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Showing results for tags 'cancun riviera maya'.
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Hi everyone! I know there are already quite a few Azul Fives Forums, but none that I have seen for 2016 brides! So I wanted to start one. I am currently waiting to hear from the resort on whether my wedding date is confirmed in November 2016. Anyone else start the process of wedding planning at this resort for 2016? Let's share stories along our planning adventures!! Congrats everyone, and I look forward to hearing all your plans for your upcoming wedding at this gorgeous property.
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Calling all brides and grooms looking for a spectacular FREE sky wedding setup in Mexico, Jamaica or Dominican Republic! Wright Travel Agency, the official agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum, is offering you a complimentary Sky wedding Package (valued at up to $1,700) when added to the Always & Forever wedding package for new wedding bookings at the following luxury all-inclusive resorts: El Dorado Maroma, El Dorado Seaside Suites, El Dorado Casitas, El Dorado Royale, Generations Riviera Maya, Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun, Azul Beach Resort Negril, Nickelodeon Punta Cana, Sensatori Punta Cana. For more information or to take advantage of this incredible perk, email us at [email protected] Terms and Conditions: Booking window: Nov 1- December 22, 2020 Travel Window: now through December 31, 2021 For weddings at El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas Royale – Sky Wedding is located at Generations Riviera Maya. For weddings at any El Dorado Resort and Generations Riviera Maya, webcam service is not included in the complimentary package Minimum 10 rooms required, each staying 3-nights or longer Sky wedding location needs to be requested with signature wedding designer at time of deposit May not be combinable with any other added value or resort credit -
Hey Ladies, I’m planning my wedding for October 2020 and we have narrowed it down to the Now Jade or Royalton Riviera Maya. We are expecting about 50-60 people and want a private reception. We are coming from BC, Canada. Reading through the forums on here has been super helpful so far! Something that’s been a bit hard in planning is figuring out all the hidden fees that add up on top of your basic wedding package. Any tips or advice? Thanks! -
Many tourists flock to the Cancun-Riviera Maya each year seeking the warm and clear turquoise waters the region is known for. But often times, vacationers find themselves disappointed when they happen to be staying at a resort with less than desirable beach conditions — a rough tide, less than crystal clear waters and red flag warnings spread throughout the beach dissuading people from swimming in the ocean because of dangerous conditions. If you have your hopes set on staying at a resort that will give you the crystal clear Cancun beaches you see in postcards, then Hyatt Ziva Cancun is the place to be. This 5-star all-inclusive resorts sits on the peninsula along the popular Cancun hotel zone, giving resort goers the convenience of being able to walk into town and partake in the lively nightlife, but most importantly an idyllic beach with incredibly calm waters that are perfect for swimming and basking under the warm Caribbean sun. Hyatt’s turquoise waters are truly a sight to see, one that greets guests the minute you walk into the resort’s lobby. Protected by a cove from the tip of the peninsula that boasts the resort’s well known lighthouse, this beach is perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, swimming or simply sitting in the ocean with a drink in hand. And if you’re willing to swim about 40 yards out, you’ll find a sandbar in the middle of the ocean that allows you to stand in waist deep water. If you’re want to enjoy the water but also take a relaxed approached, you can snag one of the hammocks set out close to shore. The shoreline is also lined with lounge chairs and beach umbrellas if you’d rather relax and sunbathe or doze off to the sound of the ocean. Resort-goers can also enjoy Habaneros — an oceanfront restaurant right on the sand that serves delicious drinks and bites for lunch and dinner so you don’t have to go far for a quick meal or drink. On the other side of the resort, vacationers can enjoy a larger beach although the water isn’t as calm as the resort’s more private beach. Either way, when you come to this resort rest assure, this property has arguably the best beach in the Cancun area. Wright Travel Agency is the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum. To find out more details about booking your vacation, honeymoon or getaway at Hyatt Ziva Cancun, or any other resort/location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: [email protected] or you can contact them HERE! -
Hi everyone, I'm trying to make a budget and I am wondering the approx cost of wedding photography in Cancun for 6-8 hours. I am doing engagement photos here at home and the photographers have given me a quote for my destination wedding, but it's pretty high, plus I would need to cover their flight/hotel. It would be great to get an idea of what to expect! Thanks!
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Hi, I'm Anabel and I'm getting married May 16, 2018 and I will love to hear from different brides that are getting married in the same resort or that have in the past, just to get some tips or what to expect, and maybe to share this fun exciting adventure.. I have booked the beach for our ceremony and cocktail hour and the reception is at the Sky terrace which im very excited about... -
Hi there, I am an Aussie bride getting married next yr at moon palace. I originally wanted to get married on the beach but have since read the review that the beach is not nice at all. Can anyone confirm? So now I am completely freaking out as I have not visited the resort before. Has any one stayed there/married that could recommend the best locations for ceremony and reception? Or have any pictures. Will arrive late April and was hoping for a late afternoon wedding. Has anybody got any idea whether that's suitable or not. I also am unsure what to do about photography. Has everyone just used the resorts photographer? Help please!!!!!! -
Me and my fiancee are currently looking at resort for a destination wedding in Early 2019. We are looking at both Dominican Rep and Mexico as possible destinations but are open to other countries not named Cuba (nothing wrong with Cuba, just been there way to many times). We are looking for a nice resort to do a beach wedding, that is cost effective to both us and our guest. Can any one suggest any resorts that I could be looking at...any also if there is a specific time in Feb/Mar/Apr that we can do it that would give us the best price? Thank you for all your help!!! D & J
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Hi Guys! I need some help!! I just booked my wedding date at Dream Tulum for December 2018. I have booked the ceremony to be at 4pm but I'm debating changing to 5:30 what time is best for that time of year? Also, if anyone has any words of advice for planning with this resort I'd love to hear it. We're planning on it being super small, just us and 10 close family members. I think I want something between electic-boho and mexican theme colors but don't want it to end up tacky!' Thanks! -
Hi Everyone! My finance and i are visiting Mexico in 2 weeks to check out Dreams Riviera and Now Sapphire in Puerto Morelos but quickly realized both beaches are pretty bum (so I've heard). Is anyone getting married there or been married there? Are the beaches that bad? We're also looking into Xcaret but not sure about the prices. Would love any feedback about any of the resorts! Thanks so much! (We're planning to marry in May 2019).- 2 replies
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If you think Secrets Playa Mujeres as the ideal spot for your wedding vows, the time to book your celebration is now! Say "I Do" at Secrets Playa Mujeres between now and November 2019 and you'll receive several wonderful perks to enjoy for your wedding celebration. Couples who take advantage of this promotion will receive: a complimentary rehearsal cocktail hour with up to 50 guests, including international open bar and chef's selection appetizers 15% off additional guests on top of 20 guests included in the Love or Ultimate wedding package use of sound system and microphone for the wedding ceremony white tiffany chairs for the ceremony and reception for up to 50 guests white or ivory drapes for the wedding gazebo 20% off on all DJ packages The special promotion must be booked before August 31, 2018, and travel must take place between April 15, 2018 and November 15, 2019. This offer is valid only for new bookings at Secrets Playa Mujeres. There are no substitutions or cash value given in lieu of taking advantage of this offer. The wedding date and room availability must be confirmed with resort prior to purchasing this promotion package, which cannot be combined with any other wedding offer. For more information about booking a group, wedding or honeymoon at Secrets Playa Mujeres or any other destination location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! This post has been promoted to an article
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Say "I Do" To The Secrets Playa Mujeres Wedding Promotion
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
If you think Secrets Playa Mujeres as the ideal spot for your wedding vows, the time to book your celebration is now! Say "I Do" at Secrets Playa Mujeres between now and November 2019 and you'll receive several wonderful perks to enjoy for your wedding celebration. Couples who take advantage of this promotion will receive: a complimentary rehearsal cocktail hour with up to 50 guests, including international open bar and chef's selection appetizers 15% off additional guests on top of 20 guests included in the Love or Ultimate wedding package use of sound system and microphone for the wedding ceremony white tiffany chairs for the ceremony and reception for up to 50 guests white or ivory drapes for the wedding gazebo 20% off on all DJ packages The special promotion must be booked before August 31, 2018, and travel must take place between April 15, 2018 and November 15, 2019. This offer is valid only for new bookings at Secrets Playa Mujeres. There are no substitutions or cash value given in lieu of taking advantage of this offer. The wedding date and room availability must be confirmed with resort prior to purchasing this promotion package, which cannot be combined with any other wedding offer. For more information about booking a group, wedding or honeymoon at Secrets Playa Mujeres or any other destination location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! -
hi friends! so we recently changed our minds and switched from a legal to a symbolic ceremony for our May wedding in Riviera Maya. Why? cost is the biggest factor - the whole legal package is about $1000 and the license in MN is $40. anyways, when it was a legal ceremony - there was no question about the script/speech - it's a pre-set speech. but now with the symbolic ceremony - we have more flexibility... so questions for you gals.... can you share your symbolic ceremony script/speech? who performed your ceremony? was it in English or Spanish? yes, we are going to be terrible people and not tell our guests we're taking care of the paperwork a week before we leave for Mexico. We'd like the ceremony in Spanish or as close to the legal ceremony as possible. We are not planning our write our own vows - FH says he'd never get through them without crying so we agreed to skip them at the ceremony. thanks! -
With the opening of the all-new Impression Villa inspired section at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, wedding couples who book the entire Impression Villa section are now eligible for the resort's newest wedding package filled with several complimentary private events and perks, sure to leave an unforgettable impression to the newlyweds and their guests. The Lasting Impression Wedding Package extends a wealth of complimentary wedding events and inclusions to wedding couples who are guests of the Impression suites at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. Wedding parties booking the nine exclusive Impression suites for a minimum of 4-nights will receive the following events complimentary (inclusive of the wedding couple and twenty guests*) in addition to other incredible perks to the couple and their guests: A Welcome Cocktail Party (1-hour private event) A Rehearsal Dinner (2-hour private event) A Wedding Ceremony (private event) A Wedding Reception (3-hour private event) And a Day-After Brunch Below is the detailed information and inclusions for each of these wedding events: A Welcome Cocktail Party (1-hour private event) • Welcome your guests with an exclusive event on the roof-top terrace of Impression • Private bar and bartender, serving top-shelf international and domestic spirits, soda, juice and water • Experience an exclusive Tequila tasting for you and your guests • Hors d’oevres station with selection of light bites A Rehearsal Dinner (2-hour private event) • Anticipate the big day with a festive dinner with your guests at either the intimate Chef’s Table or the stylized Dragons restaurant – with selection of cuisines to choose from A Wedding Ceremony (private event) • Preparation of the couple’s wedding day attire • Choice of sparkling wine, beer or cocktails and light snacks for the two wedding parties while getting ready • Choice of locations, depending on group size & style desired: Beach, Roof-top Terrace, Garden or Ballroom • Bouquet(s) and/or boutonniere(s) for the wedding couple • Choice of violinist, or guitarist for ceremony (1 set, 45 minutes) • Sound system • White-linen covered chairs for guests • Shoe check station provided for ceremonies held on the beach • Service of Judge, Minister, or Shaman (with specialty blessing for the wedding couple) • Sparkling wine celebratory toast • Floral Centerpiece for ceremonial table A Wedding Reception (3-hour private event) • Private dinner reception at choice of locations, depending on group size • DJ Package (Zoëtry’s preferred vendor for 2 hours) • Private bar with bartender serving top-shelf spirits, juice, soda and water • Specialty wedding cake And a Day-After Brunch • Recount all the special moments from the wedding day, with a post-celebration lunch at the Chef’s Table • Choice of select cuisine options Wedding Couple Perks But the Lasting Impression perks do not just end there. In addition to the private wedding events, wedding couples booking the Lasting Impression package will also receive: • A dedicated onsite wedding coordinator • Unpacking service for the couple, including preparation of the wedding day attire • Wedding menu tasting for the couple the day before the wedding • Delivery of couple's "welcome bags" to guest rooms • Specialty couple's massage (50-minute treatment) • Nightly romantic turndown service for the couple • Private dinner for the couple one night during their stay • Complimentary anniversary nights (stay 4 paid nights or more over first anniversary return stay and receive 1 additional complimentary night) Guests' Perks And all guests staying at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita will receive specialty touches, as part of the Endless Privileges® offerings, including: • Private chauffeured airport transfers • Welcome bottle of tequila and handmade beach bag • Traditional Temazcal steam room experience • 20-minute Thalasso Seawater Experience • Catamaran sunset sail • Complimentary greens fee at nearby golf course • And so much more! See additional Terms and Conditions of the above package below. For more information about booking a group, wedding or honeymoon at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya or any other destination location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! Lasting Impression Wedding Package terms & conditions: The Lasting Impression package is available to wedding parties that buy out the Impression section of Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya for a minimum of 4-nights. Package inclusions subject to change without notice. Discount on spa treatments cannot be applied to spa packages or combined with any other spa promotion or offer. This package is not combinable with the Save Your Date or 3G promotion. This package is inclusive of the wedding couple and up to 20 guests. Additional guests can be added for an additional cost and additional cost varies between guests staying at Zoëtry Paraiso or neighboring AMResorts property and guests staying at another resort brand. Included event locations are contingent on group size of 22, changes to size of group will affect locations offered. Upgrades, customizations and additions can also be made to the package through the resort’s wedding coordinator for additional costs. Package must be added on at time of booking. Certain additional deposits may be requested depending on customizations and securing of floral and entertainment. Guests not staying in the Impression’s section can access to this area only for paid wedding events (additional costs apply). Guests staying in the Butler suites can enter to Dragons restaurant only, once per week, but do not have access to the rest of the facilities. If full buy out in Impression´s section (09 rooms) is not fulfilled, Wedding Package cost of $4,499 usd will apply. This post has been promoted to an article
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With the opening of the all-new villa inspired Impression Section at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, wedding couples who book the entire Impression Villa section are now eligible for the resort's newest wedding package filled with several complimentary private events and perks, sure to leave an unforgettable impression to the newlyweds and their guests. The Lasting Impression Wedding Package extends a wealth of complimentary wedding events and inclusions to wedding couples who are guests of the Impression suites at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya. Wedding parties booking the nine exclusive Impression suites for a minimum of 4-nights will receive the following events complimentary (inclusive of the wedding couple and twenty guests*) in addition to other incredible perks to the couple and their guests: A Welcome Cocktail Party (1-hour private event) A Rehearsal Dinner (2-hour private event) A Wedding Ceremony (private event) A Wedding Reception (3-hour private event) And a Day-After Brunch Below is the detailed information and inclusions for each of these wedding events: A Welcome Cocktail Party (1-hour private event) • Welcome your guests with an exclusive event on the roof-top terrace of Impression • Private bar and bartender, serving top-shelf international and domestic spirits, soda, juice and water • Experience an exclusive Tequila tasting for you and your guests • Hors d’oevres station with selection of light bites A Rehearsal Dinner (2-hour private event) • Anticipate the big day with a festive dinner with your guests at either the intimate Chef’s Table or the stylized Dragons restaurant – with selection of cuisines to choose from A Wedding Ceremony (private event) • Preparation of the couple’s wedding day attire • Choice of sparkling wine, beer or cocktails and light snacks for the two wedding parties while getting ready • Choice of locations, depending on group size & style desired: Beach, Roof-top Terrace, Garden or Ballroom • Bouquet(s) and/or boutonniere(s) for the wedding couple • Choice of violinist, or guitarist for ceremony (1 set, 45 minutes) • Sound system • White-linen covered chairs for guests • Shoe check station provided for ceremonies held on the beach • Service of Judge, Minister, or Shaman (with specialty blessing for the wedding couple) • Sparkling wine celebratory toast • Floral Centerpiece for ceremonial table A Wedding Reception (3-hour private event) • Private dinner reception at choice of locations, depending on group size • DJ Package (Zoëtry’s preferred vendor for 2 hours) • Private bar with bartender serving top-shelf spirits, juice, soda and water • Specialty wedding cake And a Day-After Brunch • Recount all the special moments from the wedding day, with a post-celebration lunch at the Chef’s Table • Choice of select cuisine options Wedding Couple Perks But the Lasting Impression perks do not just end there. In addition to the private wedding events, wedding couples booking the Lasting Impression package will also receive: • A dedicated onsite wedding coordinator • Unpacking service for the couple, including preparation of the wedding day attire • Wedding menu tasting for the couple the day before the wedding • Delivery of couple's "welcome bags" to guest rooms • Specialty couple's massage (50-minute treatment) • Nightly romantic turndown service for the couple • Private dinner for the couple one night during their stay • Complimentary anniversary nights (stay 4 paid nights or more over first anniversary return stay and receive 1 additional complimentary night) Guests' Perks And all guests staying at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita will receive specialty touches, as part of the Endless Privileges® offerings, including: • Private chauffeured airport transfers • Welcome bottle of tequila and handmade beach bag • Traditional Temazcal steam room experience • 20-minute Thalasso Seawater Experience • Catamaran sunset sail • Complimentary greens fee at nearby golf course • And so much more! See additional Terms and Conditions of the above package below. For more information about booking a group, wedding or honeymoon at Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya or any other destination location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! Lasting Impression Wedding Package terms & conditions: The Lasting Impression package is available to wedding parties that buy out the Impression section of Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya for a minimum of 4-nights. Package inclusions subject to change without notice. Discount on spa treatments cannot be applied to spa packages or combined with any other spa promotion or offer. This package is not combinable with the Save Your Date or 3G promotion. This package is inclusive of the wedding couple and up to 20 guests. Additional guests can be added for an additional cost and additional cost varies between guests staying at Zoëtry Paraiso or neighboring AMResorts property and guests staying at another resort brand. Included event locations are contingent on group size of 22, changes to size of group will affect locations offered. Upgrades, customizations and additions can also be made to the package through the resort’s wedding coordinator for additional costs. Package must be added on at time of booking. Certain additional deposits may be requested depending on customizations and securing of floral and entertainment. Guests not staying in the Impression’s section can access to this area only for paid wedding events (additional costs apply). Guests staying in the Butler suites can enter to Dragons restaurant only, once per week, but do not have access to the rest of the facilities. If full buy out in Impression´s section (09 rooms) is not fulfilled, Wedding Package cost of $4,499 usd will apply. -
Hi There! Just joined this forum, I'm looking for info on how soon we should be booking our preferred wedding date and do we do it directly with the resort? We were hoping for April 2019 as we just decided on a destination wedding, originally were looking at Cabo as we travel there quite often but friends suggested we look at Royalton Riveira Maya and it looks like a fantastic venue for our wedding!! Any help/ suggestions would be appreciated! Also when you block your rooms do you do that through your TA or do I contact the resort directly? Feeling so out to lunch with all this and it's only the beginning!
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I didn't see a thread started for brides getting married at the Royalton Riviera Cancun in 2016/2017 so I figured I would start one! I figured this would be a great way for each other to compare notes, and answer each others questions. I'm just finalizing booking with Luxe Weddings and am planning on booking the Royalton Riviera Cancun for May 2017! I'm looking at either getting married on the beach, or the Sky Deck, followed by a reception at the Nautica Beach Bar, or directly on the beach! What are you guys doing??- 112 replies
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My fiance and I are looking at getting married July 2019 at Dreams Playa Mujeres but were concerned with the weather. Anyone been there during early July? We are a bit worried about rain especially! -
Hello Ladies I am in need of some serious help! I'm getting married at Now Sapphire, and I'm sure like many other resorts, the floral arrangements are very pricey. I'm also from Canada so I have to convert everything to Canadian dollars which makes the resort floral arrangements even more pricey. I've thought about making my own artificial floral arrangements? Has anyone done this? Any advice? Did your flowers make it through customs okay? Did they pack easily? Any other ideas on what to do? I don't know what to do! Please help!- 16 replies
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Why not another planning thread? We have just over 6 months to go and things are really started to fall into place, so I figured it’s about time to share our experiences and ideas and pay-it-forward like so many other planning threads have done for us! (btw – thank you to everyone who shares ideas/deals/photos – it’s all so helpful!) T&A T and I met at a post-work happy hour. I had just joined the company a few months prior and a coworker invited me to join the Friday happy hour crew. We chatted at happy hour every week for a few months, when I finally accepted his offer to take me out. That was over 5 years ago! We still work for the same company; T is an engineer and I am in marketing and we kept our relationship very quiet until we got engaged – hard to hide the ring! We adopted two fur-babies, Kona & Harley. They are the center of our worlds J Will you be my wife? T and I love to take vacations to Mexico or the Caribbean in December. We go every winter. Last October I was feeling really overwhelmed with schoolwork (working on my MBA) and work and decided to book a vacation for December. We ended up back at Iberostar Grand in Punta Cana – it is our favorite resort (highly recommend)! We flew out Thursday morning, the day after my last class for the semester. I was super annoyed that T was carrying on instead of checking his bag; he always checks so I have extra room for shoes in his bag. Anyways we arrive and enjoy your first few days at back at the resort. We ran into a friend whom we met 2 years ago the same resort! On our second night, we met friends in the lobby for a drink and after they went off for dinner, T suggested a walk on the beach before our reservation. We walked the beach every night around dinner, so it wasn’t weird. I was again annoyed because I had on wedges and didn’t really want to take them off to walk in the sand. As we approached the beach I got this gut feeling “oh sh*t, he’s going to propose!” I slide off my shoes and we walked the moonlight beach for a few moments before he stopped, dropped to one knee and asked me to be his wife! J We headed back to the lobby to get a bottle of champagne and he made a stop at restaurant to tell our friends, who actually had champagne waiting for us because T had let them in on the plans. We spent the next 6 days in paradise. We didn’t tell anyone until we got home. We got home 2 days before Christmas and would be seeing the families over the holiday – I wanted to tell them in person rather than over the phone. Both our families were over the moon excited! He picked out the ring all on his own just a few weeks before we left. He didn’t want to check a bag because the ring was in his luggage. He was super worried about losing it! It’s perfect! DW is the only option My classes were starting in early January, and we wanted to sort out a few details before my time became occupied by school and work. After talking about what was important to each of us and how we want our day to be, it was clear the only option for us was a DW. It fits perfectly with who we are. We’re in our mid-30s, so we’re paying for the shindig on our own. Our friends are all ready for an excuse to take a vacation without their kids and we’re all a bit more financially stable, so DW here we go! The Planning Process The first few months I was super anxious to get things planned. I’m a bit Type A, so the checklists, excel spreadsheets are a bit overkill, but it’s keeping my organized. School was crazy over the spring, so not much wedding planning happened. Summer was a bit more activity as I didn't have classes. We’ve been working with Javier at Lomas and so far, he’s been great, he responds in 3-5 days. Don’t expect daily responses from anyone Lomas – if you accept this early on, it helps alleviate frustrations! I've starting by breaking things down into categories so it was more manageable and less overwhelming. Travel Agent Venue Guest List Invitations / Save The Dates / Website Travel Bridal Attire Groom Attire Bridal Party Attire Rings Ceremony Cocktail Hour Reception Flowers OOT bags & gifts Photographer Pre-wedding Events Miscellaneous One thing I really struggled with was resources for DW planning. Everything I found on Pinterest, Wedding Wire, The Knot, etc didn’t seem to fit with a DW. Thanks to BDW for helping clarifying some things! Otherwise, I’m just making this up as I go. Sharing it to try to give others options and ideas. No two weddings are the same and you should do what works for you and your partner!! Stay tuned to see how the adventures of T&A continue! Travel Agent / Venue We found our wonderful travel agent, Kate’s Travel, via Google search. She’s local and I felt like I was talking to my aunt when we interviewed her. She sent over a few dozen resort options once we described our venue requirements and we ended on Azul Sensatori in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We wanted a resort with both family friend and adult’s only options and something a little more upscale. Our date was a totally random selection. My MBA graduation is end of April and I wanted to wait until I was done with school. June-August is just too hot and hurricane season. Sept-Nov seemed like too long of an engagement – so May. And we had to do early May because our nephews graduate high school in late May. Friday weddings get better perks, so we ended up on Friday, May 11, 2018. (super romantic, right?) HAHA Guest Lists / Initiations The first thing I wanted to do was setup a website. I knew there would be a lot of questions about travel, so I wanted a site they could reference not only for RSVP, but for travel tips. I tried to use a freebie, but I wasn’t able to customize how I wanted. So I bought the domain and built the site on Wordpress. I like that I can see visits and top content too! We sent STDs in late February (15 months before the wedding). We wanted to give our 170 guests plenty of time to plan and budget. I ordered these from Vistaprint – nothing super special. I knew I wanted to custom design our invitations, as I have a lot of experience in graphic design. I worked on these for months and in June, finally printed them. My mom helped me assemble and I mailed them in early July. This is where I struggled – timing! Traditional weddings are 8-10 weeks before the wedding, but our group rate expires November 1 (6 months before), and we had to have final counts to the resort 60 days before… I just couldn’t decide when to send the invites! We invited 170 guests, but many are our elderly family that we knew wouldn’t be able to make the trip. We expected 40-50 guests. I finally gave up and send the invites in July (10 months before wedding, 3.5 months before booking deadline). Turns out – this worked wonders for our guests! Many appreciated the extra time to budget and plan! I know it’s not for everyone, but I couldn’t figure out a better solution. Guests wouldn’t book without the invitation… what worked for us, may not work for everyone else. side note: I actually shared our sending timeline on wedding wire, and several brides attacked me for sending out invitations far too soon – it was bulling via an online forum! I was simply trying to share my experience for another DW bride because I really struggled with this piece. I stay here on BDW – far better sense of support here!
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Dreams Playa Mujeres: A Great Resort for Families with Kids
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
If you're look for an all-inclusive resort in Mexico that families with children will love, Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort should definitely be near the top of your list. While the luxurious and spacious grounds provide an inviting and relaxing ambiance for adults, the property is well equipped with a number of features that will keep kids busy and happy all vacation long. With more than 65,000 sq. feet of massive pools throughout the resort, including a children's pool, families will immediately be drawn to the colorful Children's Water Park and Water Slide on site. Much like the design of the entire property, the waterpark and slide area is safe and spacious area that offers easy access for families to unwind and enjoy picture perfect days under the Mexico sun. The resort also has a wonderful lazy river equipped with floating tubes (access is for Preferred Club guests only). For families looking for another way to bask in the sun, the beach area is full of daybeds and lounge chairs where kids can play in the sand or take a dip in the warm turquoise blue ocean waters. In the beach area, you'll also find the Dream's Delphinus Dolphin Habitat -- a world-class interactive program allowing resort guests to observe dolphins close-up, right in their natural habitat of the ocean. Delphinus offers guests various programs, which include swimming and interacting with these friendly creatures. They are a socially responsible company committed to the welfare of the dolphins under their care. Reservations and additional details are available by contacting the resort concierge. Those with young children, ages 3 to 12, can have the time of their lives at the Explorer's Club for Kids -- all a part of the resort's Unlimited-Luxury® privileges. The club is fully and professionally supervised and filled with adventures and activities children will enjoy and treasure for a lifetime, while giving parents time on their own to spend vacation time their way. Daily activities are based around nature, science and exploration. Once a week, the Explorer’s Club offers a camping adventure on the beach as well! They’ll make new friends from around the world, while parents reconnect with each other. The program can even provide dinners for kids when parents want to enjoy a romantic evening alone! The Explorer's Club is is open from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Families with children ages 13 to 17, can cut loose at the Core Zone Teens Club. Here, teens can enjoy daily resort activities and a vast array of sports and games, weekly bonfires and disco mixers where they can make new friends, connect with those they are with and have a great time. The Teens Club is open from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. daily. - - - To find out more information about booking your vacation or destination wedding at Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort, or any other resort/location, contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! -
I wanted to share in case it might be helpful to other brides. My FH and I visited the area August 1st-5th. We stayed at the Now Jade but also visited the Now Sapphire, Hard Rock Cancun, Beach Palace, and Hyatt Ziva. We pretty easily narrowed it down to the Beach Palace and the Hyatt Ziva. Now we are deciding between the two but leaning towards the Beach Palace. Now Jade I'll start here since this is where we stayed. First of all the hotel: it's great. I really don't have much to complain about here. The staff is wonderful, the grounds are well-kept. One big thing that bothered me was that it was incredibly slippery around the pool. I couldn't walk in flip-flops. I couldn't help but think about how dangerous it would be for my older family members for the wedding. Also keep it mind it's not near anything. No quick cab right to a bar or mall from here. It's very isolated which is beautiful but can also be inconvenient. Food/Drinks: Overall pretty good. The absolute best was the French restaurant. It was OMG amazing. The sushi/hibachi restaurant was really delicious too. We also tried the Italian and Mediterranean and both were just so-so. Breakfast was a buffet which was hit or miss. The made to order omelettes were awesome. Everything else was just fine, no complaints, no raves. I did LOVE starting every morning with bottomless mimosas and coffee. It's not brunch unless you're double-fisting the two. I was disappointed the sit-down breakfast restaurant is for preferred guests only. Room service was really bad. The timing and service was wonderful but the food was SO bland. We couldn't figure out how since the rest of the food on the resort was really decent. No complaints in the drinks department. I particularly loved whatever brand of champagne they served. Beach/Pool: Beach was beautiful, hardly any seaweed. BUT there are these huge rocks under water that you will stub your toe or scrape your knee on, almost guaranteed. That was kind of a bummer because we are big beach people. The water was really rough while we were there because a tropical storm was brewing but we didn't mind the waves, just the rocks. Also we lost our GoPro in the waves. It was our own fault though, obviously! The pool was beautiful, not too crowded at all in the water. I loved the concrete loungers that were under water so you could sit in the pool and look at the ocean. Chairs were generally pretty full but we were always able to find a couple, even if they were in a less than prime location. They did run out of towels a couple times. Overall, we were pretty pleased with both the beach and the pool. Weddings: We met with Jacqueline. She was wonderful, very informative and professional. Things we liked: lots of dates available, good reception venues. Things we didn't like: ceremony locations. The pergola was the best location by far, over looking the water in a somewhat secluded location. BUT, in my opinion, the structure itself looked pretty cheap and kind of just thrown together. I'm sure it could be done up nicely but it would need some work. Ditto for the structure they had set up on the beach for a beach ceremony. You can also have it in the garden which is pretty but right in the middle of the resort and little ocean view. Overall, just no WOW location to us. There were definitely a couple of nice reception spots overlooking the water though. Overall: I gave it a 7/10, FH gave it 6/10. View from the beach chairs at Now Jade: Now Sapphire Going into it, I thought this would be my pick. Resort: We liked the overall look and feel of this resort much better than the Jade. It's more what you think of as "Mexican" decor and design. It's also almost entirely outside but covered with a roof which we liked. Same as the Jade though, far from the airport and other amenities. We ate lunch and really enjoyed it. Pretty much the same food as the Jade. But the place we ate had 2 resident iguanas roaming around looking for leftovers. That was neat. Also should note there are no elevators. Food/Drinks: Only ate 1 meal here. Good, very similar to lunches at Now Jade. Pool/Beach: Pool is AMAZING. It is huge and beautiful. Lots of room. Beach... not good. Very narrow and just piles and piles of seaweed. There were a couple of guys out there with wheel barrows but there was no way they could keep up. Honestly, we could smell it too. There was hardly anyone on the beach. I thought this was strange because I had read many reviews saying the beach at the Sapphire was better than the Jade. Not even close when we were there though. Weddings: We met with Ramon. He definitely knew his stuff but I wasn't crazy about his demeanor. Felt a little maybe.. condescending? I don't know, just not my favorite person we met with. There are basically 3 different places you can have your wedding: beach terrace, tequila terrace, and preferred pool. All 3 involve getting married directly on the beach. At the Beach terrace, you can have the ceremony on the landing where the stairs from the beach air. Maybe they really make this place nice for weddings but to me it just looked like they randomly set up a wedding ceremony in between the pool and the beach. The tequila terrace was nice but pretty much just a plain porch, half had a roof. The preferred pool was the prettiest in my opinion but there is no ocean view from there. Then what I really didn't like is you have to pick 1 location for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. You can mix and match but there is a $1,000 fee for each additional location. There are a couple of gazebos over the pools which were pretty but I didn't even ask about them because I didn't want people in the pool just feet away from the ceremony. Overall: I gave it a 6/10, FH gave it 7/10. Hard Rock Cancun We chose this one over the Hard Rock Rivera Maya because the beach was reviewed much better at the Cancun location. Resort: Really beautiful grounds. Pretty spacious on the non-ocean side of the hotel with a separate building for the kids, a separate building for the gym, and a huge outdoor amphitheater for nightly shows. We LOVED that and the number of shows they offer. It's definitely evident you are at a Hard Rock the moment you step foot on the resort: the decor, the music, the atmosphere all fit the bill. If you don't want that vibe, you won't like this resort. I told my FH it really doesn't even feel like you're at the beach until you see the ocean. However, it was a really festive atmosphere with music and activities all over the place. It was incredibly CROWDED everywhere we went. From the main lobby to the pool to the beach, just packed. I realized later that's because it has 601 rooms! The rooms are beautiful, the best of any we looked at by far. Keeping in mind, I'm sure they showed us a couple of the upper end on the price scale. Food/Drinks: Didn't eat here but we were amazed by the sheer number of options around the pool area. Tons of different places to grab a bite in your swimsuit. A detail my FH loved is that the room service food is the same as the foods served at Hard Rock restaurants around the world- a far cry from our room service at Now Jade. Pool/Beach: Pool is nice, very crowded. Beach is beautiful: white sand, blue water, no seaweed. BUT again, incredibly crowded. Weddings: Which brings me to my next point: the beach is the only place to have a ceremony here. And they have it set up really close to the resort rather than closer to the water so you would definitely have people in the background of your photos. When I asked the girl that gave us our tour, her name escapes me but she was from sales, not weddings, she simply said the photographer would have to edit the people walking behind the ceremony out. Also I just double-checked, the only non-ballroom options for a reception are the pool and terrace or the beach at extra cost. I really don't remember her pointing out the pool as a reception option. I have no idea where you would set a reception up in that area. The terrace is nice but it faces the lagoon, not the ocean. So you do get the sunset there but in my mind, you go to Mexico for the ocean/beach, not the sunset. By my rough estimates the wedding package here was the most affordable of the 5 resorts by a couple thousand dollars. I was calculating based on a group of 40 which is my guesstimate for my wedding group. Overall: I gave it a 6/10, FH gave it 7/10. Beach Palace We looked at this one first thing in the morning and were blown away by the sky terrace. Resort: It's basically what you think of as a hotel in the States. Just 1 tall building but it really wasn't crowded at all. 285 rooms compared to the 601 at Hard Rock! Really clean, modern look overall. Not my first pick in vibe but very nice overall. Food/Drinks: Didn't eat here but took a look at the lunch buffet and it looked fine. Oh I lied, we did have ice cream from the ice cream shop by the pool. Yummy. Several pool-side lunch options here too. Pool/Beach: Pool is great! Very large, swim up bar, water slide. I believe there is a "kid" side and an "adult" side although anyone can swim on either side. Beach is exactly the same as Hard Rock: stunning, blue water, white sand BUT nowhere near as crowded. Weddings: This is the WOW factor- the sky terrace. Right when the elevators opened to the 14th floor, I think we both said "wow" out loud. It is stunning ocean views all the way around until you see the lagoon side which is also very beautiful. Glass all the way around the terrace. 2 pools and 2 bars up here, 1 side is closed off for wedding events. We would have our cocktail hour and reception in this area. It's beautiful with the pool and the glass all the way around overlooking the ocean. Just gorgeous. There is also a sky deck which is up 1 story (stairs only). Same deal- just beautiful. The only issue we had with that is that it's almost like you are too high. The view is all sky, you can't even see the beach or the water unless you walk up to the glass. But still stunning. We are thinking we'd have our ceremony on the beach though just to have a different look for the ceremony and reception. The ceremony location here seems like it's closer to the water so any guests in the area could simply walk around the wedding rather than behind. The other HUGE perk here is the group rewards. For a certain number of room nights you can get your cocktail hour and reception for free and possibly unlimited events (welcome dinner, rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch, etc.) The overall cost of the wedding is about the same as the other resorts until you account for the group rewards then it's the best by far. Oh and I've had fantastic response times from David Morel so far on the logistical end. Suzette gave us the tour and was wonderful. Overall: I gave it a 9/10, FH gave it 9/10. Standing on the sky terrace at Beach Palace: FH super excited about the slide : View from sky terrace: Top sky deck for ceremony only: Bar area on sky terrace for reception: Hyatt Ziva If money were no object, this would be our pick hands down. Resort: You walk into the lobby and are just blown away by the view. Stunning ocean for miles. This resort sits right at the top of the hotel zone so it has ocean on both sides. It's also comprised of multiple buildings so you don't feel like you are in the hotel zone at all. Much more of a resort feel vs hotel. We loved that. The staff was amazing. They put their hands over their hearts every time they see a guest. We actually thought this was a liiiittle over the top and couldn't help but return the gesture which left us laughing hysterically multiple times. But seriously I could go on and on about how beautiful this resort is. Oh and they have a dolphin lake area on site, my FH was sold as soon as he saw the dolphins . Food/Drinks: Didn't eat here but looked around and it looked like there were tons of options. Pool/Beach: There are so many pools, just beautiful and perfect. This is the only resort where we saw tons of empty chairs which is awesome. There is a little cove where the water is super calm which would be great for small kids to play in. The main beach is actually a pretty long walk from the rooms and I think technically not even on the Hyatt Ziva property. The sand is white and pretty but it's kind of rocky, lots of small shells and rocks. Once you get to the water, it's perfect though. Weddings: Honestly, I teared up a little bit when I saw the wedding gazebo. It's like a scene from a movie, but real life. It's out on a cliff with ocean on both sides and the most gorgeous waves I've ever seen crashing against it. The structure itself is white and very solid and well-made. Just stunning, beautiful, I can't come up with enough adjectives. Anyone would just die to get married here. Amazing. The reception location I would use is the sky terrace. It's gorgeous too, probably about five stories up with a great ocean view. Both locations are totally private which is awesome. Marta gave us our tour, she was great. So sweet and informative. They are a little on the slow side so far via email though. The big factor here is cost. The wedding would cost us more than any of the other resorts and has ZERO group rewards. Overall: I gave it a 9.5/10, FH gave it 10/10. I forgot to mention the lighthouse!! So pretty: The reception terrace: Standing in the gazebo: Standing on the path to the gazebo: I keep going back and forth between the Hyatt Ziva and the Beach Palace. I think the Hyatt Ziva is the best choice for the wedding itself but if we choose the Beach Palace, we can take that extra money and make the overall weekend amazing (excursion, extra events and activities, etc.). I was so sure that the Hyatt Ziva would be more expensive for guests but, at last quote, it was actually slightly cheaper. At this point, I am definitely leaning towards the Beach Palace but writing this review has me second-guessing myself again! Such a tough decision! SaveSave
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If you are still searching for an incredible resort to host your destination wedding, consider the Riviera Maya's newest luxury five star resort Hotel Xcaret México, which is offering free rooms and upgrades for those who book their wedding at the property before February 28, 2018. The all-inclusive resort, which opened in December 2017, is currently offering couples who book their wedding through Wright Travel Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- the following booking promotions: COMPLIMENTARY ROOMS: For Every 6 paid rooms (double occupancy) the group will receive one complimentary room. Maximum 3 complimentary rooms per group. COMPLIMENTARY ROOM UPGRADES: For Every 10 paid rooms (double occupancy) the group will receive one complimentary room UPGRADE non-cumulative. A maximum of 3 complimentary room upgrades per group. OTHER CONCESSIONS: Complimentary Wedding package (for wedding groups) A 1-hour complimentary cocktail party with domestic drinks. (Venue to be confirmed by your group coordinator, who must be contacted at least 30 days in advance.) 25% Discount on Food & Beverage on private events (this excludes weddings and applies for leisure groups only) Aside from sharing meals together and enjoying the hotel's many onsite activities, couples and their guests can plan group excursions and outings together that are included in the All-Fun Inclusive program, which gives resort goers unlimited access/entry to the region's parks and excursions like Xcaret Park, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xenotes, Xichen (Chichen Itza) and Xoximilco Cancún. To take advantage of the above promotions, you must book your wedding before February 28, 2018. The travel window for your group/event/wedding is from January 3, 2018 to December 22, 2019. For more information on booking your wedding or group/event at Hotel Xcaret Mexico, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or use the contact form on the website at www.wrighttravelagency.com Hotel Xcaret, which is located just 45 minutes away from the Cancun airport, is divided into five sections -- two of them designated as adults-only areas. The resort has 900 all-suite rooms that offer breathtaking views of the rivers, ocean, jungle, garden or the resort's relaxing infinity swimming pools. Nestled between the lush greenery of the Riviera Maya jungle and the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hotel Xcaret showcases 10 pools, 11 restaurants (only one eatery is excluded from the all-inclusive package) and eight bars. Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service are also included in your stay. As visitors wander through the property, they can explore and enjoy white sand beaches and rainforest trails. Kayaking, paddleboats and snorkeling can also be done on site as the property is surrounded by water with natural coves, caves, rivers, cenotes. The resort is also equipped with a spa & wellness center, tennis and paddle courts and three gyms, including a functional training circuit in a beautiful nature setting. The All-Fun Inclusive Program But what makes this new luxury resort truly unique is its All-Fun Inclusive program, which gives guests the traditional all-inclusive concept in addition to unlimited access to the area's world renowned adventure parks: Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco and Xenses, as well as deluxe Tours to Xenotes and Xichen, with round-trip transportation and all food and drinks included. It is the Perfect Place for a Destination Wedding With its picturesque landscapes throughout, the hotel is filled with amazing locations for private events that offer stunning ocean or river views. Couples can also get married on the beach or in a chapel overlooking the entire island. - - -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 photographer and writer/blogger. -
If you are still searching for an incredible resort to host your destination wedding, consider the Riviera Maya's newest luxury five star resort Hotel Xcaret México, which is offering free rooms and upgrades for those who book their wedding at the property before February 28, 2018. The all-inclusive resort, which opened in December 2017, is currently offering couples who book their wedding through Wright Travel Travel Agency -- the official travel agency of the Best Destination Wedding Forum -- the following booking promotions: COMPLIMENTARY ROOMS: For Every 6 paid rooms (double occupancy) the group will receive one complimentary room. Maximum 3 complimentary rooms per group. COMPLIMENTARY ROOM UPGRADES: For Every 10 paid rooms (double occupancy) the group will receive one complimentary room UPGRADE non-cumulative. A maximum of 3 complimentary room upgrades per group. OTHER CONCESSIONS: Complimentary Wedding package (for wedding groups) A 1-hour complimentary cocktail party with domestic drinks. (Venue to be confirmed by your group coordinator, who must be contacted at least 30 days in advance.) 25% Discount on Food & Beverage on private events (this excludes weddings and applies for leisure groups only) Aside from sharing meals together and enjoying the hotel's many onsite activities, couples and their guests can plan group excursions and outings together that are included in the All-Fun Inclusive program, which gives resort goers unlimited access/entry to the region's parks and excursions like Xcaret Park, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xenses, Xenotes, Xichen (Chichen Itza) and Xoximilco Cancún. To take advantage of the above promotions, you must book your wedding before February 28, 2018. The travel window for your group/event/wedding is from January 3, 2018 to December 22, 2019. For more information on booking your wedding or group/event at Hotel Xcaret Mexico, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. You can contact them HERE! or use the contact form on the website at www.wrighttravelagency.com Hotel Xcaret, which is located just 45 minutes away from the Cancun airport, is divided into five sections -- two of them designated as adults-only areas. The resort has 900 all-suite rooms that offer breathtaking views of the rivers, ocean, jungle, garden or the resort's relaxing infinity swimming pools. Nestled between the lush greenery of the Riviera Maya jungle and the warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hotel Xcaret showcases 10 pools, 11 restaurants (only one eatery is excluded from the all-inclusive package) and eight bars. Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service are also included in your stay. As visitors wander through the property, they can explore and enjoy white sand beaches and rainforest trails. Kayaking, paddleboats and snorkeling can also be done on site as the property is surrounded by water with natural coves, caves, rivers, cenotes. The resort is also equipped with a spa & wellness center, tennis and paddle courts and three gyms, including a functional training circuit in a beautiful nature setting. The All-Fun Inclusive Program But what makes this new luxury resort truly unique is its All-Fun Inclusive program, which gives guests the traditional all-inclusive concept in addition to unlimited access to the area's world renowned adventure parks: Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco and Xenses, as well as deluxe Tours to Xenotes and Xichen, with round-trip transportation and all food and drinks included. It is the Perfect Place for a Destination Wedding With its picturesque landscapes throughout, the hotel is filled with amazing locations for private events that offer stunning ocean or river views. Couples can also get married on the beach or in a chapel overlooking the entire island. - - - 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 photographer and writer/blogger. This post has been promoted to an article
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This website, Best Destination Weddings, was so helpful for me the past year for planning our destination wedding. It helped me select my vendors and figure out a lot of stuff, so I do want to thank Tammy, everyone at BDW.com and all our vendors. Below is my review of our wedding and an album of select photos. Forewarning: this post is quite extensive! Feel free to contact me for any questions, additional info Wedding Date: February 14, 2015 Location: Playa del Carmen, Mexico Number of guests: 150 people (including kids) Ceremony and Reception Venue: Azul Fives Resort Hotel Wedding Coordinators: Brigitte Castro (Karisma Sales), Gaby Iturralde (Azul Fives on-site), Angie (Lomas on-site) Wedding Planner: Erica Bressan – Weddings in Playa Flowers: Lomas Photographers: Vincent van den Berg and Petar Gachevsky – Pixan Photography DJ – Ricardo de Pavia and crew – Discomovil Bride's Hair & Makeup: Daisy - Azul Fives Vassa Spa Bridal Party Hair & Makeup: Estetica Tantadell Henna Artist: Darcy Vasudev – Henna Lounge Travel Agent: Teresa Stauring and Deanna Delgado – Vacations 4 Less Airport Transportation: Cancun Transfers Excursions: Edventure Tours and H2Oh Sun Cruises Venue: Azul Fives Resort (review on site, food, hotel coordinators, flowers) SITE: My now-husband and I scouted 9 venues in the Riviera Maya in April 2014. Since we needed a venue that could accommodate 150+ people, thankfully this limited options, though 9 venues to visit was a lot in one weekend! This included: * Now Sapphire * Grand Coral * Villa Sol y Luna (just a drive-by) * Playa del Secreto * Blue Venado * Azul Fives * Ak'iin Beach Club * Las Ranitas * Papaya Playa Project * Zen Serenity We ended up selecting Azul Fives which was our second choice. Our first choice was Papaya Playa Project. Beautiful unique location in Tulum, but was too costly and restrictive. Azul Fives was also an amazing location, and since it’s located in Playa Del Carmen, this made it quicker for our guests to get and to from the airport which was a plus. Azul Fives worked out wonderfully since we had multiple days of events and mostly all of them were held at the resort. This included a mehndi night in our suite, a welcome party on the beach, a farewell brunch at one of the restaurants (Flavours buffet) and our wedding. We had our ceremony on the Sky Deck, which definitely had a WOW factor for our guests. The Sky Deck is basically a rooftop overlooking the ocean. We liked that it wasn’t directly on the beach but had a magnificent view. Having the ceremony on the Sky Deck includes a live webcast of your wedding. This was great for our guests who couldn't make the wedding. The video is still available on Karisma's website. We had cocktail hour directly after the ceremony, one level below the Sky Deck, on the Sky Terrace and the Zky Bar, which also afforded great views of the ocean, and our reception in the poolside garden. Most of our guests stayed at Azul Fives and loved it. It’s a family-friendly all-inclusive resort and has excellent food compared to other AIs. Our guests received wine and spa credits through our travel agent which many used. The feedback from our guests who went to Vassa Spa was that it was one of the best spa experiences they’ve ever had. We loved the layout of the resort. It’s not too large. For the most part, the service was excellent. Our guests loved the 24-hour room service. The hotel accommodated our special requests. We are thankful for our personal concierge who helped make special arrangements for us. FOOD: The food and drinks at all our wedding events were bountiful and amazing. At least that’s what our guests said since we didn't get to taste everything We are very thankful to the hotel chef, Manuel, who accommodated our special requests for the wedding, which included arranging a whole roasted pig for our welcome party and making Indian cocktail bites to our liking for our cocktail hour. The tandoori shrimp were gobbled up. Wish we had ordered more! We had a bbq on the beach for our welcome party. We had agua frescas at our cocktail hour and reception, a tres leches and coconut wedding cake, and late night tacos at the end of our reception. All were hits. My only regret was not requesting that the agua frescas were labeled and that I knew where the taco station would be located. They weren’t very visible for our guests so not everyone knew about them. HOTEL WEDDING COORDINATORS, FLOWERS: If you’re having your wedding at a Karisma property and began planning your wedding, you already know how the process and costs work. If not, be prepared to hit some road bumps which is inevitable when deciding to have a wedding at an all-inclusive corporate resort chain. When you’ve accepted the system that Karisma sets up, then you’ll put the blame on the system and can appreciate the hard work that the coordinators do for you while sticking to the system. My coordinator up until we arrived at the hotel for the wedding was Brigitte Castro. Brigitte was very pleasant to work with and responded as quickly as she could to my many emails, considering the Karisma sales team is based in Miami and she has to coordinate with the on-site coordinators in Mexico which is why some responses were delayed. The weeks leading up to the final selection and payment deadline to the hotel, Brigitte was extra attentive and worked with me to make sure all the details were taken care of before I submitted the final payment. I'm very grateful for the customer service when it was needed the most. The on-site wedding coordination team was also as fantastic as could be. They were easily accessible during our whole stay, made great suggestions, helped with our last-minute changes, and executed each event magnificently. The Karisma/Lomas team did a beautiful job setting up our decorations for each of our events. (We brought a lot of our own decorations because Lomas overcharges for practically everything. This is again something you must accept if you’re deciding to have your wedding in the Riviera Maya at a corporate hotel chain that makes their $$ by creating a wedding service monopoly at their resorts.) I’m very thankful for Arturo, Gaby, Angie, Lucely, Maribel and Esmeralda, for the time and effort they dedicated to us during our wedding week, and for being as flexible and accommodating as possible. They have a tough job dealing with brides and grooms only when brides and grooms are at their most stressful time, so I give them mad props. The staff were great at delivering our welcome bags to our guests upon their arrival as well. FLOWERS: The flowers were expensive but beautiful. Our wedding was a fusion Filipino-Indian wedding, so we had strings of flowers hung on the back side of our wedding gazebo (mandap). These were later used for our reception to decorate our sweetheart table. We also had flower garlands for my husband, both of our parents, and me during the ceremony. They were beautiful, made out of carnations and roses. Wedding Planner: Erica Bressan from Weddings in Playa Erica was a life-saver for our wedding. She helped my husband and I scout some of the venues before we decided on Azul Fives. While our hotel had its own wedding coordinators, I needed someone who represented my best interests, so I hired Erica. She has many years of experience working as a wedding planner in Playa and therefore she has a great network and is very resourceful. She helped with recommending photographers, DJs, and with sourcing decorations, favors and items for our welcome bags. She also served as our day-of-coordinator. We picked Erica in part because she already had experience working with Azul Fives as the day-of-coordinator for a previous wedding. After we decided on Azul Fives, I returned to Mexico three months before the wedding to do a deeper site inspection and Erica met with me and drove me to local shops in the area to look for the items we needed, which saved us a lot of money and the hassle of transporting stuff on the plane. She participated in our coordination meeting with the hotel coordinators, helped order and pick up the local decorations and favors, facilitated our wedding rehearsal and was great at keeping things moving on our wedding day. During the whole planning process, Erica responded promptly to all my emails and we chatted via Skype as necessary. She was great. I'm so thankful for Erica and Weddings in Playa. Photographers: Pixan Photography Since having great photos that captured our wedding was very important to us, we took the decision of selecting a photographer very seriously. I contacted 12 photographers in the Riviera Maya area, narrowed it down to three photographers, and decided on Pixan. I chose Pixan because I loved both the artistic and photojournalist look of their photos. Vincent was a very warm, jovial person which I appreciated. And the overall package price for the level of service we wanted was very reasonable. Our package includes a website that we can easily share with our friends and family and a photo album of 80 shots which we get to select for the album. I had the chance to meet Vincent during my site inspection and he took the time with me to find great locations to shoot our photos. Before the wedding, Vincent provided a must-have shot list for my husband and I to complete, which I appreciated, so he knew the shots that were important to us. Pixan shot four days with us: our mehndi party, welcome party, wedding, and a post-wedding shoot. Petar was Vincent’s assistant and second shooter. He was also wonderful to work with. They did some pretty crazy shots, many without us knowing what they were doing, and lots of WOW shots. Vincent has an old Leica camera and different lenses that make incredible photos. We’ve received the sneak peak photos and they’re beautiful. We also hired Pixan to do our photo booth during the reception. Our guests loved the props and the photos showed how much fun we had. I only wish we had the photo booth open during the whole reception instead of just towards the end. I can't wait to see the rest of our photos. DJ: Disco Movil Cancun All of our vendors were fantastic, but since music is so important to my husband and me, we were especially happy that we made the decision to go with Discomovil. From my first email communication with Ricardo, I was impressed. We communicated multiple times before the wedding and Ricardo responded almost instantaneously. We were nervous about hiring someone we didn’t know so we asked Ricardo for a sample of his 90s hip-hop mixing. Clearly, the sample didn’t best reflect his talent, because at our wedding, he was AMAZING. We hired Disco Movil for both our welcome party and wedding reception. At the welcome party, Ricardo and his crew played background music during the dinner, displayed our slideshow on their projection screen, provided the audio for our guests who gave speeches and performed, and then served as a karaoke DJ! He had practically every song imaginable to sing, and the lyrics were displayed on the projection screen. It was a fantastic night. For the welcome party and the reception, Discomovil has a great website where you enter all the songs you’d like to be played for your events. They have a massive database, but if there are songs that aren’t in their database, you can enter the song information and they will acquire the song for you. Disco Movil stuck to our playlists since we gave them a lot of songs. This was very helpful. But the key to being a great DJ is knowing how to keep people on the dance floor all night. Ricardo adjusted the music accordingly when the crowd didn’t respond well to one of our songs. The momentum kept increasing till the end of the night. Ricardo also served as our emcee (MC) and stuck to our script to make the necessary announcements. He did a great job. We didn’t want the party to stop at the set end time, but Ricardo agreed to stay and kept the party going for as long as the hotel would allow us Thank you Discomovil for making a spectacular weekend! Bride’s Hair and Make-up: Vassa Spa at Azul Fives I was fortunate to have Daisy as my hair and make-up artist. I had my hair and make-up done at the hotel, as well as my mani-pedi (complimentary as one of the perks through our travel agent). Daisy was wonderful. The perk included a hair and make-up rehearsal which I redeemed. I brought my iPad to show her photos on my Pinterest of the hair and make-up styles I liked, and she matched them to exactly how I wanted. For the wedding day, I had Daisy and one of her colleagues come to my room to do the hair and make-up of my mom and me. Hair and make-up took less than two hours on the wedding day. If you’re having your wedding at Azul Fives, I highly recommend using the hotel stylists if you can afford it. Vassa uses MAC products. Bridal Party Hair and Make-up: Estetica Tantadell Since the prices were high at the hotel for my bridal party to get their hair and make-up done, our wedding planner Erica arranged appointments for my girls at Estetica Tantadell in downtown Playa. Their pricing and quality of service were amazing. My girls were very pleased. All 8 of them There aren't many reviews on here of Estetica Tantadell, but I am so glad that I went with them. Henna Artist: Henna Lounge There are very slim to none when it comes to local henna artists that do quality work for Indian weddings. It was serendipitous when I met Darcy while on my site inspection three months before the wedding. Darcy was the mehndi artist for the Indian wedding taking place that weekend at Azul Fives. She flies back and forth between San Francisco and the Riviera Maya, and does top-notch traditional henna art. Like the majority of our vendors, Darcy responded quickly to my emails, and she offered a special deal for me since she was already booked for another wedding the same week. I got both my hands and feet done, which took about 3 hours and then she stayed for two hours to do simple designs on my bridal party and other guests. She’s so quick and her henna product is all-natural and smells fantastic! I received so many compliments on my henna. Darcy has such a great spirit too and was so chill and easy to work with. She’s very professional. I highly recommend her. Travel Agent: Vacations 4 Less (through Best Destination Weddings) I contacted several travel agents, including www.destinationweddings.com and www.bestdestinationwedding.com. BDW connected me to Teresa Stauring at Vacations4less.com and Teresa became our travel agent. Vacations4Less/BDW had the best group rates for Azul Fives and best room block reservation policy. Whenever I contacted Teresa, she too always responded very quickly. During the few occasions when Teresa wasn’t available, Deanna stepped in and was just as helpful. Since BDW has a great relationship with many of the destination wedding resorts, they offered great perks for our wedding group, for both the couple and our guests staying at the resort. Vacations4Less also arranged for our guests airport transfers through Cancun Transfers. I liked how the airport transfer was an option for our guests instead of built into the hotel room rate which some travel agencies do. It was such a relief to delegate these wedding logistics to a travel agency and Vacations 4 Less pulled everything off without a hitch. Airport Transfers: Cancun Transfers We were happy that Vacations 4 Less partnered with Cancun Transfers for the airport transfer arrangements for our guests. They offer competitive rates for individuals, small groups and large groups. The shuttle service was private so our guests weren’t grouped with guests needing to be dropped off at different hotels. It was easy for folks to modify their reservations easily online. They were much better and more affordable than taking a cab from the airport. Excursions: Edventure Tours and H2Oh Sun Cruises We offered our guests optional group excursions the two days before our wedding. We offered a tour of the Tulum ruins and a cenote swim/snorkel on both days through Edventure Tours. On the day before the wedding, we offered a private yacht tour out of Puerto Aventuras through H2Oh Sun Cruises. Both excursions were a hit. While my husband and I didn’t accompany our guests who went to Tulum, our guests raved about the trip and they loved the tour guides, especially Kique. Bonnie handled the reservations for our guests. She provided me with regular updates of who signed up. Very responsive. I enjoyed working with her. Folks were picked up from our hotel at 8 am and taken to the ruins. This allowed our guests to beat the heat and the crowds. The excursion included a guided tour of the ruins. Then folks had the option to either return to the hotel or stay and drive a Polaris to Edventure’s private cenote. Our guests loved this. They could either swim or snorkel, and Edventure provided a tasty Mexican lunch. All of this for a very reasonable price. My husband and I booked the trip with Edventure after our wedding, so we experienced how great they were. We worked with Ed and Dan. Both were very friendly and provided excellent service. I highly recommend them. For our other excursion, we hired H2Oh Sun Cruises for a four-hour private cruise on the Riviera Maya. Everyone LOVED this excursion and the folks at H2Oh Sun Cruises. It was so easy to work with them (booking the boat, setting up the online payment system, making some changes, and helping us on the boat). Mack, the owner, was with us. He and his staff were absolutely wonderful. They were so organized and provided great service giving our guests welcome drinks before they boarded, taking photos during the cruise, and serving drinks a delicious Mexican lunch on the boat. Plus, we trolled for fish, and we stopped along the tour so folks could snorkel. Our guests saw a sea turtle and sting rays. On the boat, Mack has a fantastic karaoke system so our guests loved this as well. Then there was also the opportunity to dive off a 30-foot platform from the boat. It was awesome. This made for some of the best memories from the wedding weekend. --------- We had a fantastic team that created the best week of our lives. I am so thankful for each and every person we worked with, and I’m here to help future couples so you can have a truly magical time as well! Best of luck with the planning. Have fun and don’t stress too much cuz everything will work out as long as you don’t sweat the small stuff and can relax and appreciate being in a special place with your closest friends and family Sending you all much love for your destination wedding!
