Welcome to Kaitlyn & Jacob’s Destination Wedding Celebration

Dear Family and Friends,

We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you to Mexico to celebrate the wedding of Kaitlyn and Jacob. Having you there to share in this special moment truly means the world to them, and we hope the week ahead is filled with sunshine, relaxation, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

This guide is meant to help make your travel and stay as easy and stress-free as possible, especially for those who may be visiting Mexico or an all-inclusive resort for the first time. Inside, you’ll find helpful tips, travel guidance, and resort information to help you feel comfortable and prepared.

While everyone is free to enjoy their time in Mexico however they choose, the wedding party has also put together a loose schedule of optional activities throughout the week. If you’re looking for fun ways to connect, relax, or explore the resort together, you’re more than welcome to join in, participation is completely optional and meant simply as an easy way to enjoy time together.

We’re so grateful you’re joining us and can’t wait to celebrate in paradise with you.

Warmly,

Jacob, Kaitlyn and Families

Resort: Grand Palladium White Sands Resort & Spa – Riviera Maya, Mexico

Full Address:

Grand Palladium White Sands Resort & Spa

Carretera Chetumal – Puerto Juárez

Km 256–100

Akumal, Quintana Roo 77760

Mexico

Travel & Arrival Information

Note for Canadian & U.S. Travelers

No visa is required for tourist stays. Passports must be valid for the duration of travel plus 6 months.

Travel & Arrival Information

Arrival at Cancún International Airport (CUN)

1. Immigration (Passport Control)

• Cancún uses electronic immigration with facial recognition kiosks

• A paper immigration form is generally not required

• Simply follow signage and instructions at immigration

• Keep your passport accessible

2. Baggage Claim

• Proceed to the baggage carousel to collect your luggage.

• Be cautious of anyone offering to help carry or transport your bags inside the terminal. They are seeking tips and cash to help you.

3. Customs

• After baggage claim, your bags will be scanned.

• You may be waved through or briefly stopped—this is normal.

4. Exiting the Airport

• Continue walking straight outside to the transportation area.

• Ignore timeshare or unsolicited transport offers inside the terminal as they are quite aggressive and not your official ride or support.

• Only use the pre‑booked shuttle service you arranged before travel which typically will have your name on a placard.

Shuttle to Resort

• Destination: Grand Palladium White Sands Resort & Spa

• Travel time: approximately 75–90 minutes

• Keep confirmation details handy on your phone or printed

Here are pre-bookable shuttle/transfer options with current pricing estimates for transportation from Cancún International Airport (CUN) to Grand Palladium White Sands Resort & Spa (Riviera Maya). All three choices are reliable and commonly used by travelers heading to the Riviera Maya:

These are typically shared rides (multiple passengers) and are often cheaper per person than private transfers:

1. Shared Cancun Shuttle (Shared Service) – Shared vans with multiple stops; usually cheaper than private, comfortable with A/C. Cancun Shuttles+1

2. Canada Transfers — Round-Trip Rates

• 1–3 passengers: ~$113 USD round trip

• 4–7 passengers: ~$133 USD round trip

• 8–10 passengers: ~$146 USD round trip

(This is typically cheaper per person for small groups than booking separate private vans.) canadatransfers.com

3. Kalido Travel (Lower Per-Vehicle Transfer Pricing)

• Beach and Riviera Maya transfers start at lower base prices (though this doesn’t list the resort directly, it’s a known economical company that can quote Riviera Maya transfers). kalidotravel.com

Quick Booking Tips

• Private vs Shared: Private transfers cost a bit more but provide door-to-door service without stops, ideal for large groups or those arriving at varying times. Cancun Shuttles

• Include Flight Number: Always include your flight number when you book so drivers can track arrivals and adjust for delays automatically.

• Round-Trip Booking: Often cheaper per leg when booked together.

• Confirmation: Save your booking confirmations (PDF or screenshot) for pickup directions at the airport.

All-Inclusive Food and Drink

• Choose from several buffets and 10+ al-carte restaurants (reservations are not typically required)

• All food and beverages are included

• Water and ice are fully filtered and safe

• Eating on the resort is very safe

• Some resort restaurants require men to wear pants, closed-toed shoes, and collared shirt

Tipping Guidelines (USD)

Tipping is voluntary and never required but is appreciated and often results in enhanced service.

Currency Guidance

• USD

• Bring small bills (lots of $1, some $5)

• Bring USD from home

Suggested Tipping

• Bartenders: $1–2 per round or $5–10 per day

• Breakfast/Lunch servers: $2–5 per meal

• Dinner servers: $5–10 per meal

• Housekeeping: $3–5 per day

• Bell staff: $2–3 per bag\

• Spa services: 10–15%

How Much Cash to Bring

• Typical range: $100–150 per person for the week

• Bring small denominations

• Tipping is optional but often enhances service

What to Bring

• Passport

• USD cash for tipping

• Sunscreen (1 full bottle per person per week; reef‑safe preferred)

• Travel mug or insulated cup (great for pool drinks & water)

• Sunglasses & hat

• Comfortable sandals & walking shoes

• Light cover‑ups for evenings

• Phone chargers / portable battery packs

• Pool Bag

• Pickle Ball Raquet and any other sports equipment you plan to use

• Wedding attire- formal dress code

Resort Activities & Booking Tips

• Book excursions and specialty dining on arrival day or the next morning. Pre-booking online prior to travel is usually cheaper than booking at the resort.

• This ensures best availability for preferred dates

Things To Do at the Resort

• Multiple pools & beach areas

• Pickleball courts

• Beach volleyball

• Water aerobics

• Spa & wellness facilities

• Evening shows & live music

Off‑Site Excursions (Optional) at your own cost

Popular and safe options include:

• Snorkeling tours

• Playa del Carmen

• Tulum ruins

• Cozumel (day trip)

• Xel‑Há / Xplor theme parks

• Cenote swimming

(You can search these directly on popular platforms like GetYourGuide, Viator, or Booking.com)

• “Tulum Ruins and Cenote Tour” (half-day guided trip with transport) Tripadvisor

• “Cozumel El Cielo Snorkeling Tour” (half-day boat excursion) Viator

• “Rio Secreto Underground River Tour with Hotel Pickup” Viator

• “Playa del Carmen Snorkeling with Sea Turtles at Akumal” Tripadvisor

• Xel-Há

o https://www.xcaret.com/en/parks-and-tours/xelha-admission/

o https://www.xelha.com/en/xelha-packages/

• Xplor

o https://www.xplor.travel/en/xplor-admission/

o https://www.xplor.travel/en/xplor-packages/

Wedding Week Communications

• We will share a WhatsApp group for event updates and reminders

• Please send your mobile phone number if you wish to receive notifications, by downloading the WhatsApp App and text +1(604)-866-3237 to be included in the group chat. Please do this in advance of your trip to Mexico.

• Wedding/Vacation Photos

• Please upload photos to: https://my.wedibox.com

• Access details will be shared during the wedding week

Wedding Week Event Calendar

• Arrival Day

• Check‑in & resort orientation

• Book excursions and specialty dining

Tuesday – February 17

Day

• Pickle Ball

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

• Beach volleyball

• Bride and Groom arrive at resort

Evening

• Free evening / resort dining

• Family Dinner

o Kroeker Family Photo – After Dinner

Wednesday – February 18

Day

• Pickle Ball

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

• Beach volleyball

• Resort spa & relaxation options

• Preferred offsite excursion day

Evening

• Resort dining

Thursday – February 19

Day

• Pickle Ball

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

• Beach volleyball

Evening

• Resort dining

• 8:00 PM – Welcome Reception

o White Sands Lobby Bar

Friday – February 20

Day

• Pickle Ball

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

• Beach volleyball

Evening

• Resort Dining

• Dress Rehearsal – 4:30 PM (Family and Wedding Party)

• Rehearsal Dinner - 6:30 PM (Family and Wedding Party)

Guests not attending dress rehearsal are welcome to enjoy resort activities or excursions.

Saturday – February 21 | Wedding Day

Day

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

Afternoon / Evening

• Wedding Day

o Ceremony - 3:30pm at the beach

o Cocktail Hour – 5:30 PM at "La Laguna"

o Reception and Dance – 6:30-9:30 PM at "La Laguna"

• Dress code and timing to be shared separately on “The Knot” App (Formal Attire)

Sunday – February 22

• Mr. and Mrs. Ballain depart for honeymoon

• White Sands Pool/Beach Day

Departures

• Pre-Book Shuttle transfers to Cancún International Airport via on-line or through concierge

We are truly grateful you are joining us for this special week. If you have any questions before travel, please don’t hesitate to reach out by downloading the WhatsApp App and text +1(604)-866-3237 to be included in the group chat.

We can’t wait to celebrate together in paradise.

With love,

Jacob, Kaitlyn and Families

Dress Code

FORMAL