MJKH Riviera Maya Wedding Planning Journal ~ Lots of Pictures!

[MJKH]

I want to start by saying that the last 16 months have been the most fun, exciting, stressful, creative, exhausting yet invigorating months of my life...I'm sure most of you can relate! : )

 

Thank you all for the opportunity to vent, share and laugh here on BDW...I have truly been (and continue to be) inspired.

 

This is our story...

 

Janelle & Todd

Riviera Maya, Mexico

02.02.2012

 

HOW WE MET

 

It was the first weekend of October, 2008 and I was helping a friend with her wedding. A couple of weeks prior she "planted a seed"...that maybe her cousin (Todd) and I might hit it off. He loved to travel, was a foodie, an avid reader...more of an intellectual than a jock (which suited me just fine). She and Todd weren't overly close (at the time)...there is a 13 year age difference between them...in fact, she wasn't sure if he was in a relationship or not at that point!

 

Anyway, it was my job to hang out at her house and wait for their guests to arrive from the church the night of the rehearsal dinner. The doorbell rings, this incredibly stunning man walks in, introduces himself as "Todd" and honestly, I saw stars. It was hard for me to make eye contact with him the whole night, I was so excited. We chatted a bit the next day at the wedding ceremony and reception...and I spent most of the next morning (gift opening) at the kitchen sink with his mother, washing dishes! 

 

Let's just say I took the bull by the horns...I was not prepared to let this one get away!!! I got his work e-mail address (the only one my cousin had) and spent an hour composing a four sentence e-mail, that basically said he was the one person at the wedding that I wished I had been able to spend more time with. I hit "send" and waited...all of 15 minutes!!! He replied that he was, at that moment, sitting at his desk, trying to get the nerve to call up his cousin (my friend) for my contact info. The rest is history...I think we just always knew that we would be together forever. It is easy to be with him, to share a space and travel the world together...in my dreams I could not have imagined having a relationship with a man as honest, open and loving...there was no question we would be married.

 

But...we are both very private and practical and never really saw ourselves having a big wedding. Neither of us had been married before but he did have a teenage daughter from a previous relationship. We moved in together after about 18 months of dating and that's when our parents started saying things like "there's money set aside for a wedding" and "we just want to see you married!" So, on our second trip to the Riviera Maya in January, 2011 (@ Dreams Tulum), we decided what we wanted was a destination wedding...to ask friends and family (none of whom had been to Mexico before) to step outside of their comfort zone and travel with us back to the Riviera Maya in February, 2012! 

 

 

 

 

Engagement Photo/Third Anniversary 

 

WELCOME WEEK SURVIVAL KITS

 

I won't go into a lot of details about our wedding week kits...if you'd like more information, here is the link to my thread:

 

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/76768/mjkh-wedding-week-survival-bags-are-done-lots-of-pics/90#post_1742402

 

But for a bargain shopper like me, they were so much fun to do and our guests are still talking about them! If you plan to do welcome/oot bags, start early and look for deals towards the end of the summer as warm weather items begin to go on clearance.

 

 

 

 

 

BOOKING/PRE-DEPARTURE

 

 

We selected a local travel agent as many of our guests were 55+ and we thought they would appreciate the opportunity to sit down and speak in person with someone. She specializes in destination weddings and was never afraid to pick up the phone and call the resort/wedding office directly as questions or issues came up.  

 

We hosted an open house the second Sunday in December so our guests could meet each other, mingle and ask questions. We had a DVD of photos playing from our first two trips to Mexico, with lots of pictures of the resort, surrounding towns, and the excursions we had been on. We distributed our wedding week survival bags, passport covers with information booklets inside and flip-flops. 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR RESORT

 

The Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya was our home for two fabulous weeks this winter. It was quite nostalgic for us as that's where we spent our very first holiday in Mexico two years earlier. We (briefly!) considered somewhere other than Mexico for a DW, but decided the Riviera Maya would be best as we felt comfortable there and knew how to maneuver around. We thought the GSRM would have lots to offer those who just wanted to hang out at the resort for a week plus it was in a great location for those who wanted to get off the resort during the day to sightsee/do excursions. They have a kids club, lazy river, lots of restaurants, activities galore, a fabulous spa and lush jungle/flora all around the resort. My parents saw monkeys sitting in the trees across from their balcony! The GSRM also has two very large open lounge areas with lots of seating for bigger groups to visit at all times of the day or night.  

 

We purchased the presidential wedding package thru the resort which included this lovely suite for two weeks. Staying at the resort on our own for the week after the wedding was the BEST decision we made!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still to come...decor/attire/photography...and more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Peach]

Okay, I know you are not done, but I just have to say that I was so excited to see your planning thread! I LOVE the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya and am honestly surprised that more brides do not choose to get married there. Looks lovely so far and cannot wait to see more!

[tkuzma]

Wow, from this preview alone I can tell your wedding must have been absolute incredible!  Congratulations!!!

[MCarpenter]

This looks amazing and love your little survival kit bags.  I am considering a destination wedding.  I am curious, how many people did you invite, and how many were able to join you during your celebration?  I can't wait to see more pictures

[venus909]

DITTO!!!  I can't wait to see more....
 

Originally Posted by tkuzma 

Wow, from this preview alone I can tell your wedding must have been absolute incredible!  Congratulations!!!

 

[ChocoTaco7568]

I have been waiting for this planning thread ever since I discovered your 'Wedding Week Survival Bags' thread.  I'm excited to see the details of your special day.

[Sharon99]

Wow!! I cant wait to see the rest!!