Marin and Andrew

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Marin & Andrew

Wedding Details
Bride Marin (BDW username: Marooon13) Groom Andrew Wedding Date April 25, 2013 Location Playa del Carmen, Mexico Hometown East Lansing, Michigan

Pictures from Marin & Andrew's destination wedding (click to enlarge):

Why did you choose to have a destination wedding?

First and foremost, my husband and I have always loved to travel! We took our first vacation together just 2 months after we started dating in 2009 and have been traveling together ever since. Warm, sunny destinations are definitely our favorite and we have both always dreamed of getting married on a beach. A destination just seemed natural!

Second, we wanted our family members to spend some quality time together. Our families live 2.5 hours away from each other and have only interacted during small family gatherings. We knew that if we were going to bring two families together through the bonds of marriage, we wanted them to be more than acquaintances. What could be more inviting than an all-inclusive vacation to Mexico to get to know your future in-laws!

Why did you choose your location?

In 2011, we attended a friend's wedding at The Royal Playa del Carmen. It was then and there that we decided this was the place. Breathtaking scenery, sandy beaches, and phenomenal service. Two years later, we became Mr. and Mrs. on the exact same beach with 50 of our closest friends and family members as witnesses.

But, “Why The Royal”, you ask?
I definitely did some extensive research (months before we were even engaged)! The Royal checked off our boxes on every level and we felt comfortable returning with 50 guests, knowing that they would not be disappointed.

In the end, the top three deciding factors were price, location, and all-inclusive.

Price: (Airfare) Cancun was one of the most affordable international airports to fly into. (Accommodations) Wendy Hicks, of Wright Travel Agency, was able to get us an amazing deal with our group booking- we just couldn’t pass it up!

Location: The Royal sits just one block off of Playa del Carmen’s main pedestrian walkway, 5^th Avenue. This gave our guests the option to leave the resort at any given time and enjoy a taste of Mexican Culture. 5^th Avenue hosts everything from souvenir shops, guided tours/excursions and massages on the beach to bars, restaurants, and clubs (including the famous Senor Frogs and Coco Bongo)! Playa del Carmen also has gorgeous beaches and is much more relaxed than Cancun.

All-Inclusive: The Royal is a Luxury, Adults Only (16+), All Inclusive resort. There is, however, a sister hotel located next door that allows families of all ages. Andrew and I do not have many children in our families so the adults only resort was ideal. We chose an all-inclusive resort so our friends and families could be relaxed as possible during their vacation. It was wonderful going to dinner with 10+ people and not worrying about who was going to get the check or asking to split it onto 6 different credit cards.

What were your wedding colors and/or theme?

Our colors were coral and tan. We wanted a Mexican vibe without the harsh red and orange. Coral was a perfect combination of the two. Not to mention, the bright coral of my bridesmaid’s dresses looked stunning next to the beautiful ocean backdrop.

Every wedding is special in its own right. What made your wedding unique?

Our wedding was very special to us because my brother performed our ceremony. We were able to write our own ceremony script and vows, which made our day that much more meaningful. We have never been very religious so having a minister perform our ceremony just didn’t feel right. Also, we absolutely love to laugh and had a few jokes written into our ceremony. Our guests loved it and it was definitely a personalized ceremony unlike any other! We are very fortunate that 50 of our friends and family members made the trip to Mexico to spend quality time with us and be there, as they have always been, on the most important day of our lives. Plus, we are husband and wife now and have vowed to spend the rest of our lives together! What could be more special than that?

One of the major challenges of putting together a destination wedding is finding and working with your ideal vendors from afar. What wedding vendors did you use to put together this spectacular wedding?

Photographer: Photos In Cancun (Derek and Lorena http://www.photosincancun.com/)
Florist: Flores Riviera Maya (http://www.floresrivieramaya.com/)
Wedding coordinator: Lorena (appointed by the resort)
Wedding dress designer: Casa Blanca
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Invitation company: DIY Boarding Pass- Template from ayleebits http://www.ayleebits.com/2009/03/09/passport-invitation-template/
At Home Reception Invites- http://www.etsy.com/shop/WDesignGallery

You were an active member of BDW and created some great content. Could you please summarize (with hyperlinks) some of your best work for us?

Review:
http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/t/86978/marin-andrew-s-wedding-at-the-royal-playa-del-carmen-a-planning-thread#post_1932012

Your wedding was absolutely beautiful! Your posts and reviews will be extremely helpful to our new brides. Thank you for sharing you special day with us at BDW.

Dear members, if you planned your wedding with the help of our community we would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in sharing your wedding experience with BDW. For more information here is the "BDW Real Weddings | Featured Wedding Submission Information Thread". Thanks!