Close your eyes and think of paradise. What do you see? For me paradise definitely involves crystal clear blue water, soft white sand, and palm trees swaying gently in the warm breeze.  You’re with me, right?  And when it comes to destination weddings, a paradise-like atmosphere is a must.  Maroma Resort & Spa is the perfect oasis for your destination wedding.  A luxurious Mayan Riviera beachfront resort set deep in the lush jungle.  All the rustic wonders of nature are combined with the extravagance and beauty brought to you by this resort.  Maroma boasts 7 different wedding reception location options.  Whether you’ve dreamed of a beach wedding overlooking the sparkling coral reef, or an intimate garden wedding, Maroma has a variety of choices to suit every bride’s desires.

Working along with your own personal tastes and needs, the staff at Maroma are able to customize the perfect wedding with all the uniqueness and charm needed to bring your dreams to life. Maroma’s professionals are able to arrange:

• Pre-wedding and wedding dinner custom designed by you, our wedding planner and their Chef
• Extensive beverage and wine list
• Legal or symbolic marriage ceremony performed at the resort
• Flowers and decoration
• Still wedding photography and videographer
• Live music
• Make-up, hair stylist and Spa treatments

Having had the chance to stay at Maroma myself, I can’t say enough about the service, the staff and the high end, luxury accommodations.  Whether you fancy a suite or villa, the accommodations are stunning, private and offer you the perfect pampering you deserve pre and post-wedding. The cuisine chez Maroma is a complete culinary delight.  As with any high end resort, there are no shortage of resort activities around every corner.  Unwind in their award winning spa.  Be at one with nature during an afternoon of snorkeling.  Sample some local fare and book a cooking class with the resort Chef.

Whatever your dreams are for your wedding and honeymoon – Maroma is THE perfect location for an incredible wedding and vacation that you’ll never forget.

This wedding shoot is both creative and ….well….random! Which I totally love. This is a nod to my dad, Vic. He digs the Beatles in a large way. And has since their inception. He’s the real deal when it comes to Beatles fans. So this one’s for you, Dad! A few genius North Carolina vendors ( Anna Paschal Photography  and Leigh Pearce Weddings  to name a few) got together and brought this shoot to life.  I’m more of an Abbey Road girl, myself.  But Sgt. Pepper is coming in loud in clear from this shoot.  I love it!

Photographer: Anna Paschal Photography  |  Event Design & Staging: Leigh Pearce Weddings  |  Venue: Belmont Estate  |  Makeup and Hair: Carla White  |  Dress: Songbirds consignment  |  Flowers: FireFlies   |  Stationery: Carolina Pear

DIY fun!  We got the cutest wedding today.  Remember THIS engagement?  Amazing, right?  Well today we have the wedding.  I’m so excited for you Karla – What a perfect day!  And here’s a few words from Karla, herself: You know when people ask how your wedding day was? And you know they are anticipating the “omg it was soo crazy chaotic, drama” whatever it may be.. Well that was def not the case on our wedding day.

For the first time in my life everything went according to plan. After months of DIY projects and thrift shopping  it all paid off when I got to see every little detail appreciated. From the vintage napkins I collected to the cake toppers that were just so “us”. Simple, romantic, and chic all in one. If I didn’t make it, I purchased it from an Etsy seller.

Photography: HarmonyLovesPhotography & Logan Cole Photography  |  Venue: Recreational Park Golf Course  |  Floral Design: Massey’s House of Flowers  |  Bridal Gown: Alvina Valenta  |  Grooms Attire: Express  |  Make up: Amy Clarke

In need of a little vintage engagement session in your life? Thought so. Amanda and Don – Hip, stylish, and engaged. It’s hard for me to see such incredible photos (thanks to Jolie Connor Photography) and not get really anxious to see their wedding photos. Can’t wait till the big day arrives!  Be sure to send the wedding photos our way!

I have a cold. I feel icky. But I love this ranch wedding. Like, LOADS.   Ambrosia, today’s bride, gave us the sweetest description of her budget rustic wedding.  Heads up brides, a sweet rustic budget wedding IS possible and Ambrosia is here to tell us how:

Our theme was vintage rustic. We wanted to incorporate the rustic feel of SMR, but also add romantic touches. I made the boutonnieres, wood painted signs, fabric bunting, photo-guest line, photo guest book, fabric & lace covered cans for the wildflowers, BM’s gifts (fabric totes), jam for the favors, paper signs for the photo booth, photo booth fabric strip background, etc. Compared to average weddings we had a tight budget of $10k. Because of that, I looked for ways to save. My childhood girlfriend did my hair. I did my own makeup. My husband home-brewed the beer. Our friends made desserts. My bridesmaids made the wildflower bouquets. After our first look, just as we were heading to the ceremony meadow, the sky got really gray. As I was waiting for all of the guests to be seated, it started lightly raining. I was rushed inside one of our guest’s RV, and enjoyed a nice glass of white wine. Our guests were moved inside a building, and after 20 minutes returned to their seats and the ceremony began. I entered through two old doors that two of my bridesmaid’s husbands found the day before. We incorporated a handfasting ceremony – I cut and sewed strips of fabric that I bought and used as table coverings. My mom will be making a quilt from the fabric. My sister and brother in-law wrapped the fabric around our hands as a blessing was read by our officiant (a college friend of my husband). Our entire ceremony and vows were written by my husband and me. I custom ordered a metal trinket from Lisa Leonard Designs. I ordered a locket from etsy and put a picture of my dad inside – he passed away last Oct, the weekend I got engaged and I was never able to tell him the good news. Even though I technically walked down the isle by myself (my husband met me half-way and we walked the rest of the way together) my dad was there with me.

wedding location: YMCA Snow Mountain Ranch, Granby, CO  | Photographer: Katherine Chick @ 11th Door | Event designer / coordinator: Ambrosia Pardue-Lee | Cake designer: desserts that friends made & Swedish Princess Cake from Schmidts Bakery | Catering: Moe’s BBQ | Wedding dress : Allure #2302 | Hair Accessories: Kohl’s, | Jewelery: etsy | Shoes: Wild Diva | BM dresses: JCrew, Modcloth, Nordstroms | Groom’s Suit: Kohl’s & Macy’s | Groom’s Shoes: DSW, Boston | DIY Resources: www.vintageapple.wordpress.com | Rentals: A Vintage Affair Rentals