A REAL Mexican Wedding

As most of you know, Mexican culture is incredibly rich and deeply rooted. Today I wanted to share an inspiration board with some historical significance -- what a traditional Mexican wedding really looks like. While you may not be going this route yourselves, it's traditions and vibrant colors provide great inspiration for any couple planning a south of the border wedding!

Planning the Perfect Beach Wedding: The Ceremony!

Yesterday, I featured tips from Destination Wedding Magazine on how to dress accordingly for the perfect beach wedding. Today I wanted to include some great guidelines for ways to make the most of your destination wedding: At the Ceremony!

Photo Credit: Tim Otto Photography

Stay natural. A gorgeous ocean backdrop doesn’t need to be too dressed up. Instead, highlight the natural beauty of the setting. “A beach wedding can be about shells and starfish, but it can also take inspiration from the harmonious color palette of sand, dune grasses, stones and water,” says Karen Bussen of Simple Stunning in New York. “Decor should be simple; avoid going over the top with fussy flowers.”

Add color. To make your setup really pop, Sasha Souza of Sasha Souza Events suggests, “Choose colors that contrast the sand and the surf rather than blend in, like corals, greens and other vibrant tones.”

Go local. Celebrity-wedding planner Colin Cowie recommends hiring local vendors as much as possible. “Otherwise you might find your favors or chair covers stuck in customs.” Tracey Kumer-Moore of Your Las Vegas Wedding Concierge adds, “When it comes to food, look for caterers who are conscientious of local markets and respectful of the beach environment.”

Eco-Friendly Wedding in Mexico

Eco-tourism is becoming increasingly popular in recent years, and many couples are choosing to participate in this by having an eco-friendly wedding. If you have this goal in mind, and are planning for your destination wedding in Mexico, consider Taninah -- which means "first home" in Mayan. It is a stunning gated jungle retreat that spans 10 acres across the Riviera Maya. Read more about Taninah and eco-tourism for your destination wedding at MexicoToday!

Mexico Wedding | Des and Cary

Love these stunning photos from this couples destination wedding. Des and Cary exchanged vows south of the border, with photography by Lise & Eirik. Here are some pictures of their wedding in Mexico for inspiration!

Photo Credit: December Photography

Mexico Wedding Inspiration - Purple!

Purple has always been one of my favorite colors. My room was purple as a kid, and I frequently have shades of lavender or purple incorporated into my wardrobe for the day. It also happens to be one of my favorite wedding colors. I specifically love purple for a destination wedding in the fall or winter months. It's a warm fall appropriate color, but still manages to tie in a sunny tropical feel. Check out this inspiration board with some great ideas for a purple accented wedding!

Destination Wedding Etiquette: Creating the Guest List

Your wedding is all about you, so invite as many or as few people as you want to your destination wedding, but you can't expect all guests to be able to afford the trip south of the border. Furthermore, because it is an especially large time commitment, this will likely cross people off the list as well. Be realistic -- consider whether you want a large amount of extended family and friends at your destination wedding, or if you would rather have an intimate gathering with immediate family and cose friends. Don't forget the last etiquette advice I gave, suggesting a second reception or party back home to bring in those that weren't invited or couldn't make the trip.

When creating the list, include close friends and family that you would want there even if they have specifically told you they can't make it. It's still nice to be included, and furthermore, plans sometimes change and allow people to go that didn't initially think they would be able to. For most non destination weddings, you would likely skip invitations for colleagues or casual acquaintances who've said they can't come—or you might look like you are just pushing for presents. You could send them wedding announcements or second reception invitations instead, which don t require the recipient to buy a gift. Destination weddings, on the other hand, are  generally small affairs for close friends and relatives in the first place, so do send invitations to the whole save-the-date list.