from mehndi to mariachi

It is with great excitement that we share our most recent wedding (every detail brilliantly captured by Twin Lens) with you. 

Lopa & Vijay allowed us to help them create a magical weekend combining the elements of two very vibrant cultures. 

Guests from all over the world jetted to Mexico's alluring Yucatan peninsula, making this a truly International fête. Festivities consisted of seven events that took place over the course of three days at the stunning Rosewood Mayakoba. 

The revelry kicked off with a Mexican “fiesta” on Thursday night, with guests enjoying everything from a live trio, to creating their own margaritas, to custom henna artwork by a Manhattan-based artist who was flown in for the event. 

The weekend's festivities continued with a Puja (spiritual cleansing ceremony), which took place on a secluded palapa surrounded by mangroves, followed by a lively pool party where guests savored fresh ceviche and participated in "old school" pool games. 

Guests topped off their day with an evening celebration on the beach, consisting of traditional Indian dances (Garba and Raas). Colorful garb, lively music, tasty cuisine from different regions of Mexico and a lot of dancing filled the night.

  

The next morning, our regal couple exchanged vows by the lagoon, beneath an airy Mandap made entirely of flowers. The groom made his grand entrance by boat, while friends and family waited for him dockside and "danced" with him as he made his way to the Mandap. 

Later, everyone enjoyed a Chinese-Mexican fusion post- wedding lunch, which further underscored the ethnic

flavor of the weekend. 

An elegant poolside reception that evening capped off the events, allowing everyone to feast on Mediterranean cuisine, culminating in a "truffle tower" wedding cake, designed by the bride.

Dancing went on until the wee hours of the morning with a sea lit by a full moon serving as a fitting backdrop.

Congratulations Lopa & Vijay and thank you for allowing Runaway Bride to be part of your special day! 

say "i do" to a christmas wedding...

What could be merrier and more festive than having your wedding take place during the holiday season? If the holidays are your backdrop of choice... make sure to incorporate all the dazzling décor, colors, aromas and sumptuous flavors of the season. 

Some inspiration...

Make sure to tie in the rich colors of the season with splashes of red, crimson and gold

Deck out your wedding party with festive accents such faux fur shawls

Greenery, ivory and candles add to the romantic feel of this magical season

A romantic winter wonderland makes a stunning backdrop for photos

Get creative with seasonal favors 

Warm your guests up with a hot toddy station 

Tie it all together with rustic place settings

Opt for a snowman "bride and groom" cake topper

Firewood escort cards are a fun way to incorporate the season 

When the weather outside is frightful, there's even more reason to keep guests dancing till dawn with late night treats!

dream location in playa del carmen...

Escapism looks a little different to everyone, but for me it’s simple. I need three basic ingredients: surf, sun and sand. Okay four... that special someone to share it all with.

I don’t need a personal butler, 8-course meal experience or a flat-screen TV in my pool-side cabana. Don’t get me wrong- I don’t like totally “roughing” it either, but I don’t want to break the bank in order to enjoy a hammock and a Mojito. But is this a realistic wish list? A recent visit to the mesmerizing Le Rêve Hotel & Spa gave me my answer: Yes! 

The hotel is reachable via an unpaved maze of roads that take you away from Cancun’s bustling “hotel zone” and the large, all-inclusive resorts along the Riviera Maya. A mere 10 minutes from the heart of Playa, this intimate 25-suite property oozes more romance and charisma than its neighboring mega-resorts combined. Le Rêve literally means “dream” in French and within minutes of checking in, I realized how fitting the name really is. The thatched roof cabana-style design combined with private gardens and stunning ocean views- create the perfect tropical wonderland getaway. 

 The hotel has four distinct room types- each offering different amenities and styles. The ground level garden suites are the epitome of relaxation with over-sized hammocks, while the beachfront bungalows (complete with private plunge pools and exclusive beach access) are definitely worth the “splurge”. 

The master suites are probably my favorite- with king sized canopy beds, thatched roofs and large balconies unveiling front row views of the azure seas. 

All of the rooms have an open, airy atmosphere- think flowing white fabric, warm wooden accents and (my favorite) a vibrant accent wall designed out of Mexican tile.

I’ve searched high and low and believe me- there are few hotels along Mexico’s Riviera Maya that are as private and intimate as this seaside escape. The resort does not allow children- making it the perfect locale for honeymooners (they even have a Honeymooner's Walk featuring plaques with the names of couples who have honeymooned with them). 

The enchanting, relaxed atmosphere of this petite resort also makes it an excellent choice for a destination wedding buyout. It’s easy to take up the 25 rooms- making this slice of paradise entirely yours for the weekend to enjoy with your guests.


So what’s the catch? There isn’t one. I ran my mental checklist... exotic locale without having to travel very far? Check. Unique accommodations? You betcha! An uber romantic setting at an affordable price? Yup! Price tag? Room rates range from $200/night to $600/night (for a bungalow during the high season). 

So go ahead and check it out... the forecast is always sunny at 
Le Rêve! 

the "essence" of the riviera maya...

Always on the hunt for unique properties... my latest find takes the form of a mesmerizing boutique hotel on a blissfully remote beach about 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.

My first clue that I had hit upon a hip hideaway was the dirt track road I had to take off an unnamed highway to even get to the property. In fact, I kept asking my driver if he was sure he was taking me to the right place!

The former house of an Italian Duchess, Esencia is a 50-acre seaside estate backed by a tropical jungle and fronted by a dazzling white beach. When the Duchess decided to share her slice of paradise, and craft her home into a hotel- she did it with one condition- the property had to maintain the feel of a private house... and that it does! None of the 29 rooms (which are housed in white stucco haciendas) have numbers- they all have names. Yet the names aren’t posted anywhere- truly making you feel like you’re staying at a wealthy friend's beachside estate.

The other thing that really amazed me is that I never had to sign for a meal, spa treatment or anything else-- the staff all knew me by name!

The minimalistic, all white decor of the rooms fits perfectly into the overall “luxury in the jungle” vibe of the hotel. The property is ideal for stylish couples who want a mellow retreat. A “buyout” for a destination wedding is definitely the way to go- allowing your guests to take over the entire property.  

Families might be more comfortable staying in one of the 10 garden suites (each features outdoor showers and private plunge pools) or one of the two-bedroom cottages, which have kitchens (including private chef services), media rooms and their own full-size pools. 

Although the property is kid friendly- the resort’s amenities are definitely geared towards grown-ups... particularly Aroma SPA. Having frequented spas all over the world, I consider myself quite the spa “junkie”, but I’ve never encountered anything quite like this. Housed in a circular, Mayan-inspired building- it is a sanctuary where past and present Mexican healing rituals mix- resulting in a very spiritual experience. 

Treatments are based on ancient healing techniques and are 100% natural & organic. Built on a foundation & belief in the healing powers of local plants- ingredients are grown in an organic garden & mixed by hand in the spa’s “pre-hispanic” kitchen. 

I indulged in the Ritual de Limón- a massage that incorporates limes (considered by Mayan healers a natural element for purification), with deep stretching. When she was finished, my therapist handed me the four limes she had used during my treatment and I tossed them into an open fire to “burn” away the negative energy that they had absorbed from my body during my massage. Quite cathartic!

Clearly I’m a fan about everything at the hotel... including the phenomenal cuisine. Chef Bernardo’s Meso-American creations with a Yucatecan ‘twist’ are served up at both of the hotel’s restaurants. A favorite for me was his unique twist on Eggs Benedict...poached eggs on artichoke hearts with hollandaise sauce. Another special treat is the sublime ceviche menu (I enjoyed the zesty Azteca ceviche on the beach along with a Hibiscus margarita!) 

spoiling (complimentary) touches...

• Pre-breakfast coffee & pastries that are delivered to your room... you just have to let the concierge know what time you’d like them and they “magically” appear outside your door!
• 8AM yoga classes on the lawn
• Couples’ palapas on the beach
• Afternoon cookies & tea in the main house (the Duchess would approve!)
• Excellent staff that quickly know you by name (Fidel was amazing!)

Needless to say... I can’t wait to book my next trip back!

unexpected finds in turks & caicos...

The Caribbean is always a popular pick for couples considering a destination wedding. But with so many islands to choose from... deciding on the right one can be tough. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Turks & Caicos and came across some very unexpected (and pleasant) finds... 

First of all... I had no idea that this island group is made up of 40 islands and cays of which only eight are inhabited (by humans!) These islands are also only about a 90 minute flight from Miami and 3.5 hours from New York- making this a very accessible & affordable destination to get to. 


Providenciales (Provo to locals) is the most well known and developed of the islands- offering a wide range of resorts, restaurants and attractions. It has also earned "Best Beach" designation by Conde Nast Magazine. The north shore of the island is where you will find some of the most amazing beaches, as well as a long coral reef teeming with aquatic life. This main stretch is home to the majority of the major resorts, romantic villas and condos. My personal favorites include: the private villas at Amanyara, the chic Gansevoort  and the all-suite Grace Bay Club.

Another popular attractions is the island of Little Water Cay, also known as Iguana Island, where some 2,000 critically endangered Rock Iguanas- the biggest population of this species in the world- are the island's only residents. 

For marine enthusiasts, 200 miles of continuous coral reef- open for diving and snorkeling- beckon while the shallow waters of Gibbs Cay invite you to get up close and personal with some of the friendliest sting rays I've ever encountered! 

Restaurants abound on the popular island of Provo where the natural beauty makes al fresco dining a popular choice with many restaurants dishing up stunning vistas to go with delectable dishes.

Formal options can be found in the Grace Bay area, but for a more "ocean-to-plate" experience- I wouldn't miss Da Conch Shack in downtown Provo. The best part about this barefoot dining experience is that you literally watch your dinner being fished out of the ocean. You can get fresh conch prepared every way imaginable from fritters to stir fried to curried. Make sure to end your meal with rum cake topped with rum-raisin ice cream. Yum!

On a non beach day, I would highly recommend a visit to the Caicos Conch Farm to get an overview of how conches are raised from eggs and then transferred to ocean holding pens. You can even pick up and handle these creatures at each stage of development.

And when nightfall approaches, the island comes alive with romantic sunset or moonlit boat cruises. Throughout the Turks and Caicos, soft sunsets bathing the scenic island invite romantic beach strolls, assuring memories that will last a lifetime. 

 

Make sure to check out my video below for tips on how to plan your destination wedding or honeymoon, with some of the best places to stay and the best times to go.