Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'planning tips'.
-
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.
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Planning Tips
- (and 3 more)
-
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/
-
- Puerto Vallarta
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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 [email protected] 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/
-
- Cruise Weddings
- Caribbean
- (and 3 more)
-
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!
- 2 comments
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Entertainment
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.-
- Budgeting
- Event Details
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Indian Weddings
- (and 3 more)
-
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 [email protected] - - - 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.-
- Budgeting
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- (and 3 more)
-
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.
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Families
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
-
- Ceremony
- Decor & Details
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] - - - 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.
-
- 2016 Brides
- Decor & Details
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
- 1 comment
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Hair Makeup & Nails
- (and 3 more)
-
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.
- 8 replies
-
- 2
-
- Decor & Details
- DIY
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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!!
- 4 replies
-
- 2017 Brides
- Mexico
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Entertainment
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
- 1 comment
-
- Decor & Details
- Event Details
- (and 3 more)
-
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.
- 5 comments
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Decor & Details
- (and 3 more)
-
Perhaps you have a milestone wedding anniversary coming up, or maybe you and your sweetheart just want another opportunity to celebrate your love. Whatever the reason may be -- big or small -- planning for a destination vow renewal is a great idea! But if you're on the fence and just can't decide whether to renew your I Do's, here are six reasons why you should say "yes" to planning a destination vow renewal: 1. It's another chance to celebrate your love and renew your commitment to each other. I'm sure you already know this, but being in a marriage takes work. And being in a happy marriage takes even more work. Every relationship has its ups and downs and rest assure your and your spouse will go through trials and tribulations that will test your relationship, and if you are able to weather the storm and come out on top together -- that is plenty of reason to celebrate. A vow renewal is a wonderful way to celebrate your commitment to each other once again, to tell the world you love each other once again and to remind yourselves why you walked down the aisle the first time 2. It's a reason to gather your families and friends and if you have children, a chance to incorporate them into your celebration. Perhaps you've been in a whirlwind of busy schedules and life's demands, and just haven't had time to spend with your loved ones. Well planning a destination vow renewal is a great opportunity to gather the crew and spend some quality time together. Wedding celebrations allow for a unique opportunity for everyone to gather for a happy occasion and have a good time, so why not do it somewhere epic? And if you've had children since you first tied the knot, nix the traditional bridal party and allow your kids to be by your side instead. Have your sons or daughters walk you down the aisle to meet dad. Let your kids be your bridal party -- having them be an integral part of the celebration will give them something to always remember and cherish. 3. It's a chance for "do-overs" -- especially if the first time wasn't ideal or perfect. If your first wedding wasn't perfect or what you always dreamed it would be, a vow renewal is a great opportunity to do it right the second time around. For a lot of couples, their first wedding celebration came with budget limitations and money set aside for the bigger picture -- i.e., buying a house, starting a new life as husband and wife. But when it comes to your vow renewal, you may find yourself in a better place financially and a lot more stable as a couple. So why not create the wedding you truly always wanted? Maybe there was a venue you really wanted to get married at but for whatever reason, wasn't an option the first time (budget, availability, etc.) Make it happen this time around and plan for the celebration of your dreams -- hire the photographer you really want to work with, wear the dress you wish you would have chosen the first time, wear your hair and makeup the way you wish you would have -- essentially take what you learned from the first time around, do it over, and do it perfectly And if you actually loved your wedding celebration the first time, take the opportunity to fine tune it to perfection this time around or simply do it all over again. Also, when it comes to the vow renewal, you don't have to feel obligated to invite everyone you did the first time -- just invite your core, the people you truly want to be there. Vow renewals can be big and elaborate, or small and intimate, it's really up to you. 4. It's an opportunity to celebrate family and friendship: it takes a village. Use this celebration to say thank you to your circle and support system. Celebrate with the ones you truly love, the people who have been by your side through the ups and downs of your life and your marriage. Gather the ones you love and celebrate life and love -- go out there and make new and wonderful memories together! 5. It's an opportunity to take an epic vacation/adventure to a place you've never been to. Is there a location you've always wanted to go to? Or maybe there's a special spot that you've been to before that you'd like to share with your circle. If so, why not plan a vow renewal at that special place? Everyone loves a reason to go on a great vacation, so incorporating an epic destination spot into your vow renewal plans can work perfectly for you and your guests. If you're planning on having a smaller group, this allows you to splurge a little more. Take a look at the castle in Europe, check into Karisma's gorgeous Villa Carola private home at Azul Beach in Cancun. Make this celebration epic in every way possible by choosing a destination that you've been dying to visit. 6. It's a special time to document with photos -- family, friends and with your sweetheart. As a wedding photographer, I may be biased, but a vow renewal is a great opportunity to capture beautiful photos of you and your sweetheart and your family and friends. If you couldn't afford the photographer you wanted the first time you shared I Do's perhaps this time around it may be in your budget. Pictures are the footprints of our lives, so make those precious memories with the ones you love and document them well! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.
- 2 comments
-
- Etiquette
- Planning Tips
-
(and 1 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.- 1 comment
-
- Menus Food & Drinks
- Mexico
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
Unlike traditional wedding celebrations, Indian Weddings often span over the course of three to four days focusing on different aspect of the wedding union with special cultural ceremonies and practices. One of those is the Mayian, which is the preparation ceremony the day before a Punjabi or Sikh wedding is held. According to Sakurako Yakushiji the COO and Master Florist & Decor Expert of LATIN ASIA -- a premiere wedding decor stylist team in the Cancun-Riviera Maya area -- Mayian is usually a night ceremony that involves many rituals among them chuni or choora ceremony, or Jaggo where matka or jaggo (metal bowls) are placed on ladies heads while they dance amongst the crowd. Sometimes the Mayian happens in combination with the Sangeet (music and performances night) and ladies Mendhi where henna is applied. Yakushiji and her LATIN ASIA team recently created a vibrantly hued Mayian Ceremony display at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort and she explains some of the inspiration behind their creation. Question: What is the inspiration behind this particular design? This particular design we created was a combination of traditional elements presented differently. Why? Because we like to do things better every day! Matkas, choki tables, thalis with multicolor crystals, bajots and a stunning backdrop with Pakistani, Indian and Arabic lanterns all together with colorful solid fabrics and sarees on top with a raised platform dressed with golden sequin fabrics gives a stunning result and all your guests will rave from years to come! If this is the Mayian which is the prelude of the wedding, imagine what we can do for your wedding ceremony and gala reception. Question: What type of feel were you aiming for in this design? Maiyan is the door or prelude to the wedding day, so a backdrop to demark the ceremony enhances its importance and gives it a special touch. Regular backdrops are flat and boring, so we aimed to bring volume and movement. So we used a 3-panel backdrop with contrasting colors, dashes of gold and hanging lanterns to make this Maiyan unique. At LATIN ASIA, we do not do cookie cutter, we like to design from scratch and little details make a huge difference. Breaking the rules and standards of flat, or square we see endless options to create a fabulous shape, incredible color combinations and stunning textures with props. We do not forget even the floor as all Indian weddings must have a raised platform. We decided to pop it up with golden sequin covers to transform an empty space from bland to extraordinary. Question: What was the inspiration behind the color palette you chose? As Maiyan is a very meaningful event and it is the preparation ceremony, we tried to make it vibrant, festive and bright -- in other words colorful. Orange and bright pink are quite popular colors among these festivities. And golden touches is something all Indian weddings must have. Question: What sets LATIN ASIA apart from other styling teams when it comes to Indian destination weddings? As a wedding industry professional for over 10 years and having my wedding ceremony in Agra India, I know the good, the fabulous and of course the ugly around the hood when it comes to destination Indian weddings. Designing décor for an Indian wedding, is not an easy job, as it is not just about the design, it is about knowledge of each of their rituals, ceremonies and events. Each wedding is unique and special. When it comes to Indian weddings, this feeling of uniqueness enhances tremendously and it could be a challenge to rely on people who do not understand the truly meaning of an Indian wedding. Moreover when it comes to Indian destination weddings, the lack of knowledge and understanding each need of bride and groom and both family members is a scary situation. Luckily with LATIN ASIA, we truly understand the meaning of a destination Indian wedding, which is to EMBRACE marriage and collectively work together, where each of the members of the wedding: bride, groom, immediate family, hotel members, vendors, priest, musicians, photographers, etc. -- EVERYONE has to participate actively to make this happen. So it is not surprising to see vendors, hotel members, priests and aunties all together participating and doing things together. Something totally opposite to western style weddings where every part does its own part separately. My LATIN ASIA team and I understand how to embrace this collective effort and we happily participate from beginning to end on every destination Indian wedding we do. For 2015 alone, we did 81 destination Indian weddings from scratch to end, each one with an average of 3-day events. So if you do the math, you'll see that in 2015 alone, we attended 243 days of destination Indian weddings! And we were so happy and proud to be part of each of them. For more information on LATIN ASIA's services, visit their website at: www.weddingcancun.mx or contact the team directly at [email protected] - - - 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.
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Ceremony
- (and 3 more)
-
Any Bermuda Brides out there??? Looking for advice, reviews, any info you care to share! I am getting married at the Fairmont Southampton on July 7, 2016. So far, we are having a wonderful experience planning our wedding. Just looking to connect with some other Bermuda brides out there!
- 2 replies
-
- 1
-
- 2016 Brides
- Planning Tips
-
(and 2 more)
Tagged with:
-
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
- 4 replies
-
- 2
-
- Beach Weddings
- Caribbean
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
Hello! Just beginning to plan my destination wedding and don't even know where to start. Here is what I do know... I want to go somewhere warm and beachy but I don't want to get married on the beach. I am looking for an all-inclusive resort but don't want to break the bank. I'm traveling from Massachusetts and also have 2 children under 5 but will have my whole family for help. My mom is a teacher and I do need to work around a regular school schedule so thinking possibly February vacation for April vacation. I'm thinking possibly Mexico or the Dominican. We have a rather small group that will be attending. That's pretty much all I have and I'm open to any suggestions. I feel so confused in this world and want to set things in stone so we can start saving. Help! Becca
- 11 replies
-
- 1
-
- 2017 Brides
- 2018 Brides
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
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.
- 1 comment
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Decor & Details
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
My partner and I are travelling to NYC from Scotland next month to get married. He has been married previously but was divorced in 2014. We have his divorce certificate to bring with us to City Hall, will this be enough? I’ve read reviews that in a few countries people need to also supply a Certificate of No Impediment. Is this the case for New York? I’m now in a panic as I can’t seem to confirm this online. Can anyone help? Also, do we need to bring our birth certificates as well as our passports?
- 1 reply
-
- Eloping
- Legal Details
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with:
-
When you first step foot on the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort grounds, you're immediately taken aback by the size of this beautiful Cancun seaside oasis. Boasting close to 2,500 luxurious rooms, this all-inclusive resort offers plenty of location options for brides and grooms to share their nuptials. Be it in one of their oceanside terraces, in one of their glass chapels or gazebos, or perhaps in one of their many ballrooms -- couples have a lot of great venues to choose from. But as a former bride who initially had a tough time finding a Catholic venue option in the Cancun-Riviera Maya -- besides a traditional church -- where a Catholic wedding ceremony could be held, I was quite impressed with Moon Palace's Capilla Catolica. This air-conditioned glass Catholic Chapel is set in a lovely space in Moon Palace's Nizuc section and is just footsteps away from the turquoise blue waters, giving you a beautiful ocean view from the chapel. Aside from the glass walls, this indoor gazebo is also surrounded by beautiful landscaping and a pond. And while the pews, which seat up to 80 people, cannot be removed from the gazebo, the Catholic symbols can be taken down should a couple want to hold a non-denominational ceremony at the chapel. Sunday mass is also regularly held at Capilla Catolica for resort guests who wish to attend. When I was planning my wedding about 8 years ago, I came across limited options for a Catholic wedding. While I wanted to have a Catholic ceremony, I was disappointed to find out that weddings at the time could only be held inside the church. I was after all, a bride who always dreamed of getting married on the beach or at least overlooking the beach. With Moon Palace's glass chapel, couples can still have that beautiful Catholic service with an exquisite ocean view. And no matter how warm a day it may be, the chapel is air-conditioned so you and your guests will certainly be comfortable. Moon Palace also has other air-conditioned glass gazebo options on the resort grounds where wedding ceremonies can be held. For more information on booking a destination wedding at Moon Palace Golf & Resort Spa, click 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.
-
- Cancun Riviera Maya
- Ceremony
-
(and 3 more)
Tagged with: