LCBride2007

I agree, start looking at magazines to see what catches your eye. But keep in mind, what catches your eye may not always be the best style for your body, so pick out a couple styles, and keep an open mind. I got engaged at the end of Sept and my wedding is in June, so I didn't have a ton of time to shop for dresses - but luckily I found what I wanted pretty quickly. They tell you to allow about 6 mos for a designer, custom made dress from my experience. If you can find a dress you love off the rack or a sample, or "once wed" dress - even better! I don't know your budget, but just be careful of trying on dresses that aren't within your budget - many of us have done this, fallen in love with the dress, and then we're torn as to what to do! You either try to forget about the dress (I tried this method), try to find it at a sample sale, or on a "used" wedding dress site or ebay, get a knock-off made, or just suck it up and buy it (this is what I ended up doing). But, there are also girls on here who have done what you are afraid of - but a dress pretty early on, and then wanted something else. So when you have found the one you wanted, maybe keep looking a little, go back and try your dress on a few times to make sure you love it every time, and then buy it! Whew, babbling! Hope this helps, and good luck!

Welcome to the forum! I am getting married in Puerto Vallarta, at Las Caletas, this June. I just booked my photographer this week! But like Tammy said, there are quite a few other PV brides that don't yet have a photographer. So, thank you for introducing yourself! It's always great to have local people on the board.

I know - I would have loved to have Elizabeth Medina - but I have to say, I am not disappointed with how it all ended up! Oh, and I mentioned how I loved the day after shots where the dresses are trashed, but I didn't really want to ruin mine. She even sent me links to some clearance dresses at JCrew! How cool is that?!

She was super fast to get back to me, and we sent many emails back and forth and she always responded very quickly with answers to my questions. If you do contact her, let her know you saw her name on here - I told her she just may get some interest from this site! I am attaching her pricing she sent me, but it definitely seems specific to weddings. She also has an additional $1500 travel fee. Leigh_Miller_Photography_07.doc

Sure does. Ok, technically I haven't sent her the contract, but as long as I have it to her by Wed. I am ok. Has anyone used Leigh on here before?

I am guessing that most of you have heard of her, but I thought I'd post anyway. After the photographer I thoght I'd be using (Elizabeth Medina) was no longer available, I went in to a bit of a panic mode. But, lucky for me, Leigh Miller was available for my date! She has been so great in working with me, I almost feel like we're buddies already! She also does those "Trash the Dress" shots we've seen. I may do it, just with a inexpensive dress so I don't ruin mine. Anyway - here's her site: Leigh Miller Photography

I just read up a bit on Presidente Intercontinental on Trip Advisor, and most everything is positive. It's rated quite high. The only negative reviews I read was more about price, and you should know that going in! One review did mention that the pools close at 8pm, so I'd check that out - but I'd be surprised if that were true. Or maybe that's not an issue. Another theme was that the hotel could use a little renovating, a "face lift" if you will, but that it wasn't a big deal.

I think you do these shots the day after - the idea is that you will never need the dress again, and you're showing your commitment by trashing it! That doesn't take into account us brides who made the commitment to our hubbys, but want to make some $$ back by selling the dress!

Also, if you wanted to look at some of the additional resorts that have info. on this forum, just navigate to the main page to see all of the "sub-forums" there are. They're organized by location, and then within that by topic. Try clicking on the "Best Destination Wedding Forum" up at the top left of this screen, and you should see what I mean. I hope this helps!

i know! i love the idea of these photos, and would do some that just got the dress a little dirty maybe. but i am thinking of buying a cheap dress that resembles the one i am getting. maybe that defeats the purpose, i don't know.

I know we've seen some of these shots with Sol Tamargo, but looks like she's not the only one doing them! I still don't know if I could do it, but they are some cool pictures. Trash the Dress!

I can't either

Christa - I thought the SAME thing! Not only could I not imagine not eating food for that long (ignore the diabetic thing, how does ANYONE do that?!), but how do you live a normal life if you're tied down to the bathroom all the time. Not a pretty thought - but that pretty much sounds like what happens!

What bums me out even more, is that I said in my last email that she was my #1 pick, and that I just needed to talk to my fiance about it. I wish she would have asked me before allowing the other bride to reserve the date. I guess they can't manage everyone that asks them if they're available ... but still! (poor me)

He is good! Can I ask what he charges, or should I just contact him through his site? Actually, unless you would want to come over to PV after your honeymoon, it's not an option anyway! I will take a look at the list you posted - I didn't have a couple of those. Thanks! Quote: Originally Posted by loretuke Oh yeah, he is brilliant, I would hire him myself if I could...lol. His website is - Studio Contempo ____________ Our Wedding Website

Does he have a similar style/quality as the rest? Heck - give me his URL and I'll check him out!

She just told me she is "pretty sure" this other bride's check is in the mail. I asked her for any referrals, so we'll see what she says. I know Sol and Juan aren't available, and I loved their work as well. Anyone have another photographer they can suggest? I have a list going - but these 3 were definitely my top!

She said she'd let me know if she hears back from this other girl, so I am crossing my fingers. But I am a tad nervous that I may have to find someone else. BOOHOO - I am so mad at myself!

I knew someone would know! Thanks!

%^#$ - I just emailed her,and she said someone else has said they're sending her a signed contract for MY date! lol That's what I get for procrastinating. Hoping it doesn't happen - but I may have to find another photographer.

That's the great thing about this forum ... SOMEONE will know!

I like the middle one (#2), then the last one (#3). I think it's because I like bouquets that are more full; just a personal opinion. But I do love the flowers in #3 - what are they again?

I love them - they're the cutest little things! They're simple, but with a flower or two would look really nice.

Also, if you're interested I thought I'd post a small list of Q&A in case you had any of the same questions - I don't even know what to ask a photographer! Since you're fiance is a photographer, he'd probably know better! 1) Have you ever been to/shot a wedding at Las Caletas? I am guessing not, since you're not from the area and it's a small place. No, I have not shot a wedding in Puerto Vallarta as of yet, but I am looking forward to it! 2) Is it possible to split up the 8 hours of coverage, possibly getting an hour or so either the day before or day after? I don't know yet if this is something we'll want to do, but I thought I'd ask to see if the option was there. Splitting up coverage: that is probably not a problem, especially if I am able to stay in a hotel close to the location where the photo session would be. 3) How many photographers/assistants will be there? I do all the photography and my assistant would most likely be either one of my daughters (aged 18 and 20), or my husband. The mostly help me with my equipment, although one of my daughters is starting to do some photography as well. 4) Typically how many pictures are you taking in the ~8 hours of coverage? In eight hours I usually take upwards of 1000 pictures and present you with around 500 that I feel best tell the story of your day. 5) (I think I asked her about her experience doing beach weddings - I can't find the actual question) Up until now I have not done a lot of beach weddings, That is because I had until recently been working primarily in my local area (Merida, Yucatan, which is about 4.5 hours from the Riviera Maya), and sadly my local brides do not favor beach weddings. Our beach is on the Gulf of Mexico side of the Yucatan Penninsula, and while we love it it is not the amazing beach of the Maya Riviera/ Cancun/ Cozumel. The weather can be much more windy as well. (I do have two local beach weddings the books for 2007 though, so maybe the trend is starting.) I do cover destination weddings locally in the wonderful restored haciendas here in Yucatan and I really enjoy them because they are so relaxed, intimate and fun compared to my local weddings (I have had several weddings with upwards of 700 guests in recent months!). I decided this year to cover weddings outside my local area and do have several beach destination weddings coming up, hopefully yours will be among them.

If they don't work for you, let me know - I had a little trouble with them and ended up just entering the URL manually. If you get any more info. from her, I'd love to hear it too! Our weddings are close enough together that we may not be able to share too much about the actual wedding day. But that was a good idea telling her you liked Sol and Juan's style too. How did you hear of her?