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Should I send out "Save the Date" notices for my wedding or just send out the official invitation? It's a common question many couples ask themselves once they start planning their wedding celebration, but when it comes to those having a destination wedding, it is a certainty -- Save the Dates are a must! Here are a few important points to keep in mind when it comes to sending out your Save the Date memos aka STDs to your guests. - Send out your Save the Date approximately 8 to 12 months before your destination wedding date. This gives your family and friends enough time to plan for your celebration. Most importantly it will give them time to save up for the getaway, ask for time off from work as well as make proper travel and lodging reservations. - Create a wedding website even with general destination location info right away and include the website on your Save the Date. You can fill out the remaining wedding details as you set them into place and update your website accordingly, it's an easy way to send out updates and distribute info to your guests throughout the planning process. Once you have the venue set, make sure to include your travel agent's contact info so guests can begin to make their plans as soon as possible. - A simple Save the Date postcard will do. Some brides like to get creative with their Save the Dates, creating travel themed notices -- like boarding passes, passports or even a message in a bottle. But don't feel pressure to turn into Martha Stewart if you just don't have the time or money to get crafty, a Save the Date postcard is perfect for giving your guests the heads up on your wedding plans. - Save the Dates are important because they will give your guests a heads up on your destination wedding plans, therefore increasing the chances of more guests attending your celebration. If you want a good turnout for your Wedding Day, then make sure to send out those STDs with plenty of time to give to ensure your guests can make the proper plans. - Must have info on your STD: the couple's names, wedding date (or dates if you're planning to spread the festivities out over several days), location (at the very least the city/region if you don't have your venue nailed down yet), and a memo that the official invitation will follow. Also make sure to include that wedding website so they can refer to it for additional information and event updates. Side note: ask for RSVPs in the formal invitation, asking for it on the STD is too early of a request if you send them out a year in advance. - Make sure you are clear on the STD if it is an adults-only affair or whether people can bring guests. This is info your guests will need to consider as they make plans to attend or decline the invite. To find out more information about booking your honeymoon or destination wedding, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.

Destination Vow Renewals are a growing trend -- after all, it's an opportunity to do it all over again and perhaps this time around, do it even better than the first! Here are five steps to helping you create the destination vow renewal of your dreams: 1) Pick a location: First and foremost sit down with your sweetheart and pick the site of your dream vow renewal together. For many couples, committing to your second round of I Do's together means you're in a better place financially compared to when you were newlyweds just starting off. So don't hesitate to pick a location that is epic and on your travel bucket list, unless of course you want to return to the site where you first said your I Do's -- whatever route you decide, make sure it's a place that you both agree on! Karisma Resorts & Hotels offer a plethora of beautiful locations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean, some locations even include a free vow renewal ceremony or special rates for vow renewals. You may also want to consider renting one of Karisma's private villa to celebrate your special occasion in absolutely luxury and style. 2) Narrow down your guest list: Unlike your wedding day, vow renewals don't have to include everybody and anybody. This celebration can focus on just the two of you or include just your closest circle of family and friends. It's totally up to you because this time around, you don't have to worry about offending that aunt or cousin you didn't really want to invite but had to in order to avoid family drama. Make your guest list as little or big as you want it to be, and if you want it to be an elopement vow renewal party of two -- so be it! 3) Pick family to be in your bridal party, if you decide to have one: Should you decide to have a bridal party, consider picking your children or perhaps siblings, parents or other close family members or friends to stand by your side. There's nothing more beautiful than seeing a bride walked down the aisle by her children. Much like your celebration, keep your bridal party small and meaningful. 4) Go simple on the details and focus on the experience: Perhaps you were one of those "go bananas on details" brides your first time around. Well this time, you don't have to go "there" if you don't want to. Instead of focusing on all the crazy little details, why not keep your mind and heart focused on the experience you'll share with your spouse and anyone you invite to join you. Make it all about the experience rather than the details, this is your time to truly celebrate love and live in the moment. 5) Make it a vacation to remember: Plan activities, excursions and outings together with emphasis on enjoying the experience. This time around you don't have to go big on a Welcome party, rather plan something special for your group -- maybe a day trip snorkeling or diving. Or perhaps a fun outing like an ATV tour or camel safari. Keep your Destination Vow Renewal focused on making unforgettable memories together! To book or inquire about any destination wedding venue/resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or visit our website at www.wrighttravelagency.com - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.

We've all been to at least one wedding in our lifetime, and while it is a joyous and celebratory gathering, no wedding goes 100 percent as planned. Things go wrong at weddings all the time, both big and small. But there are some aspects that a couple should consider ahead of time to avoid having unhappy guests during their Wedding Day. According to a recent article published in Brides.com, here are 5 things guests hate most about weddings: 1) Delayed Receptions Don't wait too long to feed the guests once the ceremony ends. At the very least, have a cocktail and appetizer hour to keep your guests happy before the reception begins. Also keep in mind that if you're having children present, there should be activities to keep them occupied rather than having them run around amongst starved guests. 2) Lack of Planning Keep in communication with your guests to ensure that they are aware of any changes to the schedule. Remember when planning, to think of every aspect of the day and carefully plan your details out -- having a wedding coordinator, or at the very least, a "day-of" coordinator is a great way to ensure that all bases are covered. 3) No Microphones at the Ceremony Make sure you have the proper tools (microphones) and sound system in place to ensure that your guests can actually hear your vows. This is especially important if you're having a ceremony outdoors (beach especially!), there's nothing worse than your guests traveling both near and far and then not giving them a chance to fully witness your nuptials because they can't hear them. Consider having microphones if you're not sure your guests will be able to hear you during the ceremony. 4) The Bride Venting About Her Wedding (At the Wedding) Don't be that bride who complains about her wedding while at the wedding! Yes, you may be stressed and exhausted, but expressing your disappointment to your guests and bridal party will make them feel uncomfortable during a time when they are there to celebrate you. 5) Cash Bar If you're having guests travel to your destination wedding, consider offering at least a limited bar if an open bar isn't within your budget. This article was originally published on Brides.com. Tell us, what is your pet peeve when it comes to attending weddings?

Whether you're in the bridal party or a wedding guest, you should be prepared when it comes to attending a destination wedding. Depending on the location, the comforts and ease of going to a store or shop nearby might not be an option so it's important to pack accordingly. Here are three essentials you should bring with you to any destination wedding: 1) Sunscreen and Bug Spray: Not all sunscreens and bug repellent sprays are created equal. Bring what works for you and don't rely on buying these types of things at the destination location or resort you're staying at unless you're willing to fork up at least double what you'd normally pay. Plus nothing ruins a good trip more than a bad sunburn or being tattooed with insect bites! 2) Medication: This one is obvious but bringing your own personal prescriptions as well as any other "just in case," medications such as aspirin, allergy tablets, cold/cough medicine is an absolute must. I even make sure to bring cough drops and hydrocortisone because you never know what you'll need. Oh and don't forget a first aid kit! 3) Wedding Attire: It's hard to believe but people sometimes forget that the reason they're going on this trip is to attend a wedding. If you're headed to a beach destination, of course you don't want to forget your swimsuit and flip flops but while you're packing your bags, make sure the first thing you set aside is proper wedding attire. Check and see if the bride and groom have made any special requests on what to bring or wear -- some couples will ask their guests not to wear white or light colored tones and of course you'll also need to dress accordingly in terms of the overall mood -- casual, semi-casual, formal, etc. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world.

Written by Jonathan Katz of Drums in Paradise A destination wedding is something out of the ordinary, it’s different and exciting. You’ve deliberately chosen to take yourself and your guests into a new experience so you want to make sure the entertainment you choose is also something you’re unlikely to find at a wedding back home. Luckily, there are tons of amazing, unique ways to entertain your wedding guests in the Cancun/Mayan Riviera. Here are 5 of my favorite unique ways to entertain your wedding guests: Fire Show: This is a destination weddings staple and with good reason. Fire is mesmerizing, it’s dangerous, it’s beautiful and you certainly can’t do it in a typical large city venue (especially in the middle of winter!) Water Drums: Another unique destination wedding idea available in Cancun & Mayan Riviera are water drums. These drums create an enormous WOW factor as colors fly up in the air every time a drum is hit. Warm weather and the fact that you’re in a hotel with towels and a change of clothes just steps away means that you and your guests can even get wet and wild and splash around on the drums yourselves (if the show you book allows it). Live Drummers: If you’re looking to make a grand entrance, or to party bigtime consider live drummers. For high impact you can go with a whole troupe of drummers and dancers that can turn your party tribal for 30 minutes, or a solo percussionist can play along and reinforce the groove of your DJ as you party into the night. Glow Show: It’s like a fire show for the 21st century. Instead of fire, this show uses juggling instruments with ultra bright, high-tech pixel LEDs to display patterns and figures. These can even be programmed to include a special message, logo or image in the air as the artists spin them around. Acrobats: Many of the best circus acts, acrobats and dancers in Mexico move to the Riviera Maya to work in the local hotels and resorts. With the addition of a permanent Cirque De Soleil show and theatre in 2014 many more are arriving all the time. From girls hanging from hula hoops serving champagne to stilt walkers leading your guests in a limbo, or anything in-between, acrobats can offer a unique twist on regular wedding events or perform a more traditional type show. You and your guests have come a long way and invested time and money to celebrate this milestone. So if you’re looking to give back to them by making your wedding something truly unforgettable, I wholeheartedly recommend some exciting, unique entertainment to knock their flip-flops off! For more information on Drums in Paradise services for your wedding or event in the Cancun-Mayan Riviera area, visit: www.drumsinparadise.com -- to see a video preview of the variety of entertainment Drums in Paradise offers, . - - - Drums In Paradise is Cancun and Mayan Riviera’s drums and percussion specialist, offering quality fire shows, water drums, Brazilian drummers, Indian dhol, light shows, unique interactive drumming experiences and more. With respective backgrounds in drums/entertainment and hotels/customer service MexiCanadian couple Jonathan and Alejandra started the company in 2009 and have since rocketed to over 500 shows per year in the Cancun/Mayan Riviera and counting!

The Cancun-Riviera Maya is thriving with an abundance of fun activities and adventures for you and your guests, but perhaps one of the most unique experiences one can encounter is the Camel Safari at Maroma. The Camel Safari allows participants to traverse atop these incredible creatures through a jungle-like landscape bordering along Maroma Beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Designed for both children and adults, this sand dune adventure will give you quite a thrill while also giving your breathtaking views of the incredible Caribbean coast. The ride itself is about 45 to 60-minutes long with a stop in between to enjoy the gorgeous seaside views and also a chance to feed these sweet and friendly camels with carrots. You'll also have ample time to take great photos with the camels. While this safari tour will get your heart racing, it's quite a comfy ride and the camels walk at a leisurely pace so you still get to enjoy the scenery and take photos or video as you ride along the path. It's a great experience for couples as well as their guests -- so a Camel Safari would be a great idea as a group outing, that also welcomes children if your group has a combination of both young and old. The Camel Safari adventure includes round trip transportation from your hotel (service from Cancun, Riviera Maya, or Playa del Carmen) to Maroma, the camel ride, safety gear, a bilingual guide, time at the beach for photographs and camel interaction and a post-ride snack of refried beans, tortilla chips and hot sauce as well as bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages. Participants must be at least 10 years old to ride on their own camel (children under the age of 5 are free, and may accompany an adult on the same camel). This activity is not permitted for: pregnant women, people with a weight over 220 lbs., or people with any health condition that may prevent them to participate safely in the tour. To find out more information on rates and availability of the Camel Safari at Maroma, visit: www.maromaadventures.com For those looking for a more thrill-seeking pace, Maroma Adventures also offers other tours and experiences, such as speedboats, horseback rides, scuba and snorkel outings, dolphin swims, jetpacks and ATV adventures. Visit www.maromaadventures.com for more information. - - - About me: I am a former BDW Bride AKA as MarieSam and I was addicted to this forum as I planned my own wedding in 2009. Since 2010, I have been the proud owner of MarieSam Sanchez Photography -- a husband and wife photography team based in Southern California and documenting love all over the world. I am also a mother to two girls, an avid traveler and a destination wedding writer/blogger.