Destination Wedding Tips, Advice and FAQ
Arrive at your destination at least 3 days prior to your wedding. This gives you an extra day to figure things out if your flight is cancelled and to have an important wedding rehearsal (or welcome party).
Don't check your dress (same for rings). Most airlines will let you bring your dress as a carry-on, but it's recommended to call your airline ahead of time.
It is recommended that rehearsal dinner/welcome parties happen 2 days before your wedding- this prevents wedding day hangovers for you and guests.
Do research on the resort's vendor fees for bringing in professionals! The prices can vary wildly from resort to resort. Beach Clubs and Private Villas are often vendor fee free.
Your resort wedding planner may take a long time to reply to your emails. Rest assured, this is normal. Hiring an outside wedding planner will garner more communication and planning.
Ask your resort before booking if they're planning construction, festivals or any events during your wedding date. You don't want your wedding backdrop to be a construction site, or battling a concert or festival.
Have a wedding rehearsal! For photography purposes, it’s always best to know exactly where to stand. Couples tend to not stand in the middle of their ceremony arch when a friend or family member is officiating, and the best man always tends to stand inside the arch with the couple. Practice and know your marks.
Have your resort remove the wrist bands from the bride and groom, families and wedding party on your wedding day (or cut it off yourself).
Do not get married before 4 PM! The sun is intense in the Riviera Maya (and most beach places), not only melting your guests but leaving you raccoon-eyed in photos too from the shadows. Mid-day beach sun is not flattering.
A First Look, leaves you extra time for mingling with guests at cocktail hour, but keep in mind those photos will be in the hottest part of the day, and first looks are generally not recommended June-August.
Do not wear sunscreen or mineral make-up on your face on your wedding day. This will cause the light to reflect back into the camera when we use flash at night, causing you to look ghost faced in photos!
Speaking of sunscreen… DO wear it before your wedding! Tan lines and wedding dresses don't mix. (Sunglasses tans too, guys!) We do not photoshop burns, or tan lines.
Also speaking of photoshop; please make sure bridesmaids & groomsmen have the correct attire. Also make sure your clothes are tailored to fit. We do not change clothing or alter clothing to fit in photoshop.
Know your wedding day itinerary and share it with guests. Being organized keeps your day running smoothly and you and your guests won't feel confused as to what to do or where to go! A disorganized wedding day is stressful to you, your guests and your vendors!
Have pictures of your hair and make-up ready to give your hair stylists and make-up artists. We've had one too many brides not like their hair or make-up when using a resort hmua because communication wasn’t clear. Better yet, hire a professional and have a trial day.
Have your make-up done in natural light. This one goes without saying, right? And once again, please consider a make-up professional, just as you're considering a photography professional. Nobody wants a disaster on their face (or hair!) for the big day.
Determine the best season for your wedding. It is the tropics, and could rain at any given moment - but you're more likely to have a rainy wedding in September or October, than you are April or May. June, July and August are blazing hot.
Speaking of weather, the forecasting is not accurate in Mexico, and rain doesn’t last long (unless it’s a hurricane or tropical storm)- so stressing over an internet forecast, in most cases, would be a total time-waster.
A 3 piece suit is not recommended for grooms (or people who wear suits). It is almost always hot, humid and the UV Rays are much stronger here. We want suit wearers to enjoy their day too, without getting heat exhaustion from their attire!
In more weather news, December-March are the windiest months in the Riviera Maya. It is not recommended to wear your hair all down if it is long.
Getting Ready Rooms! Have your room cleaned before photography starts. A clean “getting ready room” always photographs better than a dirty one. If you have a choice of getting ready rooms, choose the one with the most natural light, and white walls.
Drink lots of water, electrolytes and remember to eat on your wedding day! This tropical heat and humidity can be dangerous if you're not well taken care of.
An open bar welcome party the day before your wedding is generally not recommended if you want all guests to show up and have fun on your wedding day. We’ve had many instances of wedding party and family not making it to the wedding day festivities due to the night before. Something to think about!
Dance Floors! If you’re worried about your guests getting up and dancing, a real dance floor is always recommended! Without one, people tend to be more tame and stay spread out with less dancing and partying.
A good MC and DJ! An MC and DJ are the directors of your party, they get people on the dance floor and they keep it moving! Bringing an Ipod to play music yourself rarely works, and the music often cuts out leaving one of your guests to be “tech person” instead of enjoying the reception.
Above all else….Have FUN! This day is all about each other and the celebration of your love. Weddings always come together; trust the professionals you hired, let your stress go and loosen up- it will be the most fabulous day of your lives and we’ll make sure that happens for you!
More tips to come... as we think of them!