Archive for the ‘Mexico’ Category

The Couple:  Cindy and Ray Harshbarger

Wedding Date:  May 27, 2011

Photography by The Studio

Tell us a little about you and your beloved:  We were on vacation in Cancun when we met at the pool. Being from Virginia myself, and Ray being from California, we initially chatted away talking about ourselves and our history, thinking we would never see each other again since we were both leaving the resort the following morning.

Hours later, after a nice dinner and an evening of fun downtown, talking for hours on the beach and watching the sun come up, we quickly realized we kind of liked each other! After 11 months of travelling back and forth across the country, I moved to California, and then we got married one month later.

What was the most amazing part of your day?  There are so many amazing moments! Of course with an outdoor wedding, you’re taking a chance as to whether it will actually still be held outside. I was checking the weather every day for weeks prior, with many forecasts of storms and rain. The weather turned out gorgeous and sunny!

The first bubbles of excitement really started when my sister-in-law came to our suite and pointed down the beach to our wedding ceremony set up. Seeing the white ribboned chairs made me emotional. Another moment that stood out was in the middle of our ceremony – I looked up and noticed that our small and intimate wedding of 20 guests had grown surprisingly when I looked up at the resort and saw that the patio, pool and balconies were full of guests who also decided to attend our little affair, from afar! What a feeling.

We initially wanted to have it just be the two of us, but since we planned to have it one year from when we met in Cancun, well, that is when our families go each year so they were kind of built into the plan due to our choice of location and date. Fortunately for us, we decided to keep that plan and include all of them, then it grew a little more from there with our friends, which worked out perfectly. Our families did so many things for us to make our day truly special.

What else would you like to share about your big day?  It could not have been more perfect. The simple beauty of the beach was the perfect environment for our special day.

Ceremony Site:  Cancun Royal Sands Beach Resort

Reception Venue:  La Habichuela Sunset Restaurant

Photographer:  The Studio

Cake:  La Habichuela

Flowers:  I had ordered a bouquet from the resort planner, however, the maid put some beautiful flowers on my door that I just had to have for my bouquet instead – she showed up later with my newly created bouquet.

Favors:  DIY goodie bags with treats

Wedding Dress:  Dress by Mignon, and the veil was created by my mother. It was at least 10 feet long, part tulle and part chiffon (three layers).

Hair:  My lovely friend LaRease created my bun!

Invitations:  We had an ‘invite yourself’ wedding.

Honeymoon location:  Playa del Carmen

Any advice you’d give to our readers who are planning their weddings right now?  Stay out of any drama that others may bring into your day. Do it the way you want it. We really wanted to keep it simple, but also elegant.

Anything that you would have done differently if you were given the chance?  No

Photos courtesy of The Studio.

Check out the Real Weddings Contest Page! Great bridal loot for real Sacramento-area brides!

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Mexico has certainly been getting its share of bad press in recent months, but I’m happy to report a piece of good news in the form of the Imanta Resort in Punta de Mita, one of the Nayarit region’s stunning new destination spots.

Having traveled to Punta de Mita recently, I can tell you it is not only convenient and very safe, but also incredibly beautiful. Only 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, a short car ride from the airport will have you basking on unspoiled beaches, enjoying total seclusion and relishing ultimate luxury.

Imanta is a unique resort adjacent to the Selva de Valle national biosphere resort and truly evocative of the natural and cultural locale. Inspired by hospitality and harmonious blend of amenities and natural beauty found in Thailand resorts, Imanta means “magnetic attraction,” and the native Mexican proprietors hope that exhilarating bond will make it difficult for guests to depart.

Recommended Resort: Imanta Resort in Punta de Mita. Intimacy is the key here…only 11 oceanfront rooms occupy 250 acres devoted to the property of lush jungle and stunning coastline. There are also a handful of spectacular oceanside suites for the ultimate experience.

Amenities include a gym, pool, spa, library and boutique, and beach pavilions along the ½ mile private sands. With such a small number of accommodations and guests around, you can be assured the service is dedicated and impeccable.

Check In:  imantaresorts.com, 877-370-5427.

Check Out:  Adventures. The resort’s special location makes it an ideal playground for outdoor activities. Highlights include sailing, yachting or swimming with dolphins along the pristine coast, surfing, kayaking, fishing, kitesailing, hiking, yoga, and horseback riding.

The resort staffs Adventure Specialists and tour guides to make your experience that more personal. After a long day of fun and working up an appetite, enjoy the fresh, artisanal ingredients served at Tupika, and enjoy a nightcap at the romantic outdoor bar setting of the Observatorio.

Don’t Miss:  Whether in the seclusion of a massage suite, the privacy of your suite, or out in an exotic beach or jungle setting, a treatment from the Imanta Spa will awaken the senses.

Try the Prehispanic hot stone or Reflexology massage experience before heading out into the jungle to an Aztec-inspired temascal, or sweat lodge, to melt your troubles away.

Want more honeymoon ideas? Check out our other Mini-Moon and Honeymoon Blog Posts!

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Photos courtesy of Imanta Resort.

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