LCBride2007

only good camera work and touch ups (and a professional team of make up artists and stylists) can make any of us look like that!

Hi Erika! That's so sweet of you to offer help to brides still going through the planning process. I'm getting married in Puerto Vallarta, so I don't have any wedding questions for you. But ... we are honeymooning in Hawaii (not sure where yet) and neither of us have ever been there. It's my FI's job to plan that, but we're kind of gathering any bits of advice that we can. I am guessing that we'll want to do a lot of laying around the beach/pool and be pampered, but yet still have things close by to do (restaurants, shops, etc.). I prefer somewhere that isn't too overly touristy, but honestly - as long as there's a beach and pool - I'll probably be fine! Any suggestions?

Here is Nicole's response to me about rain ... Now, in the case that it does rain, we have a few options. During my rainy weddings in October, I gave the bride and groom the option. Usually the bride is in Caletas all day and is able to see the weather progress. I let them know that we have a roof-top area where they will be protected from the rain and where they can have their dry ceremony. Usually, the guests say that they want to have the ceremony and the party on the beach, no matter what, and we simply give everyone umbrellas and work it out as we go along. I know that sounds crazy, but I have been lucky with the couples that I had. Honestly, one bride even insisted on dancing in the rain with her guests and her beautiful dress! I guess people simply want the beach wedding, rain or shine! But, we do have a brand new area that was completed this summer where we will have the event in case of rain. I have attached a few photos of that area with and without wedding set ups - so you can have a better idea of what to expect. It seats 100-120 people on a regular evening, so a wedding with 50 will work well.

Welcome Manoj - how fun that both of you are on the forum! Don't worry - I was in limbo about both my location and date for so long. Take your time and make the right decision for YOU, and the rest will fall into place. Just let us know what's important to you and we will try to help you pick a place!

I wanna see a picture - you have me curious! (and i've never seen Sex & The City! ... i say that hanging my head in shame)

Because I am supposed to be working (shhhhhh...) I will just point you in this direction for now ... here are a couple threads about Las Caletas. If you really want to know more, I'd be happy to help! Just let me know, and I can send you everything I have, or we can just chat away! It's hard to pick a place like this blind, since it's so out of the norm - that is the one thing I was nervous about! But after tracking down 2 couples that were married there (some say stalking!), I felt comfortable - they couldn't say enough positive about their experience! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1304 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1775

I am going to post this "play-by-play" of a wedding at Las Caletas that the WC, Nicole, sent to me. It does help you understand what the day would be like, and it may help other potential Las Caletas brides! Keep in mind - they have 2 wedding packages, I am doing the "deluxe" wedding package. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Las Caletas is a truly magical place to exchange your vows and celebrate this special occasion. It is our private beach cove in the south bay and is only accessible by sea - giving it the seclusion and ambiance of an island hideaway. Las Caletas covers an enormous area and features several beaches, a pyramid amphitheater built into the tropical forest and mountain side, various facilities/buildings (spa, kitchens, eating areas/restaurants, bars, restrooms, etc), and several hundred acres of tropical forest. For all Deluxe Weddings at Las Caletas a private catamaran, beach, dinner and reception area are included - making half of Las Caletas completely private for you and your group all night! During the wedding, the rest of Caletas will host our regular evening tour there, called Rhythms of the Night. This is a quiet evening that includes dinner and a show at the pyramid amphitheater. The area where your wedding will be is completely separate and private from where the other guests will be and it is unlikely that you will even know that they are there, especially as you will arrive well before them and depart after them as well. Your evening would begin when you and your guests board one of our top of the line catamarans from either Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta (whichever is most convenient to where you and your guests are staying). You will then cruise south along the Puerto Vallarta coastline, past Los Arcos and Mismaloya to Las Caletas. Upon arrival, your guests will be led to the beach where they will enjoy cocktails and appetizers while you and your bridesmaids prepare for the ceremony at our very own hill top spa. Paul will also have a separate area where he can change if need be, that also features a lounge with full drink and appetizer service for him and his buddies. The ceremony would follow, taking place directly on the beach. After the ceremony you would have time for photographs with your photographer, before you and your guest would sit down to an absolutely lovely dinner on the terraces surrounding and overlooking the beach where you've just had your ceremony. While you and Paul have your wedding photographs taken, your guests would again be able to enjoy additional appetizers and cocktails. Dinner is a first class buffet that features a number of different entrees to suit the tastes of everyone. It includes grilled steak, grilled chicken, fish, a mushroom alfredo pasta, rice, freshly cooked and grilled vegetables, panela cheese, and several salad options. A dessert buffet is also included which features brownies, pie, a traditional rice pudding dish, and plenty of fresh cut tropical fruit. Sparkling wine is served towards the end of dinner for toasting, and before you head down for your first dance you will be able to cut your wedding cake (it will be available to eat throughout the reception). While you and your guests enjoy your dinner, the ceremony set up on the beach is broken down, and a dance floor laid out in the sand (so you would have something sturdy to dance on), tables and chairs are set up around the dance floor for your guests to relax in, and the torches, candles and bonfire are set out/up and lit. After dinner you would have approximately two to two and half hours of reception time before reboarding the catamaran at 10:45 to head back to Vallarta. The boat ride back is a continuation of the reception and you and your guests will be able to enjoy music, dancing and an open bar all the way home. If you would like to extend the time you have at Caletas and make the reception time you have there longer, extra hours are available at $10 per person per hour (charge for extra hours begin at 10:30 pm). Most of the time, I have a hard time getting the wedding parties to leave, because Las Caletas, and the beach there are an absolutely incredible location for not only the wedding ceremony itself, but also the reception, and people just never want to seem to go - but it is important to keep in mind that it is an hour ride back to Vallarta! -----------------------------------------------------------------

Even if it is "late" - glad you're here! Are you getting married at Las Caletas, by any chance? I just posted something on Trip Advisor, and the couple was leaving in 9 days ... what are the odds?!? If so - so am I ... if not, well ... still glad to have ya! Are there any last minute details we can help you with? If you have time before you leave, we'd love to see pictures and hear more about your wedding plans. And for those of us still planning, any tips or words of wisdom you may want to share! Congratulations!

So I checked out Jessica Claire's blog to see who won ... and it turns out she narrrowed it down to the top 3 choices ... and then chose to shoot all 3 of their weddings! WOW! I have to say ... couple #3's story made me cry!

I know how you feel though, I kept telling my FI that I wanted something "different" - he's like, we're getting married in Mexico, isn't that different enough?! Anyway, we're getting married in a private beach, cove area called Las Caletas - it's a 45 min. boat ride (only accessible by boat) from Puerto Vallarta. Your wedding and reception will be totally private - no beach-goers walking by! The WC has been great to work with so far ... lucky me! Here's the website - if you're interested in hearing more, let me know ... Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planner for Mexico Destination Weddings

Here is a list of photographers that I had when I was initially looking for a photographer for my Puerto Vallarta wedding. They are located across the US, and Mexico (and I think Gaia Mikosza is from New Zealand!), I believe that they will all travel. There are obviously many more, but these were just the ones I came across, and liked enough to jot down! Please note: This list was not intended to be an all-inclusive list of destination wedding photographers. This was just the list I used when I was planning my own wedding, and I thought it might be helpful for others looking for a place to start. To the bride and groom - please be sure to check out all of your options, both local and otherwise. There are many great photographers out there that are not on my list, simply because I did know know about them at the time. Some are members of this forum! To photographers - just because your name is not on this list, doesn't mean you won't be considered by members of this forum. I never intended to maintain this list, so please don't send me a message asking me to add your name. I can't keep up with all of the photographers joining this form! Leigh Miller Leigh Miller Photography (Note: this is who I ended up using!) Elizabeth Medina Mexico Wedding Photographer, Elizabeth Medina, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico Mandy Marie Photo Mandy Marie Photographer Anna Kuperberg Anna Kuperberg Photography Fairy Tale Wedding (Gaia Mikosza) Fairy-Tale-Wedding | Gaia Mikosza Story By Photo (Gino and Heather Lucadamo) Story by Photo, also serving Arizona, California, Florida and New York Leticia Alarcon index.jpg Tamms Photos Tamm's Photos - Wedding Photography Intro Art of Light Photography The Art Of Light Photography Claudia Rodriguez Claudia Rodriguez, Photographer, Cancun & Riviera Maya Sergio Sergio Photographer Russ Roca Eco Friendy Bicycling Photographer Russ Roca Andrew Reilly Andrew Reilly Photography Jay Reilly Jay Reilly Photography Juan Carlos Tapia Juan Carlos Tapia Photography Photography by Bobbi (Bobbi M Sheridan) Photography by Bobbi Sol Tamargo Sol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism Trista Lerit Trista Lerit Photography: Modern Edgy Wedding Photojournalist based in Orange County, California. Apertura Photography Apertura Photography Natalie Moser Photography Natalie Moser Photography : Orange County, California, and International Destinations Foto Nuova Wedding Photography by Aaron Gil Amy Squires Amy Squires Photography Studio Contempo Studio Contempo Bryan Valiant Amore Studios - Wedding Photography & More James Berglie (Be Photography LLC) Be Photography Weddings - Photojournalism by Actual Photojournalists Nic Dragomire (Tamarack Studios ~ Wedding Photography)

I thought I had posted it somewhere else - but I will start a new thread so it's easier to find ...

Awesome - thanks for sharing! Because I am on the road every week for work, I eat out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at least 4 days a week (not to mention going out on weekends!). This should help me be at least a LITTLE better!

If it helps - here are all of the photographers I had on my list; I definitely liked some better than others - but I'll let you decide that for yourself! PhotographerWebsite Elizabeth MedinaMexico Wedding Photographer, Elizabeth Medina, destination wedding photography, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico Mandy Marie PhotoMandy Marie Photographer Anna KuperbergAnna Kuperberg Photography Fairy Tale Wedding (Gaia Mikosza)fairy-tale-wedding.com Story By Photo (Gino and Heather Lucadamo)Story by Photo is the worlds leading Destination Wedding Photographer also serving Arizona, California, Florida and New York Leticia Alarconindex.jpg Tamms PhotosTamm's Photos - Wedding Photography Intro Art of Light PhotographyThe Art Of Light Photography Claudia RodriguezClaudia Rodriguez, Photographer, Cancun & Riviera Maya SergioSergio Photographer Russ RocaEco Friendy Bicycling Photographer Russ Roca Andrew ReillyAndrew Reilly Photography Jay ReillyJay Reilly Photography Juan Carlos TapiaJuan Carlos Tapia Photography Photography by Bobbi (Bobbi M Sheridan)Photography by Bobbi Sol TamargoSol Tamargo Photography Wedding Photojournalism Trista LeritTrista Lerit Photography: Modern Edgy Wedding Photojournalist based in Orange County, California. Leigh MillerLeigh Miller Photography Apertura PhotographyApertura Photography Natalie Moser Photographywww.nataliemphotography.com Foto NuovaWedding Photography by Aaron Gil Amy SquiresAmy Squires Photography Studio ContempoStudio Contempo

Wow - you're coming up on your date pretty quick - are you excited or nervous? Let us know if you need any help with last minute details. And, of course, post some pictures!

(oooohhh, pssssssst, Marissa, she wants to visit Bermuda - she could be your photographer!) I am using Leigh as my photograher (and can't wait for my wedding!) - if you don't already have a photographer, I'd recomend Leigh!

BUSTED! Soooooo sorry it was so late - I had some shipping difficulties, combined with the fact that I am never home to get my shipments! You're right - shipping to Canada caused one, small little hiccup! The rest was my fault or the UPS' fault! Anyway - hope you like, I took some creative freedom on some of the gifts. I wasn't sure what kind of socks you liked, so I picked some fun ones!

There is also the Vallarta Adventures - Rythem of the Night Tour - I've heard great things about them, and this tour. Puerto Vallarta Sunset Dinner Cruise - Rhythms of the Night This is also the group that is doing my wedding - sounds odd, I know! But they had so many requests to do weddings at Las Caletas that they started offering them! Anyway, I've read a ton of great reviews; but I don't know all of the details. It's basically a cruise, dinner and an show on the beach! Vallarta Adventures also offers many other excursions (scuba diving, whale watching, dolphins, etc.).

My pleasure!

Welcome Marissa! Where are you getting married in Bermuda? I can't wait to hear all about your planning so far! Let us see your dress too - all the fun stuff! Do you have a lot still left to do, or are you pretty much just working on the final details now?

Daaaaang ... TammyM cleaned house!

Welcome, Jen - good work on finding this forum, I think that was the best move I made in planning my destination wedding! Any ideas on where you'd like to get married yet? Somewhere in the US, Mexico, Jamaica, ... the list goes on and on! Let us know what you're thinking, and we can offer some help.

If any of you do order them - let us know how they are, I probably will, I just haven't got to those details yet - I am just collecting ideas!

Hi there, and welcome! You've come to the right place for help, that's for sure ... check out these threads on budgets, and it should help some. When are you thinking of having your wedding, have you got that far yet? Let us know what other questions you have, and we’ll try to help! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t933 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1495 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t2105 http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t1788

I thought that one was pretty cute as well ... I should probably start thinking about things like this, just so I don't save it all for the last minute!