Avens

Thank you!

For some reason, my photo above got cut off. Here it is again!

it really is gorgeous! We did the huppa, I really loved the way it looks in the photos, but it probably would have been just as nice without. The ocean is so beautiful!

Our ceremony was at 3:30 (we initially planned for 4 like Brenners, but then moved it up half an hour to try and get some more daylight for photos, the sun sets earlier in January). We started a few minutes late, as the coordinator forgot to pick up a few of our guests, and I refused to start until they were found (I would be choked if I came all this way for a wedding, and they forgot about me!). We didn't have any extra readings or sand stuff, so it was probably 20 minutes for our ceremony? We did the champagne,hugging, toasting thing, then group photos as well. We also did some bridal party photos at Playa Azul, then everyone headed back to the Palace. The guests and bridal party went to the cocktail hour from 4:30 ish until 5:30. We did photos with the photographer until about 5, and then joined the cocktail hour to mingle for a bit . We all headed to Palmerus beach around 6. We extended our reception by an hour. We didn't really have much for speeches (one of husbands few requests). Best man, maid of honour, father in law had a drunken speech towards the end of the night, it was fun and us thanking everyone. It still went by super fast! We definitely would have continued the party on - but hubby was suffering from food poisoning/24 hr flu or something, and had troopered all day - and was ready for bed. We encouraged the guests to keep going, and I think they went to the Carey Bar. Yep, that's what it is!

We did Playa Azul ceremony, playa Palmarus reception. It was perfect. Private for the ceremony, the beach is deserted at night, so it was still private for the reception and close. I think there was a discussion about this a few pages back. Don't be afraid to use the search this thread function. I have pictures of both on my planning thread.

They all wore Linen pants from Le Chateau. We did have them pressed (and hemmed) the day before at the resort (because some people didn't think they needed their pants hemmed when I mentioned it months before ). My FI and his best man did, I'm actually not sure if the other two had their pants pressed. If you hang them up once you get there, it's humid enough that you shouldn't need to. I had my dress packed in a suitcase, and I just hung it up and it was fine, I didn't need to get it steamed.

This is a long a$$ post, I quoted quite a few people to help answer questions. Hope it helps! We did on the Monday night ( we arrived Saturday, wedding Thursday). It was a lot of fun! We had a "girls night" and all the girls that came surprised me and we went horseback riding on the beach, then we all went for supper at the French restaurant, and they got me a special cake, and the waiters came and sang a song to us (it's on facebook somewhere, so embarassing but fun!). After dinner (I think Dinner was at 9) we went to the Disco at the resort. It was really fun to just all spend time together. The boys did something similar, and went for the brazillian bbq, and we met them at the disco later on (though they got VIP and were upstairs, we didn't find them for quite a while). We looked into playacrawl, but by the time we got everyone together and sorted out, it was just easier to stay at or near the resort. Here is at the restaurant when I am being serenaded, and eating my special dessert. It was a fun night. The only extra thing I brought for the tables was the name cards, which had ready to go, and they tied them onto the wine glasses for me (as I thought the basic foldy ones would fly away, and I left this until the last minute, so I didn't have time to find cute holders). I ordered the bouquets as well. Honestly, I think this makes sense. If they have 100 weddings a month, and half or even a third of those people had sky lanterns at say 30 lanterns a piece - that is a lot of trash. Even though they are biodegradable, anyone who has composted knows that the biodegradable paper products don't instantly disappear. I initially wanted them to, but then I was happy I didn't. Here's our groomsmen and our dads. FI's dad decided at the last minute to wear shorts, his mom was furious. We didn't really care though:) I really liked my dad's shirt, it was festive! Groomsmen My dad FI Dad FI, FI Dad and Groomsmen (FI brother)

and like someone said before - honestly your drink shouldn't be sitting around for hours - I hope you're getting refills!

A few more photos from our fabulous photographer - Sascha Gluck! My review for him is here http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/sascha-gluck-photographer/reviews/5672

In my opion We used Playa Azul for the reception - it was perfect. It's far down the beach so you don't get as many gawkers. I saw lots of weddings at Playa Coral, and while the backdrop is gorgeous - it seemed very "in the middle of things". They would block off the sidewalk for brides to walk down the aisle, and you'd get a back log of people waiting, and walking by. You can still go take pictures on the rocks at Playa Coral after your ceremony, my sunset photo is there. During the evening, I found it was always busy at the Coral beach too - as its right beside the restaurants - however you're usually not paying to much attention to them. It is also a smaller site - if you have a lot of people. I originally was going to have both at Playa Azul - the reason I didn't was that everyone was staying at the Palace, and it's quite far from the hotel. We were at Playa Palmerus and it was fabulous - we forget things in the room, people got cold and wanted sweaters - and it was a 5 minute walk away. Photos are in my planning thread if that helps. In my opinion, it was nice have the ceremony further away and more private, then be closer for the reception.

There is a JoP for the ceremony, and its $300. It is included in your total price, but you need cash to pay him. If you have a friend or family member that can do it, just let your coordinator know and you saved yourself $300.

Playa Azul Playa Palmerus Playa Coral Are the three main beach locations. If you search this thread - you'll find lots of information and pictures about them. I found even googling them found lots of photos. If you look at my planning threat - there should be some photos of Playa Palmerus for the reception and Playa Azul for the ceremony.

We had Carribbean, our guests LOVED it. We were half an hour late because of photos, and the buffet was almost empty, and there was a fair amount of food. It was nice, we had it on the palace balcony as the sun was going down, beautiful sunset, and was a nice time to mingle and such ( a little easier than sitting down at dinner). For us it was worth it. I know other brides just had a meeting point, and that worked well to (like the lobby bar etc.), it was nice having a spot just for us, our own bar, and music etc. Here are some of the Pro and family shots from up there. Just a friendly reminder to all the new brides looking - try giving the thread a search - I know it's long, but I know I've posted these pictures at least 3 times now. Most of the other questions (locations, flowers etc.) have been asked a million times, and there is a wealth of information on here!