LCBride2007

This is something I'd definitely consider when I get to those details (am I that far behind for a June 2007 wedding?! I haven't booked a location yet, let alone thought about flowers - lol). I'd love to hear more about this place, and how it turns out.

Does anyone know if they ship to Puerto Vallarta?

Quote: Originally Posted by Ryjaxs19 Ann, that is awesome info. I wanted to e-mail him but I am hesitant untill I book the date of the wedding. Did you say you e-mailed Juan Carlos also. And if so what were his prices in comparison. I thought I read that you said he would be willing to travel. I PMed Juan Carlos asking if he knew of anyone in Puerto Vallarta, but he hasn't got back to me yet. I hadn't thought of asking him if he'd come himself - great idea! I don't want to pester him, so I hope he gets back to me. I'm assuming he's just really busy.

Quote: Originally Posted by JENGONDA9 There is a great salon for these in Chicago called White if any of you are looking in that area. Hey Jen - is this the White place you were referring to http://www.whitechicago.com/ ? I will have to check that out this weekend - thanks for the tip!

I absolutely plan on posting all the details I can once I get going. I will probably book my site next week. Then I start looking for hotels/resorts/etc. But since I couldn't find much on my particular site (Las Caletas) I plan on posting everything I can, in case it's helpful to someone else. So far Nicole, the WC with Adventure Weddings, has been amazing. She responds to emails quickly, answers ALL my questions (and there are a ton), and is patient with my decisiveness when our original date was booked. Anyway ... more to come ...

Gorgeous, Jessalyn! I love that fabric.

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M ohhh my gosh that is 2 blocks away! how funny! well that is good to know! we can meet up for wedding talk! or at j patricks for drinks- have you been there before? Have I ever been to J. Patricks? Ummm yes, quite a few times, actually! Often enough that one of the bartenders saw Paul and I moving a couch into his place, saw that I was struggling a little, and came out to help! It's a favorite place of ours ... Sorry ... I know!

Wow - he's fast to respond too, always a good sign. I thought I'd attach what Sol just sent me in regards to his pricing. He also notes in this email ... "to this prices please consider $1000 extra in travel expenses." Whew - that took a while to get it so I could attach this document! I basically copied the .jpg info into word. If you want the original files, let me know your email address and I can send them to you.

Agreed - I just sent him an email asking for more info.!

Ummm, hi neighbor - we live at Ohio and Noble. LOL - small world!

Quote: Originally Posted by gkashmira I hope you guys don't think I'm RUDE for asking! (I am just really overwhelmed with the dress buying process so I'm trying to gather as much info as possible before I veture out there! I asked the same type of question about everyone's overall budget. I figured, if you can ask a question like this anywhere, it's here on this forum!

Quote: Originally Posted by Natalie M My FI is a buisness man and he has the expense sheet up all the time! He actually just sent me one today and it said $20K for total including everything. I personally think that is high end and I'm hoping for $15k. I wanted to do a destination wedding because 1- I was already married and had a huge 300 person wedding and I thought that was such a waste of $35k. 2- i wanted it to be fun and last longer with out all the high end costs! I agree - those are the same reasons I wanted a DW. That and I LOVE the ocean, so any excuse to visit works for me. I was surprised my FI agreed though, since he's never been married and belongs to a somewhat conservative, Irish, Catholic family. But to my surprise, he loved the idea! Where do you live in Chicago (we live there too, which is why I ask)? We live in the city, I think it's called "West Town" area.

Quote: Originally Posted by NABUMBAH not sure where you live, but last December my local Saks had an amazing sample sale with couture gowns from around the US. I almost picked up a $10k Vera Wang for around $2k. I live in Chicago, there's GOT to be something there! I'll keep an eye out - thanks for the tip.

Quote: Originally Posted by NABUMBAH the actual retail of my gown is around $3k but I bought it used on ebay for $230. Impressive! I am still hoping to run across my dress like that too (eBay, PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, etc.).

Welcome, Jill! Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!

Quote: Originally Posted by MARIAELM I also brought a camera to see me in dresses and also to take pictures of the tags/prices. It provided much less confusion later. Everywhere I've been they won't let you take pictures (unless you've already bought the dress). I assume they do so to prevent you from trying to copy the dress. Not that I am suggesting you break any rules, but if you can turn the sound off on your camera, and take a quick picture when no one is looking - who is going to know?!

Quote: Originally Posted by JPMO I voted for the 3-6 range since I'll be using one if the ebay suppliers. I originally set a budget of $1000. since I didn't feel like I would be so upset once the dress will be hanging in my closet. Jenetta - who are you using?

Good luck, and congratulations! I can't wait to hear all the great stories and see the pictures!

I think I got tears in my eyes just thinking of this idea! Though I'd do it a little differently since my parents are divorced. Instead of having my dad give the flowers to my mom, I think I would want to do that myself. But wow - great idea, I may use it!

Jackie, that's a great way to look at it. I was starting to worry a little about how much this was going to end up costing, only because I originally thought it would be a little cheaper. But if you think about all that you get out of the whole wedding week - it's a wedding, PLUS a great vacation! I see a lot of references to how staying at an AI will save you lots of money ... why exactly is that? Since I am not getting married at a resort, but rather at a location that is not affiliated with any resort (in PV) I need to find a resort/hotel for everyone to stay at, and probably have the welcome dinner at, independently. Would an AI still be a good idea? (my wedding will likely be 30-50 people)

Thanks, I had tried to find something about budget. Guess I didn't look hard enough!

Too funny. That's kind of why I was asking. I had initially seen these articles in magazines about these "package" weddings for less than $2,000. I was like "wow, that's great!" What they don't talk about is the dinner(s), the week of hotel costs, any decorations, additional photography, or other entertainment for the week.

I realize that this may be a tad "rude" - but if I can't ask on this forum, where can I ask?! I think I had a misguided idea of what the typical budget for a DW should be (I underestimated!). I want to make sure I am not way off base with the numbers I am coming across in my planning! Also, I am not very good at coming up with an initial budget, so this may help give me, and others, some idea of what to expect. Can I ask everyone what their budget is, or rather, what they ended up/will end up spending? I am looking for what it will cost for the wedding/ceremoney itself (and everything that goes into it like decorations, invites, officiant, etc.), reception, rehearsal/welcome dinner, travel costs, hotel fees, etc. What I don't want to include is the cost for your guests to stay, and their travel expenses.

Will do - thanks, Tammy!

I think with all the knowledge and know-how we have on this site, we could start a one-stop DW shop! We have travel agents, designers, planners, creative people, travelers, etc. ...