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!

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 .

Weddings In Playa to Plan ROYAL Wedding!!!

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An Open Letter and Invitation to HRH Prince Henry Charles Albert David Mountbatten-Windsor of Wales and Ms. Rachel Meghan Markle Regarding Their Upcoming Royal Wedding

PlayaMujeresCancunWedding003Congratulations on the announcement of your wedding! You may be feeling the pressure of planning a traditional English Royal Wedding in cold, rainy London but, just like your unconventional pairing, why not do something different and entrust your big day to us with an incredible Celebration in the Mayan Riviera where fabulous weather is guaranteed?!

 

beach-84533_1920We want to show you a F U N time!

(although we have learnt a thing or two ourselves about fun from Harry’s regular tabloid appearances)

Consider how much more fun and relaxed your guests will feel sipping Mai Tai’s on the fine white sand under a blazing Mexican sun…

Serenaded by our favorite Mariachi band.

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We humbly suggest that Meghan should forget the classic Disney Princess entrance by Carriage and instead, emerge from the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico in scuba gear and a white bikini (hey if you’ve got it, you may as well flaunt it!)

bik

We know how fond Harry is of dressing up and think he would look amazing as a Luchador for our local tradition, Hora Loca – we do love a party here in this part of the World!

lucha1

 

You can still invite all the royals, presidents, leaders, etc. and, if you can make please make sure Trudeau attends and maybe stay for a few extra days we’ll give you a discount!

So why not break with the past and contact us? – we are here for you guys.

Hugs and Kisses,

Maria & Erica

hm

10 Things I’ve Learned After Planning 500 Weddings

Tips from Maria, seasoned wedding planner directly for YOU

1. Everyone has an OPINION
Daytime wedding, nighttime wedding, summer or winter, catering or restaurant… Everyone in your family (and your partner’s) will chip in. It’ll be mostly coming from a place of love, but let them gently realise that the only people who have to decide is you and your fiancee.

talking

 

2. Decisions, decisions…
To make a plan, you need to define what you like. Open the web and start checking sites like Pinterest, WeddingWire, Best Destination Wedding and Weddings In Playa – these sites have the ability to transport you to thousands of weddings in 5 minutes. Take notes, be bold, have fun!

 

3. It’s important to get on the same page as your families before planning anything
Details that might seem obvious, like who’s paying for it, what the budget will be, and what the priorities are. Very important, if your parents pay; make them feel important. Everyone loves and greets appreciation!

dollar-1362244_960_720

 

4. Yes, it’s YOUR day, but it’s also important to your whole family
When starting the planning process, fighting for stuff that is only important to one, can end rather unpleasantly, sometimes even with tears. Understand that the day is a dream come true not just for you, but also for your parents, so if we need to have a religious ceremony in order for them to be happy, we might be able to come to a happy medium. Pick your fights!

 

5. There will be some conflicts between the 2 of you and that’s OK
To you, the song you pick for your first dance is super important. For him, it’s all about what’s going to be served at the open bar – you have different priorities!

Take a deep breath and just remember that you’re both under intense pressure trying to plan the perfect day, and that you’re always going to be different people with different ideas. Talk about everything, explain why you’re passionate about certain things, and maybe take a whole day with each other to just hang out and forget about the wedding so you can enjoy each other’s company instead. It sounds like a self-help book, but I promise that it works.

spendtime

 

6. Some guests are a headache
The majority of people understand the unwritten rules and know that they have to RSVP on time. Others are going to tell you last minute that they can’t make it, making you end up footing the food and drink bill.

It happens at every wedding. It’s normal to get stressed and frustrated so do your best to spot the unwanted and try to be on top of it. Either you accept that they might not come or misbehave or you don’t invite them. Easy!

badguest

 

7. Dress shopping can be tough!!
And it can be a nightmare because, contrary to popular belief, no dress is going to fit you like Cinderella’s slipper right out of the box. There are a number of designs and designers you’ll love, so don’t worry. Start shopping early!
8. Be aware of the weather conditions
Beach weddings generally mean a lot of wind: I also love candles but unless it’s a quiet evening they won’t stay lit.

Same for your hairdo: if the wind blows, an updo is best…

windyhair

 

9. EAT
Ask the catering service or restaurant manager to assign someone to follow you around.

Everyone will tell you that you will be going to be too busy to eat or drink on your wedding day because you’re going to be running around at the reception. Get ready! Assign a waiter to cater to both of you and all will be well!

thing3

 

10. ENJOY YOURSELF
It’s true that the day is going to fly by, but it’s really going to fly by if you’re not having fun. Don’t worry about it if someone doesn’t look comfortable or if your cousin is having a fight with his girlfriend. Enjoy your party because it goes fast.

What’s truly important is the fact that you’re marrying the love of your life.

 

11! Wedding planners are your best friends
It’s an extra cost that will hinder your budget BUT they have done this a million times before, so by giving them the reigns you can actually enjoy your own wedding. It is very easy to hire people to manage timing, amount of alcohol per person, and negotiations with the florist and every one else.

E&M

Crucial Wedding Tips

13 Tips from your Pro Wedding Planners

You can thank us later!

 

1. Try On Your Dress

Try on your wedding dress 3 days before your wedding and check how to open it to go to wee and dance – the best way to wee is facing the wall and lifting the anterior part.

 

2. Appoint A Best Friend

You don’t want to be bothered with a million little things on your wedding day, and believe me, there will BE so appoint a best friend help out. You’ll need someone to hold onto your phone and field the texts, they can let you know if something truly disastrous is happening that needs your immediate attention and also FEED you before the wedding. With all the morning jitters, you’re likely to forget. And you definitely don’t want to put any champagne into your system without having a snack first!

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3. Shoes!

You will need 3 pairs of shoes: slippers for the getting ready, high heels or cool shoes for the ceremony and easy comfy shoes for the DANCE!

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4. Break In Your Shoes

Soften up your wedding shoes before the big day without getting them dirty – see this great post from Wedding Party

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5. Introduce Everybody

Arrange for your wedding party to meet and get to know each other before the wedding. It’ s likely they all are friends but, just in case, why not have dinner or drinks with all of them 1 month before and enjoy the pleasure of their company while they mingle?

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6. Cream Or Fondant?

Don’t make the mistake of picking the wrong icing for you cake – buttercream, ganache, whipped cream, pastry creams (sometimes called creme patissiere), and cream cheese icings can melt so go for rolled fondant and marzipan-iced cakes if you’re having a hot, outdoor wedding.

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7. Save The Date

Got a wedding website? Make sure to include a call to action reminding to guests to Save The Date. (don’t have a wedding website? speak to Pixel Fields)

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8. Wedding Photos

Noon is harsh so don’t schedule your photo shoot to early – the best light is 2 hours before sunset, so enjoy it!

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9. Clean Your Rings

Have your ring professionally cleaned – your jeweller will most likely do it for virtually nothing and  you can enjoy a prismatic extra sparkly ring for your photos.

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10. Guestbook

Don’t just go for the standard guestbook, be creative and come up with something different. Some of the coolest we’ve seen are wishes on rocks, shells, painted on a canvas or even sung accompanied by a recorder! There are lots of great ideas on Pinterest.

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11. The List

It’s most important that you put together a forget-me-not bag or list of items to take with you like the marriage certificate, rings, contact lenses/glasses, everything you can think of. Let your mother and/or sister know about it too in case you partied a bit too much!

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12. Learn How To Say NO!

Lean how to respectfully say NO, because that is something you will need at some point in your planning (your mom’s old wedding dress or your uncle singing might be great… or not). Learn how to be firm and clear on what you won’t do and with love and compassion learn to say ‘NO thanks’.

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13. Last But Not Least

THIS IS A PARTY and the most important thing is to enjoy yourself and have fun. Life is too short (and your wedding day will fly by) to hold a grudge or be angry because the candles didn’t stay lit so dance, drink and be merry!

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