MJKH

Our personalized papel picado and bride and groom calacas for the cake (my groom's ONE request) were handcrafted in Mexico and purchased online from this company: http://www.mexicansugarskull.com/

Our reception was held in the very romantic beach palapa space at the GSRM: Our table favours were small boxes of Guylian seashell chocolates purchased at London Drugs on sale for just over $2 each. We created placecards (Vistaprint business cards with a "glossy" finish and a solid pink colour on the reverse side...worth the extra money!) which our WP attached and arranged using our seating chart. The centerpiece vases were actually large hand-blown/cut glasses on clearance at Pier 1. We brought four back with us as a momento and will certainly enjoy a cold beverage or two from them in the summertime!

Our wedding package included a Mariachi Trio for 45 minutes...they really got the party started! They arrived just as we were coming back from photos...so they played us back to the beach. AWESOME!!!

Our instant photo guest book was purchased off Etsy (thehandmadeboutique). The engraved plate we had done at the little kiosk outside of Sears. We didn't look at the finished book until we crawled into our own bed the night we returned home. It is one of my most prized possessions...I especially love the notes and drawings made by my niece and nephews!

We created a Vistaprint banner and the WP at the resort did exactly what we hoped she would do with it!

I have to send a special "shout out" to my favourite Etsy seller, Lacey (woodandglass). She was so great to work with and created these amazing fused glass stir sticks which were served with cocktails while we were out taking photos. The bartender pre-mixed a large quantity, poured into glasses, added ice and guests stirred their hearts out!

These boxes of Godiva chocolates were used as favours for our rehearsal dinner. They were on clearance after Christmas at Home Outfitters for 80% off. They came in a second gold Christmas gift box which we simply removed and VOILA...no sign of Christmas and absolutely divine! Our wedding ceremony was held out at the private beach area next to the palapa at the GSRM: Before the wedding ceremony, a sinamay envelope containing a thank you card (Vistaprint) and wood fan (Michaels) was placed on each chair.

WEDDING ATTIRE My dress and hair flower were from a local bridal shop. My dress was Jai style #9909...the interior of the dress was hemmed to floor length and the lace/tulle overlay was left alone as it was so beautiful. My Ralph Lauren strappy silver heels were from DSW: Nadri earrings from Nordstroms: This handmade silk fan was a special purchase while on holidays in Barcelona last year. The hanger was from an Etsy seller (lilafrances): Groom's Tommy Bahama linen shirt and pants were from The Bay and his handmade leather sandals were purchased while on holidays in Positano, Italy: For a wedding gift, I bought him a Tommy Bahama watch: His daughter (our ring-bearer) wore this bright pink dress from Barijay: Our ring bowl, bouquet, bout and corsage charms were by an Etsy seller (palomasnest): My niece (and flower girl) wore this pink dress from Winners (her basket was also purchased at Winners): And her strappy little sandals were from Payless:

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!

I won't go into a lot more in the way of details about our wedding week kits...if you'd like the 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. Our TA 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.

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 for our "Fiesta in the Palapa"! Engagement Photo/Third Anniversary RINGS I've never really been a big fan of rings, especially with my job in healthcare...and working in inner-city high risk homes I want to keep my jewelry to a minimum. I love full bezel diamonds, I wanted a band a bit wider than normal and after an exhaustive search, I found a photo of a Birks ring online that I loved. However, Birks no longer makes the ring, so we took the photo to a local goldsmith and he recreated it beautifully! Unfortunately, I still don't feel comfortable wearing it to work most days, so I'm looking for a really simple band of some sort. Todd also had his ring done by the same goldsmith. BRIDAL SHOWER My great friend (Todd's cousin) hosted my bridal shower and planned the most creative Mexican-themed food and activities...it was a blast! Instead of a guest book, she had everyone sign a sombrero (that she told me later she picked up at Value Village and just glued some pretty flowers and trim on). She asked a local woman (originally from Mexico) who sells salsa and fresh tortillas at the farmer's market to do a tortilla-making demonstration for us. Then, we filled those delicious fresh tortillas and had homemade chicken tortilla lime soup, dressing everything up with the toppings provided. Our friend from the farmer's market who creates amazing cakes baked a fab Mexican vanilla cake and Mexican wedding cookies.

You bet! I don't get over there as much as I used to...but I still find myself roaming the aisles once a week or so for our AHR.

Ughhh...I'm really sorry to hear that! Honestly, I didn't think of that as a possibility...booking directly with the hotel. Our travel agent even booked the single nights' accommodation for our photographer thru Sunquest (our package provider)...so that probably should tell us something. What is the issue you're trying to sort out...whether or not your guests actually have rooms, or what kind of room everyone is needing/getting or where on the resort you're located? My husband works as a front desk manager for a major hotel here in town...I think what he would tell you is to be firm and clear about what you're after (but STAY CALM...don't swear, threaten, etc!!!)...to put everything in writing and get everything in writing...to follow up with a fax and/or e-mail one week before and the day before you arrive (and it probably wouldn't hurt to cc it to Aracely and one or two other key people at the resort so that "Tayro" is accountable for his follow-up).

I've been watching for them in the dollar bins at Michaels, but I haven't seen them again. I'm sure if/once they're back in stock there will be a wave of messages going out over BDW! ; )

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/50-PCS-Clear-Vertical-ID-Card-Holders-Waterproof-Sealable-6-8-X-11-/190663289424?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c646aea50#ht_3188wt_1398 I don't know how long you'll be able to access this link, but just go to ebay and search "vertical waterproof id holder" or something like that and your search in the right direction will begin!

A few more pro photos for all of you future GS brides:

Hi Melissa, Your variegated purple papel picado wedding theme is one of my all-time favorites here on BDW! I absolutely love the deep grape-colored maracas your relative scored...very nicely done!!!

Would you have time to send your dress to a local dry cleaner after your TTD? Maybe ask the WP at the resort. We sent my wedding dress, my TTD dress, two linen shirts and two pair of linen pants to the cleaners in Playa and it cost us less than $100!!! It was awesome to take home nice, clean dry clothes!!! I bought my dress off the rack and I swear it looks better now than when I took it to Mexico! I know LOTS of girls on here have raved about their TTD experience. Ours was ok...there are some really nice shots...but after only 4 hours of sleep to get up and shoot at sunrise, I had a very grumpy groom who was ready to go over and clock the gawkers on the beach...he HATED being in the water with his clothes on (he has some hypersensitivity issues!)...security swept up our shoes, accessories, etc. that we had left in the sand and we had to wait a half hour for them on the beach to return them to us. If I were to do it all again, I would have added 2 hours to the wedding day shoot instead to make it feel less rushed for everyone. Then, the morning after the wedding, we could have just slept in, hung out in bed and ordered room service! ; )

Ooooo...yes, much better! I'm torn now though. When I cover up the hanging orchids with my hand in the photo, I feel like the colours just pop so beautifully with the top round. Personally, I think I prefer the round, hand-tied shape on its own. But you're the boss here! ; )

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!

Hmmmm...I love the top part too but I agree that there is something not quite right with the trailing orchids...perhaps not bright enough...too heavy looking? But I LOVE the top round with the starfish!!!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the prices in this shop were PER MARACA, not per pair. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Amol's prices are PER PAIR.

Here was a picture taken in front of one of the shops on 5th Ave in Playa...it looks like the medium maracas like those from Amols were $1 (USD), the large $2 (USD) and they also had some natural-brown varnished maracas with engravings for $1.50 (USD) each that I thought were cool...but prices varied a bit from store to store if I remember correctly. And that's listed prices...without bartering! I would look for a shop keeper/worker who you can communicate effectively with and ask if they have what you need with stock in the back. The ones in the bins were really rough looking!

Thanks...but I still think it's so weird that the only picture I could find of my now discontinued Jai dress is of a knock off!?!