29 October, 2014

The Couple

Dhara and Matt from Freeport, New York married at the Moon Palace Resort, Cancun on the 18th July, 2014.

The Planning

We selected Moon Palace Resorts in Cancun for several reasons. It would allow us to have a intimate wedding ceremony in a beautiful place at a low cost. We booked our wedding one year in advance and our family & friends were required to book their rooms 2 months prior to the wedding date. We used a wedding coordinator supplied by the resort and it was easy to plan.

Legal / Medical Requirements

We were legally married in New York prior to our Cancun wedding therefore we did not have to go through any legal or medical requirements in Cancun. Our Mexico wedding was symbolic only. Everyone spoke English at the resort and vaccinations were not required.

Travel Arrangements

We took a flight from JFK in New York to Cancun airport which was approximately 4 hours. The resort provided transportation from the airport to Moon Palace for us and our guests.

The Destination - Moon Palace Resort

The resort was very big with many beautiful pools, restaurants and bars. We stayed for 5 days prior to the wedding so I can have my hair and makeup trials and also plan out small wedding details. Additionally, our families & friends got to know each other and we all had a great time. Our accommodation was in the same resort as the wedding venue.

Guests

We had 42 guests and they were both friends and family. Everyone stayed at Moon Palace. Some guests arrived 3 days before the wedding and others 1 day before the wedding and they left at various times afterwards based on their work schedules. We had get together 1 day before the wedding at the lobby bar in the resort so our friends and family could mingle.

The Wedding

Our wedding was in a Garden Gazebo overlooking the beach. The groom & groomsmen were wearing turquoise shirts with khaki slacks. The bridesmaids were wearing turquoise dresses and carried hot pink parasols. I arrived on a horse & carriage with my mom. After the wedding we took some pictures on the beach. The cocktail hour was set up in a garden terrace overlooking the beach. Our friends and family gave a few wonderful speeches and we had a great time mingling and taking pictures. Afterwards we had a dinner at a Mexican Restaurant in the Resort.

Advice for Other Couples Considering a Moon Palace Cancun Wedding

Our advice is spend more money on the honeymoon than on the wedding. A small intimate wedding with close family and friends is great. Don't focus on little details that are really irrelevant down the line. Make sure to have a great time on your wedding day. I did stress over little details like making sure my welcome letter came our right but no one really pays attention to such details.

The highlight of my wedding experience is riding along the path by the ocean in the horse and carriage with my mom and watching my husband's face as I walked down the aisle.

Wedding Photographer: Lilypad Photo Studio

Wedding Venue - Ceremony: Moon Palace Tucan Gazebo

Wedding Venue: - Reception: Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort - Cancun, Mexico

Wedding Coordinator: Moon Palace

Hair & Makeup: Moon Palace Spa

Decorations & Favours: I bought some from Oriental Trading and Aliexpress

Music & Entertainment: We made our music list on the iPod and Moon Palace provided the speaker system.

Local Transport: Moon Palace arranged shuttles from the airport to the resort.