We are about to announce our Best Destination Wedding Video contest for weddings that took place during the 3rd and 4th quarter of 2009.  As I was going through and editting the videos to post on the site, I just had to throw together this quick 1 minute highlight real of couples and their guests having a great time.  It's always great for us to see our couples and their family/friends enjoying their big day!

 Stay tuned to the website - contest should be up and running by Monday.  Make sure you vote for your favorite video!

 

Thanks to our friends at Karisma for continuing to share some great insider tips on Mexico Weddings.  After reading their advice it's no surprise why our specialists love planning Mexico weddings for our couples with them!

Adding to the convenience of a destination wedding at El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels or Azul Hotels, by Karisma is the opportunity to have your bachelor/bachelorette party in the Riviera Maya. Typically, we ask couples to arrive three days prior to their wedding day, so it's the perfect amount of time to plan one last hoorah before becoming Mr. and Mrs. From golf to bar hopping to massages by the beach, there are endless options for you and your wedding party to hang out and toast to your last days as a single gal/guy.

For a bachelor party we suggest a round of golf- or two - at the lush Mayakoba golf course where you experience 18 holes set in three distinct ecosystems. The course is situated among a mangrove forest with stunning views of the beach and natural obstacles that test the skills of players at every level.  Schedule an early tee time and leave the afternoon open for dinner at one of the lively restaurants in Playa del Carmen. Good food, live music and tequila shots are guaranteed to get the right party started.

Bachelorettes might prefer to indulge in a pampering session with the bridesmaids at one of the state-of-the-art spas on the El Dorado or Azul properties. A wedding coordinator can reserve a spa suite for beauty and massage treatments and have it specially catered with a gourmet lunch and champagne. Everyone is treated like royalty by our staff, so it won't be difficult to disconnect and release some pre-wedding stress here. Girl talk, margaritas and manicures- this is exactly what bachelorette parties were invented for!

Couples can also opt for a combined bachelor/bachelorette celebration and invite the entire wedding party to a private fiesta on the beach. Pick from a menu of gourmet specialties prepared by the chef, and add the music of a steel drum player or a mariachi quartet - we can even have Pancho the tequila donkey make a cameo appearance just for you.

Forget the bachelor/bachelorette party mishaps you see in the movies, at El Dorado Resorts and Azul Hotels your party will be tailored to your specific idea of fun. We promise that saying goodbye to your single days will be exactly how you imagined- unforgettable and exciting!

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

Sometimes couples are looking for something really unique to do with their guests.  Some couples take great excursions, do activities, or plan events at thier resort.  On my recent trip to Aruba I had the opportunity to visit this great spot for Aruba weddings and/or receptions.

It is a small island right off the coast of Aruba.  It's actually a fairly popular snorkeling/diving island, and you can buy tickets to visit during the day.  However, after I met with the island manager, I found out that we would actually be able to reserve the island for weddings and/or receptions.  It would be a really unique location for two reasons:

1.  Activities.  Guests could have a lot of fun here.  There is a small waterpark for kids (or the young at heart), and INCREDIBLE snorkeling right off the island. 

 

2.  Really great reception area.  There is nothing like being right over the water, and this is a prime example.  Can you imagine the sunset as you dance the night away?  I ate lunch at this restaurant and below is an example of the types of fish that are just waiting to meet you.  This one was keeping me company while I was eating...and sharing some of my food.

Just another great option out there.  Our specialists haven't yet planned an event here, but I'm sure we will in the near future!

It's true that most couples imagine themselves exchanging their vows on the beach.  But if you have something different in mind don't worry  - there are plenty of great non-beach spots out there.

During my recent visit to the Occidental Grand I came accross this great spot for non-beach Aruba weddings.  This second story terrace area is a circular area around a center area that looks down into one of the restaurants.  It is so unique because it has a great view of the beach/ocean, but is completely secluded from everyone else, because it's a story above them. 

The above shot shows the center area, which is nice and tropical looking, and the architecture is great.  You can see one of the lounge beds around the corner as well.  This would be a really unique atmosphere for a post-ceremony cocktail hour as well.

In this shot you can see the great tropically-themed lounging beds and wrap-around couches.  This would be a great spot for family and friends to enjoy the sunset after your ceremony!  The entire terrace is surrounded by a great flower bed, which only accentuates the views of the water/beach.

This is just another reason why our specialists love helping our couples plan weddings at Occidental resorts, and the Occidental Grand Aruba in particular.

Not every couple chooses to have a traditional reception for their destination wedding, but those that do often want to take advantage of the same beautiful scenery that they had for their ceremony.

During my recent visit to the Occidental Grand in Aruba I was amazed at the amount of options for receptions that are possible.  Being a beach fan myself, I had to do a post on the beach options at the Occidental for Aruba weddings.

 

 

 

The Occidental has a great area on the beach for receptions.  They have very tastefully hidden lights on the palm trees around the area, and have a wide variety of styles to choose from that match the natural colors of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't think you and your guests can resist the urge to dance at your reception?  No problem, our specialists can work with the staff at the Occidental to have a dance floor setup...right on the beach!

Whenever I am talking to couples about beach weddings I always tell them that they don't have to stress the little decoration details.  It's not like a traditional wedding at home where you are trying to make a ceremony area look great, most spots for destination weddins are naturally beautiful.  It's the scenery that everyone always remembers...and that's free.

However, you do need some things like chairs for guests and many couples choose to mark the aisle and/or have something where the couple and officiant are standing.  There are all kinds of options out there, and several of them were pointed out to me during my recent visit to the Occidental Grand resort in Aruba.  Aruba weddings on the beach are certainly blessed with natural beauty, but the staff at the Occidental are experts at adding to it to create a really unique package.

 

Canopies are always a popular choice.  They are usually fairly simple, with some flowers or fabric.  The key is to have something that adds to the scenery, versus overpowering it.

 

This one to the left is unique because it incorporates a wooden floor (keep you from tripping in the sand - which makes for funny wedding out-take photos...)

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a great example of a canopy

that uses a lot of flowers.  It's a great

way to "frame" the couple, but it doesn't

completely take away from the great

view of the water in the background.

 

 

 

What about pillars?  I have to admit, when the staff at the Occidental Grand mentioned that these are popular for Aruba weddings I was curious how they would look.  After seeing them I have to say that they are a really unique way to enhance the beach for the ceremony.

Again, I'm a purist - I say that all I really need is a beautiful beach, and Occidental has an incredible stretch of paradise on Palm Beach.  But if you are looking to add to the scenery then there are definitely some great options here.  Just another reason why we love helping our couples plan weddings at the Occidental Grand in Aruba.

OK, here is the third post from my recent trip to the amazing Occidental Grand resort in Aruba.  Although I did my share of relaxing on the great Palm Beach, I also was there to see how it was suited for Aruba weddings.  Thanks to Kimberley for providing me with the photos below.

Here are the concerns that couples I speak to usually have about beach weddings in general:

1.  Is it crowded?  Am I going to have a lot of spectators during my ceremony?

Palm beach is a popular spot - so during the day there are obviously other people enjoying it.  However, the Occidental only does weddings on the beach near sunset.  After hearing this I made a point to take a look out at the beach at this time to see how many people were still out there.  Very rarely did I see anyone still by the water, and the only people I saw were using the walkway which runs on the hotel-side of the beach, and is far behind any wedding that would be taking place.

2.  How is the water?  Is it rough? 

This is a loaded question, because the ocean doesn't follow our rules - waves have a mind of their own.  However, this was probably the calmest beach I have ever been to during my stay.  I did a lot of sailing from the beach, and in talking to the staff they said that it's almost always nice and calm.

3. Is it a sandy beach or rocky? 

This beach ranks in my top 3 best beaches regarding sand.  The sand is almost snow white, fine, and extremely soft.  I would have had to really try to find a rock at all, either on the beach or in the water.  Almost too good to be true.

Best of all, the Occidental only does one wedding per day.  If you are looking to do something different on the beach, the staff is ready to get creative.  They have the ability to put a dance floor on the sand, and even have their own in-house performers that can entertain your guests well into the evening

 

Our priority is having our guests enjoy each other in the luxurious settings of El Dorado Royale and Azul Hotels complemented by the beautiful Riviera Maya beaches.  Many couples that visit- in particular, newlyweds enjoying a honeymoon and couples celebrating a special occasion like a Mexico wedding or an anniversary-are impressed by the small surprises and the warm ambiance that we create with subtle romantic touches.

 

The romantic experience begins with smiles from the helpful staff and a glass of champagne at check-in and  when our guests settle into their suites that have been specially prepared with anticipation of their arrival. At El Dorado Royale and Casitas, the Jacuzzi is filled with a warm bubble bath and sprinkled with fragrant rose petals and a bottle of champagne is chilled for an impromptu toast and instant enjoyment. More fresh flower petals are spread on the bed along with an amusing ‘towel sculpture' of two kissing swans that form the shape of a heart inside the canopy. If requested, we can also prepare a basket of fruit and other favorite snacks for the room.

El Dorado Maroma and El Dorado Casitas share a special amenity, the "Aguas del Amor" private, outdoor showers. "Aguas del Amor" translates to "waters of love", which is ideal to share an intimate moment under the stars or the sun. At Azul Sensatori, the large honeymoon suite has a wrap-around balcony set up with lounge chairs and tables to share a quiet, gourmet room service meal with a view of the sunset or the sunrise in complete privacy. For Mexico weddings at Azul Beach, the suite is decked out with aromatherapy candles, flower petals, champagne and dim lights on the wedding night. Complimentary turn down service is provided at every resort so that guests return to a comfortable room and appreciate a deep night's sleep.

 

A stay at any of our properties always helps reconnect couples in a stress- free oasis and we have made romance our forte to pamper every star-crossed lover.

-Paula Negrete

Chief Concierge
El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels

Who doesn't want to be treated like royalty at their destination wedding?

This is the second post from my recent trip to the gorgeous Occidental Grand resort in Aruba.  In my first post I showed you the view from our room, but that was only one part.  In fact, our room was actually a suite that had a huge bedroom, large bathroom and an equally huge dining/living room.  Below is a quick video of the suite portion of the room.  What a great type of room for Aruba weddings - you have a large area to get ready before the ceremony, and even enough room to have some family/friends come by afterward for a cocktail.

The Royal Club was more than just a great room.  Here is how Occidental describes the experience:

Located on the 7th, 8th and 9th floors of the Occidental Grand Aruba, the Royal Club experience begins with champagne upon arrival. Guests of the Royal Club will enjoy rooms and suites with luxury accommodations including luxurious linens and pillows, Etro toiletries, nightly turndown service, fruit basket and plush bathrobes; Suites offer hydro-massage bathtubs. Guests will enjoy private check-in at the Royal Club level floor with a private lounge, restaurant and concierge services.

When you show up for your Aruba wedding, nothing is better than being wisked away from the line in the lobby and taken up to the 9th floor where you enjoy a glass of campagne while the friendly concierge staff take care of your check in.  What a way to start things off! 

And the Royal Club Restaurant was a great way to escape the masses for breakfast and lunch.  All in all the service level was incredible, and it was probably the best concierge level service I have experienced.  In my next posts I'll talk about the great wedding locations at the Occidental that few know about, but are perfect for Aruba weddings.

Good morning everybody,

One of the perks of this job is being able to visit some great destinations and scope out unique Destination Wedding spots for our couples.  I was fortunate enough to be able to visit the Occidental Grand in Aruba last month.  I will be doing a series of posts on the great locations they have for Aruba weddings there, but I wanted to start off with a quick video of the view from my room.

Why start here?  Simple, because you can tell a lot about a resort by the way it's laid out.  I am a huge fan of the "U" shape hotel, because almost every room ends up having an ocean view.  This is the case with the Occidental Grand, and the higher up you are - the more incredible the view.

Also, I'm a beach guy, so I don't usually pay attention to the pool or it's layout - but this one really caught my attention.  It has a very unique shape, and integrates the hot tubs very well (I saw many couples enjoying the shade underneath the brides during the peak sun hours).  They have a ton of palm trees and great birds and iguanas to add to the tropical atmosphere.  In the video you can also pick out some great covered beds by the pool, which are always a great place for a siesta!

More to follow on this great spot for Aruba weddings...

-Quentin