Planning Your Destination Wedding in Mexico

06/02/2011 By


What do you need to know?

Destination weddings have become popular – and with good reason. They can be beautiful, romantic, and offer an exotic flair, if done the right way. With a destination wedding in Mexico, the “devil is in the details,” but it’s nothing that can’t be overcome if you go into it armed with the correct information, which is often provided by the resort where the ceremony is performed. Mexico is warm, culturally interesting, and can be inexpensive. There are miles and miles of beaches and many luxury resorts that cater to those planning a destination wedding.

 

Location, location, location

First you’re going to need to decide upon a location. Many hotels and resorts in Mexico offer wedding packages and you’ll want to look into what packages are available at what resorts and hotels. This is where price and availability will come into play. Obviously, you will need to work with the resort or hotel to come up with a time that you and your soon-to-be spouse, your guests, and the location are mutually available.

 

Some Resorts that offer Wedding Packages in Mexico


Riviera Maya

The Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita, located right on the silky white sands of the Riviera Maya, offers a location of extreme natural beauty that makes a romantic setting for a wedding and honeymoon. The resort has professional wedding coordinators that can plan every aspect of the wedding from the flowers, decorations, food, beverages, entertainment, guest accommodations to catching you up on the legalities of a Mexican marriage.

This luxury resort offers three packages: the “Wedding in Paradise Package,” and the “Love in Paradise Wedding Package.”

The Wedding in Paradise Package includes a wedding planner, a room upgrade for the bride and groom, unpacking for the bride and groom and preparation of their wedding attire, welcome amenities, a couples massage, a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a wedding cake, sparkling wine for up to 17 guests, menu cards, up to an hour of photography, a judge or minister to perform the ceremony, a romantic dinner for the bride and groom during their stay, turn down service, and a complimentary anniversary night if the couple stays four nights or more over their first anniversary.

The Love in Paradise Wedding Package offers all of the above plus a romantic surprise dinner for the bride and groom, hairstyling and makeup styling for the bride prior to the ceremony, turndown service with rose petals, scented oil bubble bath, and champagne, a sparkling wine toast for up to 20 guests in Waterford champagne flutes, a live duo for one set, a specialty spa basket on the day of arrival,  a 10% discount (not including products) at the spa for the bride during the stay, and a cocktail party that includes canapés and a one hour open bar that includes premium liquors.

 

Puerto Vallarta

The Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is one of the most romantic destinations in Mexico. This resort offers beachfront view with crashing waves and lovely sunsets. This resort offers the “Crystal,” “Pearl,” and “Diamond Collections.”

The Crystal Collection includes a legal ceremony or religious ceremony with all of the needed paperwork, documents, and medical services, a bouquet for the bride and a boutonniere for the groom, a centerpiece for the minister’s table, rose petals for the aisle, a wedding cake, a bottle of sparkling wine and petit fours, breakfast in bed the day after the wedding, and the services of a wedding coordinator.

The Pearl Collection includes everything in the Crystal Collection plus a sparkling wine toast, a sound system for the ceremony, a violinist or saxophonist for the cocktail hour, cocktail set up, a premium bar and Hors D’oeuvres, transportation from the airport, and a 50 minute couples massage on the beach.

The Diamond Collection includes everything in the Pearl Collection plus a DJ and a dance floor with robotic lights and a bubbles machine, and a three course dinner from the all-inclusive menu.

 

Los Cabos

Palmilla One & Only Resorts hosts weddings in its historic chapel. The chapel is located on a hill overlooking the beautiful resort and the chapel is typically Mexican in style with whitewashed arched doorways and windows. The wedding couple may arrive at the chapel in a horse-drawn carriage.

This resort offers a Celebration Consultant who can arrange for a Justice of the Peace or a Minister. There will be a private beach cove for the day that includes floating daybeds and lunch. The wedding couple will have private dinners for two for four nights, breakfast daily for two, private roundtrip airport transfers in a Hummer H2, and special rates for parties of 30 rooms or more.

Included are floral arrangements for the altar, an altar runner, ceremonial candles, and the horse-drawn carriage with a coachman and footman.  Optional arrangements include music, pressing services, bridal bouquet and boutonniere, wedding cake and groom’s cake, personalized menus, private dining for the wedding party and guests, a photographer, and a celebration CD with photos of the ceremony.

The bride receives a manicure and pedicure, hairstyling and makeup by a professional stylist.

 

Legalities of Mexico Marriages

If both you and your future husband/wife are both foreign (not Mexican):

  • You will need both of your “Tourist Cards” that you were given at the airport
  • You will need both original birth certificates plus a copy of each
  • You will need to have had blood tests within 15 days of your wedding to check for HIV, Rh factor, and syphilis.
  • Both of your passports
  • If either one of you is widowed or divorced you need certificates of divorce or death certificates.
  • You will also need the originals and copies of identification for two witnesses.

If you are Mexican and marrying a Non-Mexican (or Vice Versa)

  • You will need the same blood tests as above.
  • The same information for the witnesses
  • A foreigner’s passport
  • The original and a copy of the Mexican party’s official identification including a photo
  • An original and copy of both birth certificates but the foreigners will have to have been translated into Spanish by someone proficient in the language.
  • You must have gotten permission from the Migration Office of the Secretary of the Interior.

 

What to wear

Many bridal shops now have special sections for destination weddings. Keep in mind that it’s warm and humid in Mexico and that you most probably will be married on the beach. You may want to look for light materials, and a dress with a shorter train (if you’re worried about dragging a train through the sand.) Hairstyles should be appropriate for a breezy beach and often veils just get in the way as they blow around. Shoes should be appropriate for walking on sand.

 

Things to remember…

  • Your wedding event is a vacation for the guests so plan events around the wedding. Research local areas of interest and you may even want to make up a brochure that tells the guests about things they can do before and after your wedding day.
  • You may want to provide small in-room gifts to welcome your guests that can include such things as lotions, soaps, candles, candy, or snacks.

And there you go! Now you’re ready for your perfect destination wedding in Mexico!

 

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Cruising the World with Silversea

05/26/2011 By

Cruise the world on Silversea’s 382 guest “Silver Whisper,” a luxurious and intimate way to see the treasures of South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Silversea’s World Cruise 2012, “Global Treausures. Hidden Jewels” will give you special access to world treasures and cultures, jewels of history, and nature that isn’t available to those who tour the world on enormous cruise ships.

Life on board is sheer luxury from the services of the white-gloved staff to the flute of champagne you will receive as you enter your suite. “No detail is too small. No request insignificant.” All staff members are trained by the leading hotel schools of the world and the staff to guest ratio is almost one to one.

The recently refurbished Silver Whisper offers a European ambience. All suites offer ocean views and most have teak verandas. All suites are very large – offering one of the highest space per guest ratio of any luxury cruise accommodation – and have walk-in wardrobes, separate sitting areas, spacious bathrooms with double vanities, and butler service.  Guests enjoy designer soaps, aromatherapy, handmade chocolates, French champagne, Egyptian cotton linens, and even a choice of nine different types of pillows.

Those who stay in Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand, or Owner’s Suites will enjoy laundry service throughout the voyage, a special chocolate welcome, afternoon canapés upon request, a Lavazza or Nespresso coffee machine, dinner at Officer’s table, a dinner for two in Le Champagne, as well as other amenities.

Silversea enjoys a partnership with the prestigious Grands Chefs Relais & Chateaux which provides dining excellence aboard the Silver Whisper. There are a variety of dining venues on each of Silversea’s ships. There is a main dining room as well as several other dining areas, and, of course, in-suite dining, which is available 24 hours a day.

Every Silversea Voyage includes enrichment, no matter where your interests lie. The Silver Perspectives Programme includes lectures, talks, and demonstrations about the lands that are visited and the people who live in these lands. Guests will hear noted guest speakers, well-known historians, celebrity chefs, bestselling authors, and experts on other issues. Other options include afternoon tea, bingo, dance classes, golf putting, spa treatments, wine tastings, and more.

Evenings are given over to the wonderful cuisine in one of the shipboard restaurants, cocktails at one of the bars, a show, a movie, dancing, or roulette or perhaps just a romantic, moonlit stroll along the deck.

Silversea’s World Cruise begins in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 6, 2012. The final port of disembarkation is Monte Carlo, Monaco. It’s a 115 day cruise that includes roundtrip business air and private car transfer to and from the airport. Each suite has a $2,000 Onboard Spending Credit as well as a $1,500 Passport to Luxury Onboard Spending Credit. There is a Gala Bon Voyage reception and dinner including overnight accommodation the evening prior to sailing. Passengers will enjoy five exclusive World Cruise Events, and 3 Silversea Experiences ashore.

Silversea’s World Journey I is a 56 day cruise that begins January 7, 2012 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and ends Singapore. This voyage includes roundtrip economy air and transfer from and to the airport. On this journey each suite receives a $1,000 Onboard Spending Credit and a $1,500 Passport to Luxury Onboard Spending Credit.  Passengers will enjoy 1 Silversea Experience ashore.

Silversea’s World Journey II is a 59 day cruise from Singapore to Monte Carlo that begins March 03, 2012. Like World Journey I, this trip includes roundtrip economy air and transfer from and to the airport. It also includes the same Onboard Spending Credit and Passport to Luxury Onboard Spending Credit. However, this journey includes 2 Silversea Experiences ashore.

Ports

Many ports are visited, each offering something unique, exciting, and unforgettable.

On the Silversea’s World Cruise you’ll visit places like Roseau, Dominica; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Durban, South Africa; Bangkok, Thailand; Shanghai, China; Dubai, UAE; and Monte Carlo, Monaco.

A visit to the principality of Monte Carlo, Monaco, is amazing! Located between the Alps and the Mediterranean sea, it offers gardens, cultural events, sumptuous restaurants, museums, galleries, casinos, opera, theater, and world class shopping.

How about Dubai, UAE? Dubai bills itself as “a unique destination that is both a business center and a tourist paradise.” You will enjoy the tranquility of the desert and the bustle of the souk. In one day one can visit mountains, the desert, the beach, green parks, dusty villages and luxurious wining, dining, and shopping. Sites range from ancient homes to super-modern malls. After the United States, Dubai is ranked the second most popular shopping destination in the world!

Silversea’s World Journey I will take you to, among other places, Rio de Janeiro; Walvis Bay, Namibia; Phuket, Thailand; and Singapore.

Singapore is one of the world’s most exciting destinations. Singapore offers an exciting array of experiences for any visitor from culture to cuisine. Nightlife goes all night, there are restaurants of every type, and you can even take time to smell the orchids at the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

Rio de Janeiro is another thrilling world destination! See Corcovado – the famous statue of Christ that stands 2,330 feet above sea level and offers a sweeping panoramic vista of sea and mountain. It can be reached by electric train or car. Visit Pao de Acucar, or Sugar Loaf, the natural symbol of Rio de Janeiro that involves two cable-car trips. And then there are beautiful botanical gardens, the Tijuaca National Park and Forest. There are innumerable restaurants and, again, world-class shopping.

On Silversea’s World Journey II you will see Hong Kong, China; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Mumbai, India; Dubai, UAE; Alexandria, Egypt; Sorrento, Italy, and more.

Sorrento, Italy, has many nicknames: land of the Mermaids, the city of the orange and lemon groves, kind Sorrento; Sorrento, land of colors, and more. Sorrento is a place where the sea meets the mountains and where plateaus alternate with deep valleys. There is something in Sorrento for everyone and it’s close to so many other important places like Pompei, Capri, Amalfi, and more. Sorrento is a land of culture, archaeological findings, hot, sunny beaches, museums, and, of course, wonderful Italian dining.

Mumbai, India, bills itself as the city that never sleeps! It’s a fun, vibrant city, full of life. Once called Bombay, it’s the most modern city in India today. It’s known for its thriving markets, many communities, and trendy atmosphere. It represents the ever-changing face of India, from the new and modern to the traditional Indian customs and values at its core. Mumbai is a shopper’s heaven and a diners delight! You’ll find dishes and delicacies from every corner of the earth, ethnic markets, bazaars, music, dance, theaters, and so much more. And don’t forget that it’s the home of the Hindi film industry know internationally as “Bollywood.”

Silversea’s World Cruise 2012, “Global Treausures. Hidden Jewels” is a feast for all of your senses and the trip of a lifetime!

Book your Silversea World Cruise today!  Call us at (866) 365-8747 or contact a luxury travel consultant.

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