The latest from SMB

By now, quite a few visitors have graced the steps of SMB. I was hunting around in TripAdvisor tonight to see what the latest and greatest had to say, and I found this post - which was pretty helpful on a few details I have not heard about yet! Here are some snippets, followed by the full link - see everyone Monday! Happy Labor Day!

From StoneCreek67:
"Landed at 11 am, at SMB 12:45 ! Literally a 30 minute drive from the airport "including" a 5 minute stop to buy a lighter for my cigars !
Waiting for my wife to finish dressing to got o the managers cocktail party then off to Bordeaux for dinner.
Had lunch at the World Cafe buffet, didn't think it would top Capri, but it was simply phenomenal, tremendous presentation and selection, way over the top and everything was excellent.
The pool water is like a warm bath, a breeze blowing, great swim-up bar and poolside service.
We're in an oceanview preferred club 4th floor room overlooking the pool and beach in the 3rd building from the beach on the left if you're looking from the beach. Preferred club lounge not open yet.
Room is great so far, a/c is like ice, excercise room is definitely open and being used.
Slight construction going on around the edged, nothing intrusive at all.
The driveway in from the main road is shared by three resorts, and unlike some descriptions of " a war zone " is really just still under construction and dusty."
And from a later post...
"Had dinner at Bordeaux ! Must preface that we live just 20 minutes from mid-town Manhattan, some of the best food in the world available at all times, having said that, the french cuisine at Bordeaux was excellent ! Wife had duck, I had the veal chop, frizee salads with shrimp, and a mediterranean bouliabase ( spelling ) al of which were very, very good ! Creme brulee and something else I can't remember, both of which were excellent. Also had a very dry chilean cabernet, very tasty I must say !"
And more...
"Had the breakfast buffet, just like Capri and all the other food here so far... excellent ! I find ALL the food excellent, not spicy / but not bland either, very tasty.
Again, gym IS open now and a&c on, spa supposedly Sept 15 from Eric the GM.
The preferred club lounge looks to be complete to me and will be very nice however is not open yet. Dont know why, aside from that that the difference in preferred club is the tub on the balcony, and location of the building closer to the pool & beach, which our fourth floor room has a view of the pool and ocean that is breathtaking !
Witnessed a wedding last nite under the wedding palapa by the pool, how was it... it looked ok to me, they both apparently said I do, 15 or so people, seemed very nice .
Cigars, they have a good selection in a walkin humidor, didn/t look at all the brands, noticed romeo julieta, hoyo de monterray, MUCHO, MUCHO others, they were running $ 20 US and up ! Cigar smoking lounge is up a spiral staircase over the humidor looking out a glass window over the lobby, kinda nice, unique. Why would one sit inside when you can have a stogie outside at one of the restaurants overlooking the beach / pool with the breeze.
The whole place, except for finishing the inside of half the rooms, is 90% complete. Needs decorating inside.
Grass, long conversation with Eric GM, the land it is built on is some kind of prtotected area and flora, state says they cannot plant grass, only indiginous plantings, so they are planting what amounts to ground cover of small plants, cactuslike things, greenery. It will be absolutely georgous when its done, but not for a while til these things mature. But It still is really pretty right now in person, it just appears barren in pictures, anyway thats my opinion.
The road in... also protected by the government. As others have reported, not a war zone, but not very appealing either, they have no control over that situation, cannot be paved, must remain gravel and sides in the natural state. Went down on the beach this am, absolutley stupendous, just as everyone says. You can see and walk for miles in iether direction, just fabulous, really ! Clear turqoise water, like a bath, just beautiful.
I am now going to joinn my boss and partake of some of that atmosphere at the swim/up bar and pool. I really have just on final word at this time...FREAKIN/HOT/HERE !!!!! But not on the beach or at the pool, wonderful strong breeze. "

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g659488-i11442-k2214682-o20-On_the_ground_at_Secrets_Maroma_8_27-Riviera_Maya_Yucatan_Peninsula.html

Song of the Week

I realize this is going to sound a little crazy, but I have a thing for the song "Africa" by Toto. I know. It's crazy. But what is even more insane than me LIKING the song is the fact that if you search for it on YouTube, you will find that 10's of 20's of artists have remade, remixed, and recreated the beats of this song. Seriously. So I picked one of the more mixy/trancey/beachy versions that I found. Enjoy!

"Lover that you are" -Pacjam
"

Potential Bridesmaid Gowns

You might have noticed the poll on the right side of the screen, asking you to vote on what color the bridesmaids might wear in the wedding. With so many options out there, here are a few that I have noticed throughout hours of looking for some good designs...and one example in each color that we are considering. It could happen that all of the ladies will wear different colors! I'm not feeling too finicky about it at this point, I just want everyone to be comfortable and feel like they look good.

All dresses courtesy of Nordstrom.com, BCBG

2am...more photos

Secrets Maroma Map

Jacuzzi Tubs on SMB balconies...

A few of my readers had questions about the photos we have been tracking of the newly-opened Secrets Maroma Beach (SMB - I work for the government, everything has an acronym). Do all of the suites have jacuzzi tubs on the balcony, or are these only available with Preferred Club Suites? Answer: Only available with Preferred Club Suites. As I understand it, folks willing to pay the extra bucks for an upgrade to the Preferred Club are rewarded with not only the extra jacuzzi tub on the balcony (in addition to the one in the bathroom), but also with access to a private bar area where they can mix their own beverages, a private lounge where a special continental breakfast, special snacks, and special desserts are available, free internet access, and an upgraded mini bar and bath amenities. Christopher and I decided to stick with the Junior Suites because we figured that it would be a little pointless that we got access to special stuff if the majority of our guests did not - we want to spend as much time as possible with the people that we love! (Although you know if we did get the special stuff, we'd steal extra and distribute it to the masses...we are so Robin Hood that way.) I am keeping both eyes and ears open as more and more people stay at SMB and post their reviews of the property, and will keep you posted too. !VIVA!

Keep it Classy

Christopher sent me some fun links from Yahoo today, each having something to do with a list of things to do/not do when faced with a wedding. These crack me up, mainly because not only do you see them everyday (and at every wedding I have ever been in, planned, or attended), but they all seem so darn commonsense that no one understands why they continue to occur! Have a good chuckle and check it out.

First, from "9 things you should never WEAR to a wedding"...

1. White Is Not Right It seems obvious and yet so many guests seem to forget. Material that is mostly white with a small pattern is a no. White suits are a no. If there's a question...no. White garb is meant for one person only and that's the bride! Always. End of story.

2. Skip the Shorts Shorts at a wedding? It's just wrong; even if you dress them up with a blazer or a pair of sexy heels. Guys, no matter how preppy you make 'em, and, girls, no matter how stylish Charlize Theron looks in them, shorts just won't do at this affair.

3. Keep it Classy (San Diego? hee hee) Up-to-there miniskirts, shirts with more buttons undone than not, and bustier tops are best left for a night out with the girls (or that person you really want to wow). We know you're sexy, you know you're sexy, but a wedding isn't the place to show off. Play down the sassy and play up the classy.

5. All That Glitters Is Not Gold Stay away from anything lamé, sequined, shiny, or glittery. It's distracting (both in person and in those precious keepsake photos). Again, the newlyweds are the star attraction, so resist the urge to be a "shining star."

Then, from "10 things you should never DO at a wedding"...

The day two people exchange vows may not be your special day, but it's someone's special day, so be on your best behavior -- all the way from the I -do's to the obligatory Gloria Gaynor dance marathon...
1. Don't Produce Sound Effects While at a wedding and reception, turn off your Blackberries and cell phones, put them on vibrate, or better yet, don't even take them!
2. Don't Come Bearing Gifts Whether you're planning on gifting the happy couple a Cuisinart or cold hard cash, do them a huge favor and don't bring it on the wedding day. If you do, they have to keep track of it and haul it home at the end of the night. Send the gift ahead of time, or after the actual ceremony -- at a time when they can really relax and enjoy it.
3. Don't Steal the Show Wedding ceremonies take all forms -- from religious to poetic, musical, or humorous. Whatever the vibe, let the bride and groom set the tone and follow their lead. If you're normally a loud, life-of-the-party type, bring it down a notch and let the wedding couple stand out. If you're a weeper, bring tissues and sit where you can sob without disturbing the I Do's. If the ceremony includes religious rituals, find out what you should do (or not do) ahead of time.
4. Don't Drag Out Skeletons If the bride blushes, it should be from pride, joy, or sheer love. Not because someone just stood up and told a humiliating story about the loser she dated in high school! Ingratiate yourself to the lady and her groom by avoiding any potentially embarrassing or juvenile behavior -- no bawdy jokes, no tales about their dating habits or exploits, no overdrinking, and no overly sexy dancing. Have fun, but don't have it at anyone else's expense.

Check out the links on each title to see the full list for each one...the Yahoo Shine site system is pretty cool, with topics to interest everyone. Thanks Christopher for the fun!!

Song of the Week!

So this is a bit late...but I was in DC all week for work. That's my only excuse. Enjoy! I'd love to hear suggestions from you!

Buddha Bar III
Tango de Seranato de Shubert

SMB (Secrets Maroma Beach) Latest Photos

It seems that a lot has taken place over the past week - SMB's first week open. For a few days, things were fine, but it seems that the air conditioning systems began failing, so the resort is now officially not accepting any new visitors until August 24. There has been a flurry of frantic posts on TripAdvisor, mainly by people who are supposed to be leaving for SMB this week, but are now being displaced to other resorts while SMB works on its kinks. The drama isn't fazing me...unless of course next July this is still going on. The latest photos from a few visitors who stayed there the past week are encouraging - take a look at them when you get a chance, and compare to some of the earlier posts. They are making serious progress! And if you are interested in a swimup suite, there are some tantalizing photos for you in this link...

CLICK for the Latest Pics from John and Cally (Nashville, TN)

Life is a Crazy Thing

A very brief word today about time. Just when you think you have more than enough of it, you don't. I think there are many times, particularly near to the passing of loved ones, when I stop myself and reflect on whether I'll be given another day to be in this world. Yes, I'm healthy, a rather safe driver, I have good medical insurance, all of that - but I try so hard to remember to stop a few times in the crazy hectic days and MEAN what I say, tell the people who impact my life how much they do without realizing it, and truly be appreciative of every opportunity that comes my way. Today, I am thinking of good friends who last week lost a very important family member to cancer, and I think of the first time I met that man who seemed to embrace each day with thanks for another "brand new beginning," while still working to live his past, present, and future through the people around him. Pretty amazing stuff. It makes me think about an Eastern teaching I once studied, and the man telling the story says - "Each day that I wake up, I turn to the little bird on my shoulder and ask, Is today the day? Is today the day I will leave this world? And each day so far, that little bird says "No, today is not the day." Even so, the little bird's last statement is always the same - "...but tomorrow might be the day, so use today wisely.""

Things you NEED if you're having a Beachy Affair

Many, many websites out there are willing to tell a destination bride what she needs for her wedding and/or trip to a wedding destination that involves a beach.

Of course, I completely get caught up in all of the hubub, and think "Well of course I need a floppy hat in 3 colors..." and "Of COURSE I need 3 pair of sunglasses in 3 colors..." when in reality, I'm not much of a 'beachy' person to begin with and will likely never wear those things again.

Realistically speaking, if an item protects me from the nasty sun (my Scandinavian skin just can't handle it!), then I am more interested in owning it, which is why I ordered just such a 'floppy beach hat' from Urban Outfitters the other day. I am just not certain that I NEED to have a cashmere wrap to really feel like my beachy-wedding-process is complete. (But then again...)

Here are a few other things that the beach bride purportedly NEEDS to have in her suitcase, all images courtesy of Nordstrom.com.

1. A very pretty dress

2. A cashmere wrap

3. Versace sunglasses

4. Some fabulous jewelry

5. Sassy flat sandals

Secrets Maroma Beach layout

MORE PHOTOS!! CLICK HERE

Also - Here is a cool map of the grounds (click on it to see it larger) - you can see that every building has a 'swim out suite' section (the pools in front of the buildings, so cool, and the photos in the link above make them look so very tantalizing!) and if you know a little Espanol you can decipher the rest - there are new reviews daily now because people have been staying there since Monday, so I'll be posting a few links before Friday for those who are interested. !VIVA!

Fave Song of the Week

Every week I try to come up with a new song that emulates the feelings that a wedding in paradise might bring...I'll post these as we move forward and would love to hear suggestions from you too!

Ivy - Edge of the Ocean

Things People Wouldn't Do in Cancun

I am completely fascinated with online forums. One that I watch with particular fervor is TripAdvisor.com, which is a travel site at first glance, but if you click that little tab on the homepage called "Forums"...you are transferred to another universe, one that allows people to bash, trash, like, and love their travel experiences. It's a phenomenon you must experience to appreciate. I cannot get over how much of people's lives are 'lived' via the world wide web, and how this has changed just over the past 3-5 years. I remember thinking it was a huge deal to have an email address when I started college in 1996. I remember how 'telnet' was so amazing, and you could even CHAT with people on there if you knew the right words to type (and you had hacker dork friends like me). Now - you can literally learn more than you ever wanted to know from complete strangers. It boggles me, but in the same breath, I can honestly say that I appreciate it a ton when it comes to planning a destination wedding for us, our families, and our friends, some of whom have never visited Mexico. Most of my life is consumed in learning, through one method or another, and it just so happens that forums feed that need in a very simply packaged manner.

So I checked out the Riviera Maya region forum tonight, just to see if anyone has actually stayed at Secrets Maroma Beach yet, and if so, did they have anything nice (or mean) to say about it? Well, I did not find too much on that particular topic, but I DID find this very interesting post about what people do NOT recommend doing in and around Cancun. Here is a sampling of information:

• I would tell others to avoid Market 28. I did not feel safe there and I was pestered by merchants trying to barter deals with me on trivial merchandise - including marijuana.
• So, we tried the Crab House, the food was OK, IMHO, but the bill, was astronomical. 4 adults, 2 steak dinners, 2 small lobster tails, came out to over $400.00 USD. Which I think is a little bit over priced, since we always go to Lorenzillo's for much better food and price. Also, we were very tired from the night before, so there was no liquor at our table, only water.
• Do not over plan your stay!!! Things change, you can always make plans for a trip at the resort. Dpending on the weather, how you feel, how things are going. I see people planning five trips on a seven night stay! So when do you relax?
• Never would buy a taco out of the trunk of a car. You will see a lot of this downtown, can`t imagine how unsafe this would be to a tourists tummy.
• I would not be rude to employees as I have seen others do...it gets them no where and probably are worse off in the end....remember RESPECT.
• I liked Xel-Ha and Tulum, but would not couple them as one tour again. Way too much to do in one day and you feel very rushed. Would not use the airport transfers included in your travel package. It took us about 2 hours to get to the resort. Now I always spring for the private transfers....30 min. tops.
• Would never again drink one tequila shot after another just to get up the nerve to sing Karaoke!
• I would never lay out without sunscreen.
• I would never go shopping at Walmart in Playa del Carmen at night if you don't know Spanish.

Hey, these people apparently know what they are talking about...after all, they spend a good bit of time on these forums every day. Who wouldn't believe them??

Thoughts on Flowers

Traditionally, a bride and her bridesmaids carry flowers down the aisle (and back up again). Although I wouldn't call myself intentionally "non-traditional", I do feel a certain sense of responsibility to consider other options when it comes to things like flowers (which are very nice when alive, but they do cost quite a bit for something that dies rather quickly).

Here is part of the photo that gave me the idea (credit to Stephen Sanderson Photography). After some consideration, this photo inspired me toward considering parasols in lieu of flowers. (I think I will still carry flowers, since they come with our wedding package.)

I did find some very fun options on the internet for beachy-looking parasols; here are a few I am considering for our turquoise, white, and chocolate brown theme (any votes? leave a comment below!):

More photos from Secrets Maroma Beach

Here are some more great photos from last week - before the opening - but there are some views that you won't find in the ones I just posted. I could almost squeak with excitement.

Just click the link below!

Secrets Maroma Beach Resort Pre-Opening Photos

Secrets Maroma Beach finally opened!

That's right folks, just when you thought it might not happen...it did! Our wedding resort is officially open to guests! I hope the grass grows in before next year...hee hee.



Secrets Maroma Opening Day, August 11, 2008

Inspiration Boards

When a modern bride is planning her wedding, she often turns to the internet for information, shopping, tips, and inspiration. My personal inspiration originally came from an idea Christopher had about our Denver-wedding-theme (a grand Hollywood theater gala).

Obviously, that theme is out the window because we are now headed to MEXICO.

HOWEVER -- I still desire to be inspired about my wedding and the feeling that it will instill in my guests. The 'theme' for our wedding really is 'beachy elegance' or 'beach glam', and I would very much like it to reflect some of the non-tourist culture of Mexico. I'll be shopping for items that will go into guests' welcome bags in Playa del Carmen the day we arrive (if all goes well), because I'd like guests to feel a bit more of what Mexico has to offer (than just the resort property).


So, I, like many others, have turned to the internet for inspiration. For anyone who doesn't know, there are these absolutely cool websites solely devoted to wedding style.

<-- I made this one!

My two faves are Snippet & Ink and Style Me Pretty. I found so many amazing ideas on these sites, I thought I would share them here too! (click to enlarge)

boards courtesy Snippet&Ink

Who'll Stop the Rain?

So...it's been about 24 hours since we officially booked our wedding trip to Mexico. Today was a day of reflection, and anxiety, and excitement...did we pick the right place? Was Mexico a good choice at all? Will our guests think we are crazy for thinking they can come to this destination wedding in the middle of hurricane season!? That one really got me thinking. Particularly because I made the mistake of watching television tonight...something I do about once a week. I record all the goofy wedding shows (Whose Wedding is it Anyway?, Married Away, Rock the Reception, Say Yes to the Dress) so once a week I sit down with a bowl of popcorn and indulge in a show or two, no commercials attached thanks to our DVR. But - tonight I just happened to pick a show that was reviewing a wedding on Little Palm Island in the Florida Keys, and they were getting married in AUGUST, and a hurricane nearly forced them to cancel their nuptials. NEARLY. But it was enough to make me have a minor panic attack about our choice of month and locale.

Really, we chose August not because we enjoy the heat or needed a summer wedding, but because both of our mothers work in the school system, and August would be a reasonable month for them to get away (plus a few members of our bridal party too!!). And, being hurricane season, rates at a 5-star all-inclusive resort are lower than if we were going in say, February. *sigh* Still, at the end of the day, I feel good about our choice. I think it is going to be an amazingly fun time, and no matter what happens, as long as Christopher and I are married on August 8 (hurricane or no hurricane), we'll have accomplished our goal. (We would just rather have NO hurricane...I'm putting that order into the gods, and doing a rain dance, and I might check in with Buddha and Jesus too, just to be sure I have covered the bases...)

Oh...and I found out the opening of Secrets Maroma Beach has been pushed back yet again to August 8, 2008. Wonder how many brides planned their 08-08-08 wedding there??? Honestly, after all of the reading I have done, it seems pointless to book at any Mexico resort within 1 month or so of it's scheduled opening...just never seems to go as planned. But - one perk for those who did book there - I have heard that people are being given free 7-night stays at the resort next year if they are unable to stay there this week. We should have signed up for that!!

Maybe the new opening date will work out, and be a good sign that by NEXT August 8, the resort will be open and functional. Maybe. Crossing fingers (and toes).

We're Booked!! It's Official!!

Christopher and I will be married at the Secrets Maroma Beach Resort just south of Cancun, Mexico on August 8th, 2009.

We booked our travel today through Roads Less Taken (http://roadslesstaken.com/) and are SO EXCITED!

Beau has promised to get me the rate chart for our guests (for 3, 4, 5, and 7-night stays) and I just can't thank him enough for helping me through the process of choosing the resort, and then finding the absolute best prices anywhere. The agency is so knowledgeable, and Beau's wife Carol will help me in handling all of the wedding details with the on-site wedding coordinator (her name is Cecilia Reyes, and she was just hired this week).
The resort opened officially today, after some start-up issues with electricity (which all of the people who had booked stays there for this week were VERY angry about). Let's hope that by giving them a year, we'll have very few 'growing pains' to deal with when we are there!!


Christopher and I will be staying at the resort to chill and party with all of our family and friends from August 5 to August 9, and then will be departing for our honeymoon...just up the road, at the Le Blanc Spa resort. Click here to check out this ultra modern resort

Aaah! We can't wait! (Christopher doesn't say 'aaah!', but Mindy does. Just making that clear.)

resort selection through the eyes of a researcher

So...I think everyone knows that I research things...and generally this is a good thing. However, sometimes things you'd rather not know should remain...unknown.
*you wonder, where is this going?*

Well, the time has come for us to choose a resort at which we will host our Mexico wedding. We've established a number of different requirements (both Christopher and I have our list of 'must-haves') and attempted to hold various resorts against these to see who would fall out, and who would remain a possibility.
Needless to say, there weren't many resorts left after we finished that process!

The resort 'chains', if you will, that hung around were Secrets Resorts, Excellence Resorts, and the Le Blanc Spa in Cancun. We have determined that because the Le Blanc Spa is a bit more subdued and chill, we will be spending our 4-night honeymoon there following our wedding at one of the other resorts (or...we might book a cruise if we can, but this is just a thought at this point). So we are down to Secrets and Excellence.

The Secrets Resort line actually owned Excellence up until last year, so it wasn't too surprising that both resorts fared well in our choice matrix. The Secrets line has branched out, building and opening two new resorts in the area (Secrets Silversands, and Secrets Maroma Beach). ALL are 4.5-5 star, all-adults, all-inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya region (south of Cancun). All contain at least 6 ala carte restaurants, and have at least 6 bars of differing types (swim-up bars, beach bars, night clubs/bars, piano lounges, cigar bars, spa bars, oh my!). All have nightly entertainment on-site, and a variety of activities included in the daily room price (including kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, water aerobics, beach volleyball, archery lessons, tennis lessons...). All provide 24-hour room service...included as well.

So, now it is on to examine their actual wedding packages. Because these resorts were all influenced by the same presence at one point in time or another, the packages between Secrets and Excellence are pretty similar. One of my "must-haves" was the inclusion of some type of additional food and drink IN the wedding package that the resort offers (so, a cocktail reception or dinner reception included in the package price). I found this to be the crux of the wedding package debate - and the reason that most of the other very-nice properties did not make our list (e.g., El Dorado Royale, Le Blanc Spa, etc.). Both Secrets and Excellence include a wedding reception AND wedding dinner in their silver and gold level packages - for up to 20 people. After 20, you pay by the head. I feel pretty good about this kind of deal, mainly because at all of the other resorts, you pay per head after just 1 person! The other 'very cool element' to each resorts' packages is that the groom is given a separate room the night before the wedding...we thought this was very sweet and would add to the wedding experience.

But how to differentiate between Excellence and Secrets? Two of the properties are established (Secrets Capri and Excellence Riviera), and two are brand new, just opening in August 2008 (Secrets Silversands and Secrets Maroma Beach). Maybe price? We definitely included price in our matrix, mainly because we want this to be a possible trip for everyone on our guest list! But after speaking with a travel agent, AND working up prices all over the internet, it doesn't seem likely that price will help us decide. They are all just too similar.

Stay tuned for the next chapter in the saga, where I attempt to come up with more seemingly nonexistent differences...and maybe we'll make a choice!! SOON!

The First Post

Aah!! The first pre-anniversary of our August 2009 wedding is creeping toward us...and I finally decided to try blogging. I anticipate that this blog will be a venue through which family and friends can read about the "Misadventures of Mindy and Christopher." In the future, we'll add stories about our "potential-family-members" (aka, children), and stories about our crazy dogs, I'm sure. The next major event for our family is, of course, our wedding in Mexico. Stay tuned for more information about the resorts we are considering, the wedding packages that come with these resorts, and all of the finer details that go into planning a wedding from 2000 miles away!