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Hey all! This is my first time posting on this board and I am planning on a 2017 Carnival Cruise Wedding. I really like the low stress idea, where there's no having to deal with clean up or set up, its just one big party! I am nervous about how everyone else will react to the news, my mom and sister love the idea but I don't want the rest of my family to roll their eyes and say ' we have to PAY to come to your wedding?'. How did your families react when you told them the news? Did you get any bad reactions?
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When you have a multi-generation group of guests attending your destination wedding, finding the perfect resort that works for families with small children and also provides the serenity of an adults-only section for your adult guests can be a difficult task. Here are some resorts that are adjacent to each other and share privileges for the adult guests or properties that provide both a family-friendly section and adults-only section to ensure that you and your guests needs are well taken care off no matter what the age gap may be. 1. Now Amber & Secrets Vallarta Bay in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 2. Hotel Xcaret Mexico in Riviera Maya, Mexico 3. Now Onyx in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 4. Dreams Tulum in Tulum, Mexico 5. Secrets Playa Mujeres and Dreams Playa Mujeres in Playa Mujeres, Mexico 6. Generations, El Dorado Casitas Royale, and El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya, Mexico 7. Royalton Punta Cana and Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 8. Paradisus Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 9. Paradisus Palma Real in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 10. Sandos Playacar in Playacar, Mexico What is your favorite multi-generation resort or property? Do you want more information on any of the above resorts or others that might suit your destination wedding needs? Contact Wright Travel Agency at: www.wrighttravelagency.com or you can contact them HERE! -
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! -
Kerala is full of diverse tradition and culture. The three major communities in Kerala are Christians, Hindus and Muslims. Christians of Kerala have immersed themselves into the customs and practices of other two communities in Kerala, the Hindu and Muslim which blend to form a truly special wedding ceremony. Taking a look at the wedding attires and the bridal jewelry the Indian Christian weddings are quite distinct from what we imagine. The major wedding ceremonies in a Kerala Christian wedding: Matchmaking Marriages are considered the union of two people predestined by God. The initial proposal of the marriage begins from the brides sides through elders, relatives or with the help of brokers. Once both the families are fully convinced and satisfied about the family status and background, then they proceed to fix a date for the engagement or manassammatham and wedding day after the Kerala is full of diverse tradition and culture. The three major communities in Kerala are Christians, Hindus and Muslims. Christians of Kerala have immersed themselves into the customs and practices of other two communities in Kerala, the Hindu and Muslim which blend to form a truly special wedding ceremony. Taking a look at the wedding attires and the bridal jewelry the Indian Christian weddings are quite distinct from what we imagine. The major wedding ceremonies in a Kerala Christian wedding: Matchmaking Marriages are considered the union of two people predestined by God. The initial proposal of the marriage begins from the brides sides through elders, relatives or with the help of brokers. Once both the families are fully convinced and satisfied about the family status and background, then they proceed to fix a date for the engagement or manassammatham and wedding day after the male members from the groom’s side of the family goes to the bride’s home for fixing the wedding also known as kalyanamuraappeeru. Pre- Wedding Rituals Betrothal or the Manassammatham After the date for the wedding is fixed the next function is the betrothal or the manassammatham. Generally, the engagement ceremony takes place in girl’s home. Both the bride and groom show their willingness to marry in front of the church and their relatives. Betrothal is usually done as a small marriage function itself. The groom and his family members reach the bride’s parish along with the letter from their priest. All family members attend this ceremony and give their blessings to bride and groom for their married life and future. Announcement of Marriage via Church - Kalyanam Vilichu Chollal After the betrothal function, the marriage acceptance of both the bride and groom are announced to the public during Sunday Mass. Wedding Eve Madhuram Veppu The day before the wedding is filled with a number of ceremonies and rituals which follow the customs of Christian marriages. Night before the marriage, at the brides and grooms house, the Madhuram Veppu is conducted. The bride /groom is placed in a special seat and then the prayers are done and the uncle of the bride/groom will ask to the group of close relatives, whether he shall give the bride/groom the sweet, It will be asked three times and then sweet is given to the bride/groom. Wedding Day On the wedding day, the bride and the groom set off from their home after offering prayers. Marriage is usually conducted by the groom’s party, at their parish. The marriage is done along with the holy mass. The marriage is blessed in the middle of the holy mass, by the priest. One of the most imperative rituals in a Kerala Christian Wedding is Minnukettu. The bride ties a thaali on her neck. It is hanged on a string which is made from the seven threads that are taken from mantrakodi. Later, this string is replaced by a gold chain. At the end of this wedding ceremony, the couple signs their names in the register along with two witness’s signatures. With the end of the marriage functions at the church, the bride changes her costume to wear the mantrakodi. More about Kerala weddings visit- https://fonixeventmanagementcompany.blogspot.in/ -
I’m new here but was googling for some insight and came across this site. Couldn’t quite find a scenario like mine (not surprising) so figured I would ask my own question for some outside input as I’m stuck rumaging through my brain right now. There’s too much background info to get into, but basically my mother has been a functioning/nonfunctioning alcoholic and narcissist my entire life. I love her to death but there’s always been a strain on our relationship and I’ve felt like I’ve had to “watch out” for her, especially the last 5 or so years (I’m 26). She has a pretty intense personality without alcohol, but she often becomes belligerent and verbally abusive when she comes in contact with any amount of alcohol. Change pages to my fiance- he’s an amazing partner and father to my 7yo son. He comes from an Asian (Indian) family, and he showcases many of their values- education, etiquette, order, and most importantly- respect. We’ve been together a little over 2 years now and are getting married later this year. He had a few brief encounters with my mom that were decent, but other than that he only experienced her through what I shared with him of our relationship- until this weekend. We moved across country 4 months ago and she just came to visit. She seemed to be doing well in life and told me she had not been drinking for a long time, and I SURELY didn’t think she would drink as she hadn’t seen us in months and would only be here for a few days. Well, I was wrong. Things were fantastic all the way up until the last day- in which she snuck and drank while my fiance and I were at work and our son was at school. He got home first and before I got there she had made more than one very disrespectful comment about him, including referencing him being a terrorist and comparing his family to The Jungle Book. IT WAS HORRIFYING. When I finally got here, she blew up and was full blown screaming and saying mean things to us all. Terrible is an understatement. I had her leave earlier than expected, and I’m still dealing with the aftermath. My fiance had never been exposed to anything like that and was distraught. He’s refusing to ever have anything else to do with her and saying she’s never welcome in our home. It’s sad that I’m a bit numb to it, but I respect his wishes as I can’t imagine anyone let alone his parents ever treating me that way. SO…with all that being said- here’s my concern: we will be having our wedding at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, meaning alcohol EVERYWHERE. I was really believing (false hope) nothing would happen when she visited here, but apparently I was wrong. I’m concerned, and my fiance is even MORE concerned, that something will happen during the 4-day event with all his family there. I seriously can’t imagine my wedding day without her and I know I’d regret her not being there, but I am at a lost for other options about what to do for this huge life event (not to mention my marriage and my relationship with her moving forward). Any and all input is appreciated!
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Hello! My name is Kimmie, and I work for Discovery Studios - the in-house production company for Discovery Communications. We are making a pilot with a wedding planner duo, and are looking to connect with brides who would be interested in FREE day-of coordination! We are looking to film from April 11th-April 17th and April 25th-April 30th, 2017. If your wedding in those dates and you would be interested in the free coordination, please email [email protected] or call 323-308-3751.
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After traveling to several countries and numerous resorts and hotels throughout the world, I've come to realize that what sets apart good resorts from excellent ones is customer service and guest experience. And these aspects truly made me appreciate and enjoy my weeklong stay at Azul Beach Hotel in Puerto Morelos, Mexico this past year because the customer service and guest experience here were second to none. From the moment we stepped foot on the resort grounds, we were welcomed by friendly faces who always went out of their way to ensure that all our needs and any special requests were taken care of. Whenever we were in communication with the front desk or concierge, we were always greeted warmly and our questions or requests were quickly addressed. Room service even happily arranged for a glass of milk to be delivered to our room every night for our 2-year-old little girl before she went to bed. And whenever we needed anything in our room, it was delivered promptly. I cannot say enough about the front desk staff and concierge -- they are always willing to help when they can. The Vassa Spa is another area of the resort where customer service really shines, the spa staff is completely focused on giving you a relaxing experience highlighted by top notch service from beginning to end. Scheduling an appointment at the spa is simple and easy and you will feel all your stresses melt away the minute you walk through the spa doors. But the guests experience doesn't just end there -- you are greeted with the same professionalism in all of the hotel's eateries as well. The hostesses are all very warm and welcoming and before you dine, they always ask for any allergies they need to be aware of. And I cannot say enough about the servers in each of the restaurants, all of whom were extremely friendly and attentive. Because our toddler would take naps in the late afternoon after spending hours at the beach or pool, my family and I often dined late for dinner. And while we were often the last guests left in the restaurants, we were never rushed or felt pressured to dine quickly. Our servers encouraged us to enjoy every part of our meal and always suggested dessert or coffee to wrap up our meals no matter how late it was! Having a wonderful dinner experience was always such a nice way to end our day. Another aspect that I really enjoyed at Azul Beach was the staff's focus on ensuring that families with children were well taken care of. Traveling and vacationing with young children can be so intimidating and stressful, but at Azul Beach, they go out of their way to make sure children's needs are met -- be it with an expansive kids menu at all the eateries, the many kids amenities in the rooms (bath robes, slippers, toys, crib, stroller, etc.) and throughout the resort (the kids pool, kids lounge chairs, toys on the beach, the kids club, etc.). The staff is there not only to serve the needs of adults, but that of their youngest guests as well! When you visit Azul Beach Hotel it feels like home. And before your stay even ends, you'll find yourself already looking forward to the next visit! To find out more about staying at Azul Beach Hotel in Riviera Maya, Mexico, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. 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. -
5 Reasons Why Villas are Perfect for Family/Group Trips
MarieSamSanchezPhoto posted a article in Planning
Traveling with groups of family or friends can be quite challenging for several reasons. Besides the obvious intricacies of air/road travel in a large pack, finding a hotel or resort that can accommodate a large group while keeping everyone close to each other can be a real nightmare. So when it comes to group-style vacations, why not have everyone under one roof via Villa vacationing to help simplify things? Villa-style vacationing is becoming a quite popular trend for those with large families or traveling in groups. Here are five reasons why villas are ideal for family/group trips: 1) Your group will have complete privacy. At your villa, you don't have to worry about loud neighbors, making too much noise that might disturb your neighbors or having to plan gatherings when the grounds are not too crowded. Villa vacationing means your group will have the ability to enjoy your private space from morning till night without having to worry about other guests. If your villa comes with a pool, there's no need to worry about other guests crowding the pool space because it's all yours! A villa not only serves as your vacation hub, it's more like a vacation home giving you all the amenities and space you need for a relaxing stay. 2) It can be affordable when split between different parties and the perks make it worth it. Although pricing for villa vacations can often seem intimidating, when splitting the costs amongst your group, a luxury stay at a villa can be quite affordable. The perks of staying at a private villa also make the costs worthwhile for several reasons: open access to the amenities (pool, spa, pool tables, lounge furniture), homestyle comfort and a spacious living areas you simply don't get in a resort room or suite, ability to host gatherings for your large group on your own timeline. Villas also often come with kitchens so you can dine at home if you'd like, also cutting costs. 3) The Villa serves as the hub. There's no need to plan to meet anywhere or schedule a time slot where you group can gather, because your villa can serve as the hub for your group making outings or special activities much easier to plan. Want to plan a special meal for your group -- why not do it right on your villa property? Your villa gives you the space you need for any occasion. 4) You can still have a sense of privacy amongst your group. Villa vacationing doesn't always necessarily mean you'll be on top of one another -- there are spacious villas that will still give each family in your group the privacy they need on their own. For instance, the gorgeous Villa Carola by Karisma at Azul Beach offers separate entry ways for the first floor and second floor units -- yet both are on the same grounds and share the same pool, but each story has their own living room space giving each the privacy they need. And with six bedrooms and bathrooms, you can easily accommodate up to 12 adults and 8 children. 5) Builds camaraderie in your group. Sharing the same roof will not only give you a sense of togetherness, it also gives you more opportunity to create more memories together! Villa vacationing is perfect for groups especially large families -- how happy are kids when they know they can hang out with their favorite cousins from morning till night? Villa vacationing is truly the perfect option for families who want to spend time together and share a vacation experience they'll never forget! To find out more about villa options at your ideal destination location, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. 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. -
Weddings are full of touching and heartfelt times to share with the one you love as well as friends and family. They are especially moving when they involve different cultures and backgrounds. Here are some of the suggestions we have for planning a multi-cultural wedding full of inspirational traditions that will bring together cultures, backgrounds and religions into a party that is sure to be loved by all! Celebrate Diversity! Enjoy this time of planning! Work together to combine traditions in a diverse celebration that will be uniquely yours! Sharing your culture with your partner, understanding together and appreciating the different customs will give you a great start to a long and happy relationship together! 1.Be Daring with a Fashionable Fusion We hosted a Hindu wedding for a couple and the celebration lasted 3 days!!! We loved the professional henna artwork that the bride and her entire family wore on their hands and feet. In the Hindu culture, it is believed that henna enhances the beauty of the bride – and we definitely agree! 2.Wedding Party Customs Bring together traditions from each background for the wedding party. You can add small symbols that represent each culture on the bouquet or the boutonniere. Or have the wedding party arrive in a traditional fashion. In the Hindu wedding, the groom arrived to the wedding with his family and closest friends in an incredible parade that included traditional singing and dancing. The entrance represented the happiness the groom and his family felt toward the new bride. 3. Blending Ceremonial Traditions In Jewish weddings, the couple breaks a glass together to be reminded of the fragility of relationships. In the Filipino culture, they include a money dance. At our Hindu favorite, they included a Ganesh Puja ritual for good luck. Ganesh represented the destruction of all obstacles. It may not be feasible to include ALL of the traditions of both the bride’s culture and the groom’s culture – but pick the traditions that will be the most meaningful and respectful to you and your family. Most of all – have fun while you plan! Check out the images above for more ideas and inspiration! On Trend: Reciting Your Vows in a Different Language We have seen this displayed in two ways. One: recite the vows to you beloved in your first language. There’s something so special about saying your vows in the language of your heart and mind. You could also change it up and read the vows to your spouse in his/her language – this version takes a lot more practice! Tell Us: What is the most memorable tradition you have seen at a multi-cultural wedding?
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Azul Beach Hotel in Cancun-Riviera Maya is known for its family-friendly setting, and through the resort's Nickelodeon Experience, parents and their children can enjoy the ultimate family vacation. One of the hotel's most popular activities is the Nickelodeon sliming -- an experience your kids will soon not forget. Through the concierge, your family can schedule a private sliming -- what is this you ask? Just one of the coolest activities that kids love where you can get slimed with Nickelodeon's famous green goo! Sliming is a ritual enjoyed by the likes of celebrities like Justin Timberlake, Will Smith, Katy Perry and Kobe Bryant. So children of all ages will love to be added to that list of honor! And when the resort's Nickelodeon crew arrives for your private sliming, they'll also make it fun with a dance performance to start leading up to the moment. Sliming includes up to 4 people with a private photographer for a fee of $98. To find out more about scheduling a private sliming during your stay at Azul Beach Hotel, click here. For more information about Azul Beach Hotel, or to book your stay at this family-friendly resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. 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. -
While Azul Beach Hotel in Cancun-Riviera Maya makes sure its youngest guests are well taken care of with special kids' menus throughout all of the resort's restaurants, the hotel also goes out of its way to create a fun dining experience for families with children through their character breakfast. Guests can start off their day by enjoying a delicious breakfast alongside SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer or the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at the seaside eatery Chil. Families will not only get to enjoy an exclusive dining experience, they'll also get to meet and take pictures with the featured characters, who do their best to entertain diners. The morning we woke up for our early morning reservation, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy the character breakfast, but seeing my little one's face light up when she was presented with a table full of colorful and delicious breakfast bites was totally worth it. And when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles appeared during our breakfast to entertain us while we dined, it solidified just how cool this experience is for families with children. Our freshly prepared breakfast was excellent, all the kids present had fun and dining with a picture-perfect view of the sparkling ocean is truly a great way to start off your day! The character breakfast at Azul Beach Hotel is priced at $29 for adults and $17 for children. To find out more information about booking a character breakfast during your vacation stay, click here. For more information about Azul Beach Hotel, or to book your stay at this family-friendly resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. 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. -
After spending eight blissful days at Azul Beach Hotel in Cancun-Riviera Maya this past spring, I am completely convinced that this beautiful all-inclusive resort is the perfect place for a family vacation. Here are five reasons why Azul Beach Hotel is perfect for families looking to get away. 1. Both adult and children have a lot of great options for entertainment. When it comes to the kids, rest assure they will have plenty to keep them busy at Azul Beach. The resort's Nickelodeon Kids Club will keep kids thoroughly entertained be it by the plethora of toys and books or indoor playground, or the fun activities and crafts offered by the kids club staff. Families can also partake in the Nickelodeon breakfast (tickets must be purchased in advance to attend) or perhaps even plan to get slimed Nickelodeon style! Besides the special kids pool and lounge chairs on the south end of the resort, Azul Beach also offers beach toys and games for families to enjoy, including all non-motorized water sports such as kayaks, hobie cat and stand up paddle boards. And after a long day at the beach, there's live entertainment for kids. Think of it as a rave for kids with Spongebob leading the party There are also tons of classes offered throughout the week such as salsa or merengue, yoga, cooking or even Spanish lessons. An activities program is updated weekly for all guests. But Azul Beach isn't just a great getaway for kids, adults have plenty to enjoy at night as well! Live music can be found at the popular Aquanox Bar, where you can indulge in your favorite cocktails and hear the ocean waves nearby. But if you're looking for more once the kids call it a night, check out the Agavero Lounge where you can get a real taste of Mexican tequila! 2. All the restaurants provide expansive menus that also cater to children. Azul Beach's gourmet all-inclusive offerings will have both adults and children looking forward to each meal. Each restaurant on site takes special care to note of any allergies or specific food requirements of its guests while still offering a plentiful menu or incredible options. There is a special kids menu at each eatery full of choices that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. High-chairs are also available throughout the resort for those dining with small children. 3. There are family comforts for everyone. What I really loved about Azul Beach is that they really try to accommodate the needs of all their guests, including small children. Families with small children can have their rooms equipped with a crib, bottle warmer, stroller, stuffed animals, changing table, bath toys, and other necessities for their child. The resort also offers small robes and slippers for kids so they too can feel like they're relaxing in paradise. It's little touches like these that really set this hotel apart in terms of customer service and guests satisfaction. 4. The resort promotes pure relaxation for the whole family. The resort's Vassa Spa doesn't just cater to adults, they also offer spa services for children ages 5 to 17. And if you're looking for more fun in the sun, take a dip in one of the resort's many pools or just sit in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. You can also take a relaxing snooze on one of the king-sized beach beds lined along the shore. If working out is your way of destressing, check out the hotel's Fitness Center, which is equipped with modern and comfortable gym equipment and air conditioning along with flat screen televisions. 5. The concierge can help you with off-site tours and excursions. If you're looking to explore the area outside the hotel grounds a bit more, the hotel concierge can help arrange tours or transportation for you and your family. They'll also give you suggestions on what's best for groups traveling with children of all ages (my personal favorites are: visiting Xel-Ha or Xcaret nature parks, beach-hopping and snorkeling, going on a Camel Safari at Maroma Beach, visiting the incredible Mayan ruins, or taking a stroll through Cancun or Playa del Carmen). Rest assure, if you're in need of tips and ideas on things your family might enjoy -- your personal concierge will provide you with plenty of ideas. For more information about Azul Beach Hotel, or to book your stay at this family-friendly resort, contact one of the Best Destination Wedding travel agents who specialize in destination wedding and honeymoon travel. 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. -
Hello Ladies, I'm a newbie here and I need some help. I am planning a wedding for October/November 2017 for around 80 people. Could be more could be less. First of all half of these guests are actually from Puerto Vallarta part of the decision to hold our wedding their in the first place. 2nd of all I have a relatively small budget considering I have so many guests. I'm thinking our budget anywhere from 8,000 to 9,000 dollars.(Also FYI I don't know anything about weddings and only what I've read on some other posts) Does anyone think this can be done or should I cut my losses and decide to do it elsewhere. I don't need luxury I just want a beautiful wedding like any other lady here. And if anyone thinks it can be done can anyone point me to Venue's or places to look into. I don't mind if it's off the beaten path and actually would prefer it. Any suggestions?, or am I out of luck? -
"Daddy...outside." As my 20 month old baby girl, Brooklyn, patted her eager little hand on our hotel room door, these are the words she excitedly uttered. Mommy had departed early for morning meetings and it was just my peanut companion and I, left to our own devices to explore and enjoy the Sunrise section of Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort. My bubbly, curly haired partner and I put on our swimsuits and headed out into the warm Cancun sun. As we headed poolside, my miniature sidekick quickly let me know where she wanted to stop first. "I hungy, daddy", reassured me that making the Palapa Barracuda our first stop for lunch was not a mistake. After feasting on fresh melt in your mouth grilled fish, crispy chicken fingers, perfectly marinated arrachera and various other scrumptious fare, we decided to head to the Piscina de Ninos (the kid's pool), but not before we were distracted by the screams of excitement coming from boogie boarders and body surfers at the La Terraza Flowrider. The great thing about Moon Palace is that it keeps kids of all ages entertained. The Flowrider in particular is a fun wave pool that the older kids love because it's both challenging and fun. After finally making our way to the Kids Pool, lil Brooklyn approached the colorful crocodile and frog water slides with a look of wonder on her tiny face. Her saucer sized eyes scanned the pool from the castle complete with functioning water cannons to the water bucket suspended above a slide being filled with water and dumped every so often onto ecstatic children eagerly anticipating the shower below. She was anxious and apprehensive, but the energetic sounds of kids frolicking about in the knee high deep water was all she needed to make the courageous entrance into the kiddie pool. The fact that Moon Palace provides kids with their own pool section is great for parents who want to ensure their kids are in a safe environment when it comes to enjoying the water. Plus the kids pool is large and spacious enough to give the little ones enough room to play without feeling too far away from mom and dad. An hour later, Brooklyn was rotating between sipping her first ever virgin strawberry daiquiri, splashing the cool, crystal clear pool water over her head and venturing down the crocodile and frog water slides. My once timid little girl was in love with the kiddie pool and her frozen drink treat was just the icing on the cake. Brooklyn was equally impressed with the Playroom and children's fun zone which is designed for providing kids with the ultimate fun experience. From an incredible playground structure equipped with winding slides, tubes and the genuine look and feel of a real 4 story pirate ship to a massive indoor play area with video games, carousels, fashion room, beauty salon and dollhouse area. Getting Brooklyn to leave was almost like pulling teeth as her attention was completely taken by the laundry list of activities offered including Jenga and Xbox tournaments, balloon sculpting, cooking, pinata making and mask making classes. The plethora of exciting activities will surely keep any kid enthralled for hours on end. Luckily, my ace in the hole to lure my lil kiddo away from the endless fun was the poolside personal pizza oven and the mouth watering selection of ice cream delights at the 24 hour ice cream bar. It was the perfect way to end a fun filled day of activities, swimming, eating and drinking for my sidekick and I. The only thing left to do was to return to our spacious and AC chilled hotel room and rest our weary bodies with a nice afternoon nap. My tiny bambino gladly closed her eyes, with her tummy full of ice cream, and a wide smile on her face. "I love this place" is what I believe went through the mind of our 20-month-old when we walked the beautiful expansive grounds of the Moon Palace Resort. Spending the day with my little one on the Moon Palace grounds, while Mommy was busy with work, gave me the chance to make awesome memories with my daughter that I'll remember for a lifetime. Moon Palace is the perfect place for families looking for a relaxing getaway with top notch accommodations and amenities to keep both adults and children happy and busy. -
Hello everyone I may be the only groom on this site - I am away at sea with the Canadian Navy and my wife-to-be is busy with our son so I thought I'd do a little research. We live in Halifax, but have guests coming from Toronto, Ottawa, Winnepeg and of course Halifax. We have a 2 year old son (3 at the time of travel) and may of our guests have chlildren ages 2-10 so we would like something fun for them. We want our wedding to be something our son thinks of (at least for a while since he will be 3) and remembers as a really fun experience. We have decided a little kids water park is a must. Our options so far: Grand Bahia Principe Coba/Tulum Grand Bahia Principe Torquesa Memories Splash Punta Cana Barcelo Maya Colonial *Moon Palace and Iberostar Cancun* I star the last two off because although we adore them they are much outside our guests price range - if we go to expensive our son will be the only kid their and then it isnt really worth it to be so extravagent for kids. We have been working with a TA for 2 months now and things have started to go smoother but she is on a trip to the Rockies and then RIviera Maya (not any resorts we want though) and hasnt been responding - she did say that would happen though. Our budget for guests was approx 1600 and although some already fit that bill - we are still having trouble deciding (the more expensive ones always seem nicer) We want to book Barcelo but it is 1800 and our hoping our one time price adjustment plus the free adults( every 8th form our TA) can bring the price down but we dont want to rely on the price adjustment - i know we are going in the high season but from Halifax there isnt much other options and it is the day we started dating so we wanted to keep it an ongoing anniversary. Any help please.... Groom in need here... -
Hi everyone! We are planning a DW in Tuscany and things are getting a bit out of hand. I want to keep the list to 30-40, but FH is having issues with excluding friends and family. We have went through several rounds of elimination and can't seem to get the list below 150 Any suggestions for trimming back? Thanks! -N
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Hi, my husband and I will be together 15yrs in July and are looking to renew our vows. We came to a conclusion that it would be more sentimental if we took our 3 teens with us on a destination vacation/wedding trip. I have no idea where to start or what to look for, any suggestions would greatly appreciated.
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Hi Ladies! I really need to vent, and if anyone will understand it will be you. I don't even have to say this, we all know that when it comes to destination weddings, some people will be there and book without hesitation, some will say yes and not book, and some will not be able to attend. What I'm finding extremely difficult to process and understand is the complete lack of communication and respect my own family and "close" friends have for me and my fiancé. We get a group rate and reserve seats, give months of advance warning and in every reminder email I have sent I have expressed that they are more than welcome to make their own accommodations, however they may not get the same price or the hotel may not have room for them when they do decide to book. My booking deadline is next week. I have 6 people who have guaranteed me they will book by this date. One of my friends texted me to let me know she's booking on Saturday, she obviously didn't read the last email I sent where I let everyone know the agency is closed on weekends, it's no problem, she can call Monday, but then I thought, shoot - maybe I should let the others know. So I text one of my "close" girlfriends, she then asks me "do we have to pay by October? because I can't". No problem, you don't have to but there is a early booking bonus included in my rate and you will have to pay that if you miss the deadline and told her to feel free to look into other options. She then says "Your wedding is in April LOL, I don't get why we have to pay so early, I travel to resorts quite a bit and they're never sold out in April". Trying not to be rude I let her know that I am not psychic and have no way of knowing if the price will go up or down, and if the resort will sell out or not, all I did was negotiate a group rate and reserved some seats so my closest family and friends can hold their spot. My fiancé has worked in travel all his life, we did a lot of research before choosing this resort and date. The final straw of this conversation: I tell her, I get it, it is an expense and Colin and I need to have our payment in by October too. She says: Oh, you guys have to pay? I just thought you were trying to get a certain amount of people to book so you could get a free trip. It made me feel like I'm being perceived as a scammer and I should not feel like this when I'm trying to plan my wedding. Yes, sometimes we get incentives on trips if a certain number of people book, but if she was such a close friend she would have talked to me about how my wedding plans are going so far and realized I am no where near even getting one comp ticket. It doesn't matter to me, we are getting married, it's an expense, a comp would be a bonus but that's not the reason I arranged a group rate. I let her know that when we looked at this resort for 2015 a couple weeks before our dates it was sold out so she can take her chances, we ended the conversation by her patronizing me "Oh really? I've never seen that, must have been spring breakers. Woooo" And we agreed for her to look into other options. I'm at the point right now where I don't care. Do what you want. The other shocker in my current situation is my Dad's side of the family. He has 5 siblings, they all have kids and some of them have kids. I have always been close with them, they know my dad and I have always had a great relationship especially through my parents divorce and we have always stayed in contact. My Dad will be the only one from his side at my wedding. I understand not being able to afford it, and that is completely okay, but when my cousin got married in Nova Scotia, they all went. Another just got engaged that lives there and I'm sure they will all go. Some are even going down this summer. When I was trying to collect their addresses for my invites it was so difficult, then I send the invitations and I don't even get a reply, nothing to even say they can't make it. This really upsets my Dad, so he who is scared to even use a computer posted a FACEBOOK message to his family. No one responded. So now he's calling everyone individually, and as the declines roll in, I'm not upset, I'm upset with those family members who my dad has spoken to and they still haven't contacted me, and those family members who he is chasing down, he shouldn't have to chase them down. He had planned to share a room with one of my cousins, my cousin has ignored every phone call from him, every message from me, but told other family members that he can't commit right now and will probably book later. Why couldn't he tell one of us that? My dad was left to find someone to share a room with and luckily a friend of mine from elementary school needed a room-mate. It makes my Dad really upset, which is not fair to him. Trying not to let it bother me and focus on the fact that we have 32 of our closest family and friends from Canada and the UK with their deposits down. That is more than I could ever ask for. Thanks for letting me rant
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Whether you have children of your own or your guests have children, traveling with kids can be a stressful and exhausting process if you're not fully prepared. Taking a trip with children -- especially by air -- can make the start of your destination wedding experience a complete disaster, but these simple tips can help avert the stress and get your festivities started on the right foot. 1) Don't Be So Quick to Take a Red-Eye Flight. I learned this the hard way -- the long exhausting hard way. We recently assumed because our 21-month-old was such a good sleeper it would only be natural to take a red-eye flight because of course she'd just sleep through the whole flight to Cancun. Well guess what? She didn't, not even a little bit. I don't know if it was the excitement of being on a plane or the woman who kept flipping her light on and off in front of us, but our toddler was overstimulated by the environment and experiencing extreme exhaustion which of course leads to = cranky kid. To top it off my husband and I assumed because our baby would be so tired and sleep through most of the flight we could pull an all-nighter the night before and just sleep on the plane. Well guess what, she didn't sleep on the plane and neither did we! I cannot tell you how elated we were to finally land in Mexico because it meant we were one step closer to checking into our hotel room and taking a nap. So before you decide that a red-eye flight is the way to go if you're traveling with kids, be prepared for your kids to have an opposite reaction and don't be surprised if neither of you get any sleep. You also have to consider that the rest of the plane will be expecting some quiet time during an overnight flight, so if you've got a high-energy child who loves to sing out loud (yes we have one of those), your sleepy seatmates may not be so happy about the in-air concert courtesy of your sweet kid 2) Have an Entertainment Pack Ready. This goes for parents traveling via air, train, water or ground. Make sure you're equipped with a bag full of goodies to keep your kid occupied and busy. That means having books, coloring books, crayons, stickers, flashcards, etc. by your side. The bright side to our red-eye flight disaster to Mexico is that when we went back home to California, we took an afternoon flight and our toddler was perfectly happy throughout because she was knee deep in her coloring books and stickers. She was happy as a clam and this reduced our stress levels by a ton! 3) Bring an iPad or Tablet. If you're OK with letting your child use electronics, then make sure you don't forget your tablet or iPad when you're traveling. I cannot tell you how much easier this makes our trips when our toddler can watch one of her favorite nursery rhyme videos. And don't forget, to download videos onto your device before your trip because a good WiFi connection can be hard to come by when you're on the road. 4) Carry a Diaper Bag with Extras. This goes without saying, but just in case, don't forget to have a diaper bag and extra clothes within an arm's reach when you're traveling. Temperatures on a plane can vary so be ready to either take layers off or add them on. And of course, you never want to be stuck without an extra diaper or extra outfit if your child has leaky diaper or an accident. 5) Travel with Snacks/Food. Don't rely on food on the road, especially if your child is a picky eater. Better to have at least small snacks at hand or pack simple meals like sandwiches. A hungry kid is an unhappy kid. Fruit snacks and granola bars or even pieces of fruit can go a long way on keeping your kiddo happy and content as you make your trek. 6) Travel with medications. If your child is on any special medication, you obviously need to make sure to pack it. But packing general over-the-counter medications is also a good idea. Be it cold medicine, fever/pain medication or cough drops (for the older kids), having these things handy is a good safety precaution in case your child feels under the weather. And DON'T FORGET! You have to make the trip back home, so consider all of these things both going to and coming home from your destination! - - - 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. I am also the proud mother to two girls -- a 20-year-old and a 21-month-old -
They say you can never truly thank you parents for all they've done for you throughout the years, but on your Wedding Day -- when you officially "leave the nest," and begin your life with someone else -- you can sure try to express your thanks with a special gift they will love. Here are a few gift ideas to give mom and dad on your Wedding Day: Frame one of their old Wedding photos: Celebrate their love by preserving one of their own Wedding Day photos in a beautiful frame. A Wedding Day parent album: Cherish the memories from your Wedding Day by creating a parent album just for mom and dad. They will love being able to remember the special moments of your Big Day with a beautifully put together album. You can either create one on your own or ask your photographer if he/she offers parent albums -- chances are, it's an option and it's always better leaving it to the professionals. A special slideshow: Old photos and video clips set to music is sure to set the tone for tears of joy and laughter. Your parents will love taking a trip down memory lane with a visual display of your life and family through the years. A special toast: Declaring your love and thanks to your parents is always appreciated. Take a minute or two to thank them publicly for all their love and support, hearing "thank you," will never get old. A special trip or getaway: If you've got a bigger budget to work with, send your parents on a weekend getaway. They'll appreciate the time away to relax and make more memories together! A gift certificate to a favorite restaurant or fun excursion: Who doesn't love the gift of delicious food? Get them a giftcard to their favorite restaurant, or maybe a giftcard to use toward an excursion -- the movies, the theater, a museum, a winery tour, etc. Give them the freedom to enjoy a fun outing together. - - - 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. -
As a little girl I grew up with the traditional notion that my Dad would walk me down the aisle on my Wedding Day. But in reality it ended up both my parents that stood by my side as I took that last walk as a single woman. And honestly, I wouldn't have had it any other way. If you haven't already learned by now, being a destination bride means the concept of "tradition" kind of goes out the door and you should wholeheartedly embrace that! Walking down the aisle with both of your parents creates such a special moment that you will always get to share with the two people who brought you into this world, and it also gives way for beautiful imagery filled with lots of emotion. So if you plan to have both mom and dad walk you down the aisle, here are a few important things to keep in mind: Make sure your wedding aisle is suitable for three people to walk down side-by-side together. Make sure to practice with both your parents by your side during your Wedding Ceremony rehearsal Make sure you give your photographer a heads up that you will have both your parents by your side. Your photographer will appreciate being able to plan for this moment ahead of time to ensure he/she is standing in the best location to get the perfect angle. - - - 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. -
My fiancé and I currently have a 5 month old who was born at 28 weeks, at this time planning a big wedding at home is just too much on our plates so a destination wedding sounds great. My fiance wants somewhere that our son can go. We just got the green light from the Dr. that the trip will be okay, with some precautions. Has anyone had any issues with bringing a small child along? Any modifications they made to the wedding or reception? Did they bring a nanny or use family to help? We have been working out the details with coordinator at Now Larmier for late May, but still open to ideas if anyone has suggestions for a resort that would be better for working with us and our small child. Just want to get those little things sorted now so I can focus on the good stuff. =) -
Earlier last week we brought up the idea of a DW in Mexico 11-3-15 (the anniversary of our first kiss) with just close friends and family, and at first everyone was excited about it. I started looking at flights and hotels and got really into it. Just last night, my parents informed me that my grandparents would not be able to go due to age/uncomfortable with Mexico and my sisters who are in college might not be able to get out of school for a few days because it's on a Tuesday. So they kind of gave us an ultimatum: 1) have a wedding for all family and friends first prior to 11-3-15 and we go to Mexico for honeymoon instead (that they would pay for), 2) go to Mexico with a small group of people on 11-3-15 (which was to be expected) and parents/grandparents/sisters possibly not attend, 3) or they attend Mexico wedding but make us feel guilty for not allowing close family to participate. My fiancé and I thought of a different plan that might be more exciting, but I wanted some input: he and I go to Mexico alone and have our intimate ceremony on 11-3-15 and then return for a weekend wedding with our entire family in their hometown to avoid travel issues and possibly make everyone happy. Is it selfish to go off on our own to get the plan we wanted? We want to keep everyone happy, but didn't want it to be at the expense of ourselves. We didn't want to give up our entire plan just because we were given a guilt trip. I want to keep the significance of 11-3-15. You know, first kiss 11-3-13, first kiss as man and wife 11-3-15. Thoughts? Ideas? Please help! -
One of the reasons why we opted for a destination wedding is because we wanted our celebration to have an intimate feel, being surrounded by only our closest circle of family and friends. But like all weddings, both near or far, there were some loved ones who simply couldn't be there with us -- because they had already passed on. So when planning our wedding, I wanted to find a unique way to recognize these special people who could only be with us in spirit. After scouring through websites and photos for different ways to remember our loved ones, we decided to create a small reception table of framed photos of each person that was lit by candlelight and a sweet poem. I cannot tell you how many of our guests expressed how much they loved the idea. It was an easy, simple but beautiful tribute to our loved ones who we kept close to our hearts on our Wedding Day. Here's the poem we used: Always With Us Today we pause to reflect upon Those who have shaped our character, Molded our spirits and touched our hearts. May the lighting of these candles be a Reminder of the memories we have shared, A representation of the everlasting Impact you have had upon our lives. Although we can’t see you We know that you are here Smiling down and watching As we say “I Do” Forever in our hearts Forever in our lives Forever in our minds This is in loving memory of you… Did you do something special for the people who could only be there in spirit on your Wedding Day? Share your ideas with us in the comment section. - - - 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. -
Long story, short: My mom and sister are squabbling about Lord knows what... It has been an ongoing thing since DECEMBER. Anyway, my mother flew out this past week to visit the FI and I at our new home, as well as go to my dress fitting with me. Mom left Monday afternoon. I went to work on Tuesday and called her afterwards with the intent of getting a little reassurance about my wedding gown (at the fitting the seamstress made one of the layers a little too snug (or at least that is what she told me, maybe to make me feel better. who knows) and said she would let it out a little) - anyway, I am having several mini panics a day -- what if the gown is still too tight in Mexico because it is so flippin hot???, etc. But, moving on to my point... INSTEAD, she says to me, "your sister called me and the first thing she said was why are you whining to (pddcmc) about me not calling you back right away?" OK, WHAT? This irritated me quickly because: 1. she did not ask about the interaction I have had with my sister (if she had asked, she would have discovered that I simply sent my sister a text message stating, "Did you and mom ever catch up?" sister's response: "About what?", my response: "I don't know, she has said several times that she was waiting for you to call her because you told her not to call you again... that you were going to return her call when you had a moment.") Additionally, my sister has become notorious for not responding to people in a timely manner...so mom needs to get off her high horse and stop thinking it is a personal jab against her. 2. I have stayed out of their ongoing drama (refusing to hear any of it... again, for several reasons: 1. all three of us live in different states, 2. I am not a referee, and 3. they are adults - they can figure things out ---- OR SO I THOUGHT). 3. I just don't even have the energy to fit this uphill battle anymore. I am getting married in less than one month. I don't want to be stressed out over family drama or worrying about whether or not my family is going to ruin our wedding day, esp when I am worrying about finishing wedding stuff (alone) while the FI has several more out of state business trips before the wedding. 4. I LOVE my sister to death, but she has a BIG personality and tends to overshadow me sometimes, even though I am the eldest.... SO, I chose to write an email to both of them... I just hope I did the right thing and didn't make it worse...I posted the email below (I removed any personal details for safety reasons ) Dear Mom and Sissy, It has come to my attention that there is some ongoing discord between the two of you. I don't know if it is a misunderstanding, or something bigger than that. But, I am pleading with the both of you to work it out. I want nothing more than beautiful, happy memories of my wedding day with my husband, my family and friends, and my new family. It is important to me that you are both a part of this event, and that we are all getting along. With that being said, I do want to gently remind all of us that April 17th is about the union of (FI) and I's relationship, thus I kindly request that all positive attention be given to us. It is the one day that I am requesting this. I do not want to discuss other family members or friends, what may or may not being going on with other people, how much so-and-so wishes they could have attended the wedding, etc. I know this sounds like a harsh request, but honestly, this is what is expected at any wedding and I believe that I deserve this, so I am asking aloud. I seldom speak up for myself, but this is so important to me that I have decided to say these things. Thank you in advance for hearing me out and agreeing to this request. I know life happens and it is difficult for us (any of us) to get back to someone right away, but it is vital that we keep our relationship strong. Maybe instead of trying to call one another, maybe an email or some other means would work best? I don't know. All I know is that this family (mom, sissy, brother, and I) has been through a lot together, and we can't let little things get to us or threaten our relationship...and it seems like we all struggle with communication - whether it is actually reaching out, returning a call, or even putting into words what we actually mean rather than what we say. Please note that this email is not to either of you in particular, but a reminder for all of us to be gentle to one another and to try to see things my each other's point of view. Additionally, I want you both to understand how stressed out I am at the moment. On top of planning a wedding, (FI) and I moved 1000's of miles away from family and friends AND we both started new jobs 3 months before our wedding. However, I know all of it will be worth it. I cannot wait to stand before family and friends and become (FI)'s wife. He is a wonderful man and just, wow. Anyway, back to my main point, I am very stressed. (FI) just got back from a business trip to (out of state) and has to go on another out of state business trip this week and the next week...so I am pretty much finishing any last planning on my own. Not to mention that I have planned nearly this entire wedding myself (which is fine. I understand that everyone has their own things going on and that we moved) and dealt with all the ridiculous stress that goes with it -- finances and budget, guests lists, reservations, making everyone happy, etc. As for the last stressor - at my dress fitting, the seamstress made my dress too tight underneath the lace and I am terrified that it is going to be too snug in Mexico, especially with the humidity. What I am getting at is - I would really like to TRY to enjoy this last month, and I do not think it is fair that I am/may be constantly worrying about my family getting along at our wedding. So, please, for the love of all that is good, please, work things out between the two of you. With that being said, PLEASE DO NOT take offense to this email. My intent is not to hurt anyone's feelings or point any blame. These are simple requests that I feel must be expressed, for I fear that if I do not address my concerns, things will not be settled...or maybe things will get settled and I just worried myself sick. Either way, I have asked fairly little of the two of you during my entire wedding planning phase, so please oblige. Please let know how you guys feel, as I had stated above that we need open communication. I love you both very much and we'll be seeing each other in less than one month! Much love,
