If there is a little peice of heaven here on earth, I'm there. I am in Cancun, Mexico, at the Royal Cancun. I am sitting in my room, looking out my sliding glass door to the turquoise ocean. It is breathtaking. This resort is a true 5 star - I feel I am being treated like royalty.

The bedrooms are huge, and honestly, I have never slept better. Each room is ocean facing, has a jacuzzi, balcony with hammock, and flat screen TV with bosa sound system.

The food has been perfect, as are all the chocolate martinis! The beach is the real draw.

I love swimming, and this is the best ever - lots of waves to body surf, deep quickly and no rocks. And if you feel you have had enough sun, shopping is close by. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone who wants an outstanding beach, to feel truly pampered, and simply relax. If you would like more information, please let me know, and I'd be happy to share more images.

The Royal in Cancun & Playa del Carmen

As an agent, one of the perks is that I am invited to wonderful exotic trips. Some I can attend, and others, sadly, no because of time constraints. But I am off to the Riviera Maya. I am looking forward to some R & R, and visiting some resorts. I will be at the unbelievable El Dorado Resort, where, yes, they have my favorite chocolate Martinis! Don't knock em till you have 1 or 2 or 3 or...

Then I will be at the beautiful Royal resorts - can hardly wait!

I think part of the reason for my success at a wedding planner is that I get well acquainted with the resorts. So if you ask me, where is the best chapel, or beach location for a reception, chances are I know it well. So stay tuned, as I will post some great images for you!

Time to plan is NOW!

You are thinking of a Destintion Wedding, and fairly certain it will be in the Caribbean.

The time to start planning is at least a year out!

Destination Weddings have become so popular, that resorts are sometimes sold out, or few rooms are available.

So start researching now, and most importantly, start talking to your friends and family that this is something you are planning, so they can ask for time off work and start their own planning.

I can help you plan - a beach front ceremony, or maybe a dinner reception on the beach and a swim up room maybe!

Destination Wedding Photographer

Ensuring your wedding is captured with truly memorable images is at the top of Destination Bride's list of must haves. There are so many to choose from - where do you start?

Referrals are always good, a great web site reflecting a style you love, and reliability.

If you choose a photographer for a Riviera Maya wedding, and work with someone located in the area, they must have a solid reputation with the resorts.

I can certainly recommend a photographer who is reliable, always replies to my emails in a timely fashion, arrives on time and iswell equipped on your wedding day, is familiar with many resorts in the Mayan, and provides quality images. So explore the web site of Lidya Solemidt and decide for yourself!

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Laugh of the Day with Kalula Airlines

I get the impression that not too many of the airline mechanics are aware of the exact location of various parts of the plane!
Kulula is a low-cost South-African airline that doesn't take itself too seriously. Check out their new livery!
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Destination Wedding Planning

our brides in the Caribbean, click on image for arger views

Here comes the Bride... there goes the bride in her flip flops, with the Groom in bare feet... on the white sand.

Where are they? Well in the Caribbean celebrating with a destination Wedding. Many couples are opting to tie the knot on white sand, with beautiful turquoise water, rather than go through all the hassles of planning of the traditional at home wedding. This style of wedding is so much kinder on the mid, the nerves, the family not to mention the bank accounts.

Imagine - you step off the plane, into warm climates, check into a 5 star resort, and meet with your wedding planner. Months ago, you have already established with her your menu, the flowers, the chair covers, and piked that perfect beach location.

After a few days of unwinding, swimming, cocktails at the pool bar, a visit to the sap, the wedding day arrives. You have a swim, breakfast, secure our hair with a gardenia, apply a lip gloss, a simple gown and white flip flops, walk down to the beach and into your wedding and marriage.

How positively romantic and carefree.

It's our job as a destination wedding planner in Vancouver Canada to make these dreams a reality. You have the wedding and the honeymoon all in one, and a great time shared with your new partner as well as close family and friends. And all for a fraction of the cost of a weeding in your home town, at a hotel with a hundred closest friends of your parents.

It's not traditional, but so enjoyable. The bride pays for the receptions and understand the week at the resort is their cost.

It's a poplar choice - it worked well for Ben Afleck and Jennifer Garner in Turks and Caicos, Penelope Cruz and Harvey Bardem in the Bahamas, the former batchlorette Melissa Rycroft in Mexico.

It can be just the right choice for you!

All Destination Brides - Welcome to the newest addtions to the Riviera Maya

If you are a Bride searching for that perfect resort for your wedding, call me!

These 2 new resorts are both 5 star, and are now offering introductory prices. That means you can have your wedding in one of the most beautiful settings in the world, surrounded by luxury for a fraction on the cost!

The Now Jade is a short stroll from Puerto Morelos, Mexico — a quaint fishing town — your baptism into the world of Now begins with Unlimited-Luxury®; sublime lifestyle comforts that satisfy your appetite for pleasure. A sampling: daily refreshed premium mini bars, in-suite Jacuzzi, plush robes and slippers, flat-screen surround sound TVs, private terraces, 24-hour room and concierge service, and jaw-dropping views of the Caribbean Sea.
Located along a sun-drenched private beach, steps from the sparkle of clear blue sea and just 1/3rd of a mile swim from the world’s second largest coral reef, your island hideaway beckons. Don’t keep it waiting!

Go ahead, pinch yourself. Welcome to Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun, a sumptuous resort of Mayan-inspired architecture, with amenities that will have the word “wow” (or something similar) falling from your lips. Don’t be shy. Explore. The oversized junior suites, gourmet restaurants, oh so cool activities and entertainment, and one heavenly spa are yours. Question: Are you ready for all of this pleasure? That was easy. Good thing, because there’s more where that came from.

El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya

Jennifer Fairbairns- her thankyou to Susan Gill
I'm sorry for not getting back to you earlier, but you know how the season carries you away..
HUGE thanks for all of your hard work and making sure that our trip was of TOP QUALITY!!!
We really had a blast and will surely return to Mexico. What a great place, and what great people. We didn't (honestly) have a lot of expectations on the service in Mexico.. But man did they prove us wrong!
I guess being European and traveling in our area we're used to poor service and being treated rudely. If you've never been to Egypt, you just wait!

The diving on Cozumel was just phenomenal. Although the dive shop was a bit of a journey away for us, it turned out to be just the right choice. A boutique service and close personal attention!
El Dorado Royal was just exceptional. The "adults only" policy really pays off. What a great place. On the first night of arrival, meeting up with the rest of the wedding party things got pretty wild. This all inclusive thing gets pretty dangerous when you're in "Tequila & Corona Country" On our way back to our casita that night, we thought a bit of hide n seek would be fun...
In all the running and hiding I managed to slip and slice my left index finger - on a palm tree (!)
Blood gushing everywhere and me in hysterics (I can't stand the sight of blood) my husband raced me towards a poor Mexican guard who almost fainted at the sight of my finger. "Adelante Adelante" he called over the radio and not before long we got picked up by a golf cart.

After waking up the resort doctor (what amazing service!) he decided I needed to be taken to a hospital for stitches. Terrified my the idea of a Mexican hospital (I know, prejudice) we jumped in a car and raced towards Cancun. Meanwhile my husband is on the phone to my bank (travel insurance) so on arrival at the doctors recommended hospital, the paperwork was already in order and ready for us.
The nurse and doctor was very kind and calming, however after examination the doctor declared he couldn't do the stitches -I needed to be stitched up by a plastic surgeon.....(!) The tendon was exposed and nerves were in jeopardy.
Again, as you can imagine, I sobbed hysterically thinking my finger was gonna fall off!
After an hours wait or so, and a couple of games of "shihead" (cardgame) the plastic surgeon showed up and did a phenomenal job. At 5:45am and 9 stitches later, we returned to the hotel and passed out in bed for a couple of hours sleep.. At 2pm, we were all kitted up and ready for the wedding.. As you can see on the photos, we still managed to look decent and still managed to

cause mayhem at the wedding party (oh yeah, that was all us!)
I'd say Mexico missed us when we left. But we promised we'd be back!
I thought you deserved a good description of our journey and a gold star for your efforts.
Thank you very much Susan for making our stay in Mexico so pleasant.

El Dorado Resort in Rivier Maya

Heather & Braden back from Dreams Riviera Cancun

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Heather and Braden are the "soon to be married" couple who won the trip to Dreams Riviera Cancun (just scroll down to see earlier entry).

"Our trip was amazing!
We loved the resort. The staff we so hard working and generous. The hotel was beautiful and the food was delicious!!! The transfers from the airport to the resort were great. American Express met us right away and whisked us away to our van.
We really enjoyed our time by the pool and the beach was very nice. The sand was so fine and the water was so warm, much warmer than in Maui. There was a lot of sea grass that washed up on shore, but nothing that would prevent us from swimming.All in all we were very impressed with the resort. We weren't disappointed in anything.
The resort is nice and small which I think will be perfect for the wedding in December.
Braden and I would like to thank both you and Liz for giving us this opportunity to go on this trip. It really has allowed us to relax a little when it comes to wedding planning. The resort is so beautiful that I don't need to over do it with planning. "

Thank you thank you, Heather and Braden"

How big or small can a Destination Wedding be?

If you are planning a destination wedding, have you wondered how many quests you need to invite?
Is there a limit? Or does anyone have to come?
Well the answers differ from bride to bride.
I just planned a wedding with a couple who chose Dreams Huatulco as their wedding resort.
And the guests numbered 2 : brides mom and son! For her this was perfection.
And I am currently planning a wedding with 60 guests - now this should be a party!
If you want to go just on your own, the resort will provide witnesses.
As for the ceremony, it can be free sometimes depending on how many guests you have.
So when planning, there is no right or wrong - only what suits you the best.

Dreamgroup Productions presents the 20th annual Brock House Wedding Show!

I have been to many bridal show over the years, I can can tell you none compare to the wedding show at the Brock House. Why? Well let me tell you....Firstly the setting is breathtaking - a mansion on the water's edge with out glorious Vancouver ocean and mountains in view. This is an intimate venue for weddings as well as a show.

Dreamgroup Productions really work at making this an enjoyable yet informative event for brides and grooms. You can savor some delectable hors d'oeuvres, sip some great wine, and enjoy one the of the best shows profiling gowns, dresses, tux's and accessories. And the prizes are great - gift bags to a honeymoon!

I will be working with the models with makeup and hair, so if you'd like to talk about your wedding with me, and other vendors, set aside this date!

Sunday October 24th, 2010, 11 an to 3 pm, and 3 to 7 pm. VIP tickets are available this year with guaranteed front row seating at the fashion shows.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door, and $55 for VIP seating.

Contact Dreamgroup Brock House for info.

See you there!

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Congrats to the happy couple, Heather and Braden and little Ethan! Heather and Braden were at the Wedding Show at the Bayshore in January. They entered their name, kept their fingers crossed, and it worked! They are on their way to a relaxing holiday to Dreams Riviera Cancun in Mexico, including airfare and transfers. With this cool weather in Vancouver now, a holiday in the sun, a cool dip in the pool and a sip of a cold beer sounds just about right!

And not only that, they are getting married in this resort in December! I am their wedding planner, and have arranged the details for the wedding with all their family and friends.

Have fun!

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