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Dealing with Guests Who Want to Book Outside the Travel Agent Group Rate The art of getting all your guests to place their deposits for your destination wedding accommodations and finalize their booking through your travel agent can be hard -- we're talking rocket science hard. Because you'll likely have at least one guest who needs a little more time to book, another guest who goes rogue and THINKS they have found a better deal at the same resort, and of course another set of guests who decide they're going to stay at another resort all together. So how do you deal with this? The bottom line is: be open and honest with your guests from the start, and be sure they have full information on the process of booking their stay.. When wedding guests book outside the established travel agent group rate, there is often a resort surcharge for that person to attend any of your scheduled events. So let your guests know about these extra fees that must be paid if they book outside your contracted group rate. Since couples have arranged a group rate and held rooms for their guests in a group block, many brides and grooms do pass any additional charge for booking outside the group on to those guests who choose that route. So convey to your guests ahead of time what the ramifications are if they book on their own. Having guests book elsewhere could also put additional pressure on the wedding couple, as most resorts require a minimum occupancy to stay at the resort. Also when it comes to guests who decide to book lodging elsewhere outside of your chosen resort, make sure they know there will typically be a visitors fee for them to enter your resort and attend your wedding (if that is in fact, your resort's policy). These visitor fees can average anywhere from $75 to $200 per guests --so these unexpected costs can easily add up. Additionally, if a resort is full to capacity, they are under no obligation to sell these "day passes" to people wishing to enter for the day. Resorts will not overcrowd their paying guests by allowing in those staying elsewhere if they are full, meaning there's no guarantee they'll be able to attend your wedding at all! Now it's up to you whether you want to cover your guests visitor fee or tell your guests that they would be responsible for paying it on their own -- Most couples make it clear that any additional cost for those choosing to stay elsewhere would be the guest's responsibility, from transfers, to taxi to entry fee. Once these are all calculated into the total price, it is quite typical that the cost of staying elsewhere can actually be higher than just booking into the group block and staying on site. Additionally, the whole concept and experience of a destination wedding includes not just guests attending the actual ceremony, but leisure time spent on the beach with the wedding couple, or relaxing with a drink in the lobby bar -- all things that off-site guests would be excluded from experiencing. It's also important to emphasize to your guests that you've contracted the help of a travel agent, who can help ensure their needs are taken care of should any problems arise during the booking or travel process. Travel agents usually also have established working relationships with the resorts they work with and can quickly handle any issues or unexpected problems that arise -- giving you the attention and assistance you need, whereas those who book deals on discount travel websites often have no recourse or anyone to turn to who can offer immediate help. Most importantly, when guests stay off-site, they are missing out on the best part of a destination wedding -- which is the group trip aspect. It's the bonding of the wedding guests where you really foster relationships with people and long lasting memories, and these times can only truly be had when you are interacting with the group at the same resort. How Do You Tell Your Guests of the Importance of Booking the Travel Agent Group Rate? TA Wendy, one of the agents for Wright Travel Agency -- the official agency for the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- suggests that couples put something on their website or Save the Date that says, "We are delighted that you are considering attending our Destination Wedding, and to make your booking the trip smooth and easy we have contracted for the rooms with a Travel Agent who specializes in Destination wedding travel. If you are planning to come this is how you should book your reservation to ensure you are in our group block and a part of all the festivities." A simple statement like this will often deter guests from going off and travel shopping on their own. Unfortunately, there truly is no way you can force anyone to book according to your wishes, but you do have the ability to provide your guests with the knowledge upfront of what can, and will happen, if they decide to book outside the established group rate. Being upfront and honest from the get go, can save you a lot of headache, stress and most of all money in the long run! For more information and assistance about establishing a group rate at the resort of your choice, 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. -
Brides.com: 5 Things Guests Hate Most About Wedding
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
We've all been to at least one wedding in our lifetime, and while it is a joyous and celebratory gathering, no wedding goes 100 percent as planned. Things go wrong at weddings all the time, both big and small. But there are some aspects that a couple should consider ahead of time to avoid having unhappy guests during their Wedding Day. According to a recent article published in Brides.com, here are 5 things guests hate most about weddings: 1) Delayed Receptions Don't wait too long to feed the guests once the ceremony ends. At the very least, have a cocktail and appetizer hour to keep your guests happy before the reception begins. Also keep in mind that if you're having children present, there should be activities to keep them occupied rather than having them run around amongst starved guests. 2) Lack of Planning Keep in communication with your guests to ensure that they are aware of any changes to the schedule. Remember when planning, to think of every aspect of the day and carefully plan your details out -- having a wedding coordinator, or at the very least, a "day-of" coordinator is a great way to ensure that all bases are covered. 3) No Microphones at the Ceremony Make sure you have the proper tools (microphones) and sound system in place to ensure that your guests can actually hear your vows. This is especially important if you're having a ceremony outdoors (beach especially!), there's nothing worse than your guests traveling both near and far and then not giving them a chance to fully witness your nuptials because they can't hear them. Consider having microphones if you're not sure your guests will be able to hear you during the ceremony. 4) The Bride Venting About Her Wedding (At the Wedding) Don't be that bride who complains about her wedding while at the wedding! Yes, you may be stressed and exhausted, but expressing your disappointment to your guests and bridal party will make them feel uncomfortable during a time when they are there to celebrate you. 5) Cash Bar If you're having guests travel to your destination wedding, consider offering at least a limited bar if an open bar isn't within your budget. This article was originally published on Brides.com. Tell us, what is your pet peeve when it comes to attending weddings? -
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.- 492 replies
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Most people probably think a week at an all-inclusive resort sounds like a dream, where you don't have to worry about food or drinks and the toughest part of your day is deciding where to eat dinner. But for someone like me, who has grown up going on adventurous vacations where you're constantly on the go and eating where your travels take you each day, the thought of being on a resort for a week made me feel a little apprehensive. But you know what happened? My husband, our two daughters and I stayed at Azul Beach Hotel in Cancun-Riviera Maya for a week and we didn't go stir crazy, actually we loved it! My qualms about the all-inclusive experience before our stay at Azul Beach Hotel was feeling like I had to stay on the resort the entire time to make the investment worth it. But in actuality, the all-inclusive experience gives you everything you need without having to feel like you need to adventure off the property for anything. Everything we needed to have a relaxing wonderful week in paradise was provided for us at the resort -- from a plethora of delicious food options, to activities and entertainment for both children and adults, and even an amazing spa experience -- we found each day at our resort exciting and new and it was honestly an amazing vacation for us all. When looking into an all-inclusive vacation, here are a few tips I would suggest you consider as you plan your travels: 1. Pick a resort that has a variety of food and dining options: some resorts like, Azul Beach Hotel, provide only a la carte dining options (which is fabulous because you indulging in meals that are always fresh and made to order). But other resorts will have mostly buffet-style dining and a few a la carte options. Take your preferred dining experience into consideration when looking for an all-inclusive resort. Also check and see if the resort offers room service, which is a great option to have even if you don't think you'll use it. My husband soon found himself opting for room service when he had late night cravings -- keep in mind that most resort eateries will close, so having 24-hour room service is quite helpful especially if you're a late night diner! 2. Consider the resort activities and entertainment options: if your vacation style entails keeping yourself busy, a resort that offers a variety of activities in addition to daily entertainment would be your best choice. Also look at reviews to determine a resort's style -- is it more catered for adults or families with young children? Perhaps it's a mixture of both. 3. Look at the resort amenities: Whether you love being poolside, enjoy a day at the spa, or like lounging on the beach all day -- make sure your resort offers what you need when you look for a vacation. Also consider the resort's size, as some people love being on a huge resorts where you can wander through the grounds and others like being able to move about the resort with ease and not much walking. The resort amenities and its size will play a big part in determining the overall vibe of the property. 4. Can you easily plan and do excursions from your resort?: If you're the type of vacationer who likes to adventure about during the day, choose a resort that offers tours and excursions that can be planned or scheduled on-site. While we spent most of our time on the resort, we did go off-site one day for a camel safari at the beach that was about a 30-minute ride away. It was a perfect little day trip that still allowed us to enjoy and explore, but it was close enough to our resort that we didn't feel like we were wasting the day traveling. And of course, it's always wonderful coming back to the comforts of your resort after being off-site for the day! Overall, the choice to go to an all-inclusive resort doesn't have to feel confining if you pick a location that offers all the options you need to have a relaxed and fulfilling vacation. So take your time to look over the options and don't just jump at the best deal out there -- consider your vacation style and preference, then make your decision based on what you feel will give you the best overall experience! For more information about Azul Beach Hotel, or any other all-inclusive resort options, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel throughout the world. 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. -
1.- Illumination. This element can create a special ambiance adding depth and romanticism to the night. From Chinese lanterns to string lights, there are many options to create a beautiful and illuminated weeding setup. 2.- Candles. We know that candles always provide a touch of romanticism and a lovely decoration giving the venue a feeling of love everywhere. 3.- More Flowers. Flowers in a Wedding are never enough; so if you have the opportunity and the budget for it, DO IT! You will discover the infinity of details and decoration you can have and to make your event a wish come true, not to mentioned the beautiful pictures! 4.- Wedding gifts. Make your big day unforgettable with a special present for them, as a sign of your appreciation for their company on this unique occasion. 5.- Premium open bar! Don’t stop the party, have fun with all the family and guests and enjoy the magical moment. http://www.adventureweddingsvallarta.com/ -
The hashtag -- it's the modern day way of putting a stamp on your wedding and collecting all those photos that will make their way onto social media throughout your Wedding experience. Last weekend I photographed a destination wedding for a couple who hosted a lavish Las Vegas wedding and their hashtag was #epicloveparty -- it was a brilliant way to brand their wedding and all their guests totally bought into the hashtag process. The morning after their wedding, I sat in bed and sifted through so many fun images on Facebook and Instagram based on their hashtag. And now the couple says they're working on their #epiclovestory -- seriously though, how cute is that? Do you love this idea and want to create your own epic hashtag? Wedding Wire has an awesome hashtag generator to help you craft the perfect hashtag. The Knot also offers these great tips to consider before creating your hashtag (to read about these tips in more depth, click here): Step 1. Start with your names. Step 2. Use numbers for a simple way to set your hashtag apart. Step 3. Get punny. Step 4. Avoid easy misspellings. Step 5. Capitalize the first letter of each word. Step 6. Check the hashtag. Step 7. Spread the word. Step 8. Don't overthink it. - - - 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. -
Good afternoon Ladies- First of all- Congrats on the engagements and future wives . I’m sooo happy to have found this website is like a little club lol . My wedding date is Dec 19th 2015 @ Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort. Is anyone else having a December weeding?! Is anyone or has anyone gotten married in “La Palapa”? That’s where my reception will be and wanted to know about any décor that anyone has pics of. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated it thanks! And happy planning
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Planning your wedding made easy in the Caribbean. Dreamy Weddings and Tours Inc. has been in the wedding planning industry since the early 2000's and offer their wedding planning expertise throughout different islands in the Caribbean. (St.Kitts, Nevis, Jamaica, St.Lucia, Antigua, Barbados, Aruba, Belize, Anguilla, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Grenada) I am certain that many couples dream of a destination wedding but they have no idea how to organize this event from miles away or how to even begin the arrangements for a legally binding wedding. That's where the Dreamy Team comes in, whether you're visiting via cruise or flying in for a few days, we will support you with planning and organizing your wedding and we guarantee a stress-free day to make sure it is everything you ever dreamed of. You are assigned a wedding planner who takes care of the application process for your legal wedding and an on island wedding planner who coordinates the full event from beginning to end, so you have hassle free day that you can enjoy fully. Say " I do", on golden sand beaches, historic sites, lush green gardens or tropical waterfalls as we have a variety of venues to choose from on each island. The best thing about our wedding planning service is that we become your eyes and ears, and with our selection of handpicked, professional vendors we offer nothing but the best. We pay close attention to detail and our priority is bringing your vision to a reality and if you are uncertain what you want your magical day to entail, we have wedding packages available that can be customized and we are also very happy to provide you with inspiration. We can give you some initial tips and suggestions or contact us for a free consultation. At customerservice@dreamyweddings.com or http://www.dreamyweddings.com/enquires Feel free to leave your comments below and like/follow us on the social media. Facebook: www.facebook.com/dreamyweddings Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/dreamyweddingss/ Instagram: http://instagram.com/dreamyweddingsskb Twitter: https://twitter.com/DreamyWeddingSK Website: http://www.dreamyweddings.com/
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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- 489 replies
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Written by Jonathan Katz of Drums in Paradise A destination wedding is something out of the ordinary, it’s different and exciting. You’ve deliberately chosen to take yourself and your guests into a new experience so you want to make sure the entertainment you choose is also something you’re unlikely to find at a wedding back home. Luckily, there are tons of amazing, unique ways to entertain your wedding guests in the Cancun/Mayan Riviera. Here are 5 of my favorite unique ways to entertain your wedding guests: Fire Show: This is a destination weddings staple and with good reason. Fire is mesmerizing, it’s dangerous, it’s beautiful and you certainly can’t do it in a typical large city venue (especially in the middle of winter!) Water Drums: Another unique destination wedding idea available in Cancun & Mayan Riviera are water drums. These drums create an enormous WOW factor as colors fly up in the air every time a drum is hit. Warm weather and the fact that you’re in a hotel with towels and a change of clothes just steps away means that you and your guests can even get wet and wild and splash around on the drums yourselves (if the show you book allows it). Live Drummers: If you’re looking to make a grand entrance, or to party bigtime consider live drummers. For high impact you can go with a whole troupe of drummers and dancers that can turn your party tribal for 30 minutes, or a solo percussionist can play along and reinforce the groove of your DJ as you party into the night. Glow Show: It’s like a fire show for the 21st century. Instead of fire, this show uses juggling instruments with ultra bright, high-tech pixel LEDs to display patterns and figures. These can even be programmed to include a special message, logo or image in the air as the artists spin them around. Acrobats: Many of the best circus acts, acrobats and dancers in Mexico move to the Riviera Maya to work in the local hotels and resorts. With the addition of a permanent Cirque De Soleil show and theatre in 2014 many more are arriving all the time. From girls hanging from hula hoops serving champagne to stilt walkers leading your guests in a limbo, or anything in-between, acrobats can offer a unique twist on regular wedding events or perform a more traditional type show. You and your guests have come a long way and invested time and money to celebrate this milestone. So if you’re looking to give back to them by making your wedding something truly unforgettable, I wholeheartedly recommend some exciting, unique entertainment to knock their flip-flops off! For more information on Drums in Paradise services for your wedding or event in the Cancun-Mayan Riviera area, visit: www.drumsinparadise.com -- to see a video preview of the variety of entertainment Drums in Paradise offers, . - - - Drums In Paradise is Cancun and Mayan Riviera’s drums and percussion specialist, offering quality fire shows, water drums, Brazilian drummers, Indian dhol, light shows, unique interactive drumming experiences and more. With respective backgrounds in drums/entertainment and hotels/customer service MexiCanadian couple Jonathan and Alejandra started the company in 2009 and have since rocketed to over 500 shows per year in the Cancun/Mayan Riviera and counting! -
Written by Promedsa -- a top fireworks and special effects company in Cancun/Riviera Maya. You’ve all heard of those stories about, well…. slightly dull weddings, so we have written this article to ensure these words are nowhere near associated with your special day. Instead we want your wedding guests to have a great time celebrating your Big Day and we believe Promedsa Weddings can help you with this ... In addition to a beautiful venue, great food and of course great company, we suggest adding some truly unique effects into your day to really dazzle your guests. Here are our top 5 ideas on how to deliver that WOW factor -- all of which Promedsa would love to assist you with. Firework Display (This can be created to the rhythm of your special song) A firework display is our absolute top pick when it comes too illuminating your day. What better way than a firework display? We can work with you to create either a simple and inexpensive show or an elaborate and synchronized show. Do you have a song that is special to you and your sweetheart? If so, tell us and we will build your firework show around this tune. Fountains Fountains are very popular in Cancun-Riviera Maya weddings. They may not be as elaborate as a firework display but they are very pretty and make for great photo moments! It is completely up to you how you would like the fountains set up and when you would like them fired. We suggest doing this at either your first kiss, or first dance but really the options are limitless. Pyro Letters We’ve all seen the perfect proposals take place on the romcom films and wished nothing more than it to happen to us. Well now it can! Promedsa specializes in creating unique and customized Pyro letters for the couples they work with. Be it ‘Will You Marry Me?’ or even your initials, we can make whatever your heart desires and set this alight when the sun goes down to reveal your message. Sparklers Who doesn’t love sparklers? We stock a wide range of sparklers for the couples to choose from (we even have hearts and letters!) Sparklers not only make for great wedding favors for your guests but also are the perfect picture opportunity. Just remember to always tell your wedding photographer if you would like some sparkler pictures or sparklers send off so they can prepare their equipment for this sort of shot. Last But Certainly Not Least – The Party Packages Here at Promedsa Weddings, we love to encourage a party! In order to do so, we have selected a number of different effects to help boost a party and add extra atmosphere to your event. You may opt for fire balls (which look great either side of the DJ) or you may decide on silver or golden confetti (we have hundred of colors and styles) or even CO2 jets to feel in a lively nightclub, we have everything you need to spice up the party! f 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. -
Villas: Affordable Luxury for Your Destination Celebration
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Perhaps the idea of a destination wedding appeals to you, but having to celebrate your wedding vows at a hotel or resort does not. Though most couples opt to have their wedding at a resort, if you're willing to do a little more research -- you can still have that posh and luxurious wedding resort feel with a whole lot more privacy by having your wedding at a private villa. And yep, you don't need to be a millionaire to make it happen! ' Hosting a wedding at a private villa has a lot of perks, besides of course giving you and your wedding guests ultimate privacy. Here are a few reasons why choosing a villa wedding might be the way to go when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams: 1) The villa can also serve as your home for the week. Most villa properties that allow guests to host weddings on the property will also require that you stay at the villa for a minimum number of nights. This not only gives you a great place to stay at your destination, you'll also be able to prepare for the Big Day even easier since everything is truly "on site." Things to consider: you'll need to decide who will be staying on the property with you and make sure there are other accommodations nearby for the rest of your family members and wedding guests. Make sure to also ask if there is an extra fee you'll have to pay to host the wedding or any other events on the property grounds. And whether there is a time limit on how long your event(s) can last. 2) Besides the wedding, you can host other wedding events at your villa -- like a Welcome Dinner, a Meet and Greet or fun pool day to welcome all your guests to your destination wedding. The luxury of staying at a villa is that you can make and create your surroundings as you like and use it as the centerpoint for all your guests throughout the duration of your destination vacation. It really serves as a wonderful place for you and your guests to laugh and enjoy, and of course celebrate! 3) It can be quite affordable when split between different parties. While the base price for renting a villa can seem steep at times, if you have enough space to invite other family members or close friends to stay there as well, splitting the costs between the different parties can make your luxury stay quite affordable. The perks of staying at a private estate also make the money you spend worthwhile -- for instance, open access to the amenities (pool, spa, pool tables, lounge furniture), you get one-of-a-kind homestyle comfort and a spacious living areas you simply don't get in a resort room or suite. You will live like royalty for your entire destination experience and it'll be an experience unlike any other vacation you've ever taken! 4) Staying at a villa gives you total privacy. I've often heard of couples being totally appalled when they see other resort-goers in their bathing suits standing closeby and taking photos during what they hoped would be a romantic beach ceremony. Some former brides and grooms can attest to the running joke that there always seems to be at least one big-bellied man in a speedo hovering over the ceremony location and basically gawking. Well when you're staying at a villa there is one thing you'll be guaranteed and that is, privacy for your entire celebration. 5) Your Wedding Day is done on YOUR timeline. You don't ever have to compete with any other couple for the best time to host your beachside sunset ceremony or worry about whether your party will run too long. When you're staying at a villa and hosting your wedding on the property, you create your own timeline according to your needs and wants. 6) You typically don't have to worry about an outside vendor fee. At a private villa, you often have the freedom to use the vendors of your choice without penalty. Many resorts on the other hand, will require that you use their preferred vendors, but if you decide to use someone who's not on "the list," then you may have to pay an outside vendor fee and those can be upwards of $500 -- a hefty price to pay if you're trying to create a dream wedding team. When booking a resort, hotel or villa as your wedding venue, always make sure to ask whether there are outside vendor fees ahead of time to ensure that you can use your dream vendor. 7) There is often an option to add-on a butler or chef for the duration of your stay. Yes, not only can you live like kings, if you'd like you often also have the option to be treated like one too. At many villas, there is often the option or inclusion of a butler to help accommodate your every need as well as a chef to ensure you're well fed throughout your stay. Butlers often serve as your personal concierge, making sure that you are enjoying every minute of your stay while also fixing any problems or issues that need to be handled. To find out more about villa options at your ideal destination location, 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. -
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. -
Things to Consider When Planning Your Wedding Decor Budget
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Written by Sakurako Yakushiji the COO and Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA One of the most challenging parts of the wedding planning process is selecting your decor, not only because you may not not have a clear idea of what you want, but also because you may come across “surprises” when it comes to setting aside a decor budget. These days there are so many inspiration photos on Pinterest, Flickr, and Facebook, that brides fall in love with so many ideas, however, your budget may be overwhelmed if you're not well prepared or have the right advice. Therefore, having a professional decor and styling team to assist you through this planning process is a great idea. Here some important factors to keep in mind when it comes in setting your decor budget for your destination wedding in Cancun or the Riviera Maya. Make sure to take some notes! - Natural flowers in tropical weather As we all know Cancun and the Riviera Maya have warm weather most of the year, which is the reason why just a few flowers are cultivated and grown in this region. Therefore the decoration companies have no other choice but to buy the flowers from a wholesaler and they transport the flowers from other cities with more suitable weather, so it can be costly. Having said that, flowers like roses, alstroemerias, lisianthus, daisies, carnations, are affordable and available all year. On the other hand, there is another group of “deluxe” flowers, like for example: dendrobium or phaleanopsis orchids, peonies, Davis Austin roses, Calla lilies, hydrangeas, etc. These could be way more expensive because they are imported, plus they have unsteady availability and are only available on specific months of the year. You may find these flowers in your country accessible and affordable but not in Cancun-Riviera Maya, so don’t be surprised by the costs and availability if you request these type of flowers. - Banquet room or beach wedding? Location and decor go hand in hand. The truth is that the majority of the banquet rooms at the resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya are very plain, and decorations are a must. But couples are often surprised they see these banquet rooms in person. First of all, most of them have carpet, and lot of brides don’t find the carpet appealing, since they have an old look that doesn’t fit their décor concept and style. Another issue with the banquet rooms is their walls and ceiling, again, they can be considered plain and boring. The real problem comes when you want to decorate the walls, ceiling and floor -- draping is not cheap and is a deluxe decoration that will for sure be the most expensive in your decoration purchase order. Because of the quantity of fabrics you need, the staff to set up and the effort, hours and work that it takes will require a sizeable budget. Now let’s talk about the outdoors venues; a lot of brides love to have their reception on the beach, because they are on the Caribbean! But, they also want to be safe of the rain and wind. If this is the case, then you may want to consider a tent, which can be middle range expensive. If you want tall centerpieces on your beach reception or terrace, you should consider size. If the wind around here is really strong, it can pull over taller flower arrangements -- these are better for a banquet room, and they look more elegant. Another item that you need to consider for an outdoor venue is the ambiance illumination; the hotel normally can provide you with big lights for the area, however, these lights are not for any décor purposes, therefore, you will need hanging lights or lanterns. For an outdoor venue, lighting can be the WOW factor you need for your guests. - Fees for delivery, set-up and transportation Big companies that offer décor for a living and have experience in the market, will often have a warehouse outside the resort to store their inventory. Having said that, all the décor companies have delivery and set-up fees that are applied according to location, size of your wedding and amount of labor charged per trip, since they are not based inside the hotel. Even if the hotel introduces this company, they will charge you. - Outside vendor fees And last but not least, vendors who are not preferred vendors or "in-house" vendors at your resort, may have to pay an outside vendor fee to provide their services at your resort. So when you contact a decoration company be sure to ask them if they are in-house at your resort, and if they don’t then you must determine the outside vendor fee with the hotel. Without paying this fee, your vendor won’t be able to get into your resort and this can really be a mess, so be sure to ask both parties -- your vendor and your hotel -- about this detail. Now you have some tips for setting your decoration budget, look for your concept and style and start to have fun planning your décor! 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. -
Hey All! I am so excited to be able to "speak" to y'all to get some advise. Even though this will be our second wedding the first was here in Texas (mostly for my husbands famil) and a bit more formal (yet fun). Therefore, everything was somewhat easy to put together.....in 4 months! Now we are planning a renewal in (Trinidad and) Tobago for December 2016, that I'm trying to make more of our personalities: fun and adventurous. I am looking to 1) Send out boarding pass invites but I am getting stuck. I would like to do the pass/ invite; luggage tag/RSVP and the sleeve. envelopes and the luggage tags. Did anyone do these and had success with DIY? 2) What are some inexpensive care/welcome package ideas to cater to overseas guests? 3) Anything else I'm not thinking of? ???? The logistics of the ceremony and reception are being handled but I'm wanting to make the experience for guests that are there for a week or so, unforgettable! Jinnette
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After spending eight blissful days at Azul Beach Hotel in Cancun-Riviera Maya this past spring, I am completely convinced that this beautiful all-inclusive resort is the perfect place for a family vacation. Here are five reasons why Azul Beach Hotel is perfect for families looking to get away. 1. Both adult and children have a lot of great options for entertainment. When it comes to the kids, rest assure they will have plenty to keep them busy at Azul Beach. The resort's Nickelodeon Kids Club will keep kids thoroughly entertained be it by the plethora of toys and books or indoor playground, or the fun activities and crafts offered by the kids club staff. Families can also partake in the Nickelodeon breakfast (tickets must be purchased in advance to attend) or perhaps even plan to get slimed Nickelodeon style! Besides the special kids pool and lounge chairs on the south end of the resort, Azul Beach also offers beach toys and games for families to enjoy, including all non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, hobie cat and stand up paddle boards. And after a long day at the beach, there's live entertainment for kids. Think of it as a rave for kids with Spongebob leading the party There are also tons of classes offered throughout the week such as salsa or merengue, yoga, cooking or even Spanish lessons. An activities program is updated weekly for all guests. But Azul Beach isn't just a great getaway for kids, adults have plenty to enjoy at night as well! Live music can be found at the popular Aquanox Bar, where you can indulge in your favorite cocktails and hear the ocean waves nearby. But if you're looking for more once the kids call it a night, check out the Agavero Lounge where you can get a real taste of Mexican tequila! 2. All the restaurants provide expansive menus that also cater to children. Azul Beach's gourmet all-inclusive offerings will have both adults and children looking forward to each meal. Each restaurant on site takes special care to note of any allergies or specific food requirements of its guests while still offering a plentiful menu or incredible options. There is a special kids menu at each eatery full of choices that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. High-chairs are also available throughout the resort for those dining with small children. 3. There are family comforts for everyone. What I really loved about Azul Beach is that they really try to accommodate the needs of all their guests, including small children. Families with small children can have their rooms equipped with a crib, bottle warmer, stroller, stuffed animals, changing table, bath toys, and other necessities for their child. The resort also offers small robes and slippers for kids so they too can feel like they're relaxing in paradise. It's little touches like these that really set this hotel apart in terms of customer service and guests satisfaction. 4. The resort promotes pure relaxation for the whole family. The resort's Vassa Spa doesn't just cater to adults, they also offer spa services for children ages 5 to 17. And if you're looking for more fun in the sun, take a dip in one of the resort's many pools or just sit in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. You can also take a relaxing snooze on one of the king-sized beach beds lined along the shore. If working out is your way of destressing, check out the hotel's Fitness Center, which is equipped with modern and comfortable gym equipment and air conditioning along with flat screen televisions. 5. The concierge can help you with off-site tours and excursions. If you're looking to explore the area outside the hotel grounds a bit more, the hotel concierge can help arrange tours or transportation for you and your family. They'll also give you suggestions on what's best for groups traveling with children of all ages (my personal favorites are: visiting Xel-Ha or Xcaret nature parks, beach-hopping and snorkeling, going on a Camel Safari at Maroma Beach, visiting the incredible Mayan ruins, or taking a stroll through Cancun or Playa del Carmen). Rest assure, if you're in need of tips and ideas on things your family might enjoy -- your personal concierge will provide you with plenty of ideas. For more information about Azul Beach Hotel, or to book your stay at this family-friendly resort, 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. -
Aside from having a plethora of gorgeous spaces to hold your perfect wedding ceremony, Moon Palace Golf & Resort Spa in Cancun also offers couples the option to enter their wedding in grandeur and style with the use of a horse and carriage. The horse drawn carriage is an option for all couples should they choose to make a grand entrance for their ceremony or even use for epic wedding photos. The horse and carriage is also a ideal option for Indian weddings during the Baraat, where the groom's procession can include festive dancing and music but also a grand way for him to enter atop the horse drawn carriage. Because the horse and carriage are on the resort grounds, there is also no worries or problems with having access to its use. For more information on Moon Palace weddings or adding the option of using the horse and carriage at the resort, click here. -
One of the perks of a destination wedding is the opportunity to really use your unique destination environment as part of the overall decor/setting for your wedding. In other words, showcase that gorgeous beach you're getting married on, or the extraordinary cliffside view where you'll be sharing I Do's. With a destination wedding, you don't need a whole lot of decor to embellish your already beautiful atmosphere. BUT, if you're one of those brides who wants to not only showcase the environment but also bring other decorative elements into your wedding day -- by all means, DO IT! An exciting trend for both weddings and vow renewals these days is incorporating luxurious decor elements with an outdoor setting. Here are a few ways you can bring a touch of chic luxury into your outdoor celebration: 1. Hang a chandelier: bring a little sparkle to your ceremony or reception by hanging a beautiful chandelier up above. It not only will bring some shine to your overall decor but also serves as the perfect focal point to your celebration. 2. Go big on linens and chair covers: Adding gorgeous linens to your table tops or luxurious coverings to your ceremony and reception chairs can make a huge impact on your decor. These are key ways to infuse your wedding colors into your decor but also very practical decor elements. You can also add fabric to your wedding arch or even on the walls to your reception. Go big on fabric to create a glamorous vibe. 3. Use mirrors or reflective pieces: Mirrors and reflective decor not only creates depth, it also can make spaces appear larger and more spacious. Embellished mirrors are great to use for weddings signs and also in table centerpieces. 4. Use decorative pieces throughout as accents and don't hesitate to use diamonds and pearls: Candlesticks, pillows and vases are just a few ways you can make your outdoor space feel more "indoors." Pick unique pieces that you'd typically find in an indoor space and don't think twice about bringing it outside. Also don't be afraid to use pearls and sparkles to accent your decor and other reception elements like napkins, centerpieces and tablescapes. 5. Have an outdoor lounge area: It's not only a great place for your guests to relax during cocktail hour, it's also a space that will give your celebration a cozy feel. Again infuse elaborate fabrics to create a chic lounge area accented by comfy loungers and couches, and don't forget the pillows! Karisma Hotel & Resorts -- which offers some of the most popular destination locations for brides and grooms in Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica -- gives couples the choice of several different decor themes in their Memorable Moments Signature Wedding Collections. These decor packages incorporate a plethora of incredible decor tips, including their "Pure Glamour Signature Wedding Package" -- which is the perfect way to give your celebration a touch of luxury by bringing old Hollywood glitz to an elegant tropical locale. Other popular design themes from Karisma include: Vintage Elegance, Coastal Bliss, Colonial Charm. To see a complete list and additional details on Karisma's Memorial Moments Signature Wedding Collections, click here. * All photos credited to: MarieSam Sanchez Photography - - - 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. -
Hello dear brides First of all I want to thank many brides who helped me and supported me on my planning: Murmel, Girlinthecity,Calgarybride (Kim), repax !!! I gotta say to all of you "thanks so much" My name is Lina, our wedding was on April 10th, 2015 and I will do my very best to summarized our wedding planning and wedding day. It is really hard to shrink an entire year of ideas, planning and things in one post, but we will do my best A bit about me and my husband: I am originally born in Colombia and he is American-Irish. We met in 2011 after each of us ended a long relationship, he was previously engaged and I was in a relationship that was long enough and going endless. We met at work in our corporate jobs and the best man in my life was there,...my best friend. My hubby and myself lived together since 2013 Engagement: It was a regular day for me March 1, 2014. We did not celebrate Valentine's day because we had bad snow. Tim left me a note to scratch all plans and invited me to a winery for dinner to celebrate our postpone valentines...I smelled something was going on but I did not want to think or expect anything. I had plans to run errands that Saturday and all was changed. When we got to the winery, he had all set in a booked suite with roses arrangements and champagne Tim invited me to walk on the golf course and after a while told me he needed to tell me something! on his knees he proposed his love to me!! it was so emotional and I was so happy and the begging to the best day of my life! Visited in May these resorts: Dreams Tulum, Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Playacar, Moon Palace, Azul Beach, Azul Sensatori, Generations Riviera Maya, Grand Porto Real (Playa del Carmen) Most wanted: Dreams Tulum, Playacar and Sensatori. Which we selected: Azul Sensatori for the great reviews of Karisma chain and the location to go to Cancun and Playa. My first choice was Dreams Tulum but it was about 2 hours from the airport. I wish I knew before we booked: More options to do a off resort wedding and still gather a group in a resort (I did not know my options) Company used: Destination weddings...I recommend! Miami planning feedback: No comment. Now the planning started: Wedding colors: Coral and aqua blue (aka Tiffany blue) Save the date: We did the regular magnet stamps: invitations: we did passports in English and Spanish and two designs. If you want to see the inside please ask me and will show you it was lots of work because the template did not include anything for Sensatori and I had to search, proof read and translate for the Spanish passports. Tip: manage your budget and invitations is a way to cut costs. Do not go too fancy! Dress(es): This was such a crazy time for me!! It brought me tears and loss of sleep at night. I live in NJ and visited many stores here and in NY. I was like too demanding or basically I did not like anything. I ended spending more than I wanted because I ended with 3 dresses, but I was a happy bride on my wedding day. I had one dress that I never worn, another that I used for our catholic ceremony and another one for Mexico. PLUS 2 more dresses for the reception. I ended using only one ...yes crazy!! Note: I am selling my dresses (reception, wedding and bridal). you will see pics as I keep showing my planning. Tip: DO not let the bridal store convince you on the dress you are not 100%, they need to sell and you need to be in love with your dress. If you buy too early you will have second thoughts!!! I guarantee you thins one! A bridal store will tell you 8-6 months before the wedding...it is NOT true, I had stores contacting me 3 months and 2 months prior to the wedding. Bridal Shower dress: His family had a shower for me because my sister lives in Mexico. Ceremony: We had two ceremonies. One was the catholic here in NJ for our family only and the second in Mexico with families and friends. Bridesmaids dress: I had 6 (2 were his sisters) each paid for their dress and I chose one affordable at David's Tip: Try to avoid drama by not choosing his family members in your wedding party (if you do not feel like you want...just dont do it) Gifts for the bridesmaids: a Kimono robe (all blue and I was white), flip flops made by myself with the initial of their name on the button, a tank top with rhinestones made by myself "bridal entourage", a pair of barefoot sandals did not make myself, a set of jewelry to use on the wedding day and a necklace with each of their initials that said "I could not say I do without you" Flower Girl: some toys and the following to our niece. Mother of the groom and bride: basically the same as the bridesmaids and the handkerchief (the pic below is not mine just the message is what I chose), to my mom it was in Spanish because she does not speak English Father of the groom (my dad is deceased ): bottle of scotch (super expensive) Groomsmen: each had a customize gift from beau-coup.com and some alcohol (we shipped to them before we departed) Best Man: custom made sterling silver cuff-links with the shape of boxing gloves, because he loves boxing. Maid of Honor: the dress (I paid for it) and the same as each bridesmaid. more planning... Photographer: Sarani weddings (not Sarani Studio) yes she is more expensive. We have not received our pics yet, but will do soon! and will update with my professional photos. booked Sarani in May 2014 and did not look much because we loved her work when we visited her. Sarani is such a sweetheart and very professional, I am so happy we booked her and even though we dont have photos yet, I know we will be happy!! We also had video with Sarani. We paid the vendor fee and that included one vendor per day, not per person. Sarani came with 3 more people (shooter and assistant) all were 4. DJ: I booked in June 2014 DJ Doremixx with Ivan the main DJ and owner, I had paid deposits and basically planned all with Hugo and Ivan. Ivan was going to be my DJ, but in January 2015 I was advised by Karisma that I was not allowed to bring him or any other vendor because "policy" had changed. That was not true because I kept seeing Doremixx playing in 2015 at Karisma resorts, I never knew that the deal was but I was unable to bring Doremixx, I put tons of work and emails on that, even spoke with a Karisma director in Miami, I was not getting a "no" as an answer and basically lasted for a month. Ivan Gomez and Hugo Gomez (his brother) were communicating with me all the time and they were supportive. I had tears over a DJ because to me music is very important, I contacted many brides for help and it was so big to me. I am Latina and big into dancing salsa, merengue, etc..so I had all planned with Ivan about the type of music I wanted for the wedding day!!! We even considered to move the reception and ceremony over to Arenika, which is a beach club near Sensatori which is within walking distance and gorgeous, I contacted Weddings on the beach and Natalia was amazingly helpful!! unfortunaltely this brought lots of confusion to me and when we decided to move the wedding out of Sensatori we called Arenika and the place was booked. It was just no meant to be. We ended with the vendor at Sensatori, we got the DJ with MC and his name was Fernando. It was "all right", people had a good time, but I would have expected better, I know that you might think I was pre-set in my mind about the DJ and honesly I was not, that DJ is just ok! their equipment is SO OLD!!! but still I think of my wedding day as a magical day so I do not regret! Learned experience: you wont always win while planning, things wont be perfect but be happy and compromise! TTD: Yes, we hired Studio by the Ferry! Makeup and hair: I hired Michael and Martina from Beso Brides. No, they did not come inside the resort. After the headache of the DJ I did not want another. I booked a room in Puerto Morelos for $80 per night after taxes. I met with them there and it was the best I did, no regrets and I was okay leaving the resort, every bride is different and that was not a big thing to me. I wanted airbrush and at the resort I was not sure with their expertise. Martina and Michael prices were much more reasonable, I was on time back at the resort with my 3 bridesmaids and mothers. Bouquet flowers and button: Flowers for my bouquet: I knew I could not do touch or fake flowers and because I love expensive good looking things, I compromised with cheap flowers and I do not regret. I realized that nowadays ANY wedding gets so expensive, Karisma weddings are NOT cheap and all adds up quickly. BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF MY PLANNING: come up with welcome bags and reception decor!!! Welcome bags: I started reading and reading and making orders and money started being spent!! After 3 orders I realized I did not have a theme and all was all over the place with colors and designs. I wanted to read more and found several templates BUT each of them were for that specific bride. I needed to do something only for me that would call my name and his name all the time. I am good with designs and my brother also, so we sat down and decided that we would create an entire wedding theme with our colors and one exclusive design. Maybe the idea of the items were all over in every page and board I read, but the designs were only mine and I did my only designs. for my decor I wanted something more "beach relaxed", colorful and bright, I knew I did not want silvers or golds. Tip: decide what type of decor defines your personality and location. Do not start spending without a clear idea of what you want because it will go to waste!! My brother and I created and designed the entire logo, theme and all for our wedding decor and stationary. We printed, cut and finished all ourselves. It was lots of stress and work BUT it was worth the effort. Our designs came out really nice!!! I would LOVE to do this for another bride who wants to have a unique theme and logo like I did. I do not have templates, we used a design software for this. In Mexico: The Azul Sensatori wedding department is absolutely amazing with their work!!! They do this top notch and they are SO PROFESSIONAL!!! they amazed me and everyone! Welcome dinner: We did it at Spoons the night before the wedding, the dinner for the group is inside the restaurant, but made it very private where everyone knows this, they give you wedding menus and decorate nicely, no need of stress here. We had some Mexican souvenirs for the tables which ended working perfectly, because they had Mexican night as the theme night LOL. The bride is ready to walk down the isle: Ceremony: I selected Memorable moments, Vitange collection but had to go white because they had blue or orange that did not match my decor. I requested to have roses dyed with aqua blue and coral roses Wedding party: Over the rainbow was the song and the seating song while guests waited was "three little birds" Here comes the bride and ceremony: I walked with "I choose you" by Sara Each chair had a fan and a bubbles (we also customized this) then pronounced: Mrs and Ms. MORE TO COME SOON!!! COCKTAIL HOUR, RECEPTION AND CATAMARAN (I will post now because I don't want to lose all the work I did for hours) I have tons of pics to share for ideas!!
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Good morning Brides We are planning our wedding for May 2016 in Cayo Coco, Cuba. I have a meeting set up next week with a photographer at home (Calgary, AB) who is willing to come with us..but as you can imagine it is quite costly. Has anyone had any experience with a local photographer in Cuba that they would recommend? Thanks! Kirsteen
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Written by Sakurako Yakushiji the COO and Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA Imagine yourself choosing your decoration, your bouquet, your invitations, flowers for the centerpieces (among other things), and you close your eyes. How do you see your wedding? What do you envision? Nothing!?! Perhaps it's because you haven't yet defined the right theme colors that will give you your dream wedding -- a complete vision of knowing what everything will look like. A vision that you will only get by choosing the right color and vibe to your wedding. I personally think that choosing your color palette is the next thing to do, right after you set the wedding date. The next big step that will define your wedding is choosing the right colors for your celebration because it will help you create the perfect wedding. Choosing the right color for your wedding gives you the chance to be creative and to set free the inner artist that we all have inside us and with each year's new color trends there is so much to play with. Once you pick your colors, you'll quickly discover that been creative is just the beginning of this exciting journey called wedding planning. Here are some of this year's most popular color trends -- a variety of daring and fun colors that will let you add your personal touch and uniqueness to your own wedding celebration. Let the fun begin! SPRING WEDDING COLOR TRENDS Natural Organic (Tropic, classic gray, Rain & Ivory) Now that the organic theme weddings are in, here are the perfect palette colors that will let you play and combine with the natural and elegant look. Brides like to choose these tones especially when it comes to picking their bouquet and/or centerpieces. So think in orchids, baby's breath, dustin miller, and succulents. Sunny Love (Tangerine, Pumpkin, Butter & Sage) I really think this palette was created with destination weddings in mind! If you are looking for fun colors that will allow you to get the best of your destination wedding by honoring the sun and still convey the touch of an organic wedding, look no more, this color combo is just for you! New Romance (Classic Blue, Dusk, Carnation & Silver) This color palette will allow you to integrate colors that will be suitable for him and still keep the feminine touch with the help of the blush tone. It brings the best of both worlds together by creating an elegant and romantic ambience. WINTER WEDDING COLOR TRENDS Glamour (Gold, Champagne, White & Custom Tan) With this combination, I can envision a wedding full of glamour and different decor options that will allow your wedding be a huge success even with minimum details. From elegant bridesmaid dresses to incredible reception tables, these colors will help create a glamorous environment. Daring (Black, Strawberry, White & Sage) Now these are very daring colors that will truly create a very passionate and unique vibe. Don't get confused with this palette thinking you might create a dark wedding, rather, think of it as very romantic and sexy colors that will go great with a final touch of a red lipstick! Blossom (Lavender, White, Sugar & Slate) This romantic combination will allow you to mix vintage with romanticism with a very rustic look and vibe. Again it is a palette that can be equally appreciated by the groom and the bride. Let your imagination fly! One of the amazing things about working in the wedding industry is that you are constantly moving forward. LATIN ASIA is always evolving and working to create new things that will let you personalized your destination wedding. Want to know what do we have in store for next year? Contact us at latinasia.flower@gmail.com and we will guide and help you discover the right color palette for you! 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. -
Question: Is it necessary for me to get a hair & makeup trial done before the Wedding Day? Answer: According to Styling Trio, a premier Hair & Makeup Agency in Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen: "We often get asked by brides if a trial run before the wedding is really necessary. As part of the Styling Trio team here in Mexico, I started working on this piece a few weeks ago and decided to visit a few brides on their wedding day who had had trial runs days before and ask them this question. I knew my answer was YES, simply based on how the hair and makeup artists' minds work but I wanted to get insight from actual brides. Some of my favorite answers from brides were: “Not having a trial was never an option!” and “You wouldn’t book a photographer without looking at their work?” And they are so right! Even though nowadays it's real easy to see the work of a hair and makeup artist via their social media profiles or on a website, but the reality is every bride is different. We're all unique in this world and good artists know that not every technique works for every client. Artists may have their mark and a particular style but it’s definitely not a “copy-paste” situation. One thing I see among brides that have had a trial run is that on their wedding day, their hair and makeup is always better ... ALWAYS! Let’s not forget that we are working with creative perfectionist-types (i.e. hair and makeup artists), and after a trial run, their minds will still be working and thinking how can they make it better. The good news is, they have another opportunity to make it perfect. The second time around, the artists know the recipe for your hair and makeup and know exactly what to do and what not to do to create their masterpiece. The trial is also essential because when the big day comes, artists have to stay on schedule and therefore the time frame to finish may be shorter, but by then, they already know what they plan to do and so it streamlines the process. Trial runs are also great for creating good energy and an easy going vibe for the wedding day because by then, everyone has already met and knows one another. This tends to put brides at ease and make it more comfortable, and believe me, when you're relaxed, it helps your hair and makeup look flawless and getting ready will be fun and easy! I know that a trial run is not an option for all brides because of busy schedules or perhaps the budget doesn’t allow for it, so in the event you decide not to or can't have a trial, don’t worry! My advice is to go through the artist’s social media and view pictures of his/her work. If you like what you see, then I wouldn’t be worried about them doing a good job on your wedding day. The photos they post are an excellent representation of their work. The only thing that you will need on your wedding day is good communication and patience! This helps keep both you and the artist relaxed so they can do their very best for you. The artists always want to make sure you’re happy but it may take a little extra time to achieve the perfect look, so be sure to factor in this additional time needed either before the ceremony or before your photographer comes to shoot the "bride getting ready" photos. All the brides I met looked absolutely gorgeous. Samira, the bride featured in the photos in this post, was one of them. She scheduled the hair and makeup trial on the day of her welcome dinner party and after the trial run, the artists changed her hair and makeup so she had a different look for the evening's dinner. My advice is to take advantage of the trial and book it before the rehearsal dinner or Sangeet or even for a pre-wedding photoshoot!" Styling Trio is a Hair & Makeup agency representing talented artists in Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Adrian Guerra founded Styling Trio in 2009, with a clear vision and a fantastic team behind him, the agency is the premier choice for brides searching for the best hair stylists and makeup artists in the Riviera Maya. For more information on Styling Trio's hair and makeup services, visit their website at: www.stylingtrio.com - - - If you have a question you'd like us to "Ask the Expert" message me (MarieSamSanchezPhoto) and we'll feature your question and answer on a future post! "Ask the Expert" features commonly asked questions by brides and grooms with answers and insight provided by our very own Best Destination Wedding Forum experts. -
I feel like there's stuff I'm leaving out. For our March 2017 wedding: Dress is bought, still looking for a seamstress, but I can't start on alterations until December/January Shoes are bought. Make Up and Hair - Resort spa, but they aren't taking appointments yet that far ahead. Accessories - Still working on jewelry, veil, etc. His clothes and shoes have not been bought yet, but he's only doing khakis and white linen shirt. The venue will covering the caterering, linens, etc as well as flowers FI is in discussions with DJ (booked for reception, but FI wants him for ceremony also) Photographer is booked Invitations - have been decided on, but have to be printed and assembled. Cake topper bought. Officiant, booked. Can't do OOT bags until we know who's coming. Same with our escort cards (having very non traditional ones). Passports are in order. Documents are in order. Flights haven't been booked yet, but FI has to be approved for this time off first. What am I forgetting? What else do I need to do? Everyone keeps telling me I'm WAY ahead of what I need to do, but I don't feel that way.
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How We Met While on a world-wind trip throughout Europe, my friend reached out to me saying that she had a great match for me when I got back to Ottawa. At the time I truly didn’t want anything to do with thinking about my time back home, or guys back home for that matter, so I shrugged it off……. Once I returned from Europe, the topic of having to meet Eric was brought up again by my friend, so I finally said “why not?”. Our friends ended up inviting Eric and myself for an afternoon of bowling. Eric was nothing like the guys that I had previously dated, so honestly wasn’t sure if he was truly my type. I thought to myself “my type hasn’t been working, so maybe I should pursue him!” My intuition was right. We ended up seeing each other every day for a week and a half straight. Shortly after we started officially dating! Our Travels Travel has always been a big part of my life. Throughout my childhood, I was lucky to experience many different destinations and trips with my family. Florida, California, Arizona, and even a cruise to the Caribbean. This must have planted the travel bug. I have always had a passion to explore, adventure, and see the world. Once I met Eric, I was surprised as to how little he had traveled. My goal was to change this, and explore the world together… Our first big trip was a 2 month trip, across Canada. We went all the way to the East coast of Canada, and then back through all of Canada to the West Coast, as far as Vancouver Island. On our way back, we drove through the top part of the United States, so that we could experience something a little bit different. This entire trip of 20,000km was done in our 2001 Pontiac Sunfire. We slept together in tents, at friends’ places, couchsurfing with strangers, and even in the trunk of the car with the backseat pulled down, in Walmart parking lots! Spending all of this time so close together truly was a relationship tester. We always joke that if we could get through those two months, we could get through anything! We have also traveled on a separate trip to Newfoundland with one of my Best Friends Ellyn, and her parents! That in itself was an adventure. This was Eric’s first time on a plane since he was a little kid. Thankfully Porter offers complimentary beer and wine, so his fear of flying was drowned with a few cans of Steamwhistle! We also started geocaching together on this trip. For those of you who don’t know, Geocaching is a worldwide treasure hunt, using a GPS application on your smartphone, to find hidden objects around the world! It’s a great way to discover a city that you’ve never explored, or to get to know hidden gems in a city. We have also gone on three separate trips down south to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Nothing better than a fun week filled with sun, sand, alcohol, and delicious eats! Our most recent trip was probably the most adventurous! We backpacked throughout the northern and central parts of Europe. We visited the Irish cliffs, saw Big Ben in London, said hello to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, watched the Mannekin Pis (and his sister Jeannekin Pis) in Brussels, ate tasty mussels in Brugges, went for a stroll in the countryside of Belgium in Kalken, experienced my birthday in the Red Light District of Amsterdam, went to a German Beerfest in Hannover, saw a Comedy Show at Tipi-Land in Berlin, went to a Swedish Hockey game in Malmo, visited the most amazing beach near Esbjerg (it’s 5km wide, and 16km long!), and cheered on the local ‘football’ team in Copenhagen. The most amazing part about this trip is it’s when we got engaged! Our Engagement While on our European Adventure in the fall of 2015, we decided to go geocaching in Berlin. We hunted for geocaches throughout this park in the middle of the city. We ended up in an area with ponds, and a lovely little stream, willow trees, and birds chirping. We ended up splitting ways, to find the geocache. Little did I know, Eric found the geocache first, while I was completely in the wrong area, taking pictures because it was so gorgeous! I followed the coordinates and wound up near this bridge, where Eric was hunting and told me he found it! He went under the bridge to retrieve the geocache, and passed it to me to open. I looked through, had him sign the log, and just as I was about to put it back, I noticed a white folded piece of paper. I opened it up to read it, and I honestly thought it was for someone else…. Until I saw my name at the bottom. With a small fence in between us (haha) there was Eric on one knee with a ring in hand. My initial reaction was that it was a joke, and it wasn’t real but reality eventually set in and I said yes! That evening, we ended up going to a lovely Thai restaurant for dinner, where we were the only ones in the restaurant! Following dinner we wound up at a local smoky bar, with a live jazz jam where people who had never even played together jammed the night away! Let’s just say it was a memorable day, and evening! The Wedding Planning Being an event planner myself, something I've strangely never wanted to plan was my own wedding. It's a job to me, and to be honest, I really didn't want to have to deal with all of the little details. My first little bit of wedding planning involved looking around the Ottawa area. I personally wanted a more outdoor venue, with a waterfront, as a beach wedding was always a dream, but my parents weren't too keen on a destination wedding at first. The other issue was looking for a venue that also had a hotel nearby, or on-site. This was quite tricky... We found one venue that worked, but the quote came back with a sky-rocketed price-tag. This lead me to start thinking about destination weddings again. The ease of being able to plan the wedding, with the guidance of a planner to take care of all the details for me, seemed quite attractive. I saw an ad for Luxe Destination Weddings, who proved to be quite helpful. I took a couple months of back and forth with the Travel Agent to figure out what resort would work best for us. We toyed with Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and Jamaica, but since food was really important, we narrowed things down to Mexico, as they have the most refined food, since the USA is so close. The first quote that intrigued us was the Royalton Riviera Cancun, but the price was extremely high, so we wanted to see what other options were out there. Our second choice that seemed quite intriguing was the Grand Sunset Princess, but it just wasn't quite right.... We then saw the Azul Fives, which was gorgeous, but for the number of people we expect to attend, we couldn't use the Pier that was my dream wedding location. I reverted back to our travel agent and asked for a new quote for the Royalton Riviera, and the price had gone down significantly. We decided to book!!! From there, we decided on a departure date of May 6th, 2017 and a wedding date of May 9th, 2017. We will be getting married directly on the beach, followed by a dinner reception at the Nautica Beach Bar. We're expecting about 40 people, and are super excited. I had my first call with the destination Wedding Planner from Luxe Weddings, who started to go into the details of exactly what I want for the wedding. Wedding Colours Here's what I'm thinking for wedding colours. A midnight Charcoal Grey/Blue for the bridesmaids, with a deep coral and yellow/white accents, which will hopefully be incorporated into the bouquet too! I love starfish too, so hoping to incorporate those into the mix as well. That's basically where I'm at right now, but i'll definitely be updating as the date approaches! If you've had your wedding here, I'd be really excited to see some pictures for ideas. Especially the Nautica Beach bar, all done up. It's hard to find pictures!! -
Things to Do in Cancun-Riviera Maya: The Camel Safari
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
The Cancun-Riviera Maya is thriving with an abundance of fun activities and adventures for you and your guests, but perhaps one of the most unique experiences one can encounter is the Camel Safari at Maroma. The Camel Safari allows participants to traverse atop these incredible creatures through a jungle-like landscape bordering along Maroma Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Designed for both children and adults, this sand dune adventure will give you quite a thrill while also giving your breathtaking views of the incredible Caribbean coast. The ride itself is about 45 to 60-minutes long with a stop in between to enjoy the gorgeous seaside views and also a chance to feed these sweet and friendly camels with carrots. You'll also have ample time to take great photos with the camels. While this safari tour will get your heart racing, it's quite a comfy ride and the camels walk at a leisurely pace so you still get to enjoy the scenery and take photos or video as you ride along the path. It's a great experience for couples as well as their guests -- so a Camel Safari would be a great idea as a group outing, that also welcomes children if your group has a combination of both young and old. The Camel Safari adventure includes round trip transportation from your hotel (service from Cancun, Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen) to Maroma, the camel ride, safety gear, a bilingual guide, time at the beach for photographs and camel interaction and a post-ride snack of refried beans, tortilla chips and hot sauce as well as bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages. Participants must be at least 10 years old to ride on their own camel (children under the age of 5 are free, and may accompany an adult on the same camel). This activity is not permitted for: pregnant women, people with a weight over 220 lbs., or people with any health condition that may prevent them to participate safely in the tour. To find out more information on rates and availability of the Camel Safari at Maroma, visit: www.maromaadventures.com For those looking for a more thrill-seeking pace, Maroma Adventures also offers other tours and experiences, such as speedboats, horseback rides, scuba and snorkel outings, dolphin swims, jetpacks and ATV adventures. Visit www.maromaadventures.com for more information. - - - 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.
