The Cost of it All

Wedding budgets and how to save some serious $$$$

Dollars are money spent for budgeting wedding
We have been organizing weddings since 2001 and know some tricks!

Weddings in Mexico! white beach, palm trees and tequilas!! Cheap price right? ehemmm…

All in all organizing these events was extremely cheap 20 years ago when we started the business yet certainly this has changed since all venues have doubled their fees and post- Covid prices have increased. Additionally, flights and hotel rooms have caught up.

plants as wedding decor
Plants instead of flowers

Weddings come in all shapes and sizes and with varying price tags. All things considere, hosting a beautiful wedding doesn’t have to mean to go into debt nor breaking the bank (unless you know how to…). We’ve used our collective experience to put together a list of the best wedding budget tips and hacks. Preparation and research can help save you a lot of your hard-earned money as you plan the big day.

Throw the wedding of your dreams with these wedding budget tips and money-savings secrets

You can have the wedding you’ve always wanted without wiping out your savings.

In this paragraph, moreover, i will suggest how to plan your wedding clearly during a less traditional time of year or time of day to make your rupee/dollar/peso/euro as well as that yin stretch… In addition some hotels give great accomodation deals if you book a large group! (we love https://www.hyatt.com/es-ES/hotel/mexico/grand-hyatt-playa-del-carmen-resort/cunpc)

1. Book in the off-season

Above all, if you’re interested in a destination wedding, choosing a wedding date during slower seasons can save you a lot of money on venue rental, overnight accommodations, flights and more, however that is not always the case. Check online deal and your TA or OTA.

2. Avoid holidays

Another key point is to avoid holidays and other special events that raise local prices. All in all in conclusion it should be noted that to have it at one location, so wedding ceremony, cocktail and reception will be less expensive!

dogs at wedding can be fun
Watch our for uninvited guests! Be clear with your friends if you allow +1…

Booking the venue ( Btw: we love https://bluevenadoweddings.com/)

3. Keep the guest list small

Altogether a small, intimate wedding will save the bride and the groom money on venue rental as well as food and beverage service,but in case of a very large wedding (i am planning one for 300 right now!), ask your guests for no gifts but cash contributions: however couples have everything since they already live together and that will help you both to give the party you dream of!

4. Look for venues that allow outside vendor setup

Also bringing in external vendors is often cheaper than using the in-house version and make sure to ask about additional fees for using outside vendors, set up/tear down fees, gratuity, and any other fees that may unexpectedly arise. Ask to see an example contract and compare various venue policies. We love DJ DIego https://www.instagram.com/evolutionmixaudiovisual/?hl=en

5. Create the ideal menu

Dance carefree because your budget is looking good!

Skip a full-plated dinner service that requires serving staff and includes multiple courses. Family style or buffet are great and everyone can get what they want! In conclusion altogether forget the cake and go for the delightful Mexican pastries like the ones we buy at http://www.chezceline.com.mx/ or at https://ahcacao.com/… We are clients and as a result have been buying for our couples their fab brownies ( for https://ahcacao.com/) and the creme brulee and mini tarts (@http://www.chezceline.com.mx/) since they opened!!

Brownie from Ah cacao

Ah cacao brownies, to die for…


 
6. Extend your cocktail hour to transition into the reception

As cocktail hour is wrapping up, unveil a slider bar, charcuterie station and break out the entertainment to seamlessly transition into the reception without including dinner service.

Signature drinks make your cocktail more you!

Thrifty decorations yet super cool!!

Spend your money where it matters most. Don’t allow decorations to take over your wedding budget; save money with these great tips. In addition, Pinterest is a super great helper!!!
 
7. Stick with one theme

Choose one style—one color scheme—and stick to it. Extra flowers, tissue paper, or linen can easily be repurposed to save elsewhere. Please no more gold and violet! seen and re-seen…

8. Paper flowers

Instead of shelling out major money for fresh flowers (be planet savvy since flowers have a high cost) , consider mini plants (like the ones at http://www.jardinfloreria.com) or origami flowers or other crafty DIY alternatives. Furthermore, they are they a bargain, they last a lot longer than “the real thing.” Plus they make a great gift at the end of the night! Arches also can be DIY…

Our clients were creative and got a unique decor for their kissable moment!

The look

We all want to look our best on our wedding day too; that’s a given (that is why our make up artists are the best: we use https://www.sarahgarnier.com/ and https://www.dorannahairstylist.com/ . Furthermore, you can still go glam without gutting your expense budget.

9. Accentuate a simple dress with standout accessories

Simple, classic dresses can easily be taken up a notch with an eye-catching accessory. Lastly, choose jewelry, hair accessories, or shoes that stand out when paired with an affordable gown.

Me helping a client wear their jewelry

10. Choose a simple hairstyle and add a headband or barrette (or find a good friend…)

Stylists are typically needed for excessive updos. Choose a simple, elegant hairstyle accentuated by a headband or barrette to save on styling costs. If you have good friends, you can ask them for a make up or a touch up…

Friends in action…

Financial planning

Financial responsibility is essential to wedding planning with less stress. It’s also a core component of a healthy marriage foundation. Start your marriage off right by setting financial goals, tracking expenses, and working with your partner to stay within a designated budget.

11. Discuss your budget with your partner and agree early on

Set goals and limits that you both agree on. Ensuring that you’re on the same page from the beginning will help avoid unnecessary drama down the line. Set a credit limit, and don’t go over it… Be financially responsible with your wedding planning. If you are comfortable paying off $500 of credit card debt this year, for example, set that limit and stick to it. If you can’t afford it, don’t charge anything at all. Only purchase what you can afford right now.

12. Decide what details are negotiable

Pinpoint “must have” and “can definitely live without” wedding details so that you can allocate money to what you want most. Take advantage of credit rewards and benefits. f you already have a credit card or two, research your reward benefits. See which retailers your creditor partners with to find unadvertised discounts and cash-back opportunities.
 

13. Look for unexpected expenseTry to anticipate any unforeseen expenses. Will you need to rent restroom trailers for an outdoor wedding? Is there ample parking? Most venues in Riviera Maya are far away from the city. consider that… what is the cost of transportation for the guests? and what if they want to leave earlier? Ask us for everything you need to know, we are always available at Watsapp +529838337771. You can never have too many options. Buy and create the items you really want and set for a budget friendly and amazing wedding day!! ENJOY in the creation…

Thanks for the photos to : https://delsolphotography.com/, https://www.lilibretonphoto.com/ https://www.facebook.com/officialABPhotography, /https://deansandersonweddings.com/ https://naalweddingphotography.com/

Weddings In Playa Laura Joe
Thanks to all the great vendors that make my job easy

Best wedding details for the Season

From chair ornaments to table enhancement, wedding details are the nuts and bolt of a well-planned wedding… small decorations that create THE personal touch!

Flowers are life

What?

We have seen a lot of great weddings over 21 years, but sometimes the little wedding details really stand out. Sometimes more is less. Create a stunning wedding look narrowing down what style or theme fits your wedding ideal day. A fantastic way to browse into this is Pinterest, where you can literally spy what others do…

It’s certain that all wedding plans are overwhelming. It’s common to forget about the little details that make your day amazing. Ideas that you love. Plants, flags and candles are budget-friendly ornaments that will amp up your wedding’s wow point …

Flowers are important, but for an Instagram WOW view introduce details that capture your values, story and what you cherish most (including furry pets, which we adore!!)…

Woof

Ask yourselves: do we intend a more time-honored and traditional wedding, or more fresh and modern? How would we describe our interior design style and/or fashion sense? Are there any hobbies, passions, or unique aspects of our personalities, culture, and relationship we could creatively weave through our design? 

Tequila breaks the ice

Create a wedding that talks about you and you will create a life time memory that will remind your guests about You.

Naal and AB Photography, thank You!

Sophie and Sean at Blue Venado

 

This featured wedding is a gem.

 

Not only because of the incredible beauty of details, people and places….  but specially because  of the 2 who got married at Blue Venado, Playa del Carmen, last February 18th.

Sophie & Sean are 2 such amazing people: they are vital, funny, intelligent, kind, generous, witty, lovely and they love traveling !! all qualities that speak to me incessantly (this is  me, Maria, reporting).

They met in the summer of 2009 working at the Orange Peel, a music venue in downtown Asheville, a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, known for a vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. 

Sophie was immediately attracted to Sean’s ability to make everyone laugh; he is able to notch up any joke anyone could tell… so during  a real conversation, Sophie told Sean about her dream to quit her job and take a long-term backpacking trip around Latin America…without hesitation he said “I’m coming with you”!  

 By November, they were inseparable….Sophie brought Sean to meet the Miller family for the first time after only a few months of dating…at Thanksgiving dinner. After that first trip they started off again to Asia and i am sure they are plotting something as I write….

Christmas of 2014 Sean surprised Sophie with the cutest gift  – an 8 week old miniature Golden doodle who has since become their child… Check the wedding photo below to see how they kept Frankie present at the ceremony!

Sean proposed in June of 2016 at Falls Park in Greenville, on their way home from seeing Sophie’s favorite singer, John Prine.  Sean prepared a killer music list at the wedding: and Dj Kipper had everybody dance, as you see!!!

Sophie & Sean wedding in Playa del Carmen

Sophie and Sean decided to plan a destination wedding because they wanted to give their guests the opportunity to  see  Mexico! they came to see me twice and loved the location i proposed:   jungly evergreen BV or Blue Venado.  Many were in Mexico for the 1st time! tequilaaa

  They wanted the wedding to reflect all of the journeys they’ve been on together. Sophie made napkins with brightly coloured Guatemalan and Thai fabric.  She made runners from macrame. And of course, beautiful fuchsia and orange  flowers to accent the white Papel Picado flags and globe lights. It was a colourful and spectacular event!

And we come to now:

Artsy Blue Venado World tour Wedding : Sophie wanted the details and Sean wanted the party so they got these amazing details filled with killer music: the  Party of their life! It was an endless party and the Millermacks got to really bond!!

 

 Sean and Sophie feel eternally grateful for their tribe in Asheville, CT & NY & all over the world who love & support them through whatever life throws their way, and to spend the rest of their lives together! 

QUE VIVAN LOS MILLERMACKS! 

THANKS TO :

Photography: Quetzal Photography

Hair & Makeup: Alesia Solomko

Flowers: Vanessa Jaimes Floral Design

Dress: BHLDN

Video: Button Up Video

Cake: Shoe Box Bakery  

DJ: DJ Kipper 

Laura and Joe destination wedding

Weddings In Playa Laura Joe

Laura and Joe are an  international, incredibly high powered and super laid back couple that I met over 1 year ago starting their wedding plan. Laura was always traveling to remote destination like Laos and Argentina and that made the planning even more interesting.

Being both athletes (they met preparing for a triathlon) and loving outdoors, their choice for the wedding was without doubt a location with zest, open space and lots of jungle: our favourite Blue Venado.

 

During the year of planning their ideas merged into a vision that wanted only one thing: that all had fun, fond memories and great food (they are both gourmands).

Their expectations were met.

 

After an hour preparing with our lovely Sarah Garnier, excelsius Hair and Make up artist, Laura was ready for a little fun with her girlfriends and arrived at the wedding location totally cool and relaxed.

Joe was already there and with great emotion and awe saw her bride to be for the first time, when mom and dad (directly from Argentina) delivered the stunning bride.

Blue Venado Wedding Laura Joe

The bilingual service, officiated by a friend, Gonzalo, was full of stories about them and of how they met and continued to date year after year, trip after trip, adventure after adventure.

A cantor added pathos to the service, incorporating elements of the Jewish tradition.

After a few photos by our amazing Chess of Quetzal Wedding Photo, all guests enjoyed mariachi live music and a cocktail with margaritas and mojitos.

Blue Venado Wedding Laura Joe

Dinner was served among the greenery of tables and golden accents of candles, creating with the light a romantic atmosphere for all.

The 4 course meal culminated in the naked cake with chocolate and berries ended and the great celebration with dancing and more started. Dj Orly from Evolution mix really gave his best and all danced, including yours truly!

What can I say? These 2 are bound for a lifetime of incredible adventures and great happiness: they are totally in Love and they know each other well, it is a true honor to be present at such important gathering.

Congratulation Laura and Joe for a life of incredible happy moments!!

Diana and Marco, Blue Venado Beach Club, Destination Wedding, Playa del Carmen

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Diana and Marco got a married twice! First a traditional Catholic wedding in Nuestra Señora del Carmen Chapel on 5th Avenue and then they moved in the remote area of Blue Venado to have a Mayan ceremony. They combined the Pre-Hispanic with the Post-Hispanic, the vision of the world of the Ancient native American with the Catholicism.

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The bride entered with Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D major played on the harp and the couple was welcomed on the way out with bubbles.

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Shaman don Eduardo performed the Mayan ceremony together with two pre-hispanic dancers who played the pax, the classic mayan drum, and the tunkul, a long horizontal wooden slit-gong.

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The shaman plays the Mayan conch trumpet, which has three small holes which produce three consecutive notes.

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The happy party came from Texas and Mexico and chose simplicity and elegance in the details, playing with the natural wooden colour and white.

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And a small cake to respect the tradition – and why not?!

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A dance on the beach and than late at night the party was on and on till 2 am!

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Brooke and Stephen, Blue Venado Beach Club, Destination Wedding, Playa del Carmen

Brooke and Stephen , Beach Wedding at Blue Venado Beach Club, Pl

Isn’t this just what you picture when you think of a destination beach wedding?

That’s exactly what this weeks’ couple, Brooke and Stephen, thought and they should know – after all they met on the beach, lived by the beach and proposed on the beach too!

They celebrated their big day with lots of friends and family at Blue Venado Beach Club, specially chosen for it’s intimate and private facilities.

The Bridal party having fun getting ready

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The Groom nervously awaits his BrideDestination-Beach-Wedding-Blue-Venado-Beach-Club-BS_0035

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The vows

Brooke and Stephen , Beach Wedding at Blue Venado Beach Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photos bt Del Sol Photography.

The rings

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And they’re married!

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What Mexican wedding is complete without a Mariachi band?!

Brooke and Stephen , Beach Wedding at Blue Venado Beach Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photos bt Del Sol Photography.

Gorgeous flowers and food

The reception

Brooke and Stephen , Beach Wedding at Blue Venado Beach Club, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Photos bt Del Sol Photography.

The speeches

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Cutting the cake

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Time to party!

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Thanks to del Sol Photography for the images