What is the ideal spot for your destination wedding ceremony?

as told by Maddie Horvath, Destination Wedding Specialist Intern 

If you’ve chosen your destination wedding location, you may be wondering where to hold your ceremony. It’s important to consider the size of your guest list and your personal vision for your wedding when choosing a ceremony site. Whichever spot you choose, your wedding is sure to be beautiful!

Photo Credit: Apple Vacation – Beach Wedding

Beach

For a ceremony on the beach, wedding attire is often lighter and more comfortable to accommodate the warm weather and sand. If you plan to wear heels on your wedding day, and believe your guests will do the same, you may run into trouble with a beach ceremony. Remember, brides: Mother (Nature) knows best. A wedding facing the water is scenic and romantic, but don’t forget to keep in mind the breezes and tides when booking your ceremony! At most resorts, destination beach weddings are semi-private, where the beach will not be restricted to other resort guests, but may be held in a less-populated area.

 

Photo Credit: Apple Vacations – Sandos Cancun Luxury Resort Destination Wedding, Gazebo

 

Gazebo

If you like the ocean breeze and beautiful views, but don’t want to sacrifice your dress and shoes for the sand, a gazebo wedding might be perfect for you. Generally, the bride and groom will stand in a gazebo, while the guests sit on the surrounding deck or patio. Guests might not be as close to the “I do’s” as you would like, so keep this in mind when planning your nuptials! Like the beach wedding, gazebo ceremonies are often semi-private and may be more- or less-crowded depending on the date and time of your ceremony. Play up the beach theme by adding seashells to your décor, so you can get the beach look without the sand beneath your feet!

 

 

Garden

If you love flowers and greenery, see if your resort has a garden wedding option. You can still feel the warm sun and cool breezes of the beach, but have your wedding ceremony in a beautiful, unique location. You could also save some money on floral decorations by holding your wedding ceremony surrounded by nature’s finest blooms! Don’t forget to tell your guests to bring the bug spray!

 

We know you’ve dreamed of this day for a long time. Few things in life are as important as this day and few options as romantic as a Destination Wedding. When properly planned, a Destination Wedding can actually save you a lot of money…but most Brides and Grooms don’t know where to start. That’s where we come in. Apple Vacations will not only help you find the perfect destination; we’ll make your wedding easy and affordable for friends and family too!

 

Newly Engaged?
START PLANNING TODAY
or call 800-815-9000

 

 

Mexico with Mom!

Since the day I joined Apple Vacations over 5 years ago, my mother never missed an opportunity to ask, “So when are we going on a trip?”  In November of 2009, I decided it was time to fulfill her request.  It was the best vacation of my life.

I decided to totally go for it, and booked a whole week down in the Riviera Maya for Mom and me.  We stayed at the Iberostar Lindo and were immediately blown away by the beauty of the resort.  We must have looked like two teenage girls upon check-in– laughing, smiling, and practically jumping up and down as we were escorted to our room with refreshing cocktails in hand.

Mom and I had all these grandioso plans to go on excursions, go snorkeling, go “into town”– yeah right.  Every morning we’d look at each other and say, “Let’s just go to the beach and maybe we’ll feel like leaving the resort tomorrow.”  We never left the resort. Each day Mom would wake up before me and make coffee in the room for us (Yes, talkabout a lucky daughter!).  We’d sit on our balcony with our coffee and listen to the birds before heading to breakfast.  After breakfast, we’d relax by the water, eat lunch, and then take a walk around the property.  Everyday we discovered some new vegetation or newanimal.  We particularly loved the coatis, and were always highly entertained by their antics.  After our walk, we’d shower, grab a martini at the lobby bar, and then head to our dinner reservation.  In the evening, we’d attend the Lindo’s nightly entertainment show in their open-air atrium and were amazed about the high quality of the performances and choreography.

I felt like we were “celebrities”, as we became friendly with the various workers and entertainment staff at the Lindo.  Upon seeing Mom and me come for dinner, the one bartender would jokingly say, “Hola!  There is my wife and mother-in-law!  How was you day today?”  At breakfast one day, a member of the entertainment staff ate with us and talked to us about her family and home.  It made me feel good that Mom and I seemed so approachable, and the relationships we formed with the resort staff made our trip that more special.

To this day, I can’t help but smile and shed a happy tear when I think of that trip.  I don’t get to see my mom that often, and having memories like this are priceless.  We still, years later, always talk about our time together in Mexico—  it is an experience that we will always have together.  Thanks, Mom, for being my travel partner, beach buddy, and best friend.  Happy Mother’s Day!

 

Why Travel to Mexico? Why Not. Some of your favorite people already did!

Tailgate Party ON THE BEACH!!!

Hey football Fans — Looking for something fun to do this fall?

Apple Vacations & Sportsradio 610WIP invite you to the Ultimate Tailgate Party ON THE BEACH. Hosted by Sportsradio 610WIP’s Joe Conklin with special performances by Paul Moore from Paddy’s Well!

There is something for everyone on this trip! If you’re a fan of Joe Conklin’s Comedy Impersonations, Paul Moore’s songs and music or want to see a great game from the comfort of your own beach chair (versus the cold at home in Philadelphia or DC) join us for a Tailgate Party ON THE BEACH!

Fly to Cancun’s Riviera Maya to watch the Birds take on the Skins on Monday night! What better way to watch the game than FROM THE BEACH with your own beach chair, special Monday Night Football tailgate food and tropical drinks!

I did this a few years ago and we had a really great time so we have decided to do it again!

Here is what the trip includes:

  • Direct roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia via USA3000 Airlines (other cities also available)
  • Hotel accommodations at Now Jade Riviera Cancun
  • Special performance by Joe Conklin & Paul Moore from Paddy’s Well & Blackthorne Fame on Sunday, November 14 and again during half time on Monday, November 15
  • $200 in resort credit!
  • Exclusive non-stop transfers in resort
  • All meals, all drinks, tips and more!

Check out the performers at paddyswell.com or joeconklin.com. For more details on the trip log on to www.applevacations.com/tailgate.

Shade or Sun?

095I am traveling with a child who can not be in the sun constantly. So we are “shade seekers” when we are on vacation, at least for part of the day. If you or someone you know needs shade options on your vacation then this is really a resort to consider.

There are plenty of umbrellas, Palapas and Bali beds here at Now Jade to keep you out of the direct sunlight. Bali beds in Vegas and Miami can go for hundreds of dollars! Cost here – $0.00 for umbrellas & palapas which are throughout the resort. Bali beds are also included when you upgrade to the preferred club section of the hotel.
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It seems like something very simple, but when you get here you realize how important it is. And PS – The Bali beds are really nice for a nap for mom too!

Cancun Beach Restoration

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Royal Hideaway Playacar

We’ve receive questions and a lot of positive feedback about the beach restoration in Cancun & Riviera Maya and Cozumel. I thought it would be a good time to share what I know about Mexico’s efforts to rejuvenate their beaches. I’ve watched this progress unfold and what I’ve seen is a remarkable. Cancun has restored some of their beaches to their original, natural beauty — and the progress they’ve made is amazing.

The reason why they are doing this project is that Cancun proper, Riviera Maya and Cozumel have suffered beach loss, in isolated areas, over the past 3 years. Earlier projects to sustain further beach loss have been unsuccessful. Even though they are almost done, here is what I have been able to find out over the past few days.

1.     This project itself is not being managed by the resorts themselves. The Mexican Government is re-coooperating beach locations because there was little to no beach area due to erosion.
2.     If a beach is targeted for re-cooperation, it was because there was little or no beach.
3.     The Government has not provided a list of what beaches are earmarked for restoration nor have they published an official time-line.
4.     We do not have a schedule specifying what day construction will occur at what hotel.
5.     Construction typically takes only a few days, per hotel.
6.     They are working as fast and as diligently as they can, so that the beach restoration projects can be completed as quickly as possible and there is minimal interruption to resort guests.
7.     I have read on some sites that the work is to be complete by February 10, and other sites by mid-February.
8.     We know the Government was to target beaches in Cancun proper, in Riviera Maya and in Cozumel. At this time, from what we can tell, all the beaches in Cancun are complete and they are now working toward making beaches in Riviera Maya as beautiful as ever. Continue reading

Memories from the Beach

090811_beach1I am a beach lover. I am also someone who loves to float, swim, snorkel, play, or even just stand and chat with friends in the ocean.  I love looking at the ocean, listening to it, smelling the saltwater scent, but most of all, I love submersing myself in it. If given the choice, I will always opt to sit in the sand on the beach and swim in the ocean rather than be poolside while on vacation. That’s just my preference.

The average beach-goer brings a plethora of paraphernalia along with them for a day at the beach. A variety of suntan lotions, a hat or visor, sunglasses, aquatic shoes, perhaps something to read or some sort of listening device, a camera to capture memorable moments, snorkel, fins, goggles…these are just some of the items we bring to the beach to entertain us.

In addition to many of these standard items, my personal beach bag includes one rather unique item… Continue reading