Jessica4LUXE

Hi Kat, Congrats on selecting the resort!! Tricky part is over We are currently planning a couple of weddings at the newly refurbished Riu Palace Mexico. No need to stress - just reach out to the hotel coordinator and they will be happy to provide you with the anwsers you are looking for You have lots of time! Photography is not included in the packages, but you can hire their photographer (who is actually very good!!) - there information can be found at www.adventureweddingsphoto.com. The wedding package includes minimal decor for your ceremony, they will be able to help you with further decor you wish to purchase for your ceremony and/or reception! Happy Planning!!

The Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino BC offers one of the most breathtaking landscapes imaginable for wedding. Windswept beaches, bleached driftwood, Vancouver Island forests, and the Pacific Ocean create a whimsical unique backdrop. We are so excited about this property that we are offering the FIRST bride and groom to book their destination wedding at this hotel our LUXE Planning Package absolutely FREE! A $3000 value that will offer you the comfort and trust that your wedding will be as perfect as the setting. Contact us at [email protected] and quote "BDW TOFINO" to be the first to receive this fantastic promotion. Happy planning!!!

Matt Damon recently had a vow renewal and we LOVE how they decided to add in cute, quirky vows to their ceremony. One of his vows was that he would give his wife the side of the bed closer to the bathroom. Pretty cute right?! Did you or will you add anything this personalized into your wedding vows? Happy Planning!

Totally normal Melissa14!! Try spreading out some of the items between your bridal party (isn't that what they are there for?!) to lower the number of additional bags you will have to bring. I'll share with you the packing list that we give to our clients as well so you can cross reference! Happy Planning! Carry-on items Wedding dress. Don't trust your dress to checked luggage. Most airplanes have coat closets and will allow travelers to hang garment bags. Call ahead, let them know you will be bringing a dress and ask if the airline will let you hang your dress in the closet Groom’s wedding outfit (tux, suit, shorts, etc.) All original and notarized documents--including air tickets, birth certificates, passports, hotel reservation confirmation, medical/trip insurance, etc. Two sets of photocopies of all of the above documents Your credit cards and ATM cards Phone numbers for your doctor, house/pet sitter and credit card companies (in case your cards are lost or stolen) Prescription medicine (in the original bottle) Wedding rings Wedding vows Your veil Bridal jewelry A change of clothes for the first day (just in case), including a bathing suit Copies of all contracts and vendor contact sheets Checked items Personal Special hosiery or undergarments Wedding night sleepwear A variety of shoes (flip flops, heels, running shoes/walking shoes, etc.) Tiara or headpiece Garter Sunglasses A good sun-protective hat Several bathing suits (remember a strapless bikini or suit if you don’t want unruly tan lines) A beach cover-up Planned outfits for special events like a welcome dinner, rehearsal dinner or farewell brunch A selection of mix and match day and nighttime outfits that make you look your best, yet are lightweight, comfortable and cool (skits, capris, shorts, tees, tank tops, etc.). Solid colors work well as do non-wrinkling fabrics A cardigan/jacket for night time Exercise clothes and running shoes A purse/evening bag A beach bag A daypack (for outings, trips) A Spanish/Creole phrasebook Good books and magazines for beach reading Toiletries and Cosmetics Wedding make-up High-SPF waterproof sunscreen After-sun lotion or aloe vera gel Insect repellant Mini medical kit: pain killers, antacid tabs, anti-nausea pills, etc. It’s best to be prepared for anything Ample toiletries (don’t count on the resort having what you want): toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant (clear deodorant for the wedding day), cosmetics, makeup remover, cotton swabs, Q-tips, shampoo & conditioner, moisturizer, mouthwash, comb & brush, nail clippers, shaving cream, razors, hair dryer, tampons/pads, etc. Hair dryer/straightener Curling iron/curlers Wedding Things Any special personal touches you’d like to add to the ceremony Gifts for wedding party/family members A journal or diary (so you don’t forget the experience) Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue A good camera (to capture the moments) and film (if you’re not digital) Welcome bags & contents including weekend itineraries CDs/music Cake topper Printed materials: menus, programs, seating cards, signage Table decorations (disposable cameras, candles, etc.) Guest book & pens Ceremony accessories (unity candle, Ketubah, ring-bearer pillow, etc.) Thank-you notes/gifts to vendors (including tip envelopes) Fix-it kit: Extras of all materials used to make favors, welcome bags, etc. Your wedding planning folder with all the details of your arrangements

Anytime!! It's a tricky subject and can be very subjective but happy to help! Happy Planning!

AllieH is completely right - the on site wedding coordinators, especially as this time of the year, are not at their desks often, so response times are much slower! We deal with this on a daily basis and just advise our brides that this does happen and it does not mean that the on site team is not on top of things. They just have a lot of weddings and can't spend as much dedicated time on each individual bride as your own wedding planner can! Happy Planning!

Hi SoonMrsD! Congratulations on your engagement!!! This is a very exciting time and planning a destination wedding can be a lot of fun for you and your fiance. I would suggest you look at the Dreams Punta Cana or Now Larimar. Both have fantastic Wedding Programs and we have planned countless weddings at these properties. Should you wish to discuss your wedding details further, please feel free to PM us your contact information and we would be happy to chat further about your big day!!! Happy Planning!

Hi Jenny! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We have planned many weddings at all three properties, and I would highly recommend that you look at the Azul properties. They are fantastic for weddings, have great vendors and amenities really aimed at pleasing brides. We plan countless weddings here every year and the bride and groom always come home and tell us how perfect everything went! If you have any further questions, we would be happy to discuss the resorts further with you - feel free to PM us your contact details! Happy Planning!

Hi! What seems to have you and your fiancee stuck? Have you been able to narrow down the country? What we do with our clients is begin by narrowing down the location based on the following details: Amount you are ok asking your guests to pay per person Preferred Wedding Date Preferred Countries or Cities Specific Wedding Criteria Imperative to Wedding From there, you are able to get a better handle on which locations are possible and which are instantly removed. Should you wish to speak further, or need some assistance on selecting the location, feel free to PM us your contact details and we would be happy to further discuss! Happy Planning!

Hi Violet! Welcome to the forum and congrats on your upcoming wedding! Choosing the resort is the hardest part - but there are many resources out there to help you with this I would recommend looking at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Azul Beach, Azul Sensatori and the Grand Sunset Princess as starting points! We would be happy to further assist if you would like to PM us your contact details to dicuss your wedding plans further! March weather is beautiful - sunny, warm and not overly humid. Happy Planning!

Hi Kara, If your officiant is able to become ordained in Jamaica, then he/she would be able to preform a legal ceremony. However, this task might not be as easy as it is here. They would have to be able to legally preform marriages in Jamaica in order for you to have an offical legal wedding. If it is very important to you to have a close friend of your preform your ceremony, we would suggest have a renewal of vows in destination, where they could preform what you would like (make sure this is ok with your resort first!!!) and get legally married at home prior. No one would even need to know that you are already "legally" married - you can stage a real wedding, document signing and all!! Happy Planning!

Hi Shayt2412, You will want to check with their onsite team on this, but most hotels do not allow music or dancing at a semi-private reception as there will be other hotel guests at the resaturant as well. They will section off a portion of the resaturant for your group for a seating. If you want to have dancing and a DJ we recommend privatizing the event entirely. That way you can have dancing and speeches Happy Planning!

Hi Sophia, If they have done a fantastic job on your hair, and you are really happy we'd recommend still tipping. Remember, in the end it is your call and your budget that need to be considered. Happy planning!

It is really important to have your RSVP's in as soon as possible. My resorts require final payment 30-45 days in advance and at this point you would have to have all your wedding details finalized. We also run into the problem when there are a lot of last minute additions, and we have to change the venue location because of capacities. 2 months is the longest I would suggest leaving an RSVP to come in. Plus, rates will become more expensive and you want to ensure that your room block is filled before the deposit/final payment deadlines! Happy planning!!

Hi brides! Whether you are a believe that tips are standard requirements, or that they are earned based on the level of service provided, tipping your wedding vendors is definitely necessary. Below, we have outlined a few tipping guidelines for brides to help budget in this hidden and usually forgotten cost. Remember, these guidelines are based on vendors who provided all the services that were promised and in the way they were promised. Guidelines are meant to be broken; if the vendor goes above and beyond, or if they didn’t do the job they were hired to do adjust your tip! Makeup Artist and/or Hair Stylists: 15 to 25% of your total bill is standard – tip as you would your regular hair stylist! Officiant: If the officiant is affiliated with a religious establishment, then you should plan on making a donation to that institution for at least $100. When hiring a non-denominational minister, no tip is required, however you might choose to tip $50 if the minister was above and beyond. Since you do not want to be handling money during the ceremony, if you plan on tipping the officiant, hand it to them at the Rehearsal or give it to the Best Man to handle. Ceremony & Reception Musicians: Musicians & DJ tipping is really based on the quality of the performance and not always required. Standard tips depend on the type of musician: Singer & DJ’s: $20-$80 Each member of a Band: $5-10 per hour Solo Instrumentalist: $30-50 Photographer/Videographer: Tipping your photographer or videographer is entirely dependent on whether they own their own company or not. If they own their own company, he/she will be keeping most of the fee and the tip is completely optional. If he/she is the employee of a company, depending on the amount of time spent, plan on leaving a tip for $50-100. Bartenders & Catering Staff: Majority of the time, service fees, gratuities or tips are included in your contract. Make sure you check this prior to allotting more money. If there is not mention in your contract, consider leaving $20-25 per bartender or 10% of the total liquor bill. The catering staff should be tipped 15-20% of your total bill. Always hand this to the head bartender or waiter to allow equal division among the staff. If you choose to add a tip, you can pay in advance to management so that you do not have to worry about this at the close of the reception. Wedding Coordinator – Like your photographer/videographer, if he/she owns their own company, then leaving a tip is completely optional. If he/she is an employee, such as a coordinator assigned to you by the venue, $50.00 to $100.00 is a recommended. Remember, if your coordinator put in a lot of hours for your larger, more extravagant wedding, the tip should be adjusted and dependent on the total wedding budget. Lastly, there are a number of vendors that do not typically expect a tip: wedding stationer, bridal shop, seamstress for alterations, cake baker and florist. It if always up to you whether or not to tack on an additional amount for any vendor who has done an amazing job! These fees can add up and planning ahead will make sure there are no surprises! Happy Planning!

Hi! Allie is right - in order to secure a contracted room block, some kind of deposit always needs to be placed. We work with our brides to determine the right number of rooms to secure. You don't have to secure for all the guests as you would never know who is coming and who is not. You probably have a pretty good idea in mind as to how many "for sures" you have and then can move from there!! Happy Planning!!

Legal ceremonies after the wedding are a great option as well! Just be sure to check with your resort and ensure that for their Symbolic ceremony, they do not require the marriage certificate (some do and that could put a damper in the plans to be legally wed after the destination wedding!!). Happy Planning!