need ideas to a problem with no solution

[alcina]

We need to plan a wedding ceremony/party. It must be on a beach

We want as many of our relatives and friends to join us as possible so cost is an issue.

Not all of our guest list dives (gasp, I know!) so wherever we go should have some land based things to do besides laze by the pool and drink cocktails. However, I adore diving and ideally would like to dive in the morning, work on wedding stuff and hang out with guests in the afternoons before the day.

We are thinking probably Mexico...and an all-inclusive might be the way to go to minimize expenses and hassle for people. I'm guessing I am going to have to compromise on the diving thing for the few days prior to the wedding and then maybe move on to a better dive location after ppl leave.

We have also toyed with the idea of a cruise followed by a stay somewhere for diving.

We've also tossed around Florida, but since we've only been to Orlando and Crystal River, don't have a very good grasp on options.

Any ideas, links, personal experiences would be very handy in helping us create a short list of locations. Also, any personal experience in making plans for an event away from home would be welcomed, too...it is doubtful that we will be able to visit the chosen location prior to arriving for the wedding (why make it easy?)! We are considering January or June 07 (more likely Jan).

 

[kent_1848]

There are some places in San Pedro Belize (Ambergris Caye) that will help you plan a wedding. There is quite a bit to do there, although I will admit most of it is water related. There is diving, snorkeling, shopping, laying on the beach, fishing, also not that hard to get to some of the ruins. My wife and I almost got married there, but that was 11 years ago. Try here http://www.bluetanginn.com/package_wedding.html
Oh, I forgot...CONGRATULATIONS!

 

[scubamickey]

Congratulations!

My husband and I spent 2 weeks at Couples Swept Away in Jamaica this summer. Very romantic place to celebrate 15 years of marriage. They are experts at weddings and romance in general. We had a beachfront suite and it was the most romantic and incredible room I have ever stayed in. CSA does beach weddings and we got to see a couple. Beautiful. They do offer discounts for groups or your guests can stay at a different nearby resort. CSA is all inclusive and the food was as good if not better than all the fine restaurants I've been to. The diving is free and includes 2 boat dives a day.

It's not cheap though, but I don't know what your budget is. So check it out if you plan on traveling. It's a great honeymoon place too.

 

[RonFrank]

What is your budget? What will your guests will willing to spend on travel? RU planning on paying to fly any of the wedding party, family or guests at your expense?

You will need to narrow down your choices. IMO depending upon where you are coming from, and what type of guests/relatives you are inviting you may want to keep in in the US. Going outside the US now requires a passport if I'm not mistaken for most destinations including Mexico (I might be wrong here).

If you wanted an all inclusive in Coz, or Playa, or Cancun, then you should be planning on at LEAST $700 a guest with airfare just for the vacation. Unfortunately anywhere you do this that involves a plane, potential car rental, and hotel + meals is NOT going to be cheap.

Then you are going to have to consider the Wedding. Catering (food), Room, the minister, the photographer, the flowers, the Cake, the Booze, the DJ.

In many places, you will be required to hire a wedding coordinator. As you are traveling for this Wedding, maybe that is a good idea, but add more $$$ for that.

The destinations in the US that I'd consider would include Key Largo, or really anywhere between Jupiter to the mid Keys. You should also consider Hawaii. Outside the US, wow, the skies the limit, but if you want to do this more on a Budget MX is likely the best option. Coz, Cancun, Playa, Belieze.... you get the idea.

So what was that budget again?

 

[alcina]

LOL...I left the budget out on purpose. I would expect that about $700 - $1000 pp would be the limit for guests to spend on their holiday...

From what I've seen Mexico and Florida look to be the two best options so far...except maybe a cruise...

 

[H20Bubbles]

We are planning our wedding in Cozumel for March 2006, for many of the considerations that you were looking for.

Airfare to Cozumel from most locations for our guests has been approximately $400.

We have approximately 30 people coming down, and have decided to rent two villas for the week which will accomodate everyone. Basically all inclusive, the villas come out to approximately $185 per night for each adult guest. Hands down beats the costs of the normal "all inclusives" that we had looked at.

Our wedding coordination is being done through Romantic Wedding Destinations (http://romanticweddingdestinations.com/rwd/community/home.html). So far, the experience with them has been very easy. They have pricing on their website for different services and options.

We would be happy to share more information. PM us if you are interested.

Greg & Marie

 

[Dectek]

I would recommend Mexico Riviera Maya . Sounds like it has everything you are looking for.
I don't know if it is against TOS but this is a link to my travel agent/ neighbor. She specializes in destination weddings. Becky or Haley can help you @ BeachBumVacations

 

[alcina]

Nope, not against TOS - you can offer a link to a direct question! I appreciate it and will check it out!

Thanks, Everyone, for the ideas so far - keep em coming!

 

[bbarada]

My son got married on Kauai December 5th. He had about 30 guests. We did a 10 person two tank dive with Bubbles Below the day before and had a wonderful time.

He was married on the beach in front of the Sheraton Hotel in the Poipu area on the south side of the island. Lodging in the area went from fairly cheap two bedroom condos, to very inexpensive hotel rooms.

 

[pigletfish]

Have you considered Hawaii? I see that you are in Australia, so it's closer for you, and the airfare to Hawaii is pretty reasonable from any part of the U.S. (We live in NYC and have never paid more than $750 round-trip). Two great things about Hawaii: 1) it has both good diving and good topside activities, so something for everyone, and 2) you can rent condos there really inexpensively. All sorts of weddings are possible (public beach, rented beach house, resort, etc.) in every price range.

My husband and I were married on the Big Island at the Four Seasons Hualalai and it cost a lot less than an similar wedding would have at home. Almost all of our guests stayed in condos around Kona which rented for less than $1000 a week for 2-bedrooms (taxes included). Studio condos started at about $400 a week. Here is a good site to check out rental options: www.vrbo.com

For further Hawaii wedding tips and ideas, you can check out the Hawaii board under "local wedding talk" on www.theknot.com. (It is used by both local and destination brides). They also have a more generalized destination wedding board on the Knot, full of Mexico and Caribbean brides, as well as some cruise and Florida brides.

You can PM me if you'd like more information about my experience. Happy planning!