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Hello fellow brides! I am hoping to book a nice excursion for all of our guests the night before the wedding. Kind of like a welcome/thank you for traveling so far. We were planning on doing a sunset cruise with hosted apps and drinks. Has anyone else looked into this? We are having more guests than I originally planned so I'm struggling to find a boat that can fit around 70 people! Or has anyone planned another type of excursion for their guests? I'm totally open to other ideas! But I'm straying away from a rehearsal dinner because we are hosting a farewell brunch on the last day. Thank you!
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Hello all you soon to be brides! This is my first Forum and I'm so happy that I found the BDW site! It's seriously the most helpful website that I've come across since I stared planning for my November 2017 wedding! I wanted to discuss one topic specifically and that would be Joyce from Dream Weddings. I have been researching for weeks for my dream venues and when I thought I came close to finding out details on the venues they would always fall through. I decided to ask an event coordinator and decided to go with Joyce. I noticed she is always giving such helpful tips/advice on so many other forums on this site. Joyce and I had a Skype call last week and discussed a lot of concerns I had. She was able to answer all of the questions I had! This literally gave me the biggest breath of relief. Before I spoke to Joyce I thought my dreams venues no longer excited, since no one would ever get back to me and since I can't afford a wedding planner I thought it was a lost cause. Since both of my dream venues (Villa Joya and Hacienda Esperanze) come with nothing except their gorgeous structure, Joyce prepared me for what I would need to know in order to live out my dream wedding. As well as tell me the perks of not going through a hotel, ex: buy your own booze, bring your own linens, and even make your own flowers, all to lower cost of the wedding. I asked what I should do in order to help my friends & family find good deals on hotels and flights and she gave me an answer that I didn't even consider (Travel Agent) and what the perks of having a travel agent are. I also freaked as to how I was going to visit these private properties w/out having a wedding planner. One of her services is to take you to go look at different venues, which made me happy. From what I can tell about Joyce, she has been doing this for years and knows all the right questions to ask to make sure you get what you want for your wedding. Not being able to afford a wedding planner, Joyce really has come to my rescue. Since we've talked last week, I've sent her a few emails and she is so quick to reply. She seems to take her job very seriously and I just got a very good sense of genuineness from her. In no way did she ever try and sell herself or any vendors that she works with. It was a nice relief for a change! Her main goal is to help guide brides in the right direction and I appreciate that tremendously! If your a bride that would like some guidance I would recommend Joyce!
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Hi Ladies, We just booked our wedding for Jan 2015! We are very excited and can't wait to get the ball rolling on details. Just wondering if there are any other brides out there that are planning a wedding at the Grand Sunset Princess Resort & Spa as well? I would love to hear your take on it so far. April -
"Daddy...outside." As my 20 month old baby girl, Brooklyn, patted her eager little hand on our hotel room door, these are the words she excitedly uttered. Mommy had departed early for morning meetings and it was just my peanut companion and I, left to our own devices to explore and enjoy the Sunrise section of Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. My bubbly, curly haired partner and I put on our swimsuits and headed out into the warm Cancun sun. As we headed poolside, my miniature sidekick quickly let me know where she wanted to stop first. "I hungy, daddy", reassured me that making the Palapa Barracuda our first stop for lunch was not a mistake. After feasting on fresh melt in your mouth grilled fish, crispy chicken fingers, perfectly marinated arrachera and various other scrumptious fare, we decided to head to the Piscina de Ninos (the kid's pool), but not before we were distracted by the screams of excitement coming from boogie boarders and body surfers at the La Terraza Flowrider. The great thing about Moon Palace is that it keeps kids of all ages entertained. The Flowrider in particular is a fun wave pool that the older kids love because it's both challenging and fun. After finally making our way to the Kids Pool, lil Brooklyn approached the colorful crocodile and frog water slides with a look of wonder on her tiny face. Her saucer sized eyes scanned the pool from the castle complete with functioning water cannons to the water bucket suspended above a slide being filled with water and dumped every so often onto ecstatic children eagerly anticipating the shower below. She was anxious and apprehensive, but the energetic sounds of kids frolicking about in the knee high deep water was all she needed to make the courageous entrance into the kiddie pool. The fact that Moon Palace provides kids with their own pool section is great for parents who want to ensure their kids are in a safe environment when it comes to enjoying the water. Plus the kids pool is large and spacious enough to give the little ones enough room to play without feeling too far away from mom and dad. An hour later, Brooklyn was rotating between sipping her first ever virgin strawberry daiquiri, splashing the cool, crystal clear pool water over her head and venturing down the crocodile and frog water slides. My once timid little girl was in love with the kiddie pool and her frozen drink treat was just the icing on the cake. Brooklyn was equally impressed with the Playroom and children's fun zone which is designed for providing kids with the ultimate fun experience. From an incredible playground structure equipped with winding slides, tubes and the genuine look and feel of a real 4 story pirate ship to a massive indoor play area with video games, carousels, fashion room, beauty salon and dollhouse area. Getting Brooklyn to leave was almost like pulling teeth as her attention was completely taken by the laundry list of activities offered including Jenga and Xbox tournaments, balloon sculpting, cooking, pinata making and mask making classes. The plethora of exciting activities will surely keep any kid enthralled for hours on end. Luckily, my ace in the hole to lure my lil kiddo away from the endless fun was the poolside personal pizza oven and the mouth watering selection of ice cream delights at the 24 hour ice cream bar. It was the perfect way to end a fun filled day of activities, swimming, eating and drinking for my sidekick and I. The only thing left to do was to return to our spacious and AC chilled hotel room and rest our weary bodies with a nice afternoon nap. My tiny bambino gladly closed her eyes, with her tummy full of ice cream, and a wide smile on her face. "I love this place" is what I believe went through the mind of our 20-month-old when we walked the beautiful expansive grounds of the Moon Palace Resort. Spending the day with my little one on the Moon Palace grounds, while Mommy was busy with work, gave me the chance to make awesome memories with my daughter that I'll remember for a lifetime. Moon Palace is the perfect place for families looking for a relaxing getaway with top notch accommodations and amenities to keep both adults and children happy and busy. -
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!! -
Hello everyone I may be the only groom on this site - I am away at sea with the Canadian Navy and my wife-to-be is busy with our son so I thought I'd do a little research. We live in Halifax, but have guests coming from Toronto, Ottawa, Winnepeg and of course Halifax. We have a 2 year old son (3 at the time of travel) and may of our guests have chlildren ages 2-10 so we would like something fun for them. We want our wedding to be something our son thinks of (at least for a while since he will be 3) and remembers as a really fun experience. We have decided a little kids water park is a must. Our options so far: Grand Bahia Principe Coba/Tulum Grand Bahia Principe Torquesa Memories Splash Punta Cana Barcelo Maya Colonial *Moon Palace and Iberostar Cancun* I star the last two off because although we adore them they are much outside our guests price range - if we go to expensive our son will be the only kid their and then it isnt really worth it to be so extravagent for kids. We have been working with a TA for 2 months now and things have started to go smoother but she is on a trip to the Rockies and then RIviera Maya (not any resorts we want though) and hasnt been responding - she did say that would happen though. Our budget for guests was approx 1600 and although some already fit that bill - we are still having trouble deciding (the more expensive ones always seem nicer) We want to book Barcelo but it is 1800 and our hoping our one time price adjustment plus the free adults( every 8th form our TA) can bring the price down but we dont want to rely on the price adjustment - i know we are going in the high season but from Halifax there isnt much other options and it is the day we started dating so we wanted to keep it an ongoing anniversary. Any help please.... Groom in need here... -
If you have bought your dress already then ensure that you show your bridal hairdresser a photo of it. So she/ he can use this as inspiration. Your point of view is really important as well. Here you got some ideas about how bride look from the classic, vintage, boho, modern etc ensure the dress and hairstyle complement each other.. http://www.adventureweddingsvallarta.com/
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When in Mexico, it's natural to have high expectations for Mexican food and drinks, and Los Caporales restaurant at Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun does not disappoint. As one of the many eateries on the all-inclusive resort's grounds, diners at Los Caporales can indulge in delicious fajitas and tacos as well as several other well-known Mexican specialties off their a la carte menu. But perhaps one of the most popular items on the menu is their special Mayan coffee -- the perfect after-meal treat for your body and an incredible presentation for your senses. This speciality coffee is prepared with tequila, coffee, sugar, orange and topped with whipped cream. But before you indulge in its rich flavors, you'll be mesmerized by the preparation and presentation of this delightful post-dinner treat. It's definitely worth a try if you plan to stay at Moon Palace and a quite a bonus at the end of a great meal! Los Caporales is located in the Central lobby of the Nizuc region of the resort. The restaurant is open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner daily. - - - 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. -
Have you ever had a meal that was so good it literally made you want to cry tears of joy? Well that's pretty much how I felt while dining at Azul Beach Hotel's premier restaurant "Latino" this past April. Honestly, it was the first time I've heard my husband say, "I've never been this sad that my plate's empty" after he devoured his meal. And trust me, we have eaten plenty of delicious meals and we have the bellies to show for it Latino is one of five restaurants at the gourmet all-inclusive resort in Cancun-Riviera Maya, Mexico. And when I say they do everything well here, I seriously mean EVERYTHING. Nothing came out of that kitchen during the two times we dined there that I didn't absolutely love. The servers here will start you off with a deliciously fresh salad topped with mango dressing followed by a platter of "Latin Bites," which features a variety of appetizers made from different Latin American countries, such as Colombia, Valenzuela, Argentina and Mexico. Because Azul Beach is all-inclusive, we decided to splurge a bit and also try their tuna tartar and empanadas -- again, they did not disappoint because everything here is prepared to perfection. To satiate our thirst, our wonderful server suggested we try their special sangria lemonade and mango sangria. Let's just say, sangria has now become my new drink of choice The sangria here is absolutely exquisite. This portion of the meal alone will send your tastebuds into heaven, but it's just the precursor for the main course of your choosing. As big meat eaters, we opted for the highly-touted rib eye steak and tequila lime shrimp, both of which came with a side of grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. This is where my meal basically brought tears to my eyes. It's honestly the best steak I've ever had in my life, cooked exactly the way I like and full of flavor. The shrimp was fresh and side dishes were just as incredible -- it was the perfect compliment to the steak, which I later learned is imported from Canada. As an all-inclusive resort, Azul Beach is focused on providing top notch quality food and flavors to its diners. So how do you top off a fantastic meal? With extraordinary desserts of course! Although we came into Latino during the last 45 minutes of the restaurant's hours, our server encouraged us to complete our meal with one of their speciality desserts. So with bellies already quite satiated, we topped off our wonderful meal with tres leches cake, churros and hot chocolate. Let's just say, I wish I could have put a dozen of those churros in my pocket to take home with me. It was a divine way to end a meal that my family and I still talk about till this day. YES, our meal at Azul Beach Hotel's Latino was THAT GOOD. The servers here are friendly and personable and if you want a combination of two dishes (say, surf and turf?), just ask and they shall provide. When you come to this resort, the staff is here to please and they want nothing more than for you to walk away with a dining experience that you will fondly remember for years. Latino is a great dinner spot for large groups but if you want a quiet evening with just your sweetheart, it's ideal for that too. The ambience is chic and serene and the food is impeccable. Latino bistro is a vibrant celebration of food, energy and music, culinary preparations from the Southern tip of the Americas up to the Northern part of Mexico. Refreshing and unpretentious, Latino is the perfect place for family celebration with enticing meals including an impressive kids menu. The restaurant serves a la carte dinner services from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily. - - - 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. -
TADAAAAA - We have a date! 8 months after our engagement, and 5 months after joining this site. A whole lot of researching, nagging, a site tour, and basically blood, sweat, and tears. We have finally made the commitment. I should have just listened to @@calgarybride2015 to begin with! Props lady! This is a Planning Thread v 2.0 for me, so I'll just copy/paste some of my previous backstory. How We Met He likes to call it "Fishing Off the Company Pier" which basically means we met at work. I was a Service Advisor, and he is an Automotive Technician. I've since left the position as it is considered a conflict of interest (although no one had any idea we were together). Initially we were both in relationships, but I always thought he was cute. I never thought we would end up together. He says he always knew we would end up together. Sometimes I still stop and look at him and I have to shake my head. I love him so much, and I feel lucky to be with him. He's a challenge some days, and so am I. But I guess that's the beauty of a loving relationship. Even from the day he proposed to today I feel our love has evolved to such a higher place. -
I have been trying to find a way of getting in contact with someone at the small little white chapel in playa del Carmen. The church is Nuestra Senora del Carmen. I've attempted to call multiple times but never get an answer and I have also emailed the church. We would love to get married in this church. Really would be a dream our wedding plans are on hold until we can reach someone at the church. I really would appreciate an advice!!! Also any particular resorts recommended for a small intimate dinner on the beach after the ceremony? Thanks again in advance!
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Hello ladies! I'm just wondering if any brides who have had their wedding at Azul Fives could provide a review for me. Not only on the wedding part, but the resort itself! I've been reading reviews on trip advisor, yes I know to take them with a grain of salt, but lately there has been a lot of negative reviews, so I can't help but be a little concerned! I want to finalize my decision , I love the look of the resort and everything it has to offer, but those are just pictures and info, I would love some trustworthy opinions! With the Canadian dollar being so low, prices have gone pretty high, so I would like to ensure my guests get a great vacation. Thanks in advance for the help, I look forward to reading about your experiences!
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Hey ladies ! So it's come time to put down my deposit for Azul fives ! I'm a bit nervous because of one thing, we really would love to have our ceremony on the Sky deck, but what about rain! I know they give you an alternate location, but what about the 1800usd that has been paid? I'm guessing it wouldn't be refunded? Any insight to this , thanks .
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Hi all! I am a bride from Vancouver, Canada and I am just starting the planning process. My fiance and I originally wanted to do a destination wedding sometime in April or May 2017, for both the cost savings and the chance to get to spend a good amount of time with our guests (many of whom are coming from out of town). We are looking at Puerto Vallarta, but with the Canadian dollar being so low now, we are realizing that the cost might be too high - not just for us, but for our guests who we will expect to pay their own way. Our budget for everything is $12,000 and we don't want our guests to have to spend more than $800 a person. We are expecting anywhere from 20-35 people. Are any other Canadian brides out there struggling with this decision?? Any recommendations for a kid-friendly resort in PV that is nice, family-friendly and reasonably priced? Any recommendations for a good travel agent to contact? Thanks in advance!
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Here it is: On the one hand, I would like to get the wedding over with relatively early on in our stay (Arrive Sat, Marry Tues., Leave Sat) so we can enjoy company of others without worrying about the events. On the other hand, I will then only be able to have the coordinator meeting the day before because they don't do consultations on the weekend. They are willing to do it but should I move the wedding so there is more time? Is there really that much that needs to be done between the co-ordinator mtg and the wedding? (I feel we are fairly low key but that said we don't want to put up with sub par...) Opinions? Beach Beth -
Written by Promedsa -- a top fireworks and special effects company in Cancun/Riviera Maya If you are thinking about having fireworks at your Destination Wedding in Riviera Maya - GREAT! (They are sure to look awesome and wow all your guests!). However there are some important factors you should know about and consider before adding this wow factor to your Wedding Day. Find out the Policies and Regulations at Your Wedding Resort/Venue The first thing we suggest doing when you become interested in adding fireworks to your wedding is to contact your appointed wedding coordinator at your chosen resort. As each resorts/venue has different policies and regulations when it comes to fireworks, it is best to know exactly what rules you’re dealing with as they can vary considerably. It is best to know from the start what your resort will and won’t allow. Take for example some resorts (especially along the Riviera Maya strip) that have large palapas along their beaches, or incorporated into their grounds, will not allow ground-based fireworks. The straw-like material on the roofs of these structures are very flammable, resulting in fireworks not being permitted on the property grounds. If you find yourself with a resort that does not permit fireworks from their grounds do not fear! These resorts will (and do) allow fireworks to be fired from a boat or barge in the sea. This ensures that the resort structures are 100% safe whilst still giving you your beautiful moment. Use a fireworks company that has been authorized by local Civil Protection and can obtain the necessary permit. As one of the top firework and special effects companies in Riviera Maya, we take safety VERY seriously. After all, we are dealing with explosives! We believe safety should be the number one rule on site and we train each member of our team to take every safety measure possible. When it comes to laws associated with Fireworks in Riviera Maya, it is very important that the company you use has been authorized by local Civil Protection. This organization needs to be notified when events are taking place that require fireworks. Gaining permission from Civil protection gives us the go ahead to proceed with the event. It means there has been acknowledgment that the event is going to happen in safe place and that nobody outside a trained team from a reliable company will be handling the explosives. The last thing we need to gain in order to distribute fireworks at your event is a SEDENA Permit. This permit classifies that the company is legal and is complying with all updated fire laws in order to work with explosives. Use a fireworks company that is trustworthy and reliable. As you can see from the above, it is very important you choose a company that is reputable. We want you to be 100% confident that your WOW moment is going to come from a company of great experience and a top-notch service! If you have any questions when it comes to having fireworks or special effects at your wedding, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We have more than 20 years experience in this field and it would be our pleasure to work with you and help you along the way to your dream day! For more information on Promedsa's services, visit their website at: www.promedsa.com.mx Promedsa is one of the top fireworks and special effects companies in Cancun/Riviera Maya. They work with clients from all over the world to add the 'WOW' factor that they are looking for into their events. Weddings is an area Promedsa is particularly experienced in and they take great pleasure in making every couple's dreams come true. -
10 Reasons Why You Should Stay at an All-Inclusive Resort
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
I am spoiled for life. Why? Because I just spent eight blissful days at a beautiful boutique-style all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and frankly, I don't think I'll ever be the same again. The minute I left Azul Beach Hotel, I was already thinking about planning a trip back with the rest of my family. First you must know that as a lifelong traveler, I am not accustomed to the all-inclusive way. Having only been to two all-inclusive resorts in the past, most of my travels comprised being "more adventurous" and thrifty -- that is, find a nice affordable resort and then trying a plethora of different restaurants throughout my stay. This is how my parents vacationed with us as kids and as I grew old enough to travel on my own, it's eventually how I vacationed with my husband and my kids too. But now, I'm 39 and I'm here to say -- my weeklong stay at this all-inclusive resort spoiled me rotten and I'm thoroughly convinced this is the way everyone should vacation and here's why: The steady stream of food and drinks. Let's face it, part of the lure of going on vacation is eating and dining on delicious food as you please. Well being at an all-inclusive resort, you have the ability to eat and drink till your heart's content. Want to sip on a cocktail or two after dinner? Or perhaps an early morning coffee or smoothie is what you crave. Food and drinks are readily available 24/7 and at an all-inclusive you simply walk into a restaurant or dining area and place your order without having to look at prices -- because you can have anything on the menu without worrying about the costs. All-inclusive menus also encourage you to try new dishes because everything on the menu is included. Have you ever wanted to try something new at a restaurant but feared that you wouldn't like it then suffer diner's remorse, then wishing you had ordered a usual staple? When it comes to an all-inclusive you have the freedom to be more adventurous when it comes to your dining experience and that can be pretty exciting, especially when you're on vacation! If you've got kids, knowing that they can order anything they want on the menu can also be a relief -- especially if you've got picky eaters. You don't have to worry about carrying money around the resort (with exception of money for tips). I have this habit of carrying my purse everywhere "just in case" I need money. When you're at an all-inclusive there is really no need to carry around cash except for tips. So you have peace of mind when heading out to the pool for the day that you need not carry a wallet full of your debit/credit cards with you. Being able to vacation without making sure you've got enough money on you is truly relaxing. It's easy to dine separately or coordinate meals together, especially if you have a larger group. If you've traveled with a large group before, you know how difficult it can be to coordinate meals while also making sure to pick a restaurant that can satisfy everyone's tastes and budget. At an all-inclusive, eating alone or planning meals together is a much easier process. Everyone in the group can eat/snack whenever they please, but if you opt to eat together, it's so much easier to choose when you know costs aren't involved. You'll love the flexibility and convenience of room service. My family and I are extreme night owls, so we're usually asleep while others are enjoying breakfast and just waking up as breakfast is about to end. But when you're at an all-inclusive you often have the option of 24-hour room service and that's like gold when you want to eat breakfast but you're not much of a morning person. It also comes in handy if you're a late night snacker -- like my husband. When you're at a regular resort, room service normally comes with higher prices. But an all-inclusive, price doesn't even come into play. You can snack as you please. Spending your day in the ocean or lounging by the pool can often leave you craving a delicious drink or snack and beach/poolside service is pretty much a given at most all-inclusive resorts. So rest assure, if you're sitting poolside reading a book all afternoon, you won't need to get up anytime soon, because soon enough a server will come by asking if you want a drink or snack. Lots of all-inclusive resorts will also have snack bars, bakeries or dessert bars on site to help curb your appetite in between meals. Now how perfect is that? The service is second to none. I can't say enough about the level of service I have received at the all-inclusive resorts I've stayed at. Your resort fees not only go toward lodging and dining, but you're also paying for top level customer service in every aspect of your resort stay. The staff is there to please you completely from the moment you check into the resort till the time you leave. During our stay at Azul Beach Hotel, we were blown away by the engaging nature and kindness of all the resort workers -- especially during our meals. The servers were funny and engaging and always went out of their way to make sure we were happy with our meal from beginning to end. The top-notch service alone makes the all-inclusive experience stand on its own. You have access to free entertainment. All-inclusive resorts are usually packed full of entertainment options for guests. Whether it be nightclubs, bars or lounges or shows for both children and adults -- you'll have a wide variety of entertainment and activities to choose from. These resorts are focused on keeping you happy and entertained while on the property so you don't feel the need to leave for anything. If you're the type that always needs to be connected, free wifi is usually also included during your all-inclusive stay. You have access to non-motorized water sports. Many all-inclusive resorts give their guests full usage of sports and water equipment like snorkels, kayaks, and paddleboards. Family friendly resorts will also give children access to beach and pool toys, which helps a lot when you're trying to limit how much to pack in your suitcase. While there may additional charges for certain sport/water activities, you usually get considerable access to a variety of tools/equipment with your already paid-for resort fees. It can help you save on your Wedding Day. Several all-inclusive resorts will throw in bonuses when couples choose to have their wedding on-site -- especially if you have a large group. These perks can help you save a ton when it comes to planning your celebration. So make sure to ask the resort what their wedding packages or options include. Often times, all-inclusive resorts will work with preferred travel agencies who can also offer additional perks if their entire wedding party/guests book through that particular agency. (Wright Travel Agency -- the official agency of bestdestinationwedding.com, is a preferred agency with several of the destination wedding resorts throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica as well as other prime destination locations. To contact the Wright Travel, click here.) You don't worry about staying on a budget. There's something completely liberating about going on vacation and not having to worry about how much you've spent and how much cash you have left in your wallet. When you stay at an all-inclusive resort, the money for your lodging and food/drink has been paid upfront and your time there can be spent in total relaxation mode. If you haven't tried an all-inclusive resort, you should try it at least a couple times. Even if you're one of those travelers like me who's grown accustomed to always being on the go -- the all-inclusive experience is worth trying at least once. You just may find yourself spoiled by it like me and waking up post-vacation, wondering why no one is there bringing you a cocktail or ready with your morning omelette To find out more information about booking an all-inclusive vacation for your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger. -
Are anyone else's guests panicking over the Zika Virus? http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/zika-virus-mexico It's of course very serious and something to be very aware of, but I've actually had one of my friend's who is already booked and paid post numerous articles on facebook about the virus and another about Air Canada (the airline we are flying) issuing refunds for flights... She's a nurse and I understand her worry but I hope it doesn't cause panic and encourage my guests to cancel. Anyone else dealing with this? And any tips for how to speak to you guests about this?
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HOW TO GET MARRIED IN MEXICO White sandy beaches combined with turquoise water, friendly people, amazing sunsets and a vast array of ceremony locations make weddings in Mexico spectacular and above all, memorable. Playa del Carmen is a lovely destination to get married. It has charm, entertainment, and romantic beaches to which a couple can escape. Get married in Playa del Carmen and start a romance of a lifetime. General Overview Situated just south of the border of the United States, Mexico is easy to get to and has become a great destination wedding and honeymoon spot. Generally, the best time of year to go to Mexico is from October to May, but two periods to avoid are the week leading up to Easter and the Christmas and New Year's holidays, as they are extremely busy times in Mexico. The climate can range from hot and humid to warm and dry, and there is sure to be a spot in Mexico to suit your wedding needs. A visa is not required to enter and stay (up to 72 hours) in Mexico if you are a US citizen, but if you are planning a lengthy stay you will need to obtain a government tourist card for a fee of $20 (usually included in ticket prices if you fly to Mexico). Destination weddings in Mexico cater to all budgets and are diverse with beautiful resorts, stunning beaches and traditional Mexican fiestas. Undoubtedly the most popular destination for a Mexico wedding is Riviera Maya which draws couples to its shores. Legal Requirements to get married in Mexico You must present your tourist card when you apply for your marriage license, and you must be married in a civil ceremony at a Civil Register Office (or other location, but there will be an additional fee). If you want, you may have a religious or other ceremony later on, but the only legal wedding ceremony is the civil one. In some cases, you'll need Spanish translations of your birth certificates. Mexico also requires blood tests for HIV and RPR (syphilis) and chest x-rays to be completed in the country – in all, the process from applying for your marriage license to getting married will take about three business days. The cost for a wedding in Mexico is about $200 US dollars. Mexico Weddings Most Mexican weddings have two ceremonies: the civil and the religious. The site of your wedding is up to you as well; you can either have a small beach ceremony or a festive authentic Mexican fiesta for many guests. Mexico wedding packages are available for all price ranges and wedding styles. Mexico Reception There are many different forms of receptions you can have following your wedding. Whether you'd just like a quiet candlelight dinner on the beach with your new spouse or a large reception with all your friends and family, the hotels in Mexico can accommodate any sort of reception plan. If you choose to have a traditional Mexican reception, you should think of hiring mariachis (Mexican musicians) or have your reception at one of the wedding rooms that many hotels in Mexican cities provide for this purpose. Mexico Wedding Activities There are lots of things to see and do in Mexico. Off the shores of Mexico's many beaches (such as Playa del Carmen) you can go snorkeling, diving, boating and enjoy many other water activities. Yucatan offers historic monuments built by the Aztecs and other Mexican wonders. There are as many different sites and activities available as there are distinct areas of Mexico. Mexico Wedding Guests If you're planning on having guests at your Mexico destination wedding, please make sure that you send out “Save the Date” cards about four to six months before the wedding so that your guests can have plenty of time to make arrangements to get to your wedding spot. Plan a few events for your group, such as an archeology tour or other side trips. One of the best things about Riviera Maya is the fact that you can get everything you dream, and it goes from the simplest things, up to the most elaborated... We are certain that whatever your decisions, your wedding is going to be full of magic. From Le Rêve Hotel & Spa, we would like to wish you a happy wedding planning! -
We just posted a new post of our wedding at Sun Palace last July. Feel free to drop us any questions! https://bestdealscaribbean.wordpress.com/2016/04/21/sunpalacewedding/ -
In Adventure weddings "Las Caletas" we know how important details are!! So here you got some special, beatiful, handmade, original and personalized ideas for your big day! Our brides always have amazing ideas! they use the welcome table, a guest gift, an unexpected factor!!! we just love to be part in such an unforgettable experience for them. http://bit.ly/PlanYourWedding
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I am leaning towards Playacar Palace for my Feb. 1st 2017 wedding. My only fear is that my group may end up being too big for this resort (could potentially be around 100 people). Is anyone else planning a wedding this big at Playacar Palace? Any suggestions? Thank you!- 4 replies
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Good morning! I'm currently at the Moon Palace and meeting with the wedding department. Does anyone have any questions that I could try to answer? -
I chose my resort! It's the Platinum Yucatan Princess; the adults only resort beside the Grand Sunset/Riviera Princess resorts. I just thought I'd post since I didn't see many forums about this resort since it's fairly new. It's everything that I wanted in my checklist; a sky terrace , disco, close to Playa del Carmen. Just booked our ceremony to be on the terrace since I didn't want to have a beach ceremony. I'm at the beginning stages of planning so I'll probably post more once I know more about the details in the weddings that are conducted there.- 2 replies
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As Zika continues to spread, the Centers for Disease Control has issued travel notices throughout the Caribbean, Central America and South America -- encompassing popular destination wedding and honeymoon locations like Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Barbados. But what exactly are the key facts one should know when it comes to the Zika virus? According to the World Health Organization (WHO): Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. People with Zika virus disease usually have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally last for 2-7 days. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites. The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. Other important facts travelers should be aware of: The CDC report was out of an 'abundance of caution' NOT the result of a specific incident. Zika is not a new virus and has been around for many years in other countries. Only recently did Brazil believe to have found a link between Zika and birth defects, but it is apparently isolated, and the results are still preliminary. Infection is through mosquito bites which can be avoided. Less than 1% of mosquitoes are believed to be carriers. Only 20% of those infected become sick. Prevention is Key: While there is no vaccine currently available, experts say the best prevention is to protect oneself from mosquito bites using the following methods: using insect repellent wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows sleeping under mosquito nets WHO also advises that special attention and help should be given to young children, the sick or elderly when it comes to taking protective measures. Zika Virus Infection and Pregnancy Studies are underway to determine whether there is a correlation between pregnant women infected by the virus giving birth to babies with birth defects and experiencing pregnancy problems. But until more is known, CDC recommends special precautions for pregnant women and women trying to become pregnant: Pregnant women in any trimester should consider postponing travel to the areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing. Pregnant women who do travel to one of these areas should talk to their doctor or other healthcare provider first and strictly follow steps to avoid mosquito bites during the trip. Women trying to become pregnant should consult with their healthcare provider before traveling to these areas and strictly follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during the trip. Zika Not Deterring Destination Wedding or Honeymoon Travelers Yahoo.com reports that a survey conducted by Travel Leaders Group, shows that travelers are not being deterred by Zika outbreaks or the resulting issued travel notices. According to the survey, nearly 94% of travel agents have had no cancellations for their destination wedding clients. And similarly, roughly 93% have had no cancellations for their honeymoon clientele. Are you worried about the Zika virus? Have your destination wedding guests expressed any concern?
