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Nicole!! You will find pretty much everything you need to plan on here! Michelle

Lisa!! There are so many amazing places in the RM, and tons of brides' reviews on here to help you out. Michelle

Nan!! There is SO much info here to help you plan. Michelle

Jasmin Rose! Congrats on your wedding!! It will be here before you know it! Michelle

to the forum! Good luck with all of your plans! Michelle

Rae!! Have fun with all your wedding planning! Michelle

Quote: Originally Posted by FutureMrsYak For you brides that have been recently married, did you do symbolic...did it appear real? And did anyone ask about signing the certificate or anything? I'm worried our guests will find out and I don't want FI parents to be upset. My parents already know. You can't tell any difference at all. If asked, just say you had to complete the paperwork beforehand. In most US weddings, the license isn't signed during the ceremony anyway, it is done afterwards and usually just with the minister and witnesses. The biggest problem you have is making sure the people that DO know, don't blab it to anyone at all. Keeping that a secret then having someone accidentally find out after they have paid a lot of money to get there doesn't sit well (has happened to one of our couples!). Much better just to be up front about it if there is any likelihood that too many people know 'the truth' and might let it slip. Michelle

WOW! That looks amazing!!! Nice choice! Michelle

Janice! Congratulations on your engagement! Definitely enjoy your engagement, we were engaged for two and a half years too. Why? We bought a house instead too! He he! Michelle

Jacqui! Have fun with all of your planning! Michelle

The private house sounds amazing! Good luck with all of your plans! Michelle

to the forum! January will be here before you know it! Good luck with all of your plans! Michelle

to the forum! There is just tons of info on here to help you find the perfect resort and plan your whole DW. Michelle

Honeyb! Congrats on your wedding! Tulum is just so amazing. Good luck with all of your planning. Michelle

to the forum! Everyone here is super helpful with answering questions. It is never to early to start planning! Michelle

Nessa! Barcelo Maya Palace is one of our FAVORITE resorts on the Riviera Maya! Your wedding will be gorgeous. Michelle

to the forum!! SO much great info here. Michelle

Katie! We are going to be there too that weekend, shooting Kathy and AJ's wedding on Sunday at the Sensatori. Mexico in November is going to be fabulous! Good luck with all of your plans! Michelle

Don't forget to check out the vendor marketplace here too: Vendor Marketplace - Best Destination Wedding Forum ~ The Ultimate Destination Wedding Resource That is where we, the photographers, post samples of our work, package information, etc. XOXOX, Michelle

OMG I can only imagine! Reindeer and polar fox?! That is just so amazing! You will love the Grand Canyon, totally opposite but just beautiful. Michelle

:welcome Claudia! Happy Planning! Michelle

Should have mentioned, both resorts I mentioned are in the Riviera Maya, Mexico!

Quote: Originally Posted by Stephen81 Hello All! 1) Classy Wedding Location - my fiance is opposed to the beach because we have some elderly relatives attending and they don't do well on loose sand...if we could find a "hard" beach that might work 2) Inexpensive rooms - we want as many guests as possible to attend! We're inviting 80...realistically I'm anticipating around 25 to attend. 3) Lowish airfare - under 500 if possible...again, trying to attract guests Our budget is 15,000. Do these priorities seem realistic with that figure in mind? We do want a few frills (a violinist and a quality photographer). Please help! Stephen Welcome Stephen, To answer your questions: 1: Some of the resorts have gazebos and reception locations that are not on the beach. Barcelo Maya Place for example has a Grecian gazebo and you can have your reception in one of the grills, so it is not necessary to go onto the beach at all. You still of course have the beach right there for all your guests to enjoy. The Royal in Playa has the same thing with the gazebo and different reception options. I will post some ceremony photos below so you can see. 2. You can negotiate on the room rates through your TA with the hotel. The all inclusive are wonderful because your guests know exactly what they are spending for lodging, food, and drink. We have stayed AI for as low as $173 per night and anywhere up to $280 on a negotiated rate. I am sure there are some that go higher, but that is a good range I think. Your guests can get some great deals going through Expedia or what have you too. 3. We can get to the Riviera Maya for about $390 per person, and that is all the way from Portland, OR. The east coast is going to be a bit more, but it is still pretty easy. Many flights are just a hop through Atlanta. I think $15,000 is fairly realistic for 25 people. There are a number of threads where brides have listed their budgets on here to you can get a good idea of what others have spent. One of the great things about destinations such as Mexico is that a lot of decoration isn't required! Michelle Here are the gazebo shots: Barcelo Maya Palace Royal Playa del Carmen

to the forum! There is so much good info on here and TONS of reviews of the different hotels. Good luck with your planning! Michelle

Cobra! Congrats on your engagement! That must have been amazing! Do you have any pics from your proposal? Michelle