AFTER THE CEREMONY

e Once the ceremony is over, give each other the votes written and save them in a special place in your home, you will need to read them again on the hard times, and THEY will make a difference when you are trying to reconcile as reading them again will take you back to this very special time and place, where you promised to love each other for better and for worse.

e Trash the dress in the Caribbean! If you truly want to have the photographs and experience of your lifetime together, I completely recommend a professional photographer who has the most exclusive and outstanding locations including cenotes, mayan ruins, etc, where you can have breathtaking photographs. (I usually do not recommend anyone, but he definitely gives me the WOW factor every photo I see of him)

e Spend time with your guests. They all have made an effort economically and emotionally to be with you in your special day. Be appreciative of it and spend as much time together as possible, you will have an entire life to be with each other.

e Look at the bright side. It will always happen that someone didn’t get the room they wanted to some “issues” might arise. You are in Riviera Maya with stunning views, activities, friend and family, don’t sweat the “bads” and embrace the “goods”.

BUT… The most important of all..  BE IN LOVE. Be sure before you’re taking this big step in your lives that you’re totally madly in love with each other, there’s nothing worse than marrying two people who are not in love. Before you choose to commit to one another, be sure that is for the RIGHT reason... LOVE. Doesn’t matter if you’ve been together for short or long, you have to feel in your heart that he/she is the RIGHT person for your heart. Marriage is not a decision that should be taken lightly, so please my MOST IMPORTANT advice is to be sure you’re making the right choice.

Sincerely;

Blanca Bertely

Wedding Minister

www.facebook.com/ministerblancabertely

blancabertely@gmail.com

cel. +52-1-984-116-86-09

The BIG DAY!

e Be sure that you have your 3 songs ready to give to the wedding coordinator before the ceremony begins and explain the order.

e Use waterproof mascara for your special day… believe me 99.9% out of 100%  brides will wipe more than  a tear on that special moment, and you that are reading will probably be classified into that 99.9%

e Grooms, please avoid sunglasses for your special day, you want to look at your lady in full natural color.

e If you’re very emotional (like me) and you know you WILL cry, make sure you have someone ready with a tissue so you can have it in hand when needed.

e When you’re standing in front of everyone and your nerves start to kick in, take a deep deep breath and hear the ocean, smell and feel the breeze. It works like magic.

e The temperatures can go up to 38 C and 100% humidity, and your bodies will get swollen including your hands. It is normal that when he slips the wedding ring, it will probably be a bit difficult, but don’t panic… you can help him to place it correctly.

e During the ceremony, look at each other and hold hands instead of giving your back to the guests, as will be easier for the photographer to take stunning photos of you both with the Caribbean Sea as background.

e Ladies please avoid gloves, you are in the Caribbean.

e  SMILE… both of you, you’re having a CELEBRATION OF LOVE, I understand you can both get very emotional but overcome it by remembering the good memories you have shared before you walked down the aisle.

e Loooooong kissing please. The KISS defines the beginning of your relationship, don’t be shy to have a romantic passionate long kiss, you will love the photograph results, the photographer will love you, and it will help you to revive the sparkle when looking at the photos after a few years of marriage.

   Next Blog... "After the Ceremony"
   For more tips go to my facebook page: Minister Blanca Bertely

   visit https://ministerblancabertely.wordpress.com/ 

Enjoying the Destination before the "I DO"

e If you’re staying in an all-inclusive make sure you tell your guests to be easy on the booze for the day of the wedding, as you won’t be pleased if they show up drunk and fall down their chair at your special moment. (believe me, has happened)

e Be aware of the sun…. even if you’re using 100 SPF sunscreen, Riviera Maya´s sun is STRONG, unless you both want to look like a shrimp for your special day, avoid tanning for long periods. Also opt for a strapless bikini top to avoid tan lines.

e Brides, please DO NOT have a reductive massage on your wedding day, as how it works is that your body gets swollen first and then it tightens up, but won’t have enough time for the body recover for the ceremony and most importantly, to fit in your wedding dress.

e Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. 100% humidity is no joke, therefore is super important that you’re ALWAYS drinking bottled water at all times even if you don’t feel the need for. Dehydration could cause stomach Please be kind and adivse your guests as well.

e Food and drinks in All inclusive are very tempting, but if you’re staying at the resort for several days before your wedding date, try to eat as healthy as you can and avoid sweet frozen drinks if you want to look stunning on your wedding day. 

e ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY!… what is more important than enjoying every second of your destination wedding. Forget if something went “wrong”, is time for you to have the experience of your lifetime. From arriving to the hotel, spending time with your friends and family, getting ready to walk down the aisle and kissing your prince charming with a happy ending, is time for you to be the happiest luckiest woman on earth! Embrace it!

e If you’re staying in an all-inclusive, I recommend visiting Playa del Carmen 5^th Avenue for an afternoon of shopping, dinner and drinks. Is a good way to do a different activity and I can ensure that you will love it.. And yes.. is completely safe. Most of the All-Inclusive Hotels run a shuttle but otherwise, you can all take cabs and on the way back you can take cabs too … promise that will be safe! (I’ll be happy to advise if you need for good restaurants and bars to visit)

        Next blog... "The Big Day" 

        for more tips go to my facebook page: Minister Blanca Bertely 

    or visit my webpage http://ministerblancabertely.wordpress.com 

Preparing for the big "I DO"

e I recommend 100% to have personal wedding vows written in paper for your ceremony; it makes it so much more special and will be an additional memory maker to your special day. 

e Make sure you start thinking of your vows at least a three of months before your wedding as in the last two months, you will be very busy with the last details of your trip and wedding.

e But... Im not a writer! Just grab a beer or a glass of wine and relax at home, think why you are getting married to her/him. Take a stroll down memory lane and think of all the special experiences that you´ve shared since you very first met. Think of the wonderful things you love about your other half... and believe me, when you turn back to look at the sheet of paper, all this wonderful vows will be written as if it was magic.

e   If an afternoon at home isn´t enough to get you inspired, carry a small notepad where you can always write a sentence or two when you feel like you have something important to write, you never know when inspiration can hit you! 

eThe processional song will set the mood for your ceremony, from romantic to fun, make sure you dedicate time to choose the one that represents both of you as you will remember it for a lifetime! Also remember to pick 2 more, one for the marriage certificate sign and for when you walk the aisle together.

 e Nowadays there`s no fashion or rule to follow for the design or colors of your ceremony in the Caribbean, just go with what YOU love the most as is YOUR special day!

e The Caribbean Sea is already an amazing “Decoration” for your special day, if you’re coming on a low budget, don’t worry, with your big smile, stunning dress and glowing love between you and your love, will be more than enough to have a magical lifetime memory!

e Makeup is important on your special day,  and waterproof Mascara is a MUST. 

e As could probably be windy, consider a hairstyle that leaves your face free of hair, especially when is long as could also get in the way while pronouncing your vows or even kissing. 

 

Photography Courtesy Carla Ten Eyck

e If you decided to get married in Riviera Maya, you must be aware that there is a possibility of rain (As it could happen anywhere else in the world), prepare yourself, your partner, friends and family mentally that it could happen during your destination wedding. Riviera Maya is still wonderful and having your loved ones sharing your special moment is all what you really need. 

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        Next blog... "Enjoying the Destination before the "I DO" 

        for more tips go to my facebook page: Minister Blanca Bertely 

        or visit my webpage http://ministerblancabertely.wordpress.com 

Before arriving to Riviera Maya, Mexico

Bride & Groom

e Picking the right dress is very important, and you should also consider the heat and humidity of the Mexican Caribbean, so the thicker it is, the hotter will get while you’re on your ceremony. Nowadays there are stunning dresses that are friends with being comfortable… make sure that is not only the look that you love but also the feel that you love. 

e Riviera Maya is usually very windy, therefore avoid long veils as they can get in the way while you walk down the aisle and during the ceremony.

e Avoid vests PLUS jackets for the groom, once again you’re in the Mexican Caribbean and to be honest, avoid Jackets and vests at ALL… he can have a nice handkerchief to brighten his outfit as well as the boutonniere. 

e Grey for men is forbidden please. As you might think that is a light color, is not the best for this type of destination wedding due that when it gets sweat, its color gets darker and you can really see it. Beige is a good color to choose for Men. 

e For man, I recommend a “Guayabera” which is a formal shirt made 100% cotton that helps the skin to “breathe” combined with light color trousers and leather sandals or barefoot.  They usually come in white or cream color but nowadays you can find other colors too.

e Avoid dark suits for the groom; you do not want the photos of your wedding to look like if he was in a sauna!!

Groomsman, Maid of Honor & Guests

e Avoid vests PLUS jackets for the groomsmen as well, Guayabera is your best option.

e Avoid dark suits for the groomsmen; same advise as before…  sauna weddings are not fun.

e Bridesmaids can choose any color! You can go as wild as you want but ensure once again they don’t have heels, nowadays they sell some feet embroidery decor which looks elegant and stunning.

e  Advise your guests beforehand about the humidity and heat so they go for light colors, short sleeves for men and summery dresses for women.

e Advise all the lady guests that will probably be very windy, therefore they need to look on the dress material, cut and lenght.

e You can also advise older ladies to bring a sun umbrella as they will be sitting in the sun for at least 30 minutes.

e If you’re planning to have your wedding on a beach location, please be kind to advise your guests to arrive barefoot or with no heels for the ladies as they could ruin their shoes and more importantly, have an uncomfortable moment while trying to get to their seats. Sometimes you won’t know until you arrive to the property, so you should take time to advise them before they travel so they bring both options to your destination wedding and they can choose on your day (specially for the girls)

.... next blog... Preparing for the big "I DO" 

      for more tips go to my facebook page: Minister Blanca Bertely 

 or visit my webpage http://ministerblancabertely.wordpress.com