My Destination Wedding Journal!!!

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

DESTINATION WEDDING HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I would create a Planning Journal since I’m done with everything for the most part. We decided from the beginning that we were getting married on a white sandy beach with our family members and close friends. After much research we decided the Barceló Maya Palace was the perfect place for our wedding! The resort offers several different wedding packages to choose from, all of which include your set-up, ceremony, reception dinner, flowers, cake, etc. You tell them what you want, and they make it happen! I can honestly say this entire wedding planning thing has been a breeze and a complete joy! I am not a picky girl, and I’m pretty easy going about most of the decisions. We wrote our entire ceremony (which is very important) and as long as I am with my hunny, family, & friends, and everyone’s having fun, (that’s all I really care about) I also made a lot of the stuff for our wedding. I’m definitely not a penny pincher, but wanted to save $ where I could. I’ve never sewn ANYTHING in my life, but somehow I ended up being able to make my entire veil from scratch! I then went on to make our invitations, my barefoot sandals, my bridesmaid’s barefoot sandals & bouquets, the groomsmen bouts, our pre-Mexico & Welcome to Mexico brochures, our wedding programs and magnet favors for our guests. I am very happy with how it all turned out. So here it all is! Enjoy!!!

Our Website: www.boandandrea.com (http://www.boandandrea.com)

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/boandandrea.jpg?t=1224617444

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/intvites.jpg?t=1224617271

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/boandandrealogo_s.jpg?t=1224617505
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/hotel.jpg?t=1224617573
A LOT MORE COMING IN MINUTES........................................... ...........

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Centerpieces-We will alternate the large candle centerpieces with the smaller ones. (The whites look kind of weird in these pics, but look FABULOUS in person)http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/centerpieces.jpg?t=1224623109

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Cake Inspiration/cake topper (We're adding chocolate starfish)
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/weddingcake.jpg?t=1224623308
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/caketopperchocolate.jpg?t=1224623458

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Our ceremony set-up and actual location:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/ceremonylocation.jpg?t=1224623560

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

DIY magnet favors for the guests:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/favors.jpg?t=1224623678

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/favorsupclose.jpg?t=1224623756

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Mini sand in a bottle necklaces for guests (They have black twine at the top) Sorry they're a little blurry:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/minibottlessand.jpg?t=1224623980

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

My ring/band and Bo's ring:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/ring2.jpg?t=1224624103

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/ourrings.jpg?t=1224624163

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

My dress/DIY veil (1st fitting)
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/weddingdress.jpg?t=1224624242

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

I have naturally curly hair (ugh) and have no choice but to wear it curly in humid Mexico. My hair will be pinned much better than this, but here's an idea:)
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/myhair.jpg?t=1224624417

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Bo's Suit:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bossuit.jpg?t=1224624484

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

I'm having 2 bridesmaid's who are wearing the same dress (One is wearing a gorgeous blue, and the other this exact pink) I made them each Barefoot sandals to match:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bridemaiddress.jpg?t=1224624674
My DIY Barefoot Sandals as well as the bridesmaids DIY sandals to match their dresses:http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bfsandals.jpg?t=1224624775

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_bfsandal1.jpg
http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_bfsandal2.jpg
The groomsmen are wearing these linen items with black leather flip flops. Bo is wearing the same flip flops:
http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_gmsshirts.jpg http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_groomsmenpants.jpg

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_gmshoes.jpg

Here are the DIY bouquets and bouts:
http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_bouquets.jpg http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_bouts.jpg
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bobout.jpg?t=1224625141

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

The entire bridal party is getting snorkeling equipment, and I put together a few special things for my bm's. I also got the girls each an hour massage at the resort:
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bmgift2.jpg?t=1224625289

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/bmgift1.jpg?t=1224625394

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Each guest will be given these OOT bags. The cups are so the guests don't have to visit the bar as often. (all inclusive resort) The cups are AWESOME and change color with cold liquid. (pink, blue, green, orange, purple) THEY ROCK! :
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/OOTbags.jpg?t=1224625554

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_colorchangingootcup.jpg
Each guest will receive a "pre-Mexico" brochure in the mail late November. They will also be given a "Welcome to Mexico brochure in their OOT bags. Here is our wedding program and guest book sign (ALL of which will be in COLOR) but here they are in black and white for ya.
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/premexicoback.jpg?t=1224625754

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/premexicoinside.jpg?t=1224625933

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/welcometomexicoback.jpg?t=1224626495

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/welcomtomexicoinside.jpg?t=1224626585

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/programfront.jpg?t=1224626706
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/programinside.jpg?t=1224626824
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/programback.jpg?t=1224626942

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

The last pics will be the sand ceremony container and ring holder. The containers we use to pour the sand are the exact same starfish dishes shown. (all look MUCH better in person) There is also a picture of my bouquet inspiration. I think that's all!!! :)
http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_sandceremony.jpg http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_ringholder.jpg http://s405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/th_bouquetinspiration.jpg

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

I'm excited!!!! Our final deposits are due today and then EVERYTHING is FINAL!!!!! Bachelorette party tomorrow, and then it's 65 days till we leave for MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[PGDesigns]

Everything looks great! It'll be here before you know it!

[TeacherSonja]

Hey! All your stuff looks great! I love the barefoot sandals!

[crazydaizychiki]

My dress/DIY veil (1st fitting)
http://i405.photobucket.com/albums/pp138/Davematthews16/weddingdress.jpg?t=1224624242

Where did you get your dess? It's beautiful.

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Where did you get your dess? It's beautiful.

Thank you! It's from David's Bridal :) http://davidsbridal.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10051&categoryId=-49998986&currentIdx=12&subCategory=-49999486%7c-49998986&catentryId=1000561 I didn't wear it with the bow in the picture though :)

[meaghansweeney]

Hi there,

We are also getting married at this resort!! Ours is January 16, 2010!!

Sorry, just quickly read through your post-- have you already been married or are you getting married this year?

Also- I saw that you have centerpieces....do I need to do these? haha I just picked the "Mint Breeze" package so not sure if I have to bring anything....and what are your wedding favours? I was thinking of doing a gift basket of things people can use down there. If you have any suggestions or ideas to share, I'd love to hear them :)
Meaghan

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Hi there,

We are also getting married at this resort!! Ours is January 16, 2010!!

Sorry, just quickly read through your post-- have you already been married or are you getting married this year?

Also- I saw that you have centerpieces....do I need to do these? haha I just picked the "Mint Breeze" package so not sure if I have to bring anything....and what are your wedding favours? I was thinking of doing a gift basket of things people can use down there. If you have any suggestions or ideas to share, I'd love to hear them :)
Meaghan

OHH how exciting!!! We absolutely LOVED this resort! We can't wait to go back! We got married on January 7, 2009. As you know I brought our centerpieces down there. They don't come with the wedding packages. It's totally up to you though. I did OOT bags (out of town bags) there are pictures in this thread. They had sunscreen, aloe, travel candles, advil, and a bunch of other useful things for traveling. My actual favors were the magnets I made (also pictured in this thread) The choice is yours really. I'm not sure if you have a photographer yet, but I would be happy to recommend the company we used. I give them an A+ and LOVED them. (It's a husband and wife) Anything else you want to know just ask. :)

[meaghansweeney]

Thanks so much for getting back to me! It can be so overwhelming at first but it is so nice to talk to someone who has gone through it all - especially at the same resort!

Just wondering- how did you go about making your brochures? They are an amazing way to keep guests informed!

Who was your wedding coordinator? Did he/she meet with you when you arrived at the resort so that you could review ceremony location, flowers, banquet rooms, etc.

Any information or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for sharing!
p.s. I see on here that you are expecting...congratulations!
meaghan

[BarceloMayaPalaceBride]

Thanks so much for getting back to me! It can be so overwhelming at first but it is so nice to talk to someone who has gone through it all - especially at the same resort!

Just wondering- how did you go about making your brochures? They are an amazing way to keep guests informed!

Who was your wedding coordinator? Did he/she meet with you when you arrived at the resort so that you could review ceremony location, flowers, banquet rooms, etc.

Any information or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for sharing!
p.s. I see on here that you are expecting...congratulations!
meaghan

Thank you SO much!!! We are so excited for our little guy to arrive!! I'm actually due on our 1 year Anniversary :) I made the brochures in Microsoft Office Publisher. I would be happy to e-mail you the template if you want. They were super easy and the guests loved them! I actually sent out the "wedding update" brochure a few weeks before we left. It had some nice baggage info, as well as info about the resort, and what the guests should pack. Then, the "welcome to mexico" brochure I put in their OOT bags, and passed them out once we arrived at the resort. I included a map, and a bunch of info about the restaurants and activities. My wedding coordinator was Xhail Flores (pronounced Shy-eel) I met with her 3 days before the wedding and we went over ALL the details. I picked my bouquet and flowers, and gave her my centerpieces with instructions on how I wanted them set up. She does all the work, and will pick you up at your room on a golf cart and take you to your wedding. :) There are 2 things I will warn you about though: If you are getting your hair/makeup done at the resort just be prepared that they don't speak ANY english. I came prepared with pictures, but I honestly ended up doing both my hair and makeup myself because we were unable to communicate. The ladies are total sweethearts, and I didn't mind at all doing it myself. Just allow that extra time because it absolutely saved my butt! The second thing I will warn you about...Not sure if you guys are getting "legally" married there or just having the ceremony? My husband and I did the legal part here in Colorado and then had the Ceremony in Mexico. If you are getting legally married then you can choose from a minister, or the justice of the peace, but again, they have VERY heavy accents and they are verrry hard to understand. If you are just doing the ceremony part (like we did) you can have someone else perform the ceremony. We had written out our entire ceremony and vows, and the night before the wedding we ended up asking a family friend to perform the ceremony. I'm SO glad we did, because if we hadn't I don't think you could have understood a single word of it. Again, the people at the resort are so kind hearted and sweet, but on your wedding day you probably want your guests to be able to understand what's going on. Like I said before, I would be MORE than happy to answer anymore questions, show you pictures, or help in any way I can!!!!