Surfingsara

@@rachelia160, I dont have a very active board for my resort either. But I just keep posting and I've found a few ladies, like yourself, that will respond to me. There is a lady from Canada who has been incredibly nice, her name is Kim, but cant think of her screen name. I'm sure if you look at some of the boards we have both been on together you will find her. She has lots of good ideas! I think I'm only at about 20 post...

@rachelia 160, I too wish I could be as organized with the planning as other ladies on this site! Where I'm from, North Carolina, you are kinda expected to know how to do all of the wedding stuff. I thought I knew a good amount until I really started planning. I'm quickly learning there are so many little details I never thought of, and these little things are what's so stressful to me. Also, I've calmed down and started going with the flow, because I know so many things are out of my control and will change many times between now and my wedding date in June 2016. Yes, having it all done would be nice! I thought a destination wedding would be easier simply because the resort handles everything.

Kim, Beautiful dress!!

Thanks Kim! Once again you have provided me with great knowledge! Yesterday I started to put together a packing list, I'll post it here when I get to my computer and figure out how.

Great list!

Thanks @rachelia 160! Most of the people coming live at the beach in North Carolina, so we know all about beach stuff, but most have never been to an all inclusive resort. I'm the type of person who wants many back up plans and to know everything, so planning a wedding has and hasn't been very fun for me. I'm learning to let go, but I also know I'll be getting questions from everybody too. Your list is great, what about adding beach cover ups? I recently joined my finance on an over night business trip, and I packed swim suits( so I would have something to do while he was working) but forgot a cover up. So I had to walk through the hotel in one of his t-shirts.

Hi Ladies! Does anyone have a packing list for guest? I'm looking for something simple that I can add to my website and/or print out to send with the pre-wedding stuff. Or for those brides who have already traveled, what did you suggest for your guest to pack/bring? My wedding will be at Excellence Playa Mujeres, in Cancun, Mexico. Thanks! Sara

Hi! I just starting the wedding planning process and will be having a small reception when we get back from Mexico. I was wondering how long after the wedding you have the AHR? Were getting married early June 2016. I live on the coast in North Carolina, so summer is hurricane season here and hotels are rather expensive this time of year due to the beach vacationers. I was orginally thinking July, but it's super hot here then. Then thinking mid September to early October, since its still warm and people can visit the beach yet don't have to pay summer hotel prices, but this is prime hurricane time. So I'm really unsure when to have it. One thing I am learning in this process is there is always that family member who makes the planning process complicated!! I have changed my plans 3 times now, all due to my mother. Ive never heard about a set time for the ahr, but then again im new to wedding planning. I would just go with it if she is paying and enjoy the celebration. You also said in June the roads will be better, so this is a positive!

Great idea!

@@calgarybride2015, thanks again. Housework and things like this have definitely been lower on my priority list. I've really tried to keep a balance with wedding planning and school stuff. When I'm in school, I don't do wedding stuff, but once the semester is over it's all I seem to do. People think I'm silly for trying to plan wedding stuff this far out, but I know time goes fast. June 2016 sounds far away but its only about a year and a half away. Yes, I keep finding new ideas and things I would like to incorporate, its driving me crazy at times. But, this site has given me some onsite on what I should actually focus my time and money on. Money is a whole nother issue, I don't want to spend a bunch of money on things that arnt necessary or people won't use or care about. I think ( thanks to post on this site) I'm going to do a Terrvis Tumbler ( insolated travel cup that are super popular here). I'm thinking of getting one with something each guest would like. So for instance, my friend loves the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, so I'm getting a UNC one for him. I'm sure it will take time to figure out exactly the right one for each person, but it will be something they could use every day a d long after the wedding. Also, you sent me a link for luggage tags. Up until this, I can't begin to tell you how annoyed I was getting over luggage tags!! I would find things I like but they were expensive. My poor finance even went out on black Friday with me to hunt down luggage tags! Needless to say, I only found 2 simple luggage tags in my whole city!! For a while I was ready to just purchase a printer that will print on PVC cards ( what most businesses use as ID cards). I think my biggest thing is keeping cost down. I just dont want to spend thousands of dollars on something for one day. Cost is partly why I decided on a destination wedding. Merry Christmas and I hope you and everyone else here has a wonderful holiday!

@@tygrrlily Key holders?? I never thought about needing to do this... But I guess it makes since. I keep learning so much on this site, thanks!

Great info, thanks ladies! I was also wondering about doing the oot bags, yet concerned that they wouldn't be used and also about the cost. I think I may just do a tumbler with a personal note and luggage tag. I'm also thinking of just bringing extra Advil, pepto and stuff like this just in case if anyone needs it I have it.

@@nadiakat17 thanks! Wow you have a lot going on too!! I have a time line planned out, for the website to be finished and for the save the dates. I hope to have them both done in the next few weeks. Most people who are invited know my plan about going to Mexico. So I sort of have a head count- which is nice! Both of our parents won't be coming, mine for medical reasons, his, because its at an adults only resort. Also I have an adopted mom ( lady who I worked with that took me under her wing and made me a part of her family) won't be able to travel to Mexico, so we decided to do a small reception when we get back. I haven't even thought about this other than the venue. Luckily my dress found me! I was just procrastinating one day and came across a dress at preownedweddingdress.com and fell in love with it. I contacted the seller and purchased it. Turns out it fits perfectly!! No alterations needed! How lucky was this? Also, its a discontinued dress and the designer has suggested finding it used ( they will even help you). I'm sure it will turn out beautifully, and everyone will enjoy themselves. Its all of the little things I'm concerned about. But I've been learning a lot on this site!

I'm new to this as well. I'm getting married June 2016, at Excellence Playa Mujeres. So I have some time, but then again, time has been flying. I have found this site to be the biggest help so far! Hi I feel your pain! I've been engaged for 6 months and I planned a small (12 person) wedding at home (North Carolina) and then my mother found out about the guest list and became very upset. So, I switched things around for her and quickly found I was stressed out and my sweet, small beach wedding I have always wanted wasn't so small nor on the beach. So I changed it again! Now, I'm looking at Excellence Playa Mujeres. I haven't personally been to this resort but know friends who have. I wont get to visit the resort until we get there for the wedding, which is stressful, but I'm sure it will all work out. What helped me was to think about what I really wanted and go from there. It's your day, you should be happy! I figured out most of the details and then told my mother... She isn't very happy that I'm getting married in Mexico, but then again I'm paying for it and it's not about her. Good luck!!

I'm trying to get to the 150 myself

You did a great job!! Did you use a template? I'm just starting the planning process.

Hi! I had someone on a facebook Excellence Resort group tell me that she had her hair and make up done at the spa and they did a great job for her. I've never been to Excellence so I can't say from experience. Also, maybe ask someone on the TripAdvisor, I had a few people who visit the resort a few times a year answer many other questions for me. I'm a 2016 bride, trying to plan ahead! I was really struggling to find good information about planning a destination wedding and one day found this site. It's be so helpful!! Hi TA Windy! Does a Travel Agent really help or is booking from a website do much of the same thing? I'm just really interested in finding out if I need a Travel Agent or not. I have talked with a few where I live and they are pushy and seem to know nothing about Excellence Resorts. They keep trying to push me to other all inclusive resorts. I've never been to Excellence, but I do have a friend who has visited this resort and she had many great things to say about it! I fell in love with it when I saw her pictures and after reading reviews I knew this was the right place for me. I've talked with a travel lady at AAA before, she wasn't interested in talking with me, since I had already picked out my resort and my wedding will be in June 2016. I've talked to the resort and they have said the 2016 schedule opens in February 2015- so no much can be done until then. I just want to make sure I'm starting my planning off right. I keep getting mixed reviews when I ask do I need a travel agent and specifically what can they help me with? I appreciate your time in advance. Sara

Thanks for asking this question! I've been wondering if this is something people would use or not. I live on the beach in North Carolina, and many of our beaches have no glass containers laws. It's because if they break then there is glass every where and people can get cut. We have beautiful beaches in NC, but you would be surprised at how much trash is left by the tourist. I'm assuming people getting cut is why they use plastic cups and they are probably cheaper too.

Oh wow!! You have been busy!! I've really enjoyed reading your blog, it makes me feel better to know others are in the same boat, yet it's stressful at the same time. Your post have been so helpful!! I'm not sure how I'm going to make all of this happen. I'm in my last year and a half of school and my last year will be spent in the field as an hands on internship. I graduate May 2016 and a few weeks later, I get on a plane to Mexico to get married! I think I'm a bit crazy to try to plan a wedding now. I have the major stuff picked out, Resort- Excellence Playa Mujeres; Dress (I got luck and it kinda found me); veil; bridesmaid's dresses and I know what the guys should wear; and I've picked out jewelry. Shoes seems to be a difficult thing for me to find, but then again I have some time.... I'm working on our wedding website during my time off (which isn't often, just holidays and summer). Trying to find things like luggage tags and other little things is super stressful to me. I really appreciate you giving me a suggestion on where to find them on another blog. Any tips to limit stress in the planning process and while in Mexico? I know this is wishful thinking, but maybe it could happen? Thanks again! Sara I also have a little tip that I found (hope it's okay to share on your blog), In the US (don't know about Canada) each cap to a Coke product has a code on it. I've been collecting them for a while and if you go to MyCokeRewards.com then you can enter the codes and use them for different things. You can get prints from SnapFish, and I even saw that you could get announcements from Snapfish with your points. I think about 300 points (I could be wrong on the number of points) gets you 12 announcements. I'm seriously considering doing this for my save the dates. I just hate to spend money on anything that I don't have to.

Thanks ladies!

I'm starting to plan my June 2016 wedding, did anyone have guest who actually liked the luggage tags? I hate to spend a bunch of money on something people aren't going to like or ever use again. Plus all the luggage tags I've found aren't cheep!

Thanks ladies!! I've been thinking of getting maracas for my reception at home. We are getting married at Excellence Playa Mujeres and most of our family and friends can't come to Mexico with us, so I was thinking this would bring a bit of Mexico to the reception.