20 August, 2014

The Couple

Stacey and Matt from New York married at Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico on the 12th of October, 2013.

The Planning

Matt and I decided we wanted to do a destination wedding about two years before we were engaged. We started proposing the idea to our family and closest friends to see what they thought about it and behold, they all thought it would be a great idea - the one time we could get everyone together on a vacation. Matt and I have been together since we were 18. We have known each other since elementary school and even went to our 8th grade dance and senior prom together. Just as we have grown up together, so have our friends. We are fortunate to have such a tight knit group, although large as you can tell from the size of our wedding party. On March 29, 2011, Matt proposed to me with a personalized fortune cookie and I of course said yes. The planning began... I immediately started reading blogs and finding information out about destination weddings. I contacted my travel agent and we narrowed it down to Mexico. Matt and I had vacationed in Mexico in 2010 and loved it. Lucky for us, our travel agent knew the kind of resort we were looking for and gave us a list of her top three choices. From there I narrowed it down to the Excellence in Playa Mujeres. I wanted my guests to be "wowed" by the resort and they sure were. The grounds were beautiful, the restaurants delicious, the staff amazingly accommodating, and the weather perfect! I worked with the resort's wedding coordinator Llenny Gomez for over a year planning this wedding. She was very pleasant to work with even with the distance. We were able to communicate all our needs to her and she put it together to make the day a girl always dreams about - just perfect. I got much of my inspiration for color and DIY projects from Pinterest. My amazing bridesmaids helped it all come to fruition.

Legal/Medical Requirements

We married the year prior on the same date on an overlook of Lake Ontario with just our parents and a justice of the peace. Therefore we only had a symbolic ceremony in Mexico.

Travel Arrangements

I used a travel agent to serve as my coordinator for guests, Melissa Harm of Rubys Travel - independent of the resort. Everyone had to fly to Mexico. All guests were leaving out of New York, arrived in Cancun International Airport and we had private shuttles to the resort, which was only 30 minutes from the airport.

The Destination

The resort gets an A++ it was fabulous and lived up to everything our travel coordinator promised. It was beautifully decorated, clean, friendly and accommodating staff. We were in the Excellence Club which had some upgraded services and room accommodations which was worth every penny. Everything was done at the resort there was no reason to leave. We stayed for a week as did some of our other guests. Others due to work could only spend a long weekend. Many of our family and friends plan to go back to the resort they loved it so much.

Guests

We had 40 guests at our wedding. We have small families just our immediate family members attended but we have an amazingly supportive group of extended friends who all traveled with us to celebrate in our special day. Everyone stayed at the same venue. We planned a welcome party the night before the wedding with a private bar and cocktails and small plates. Every night small groups got together and ate at one of the nine restaurants at the resort.

The Wedding

Light hearted and laid back, toes in the sand, wind blowing in your hair, "I Do's" at sunset.

Advice for others considering this as a wedding destination

When the wedding was all said and done I could not have asked for a better week with my most favorite people in the world. The wedding planner was very easy to work with leading up to the wedding. Good communication and very accommodating. They really have everything planned out for you, all you need to do it choose from the choices they have available. I brought some of my own DIY projects which they incorporated no problem. The food was excellent! I would highly recommend this destination resort to any bride. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. Thank you Presta Imagery for capturing it all!

Photographer: Presta Imagery

Ceremony Venue: Right on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico

Reception Venue: CECO Terrace at Excellence Resort Playa Mujeres - Quintana Roo, Mexico

Wedding Coordinator: Llenny Gomez of Excellence Resort Playa Mujeres

Hair: I brought my own hair stylists from home (New York) - Barbara Conlin of Joseph Taylor Salon - New City, New York

Makeup Artist: Miilé Spa at Excellence Resort Playa Mujeres

Catering, Wedding Cake, Floral Arrangements and Music: All provided by Excellence Resort Playa Mujeres

Decorations: Provided by the resort, along with some DIY projects

Local Transport: The resort offered private shuttles to and from the airport

Travel Arrangements: Melissa Harm of Rubys Travel