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Hey girls, You guys are so awesome, you get me excited about everything all over again. Yes, Ann I am so freaking excited!!!! I feel so good about everything and although we won't be having the same exact wedding, it is still pretty darn close. The Mayan that I was looking at was in Nuevo Vallarta. I keep forgetting there is one in Puerto Vallarta. With all the guests we are having we thought they would enough of the party and hoped they wouldn't miss going into downtown. As for pictures, unfortunately my fiance's dad and my mom have all of them so I need to get them from them then I will post them. Thanks for the support, Katie

Thank you so much for your replies. Although Dreams wasn't for us, we did decide on Mayan Resorts (thank you Amy for that suggestion). I was going to look at all of the hotels, but after we went to that one we just knew it was it. Thanks again, Katie

I just got back from Puerto Vallarta trying to plan my whole wedding in 3 days... and it definitely ended up differently than I had thought. First, we were trying to choose a hotel for all of our 150 guests to stay at as well as having a welcome dinner and/or brunch there. Our first choice was Dreams, which is where we stayed. Unfortunately they did not have any venues besides the beach for us to have any events. Furthermore, they were very difficult to work with. However, for you Dreams brides, the hotel was very pretty and the beach is gorgeous. Then thanks to Amy's review and Tammy's suggestion, we looked at the Mayan Palace. Wow, that just knocked our socks off. We had a list of other hotels and we didn't even go further. It is three hotels connected and they are amazing. When you walk into the hotel they have huge mayan statues (in one they are like 20 feet) tall in a dark room and it just feels really ancient. The amount of land they have is just massive. I worked with the event planner Matilde, who was very nice and helped us plan our welcome dinner and brunch all in the same day. Our welcome dinner is on these platforms that overlooks a wave pool and is in the center of the other pools with a fire in the middle of the platform. The brunch will be champagne on the beach with lawn chairs. However, we are still waiting to hear back on room availability for our dates.... I really hope it works!!!! Then we went to Las Caletas to the Rhythm of the Night show. First of all the show is completely seperate from the weddings and you really will never know they are there. Second, Nicole is absolutely amazing and I am so excited to work with her. She is very laid back, yet on top of everything it is a perfect combination. Pictures do not do the beach justice. Standing on the beach, with the candles all over, the bon fire going, and the dance floor set up, the feeling that comes over you is just overwhelming. We also got to meet Brad, the minister who is really friendly and experienced. We were joking afterword that if we would have interviewed dozens of wedding coordinators and minister, we probably wouldn't have found ones this good. So hopefully here is a summary of our setup: Site: Las Caletas Hotel: Mayan Resorts Guests: 150 Photographer: Leigh Miller Travel Agent: Tammy Vong-Wright Date: January 19th If you guys have any questions, let me know. , Katie

I am going to Puerto Vallarta tomorrow to do a little "scouting trip." And maybe in between all the work, we will have time for some suntanning and a fun drink or two. One of our main tasks is finding a hotel for all of our 150 guests to stay at. As of right now we are staying at Dreams to check that one out. Does anyone absolutely love the hotel that they have chosen or have any suggestions? We are also going to look at the Grand Mayan. We are getting married at Las Caletas so we just need a hotel, not a wedding site. I like all-inclusives but am open to any suggestions. Thanks, Katie

Lisa, That is gorgeous. Where did you find those? I am thinking I will either use coral or green for mine. Katie

Jessalyn, Those are amazing!!!! I love the starfish. It is just so unique and different from any invitation I have ever seen. Your guests are going to be so excited! - Katie

We are paying for a welcome dinner, the ceremony, one villa for my side of the family (they are less wealthy than his side), and a couple of our wedding parties' hotel rooms. It really adds up quick!

Andrea, Are you having your BM try them on in the store (if they have them in the store) or just online? I love the color choice and the dress! I was looking around, but I think I am going to go with J.Crew as well. Katie

Any suggestions on locations for a Welcome Dinner in Puerto Vallarta? Hopefully most/ all of my guests will be staying at Dreams, but we are headed down to PV on Tuesday to check out hotels, our wedding site (Las Caletas) and some villas. I would love to look at options for a restaurant (or other location) that might be able to accomodate a Welcome Dinner for about 100 people. We might still do it at Dreams, but if people end up staying elsewhere, I would like to have other options. Thanks, Katie

Girls, all of the bridesmaids dresses are so pretty. I love the light pink Jenny Yoo one and the j.crew ones. I am trying to pick the color of mine out. I have quite a few bridesmaids that are anywhere from 20 - 50 years old and have different price ranges. I am just going to pick out a swatch and then let them pick out their own dress. I am thinking either a bold coral or a bold green. I have looked at J.Crew. I love the idea that they could all get the same color there, just pick out what dress they like. Are there any other stores like that, that aren't specific to bridesmaids? The under $100 aspect of J.Crew is perfect, but there isn't a whole lot to choose from. Any ideas? Thanks for sharing all your dresses!

Leigh, Those are awesome. I love the second one with the veil and the bride's back. Great photos!

Anyone know anything about the heels situation. I am worried about heels digging into the sand while walking down the aisle. I know it will happen off the aisle, so i think I will bring some sandals for after the ceremony, but I would love to wear heels during the ceremony (I'm a little short)

I got this recommendation from Ann on the forum. I just wanted to give you gals a review since I live close to Leigh and got to meet her in person. She lives in San Diego County and travels all over to do weddings. Her website is: leighmillerphotography.com. OK where do I start? Her pictures are even better in person than on the website (which I already loved). Her albums are breathtaking. She puts them together beautifully. I never thought that I would do an album because of costs, but it is hard not to after seeing hers. She is really laid back, doesn't mind other people taking pictures at the wedding and was very open to taking pictures the night before the wedding and day after. She seems fun and takes tons of pictures. If you have any questions on her, let me know. Thanks Ann, for the recommendation.

Just an FYI... I had a consultation over the phone with Michelle. She was very friendly and like someone mentioned earlier, very responsive. She has a photojournalistic style, but also has a quick and efficient way of getting the formal family pictures done. She seems very comfortable with the PV area which I thought was a huge plus.

Your pictures are amazing! You looked gorgeous. Do you have the contact information for your photographer? Thanks!

Thank you, I will send her an email.

Thanks Ann. Sounds perfect. I will talk to Nicole about that. Woohoo one more check off my list.

No, I would actually probably have them from here so that I can give all my 150 guests their name and number. That way I won't have them all calling me. Tammy if you are on, could you give me your information?

Hey gals, I am looking for a travel agent in Puerto Vallarta. As of right now most of our guests are staying at Dreams, but we would like one side of our family to stay in a villa (which we have yet to find). We are also looking for hotel options to give to the guests. We would like to offer two other hotels close to Dreams, one nicer and one a little cheaper. So between the villa and the hotel, any suggestions? Thanks, Katie

Yeah send me the name of your dress, hairdresser.... maybe I can even borrow your inlaws!!!! Just Kidding

Thank you so much for all the info. I contacted her Leigh, I actually live right by here in southern california. Its funny, I am getting married at Las Caletas on January 19th, 2008 and because of your advice I think we are staying at Dreams Puerto Vallarta and now we might use your photographer! HA! You are a lifesaver.... thank you. We are going down to look at everything APril 10th - 13th so I will let you know how that goes.

Thank you so much for all the info. I contacted her, I actually live right by here in southern california. Its funny, I am getting married at Las Caletas on January 19th, 2008 and because of your advice I think we are staying at Dreams Puerto Vallarta and now we might use your photographer! HA! You are a lifesaver.... thank you. We are going down to look at everything APril 10th - 13th so I will let you know how that goes.

I am going to have a wedding at Las Caletas with 150 people. Any transportation suggestions for them. They will mostly all be staying at Dreams and will only have to get to the marina.

Ann, How did you decide on Leigh Miller? Her site looks great. Did you meet with her?

Ann, I really appreciate you doing that for me. It sounds like they will be counted. It doesn't help that much anyway because there are only 3 or 4 under five. I know what you mean, I hope a lot don't come because I always wanted a small wedding