Jen

Quote: Originally Posted by SunsetBride I am dealing with a similar dilemma. I would love to pick the resort for my wedding based on MY likes and dislikes and what my FH and I want. However, I am dealing with a bit of guilt because these resorts are little more expensive. So, do I have the wedding at a more affordable resort so more people can attend or do I just go ahead and plan my wedding the way I want it and not worry about them? All of the resorts are beautiful (Iberostar Tucan on the cheaper side and Excellence on the pricier side - not that much more money though, maybe a $2-300 more per person for a three night stay). I really don't like the idea of my guests being spread out at different resorts so I wouldn't want to choose the pricier resort for the wedding and have everyone stay somewhere else. UGHH! What to do, what to do? Ooohhh...I just had this SAME dilemma (in my head...hahaha)....I think the conclusion I came to is...I would HATE to have the wedding somewhere that I really didn't care for to accomodate people that may or may not come. I could just see myself ending up somewhere that I was not happy, to please people that end up not coming anyway. I figure people who are willing to come are already spending alot of money and a little more is probably NOT going to make the difference in their decision. If it was a majorly significant amount, I could see a problem but if its only a little bit pricier, and it makes you happy...do that. Okay, that's my view on it TODAY, we'll see what I thiink tomorrow....hahahaha

Tammy....how does your schedule look for 2008 Otherwise, I would love to get a possible referral from you.....

Thanks Margaret! I got it....I think I'm sort of in love with the Grand Palladium resorts.....hahahaha!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by MagsieMexico KayKay, that is a FABULOUS resource... We should post it on the Grand Palladium section under the accomodations section, is that okay with you? Is there anyway you can open it and post it? It keeps saying I don't have enought "points" to open it??

Tammy, could you send me that package info also....I am sending you my e-mail right now Thanks!

Leigh, those pictures are GORGEOUS!!! Any available weekends in February 08.....hehehehe!

Hahahaha!!! Thank Ann

Thanks for all of these suggestions guys! I don't mind staying on a big island/area....I just am in love with idea of actually getting married in a private spot.....I just REALLY don't want random potbellies, speedos and boobies in my pictures....hahahahaha!!!! I actually think my FI is coming around to the Las Caletas idea...I showed him pictures...made up a theme... I really sold it! Hehehehe! Now I just have to figure out a ballpark figure for my guests to get from Baltimore to Puerto Vallerta and see if its reasonable

Quote: Originally Posted by host i got married before mexico. i am super practical so it made sense to do it so i could get on his fantastic medical AND dental insurance plan. Hahaha! This is my FI's reasoning for having a legal ceremony here before the DW....except he wants to get married NOW! Oh lord How soon before the DW did/is everyone doing a civil ceremony?

A friend of mine went there for her honeymoon about 2 years ago and had nothing but RAVE reviews for it! We looked at it, but we have a few small children on our guest list....so its a no go for us!

Hi Amy! My FI and I have been looking at Punta Cana also....we'll have to compare notes! Have you settled on a resort yet or are you still doing research??

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Jen I am sure there are tons of places that you can hold a private ceremony on. I am just curious, why doesn't your FI want to do it in Mexico if you love las Caletas so much. Ann is getting married there and it seems like such a gorgeous place. Is there a specific reason why he is so against it. Also, if you are looking for a photog I would highly recommend Leigh, she is so nice and her work is stunning. -Glenda Yeah, that's the million dollar question! I have no idea why not, and he has no idea why not, those are just two places he thinks "everyone gets married"....ummmmm.....apparently we are a celebrity couple and need to do things differently.....and NO ONE gets married in DR or the caribbean in general....hahahaha!!!! I'm working on him

Ooohhh...thank you for all this info! We just may need a photographer if we get married here Two birds...One stone!

Okay, so in trying to figure out what type of DW/location I want, I realized that I LOVE LOVE the Las Caletas concept....going to a private island via a Party Boat Kind of traditional wedding mixed with a non-traditional location....the bonfire reception, all the candles and tiki torches....anyway.... I LOVE it...BUT (there's always a BUT!)....my FI has nixed Mexico and Jamaica as our location...why Well, I'm not sure, and either is he but those are two places he does NOT want to get married. Plus, because all of our guests are on the East Coast, this destination would be more expensive than, say, Dominican Republic, which is why we were leaning that way. ANYWAY.....the challenge is....Does anyone know of a set up similar to Las Caletas BUT in the Caribbean...or one of the islands closer the east side than west.....whew....sorry for the long post!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the strapless satin.....but I agree that it might be too much for a beach wedding.....I like the baby doll for the beach

Where in Punta Cana? I'm considering that for a possible location, so I would LOVE to hear more about your location, experience, etc. THANKS!

Quote: Originally Posted by pinaychic thanks for the reply...no more weddings They aren't having weddings there at all?

Quote: Originally Posted by akh 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 That looks AWESOME! That's more along the lines of what I was thinking.....

Hey everyone! Thanks for the support! To answer a few questions and give you guys a better idea of where I'm at in all of this: Our main concerns in choosing a destination are 1) Cost and 2) Distance. We would like to do an AI, mainly so guests don't have to worry about budgeting for all the food, drinks, etc...it will all be covered when they get there....and we don't want people on a plane all day or making multiple flight changes. That brings us to looking mainly in the Dominican Republic or Mexico. I have been looking at websites and we had considered a resort wedding but I keep hearing that it seems like a "conveyor belt" wedding..... I don't know....I like the idea having the wedding and reception off the resort but don't want it to be astronomically expensive.....I don't even know a ballpark range of how much this all costs! I am feeling totally overwhelmed! Plus, we haven't told our families it is DEFINITELY a DW, we've been throwing the idea out there for the past couple months and have gotten mixed reviews....I'm pretty nervous about the reaction I will get!

Hi Everyone, I'm Jen My fiancee and I got engaged over Thanksgiving weekend and have just recently decided on a destination wedding. We are thinking about February 2008, but other than that have made NO decisions.... We need lots of advice I can't wait to hear what everyone has to say.