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

Ten years later… what happens after they say I do?

What happens after the princess marries her prince?

A few success stories after we say good bye…. Happy Val DAY!

Today is February 14th, Saint Valentine.

I am in love with love, not for nothing i do this job.

It is so amazing to get to meet our clients before they get married and start their life together, but what happens after it?

I often remind to my brides that if they put the same effort in the marriage as in the wedding… it will go always incredibly well! Something must stick, because on 600 couples only 5 divorced, so we must bring some luck… or they are quite amazing themselves…

The fact that we say good bye at the beginning of the adventure is not a motive to let years go by without any news. We keep in touch with our ex clients, send them love and also see some of them in Playa, like Erica in this photo!!

We often hear from them, some come to Playa and remarry after 5 or 10 years… we meet the children and i cannot wait to see what else they are going to experience.

Not all have kids, some party like rockstars, like Maryann and Cesar, below, that got married with me in Tulum over 10 years ago….

We love all of their choices, because life is made of real people and real adventure. Here 3 of my fav, Jaimie and Denee, married at Grand Coral 11 years ago.

All of our clients are dear to our hearts, yet time goes by and some of them we never see.

Yet we have fond memories of all of them and wish them a life that is amazing, long and full of love .

Sara and Chris, Lunata Hotel, Destination Wedding, Playa del Carmen

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Today’s couple, Sara and Chris, were married at Lunata Hotel on March 30th, 2017 in a beautiful Mayan ceremony hosted by Don Eduardo.

The bride and her attendants enjoy getting ready together

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Once she’s ready, the Bride walks down the aisle heralded by Don Eduardo’s Conch shell

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Gorgeous garden setting
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The Mayan ceremony includes exchanging flower crowns and rings

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And traditional blessings and rituals.

The Groom’s Daughter took part in the ceremony by blowing the shell too!

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The happy couple make their Vows

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And they’re Married!

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The highlight of the day was a procession along 5th Avenue from the ceremony venue to the reception at Indigo Beach accompanied by the Mariachi band.

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The Reception

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Speeches

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The cake

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First dance with sparklers…

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Everybody else joins the party

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Disco Ball by special request of the Groom!

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All images courtesy of Soko Sandoval Photography

Hannah and Walisson, Hotel Lunata and Indigo Beach Club Destination Wedding, Playa del Carmen

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We have a BIG post for you today because the details in this perfectly Playa del Carmen wedding are just too good to pass up showing!
Hannah and Walisson were a dream to work with and had all kinds of fun ideas to make their big day memorable. Starting off with choosing the prettiest garden ceremony venue and Hotel Lunata.

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A surprise Mariachi helped escort the bride and groom down Playa’s famous 5th avenue and right over to their beachfront reception at Indigo Beach Club.

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The weather was perfect and the beach always beautiful but it was all the tiny details that made the party so special! Custom signs, traditional Mexican talavera tiles to find your seat, a tequila bar, custom papel picado gift tags and maracas were some of  the touches of fiesta added to the day.

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Just the most beautiful evening for our lovely couple and their guests. Congrats Hannah and Walisson and thank you to PhotoStudioAB for the amazing photos.

 

Ahn and Cody, Indigo Beach Club, Destination Wedding in Playa del Carmen

PhotostudioAB010There’s something about the energy in Playa del Carmen you just can’t deny. It’s such a vibrant city, with something for everyone, and that’s why it makes for such a perfect location for a destination wedding.
Ahn and Cody knew this when they chose to marry at Indigo Beach Club. It’s right in the heart of Playa del Carmen, steps away from 5th Avenue and even closer to the sea!

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Weddingplayadelcarmen008The girls got ready just up the street which always makes for fun pictures in the city!

Weddingplayadelcarmen009The modern venue was perfect for this beach chic wedding and everyone danced under the stars late into the night! PhotostudioAB011 PhotostudioAB014 PhotostudioAB015 Weddingplayadelcarmen019Congratulations Ahn and Cody! Thank you to PhotostudioAB for the beautiful photos.

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Patricia and Juan, Indigo Beach, Playa del Carmen Wedding

weddings-in-playa-destination-wedding-medicoFeast your eyes on this perfect destination wedding in Playa del Carmen to fight the Monday winter blues! The flowers are gorgeous, the crown is to die for, the couple is beautiful and the venue is stunning!Photostudioab01 Photostudioab03WIPThe romantic “I Do’s” were held at Nuestra Señora Carmen, right at the start of Playa’s famous 5th Avenue with father Hubert performing the ceremony. Photostudioab08 Photostudioab07The group made their way down to the beach where Indigo Beach Club was ready and waiting to host the gorgeous beachfront dinner and party, complete with Mariachi del Sol with Don Elio. Photostudioab13 Photostudioab15WIP3WIP2WIP4Congrats to the happy couple and thank you to PhotoStudio AB for the fabulous photos. Photostudioab11