Viva Mexico!

Okay, so I've really neglected this blog. I'm sorry. In my defense, I have been ridiculously busy. But, I should never neglect my readers.  This is going to be a short entry, just to let you know that I'm thinking of you, and I'm still doing destination weddings!

Joe & Theressa - 5/16/13

I have been in Playa del Carmen, Mexico since yesterday for the fabulous beach wedding of Joe and Theressa. Such a nice couple!! They were married today (May 16, 2013) on Pelicanos Beach at The Royal in Playa del Carmen. The staff at The Royal always does an amazing job, and this time was no different. Working with Elsa for the past several months through the Real Resorts Wedding Center in Cancun was fantastic-- She paid such close attention to detail, and was really easy to work with. Then working with the lovely and talented Lorena at The Royal itself was phenomenal. Lorena always does a great job, and Joe & Theressa's wedding was stunning... Pure Magic, and a whole lot of fun.

It is wicked late here, though, and I'm sunburned something awful. I'm going to turn in and write a whole lot more tomorrow-- I promise. Joe and Theressa are a great couple, and their friends and family were awesome. I look forward to sharing details and pics with you tomorrow.

Just call me "Lobsterwoman"

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is an IATA Certified Travel Agent and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Jacquie & Manny: Little Hiccup

Jacquie and Manny's wedding was absolutely beautiful. I'd like to say that there were no hiccups, but I'd lie. After all, every wedding has hiccups. Fortunately, these hiccups were only little and were barely noticeable. That is, AFTER the power came back on.

One Big, Happy Family (the night before the wedding)

Yes, AFTER the power came back on. The wedding was scheduled for 4:00pm. At about 2:30pm the power went off. It came back on pretty quickly in my building, but was out for a little while in the other two buildings. Ingrid and I were leaving to head to Jacquie's room and to meet the photographer anyway.

Mine & Ingrid's Room-- 5316

In Jacquie's room, her future sister-in-law Patty was applying her makeup. I sat on the couch with her other SIL Tess. Ingrid went to get Jorge, the photographer. None of us used the bathroom or tried to get any water. Jorge and Ingrid arrived, and he wanted to take pics of the wedding details-- rings, dress, flowers, etc. Tess called her boyfriend J.R. and asked him to bring over the rings.

The Lovely & Talented Ingrid

So, J.R. came to the room with the rings and I answered the door. he asked me, "Do you guys have running water?" I thought it was an odd question...but, I didn't know the answer. So, I flipped on the faucet. It gurgled, but no water. The guys were in building one, Jacquie was in building three and our room as in building five, so I suggested that I head over to my room to see if we had running water so that the guys could shower. J.R. thanked me, I handed the rings to Jorge and off I went to our room.

No tenemos agua!

Well, we didn't have any water, either. It was a resort-wide issue. NO WATER. None. Well, except for the pool and the ocean... I even stayed in my room with the faucet on for 10 minutes to see if it would turn back on. No dice. I headed back to Jacquie's room at 3:30. The guys improvides and washed hair and whatnot with bottled water. Fortunately, the women didn't have to deal with it. And you know what I always say... A happy bride means a happy wedding!

No water here, either...

Still, the guys made it to the ceremony on time. So did all of the guests. So did the bride and everyone else. More on the ceremony soon...

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Jacquie & Manny: Rain, Rain Go Away!

When Ingrid and I landed in the DR yesterday, it was cold (well, for the Caribbean), windy and overcast. Immediately, we were nervous about the weather for the wedding. But, this isn't supposed to be rainy season in the Caribbean, much less the Dominican Republic, so we weren't that worried. The people that helped us with our transfer (with VIP Travel Services) told us not to worry-- Tomorrow would be raining in the morning, but would clear up after noon.

Overcast when we arrived to Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana on 3/7/12

Well, they weren't kidding. Ingrid and I woke up to what looked like a hurricane. Everything was SO wet everywhere! Men with squeegees moved the water around, trying to push it into the grass from the walkways. It was POURING. Ingrid and I went to breakfast when there was a break in the rain, but it was so windy. At least we won't have to worry about sunburns, eh?

Windy!

Yesterday at 4:00, there was another wedding (which I did not plan). Know what? The weather was BEAUTIFUL. Everything was set up perfectly and the bride looked fantastic. They say that rain is good luck on your wedding day... We're good with that, as long as it doesn't rain DURING the ceremony and reception!

Yesterday's wedding at 4pm

A beautiful & happy bride

 

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Jacquie & Manny: Greetings From The Dominican Republic!

A wedding set up the day we got to the DR

I have sent many clients to the Dominican Republic. I have had many weddings there, too-- including one of my independent agents, Jessica, last month. However, I have never had a client request for me to attend their wedding in the D.R. You see, everyone who plans a wedding with me has the option of having me attend their wedding. The ones that want to cut corners don't have me go, and my job is done before they leave. The ones that want to make sure they have me in their corner throughout their wedding ceremony and festivities usually know that they are going to bring me along immediately.

Such was the case with Jacquie and Manny.

First and foremost, I want to say that Jacquie should get the Bride of the Year award. Seriously-- I'm not pulling one of my sarcastic moments here Jacquie is amazing. Her husband, Manny, is one lucky dude. (That being said, Manny is also a terrific guy-- They're the perfect match.) Jacquie has been absolutely wonderful since starting planning her wedding in February 2011. She has been nothing less than wonderful... And she has actually apologized for being a Bridezilla! (We had a talk about what a bridezilla really is.) Jacquie even sent me a dozen cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake before she left for her destination wedding.

The first snag I hit was that NONE of the people that I usually travel with and use as my assistants were able to go. Ebony has a new baby she doesn't want to leave yet, Kira had a prior commitment, I'm using Christine next week in Vegas... The list goes on and on. So, I contacted the AFWPI (Association for Wedding Professionals International) and let them know that I would be happy to take someone to the D.R. with me if they wanted to learn how to do destination weddings firsthand.

Fortunately, Ingrid Wiggberg of The Party Makers sent me a private message pretty much immediately sent me an email saying she wanted to go. I knew Ingrid because she already took the AFWPI Destination Wedding Specialist Certification Course that I created and taught (and still teach). I was delighted that she was able to come. She even met me at the airport, and we flew together-- with an upgrade to first class!!

Candy & Ingred while checking in at Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana

Well, speaking of my fabulous assistant, she just informed me that she wants breakfast. So, off we go to the bufffet here at Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana. More coming soon!

 

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Exciting Events on Horizon

 I love Mexico. I have been a big fan of Mexico since attending Love Mexico in May of 2010. Sure, I had been to Mexico on my own vacations and booked clients there before then, but I really got to learn a lot about Mexico and meet some key people at the various Love Mexico events that I have attended since then. I have planned many different destination weddings in Riviera Maya and Cancun, as well as group trips to Los Cabos. I have personally been to Mexico more than a dozen times since October 2010.

Debi & John's wedding 7/30/11 at Gran Caribe Real (Photo by Cassandra Mooney)

The most recent wedding I created was at Gran Caribe Real in Cancun. It was AMAZING. I've got to give a "shout out" to my counterpart at Gran Caribe Real, Diana Rodriguez. If you happen to get married at The Royal Cancun or Gran Caribe Real (and you don't use my services), make sure you request Diana. The food was fantastic, the DJ was amazing, the bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and everything went off without a hitch. It was a magical wedding, and I can't wait to work with Real Resorts again to make someone else's dreams come true. (By the way, I am SO sorry for not blogging sooner.)

Photo Montage by Cassandra Mooney, Blue Sky Photography

The main reason why I like Mexico as a destination for weddings is because of the value that both couples and guests can get there. While Mexico has a bad reputation in the USA for being dangerous, people must realize that not going to Cancun because of violence in Tijuana is like not going to Disney World because of violence in New York. People, you're not having your wedding at a taco stand on the border. And bridal couples would NEVER put their guests in danger. Be rational and open your minds to having (or attending) a destination wedding in Mexico.

John, the groom - 7/30/11 (Photos by Cassandra Mooney)

Because there is such a stigma attached to Mexico, I came up with an idea to help tourism to the country, as well as enlighten and educate people about destination weddings in Mexico. What is it? My lips are sealed. I'll give you a hint, though... It is going to occur on 12/12/12. And it's going to be BIG. But, that's all I'm going to say for now...

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

Anita & Jason's Wedding: Could a Wedding Be More Perfect?

What a day. What a beautiful day. Today was the day that Anita and Jason became husband and wife. The weather could not have been more perfect. The sky was a brigt blue, to match the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. A breeze came every so often to cool off the wedding guests. There was no hint of rain. It was fantastic.

Our day started at noon, when Mechelle and I met Anita and her Maid of Honor Megan in the Red Lane Spa at Sandals Negril. Vinnett was going to do Anita's hair and makeup after both ladies had a mani-pedi. There was plenty of time to relax after the ladies were all done, so we went down to the beach grill and bar for some lunch. At 3:00, Jason headed down to his best man's room, and the four of us went to their gorgeous one bedroom loft so that Anita and Megan could get dressed for the wedding.

I have never seen a bride get ready so fast. She was all done even before the videographer got there! Once the videographer did arrive, Megan and Anita re-created certain aspects of getting ready, such as putting on Anita's necklacce and shoes. Fortunately, the videographer had been in the spa earlier and got tons of footage of Anita and Megan getting pampered and styled.

While Mechelle stayed with Anita and Megan, I went to the Sandals Negril Wedding Office to find the groom and best man. They had just met with the minister and gone over everything with him. I introduced myself to the minister, and then we all headed down to the beach gazebo to await Anita's arrival. I also had the mothers' wrist corsages for Jason to give to his mom, Anita's mom and Anita's step-mom. The wrist corsages matched the bouquets and Anita's hair fascinator, which were all made by Juliette Marotta, owner of Creative Edge Events. All of the guests were already assembled in the gazebo, which was beautifully yet simply decorated. A seashell aisle runner lined the path that Anita would walk with her dad to meet her future husband. Jason anxiously awaited the arrival of his beautiful bride.

Kenny G's "Songbird" started and Megan made her way to the gazebo, looking stunning in an orange Dessy cocktail dress. Soon, Anita and her dad made their way to the beach gazebo to Eva Cassidy's "Songbird." She looked gorgeous. Jason and Chris (best man) wore white pants and turquoise shirts, a terrific choice for a beachfront wedding in Jamaica.

Jason and Anita wrote their own vows. Jason's vows even reduced me - a wedding planner that attends more than her fair share of weddings - to tears. They were so touching and poignant, Anita barely got through hers. It was a very touching and romantic wedding.

After being pronounced husband and wife, the entire wedding party headed to the garden for the cocktail party and dinner reception. The guests had a marvelous time. The garden was the perfect choice-- It was beautiful, secluded, and there was a wonderful breeze blowing through every so often.

Congratulations again to the newlyweds. Thank you for allowing me and Mechelle to be such an intricate part of such an important day.

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!

The Wedding of Anita & Jason: The Day Before

This weekend is the wedding of Anita and Jason at Sandals Negril. It has been a little over a year in the making. I’ll never forget the first contact I had with Anita—She sent me an email after reading an article I wrote about destination weddings, not expecting to hear anything in return. I emailed her back within minutes of receiving her email, as I had been online and received it immediately. We emailed back and forth a few times, and I told her that I would call her later that evening.

Anita expressed to me that she wanted to get married at Sandals Negril, but she had spoken with a few other travel agents who actually told her that she was not allowed to get married at any Sandals resort because they would not allow single people to stay at the resort. I nearly dropped dead when she told me this! Sandals would never turn away any clients, ESPECIALLY people that are coming for a wedding. Yes, Sandals is a couples only chain of resorts. Yes, they usually do not sell rooms to singles. After all, why would a single person want to come to a couples resort? All Sandals rooms at EVERY Sandals resort is double occupancy. No more, but you can certainly have just one person in the room. However, if there is one person in the room, you must pay the double occupancy rate. For example, if the room rate is $1000 for the weekend, that is for one or two people staying in the room. The rooms only have king beds (although some resorts do offer a pull-out couch in the larger rooms) and very few rollaway cots are available, so be prepared to share your bed with your roommate.

While sitting with Anita in the Red Lane Spa as she was having her trial hair and makeup done, I asked her what her advice would be to any potential destination wedding bride. “Definitely use a planner,” she replied. “I don’t know how I would have done this without you.” That made me feel SO good! I felt like Superman—“My work here is done!” Of course, it isn’t—Anita and Jason are getting married tomorrow, and I will make sure that everything runs smoothly, along with my assistant Mechelle and the Sandals Negril Wedding Manager Andrea, whom I had the pleasure of working with at another wedding a year and a half ago at Beaches Negril.

Vinnett did a fantastic job on Anita’s hair and makeup trial. Anita’s hair fascinator was made by Juliette at Creative Edge Events, with matching bouquet. Juliette also made the maid of honor’s bouquet and the wrist corsages for the moms. Anita happened to wear a dress that matched the fascinator perfectly. I brought a couple of spare flowers with me, in case Anita wanted to wear one for her rehearsal dinner or if the MOH Megan wanted one for her hair for the wedding.

After the hair and makeup trial, we went to Dino’s (the new restaurant at Sandals Negril) for the rehearsal dinner. I was able to meet all of the guests that I had arranged travel for and had corresponded with for months. It was very nice being able to put faces to names, voices and emails. After making sure everyone was happy, Mechelle and I left to get our own dinner and retire for the night.

Mechelle and I are staying at Beaches Sandy Bay, just a quick walk down the beach from Sandals Negril. Sandals Negril is so popular that it was sold out for Mother’s Day Weekend! In all sincerity, Sandals Negril is a fantastic resort, and is often sold out because of its fabulous location on an amazing beach. Seven Mile Beach is the second best beach in the world, and Sandals Negril sits right on it (as do Beaches Negril and Beaches Sandy Bay). If you are thinking about planning a destination wedding there, plan early and find a destination wedding expert to help you plan it—Especially one that is a Certified Sandals Specialist. (Candy Cain Travel, by the way, has several Certified Sandals Specialists and is a Preferred Sandals Agency.)

Congratulations to Anita and Jason! Mechelle and I are looking forward to your wedding tomorrow.

Candice Cain is the owner of the Candy Cain Travel Co. She is a Certified Sandals Specialist and a Destination Wedding Expert. Please feel free to email her for help with your destination wedding!