Kaela's Rivieria Maya Planning Thread 3.1.13!!

[ornxoxo]

Originally Posted by mrsnova 

 

Thank you everyone! The big day is just about a month away and I am so excited!!

 

So glad we decided to do a destination wedding.. everyone keeps asking me if I am stressed and happy to say no lol:)

 

I wish I can say that when that time comes for me.  I can tell you now that I am super stressed.  hahah.  You guys have been a tremendous help though.  We are excited for you!!!

[Sarani Weddings]

Hello Kaelaa

 

First of all congratulations for your upcoming wedding in March, you will get married in one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico. So, now that you have planned all, have you considered the photo session? It will keep you memories for all your life. I invite you to check Sarani's web site and see the work that we generate. Sarani Weddings is a group of photographers and videographers, who passion and talent based in love of each couple, means your love. We would be love to attend you in that special day who's near to come.

 

Visit our web site at www.saraniweddings.com

Blog Sarani Weddings www.saraniweddingsblog.com

 

Greetings and the best of wishes on your planing!

 

Sarani E.

Sarani Weddings

 

 

Originally Posted by mrsnova 

Wedding website: http://kaelaandjoel.ourwedding.com/

 

Pinterest (I am obsessed!): http://pinterest.com/kaelahop/wedding-inspiration/

 

Engagement

 

We got engaged on April 13, 2013, it was Friday the 13th and I teased my FI that is he was pretty brave;). We had been dating for 5 1/2 years and we were making a move from Portland, Oregon to Ft Collins, Colorado but I had to stay back for work for a few months. So I was out in Colorado visiting my FI..

 

Okay lets back up..

 

We met in 2005 in Mexico when I had just graduated high school and my FI was there with his friends. We became friends and stayed in touch, starting a relationship about a year later. He is from Colorado and I am from Oregon. We did the long distance thing and I lived in CO, then he moved to OR for several years for me to finish nursing school.

 

K now that you know the background..

 

I was visiting Joel (my FI) in Colorado and we decided to go into the Rocky Mountains and have a picnic. As we walked down to lake he got down on one knee and popped the question! He had a very sweet speech but I can hardly remember because I was in shock lol. We had talked about getting married before but had no I idea it would happen then.

 

My FI picked out the ring himself and I absolutely love it! It made it even more special that he chose it:).

 

I couldn't even eat the food we packed for the picnic cause I was too excited/in shock!

 

Deciding on a destination wedding

 

Because my friends and family are in Oregon and his are in Colorado, people would have to travel no matter what, and we thought why not make a vacation out of it!

 

We chose Mexico for two reasons..one it is where we met and two we have been there several times and have always loved it and it is definitely affordable.

 

 

Us in Mexico when we first met (2005).

 

 

Choosing a location & resort

We knew we wanted to go to the Caribbean side of Mexico because we had been to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta before and didn't like it as much as Cancun (beaches are nicer, overall prettier). We wanted to steer clear of the party scene so we decided on Riviera Maya. Neither of us have been there but heard it was really nice.

 

Choosing a resort was VERY overwhelming. Not only did we have to find a resort we liked, we had to think of what our guests would want and find a place that had a wedding package/location that we liked. Luckily we have a family friend that is a travel agent and she helped us out a lot! Overall we decided on Barcelo because of the reviews and the large resort including different price options for our guests (and all child friendly).

 

 

 

 

 

 

               

                                               

Dress

I was going for the 'flowy, beachy' type of dress and I am a pretty simple person. I liked that this dress was somewhat fitted to show off your figure , but was chiffon and still felt like it would be light and fitting for the beach. I went with ivory and removed about half of the train. Mori Lee style #4862.

 

 

 

 

Shoes

I will be barefoot for the ceremony and wearing these Steve Madden Shiekk sandals for the reception. I am not a heels kind of girl so I was excited to have an excuse to be barefoot and wear sandals!

 

 

 

Bridesmaid dresses

I originally wanted mix-matched dresses and to have them all pick their own for a simple and cost effective option...but I picked a color that was kind of difficult to find. I was inspired by JCrews 'dusty shale' but I though their dresses are too expensive..the color is a bluish-green. I wanted a 'sea color'.

After look EVERYWHERE we finally decided on Nordstrom's Donna Morgan chiffon in hint of mint. I thought I wanted more of teal color but now I am glad I chose the mint green, it goes great with the guys outfits (tan)!. I love Nordstrom because they have free shipping and returns so BM could get two sizes and try and return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Groom & Groomsmen outfits

Due to the beach wedding we wanted linen and tan (to go with the ocean and sand theme). We were able to get awesome deals because we went right at the end of summer when everything was on sale.

Groom's suit is Perry Ellis in a light tan. He will be wearing a white button up and barefoot for the ceremony, brown sandals for reception. Purchased from Macys.

(without the vest)

 

 

 

Groomsmen are a little more casual with drawstring linen pants and light weight white button up. Shirt purchased from Macys and pants from Banana Republic.

 

Flowers

I want everything to be neutral/white and pretty simple. Going with resorts flowers. Here is my inspiration. I love peonies but know they are unavailable at the resort/Mexico

 

 

Because my mother and father were married in the 80's her poofy, lace dress is  not quite my style haha..so to include it in my wedding we came up with the idea of putting some of the lace from her dress around my bouquet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                               

 

 

 

Centerpieces

I decided to do my own centerpieces to save money and I like a little DIY! I found out I could rent vases from the resort, instead of bringing them with me which is great! I haven't worked out all the details yet, but this is my inspiration (incorporating the beach, yet simple):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hair and makeup

I am doing my own hair and makeup (with a lot of help from my bridesmaids). I really want to wear my hair curly and down but kind of leaving that up in the air depending on wind and humidity when we get there. I have several ideas..half up, side pony, all back etc. I definitely want to wear a white flower in my hair either way. My makeup will be pretty natural, but I love me some fake eyelashes!

                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

Save the dates

We went more of a generic route for the save the dates, magnets with our pictures. Our pictures turned out good so we wanted to show them off and we were planning to do a destination theme for the invitations and didn't want to overdo it. Save the dates went out the beginning of July (would have sent sooner but that's went the pictures were done and date set). Oh that reminds me...our wedding date is March 1st, 2013. We wanted it after the holidays but before spring break and liked the idea of 3.1.13 (my sport/lucky # has always been 11 and FI 3).

                                                               

 

(sorry bad pic :/)

 

Invitations

I used Alyee Designs boarding pass template for my invitations. I have to admit it took FOREVER to get it exactly how I wanted it and many nights of frustration lol. But I think they will turn out great! Will post once they are finished..

[DiggityDawn]

Everything you've done looks fabulous! Great work!

[Sarani Weddings]

Originally Posted by DiggityDawn 

 

Everything you've done looks fabulous! Great work!

 

Hi DiggityDawn

 

Thank you so much for visit our web site and see our work. If you wish we can assit you in photography or video services, please let us now at [email protected]

We can do a special package for your upcoming wedding at Barcelo Maya Palace.

 

Also we invite you to join us at Facebook/saraniweddings

 

Best regards

Veronica J

Sarani Weddings Representative

www.saraniweddings.com

www.saraniweddingsblog.com

[mrsnova]

Finished the survival kits for the OOT bags. Also have sunblock that was too big to fit.

[mrsnova]

Menu/thank you card(double sided) that will go on the tables at the reception. Inspired by many on Etsy:)

[mrsnova]

Trying to decide which centerpiece I like better...there will be sand in the vase as well

[mrsnova]

FML surprised me with personalized m&m's. they are cute, not really my style and that little pic cracks me up, but hey I'll go with it:)

[corriexoxo]

Hi Kaelaa

Is your wedding coordinator Claudia? we are leaving for the barcelo maya beach in 16 days and she just told me i need to pay in cash when we get there..has she told you the same thing? im worried a bit, i think that wierd no?

 

P.S your posts are amazing, i got my BM,s havianas, and sunglasses! thats it lol

 

thanks

Corrie

[mrsnova]

Originally Posted by corriexoxo 

 

Hi Kaelaa

Is your wedding coordinator Claudia? we are leaving for the barcelo maya beach in 16 days and she just told me i need to pay in cash when we get there..has she told you the same thing? im worried a bit, i think that wierd no?

 

P.S your posts are amazing, i got my BM,s havianas, and sunglasses! thats it lol

 

thanks

Corrie

My wedding coordinator is Jacqueline. Congrats on your wedding day being so close! From what I was told/understand is that the only thing you have to pay cash for is the officiant or resort fee (for an outside photographer). I would clarify it with your WC.

 

Everything I am giving my BMs was DIY or cheap beside the jewelry:)

 

Good luck with everything!