| ign="center"> | | | | In some cases if you pick a specific location first your |
| Having your big day in a Caribbean paradise is both a | | | | "expert" is going to be dedicated to the hotel they |
| romantic and memorable experience for both the | | | | work with and some of the extras in your "vision" may |
| guests of honor and the attendees. For you it's the | | | | not be possible. Going with an independent wedding |
| dream wedding in an ideal tropical setting and for your | | | | planning service will give you the initial flexibility to help |
| guests it's sharing a celebration and vacation with | | | | you realize your vision without being tied to one place. |
| friends all-in-one. With a little advance planning you can | | | | This can also be an important factor for your budget |
| be sure to create an occasion to remember for all. | | | | and work more from an ala-carte approach versus a |
| Most people that are getting married and planning a | | | | total package. |
| wedding simply want their guests in attendance to | | | | Packages are however a good place to start and |
| have fun and for the event go pretty much as planned. | | | | they usually allow for some flexibility. Most planners |
| If you get married in a tropical destination, you can | | | | offer some basics that are almost always included in a |
| virtually be assured that your invitees will have a | | | | wedding package like a cake, a variety of ceremonies, |
| wonderful and memorable experience, after all they | | | | flowers, music and dinner etc. There are lots of other |
| have arrived in paradise surrounded by family and | | | | options that can be added or modified of course, but |
| good friends. As far as planning your white sands, | | | | again they at least give you a basis and a start to |
| Caribbean Sea destination wedding, that can also be | | | | your budgeting. |
| fairly straight forward if you do some basic homework. | | | | In addition to having your wedding in paradise there are |
| Location, location, location! | | | | lots of fun activities you and your guests can do, |
| The first thing you will need to decide is where to have | | | | especially on the Maya Riviera Mexico. There are |
| your wedding, but don't be hasty here. What is your | | | | plenty of beach days, snorkeling, scuba, fishing, jungle |
| vision for you wedding in paradise? Do you envision a | | | | tours, adventure parks and mysterious Cenotes |
| small wedding on the beach in a remote location or a | | | | (underground river systems) throughout the area. |
| more luxurious option at an all inclusive resort? There | | | | There is no way you or your guests can see all of it |
| are plenty of options on either end of that spectrum | | | | on a 1-2 week trip, so get ready for fun! |
| and lots in between. The important thing, more than the | | | | Advance notice is always a good idea for a |
| actual place is the vision you have; once you have that | | | | destination wedding as it allows your guests the time |
| in mind, it's a good idea at this point to get a local | | | | needed to plan for themselves and budget for the |
| expert on your team or at least an expert on the local | | | | travel expense. In general, people are excited to be |
| area. This is critical because it is virtually impossible to | | | | invited to a wedding vacation with friends as long as |
| find the local vendors needed to plan your wedding in | | | | they have some notice. |
| Mexico on your own. | | | | |