * All photos posted in this article are credited to MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife destination wedding photography team. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and 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.

Unlike traditional wedding celebrations, Indian Weddings often span over the course of three to four days focusing on different aspect of the wedding union with special cultural ceremonies and practices. One of those is the Mayian, which is the preparation ceremony the day before a Punjabi or Sikh wedding is held. According to Sakurako Yakushiji the COO and Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA -- a premiere wedding decor stylist team in the Cancun-Riviera Maya area -- Mayian is usually a night ceremony that involves many rituals among them chuni or choora ceremony, or Jaggo where matka or jaggo (metal bowls) are placed on ladies heads while they dance amongst the crowd. Sometimes the Mayian happens in combination with the Sangeet (music and performances night) and ladies Mendhi where henna is applied. Yakushiji and her LATIN ASIA team recently created a vibrantly hued Mayian Ceremony display at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort and she explains some of the inspiration behind their creation. Question: What is the inspiration behind this particular design? This particular design we created was a combination of traditional elements presented differently. Why? Because we like to do things better every day! Matkas, choki tables, thalis with multicolor crystals, bajots and a stunning backdrop with Pakistani, Indian and Arabic lanterns all together with colorful solid fabrics and sarees on top with a raised platform dressed with golden sequin fabrics gives a stunning result and all your guests will rave from years to come! If this is the Mayian which is the prelude of the wedding, imagine what we can do for your wedding ceremony and gala reception. Question: What type of feel were you aiming for in this design? Maiyan is the door or prelude to the wedding day, so a backdrop to demark the ceremony enhances its importance and gives it a special touch. Regular backdrops are flat and boring, so we aimed to bring volume and movement. So we used a 3-panel backdrop with contrasting colors, dashes of gold and hanging lanterns to make this Maiyan unique. At LATIN ASIA, we do not do cookie cutter, we like to design from scratch and little details make a huge difference. Breaking the rules and standards of flat, or square we see endless options to create a fabulous shape, incredible color combinations and stunning textures with props. We do not forget even the floor as all Indian weddings must have a raised platform. We decided to pop it up with golden sequin covers to transform an empty space from bland to extraordinary. Question: What was the inspiration behind the color palette you chose? As Maiyan is a very meaningful event and it is the preparation ceremony, we tried to make it vibrant, festive and bright -- in other words colorful. Orange and bright pink are quite popular colors among these festivities. And golden touches is something all Indian weddings must have. Question: What sets LATIN ASIA apart from other styling teams when it comes to Indian destination weddings? As a wedding industry professional for over 10 years and having my wedding ceremony in Agra India, I know the good, the fabulous and of course the ugly around the hood when it comes to destination Indian weddings. Designing décor for an Indian wedding, is not an easy job, as it is not just about the design, it is about knowledge of each of their rituals, ceremonies and events. Each wedding is unique and special. When it comes to Indian weddings, this feeling of uniqueness enhances tremendously and it could be a challenge to rely on people who do not understand the truly meaning of an Indian wedding. Moreover when it comes to Indian destination weddings, the lack of knowledge and understanding each need of bride and groom and both family members is a scary situation. Luckily with LATIN ASIA, we truly understand the meaning of a destination Indian wedding, which is to EMBRACE marriage and collectively work together, where each of the members of the wedding: bride, groom, immediate family, hotel members, vendors, priest, musicians, photographers, etc. -- EVERYONE has to participate actively to make this happen. So it is not surprising to see vendors, hotel members, priests and aunties all together participating and doing things together. Something totally opposite to western style weddings where every part does its own part separately. My LATIN ASIA team and I understand how to embrace this collective effort and we happily participate from beginning to end on every destination Indian wedding we do. For 2015 alone, we did 81 destination Indian weddings from scratch to end, each one with an average of 3-day events. So if you do the math, you'll see that in 2015 alone, we attended 243 days of destination Indian weddings! And we were so happy and proud to be part of each of them. For more information on LATIN ASIA's services, visit their website at: www.weddingcancun.mx or contact the team directly at latinasia.flowers@gmail.com - - - Sakurako Yakushiji, COO, Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA, has impeccable logistics knowledge, extraordinary floral design skills with a Masters degree and international license in Japanese floral art. Having her own Hindu wedding ceremony at Agra India, she and her team understand the deep meaning of what it takes to create a dream Destination Indian wedding regardless being Hindu, Sikh or Ismaili Muslim. Saku has trained people from scratch not only to execute great performances, but to make every member of LATIN ASIA a better person creating new opportunities every day.

I know how you must feel planning this day that you want to be perfect. Perhaps you're stressed out over your budget, unhappy because people aren't RSVP'ing or booking their trips like they should before the deadline, or maybe you're panicking because you haven't heard back from your wedding coordinator in a few days -- or has it been a week? I get it, I was there. Wedding planning, while exhilarating and exciting, can be really, really hard. So here are some tips from me (a past bride who went through it all, including the threat of borders closing because of the swine flu and drug cartels ) to help get you through this journey as a bride-to-be. 1. Don't sweat the small stuff and take a deep breath before you handle the big stuff. There will be times when you find yourself breaking down over the smallest of details. I remember going into a slight panic when I found out one of the colors of my bridesmaids' dresses was being discontinued. My then fiancé recalls me going into a crazed frenzy because the three bridesmaids wearing that color still hadn't bothered to get their dresses despite my constant reminders to "get it done." They eventually did and all was well. But it didn't happen without me pretty much losing it LOL. So before you decide this new problem is worth calling the whole thing off, step back and look at the big picture. Will this issue completely ruin your Wedding Day? Will it prevent you from doing what's most important -- marrying the one you love? Don't make any rash decisions or fly off the handle, if time permits, give yourself 48-72 hours to assess the situation/problem and go from there. 2. Not everyone will be able to attend your destination wedding and you need to accept that. The beauty of having a destination wedding is that sharing I Do's in a place far from home will weed out the people you didn't really want to invite but felt obligated to. Admit it, you know exactly who I'm talking about. The sad but true part is that there will be some people who you knew for sure would be at your wedding, that simply won't be able to make it -- for whatever reason. We had some people tell us they couldn't afford it or they simply couldn't take time off work. And then there were those who didn't want to travel to foreign country. We listened to reasons of every kind. I also lost someone who I thought was my best friend because of my destination wedding. About two weeks before we were going to leave, she told me her sons' father wouldn't give her permission to take the boys to Mexico. I later found out, not only was she probably making up that excuse, she was also trying to convince my other best friend not to go either. Yep, I soon realized she wasn't the person I thought she was all along. Was I heartbroken and sad? Yes, but I didn't let her lack of wanting to be a part of my Big Day bother me. She wasn't going to stop me from having the wedding of my dreams -- see advice point #1. 3. Be in the moment. You spend months, maybe years like me, planning for your Wedding Day. So when the time arrives for your destination wedding experience to begin, don't forget to soak it all in. I cannot emphasize enough how quickly our Wedding Day will fly by -- you wake up the day of your wedding and before you know it, it's over. Trust me! So take some time throughout your Big Day to look at everything and let your senses take it all in. Look around at all the beautiful details, inhale the fragrance and smells that waft through the air, listen to the music and the voices of your family and friends, taste and enjoy your delicious meal and drinks, touch your new spouse's hand and kiss him/her deeply -- enjoy it all. This is your Wedding Day -- live it, breathe it, love it, and enjoy every moment. Don't forget to check back for Part 2 of Wisdom from a Past Bride! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and 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.