I have done a couple blog posts about my recent trip to the El Dorado Maroma, but I haven't talked about the resort itself yet.  I have to say that it was my favorite resort yet, so it definitely deserves a post of its own, so here we go.

When choosing a resort for our vacation my wife and I obviously had several choices.  We chose El Dorado Maroma because it's small, intimate, and relaxing - and it turned out to be a perfect choice.  The resort only has 72 suites, so the entire resort is very intimate.  The landscaping is incredible - so many trees!  When you walk around you are walking through a tropical forest of palm trees - it's really amazing.

We stayed in an infinity pool suite, which was amazing.  The patio has a beach bed, two chairs, and an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean.  The pool is only 2-3 feet deep, but it was a great way to cool off and it was nice to have our own little area to ourselves.  More impressive is the way these patios were designed - they are completely private.  There is a wall inbetween you and the person next to you, nd the overall structure is curved, so there is no way to even try to see around the wall.  My friend came to visit for the day and said that the balcony at his resort only had railings seperating other rooms - he was jealous of ours.

Another reason I love this resort is because it's so small - almost every room is basically right on the beach.  Above is the view from our infinity pool.  The room had an in-room hot tub, a huge bathroom, and an outdoor shower.  Most of their suites are larger then some apartments I've had.

But the room was only a small part of why we loved the resort - the biggest one was the staff and food.  Karisma really does an outstanding job and completely lives up to their tagline "gourmet inclusive".  The head chef Efrain is amazing, and his staff - to include head waiter Mauricio and his waitstaff were the most personable I have ever come across.  My wife and I loved the food, but we loved our interaction with the staff even more. 

I am a beach lover, so that's always an important part of my resort choices.  The beach is very calm and shallow - great for relaxing.  The staff is out there every morning and evening raking the beautiful sand so everything is always incredibly smooth - not a rock to be found anywhere.

Overal El Dorado Maroma is an incredible resort, staffed by top-notch employees.  This combination is obviously why our couples love Karisma resorts for their Mexico weddings.  Anybody can have a great hotel on a great stretch of beach, but having employees that you actually consider friends by the end of the week - that is what seperates the best from the rest.

This is a follow-up to my post about deep sea fishing as a great "guys day out" at your Mexico wedding.  While I was fishing, my wife was enjoying the first-class spa at El Dorado Maroma (tough life I know!).  Here is the post below - sounds like a great day for your bridesmaids!

Whenever my husband and I go on vacation we each choose one additional activity we want to do.  The activity I always choose is an experience at the spa.  Having worked in the Spa industry I have certain expectations and visions of how a spa should look and feel to me and hands down, the best spa experience I have ever had was at the Spa at El Dorado Maroma.  The staff at the spa was absolutely outstanding!! When I first walked into the spa I met Alma Cruz, the Manager of the Spa, and instantly felt relaxed and at ease.  She was kind, caring and very knowledgeable.  She asked me a few questions and then suggested the best spa services (or as I call them experiences) to meet my needs.  After chatting with her for 20 minutes, I knew I wanted to do more than my allowance of one spa experience, I wanted to do three and three is what I did! 

The first experience I had was the Dorado Therapeutic Massage at their signature Beachfront Sky Massage in the Ocean Palapa. It was incredible!!  My therapist Magdly Guerra did such an amazing job that I asked Alma if Magdly could be my therapist for the other two spa experiences I had booked and Alma happily made that happen.  The next experience I had was the Delicious Chocolate Exfoliation and Body Wrap which came highly recommended from Alma.  It was amazing and just thinking about it makes we want to go back.  I highly recommend it!!! The third experience I had was the Deep Cleansing Facial.  The facial left me so relaxed I didn't want it to end, Magdly is truly a godsend.

I highly recommend the Spa at El Dorado Maroma.  Their spa services are amazing and their incredible staff at the spa makes it even more enjoyable.  Thank you Alma and Magdly for giving me the best spa experience I have ever had.

We were fortunate enough to participate as a panelist for Destination Weddings and Honeymoon magazine's "Celebrate Romance" media event this past Friday, May 21st.

The event took place at The Plaza hotel in New York City and featured a "who's who" in the destination wedding industry guest list, as well as over 50 media representatives from print, radio, and television.  Everybody was there to discuss the latest trends in destination weddings, and we certainly had a great time - thanks to those of you that were there!

One of the topics which we always love discussing is the "eco-friendly" resort/destination wedding.

More and more destination wedding couples are asking about eco-conscious weddings, and many of the resorts that we partner with are making some really great strides.  One resort chain in particular - Karisma Resorts, has gone so far as to have a full-scale greenhouse where they grow enough organic vegetables to not only support all their hotels, but also excess to trade locally for organic fruit!  Add this with dedication to preserving the environment and you have a resort that you can truly be proud to have your eco-friendly wedding at.

Other ways to remain eco-conscious at your destination wedding would be to book excursions for your group that explore the nature and natural landscape/culture of the destination.  Skip the powerboat cruise and take a sailboat, or perhaps a jungle canopy tour.  The options are only limited by your imagination and how adventurous you are.

The four-member panel was moderated by Susan Moynihan, Editor in Chief of DW+HMs magazine, and discussed other topics like the recession and how destination weddings remain an ever-popular cost-cutting alternative, gourmet-inclusive resorts vs. traditional all-inclusives, and social media while planning a destination wedding.

Thanks again to all those that spent the day with us, we hope to see you again soon and Happy Planning!

One of the best things about destination weddings is that couples get to spend an entire long weekend with their closest friends and family, versus just one day.  Another added bonus is that you are in paradise, so there are all kinds of great chances to do something fun.

I will be doing a series of posts from my recent visit to Rivera Maya Mexico with Karisma resorts and Lomas Travel Tours.  This first one seemed like a great start, because it's very popular for wedding parties to do exactly what my wife and I planned - she did a day at the spa at El Dorado Maroma, and I went Deep Sea Fishing with a friend.  For Mexico weddings this would be a great time to get all the groomsmen out for a day on the high seas, and give the ladies a day of pampering relaxation.  My wife will do a post later about her wonderful experience with the staff at the El Dorado Maroma Spa, this one is all about the great time we had with Lomas Travel and our Deep Sea Fishing crew (fearless captain and one crew member shown below - we really enjoyed our time with them). 

 

I have had a previous bad experience with Deep Sea Fishing at another tourist destination.  It seemed like the crew was only interested in making the time go by and getting paid, because they didn't seem to be actively trying to find the fish.  Our crew with Lomas Travel out of Maroma Marina was the most professional and friendly I have ever encountered.  The captain and crew were constantly changing lures, chasing schools of fish, following birds, and every other trick in the book to make sure that we caught some fish.  As you can see throughout this post - we had an outstanding day of fishing - 2 baracuda, 1 good size Mahi-Mahi, and 1 large Mahi-Mahi.

The tour I booked was 4 hours, and at Maroma Marina you start fishing almost right off the dock, so you definitely get your money's worth.  Lomas boats were definitely some of the most professional I've seen at any destination.  This would be a great time to get a group of groomsmen together for the afternoon - what is better then the sea, cold cervezas, and catching big fish?

If you are planning on having a Mexico wedding in the Cancun/Riviera Maya area, and have some guests that like fishing, I HIGHLY recommend that you look at deep sea fishing with Lomas.  Our destination wedding specialists are able to book excursions/activities like this, so you can actually have everything all setup before you even get there.  That way everybody can be excited about it even before they get down to Mexico.

Special thanks again to Karisma Resorts and Lomas Travel Tours for this great day out on the open seas!  More to follow about our great time at El Dorado Maroma and their spa.

-Quentin

Mandy Chomat, vice president of sales and marketing for Premier Worldwide Marketing, the exclusive worldwide representatives for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma -- a premier collection of Gourmet Inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya, Mexico -- recently named DestinationWeddings.com, "#1 Worldwide Retail Agency Producer of Destination Weddings."

"DestinationWeddings.com and its Certified Destination Wedding Specialists are an exclusive group of trained specialists who are exceptionally attentive to the needs and wants of their clients and we are honored to present them with this award," said Chomat.  "Demonstrating a dedication to personalized service, DestinationWeddings.com offers couples invaluable insight about the unique innovations, services and amenities that combined, create their dream destination weddings.  This acknowledgment recognizes the impressive ability of these distinguished Certified Destination Wedding Specialists to understand and sell our Gourmet Inclusive product, which is centered on romance and togetherness, allowing couples to savor every detail of their special day."

 

"We are pleased to accept this award from El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, our number one partner and preferred hotel group," said DestinationWeddings.com President Quentin "Bud" Carmichael.  "The vast and unique wedding offerings combined with numerous other Gourmet Inclusive amenities set this collection of luxurious properties apart.  El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels' customized service coupled with our dedicated Destination Wedding Specialists consistently result in unparalleled customer satisfaction."

 

For information regarding planning your dream destination wedding with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma, please visit Destination Weddings.

After your Mexico wedding, enjoy your honeymoon at a separate Karisma Resort

As a premier destination wedding location, we offer couples the advantage of having their wedding ceremony and honeymoon at separate Karisma resorts to enjoy maximum privacy and alone time. Staying in the same region for both occasions also makes it easier on the budget and simplifies the planning process. Specialists at DestinationWeddings.com can suggest which resorts best suit your wedding and honeymoon specifications to get your preparations started right away.

The concept of having your wedding at one resort and then the honeymoon at another is ideal if you will be inviting guests with children. The kid-friendly amenities at Azul Beach and Azul Sensatori (baby supplies, a Kids Club, teen activities and more) ensure that your guests with children will have a comfortable stay and peace of mind. The restaurants on property will provide special kids menus or take requests to accommodate even the smallest child at every meal. Azul Beach and Azul Sensatori provide a relaxed, laid back atmosphere for all your family and friends.

For the honeymoon, move to one of the adults-only El Dorado Spa Resorts (Royale, Maroma, Casitas or Seaside Suites) for a more intimate experience in an ultra romantic setting. Here the amenities have been designed with couples in mind- from private outdoor showers, candlelight dinners and moonlight massages- where our priority is to pamper you in every way. You can also explore the natural wonders of the area together by taking a snorkeling tour or exploring the majestic underground cenotes and ride wave runners or a camel along the beach. It's a one-of-a-kind lover's retreat that's both relaxing and exciting.

You can also switch this around and have your wedding at an El Dorado Resort and your honeymoon at Azul Beach or Azul Sensatori. The honeymoon suites at the Azul resorts are also equipped to provide a high end romantic experience with 24-hour room service, in suite Jacuzzis and other special perks.

Keep in mind that Mexico weddings and honeymoons in the same destination will save you money and make planning easier. Whichever Karisma Resort you choose to spend your "happily ever after" moments at, it's guaranteed to be magical.

Paula Negrete,

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

Congrats to our winner and runner up in our 3rd/4th quarter 2009 Best Destination Wedding Video contest!  We had some great videos in this contest and the voting was intense!

The winners: Meghan and Larry

 

The runner up: Cathy and Chris

Thank you to all our Destination Wedding couples that participated in this last contest.  For us here at DestinationWeddings.com the best part is being able to see the final product after all those months of hard work!

Quentin

Picking "the dress" and choosing an experienced, artistic photographer are probably two of the biggest challenges that come up in wedding planning- and both are the most important elements of a fun ‘Trash the Dress' photo shoot! Our professional wedding coordinators have noticed that more brides are requesting suggestions for ‘Trash the Dress' photo shoot locations at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels. From the individual swim-up pools to the beach, there are tons of scenic spots on our properties to ‘Trash the Dress'.

Depending on the bride's budget, the wedding dress can be a hefty expense. Often brides purchase an extra, less expensive option that's still photographs well for the trash the dress session. Shoes and accessories are not needed, makeup can be minimal (since it's likely wash off when splashing in the water) and natural, loose hair give the photos a more romantic look. Throwing the groom into the mix for some tender poses makes the photos more intimate and it's a great moment to release the stress of the event and just be silly and kick up your feet up together. For him- a simple white shirt and a rolled up pair of chinos is always the easiest option.

Combining a good dose of creativity with a carefree spirit helps to produce the most lively ‘trash the dress' images. The natural beauty surrounding El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels offers endless charming places to get the perfect shot.  Poses can include taking a dip in one of the private swim-up pools with a bright tropical cocktail in hand, or rolling in the sand with big smiles and without a care in the world. At Azul Sensatori, couples can run around in the kiddie water park and at El Dorado Casitas they can hang their feet from a palapa and have the breeze create the ‘windblown hair' effect. Every spot is more stunning than the next and with a sharp artistic eye behind the lens, the ‘trash the dress' photos are guaranteed to get endless compliments when sharing your wedding album.

Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Media Photography http://www.elizabethmedinaphotography.com/

We've planned over 5,000 destination weddings here at DestinationWeddings.com over the years.  As you can imagine, we seen almost everything.  I'm one of the people that talk to couples before they start working with us, and I've found that there are a lot of things that people don't know about planning a destination wedding, so I figured I'd do a couple blog posts to see if I could address some of them.  So here we go....the top 10 things I wish couples knew about planning a destination wedding:

10. You can plan it yourself, but why reinvent the wheel?  I know that wedding planning in general can be a type of "rite of passage" for brides-to-be, and some get really excited about the planning.  You can still be involved in all the decisions with your destination wedding, but you should have someone helping you along that does it all the time. 

9. You're going to want to escape from your guests at some point.  I almost fell into this trap with my own destination wedding last year.  A lot of couples figure that their guests will only do a long weekend, and then they will have the resort to themselves after the wedding.  This is partially true - most guests do book packages less than a week long, but others may not.  This means that you will be running into all your friends and family when you're really going to want some alone time.  Do yourself a favor and either plan to move to anther resort, or an entire other destination after your destination wedding.  We did a separate destination and really liked the fact that we had two totally separate sets of memories - one for the destination wedding, and one for the honeymoon.

8. Group agreements are usually a good idea. Get out of the idea that just because you are traveling with a group that you will get some insanely low rate, it's not going to happen.  Yes, if you are planning a destination wedding with a good planner then you'll receive some benefits, but the main benefit is actually making sure that everybody has a room and is paying the same amount.  As room availability at a hotel gets slim, they usually charge more, and once they sell out...those guests that waited too long are out of luck.

7. Don't sweat the little things! I know that planning a traditional wedding includes getting really detailed about how everything will be decorated.  Do you know why?  Usually it's because the venue NEEDS to be decorated in order to look nice.  Most couples planning a destination wedding are having their ceremonies in an incredible area that has amazing natural beauty (beach, garden, etc).  Let nature speak for itself and leave the pom-poms and doilies at home.

6. You aren't expected to pay for anybody. There is no book of etiquette written on planning a destination wedding.  It's not like a traditional wedding where there are fairly set rules on what you are expected to do.  It is common knowledge that destination wedding couples don't pay for anybody expect themselves.  With that being said, if you have extra money you certainly can get charitable and help certain people out.  Some couples choose to offer a kind of voucher for guests (a certain $ amount per person), to help defray costs.  But again, it's not necessary.

Stay tuned for our final 5....

-Quentin

In our experience as destination wedding experts in the Riviera Maya, we have had the opportunity to create some very different and special events. Many couples have come up with creative wedding themes that have been memorable and fun and our wedding coordinators have always accepted the challenge to execute their visions to a tee.

Wedding themes:

This past fall our team put together a ‘Day of the Dead' wedding for a bride of Mexican descent. The chapel at El Dorado Maroma was decorated in bright orange flowers and at the reception skulls and other authentic Mexican decorations gave the party a traditional but still very modern and cool ambiance. We'd like to inspire your wedding planning imagination with this list of wedding themes for a dazzling reception.

• - Eco- Friendly: If you choose to have your wedding at El Dorado Royale or Casitas, select a menu that includes dishes using vegetables from the hotel's greenhouse. Print invitations on recycled paper and give guests reusable water bottles as wedding favors.
• - Vintage: Pick antique gold as the main color for your decorations and combine with white and pastel flowers. Style hair in glamorous curls -a lá Grace Kelly - and choose a wedding dress with lace details. Add table cloths with a retro print.
• - Peacock: Colors to create this theme should be a combination of royal purples, fuchsias, blues and greens. Instead of flowers, use a peacock feathers for the groom and groomsmen's' boutonnieres and add them to the bridal bouquet.
• - Geek-Chic: Print table cards with your guests' Twitter handles instead of their formal names and create a #hashtag (i.e. #chrisandjulie) so they can share photos and updates of the party with friends and relatives back home. Put a Flip Camera on each table and encourage guests to take short videos to be instantly uploaded on Youtube (and if your new spouse doesn't mind, change your Facebook relationship status at the altar!)

Hope these ideas have sparked your creativity to plan a special reception for your Mexico wedding. Whatever your image for your wedding day is, at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels we are excited turn it into a reality.

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels