A PDC Wedding in my head

Ever since we first visited Playa del Carmen 3 years ago, my SO and I knew this was where we wanted to get married! For the past year, I have envisioned the entire event to the tiniest detail, and now trying to translate it into reality.

All our friends and family are staying at the Hotel Basico (5 Ave/10th) - we have the entire hotel to ourselves (15 rooms)!

Knowing our friends and family, we did not schedule any activities outside of the wedding. We are giving everyone the opportunity to explore and fall in love with PDC on their own terms.

The weekend begins with a Welcome Reception on Friday at Maramao (Mosquito Beach). On Saturday, we get hitched on the beach, by 10th Street (the light house); with a mariachi band leading the way from the hotel to the beach and back to the Deseo Hotel for cocktails and then to the Basico for dinner and dancing.

Our inspiration, a finger starfish, is being incorporated as a shade or shape in all aspects of the reception.

We are using Mari Tripaldi as the planner; Paul Shrank as our videographer and Vincent from Zasil Graph Studios as the photographer; DJ Martin is the man in charge of the music (in addition to our own ipod playlist).

The reception is a "Family Style" dinner that consists of a 4 types of entrees and 3 sides. We got a small cake to cut, with a 3 dozen cupcakes in different flavors to serve to guests.

The only major issue I've really encountered to date is MEXICO customs rejecting shells that I've been attempting to send to my planner. I was told that shells are rather expensive in Mexico, and that our inspiration, a finger starfish, isn't even available! I've attempted TWICE in fedex'ing these shells, only to have shipped back to me.

I don't really want to put these shells in my checked luggage, since we are not arriving until a few days before the wedding - but looks like this is my only choice.

Other than that, I think (I hope) that things go the way I want it...

Anyhoo - thanks for listening!

Wow, it sounds like you have everything all set.

With regard to the seashells, I'm guessing the problem is that customs views them either as animals or animal product and there may be prohibitions on that.

You might try contacting an importer to see if they can give you any advice. Even someone like UPS international might be able to help.

Thanks; I've already been in touch with Mexican Customs; unfortunately, they forbid shells due to ecological reasons... go figure!

I've asked my planner to look for the shells I want, but she insists that that they are quite expensive.

So unless I smuggle them in, I will have to shell out (pardon the pun) a lot more dough that I budgeted... But then again, I already AM overbudget (but that's a post for another day...) hahaha

Can I ask who your wedding planner is? Is she associated with the hotel or an outside consultant? Would you recommend her to others?

Your wedding weekend sounds awesome.

We're planning on having our reception at Maramao!

You've read what I imagined, planned and hoped for; this is what transpired:

After the little fiasco with fedex, we re-packed all our luggage and boarded a plane to Cancun Airport. We left Newark Airport just in time - it started snowing an hour after our plane took off!

On the plane, we both decided that we were going to accept whatever happens, as nothing can be better than having all our loved ones around us on this special weekend.

All days prior to the wedding was perfect... Breakfast at the Basico, laying by the pool, sipping champagne at Mamitas, and then back to the Basico for cocktails and after parties with a group of 20 of our friends!

We had a rocky start with the Welcome Reception on the 15th; although we had discussed our needs with the manager at Maramao a few days before, they still missed the boat on a few things.

The mariachi band escorted all the guests to the beach for the ceremony. By the end of the service, everyone was in tears!

The mariachi band then escorted everyone to the Deseo for cocktails where a slide show of all the guests was playing while they enjoyed cocktails and appetizers.

The party was elevated when a parade celebrating carnival went down 5th Avenue with dancers and music...

The entire wedding party then walked back to the Basico for dinner; as soon as everyone as seated, it started raining! That didn't dampen our spirits, we moved all 7 round tables closer to each other, which got everyone talking and dancing...

All in all, a great event - all the planets in our universe aligned perfectly!

Kudos to...

Mari Tripaldi, our planner...

Vincent and Juan Carlos from Zasil Studio, who brought some great energy and took some great photos...

Paul, who took some great footage

Everyone at the Basico for taking care of us

it's hard to entertain 40 jaded New Yorkers - and this weekend did!!!

Congrats, You're married!!

Did you end up fed-exing (sp?) your shells? Even with the set-backs, it still sounds great!

Wow! Congratulations - it sounds like it was fantastic!!!

Do you have photos you can share? (you know how we are...)

Congratulations! You're married - YAY!!!

So glad everything worked out and even the rain helped kick up the party. Now we need to see some pics!!!