starchild

Thanks Kashmira that is a great idea! One welcome drink then every man for himself, I like that a lot actually. Last time FI and I were in PV we took a late walk from our hotel on Los Muertos beach and stumbled upon the cutest little restaurant with yummy food. The owner was from San Francisco and super nice, he sat down and talked to us and even gave us a free drink. I'm currently trying to find the name of that place online in hopes that he can help me arrange something. Keep your fingers crossed . . . I'll let you guys know how this ends up!!

Yeah that description and pic is hilarious!! My FI could care less if his package matches his legs LMAO!! And hell no it's not too bridezilla-ish to ask your bm's to try and avoid those tanlines . . . mine know what time it is on that one!! We have the right to make sure everything matches but all we can really do is suggest it and hope they follow through. I think anything more than that may be getting into bridezilla territory

That's what I call them because they crack me up but I'm sure there's a proper term . . . anyone?

Melissa you are so funny . . . those mankini's are scary LOL And NABUMBAH, it's the tan lines I'll get in Mexico the week before the wedding that I was referring to. Yes, I may tan before I get there but I'll be in the sun when I get there too. Guess I'll be the guinea pig, I'll let you ladies know how that goes. . .

OMG! I was ranting in another thread about not wanting tan lines and was going to get a strapless top but still resented the fact that my cleavage wouldn't match if I wore a low cut top later. WELL, I found this and some of them are not the most stylish, but some I like and I am super excited: Solar Tan Thru Swimsuits All-over Tan Thru Swimwear for Women and Men Anyone ever wore one?

Quote: Originally Posted by mexicomelissa No special reason why we chose our date other than it worked with our work schedule. We get a week off every 5 weeks and March 27th falls in the middle of our week off I want your schedule!! That's a whole lotta weeks off!!!

Those cut-outs are hearts, hard to see from this angle. My FI said one for past, present, and future. It suits me )

Janet that is really cool - 11/11/11 !!

Our "legal" wedding will be on my parents anniversary (5/26). We wanted our Mexico wedding to be close to that date so we picked 6/2, the following Saturday.

No Problemo )

Laura, I think I will order one of those swimsuits just to be festive . . . I already ordered the flip flops that imprint "just married" in the sand so I may as well complete the look. There aren't too many times in life where it's cool to be corny

I'm including this info in my OOT bags so my guests have a starting point in an emergency situation. I hope my fellow PV brides may find some of it useful: U.S. CONSULAR AGENCY - PUERTO VALLARTA & NUEVO VALLARTA Paradise Plaza Paseo de los Cocoteros #1 Local #1, Int. #17 Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit C.P. 63732 Phone & Answering Machine (322) 222-0069 , (322) 223-3301 24 Hour Emergency Number at U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara (33) 3268-2145 LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORTS Passport and Citizenship Unit - American Consulate General Phone: 3268-2173 or 3268-2273 LOST OR STOLEN CREDIT CARDS AMERICAN EXPRESS Lost/Stolen Credit Card OR Traveler's Checks Phone: 01-800-712-0202 or 01-800-001-3600 VISA Phone: 01-800-847-2911 (you will need your pin to access their system) Traveler's Checks Only Phone: 01-800-123-4826 MASTERCARD Phone: 001-800-307-7309 PRIVATE MEDICAL FACILITIES AMERIMED Phone: 226-2080 Address: Fco. Medina Ascencio s/n Plaza Neptuno Local D-1 Marina Vallarta Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48333 CORNERSTONE HOSPITAL Phone: 224-9400 Address: Ave. de los Tules #136 Colonia Diaz Ordaz Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48310 Patient Services Coordinator: Pamela Thompson CENTRO MEDICO CMQ Phone: 223-1919 Address: Basilio Badillo 365 Col. Emiliano Zapata Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48399 CLINICA VERSAILLES Phone: 224-9898 Address: Lucerna 145 Col. Versailles Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48320 SAN JAVIER MARINA HOSPITAL Phone: 226-1010 Address: Fco. Medina Ascencio 2760 Zona Hotelera Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48314 STATE OPERATED MEDICAL FACILITIES CRUZ ROJA - RED CROSS Phone: 222-1533 Address: Rio de la Plata & Rio Balsas Col. Lopez Mateos Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48350 REGIONAL HOSPITAL (Hospital for persons w/limited funds) Phone: 299-5600 Address: Calle Dinamarca y Noruega Col. Villas Real Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco C.P. 48313

I may tan a bit before the wedding too. I considered a mystic tan before the wedding but I've been told they streak in salt or pool water and I'd rather be white than striped, lol. I'm trying to get as much natural sun as possible for now.

They provided dramamine at no charge when I was on the catamaran, but again I refused it and got sick. The majority of people on the boat did not get sick. You should take it 30 minutes prior and the crew passed it out as we were pulling away from the dock, so I'm bringing my own to give my guests in advance, just in case.

Also, if you decide to buy in bulk before you go, check your Mexican markets if there are some where you live. I'm in L.A. but you can find that at grocery stores here for about $3. There is another brand called "Ibarra" that tends to cost less than abuelita. You may be able to save some $$.

Good question! I'm not sure, my wedding starts around 6pm and there are no gaps between it and the reception. If you aren't already contracted at your resort, you may want to look into places that allow you to have a smooth & quick transition between your ceremony and reception. I don't know how you could fill that gap other than meeting at a bar or restaurant in between, but then you may as well have the reception there.

The abuelita is soooo yummy, we always make it at home. Very cinnamon-sweet and the blender makes it nice and frothy! Mmmmm, I think I'll have some with breakfast!!

Quote: Originally Posted by akh I am a little nervous of the boat ride - maybe some of you girls that have already been married at Las Caletas can tell us if anyone got sick? I do plan on getting some motioin sickness meds and putting them in the OOT bags, but other than that - not sure what we can do! I will warn everyone about the boat ride in case there are any precautions they want to take themselves. I got really sea sick when I went to Las Caletas. There were probably 5-6 others who were too but that's a small percentage of people on the boat. I was told later that the water was a bit rough that day. I rarely get motion sickness so I didn't take my dramamine - my mistake - the crew offered it to everyone but I declined. The PV Adventures boat crew was so awesome, they keep a barrel of water on board and used it immediately to wash down the areas where us sickies threw up, brought us bottled water & napkins, and kept checking on us. This may gross you out, but they even washed me down as I got sick so suddenly it was all over my shorts and shoes. Point is they deal with this often and were very attentive. I've advised my guests to take the dramamine in their OOT bags just in case, unless someone is generally opposed to taking pills. That one hour ride is brutal when you're queasy every 10 minutes!!

Nice! Thanks you guys!!

Mine is orange & pretty accurate if you replace autumn w/ summer . . . Orange: Orange is the color of autumn, spice form and design. In bright tones, orange is jovial, cheerful and playful. Deepened, it becomes exotic and exciting. If orange is your choice, you have abundant energy with an eye for structure and organization. Your social nature finds you surrounded by family and friends.

That sounds really nice. Were all of your guests staying at that same AI? I thought of doing this at my AI but most of my guests are at other resorts. I should ask if they allow outside guests and how much that is. Thanks Ali!

Anny that's not mean at all . . . in fact the more I think about it the more I kinda see what my parents were saying. It is a nice gesture but as you said, nobody is going to go home thinking how rude we were not to formally welcome them with a complete meal. And Amy a group rate cruise sounds good too, it's something to look into. I'll check into a reception with appetizers and MAYBE alcohol, but as I mentioned before, my people can drink, and we're already paying for them to drink unlimited on the boat to the wedding, a mini cocktail reception before the wedding starts, at the reception, and on the boat back to town. Damn, what was I thinking? These people get taquitos and coke, that's good enough!!! Cash bar it is!!! Being all together in one place is the main point anyway. After that, whoever needs a meal can arrange that from there. Thanks for putting it in perspective and letting me vent!!

I wish I could reply to each of you individually!! Thanks for your input. You've appeased my parents and myself (in different ways, lol). I'm stealing a few of your ideas because they are really good. I like tacos and drinks, appetizers and drinks, something where we can compromise. That cash bar sounds good too now that I am thinking of how much my guests drink even when they aren't on vacation! My FI and I actually have a budget for dinner but my parents kind of convinced me that a cocktail party is enough. I'm already giving them nice OOT bags so that, some drinks, and some munchies will do. I might do something unusual and save a little money for once . . . well save it so I can spend it during the honeymoon

Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride I am however a little confused by your other question. You wanted to know what was wrong with a cocktail reception with just appetizers and set drinks. Do you mean as an alternative to the welcome dinner or did you mean for the actual wedding reception? -Glenda No no no, they aren't that crazy!! We are having full on appetizers, dinner, drinks, desserts, and cake for the wedding. They meant a welcome cocktail reception instead of a welcome dinner )

Okay, so my dad is paying for some wedding stuff as father of the bride, and my FI and I are paying for stuff too. Both of my parents insist that I am being ridiculous for attempting to organize and pay for all the guests at a welcome dinner (right now about 35). My father specifically said since we are paying for them to eat and drink freely at the wedding the next day, that we are not obligated to pay for them to eat and drink freely the night before. They think we should tell them where we will all be and they can come and pay for their own food & drink if they want. I explained that you can't just walk in a restaurant with 40 people and expect to be seated together, so they suggested I find a place to make reservations but everyone pays for themselves. It's just bugging me that they think this is such a waste of money - our money by the way since they refuse to pay for this part of the wedding! This from people who pay $1000 for steak knives . . . they just aren't going for this on general principle!!! They say they have been to destination weddings before where they met up with people but paid for themselves, they called it no-host or something. How would I even word something like that?? Meet us here at 8:00 for dinner and we'll split the checks?? Of course I want to save money where I can, but is there even a way to skimp on this? When I told them about this forum and how practically everyone is having a welcome reception of some sort, they asked me to ask you guys this: Is it really customary to pay for a welcome dinner in advance of the wedding or are you all just really, really nice? And, what's wrong with a cocktail reception with appetizers & set drinks only? So I turn it over to you experts . . . sorry so long but I'm trippin out right now!!!!!!!!!