A Frugal Bride's Riviera Maya DIY Wedding

[Josie Fiorda]

I just love the flower in your hair! It's so pretty. Was it real? may I ask where you purchased it from? And did you get the table runners yourself? Where are they from?

[janette34]

Ahh the sparklers, they never made it to Mexico.  I had them packed in luggage that my in-laws took for us and about an hour before boarding they were called over the intercom I figured it had something to do with the sparklers and sure enough they opened up my luggage and took them.  The guys at the airport were very nice about it when I explained what I was doing and offered to let me take the tags off them so I could buy new sparklers in Mexico, I didn't bother and told them to take them home to their kids. 

The runners I purchased from a past bride and cut in half so I would have enough to do all the tables.  The starfish were purchased from Winners, I got two bags with a dozen in each for $15 and they were between 7 & 9".

Originally Posted by Tulumbride2013 

So I've got to know...
Did you have any trouble getting sparklers into Mexico? I was going to do them but I saw somewhere they are technically explosives or something?! Not an convo I want to have at customs lol. Also, your use runner with shells, gorgeous. Where did you get such big starfish and do you recall the size of them?

[Tulumbride2013]

7"-9 got it! Thanks. Sorry about the sparklers, that stinks. But at least thu were nice about it!

[janette34]

The hair flower came from Bloom Bridal along with my bouquet.  Bloom Bridal does custom made real touch flowers and I was thrilled with how they how turned out.  The linens I purchased from a past bride but I have seen them on Linens Direct.

Originally Posted by Josie Fiorda 

I just love the flower in your hair! It's so pretty. Was it real? may I ask where you purchased it from? And did you get the table runners yourself? Where are they from?

[Jess878]

Your colors came together so well.. I will have similar napkin rings. I loved the idea of the cake boxes. i may have o look into that b/c we arehaving a desert too with the meal so the cake may not get eaten.  I also loved the baefoot sandals. Thanks for the inspiration.  You both looked so happy on your big day!

[jrack]

Originally Posted by janette34 

 

Wow, I can't believe its my time to start a planning thread!!  For the past year I have been counting down the months until we leave and as of today only 17 more sleeps.  I don't know how I would have been able to accomplish anything had I not found this site.  Thank you too everyone who has contributed, this site has been a wealth of knowledge and ideas for me. 

 

Resort

One of the toughest decisions by far was picking a resort.  We knew it had to be Mexico since we have been going there for the past seven years and always love it.  Just after coming home from a trip to Mexico in April of 2011 my aunt (also TA) called me with some prices.  One of the options was the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya which we had stayed at in 08 and since the price worked for everyone so we booked it. 

Their private palapa was part of the deciding factor and they had a nice range of wedding packages. 

 

Attire

Second toughest decision without a doubt!!! I live in a very small town with the closest major shopping area 2 hours away.  I tried on so many dresses and couldn't find the "one".  I fell in love with Pronovias dresses but could only find a limited few to try on in my province.  Without any luck I took a chance and ordered a knock off from China.  I did this early on in case it wasn't great and I would still have time to find a new one and I could use the knock off for our TTD.  Well the dress came and it was well made but not exactly great so back to dress hunting.  My next trip out I finally made the decision to order a dress, its Pronovias, Alfil.

Colin's Suit from Le Chateau.  His best man will wear the same pants and shirt.

Maid of Honour dress.  We're going to add a starfish brooch to the waist.  I made her a pair of barefoot sandals to wear but I forgot to take a picture before I gave them to her.  We went to a bridal show that holding a gown and dress clearance and this dress matched the groom's shirt perfectly so we got a great bargain.

My Mother's dress: 

 

 

 

I absolutely love your bridesmaid dresses...any clue where you can get them? or what the brand is?!?

[janette34]

The bridesmaid dress was on clearance for $49 at a wedding show, I belive it was an Alfred Sung dress.

[MayFlowers2014]

These are awesome!!! Love the brochure

[traylynn]

Love these cake boxes. So very cute 

Originally Posted by janette34 

Found another a picture to add to the collection.  I wanted to do cake boxes since we are having a dessert after dinner and thought people may want to take a piece back to their room to snack on.  The only ones I could find locally were just a plain ugly white so I broke out the paint I had left over from painting shells, picture frames, etc and here is the end product:

[mckievme]

Great idea to have the boxes to guests can take cake back to their rooms! I never would have thought of that!