Planning a Destination Wedding - Part II

My wedding came and went...it's kind of sad that it's over, especially when I spent over a year planning for it!  But, at the same time, I was happy that I no longer had to worry about little details once I returned from Mexico.

I could not have asked for a better day for my wedding.  We lucked out in the weather department - there had been a 90% chance of rain for our wedding for the entire week leading up to it, and the two days prior, there were afternoon showers.  However, our wedding planner said he and his crew knew the weather very well and were quite certain no storms would interfere.  Our wedding began at 4pm on the beach, and ended at 10:30pm on one of the outdoor terraces - at 10:32pm, it down-poured! Perfect timing!  Aside from the wonderful staff, no one got wet.

This post is meant to be a piece of advice and guidance for anyone looking to plan a destination wedding.  So, over the course of 10 months of working with the wedding planner via email, this is what I learned:

• There is really no benefit to booking through a travel agent; you'll pay more per person.  We managed to get everyone out of Calgary on the same flight individually and our Sunquest package included free checked baggage anyway (one of the 'perks' the travel agent offered).  Bryan and I upgraded to an ocean-front room and paid $2100 each, while our original package for the same thing was $2300 each.  Our 'package' through the travel agent ranged from $1800 - $2500 / person; our group paid a range from $1400 - $2100 / person.  
• If you do have a group, call the airline directly to see if you can get some sort of rate.  As we all independently chose the same WestJet flights from Calgary through Red Tag or Expedia, we were not entitled to a group package.  I'm not sure what this may have entailed but you may be able to get a bit of a discount.
• The wedding planning guides are typically on the resorts' websites so download a copy and look through your options - you don't need a travel agent for this.
• The wedding planners' emails are also typically right on the resorts' websites, so just contact them yourself - the travel agent offers zero help here.
• Trip Advisor is your best friend!  Travel agents try to push you to choose resorts they like and have traveled to a lot, which is fine, but that's one person's opinion. Go to the resort's Trip Advisor page, search for keywords like 'group' or 'wedding' and the reviews that pop up have some great information!  Most travelers will even respond to questions you ask.  I specifically looked for comments about friendliness, how happy people were with the wedding planning, food and illness, and activities.  
• Be very thorough with your wedding planner - it's via email, so be clear and send lots of pictures.  My wedding planner was great - he answered all my questions and gave me great instructions, feedback and information.  
• Don't expect perfection - you won't really know where you'll be set up until you get there, or what the decor is exactly going to look like.  Take it in stride and know you're in good hands.  If you want to control every single detail, a destination wedding is NOT for you!
• Plan and write out all the photos you want ahead of time to give to the photographer.  They'll just do their own thing if you don't, but if you give them a list, they do a damn good job!
• Save money by making your own playlists and bringing a iPod.  This worked for me.  It was a bit of work to create the playlists - we asked guests to make requests ahead of time so we could add their music to the lists.  Everyone loved it!
• Bring lots of immunity boosting supplements (oil of oregano!!) and decongestants (nasal spray!).  I got sick - it was awful.  But, I powered through.  I don't wish this on anyone...
• If you're the bride, get your hair trials done at home and analyze and take lots of pictures.  This helped tremendously when we met with our Spanish-speaking salon ladies!  They also did an amazing job.  
• The beach, ocean and blue skies are beautiful enough - don't stress over the decorations too much. You will have a beautiful background no matter what.  
• Respect and be kind to your wedding planner.  I don't know if this helped but I was eternally grateful for everything mine did and he added in some very awesome details at no extra cost - plus he upgraded us!
• It's hot down there - wear climate appropriate clothes.  Men, full suits will be horrid.  Women, a heavy, beaded, traditional dress will not be fun.  It's the beach, people!

We got married at the NOW Sapphire near Cancun, Mexico, on October 26, 2016.  Our wedding ceremony started at 4pm and was finished by 4:30pm.  Our officiant was funny, albeit a bit hard to understand, and efficient.  We did a sand ceremony and our own vows.  Champagne was ready for everyone immediately afterwards, and our group photos were awesome!  The wedding party had a blast with our wedding photography, one of the people with Cancun Adventures Photography.  I couldn't be happier with the photos.

Juan Carlos, my wedding planner at the resort, was amazing!  He matched my bouquet flowers across the entire wedding, which I wasn't expecting.  He updated the table decorations with a few additional lanterns and created a magical, symmetrical, and beautiful reception area.  The staff working the bar and food delivery were superb. The cake was the most delicious cake most of us had every tasted - it even resulting in one guy refusing to leave the remains behind, tracking down kitchen staff to store it for him, and then him bringing it out on our last night for more!

I wasn't expecting perfection but my wedding was perfect!  There isn't a thing I would have changed.

Here are some photos: