How to Plan the Best Elopement or Micro Wedding

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Do you want a small, intimate wedding or a big, ritzy affair? Deciding on the right kind of elopement or micro wedding requires taking into account a number of factors. Are you looking for a small wedding with only a few guests? If so, choose an elopement because it’ll be the most intimate and special option. Do you want to avoid large weddings with hundreds of guests? In that case, you may want to consider a smaller wedding with around 50 guests. Wherever you end up going for your special day, keep these tips in mind so that your special day doesn’t end up feeling like an ordeal. After all, it’s important to have an enjoyable and stress-free celebration. So here are some helpful hints on how to plan the best elopement or micro wedding.

how to plan the best elopement or micro wedding

Decide on your ideal length first

One of the most important decisions you can make before speaking with any vendors is to decide on the ideal elopement or micro wedding length. If you’re looking for a small, intimate wedding, then an elopement or micro wedding is the perfect option. That being said, smaller weddings usually call for shorter elopements. You don’t have to be a rule-breaker to celebrate a small wedding. In fact, you and any guests can still have a lot of fun and enjoy yourselves in a very charming way. A quick elopement or micro wedding typically lasts from a day to 5 days, but if you and your future spouse want to go the extra mile and celebrate your love longer, you can always book a second ceremony or reception when you get home to celebrate with family and friends who were unable to join you.

Decide on the number of guests you’ll have

Planning a wedding is always nerve-wracking. How will you and your guests be seated, what drinks will be served, what food, and the number of courses, etc. are all important to keep in mind. You don’t want to end up with too many guests or a small guest list and have to add to it later to meet venue requirements. If you’re having a micro wedding, you will want to keep the guest count to no more than 50 people. If that’s the case, consider a destination wedding. Destination weddings can be just as charming as a home-cooked meal. You can always add on another ceremony or reception/celebration after you return home to celebrate with loved ones who could not attend.

Decide on your venue

Venues can vary from extremely expensive to reasonably priced. It’s important to consider your budget when it comes to your wedding. You don’t want to end up with a wedding that feels like a steal because you spent less money. If you want to keep your budget under control, a great option is to choose a budget-friendly venue. If you’re on a tight budget, consider smaller hotels or venues, outdoor natural locations, or reduce the number of guests. If you choose a destination wedding, reduce the number of nights you will stay, or travel during the off-season for a better value.

For convenience and stress-free planning, choose a wedding planner & travel specialist to work with

A great option is to choose a wedding planner & travel specialist to work with. They’ll help you select the best vendors for your budget and schedule. Some of the things that a good wedding planner & travel specialist will do for you include: Getting you Registered with the appropriate authorities (if you’re having a legal ceremony outside of the United States), finding a local wedding photographer, a local florist, and a caterer (if one is needed). Your travel specialist will work with you to choose a resort location that offers you everything you will need for a magical wedding day, and help you make all of your travel arrangements.

Consider the location of your ceremony and reception

Don’t settle for anything less than the best when it comes to your wedding destination. Look for a hotel with a charming garden or reception area. Ideally, your ceremony and reception will take place in the same location. When it comes to the date for your wedding, there are options based on availability. If you have a specific date in mind, start planning early to confirm your date.

Get your creative juices flowing!

Planning a wedding can be nerve-wracking and stressful. Thankfully, there are a number of options that will help make your special day as stress-free as possible. You can always use a little creative inspiration and assistance when planning your wedding. Reach out to me here to start planning your elopement or micro wedding, or if you have any questions.

Luxury Travel: Mexico’s Caribbean

Posted on by Lucky n Love

Bring on the high thread count linens, the delicious food, and the optional nanny services (yes please!). When traveling as a couple, or a family, there are countless things to consider, from appropriate accommodations to food that will satisfy everyone. From private villas and five-star hotels to sprawling resorts, everyone will be well taken care of at these properties below. Plan your luxury travel in Mexico’s Caribbean.

grand velas vacation packages
Photo Credit: Velas Resorts

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

This AAA Five Diamond property is sprawled across 80 acres and never feels crowded. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya understands the challenges faced when traveling with babies and boasts its own baby concierge (yes, really!) The concierge provides you with everything from bottle sterilizers and baby bathtubs to strollers and teething toys. Babysitters are available for an additional charge. The kids and teens clubs (catering to ages 4-12 and 12-18 respectively) offer adults the perfect chance for some alone time by the pool. Attentive pool and beach concierges ensure guests will want for nothing.

tulum mexico, luxury travel mexico's caribbean

Fairmont Mayakoba

Offering the kind of five-star service that Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is famous for, Fairmont Mayakoba does not disappoint. Despite its proximity to Playa del Carmen, Fairmont Mayakoba feels a world away. Set amidst 240 acres of tropical rainforest complete with canals and local wildlife that guests will love. With most buildings set back from the beach, Fairmont Mayakoba aims to maintain the integrity and preservation of its ecosystem. For guests who want to leave their wallets tucked in the safe, the optional all-inclusive package is the way to go. Fairmont’s AI package includes unlimited dining and beverage service at 3 of their restaurants and 5 of their bars. Kids will love the waterslide at the main pool. Also, the excursions throughout the property are led by the Discovery Club (ages 4-6) and Adventure Club (ages 7-12). For older kids and adults, there are complimentary bikes available, perfect for exploring.

palm trees on beach

Hotel Esencia

Situated between Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, Hotel Esencia offers couples and families an intimate getaway. Be prepared for staff to know your name. Take full advantage of the ‘Nanny on Call’ program, offering two hours of complimentary babysitting so the adults can spend some time alone. At Hotel Esencia it’s the small touches that make the biggest impact. Like the samples of local small-batch Casa Dragones tequila left for guests in their rooms. With multi-lingual nannies (and a chef willing to make baby food to order) even the youngest guests will be taken care of.

villa rentals mexico

PRIVATE VILLAS

If you want to really feel at home in Mexico’s Caribbean, look no further than a private villa. With endless options, you can choose from tranquil beach-front estates to eco-friendly abodes set amongst palm trees and crystal clear cenotes. For example, the Hacienda del Mar villa features 7 bedrooms and two separate casitas spread over 16,000 square feet of oceanfront property. Included are daily maid service, a personal butler, a gourmet chef, and daily concierge service.

If you’re looking to get away to Mexico’s Caribbean with the whole family, contact me here. I’d love to put together the perfect luxury travel package to Mexico’s Caribbean for you!

Destination Wedding Planning Mistakes

Posted on by Lucky n Love

You’ve got the ring, and now it’s time to start thinking about where to tie the knot. Destination weddings appeal to many couples, but before you go planning the big day from a distance – read this about destination wedding planning mistakes, and how to avoid them.

destination wedding planner, destination wedding mistakes to avoid

Don’t Assume Everyone Will Attend

Destination weddings can be hard to swing for some people, whether it’s financial restraints, young children, work commitments, etc. Work under the assumption that you may only see 75% of your guest list RSVP ‘yes’.

Don’t NOT Work with a Professional

I’m not talking about the on-site coordinator if you go for a resort that has one. I mean hiring a proper destination wedding specialist, who knows the ins and outs of planning a wedding from afar. Call me biased, but having a professional who can seamlessly guide you from the initial planning stages to the big day (and even the post-wedding activities) will save you time, money, and stress. A destination wedding specialist can help arrange your wedding transportation, book a venue, reserve portable bathroom rentals for outdoor events, hire caterers, and hire personal bodyguards from event security Singapore for your event. And if you’re planning a London wedding, you may consider hiring close protection services london.

Who wants to be stressed out on their big day? You deserve to sit back and relax. Book your penang to singapore bus ticket today for an enjoyable and stress-free ride from Penang to Singapore.

Don’t Underestimate the Weather (Especially in the Caribbean!)

Humidity and a lot of hair types do not mix well together. The last thing you want on your big day is for your hair to not cooperate, after all – those pictures last a lifetime! In addition to hair woes, heavy dresses, makeup, sweat mixed with self-tanner – these can all be recipes for disaster in a hot climate. Consider having your wedding later in the day and maybe choose from pretty short homecoming dresses as your reception dress, invest in hair products to combat humidity, and suggest that the men swap their three-piece suits for linen instead.

Don’t Overlook Traditions – Both Home & Away

Just because you’re in a unique locale doesn’t mean you need to forego family traditions, so do what you can (or want) to honor family history – wherever you’re saying ‘I Do’. Depending on where you’re getting married, it can also be special to incorporate local traditions and influences into your nuptials. Getting married in Mexico? Consider a Mariachi band for your cocktail hour.

destination wedding mistakes to avoid, destination wedding planner

Don’t Assume You Will Automatically Save Money

Can you save money having a destination wedding? Absolutely, but that’s a different post for a different day. Ultimately (and similarly to a local wedding) your budget will be determined by the location, the suppliers you choose, the foods you would like to serve, and the number of guests you’re inviting. Hot tip: Booking early can often score you better deals, so if you think a destination wedding is something you’d like to do – feel free to get in touch.

Don’t Make Anyone Guess Anything

Weddings come with a whole slew of questions, from ‘what time does it start?’ to ‘what is the appropriate attire?’. Destination weddings come with at least triple the questions, so take the guesswork out of the event for your guests – and build a wedding website where all of the important information can live – and be updated as you near the big day. From wedding details to accommodation options, flight info, and even local activities in the area – house all of the relevant wedding information in one spot – and never worry about answering the same question over and over again! The services I provide include a free wedding website for my couples, customized with all of the details.

Don’t Ship Anything

While there’s a good chance your shipped items will arrive, don’t run the risk. Anything especially valuable should go in your carry-on or be checked (ie your dress, rings, etc). The last thing you want to be dealing with on (or leading up to) your big day is missing wedding favors, dresses, or damaged goods.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun

Your wedding day goes by in a blur, so try to take some moments to stop and soak it all in. From the friends and family who have traveled to celebrate with you, to the exchanging of vows in a stunning wedding venue, this day is about you and your love – so enjoy it!

Want to plan a destination wedding but don’t know where to start?

Reach out to me here, and avoid making these and other destination wedding planning mistakes.