TATrisha

Already done They are in the Official thread. Here: http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/75549/official-gran-bahia-principe-riviera-maya-thread#post_1663897 Let me know if there is something specific that I didn't list out. There are a million massages and such, so I didn't list those all.

So you want to basically see if people from the ocean can see up to the beach wedding location? It's a pretty big hill... so yup! I'll take pictures for ya! The main pool, obviously you want the reception area?

Good morning Bahia Brides! The spa list has been updated with the most current spa list and spa prices, along with the emails for the spa. Please let me know if you need anything else. Also, just a reminder, I will be at the resort in three weeks. If there is anything you'd like a detailed photograph of or more information on, please let me know as soon as you can. Thanks! Trisha

Quality isn't the best. It's not a solid sturdy wood... but for the purpose of hanging the dress for one day and taking pictures, it'll work fabulously.

Perhaps just printing it in a large picture frame and having it on a table would be a good idea. The resort can easily set up a little table with a table cloth. You could also then place your programs on that table.

You can post the PDF... but newbies won't be able to read it. You can email it to me and I can add the information to the "official" thread.

I got my hangers in the mail yesterday! Anyone else? They are super cute! Not the BEST quality, however for $5 I think they will work lovely. I can't wait to photograph my next bride's dress on these cute hangers!

Yeah, I really loved my manicure in the spa. Super relaxing and a lovely time spent with my ladies. I didn't enjoy the pedicure, but that was also four years ago.

I think it's okay if you think I'm unprofessional. This is not a thread where I'm trying to sell myself. This is a thread where I'm trying to educate. A LOT of brides on this forum have sticker shock when they hear the price of flying out a photographer. They don't understand why someone wouldn't want a "free vacation" and why they'd have to pay above that amount. You (shockingly, given your profession) made the same comment. So all of my comments were trying to HELP brides (and grooms). I'm honest and trying to steer everyone in the right direction of getting fabulous photos that they'll love on their wedding day. HECK YES I want them to hire me and I'll do a fantastic job and enjoy every single minute of it and deliver an amazing product, but this wasn't a "should I hire Trisha to document my day" thread... (ps, for everyone else reading this thread... hire me, I'm awesome! )

LOL Damon! You're funny. Like I said, I photograph destination weddings because I love them. I was a destination wedding bride myself (why I'm part of the forum to begin with) and I will always hold a special place in my heart for them. I do relax, and I do have a good time... but it's just not a vacation. And it sounds glamorous and like we're making bank, but when you consider 8 hours of travel, 15-20 hours of work for the wedding at the wedding location, 8 hours of travel, 4 hours of editing and correspondence and album design for each hour of photography. So 60 hours of that. So we're talking 91 hours (on the short end) for a destination wedding (if you count the fun and relaxing time as not paid). Which leaves me making $10 or less an hour when you consider expenses and taxes. But again, to me, it's worth it. There is a special kind of love and happiness that is present during a destination wedding and I absolutely adore capturing that and being a part of the big day. It's what I love.

Bumping means that you comment on the thread to make it "bump" to the top of the "New Posts" feed. So more people can see it and get the helpful information inside.

I'm just going to second that... it is NOT a vacation! Our equipment doesn't fit in the safe, and even if it does, it's not necessarily SAFE depending on where you are. So you have to lug all the equipment everywhere you go (In January we weighed my bag and my assistant's bag. Mine was 36 pounds and hers was 27). Then you have to keep an eye on the equipment at all times. It's not relaxing. I require three nights stay with my destination wedding packages. Here is the schedule of events. First night - meet with the couple. Plan the day. Take a few engagement type photos Second night - wedding night Third night - trash the dress early in the morning, backing up images in three locations for hours during the day There really is no vacation. Not to mention, it's taking me away from my normal business hours here at home and my family doesn't come with me. What good is a vacation without the family? With that said, I absolutely love destination weddings and I deeply discount my services because of that fact alone. But it is certainly not a vacation. I am working hard for my clients.

What I did for my wedding was created the place cards with an indicator of the entree selection (different color border). Guests were allowed to choose their seats, they just grabbed the place cards as they entered the reception and placed them where they wanted to sit. It worked out very well.

Welcome to the club!!! This forum is so fantastic for planning a destination wedding. Best wishes to you!

Welcome to the forum!! This is a decision that everyone has to make for themselves, but you definitely have very different resorts listed here. NOW (Jade or Sapphire) - More modern resort very close to the airport. Not really a viable outdoor reception area. Dreams Los Cabos - completely different side of Mexico. Very different feel to the resort. More laid back. Beach is not the crystal clear blue of Riviera Maya, instead has gorgeous HUGE waves. It's not swimmable. Dreams Riviera Cancun - I honestly don't know much about this resort other than they have a pretty cool wedding structure. Moon Palace - gazebo wedding. Horse and carriage ride. Not swimmable beach, and really not that pretty to look at either compared to other riviera maya resorts. Barcelo Maya Palace Deluxe - large complex, cool gazebo or beach location for a wedding. Since it's a large complex your guests can stay at different price points and there is more to explore. Outdoor and open air reception options. So it's really about what YOU want. What do you envision your day looking like? Do you see yourself getting married with sand between your toes or underneath a gazebo? Do you want Cabo or Riviera Maya (which is cheaper to fly to)? Do you want a more modern feel or a more traditional Mexican feel? Is swimming in the ocean a big deal to you?

I love the new dress! It's gorgeous!!!

Oh fantastic! Thanks for sharing!! I ordered two of these to use for my brides that I photograph. Thank you again!

The coast line of Florida is so gorgeous!! I saw a few weddings in Destin and Fort Walton when I was there last year and they were gorgeous. Such beautiful sand and water!

I agree with asking to see the dress in the sunlight. Since you'll be getting married outside, that's really important. Perhaps bring a white shirt along and compare them. My husband wore a white shirt with my champagne dress and I don't think it looks bad. This is a picture that my mom took during our trash the dress session (so in NO WAY is it professional, but it shows you my dress color compared to his white shirt)

I HIGHLY recommend MarieSam and Tommy from http://www.mariesamsanchezblog.com/ First off, she was a destination bride from this very forum so that's always comforting. Second... THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go to their blog and check out their latest Akumal, Mexico wedding which combined the photography and videography. Again, Amazing!!!!

These are so cute and I love that they aren't just being thrown away!!! Great share!

It was as simple as that for me! But I live in Wisconsin and they accept a spanish marriage license, so it was easy IN Mexico and back home. Some people have had problems with translations when they return home. Others were adopted, changed their names, or like you said, were divorced. Any of those will complicate things.

My favorite is the bride and groom dancing on the beach. It's so romantic and fun... just like a destination wedding should be.