A recent episode of the WeTV show, “My Fair Wedding”, featured a couple who had planned to have a destination wedding in Mexico but canceled because of  the Swine Flu.  Celebrity wedding planner, David Tutera, saved the day by giving them a wedding in Staten Island, New York that captured the feeling of a beach in Mexico.

Steal his ideas to make a Mexican themed wedding of your own:

Venue

David chose a a venue on the beach in Staten Island, the Vanderbilt at South Beach.  The wedding ceremony was held on the beach.  He set up poles with ivory fabric to create a private space on a public beach.  The sand was covered with astroturf so the guests and the wedding party did not have to walk on sand and white carpet was set out as the aisle runner.  The reception was indoors.

If you select a beach wedding, whether you have a Mexican theme or not, you can set down astroturf and a white carpet with the help of your florist.

Food and Drink

David gave the bride a tasting from a chic Mexican restaurant.  She sampled guacamole, churros and sangria.  David later selected the Mexican menu for her.

If your theme is a country, like Mexico, or any location, try to incorporate food from the region.

Bridesmaid Dresses

The bride originally had the bridesmaids all in yellow but in different style dresses.  To give the women a more festive look, David selected pink strapless floral dresses and gave them all the same dress.

If you decide to use the same color but different dress styles for each of the attendants, be sure the fabric is the same weight and texture.  For example, don’t have one bridesmaid in chiffon and another in velvet.

Colors

David chose the shades of a sunset in Mexico and used it in the linens, table runners, chairbacks, flowers, and even the edible flowers on the cake.

Be sure you incorporate the theme and colors of your wedding in everything from your save-the-date-cards, invitations, attendant attire and decor.

Spectacular Ending

The night ended with fireworks. If you want to end in fireworks, work with a reputable pyrotechnic company that purchases the proper permits and insurance for your wedding.

You can see David Tutera’s video wedding tips on the WeTV website.

Thinking about running off to Las Vegas to get married?  “Sin City” has always attracted couples looking for quick, last minute weddings that may be a little off-beat.  And although today you can still get a $300 “Drive Thru” wedding, you can also have everything from a fairly traditional ceremony at a moderate price, to an elegant wedding at one of the luxury hotels for around $24, 000 – and that doesn’t include a reception.

Advantages of a Las Vegas Wedding

• You don’t have to plan ahead of time.  If you want a particular venue, you’ll need to book in advance.  But, if you aren’t picky, you can quickly get a license at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau with an ID, Social Security number, and proof of divorce, or death of spouse (if this will not be your first marriage), then head to the wedding venue of your choice.
• Most venues have wedding packages in which all details are handled for you, such as the officiant, photographer, videographer, flowers, so you don’t have to handle details yourself.
• As you read above, Las Vegas weddings come in a variety or prices and you can easily find one that suits your budget.

Disadvantages of a Las Vegas Wedding

• You might get the feeling that you you are part of an assembly line.  Most venues schedule weddings back-to-back and you only get a finite amount of time to have your ceremony before you are ushered out to make room for the next appointment.
• The wedding packages are convenient but if there are particular details you wanted to have to personalize your wedding, you will need to make arrangements in advance and see if they can accommodate you, usually at an additional cost.
• You must be prepared that when you tell people that you got married in Las Vegas, they will automatically envision you being married by an Elvis impersonator and make a joke.  I know this from personal experience!  My late husband and I got married at the Flamingo Hilton and people always ask me if we were married by Elvis even though we had a lovely ceremony officiated by a local Las Vegas pastor.

There are many websites that feature hotels and wedding chapels that cater to couples who want to get married in Las Vegas, take some time checking out the options and call to ask questions.  As with any service you decide to purchase, make sure you read the contract carefully and know exactly what is included in the price before signing on the dotted line and making a deposit.

Planning a destination wedding outside the United States?  Before you leave, make sure you know the requirements the destination country has in order for a marriage to be legal.  Requirements might include a residency of anything from 24 hours up to seven days, birth certificate, passport, or a blood test taken in their country. Check US rules also to assure your wedding in a foreign country is legal when you return.

Actor Bruce Willis married model Emma Heming at his home in Parrot Cay in the Turks and Cacios Islands on March 21.  They had a second civil ceremony in a friend’s home when they returned to Los Angeles to make sure their marriage was legal.

Reality stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt, of  the television show, The Hills, got married in a secret ceremony in Mexico on November 20, 2008 but it turned out their marriage was not legal.  They never obtained a marriage license nor did they follow some of the other requirements Mexico has that makes a marriage legal.  They later went to have a civil ceremony during an episode of The Hills but canceled to have a big wedding in the future, or so they said.

You can get help planning your destination wedding from wedding planners here in the United Sates or in the distant county, just make sure they are familiar with all the rules.