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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
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Written by Promedsa -- a top fireworks and special effects company in Cancun/Riviera Maya If you are thinking about having fireworks at your Destination Wedding in Riviera Maya - GREAT! (They are sure to look awesome and wow all your guests!). However there are some important factors you should know about and consider before adding this wow factor to your Wedding Day. Find out the Policies and Regulations at Your Wedding Resort/Venue The first thing we suggest doing when you become interested in adding fireworks to your wedding is to contact your appointed wedding coordinator at your chosen resort. As each resorts/venue has different policies and regulations when it comes to fireworks, it is best to know exactly what rules you’re dealing with as they can vary considerably. It is best to know from the start what your resort will and won’t allow. Take for example some resorts (especially along the Riviera Maya strip) that have large palapas along their beaches, or incorporated into their grounds, will not allow ground-based fireworks. The straw-like material on the roofs of these structures are very flammable, resulting in fireworks not being permitted on the property grounds. If you find yourself with a resort that does not permit fireworks from their grounds do not fear! These resorts will (and do) allow fireworks to be fired from a boat or barge in the sea. This ensures that the resort structures are 100% safe whilst still giving you your beautiful moment. Use a fireworks company that has been authorized by local Civil Protection and can obtain the necessary permit. As one of the top firework and special effects companies in Riviera Maya, we take safety VERY seriously. After all, we are dealing with explosives! We believe safety should be the number one rule on site and we train each member of our team to take every safety measure possible. When it comes to laws associated with Fireworks in Riviera Maya, it is very important that the company you use has been authorized by local Civil Protection. This organization needs to be notified when events are taking place that require fireworks. Gaining permission from Civil protection gives us the go ahead to proceed with the event. It means there has been acknowledgment that the event is going to happen in safe place and that nobody outside a trained team from a reliable company will be handling the explosives. The last thing we need to gain in order to distribute fireworks at your event is a SEDENA Permit. This permit classifies that the company is legal and is complying with all updated fire laws in order to work with explosives. Use a fireworks company that is trustworthy and reliable. As you can see from the above, it is very important you choose a company that is reputable. We want you to be 100% confident that your WOW moment is going to come from a company of great experience and a top-notch service! If you have any questions when it comes to having fireworks or special effects at your wedding, please do not hesitate to contact our team. We have more than 20 years experience in this field and it would be our pleasure to work with you and help you along the way to your dream day! For more information on Promedsa's services, visit their website at: www.promedsa.com.mx Promedsa is one of the top fireworks and special effects companies in Cancun/Riviera Maya. They work with clients from all over the world to add the 'WOW' factor that they are looking for into their events. Weddings is an area Promedsa is particularly experienced in and they take great pleasure in making every couple's dreams come true.
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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
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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.
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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!
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The hours leading up to your wedding can be extremely stressful, but at the same time, those precious moments of preparation before you say "I Do," are also uniquely exciting and beautiful. As a wedding photographer, I can honestly say, these hours of preparation leading up to the ceremony often yield some of my most favorite images of the day. Besides the fact that I think I get to work with some of the sweetest and most beautiful brides and grooms (yep, shameless plug!), I know that prepping my clients for the "Getting Ready" shots I plan to take helps immensely in giving me the opportunity to take photos I know they will love and appreciate when they look back at their Wedding Day. Here are a few tips I share with my couples on ways you can help your wedding photographer take beautiful "Getting Ready" photos on your big day: 1) Get ready in a space that has plentiful window light: Whether you choose to get ready in a hotel room or in the bridal suite at your venue, choose a space that has a good amount of window light -- trust me, your photographer will thank you! Light is the most important factor for capturing beautiful photos -- whether it come in the form of natural light (sunlight) or artificial light (flash or video light). I happen to prefer natural light when it comes to Getting Ready portraits because it gives my images a clean, bright softness that my clients have come to love. A room with natural light coming from a large window source will also be what your makeup artist prefers to use as well. So keep this in mind when you're deciding where to prep and get dressed on your Wedding Day. 2) Clean and tidy up the area where you plan to get ready before your photographer arrives: I know on the Wedding Day the rush of getting hair and makeup done as well as making sure everyone has their dresses and the right accessories can often result in a bit of a tornado effect in the preparation room. And that's totally OK and understandable. But asking some of your bridesmaids to help tidy up the space before your photographer arrives will help your photographer move around freely in the area and also capture clean portraits without any clutter in the background. 3) Set aside the details you'd like your photographer to photograph: If you're one of those brides who's spent months carefully crafting your wedding day look, you'll definitely want your photographer to capture your beautiful details. Give your photographer a helping hand by putting aside these details so when he/she arrives, the items are easy to access and can quickly be photographed. That means doing the following: hanging your wedding dress on a nice hanger (wire hangers do not photograph well, custom hangers are perfect as well as a clean wooden or velvet hanger) putting aside your wedding ceremony and reception shoes gathering your jewelry and garter having all the rings in a box -- engagement ring and both wedding rings a clean invitation and envelope as well as any save the dates your bridal bouquet along with at least 1 bridesmaid bouquet 4) Have the people who are helping you put your wedding gown on (bridesmaids, mom, aunts, grandmothers, siblings) be ready and completely dressed: When it's time for you to put your wedding gown on, anyone helping you get dressed should be completely ready and dressed from head to toe. You will be picture-perfect once your wedding dress is on, and those surrounding you, should look their best too. Anyone helping you get ready on the Wedding Day should be prepared to be part of your "Getting Ready" photos and if you plan on having a wedding album, you will want them to look picture perfect too! 5) Give your photographer a good amount of time for "Getting Ready" photos: This is the most important tip -- because without time, you're not giving your photographer a chance to create the images you want. I realize that timelines can't always be stretched or changed due to venue restrictions or timeframes, but when you do have control of setting your timeline, allow your photographer ample time to work without stress or time crunches. Ideally, I like to begin shooting at least 1.5 to 2 hours before the ceremony to capture "Getting Ready" portraits. This gives me ample time to photograph details (at least 45 minutes), about 15-20 minutes for the bride to get dressed and receive any touch-ups, 15-20 minutes for bride portraits and another 15-20 minutes for the bride to take photos with her bridesmaids. If the couple plans to do a "First Look," then I like to begin shooting 2.5 to 3 hours before the ceremony begins to allow for the big reveal as well as romantic portraits. If you give your photographer time, he/she has a much better chance to deliver the images that will not only tell the story of your day, but also images inspired with creativity that you will love for years to come. * All photos posted in this article are credited to MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife destination wedding photography team. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
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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.
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I know how you must feel planning this day that you want to be perfect. Perhaps you're stressed out over your budget, unhappy because people aren't RSVP'ing or booking their trips like they should before the deadline, or maybe you're panicking because you haven't heard back from your wedding coordinator in a few days -- or has it been a week? I get it, I was there. Wedding planning, while exhilarating and exciting, can be really, really hard. So here are some tips from me (a past bride who went through it all, including the threat of borders closing because of the swine flu and drug cartels ) to help get you through this journey as a bride-to-be. 1. Don't sweat the small stuff and take a deep breath before you handle the big stuff. There will be times when you find yourself breaking down over the smallest of details. I remember going into a slight panic when I found out one of the colors of my bridesmaids' dresses was being discontinued. My then fiancé recalls me going into a crazed frenzy because the three bridesmaids wearing that color still hadn't bothered to get their dresses despite my constant reminders to "get it done." They eventually did and all was well. But it didn't happen without me pretty much losing it LOL. So before you decide this new problem is worth calling the whole thing off, step back and look at the big picture. Will this issue completely ruin your Wedding Day? Will it prevent you from doing what's most important -- marrying the one you love? Don't make any rash decisions or fly off the handle, if time permits, give yourself 48-72 hours to assess the situation/problem and go from there. 2. Not everyone will be able to attend your destination wedding and you need to accept that. The beauty of having a destination wedding is that sharing I Do's in a place far from home will weed out the people you didn't really want to invite but felt obligated to. Admit it, you know exactly who I'm talking about. The sad but true part is that there will be some people who you knew for sure would be at your wedding, that simply won't be able to make it -- for whatever reason. We had some people tell us they couldn't afford it or they simply couldn't take time off work. And then there were those who didn't want to travel to foreign country. We listened to reasons of every kind. I also lost someone who I thought was my best friend because of my destination wedding. About two weeks before we were going to leave, she told me her sons' father wouldn't give her permission to take the boys to Mexico. I later found out, not only was she probably making up that excuse, she was also trying to convince my other best friend not to go either. Yep, I soon realized she wasn't the person I thought she was all along. Was I heartbroken and sad? Yes, but I didn't let her lack of wanting to be a part of my Big Day bother me. She wasn't going to stop me from having the wedding of my dreams -- see advice point #1. 3. Be in the moment. You spend months, maybe years like me, planning for your Wedding Day. So when the time arrives for your destination wedding experience to begin, don't forget to soak it all in. I cannot emphasize enough how quickly our Wedding Day will fly by -- you wake up the day of your wedding and before you know it, it's over. Trust me! So take some time throughout your Big Day to look at everything and let your senses take it all in. Look around at all the beautiful details, inhale the fragrance and smells that waft through the air, listen to the music and the voices of your family and friends, taste and enjoy your delicious meal and drinks, touch your new spouse's hand and kiss him/her deeply -- enjoy it all. This is your Wedding Day -- live it, breathe it, love it, and enjoy every moment. Don't forget to check back for Part 2 of Wisdom from a Past Bride! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
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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?
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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.
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Question: If I'm getting married in a tropical wedding climate, should I opt for airbrush makeup? Answer: According to Styling Trio, a premier Hair & Makeup Agency in Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen: "The answer is YES! Airbrush makeup is a formula designed for face and body, developed expressly for Makeup Artists working in High Definition TV, film, and beauty. The HD airbrush makeup gives the skin not only the perfect look on the wedding day but also the perfect look in the photos as well. Photographers here in the Riviera Maya love airbrush makeup because of the natural look and feel it gives to the skin. Also there is less retouching involved since the airbrushing allows for a more uniform skin. Airbrush makeup holds up very well, it rests on top of the skin, sealing it from outside agents but the skin will still be able to breath and look its most natural. If you are getting married in a tropical environment you must be aware that humid weather can be a nightmare. Precisely the reason why there are specific products to keep your makeup flawless for a minimum of 12hrs and up to 18 hours of holding power! It is important that you look your best throughout the day of photo shooting, ceremony, the dancing and crying! We are aware that airbrush makeup is not the perfect fit for every bride, you have to trust your makeup artist and it is always better if the artist of your choice has first hand experience in tropical climates. An experienced artist will find the best makeup application for your face and skin type. Don't forget the importance of how the product is applied and product choice, after all, this is a tailor made service so it needs to be customized to fit her needs. Here at STRM we specialize in long lasting beauty for your most sacred events. As you can see thanks to the miracle of HD Airbrush makeup, it has become one of favourite tools to date! And we have plenty more tips and tricks up our sleeve." 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.
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Written by LATIN ASIA - Destination Wedding Decor Your wedding is certainly one of the most special days of your life, a day that both you, your husband-to-be and the rest of your family & friends are going to remember for years to come. Whether you’re celebrating in a ballroom, terrace or at the beach, there are bottomless opportunities to include personal characteristics into the details that reflect your own singular style and tastes. Here are three tips that will help you create a wedding experience that is totally "you." 1. Identify one or two elements of your personality that you would like to reflect. Don’t get crazy and try to include hundreds of different traits that identify you. Better yet, focus on one or two elements that truly represent you. Are you a relaxed and worry-free woman? Then start with easy seating arrangements. Assigned arrangements during the wedding ceremony and reception are highly regimented, so why not to offer your guests the opportunity to seat themselves? Simple right? It makes for a more festive and relaxed situation and you will save yourself from hours of pondering whether or not your aunt should be seated next to your cousin-in-law. 2. Selecting Your Wedding Colors. Your wedding colors will be visible throughout the details of the décor like linens, centerpieces, lighting, favors, and you can also incorporate them in your wardrobe and even with the flowers in your bouquet. The idea is to create a look that is consistent. If you are a high energy and fun person, then go for bold and bright colors with unusual combinations like bright blue and yellow for linens, or you can wear those beautiful red high-heels you love, they will look amazing with your ivory wedding gown. 3. Think outside the box. If a big part of who you are is your love for movies, you don’t necessarily have to decorate your tables with stacks of DVD cases or film rolls but you can have fabulous white and black table settings, simple but elegant white floral centerpieces and lovely table names with your favorite films of all times. What aspects of your personality would you like to insert into your big day? Share your thoughts and ideas at [email protected] For more information on LATIN ASIA's services, visit their website at: www.weddingcancun.mx 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.
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Whether you have children of your own or your guests have children, traveling with kids can be a stressful and exhausting process if you're not fully prepared. Taking a trip with children -- especially by air -- can make the start of your destination wedding experience a complete disaster, but these simple tips can help avert the stress and get your festivities started on the right foot. 1) Don't Be So Quick to Take a Red-Eye Flight. I learned this the hard way -- the long exhausting hard way. We recently assumed because our 21-month-old was such a good sleeper it would only be natural to take a red-eye flight because of course she'd just sleep through the whole flight to Cancun. Well guess what? She didn't, not even a little bit. I don't know if it was the excitement of being on a plane or the woman who kept flipping her light on and off in front of us, but our toddler was overstimulated by the environment and experiencing extreme exhaustion which of course leads to = cranky kid. To top it off my husband and I assumed because our baby would be so tired and sleep through most of the flight we could pull an all-nighter the night before and just sleep on the plane. Well guess what, she didn't sleep on the plane and neither did we! I cannot tell you how elated we were to finally land in Mexico because it meant we were one step closer to checking into our hotel room and taking a nap. So before you decide that a red-eye flight is the way to go if you're traveling with kids, be prepared for your kids to have an opposite reaction and don't be surprised if neither of you get any sleep. You also have to consider that the rest of the plane will be expecting some quiet time during an overnight flight, so if you've got a high-energy child who loves to sing out loud (yes we have one of those), your sleepy seatmates may not be so happy about the in-air concert courtesy of your sweet kid 2) Have an Entertainment Pack Ready. This goes for parents traveling via air, train, water or ground. Make sure you're equipped with a bag full of goodies to keep your kid occupied and busy. That means having books, coloring books, crayons, stickers, flashcards, etc. by your side. The bright side to our red-eye flight disaster to Mexico is that when we went back home to California, we took an afternoon flight and our toddler was perfectly happy throughout because she was knee deep in her coloring books and stickers. She was happy as a clam and this reduced our stress levels by a ton! 3) Bring an iPad or Tablet. If you're OK with letting your child use electronics, then make sure you don't forget your tablet or iPad when you're traveling. I cannot tell you how much easier this makes our trips when our toddler can watch one of her favorite nursery rhyme videos. And don't forget, to download videos onto your device before your trip because a good WiFi connection can be hard to come by when you're on the road. 4) Carry a Diaper Bag with Extras. This goes without saying, but just in case, don't forget to have a diaper bag and extra clothes within an arm's reach when you're traveling. Temperatures on a plane can vary so be ready to either take layers off or add them on. And of course, you never want to be stuck without an extra diaper or extra outfit if your child has leaky diaper or an accident. 5) Travel with Snacks/Food. Don't rely on food on the road, especially if your child is a picky eater. Better to have at least small snacks at hand or pack simple meals like sandwiches. A hungry kid is an unhappy kid. Fruit snacks and granola bars or even pieces of fruit can go a long way on keeping your kiddo happy and content as you make your trek. 6) Travel with medications. If your child is on any special medication, you obviously need to make sure to pack it. But packing general over-the-counter medications is also a good idea. Be it cold medicine, fever/pain medication or cough drops (for the older kids), having these things handy is a good safety precaution in case your child feels under the weather. And DON'T FORGET! You have to make the trip back home, so consider all of these things both going to and coming home from your destination! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also the proud mother to two girls -- a 20-year-old and a 21-month-old
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Question: Should I plan a trip to my destination wedding location prior to the Big Day? If so, how many visits would you advise? Answer: According to Preety Jaswal, Destination Wedding Specialist of Platinum Travel & Destination Weddings: "You can always plan a trip to view a few resorts if you have not yet decided on your final choice. This is great if you have not been to that destination or if you're not familiar with all-inclusive resorts. Your travel agent can help arrange this with transportation to view a couple over a period of a few days. If you have booked your wedding date then the resort can arrange meetings with vendors & a tasting (if arranged ahead of time) during your visit of a couple nights. Your 3-night stay can either be at a discounted price or if booked at regular price, then it may be deducted from you master account for your wedding. Every resort varies but most have options available. I would recommend if you have the option to visit definitely go once - whether to determine which resort works best or if you have your resort booked then to meet with the vendors. Both will help tremendously with your wedding plans and ease any stress of the unknown. Not all of my clients do not have the means to do this so trust the choice they made and rely on their travel agent to help understand the resort options and wedding locations. If you are unable to travel prior to your wedding then I would highly recommend for the couple to arrive at the resort a few days prior to their guests the same week of their wedding to go over everything in person in destination." - - - 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.
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Alternative Ideas to the Traditional Guest Sign-In Book
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
One of the great things about planning your own wedding is that you have complete control of your vision. When it comes to details and decor, you can go the traditional route, or you can make it all your own and be completely unique. Instead of having your guests sign the traditional Wedding Guest Book, here are a few alternative ideas sure to give your wedding a special little touch. 1) Wishing Tree with Leaves: Consider having guests write special messages, and of course, their names on paper leaves which they can then hang on a wishing tree. You can then either display your wishing tree inside your home or take the leaves off the tree and place them in a special scrapbook. 2) Rocks or Seashells: Ask your guests write their well wishes on flat rocks/stones or perhaps even on the inside of a smooth shell interior. Then collect those in a glass vase as a lovely and unique keepsake. 3) Thumbprint Tree: Have your guests leave their stamp on your wedding with their thumbprints. Pen a tree trunk with empty branches on a beautiful scroll and have your guests place their thumbprints and names along the branches to create an incredible tree of wishes. 4) Snapshot Photo Book: Create a photo station equipped with polaroid or fuji instant cameras. Your guests can snap a simple portrait of each other, glue it on the pages of an empty guests book and of course add their well wishes. That way you'll have sweet photos to go along with the kind words shared by your guests. Whatever option you decide to go with, just make sure your coordinator or perhaps even your DJ, reminds your guests to visit the "guest book" at some point during the celebration to ensure that you've got all your guests accounted for! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.-
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When you ask, I listen! Most of you brides have been emailing me about this service, and now its official Wedding Planning Consultations are now available for you. Be informed, because Knowledge is power, – especially when it comes to planning a destination wedding. When you know what to expect and you have the right tools, you’’ll save yourself a lot of money, time and kick overwhelm in the butt! Planning you destination Wedding doesn't have to be complicated, it is supposed to be an amazing time, filled with fun surprises. For those brides who do not know what that means! This service is for brides looking for extra guidance and support. A no-nonsense guideline. I am not here to sugar coat anything - Learn the REAL truth about planning your Destination Wedding. First we eliminate all the stigmas around Destination weddings. Its a 1:1 call where you will discover the following: The myth/stigma around destination wedding How to choose a travel agent and why it is important to choose one when planning a Destination Wedding. Budget (lets help you figure out this part) How to select a resort for your destination wedding Guests list wedding planning timeline Timeline for the wedding day And many more tips and tricks, you dont even know about yet. Be in the know, stay informed and get the support you need , to help you kick start planning your destination wedding! Feel free to reach out and schedule your call. Happy Planning! Joyce
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Hello! Although I am not a blogger, I just had to make a post on this site to share and thank the people who were invaluable to me during my wedding planning by helping others. Planning a wedding is daunting, especially when it is in another country and you've never been there! After we got engaged, we decided to do something different and plan a destination wedding. We were the first of our friends and family. We got engaged in June 2012 and sent out the "save the dates" for our December 2013 wedding. We wanted to give people plenty of time (1.5 yrs) to save up and make plans to join. I think the extra time paid off because we had 65 people join us to celebrate! It also gave me plenty of time to do little projects for the wedding and make it stress free! RESORT: We chose Secrets: Wild Orchid which is actually connected to Secrets: St James in Montego Bay based on a friend who had been there's recommendation. They each have their own pools but share the restaurants, the spa, and entertainment. There is a boardwalk on the beach that runs the length of the 2 hotels. Secrets Wild Orchid (SWO) is a little newer and more modern and is closer to all the restaurants. You cannot go wrong at either and we had guests stay at St James (SJ) because SWO was sold out. Everyone was saying this was the nicest place they had ever been! One of our guests had the swimout room in the preferred club which was pretty cool during the day because we could hang out in the lazy river and be close to the room! PREFFERED CLUB: We stayed in the preferred club which was gorgeous. The best thing about it was that there was your own bar in the lobby filled with different tapas at all hours of the day, one night we didn't even go out, we just ate there! there also is a bar filled with grey goose, ciroc, crown royal etc - all top shelf liquors that you can make however you like! sometimes the fruity drinks become too much! Im not sure if it was 100% worth the extra money only because ALL the resort is soo nice. Some other brides I spoke with even said they were bumped up to it for free! TIPPING: One things I must note is how nice all the staff is. They are all kind and try to know you by name. They really really appreciate any tips so I recommend bringing as many $1s as you can. change is hard to come by and trust me you just want to tip these sweet people. $1 American is = $100 Jamaican dollars so your tips are really making a difference in their lives. LENGTH OF TRIP: We came down on Fri and our wedding was on Tues. We stayed until the following Sunday and I think 9 days was just the perfect amount of time. I wouldn't have wanted to leave any sooner! Monday we hosted a welcome bonfire in lieu of a rehearsal. We chose Tuesday for our wedding which seemed to work out the best because it is definiately the most fun leading up the big day! Most guests left Wednesday after the wedding (fri-wed). DRINKS: Our guests favorite cocktails were: dirty banana (kinda like a chocolate banana smoothie with alcohol), grasshopper (tastes like a thin mint cookie), espresso martini from the piano bar, all different flavors of mojitos, jamaican smile, purple rain, bob marley (that's the tri colored drink in pictures), and icebergs (red stripe draft beer with a floater of margarita on top) YUM-O!! FOOD: All the food was very good! For breakfast there is a buffet at the world café which has everything. There is also the coco café which is a coffee bar that is open all the time and serves hot and cold drinks including blue mountain coffee and some that have alcohol in them. That is how I started off all most everyday! My favorite lunch spot was the restaurant at the st. james pool. they had a nacho bar daily, and pizza, and many great dishes was a daily soup. the restaurant oceana at the wild orchid pool had different wraps that you could customize. there is also a snack bar in between each resort on the boardwalk that has soft pretzels, and the best little "meat pies' and Saratoga chips. This is all serve yourself which is great for a quick bite. Lastly there is staff that walks the boardwalk for 2 hrs each day and serve fresh fruit, jerk chicken, and fresh coconuts! (you can take them to the bar and they will add some rum too For dinner if your want to go to the Japanese restaurant, make a reservation as soon as your arrive. there was a 2 day wait for a table while we were there. It is delicious and you must try! The French restaurant Boudaeux has filet and lobster but make sure your hubby brings pants or else your cant get in! I would skip Portofino - the Italian restaurant. You can get much better food at all the others. El patio is the Mexican restaurant and was delicious. One thing to plan around is that Saturday night is all you can eat lobster night! YUMMY The Jamaican restaurant Blue Mountain was also very very good. The crab cakes and pumpkin soup are tasty and my husband loved the goat?! Our entire group probably wiped out the room service staff because we were all obsessed! the fried cheese triangles were to DIE FOR! they ran out multiple nights lol. The club sandwich was fab and the fish sandwich. It was such a luxury! we would order after dancing all night at DESIRES the nightclub! WELCOME BAGS: CEREMONY: We initially were going to have the ceremony at the big gazebo where the cocktail hour and reception was held but at the last moment switched to being on the actual water. I truly think it is even more private because the beach front gazebo is on the walkway between the resorts and closer to the public while the beach location is in the corner of the resort next to the preferred club beach. This was the best decision by far! The wedding coordinator, Rocio picked me up from my room with a golf cart and drove me over so I didn't sweat! Many other guests at the resort watched the wedding and every time I went out afterwards, someone would come up to me and tell me how beautiful it was or that they liked my dress! haha it was very sweet. Instead of having bridemaids I asked all my girls to wear purple dresses to the wedding. I wanted to save them money since they were already traveling to come to my wedding and it looked beautiful in all the photos! COCKTAIL HOUR: During the cocktail hour, we upgraded from the Jamaican Trio to the Steel Drum Band which was $200. They were absolutely fabulous!! All the guests were impressed. The Secrets Ultimate Wedding package included a photographer so I utilized him to take photos of all the guests during the hour while we were with Misha Earle (our photographer) This worked out perfectly and we got to chose 50 5x7 photos and they placed them in an album. The resort photographer pics were surprisingly gorgeous!! I love the album. The wedding package also included a 30 min DVD of the ceremony, clips of the cocktail hr, cutting of the cake, and the first dance. This was priceless! I am soooo happy we got this package and all the extras. The DVD is my favorite! We had a viewing party back at home with family and friends and every thought it was great. They truly did amazing. You even get to pick the songs featured in the video. Both items are treasured memories. DECORATIONS: From home I lugged the table runners and chair sashes that I ordered from weddinglinensdirect.com. I brought candles and center piece rings, I made table numbers in little frames I purchased from the dollar store, and I sprinkled blue and purple crystals along the tables. The resort provided tea lights on the tables and cocktail tables as well. I also brought some purple and turquoise tulle that was wrapped around the gazebo. From the resort we purchased the Chinese lanterns ($390) that were strung across dinner. It gave such a beautiful ambiance and I felt was worth the splurge! We rented 12 tiki torches that $8 each which had double duty. We used them to line the aisle at the ceremony and then the staff moved them around the dance floor and reception tables after the ceremony! I ordered shell and starfish frosted glass drink coasters from favorwarehouse.com. Each seat got 2 so a couple would get 4! People were even asking me for extra. One thing about these was that they were very heavy so I had to spread them out among guests to bring to Jamaica! Thanks you everyone! lol Got them on labor day sale so there was free shipping - great deal on them in bulk too. My friend Danielle made us the programs which we had on each seat at the ceremony. It was pretty warm so everyone was using them to fan themselves! great idea... CAKE: We chose the vanilla cake which was delicious - moist and we got a lot of compliments. We had a 2 tier cake and wanted one chocolate and one vanilla but that was a $50 upcharge so we declined. I purchased the cake topper off of etsy and got the butterflies at joann fabrics. Adding this on was no extra cost and it looked gorgeous! We also had the welcome sign on the cake table: GUEST MAP: In place of a guest book I will never look at again, we ordered a vintage map of Jamaica on Amazon and brought gold sharpies for every one to sign! We now have it framed in the basement! GLOWSTICKS: I ordered glow sticks in purple and blue. I got 2 cases of necklaces and bracelets. I placed them in sand pails I got at the dollar store and filled them with crystals from the dollar store so they would hold them up. This was the best idea for sure! All the guest loved them and even the staff at the wedding was weaing them! I made a sign that said "you've made our future bright, now lets so the same for tonight! grab a glow stick and light up the dance floor" I made a couple of my friends pack them and bring them to Jamaica and they were not happy with me haha but after the wedding they said it was totally worth it!! PRIVATE CANDLELIGHT DINNER: This is a must! It is included in the honeymoon package if you stay as the resort for 7 nights. You can also purchase if not and use some of the resort coupons. It was ~$350 for the lowest package. On our last day there, we had a romantic day at the spa with the hydrotherapy circuit and a couples massage. The spa is very high class. Later, we went to the barracuda bar and waited for our private waiter to get us and take us to our table. It was set up on the ocean at sunset. It was absolutely breathtaking. He served us a 3 course meal of the best food we had the entire time we were there with a bottle of champagne. This was the perfect way to end our trip! All in all, the wedding concierge has done this many many times before. They will eventually respond - don't forget they are on island time. There is no need to stress because it will all be amazing, so relax and enjoy every moment. After all, you are in paradise. <3 I will post more and the trash the dress shoot when I get my professional pictures back!
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Planning your Wedding will likely be one of the biggest "projects" you take on during your lifetime. So ensuring that your wedding details and decor mesh correctly can often be a cumbersome and costly task. But making sure your wedding celebration is picture perfect, doesn't always have to break the bank -- as long as you carefully craft your details and put your money where you can get the most bang out of your buck. Here are some decor/details ideas that make a huge impact when it comes to setting the scene: 1) Your wedding colors: Color is the most impactful way to set the tone for your wedding. Stream your wedding colors throughout your dress, decor and details -- think about it, color doesn't cost a thing. So choose your colors carefully and run with it. When I got engaged, one of the first things I did was run to the paint section of my local hardware store to pick my color palette. From there on out, I kept my swatches close at hand whenever it came to choosing decor/details. 2) Lighting: Lighting is everything, and I'm not just saying that because I'm a photographer But light truly sets the scene like no other details -- be it natural light from the sun, the glow from candles that line your tables or the string lights that hang above your reception area. Light conveys a mood and sets the scene for your celebration from beginning to end and this is especially true if your celebration takes place in the evening. Just remember, lighting matters! 3) Ceremony arrangement: Yes, it's true -- you don't have to have a traditional wedding aisle. There are so many different ways to give your ceremony setting a different feel. While you can certainly go the traditional route, have you thought of perhaps creating a circle of guests chairs around your ceremony area to give it a more intimate feel? Or if it's on the beach and you know the ceremony will be quick and simple, your guests may align the area standing. Chairs setup in a half circle can also give your ceremony a different feel. Consider a variety of ceremony setups that will go best with your ceremony length, style and setting. 4) Table arrangement and Reception layouts: How will you arrange your tables at your reception? This is another simple but easy detail that can create a huge impact on the entire vibe for your reception. Will you have a sweetheart table or have a long table in the front with your bridal party by your sides? Will guests sit in assigned seats or is it open seating to allow more guests to mingle with each other? These days couples are also looking into having long tables to allow for a more formal feel and it also allows for amazing tablescape decor. Also consider how your tables will be setup with the dance floor in mind. The layout for your tables is an important aspect that will create the mood/feel as you celebrate the night away! 5) Decor/Guest Favors: Consider implementing guests favors into your tablescape decor. It's an easy way to give dual purpose to your details -- for instance, line your tables with tiny candle vases that your guests can take home. Or perhaps use floral touches that also double as guests favors. This is a simple way to give your decor some pizazz while at the same time thinking of your guests! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
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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?
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As brides we spend so much time trying to craft the perfect Wedding Day. We often obsess over every little details, ensuring that everything blends well together while at the same time making sure that our guests are well taken care of and having a good time during your wedding celebration. Realistically, weddings never go exactly as planned. Sure, it may seem like it was the perfect day. But there is always something that doesn't go as planned -- big or small -- but at the end of the day, you just roll with it and make the best of it. And if you were like me, after our wedding experience ended, I took some time to reflect (and laugh) at all the little things I really shouldn't have stressed out over. Of course it's always so much easier to do this in retrospect So to all past brides, if you could do it all over again, what would you do differently when it comes to your destination wedding?
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Your wedding invitation often sets the theme of your destination wedding celebration, so it's no wonder why so many couples spend extensive time and money picking and choosing their official wedding invites. Here are a few destination wedding invitation ideas/themes to help get you started: -- The Passport Invitation: If you're inviting your guests to an international location, then get the travel vibe started with a unique passport invitation. A passport cover in the colors of your wedding with lots of wedding information on the pages inside are sure to get your guests excited about the adventure that awaits! -- The Boarding Pass Invitation: Sharing your nuptials abroad but still want to keep it simple? How about a boarding pass invite? If you're crafty enough and have the time, it's definitely got some DIY possibilities (just do a search in the forum and you're bound to come up with templates from past BDW brides!). The boarding pass can be simple or intricate -- either way it will get you and your guests pumped up for your destination celebration. -- The Postcard Invitation: It's a simple but sweet way to get your invites out. Think of a postcard -- one side is a gorgeous photo and the other side has your text. Get your info out to guests in an easy way that doesn't involve much hassle or thought. It's also a very cost-friendly option that screams, "let's go on an adventure!" -- The Beach-Themed Invitation: If you're planning to tie the knot with sand in between your toes and the waves crashing in the background, then start the beach escape with a beach-themed invite to your guests. Think seashells in a box or perhaps a bottle filled with sand -- hey, who doesn't love a beach party?! -- The Nature-Inspired Invitation: Think graphics of birds, fish, butterflies, flowers or greenery. Anything that conveys nature and all its beauty! -- The Glam & Glitz Invitation: If you're having more of a chic or fancy celebration, perhaps glitz and glam is the way to go. With metallics all the rage this wedding season, you can't go wrong with gold, silver, copper or rust touches. Or perhaps you want to go completely blinged out with jewels or pearls. These invitations are sure to impress and let your guests know they're in for a glamourous affair. -- The Eco-Friendly Simple Invitation: Think linen or ecru with shades of neutral accents. Are you whisking your guests away to an eco-friendly location and decorating your celebration with lots of light colored hues? If so, this may be the way to go. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.
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Question: What Kind of Budget Should I Set Aside When Planning an Indian Destination Wedding? Answer: According to Preety Jaswal, Destination Wedding Specialist of Platinum Travel & Destination Weddings: "This all depends on the guest count, how many events the couple will have, how elaborate each event should be and what vendors they will bring to their destination. For most Indian weddings, the couple may bring down their own DJ, photographer/videographer, Priest, and sometimes makeup artist. All of these play a huge factor in wedding costs." - - - 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.
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Question: Should You Use a Travel Agent When Planning an Indian Destination Wedding? Answer: According to Preety Jaswal, Destination Wedding Specialist of Platinum Travel & Destination Weddings: "100% YES - having the right resort is everything. Not all resorts/venues can perform Indian Weddings even if they say they do. Also most importantly a lot of resorts are getting particular on having a final guest list/count. The resort needs to know final numbers prior to each event so they can set up accordingly. The problem resorts face is when guests book on their own and they are not accounted for with the wedding events so then the resort staff on-site is running around to adjust each of these guests. When you book a large group of over 100+ guests and about 30 booked outside the agent -- that is food, decor, tables, centrepieces, chairs not planned for, which can even alter the wedding location if it cannot accommodate all the extra guests." - - - 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.
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According to wedding resource expert, The Knot, this year's wedding trends are all about personalization. "Weddings are more personalized than ever, with couples putting their own unique touches on classic traditions," says Kellie Gould, editor in chief of The Knot. "Couples are taking entertainment up a notch by hiring contemporary choirs that will sing an a cappella version of their first dance song, and upgrading the signature cocktail to satellite bars featuring specialty drinks with engraved glassware and elaborate garnishes. Guys are even upping their grooming game and stepping into the spotlight more with custom suits and accessories." Here's a list of The Knot's 2016 wedding trends: 1. Two-in-One Dresses & Fashion-Forward Florals: brides are opting for convertible dresses that combine a formal ceremony gown and a fun reception frock in one. Flowers are being infused beyond the bouquet and centerpieces -- flower dress accents and flower crowns are among some favorites. 2. Wedding Concierge Pros: Wedding planning is getting easier because now there's either a pro or an app to hire/use to execute any element of the day. 3. Satellite Bars: personalize the party with your favorite libation, or even serve a tasting of preferred wines. Set up a bar that highlights your preferred drink, like champagne or a specialty gin. 4. Contemporary Choirs & Late-Night Karaoke: Surprise guests by hiring a marching band or gospel choir and have them perform a favorite rock ballad for the walk down the aisle or an a cappella version of the first dance song. And if you're hosting an after-party, karaoke is king. 5. Sweet Endings: The wedding cake is here to stay, but it's no longer the only dessert on the menu. Passed treats, especially of the frozen variety like shaved ice or fruit-infused ice pops with the couple's names on the stick, are trending along with installations like doughnut walls. 6. Wow-Worthy Websites: Couples are hiring design gurus to create a completely custom site with a unique URL, bespoke details and personalized illustrations. 7. Total Personalization: The new wedding tells a couple's story, meaning a complete customization of details. From serving the couple's favorite dish from a local restaurant or having an ordained family member officiate the ceremony, elements will reflect their favorite tastes and interests, making their wedding day uniquely their own. Couples are even choosing original themes that represent the two of them. 8. 3-D Printing: Paper will always have a place in weddings, but couples are creating memorable 3-D save-the-dates that set the vibe for a modern celebration, and even making a 3-D printed cake topper that looks just like the bride and groom. 9. Food-Inspired Floral Elements: Artichokes and Kale vs. Roses: Bouquets and centerpieces are getting a style boost thanks to untraditional floral elements, like fruit and vegetables. 10. Stylish Grooms: Guys are now looking for a second look, opting for a unique reception look too. Custom suits with embroidered monograms, velvet loafers and personalized cuff links give guys more style options than ever before in 2016. 11. Locally Sourced Food: The new wedding menu will mimic the offerings at your local farm-to-table restaurant. Forget standard chicken or beef and say hello to "free-range Happy Days Farm hen." Good food, both in taste and provenance, is playing a greater role in dinner fare. 12. Metallic Palettes: It's all about shimmer and shine this year. Don't be afraid to mix silver and rose gold or gunmetal and gold—metallics play well together. The addition of luster elevates any look, giving a couple's wedding style an extra-special feel.
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Well, I guess it is my turn to start my own planning thread! I had read so many helpful planning threads on this awesome forum and I thought I would do the same. I am 124 days away until my wedding (but who is counting) and I thought I would post my ideas to not only help others, but also as a way to keep me accountable to my planning. I have truly loved reading other bride's planning threads and will try to share as much as possible to help someone else in their early stages of planning. The benefits of the forum have been so great and I am so grateful for the generous brides that have been so busy planning their own fabulous weddings and still made it a priority to share for the rest of us. We are getting married June 20, 2015 at the Grand Sunset Princess. We have been to this resort twice and love, love, love, love it!! We are really looking forward to going back and just feeling absolutely confident in the service and quality of the hotel. So my head has been clouded with to-do lists and I had been really overwhelmed as soon as we transitioned from 2014 to 2015. I have a destination wedding planner but I found that it was easy to tuck it away and it is over 200 pages so it's easy to miss a section. We decided to experiment with a wall map. We put up some bristol board on a wall at home and my fiance and I started posting all the random things that we need to get done. All those little things like, "ask our flower girl" or "write vows" or "lose 60lbs" haha. After mapping out our to do list it really helped put everything into perspective. As we get things done, we remove the sticky, and as we think of more things to do, we slap them on. It has really helped out and I have a better sense of what still needs to get done! Yay planning! xo
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