chrisnessa

Did everyone have success with getting your welcome bags into Mexico? We have about 100 + guest coming?

Hi Being A Newbie I am still trying to figure out how to manivere through the site. I think its great to see the specific area a Bride has either wed or going to be wed. So let us hear your Roar At the moment all I have is this because I cant figure out how to post pics yet hahaha So here's our couple site for now: chrisvanessa08.com Please post your pics and slides and all about Las Caletas the good and the things that were a challenge, so we that are going after you can learn Thank you This site is great...GREAT...GREAT

Those were so fantastic. GREAT job! WooHoo Let me see if theres a snap on here thats the one I'll use. Very Professional and Fun for Guests!!! TY for sharing.

Thank you all....I can't seem to figure out how to put the pics on here so until then...here is a site about Chris and I thank you all for your sweet comments. Happiness to us all chrisvanessa08.com

I thought about bringing silk flowers for the wedding area and possibly the bridesmaids but with so many it was hard to pack. That is a great idea though. One thing I did was to purchase a rhinestone and pearl lady bug pin to attached to their bouquets/and ladies of the wedding as a personal reminder from Chris and I. I'll show pics as we get there. But this all makes me so excited. ))))

So beautiful...the florist do a great job on LC. I am getting married in the Fall January 5 anyone have a wedding during this time? Thank you for the pictures they help so MUCH.

I love the idea of the passport ticket stubs etc. Im working on that as well for the informational part for the guests. When they RSVP yes then I send out the itinerary for the weekend in that form. I saw someone actually use the passport design for their wedding w/ a pic. It was so cute and creative. Did you ever get a template for this? If so can you pass it along?

Yes, Id love pics of anything having to do with this wedding. HA Im a sponge for info right now. hahaha and also how do the pics get loaded on here. I do the profile one and it says its failed? I did make sure the Pix were low enough. Hummmm not sure how to do that?

Hi there Dallas

Always fun to share this. I met Chris in 2003 through a friend of mine who knew his sister. Chris is in the Air Force and had come back to Dallas after graduating from the AFA. We had a fun time at a happy hour party with tons of friends. Although I thought he was nice looking and friendly I had been dating someone for a few months so I didn't try to get his attention anymore than he was giving me. hahaha I became friendly with his sister through our mutual friend and off and on through the years she spoke of his Iraq tour and how he was progressing in the military. Last year during Christmas some co workers asked me to go with them for lunch. I wanted to go workout and declined but after they basically pulled me out of my desk, I decided I'd go. So happy I did At a little sandwich shop populated and known as the best kept secret around was this handsome guy. I looked like CRAP hahahaha Frumpy I told him later. I ordered my food and as I was paying I noticed many pictures of this guy in uniform and when I say many I mean many hanging on the walls. I looked at the name tag on his uniform and it clicked familiar. I immediately turned to him and asked are you Lisa's brother? He said Yes, Vanessa. How are you? I was shocked. I didnt remember his first name. hahaha and he not only remembered my name but where I worked from 2003!!! 100PTS for him. We chatted some but he was with many guests who had come to see him before he headed back to Germany. So I went and sat down with my co workers. They giggled about how cute he was and he liked me. I was like whatever. (Do you think?) hahaha Yes of course I was so happy he was smiling from ear to ear while talking to me. Anyway, after about 15 mins he came to our table and told us this was his family's place and that he was in for some rest before going back to finish out another year before coming back to Texas. I told him I was having a New Year's Eve party and to join me with his sister if they could. He said he'd try. So off I go and then as I am getting into the car his sister, my friend arrives. We all laugh at how random it all was. I didnt even want to go eat! Its true how they say it just happens when it happens. I didnt see him at NYEve and although we spoke a few times online he was ending a relationship with a girl and I didnt want any part of that. I figured he was like most guys...sorry you all know what I mean girls. and I moved along. 2 months later I heard from him again. It was his b'day and he emailed me saying hello. Back and forth we chatted and he had ended his relationship of only 3 months so that was good and was enjoying his time with friends in Germany. He recently started going to Bible Study and was enjoying his relationship with Jesus Christ. Moving forward a month. My Mom had to have open heart surgery. A 9 hr surgery that was horrible to wait through. Chris called me from Germany as he had been doing and talked to me for the 5 hours comforting me as I sat in the hospital waiting for my Mom to be put into ICU. Lots of people were there and to be honest only he and I. I cant thank him enough for his time with me. Mom came out of surgery we were all relieved and thankful and when she came home a week later we were blessed. I bring this up because it really moved things into gear with Chris. Going through not just how cute everyone is, how fun they are, how this and that they have...we had just gone through an emotional drama and it truly sealed some feelings inside. When Mom was home it was Easter weekend. Chris asked if I'd come to Germany for the long weekend. He would purchase a ticket if I could come. I asked my parents what they thought and they said if you think hes something special go see. So I did. And yes he was/is something special. Fast forward again...BTW I've been to Germany now 4 times in the last 4 months. hahaha When Chris and I were talking early on he asked me if I would go with him to California for a wedding. Of course I said yes. Well its June now and we went. But just before the wedding he came to meet my parents. We had a dinner party for his family and ours since Chris and I had fallen in love by this time. After we thanked everyone for being there, Chris got down on his knee after already asking my Father for his blessing, and he asked me in front of the whole restaurant and family if I'd marry him. Shocked yes I was shocked and said YES and then immediately texts all my girlfriends. Hahahaha oh that was a good one I'll never live down!!! We are so happy. He asked out of the AF early due to an early departure the AF has for its officers. Im happy to say in 8 days he's HOME. To our HOME. WE are getting married on paper in Dallas and then have our vows in Las Caletas with family and friends. We are so happy and so blessed to be together. I've been looking for this man my whole adult life. Hes everything I wanted, needed and I cant wait to spend the rest of my entire life with him and our babies!!! when we have them which will hopefully on both our parts be SOON!!! He said the honeymoon. Okay hahaha Well, thats our love story. Fast and furious passionate and blessed. What more could a girl ask for. I cant wait to share our wedding with all of you. You've all been so giving of info and so helpful. Although how do I post pics on here!!! hahaha Vanessa Bride to be Las Caletas Jan 5, 08

Hi Again, Im really getting into the posting thing. So many questions and some advice I asked Nicole about table runners and she sent me a company that I can for a little extra purchase table runners. I am going to do this because the fabric I have here is going to be a pain to bring and knowing the exact measurements is going to be a pain I dont want. There were quite a few color selections and I actually found one I wanted. I'm thinking of leaving some of the items I bring with her for other brides as I am not sure I want to handle the customs issue or anything once the wedding is over. I dont know yet but those are my thoughts: 150 silverplated seashelled table name holders, 20 coffee colored sea fans w/ black base: gorgeous plastic from Pottery Barn for the dining table. If the parasals don't get broken 10 orange. All the seashells and ice rocks. Our tables will sit on the beach for dinner in a squared U shape facing the ocean. Guests will be on the outside of the table as well as the inside of the U shaped. We did this because as a family oriented couple we wanted to be close to our guests as possible for dinner. We dont have our exact count yet but between 100 - 150 if the word is correct. We know with the ceremony on the beach and dinner on the beach and dancing on the beach, Nicole is going to have a field day with our requests but she's great. We have asked about fireworks...no they don't do. The area is protected by the govt. but they do sparklers YES and we asked about a cigar roller. YES I believe thats a request we can have as well. We have the Mariachis for an hour but might not keep them depending on some other areas we talk about. We had wanted to do the bouquets ourselves except for mine but not sure if this is something we should worry about. There are 2 designers coming to the wedding who said they'd love to do it for us but getting flowers might be a pain in the buttttt. We are going to bring our CD's and our slideshow DVD because we have a ton of middle 20 - 30's guests coming as well as our fun hearted but older grandparents and parents and their friends. There is alot of musicians and fans of music in our party so we'll do it this way hope it works out As Ive mentioned we have a lot of people in our wedding party and I cried when I put them down at first because I said this is HUGE........but as I talked it over with family and friends these people are so important to us we went for it. We ladies will be at the spa that morning and I wondered what you other brides and women did during the day? Please forgive all the chat chat as I have so many thoughts going on. All of the weddings thus far are amazing. There was one wedding slideshow I viewed that exemplafied what I believe we all are looking for and it was a couple who had just the two of them and one set of parents. It was gorgeous and so beautiful. I was humbled by their site. Thank you so much.

Hi Girls new question: Without seeing LC we are wanting to face the ocean with our guests in a split semicircular design. We don't want them sideways to our ceremony only a little bit wider from the aisle. The reason we think this is because in viewing the pics it shows that although the wedding party is walking down without issue, it also appears that there is no true room to give on the left or right. That feels very cramped and uncomfortable as we view different pics. Its a little thing but one we know we can have altered in our discussions with Nicole. After all that wind we just blew the question is: We think the walk way coming from the spa area to the alter is a straight shot so we can view the ocean and our guests as well. It that not true? I just saw one direction with the L shape and confused us?

Thank you so much for sharing those great pictures. This forum is so giving of their info. Your pic trigger and answer some questions I'm having. Hopefully and I'm sure you all know how much these comments and sharing is appreciated by us who haven't yet walked this walk. One question: okay maybe more: How was your experience getting your personal items into Mexico? I'm still working on separating things to family members so not to have issues. The items I have need to be there due to not being able to find them in Mexico. Of course I wont go off the wall if something happens but sure would like them to get into the country easy. I have 10 Parasals 100 plastic cups w/ writing on them 2 large sea shells for our rings and for table 2 large pictures for the wedding table of Chris and myself Seashells 20 Pottery Barn Sea Fans measuring about 24 in. tall and 16 in wide (those fix nicely into our large suitcase) M&M w/ our names on it and the small boxes and ribbon for our guests. I am giving my bridesmaids there bags here in Dallas because they are large and I think its best if they take it on board instead of me taking 10 bags. Yes I said 10. Oh I feel like my Greek Wedding. Sisters/ and sister in laws best friends and readers. Oh Lordy thank goodness Im Italian so I can justify this amt. hahaha But they are awesome so anyway! soft blue glass flat beads about 10 small bags of that 100 white fans for guests Fabric for the Cake table and the chairs and the pic area. Enough to fold and sit nicely into the suitcase without causing issue 4 bolts of wiry fabric for the same deco areas My dress and veil 150 small metal seashell name holders I know Im missing some things but thats what Im dealing with. I have yet to get the Guest bags ready as Im torn on what to bring after the above items and those above I need. I wanted how it would be to do bags similar to yours here in Dallas and box them. Or will they get taken or taxed to the hilt. Did you find you had some purchasing power in Mexico to get some of the things you gave your guests? I also have picture books for each guests to bring. So either 100 - 150 depending on the amt coming to the wedding. Las Caletas for the weddding Rui Jalisco Resort for the hotel Jan 5, 2008 Once again thank ALL of you for your help. Its been great reading and especially seeing the pictures. I even cried. hahahaha in happiness that I am doing this soon. Im sure I'll need this once there. hehehehe

I'd have to vote to find another tour or activity. I fly often and I know its hard on the body. When you arrive at such a beautiful place so relaxing I'd think that most would love to sit have a margarita and enjoy the view. I think its awesome to venture out. One thing is perhaps you include in a letter or email how many would enjoy that from there include that as the wedding activity for those who want that option. But for the most part, I always hear family and friends say, I can't wait to go lay out and soak up the view...with a drink in hand.

Heather ...looking forward to seeing your pics. Im so excited even though I have a million ?'s in my head. We marry in Jan on the 5th on Las Caletas. I'll get to meet Kelley from the staff in Dallas when she attends a bridal show in a few months. I havent gotten to go to PV yet Im not sure I can until the wedding. So all this photos help me so much decide what to do about certain things. Cant wait to share our experience but in the meantime...thank everyone for doing so for us upcoming brides.

Those are great pictures. What great moments to share with us.

That was a great post. Im a newbie so all of this is refreshing and helpful news. as you can tell Im having a blast with the icons okay just had to use that one somewhere. anything about purchasing flowers so I can make the bouquets. I have a few friends here who are designers coming to the wedding and we'd love to make the bouquets if we are for sure we can find flowers easily. We are staying at the Riu Jalisco and we have no idea how far close anything is.

Hi Girls, Jan 5 is our wedding day we are having the wedding and reception on Las Caletas. We are coming out of Texas and I have a lot of things to bring with me. I'm wondering how many of you found it easy to shop for guest welcome items and seashells etc things like that for your wedding. We havent gone to PV and wont get there until Dec 30 so I dont know how much to purchase here and there. I know I want something a little more personal and our own taste, and doing the wedding this way is a little difficult from TX. Any ideas or shop names or anything that would help me. One of the biggest ?'s is how about flowers. I have a small pkg within my agreement with Adventure Weddings but Im not sure I can work up a better situation by doing my 10 women in our wedding's and men flowers. Yes we're all kinds of Italian, Mexican Puerto Rican and Lebanese. Any help will be great on any or all ?'s. Thanks again.

Hi Girls, Great info and I looked up the sites mentioned for extra info. I am going to use an IPOD suggested by Nicole for Las Caletas. I decided to do this because our group of between 100 - 150 are in different age groups and frankly between my HTB and my brothers we have ITunes up the you know what. I'm going to have backup CD's just in case. My question is has anyone used the IPod or CD's with this many people on a beach wedding? more specifically Las Caletas? I'd be interested to know how that went. Also I am having a slideshow, did anyone on Las Caletas do this? Thanks for all the info so helpful in the last of the planning stage.

Hey Girlzzzzzzz So fun to have feedback. I wanted to ask about that $100.00 fee for the boxes? You mentioned you don't have to worry about customs because ....that's where I lost you hahaha I was going to send stuff with people under 150 each so we could get it in. But not necessarily using boxes our luggage. Does anyone have experience with that type of packing. Someone told me that if I tell them its for the wedding then I should be okay. But since there will be at least 100 people possible 150 I have to have the correct number of items for each. We have cups w/ our name and M&M w/ our name and wedding date. I'm excited thinking of it but not of the hassle I might incur. Maybe the tip money is what I need to do. Although that isnt really what Id prefer If anyone just did this run please share or when you do it before Jan please share how it worked out for you. Thanks so much for all the comments back. Its helping me decide how to do some things to make the wedding an easy process. Also, Kelley from Adventure Weddings will be in Dallas for a Bride show if anyone in the Dallas area is searching for some info on Las Caletas.

Okay I feel really silly asking about this green button. I have stuff to bring. Where's the green button! hahaha

Hi Kara, Newbie here. We are staying at the Riu Jalisco and I am trying to find out RD options for my new in-laws to be. Do you have pics of the restaurant you can share?

Hi, We are getting married Jan 5 and have a few table things to bring and some for the beach area. Does anyone know the ease of getting these into the country? Parasols, sea shells, sea fans, pic frames, fabric, easel for pics, glass and small glass vases for sand ceremony. Nicole has been great to work with, although we have a little ways till our wedding she has been great about getting info to us. More and more couples Im finding are finding out about Las Caletas. So excited we did too. Please give me any feedback about the customs and entering the country situations you might have encountered. Love the pics as well. For the tables we are having: on the beach in a U shape, table runners...Nicole is getting for us, sea fans along the length, white flowers down the middle, candles everywhere, blue beads and white & frosted sea shell ice, we asked all our guests to come dressed in all white, we also will be having a semi circular seating facing the beach for better viewing of the wedding, we are having between 100 - 150 guests. We opted for the CD player and are using the Mariachi band for an hour. Hoped this would enable us to have the music we all enjoyed. Fire dancers, hopefully cigar rollers if they can get that worked out. We are having them make a cake in light blue icing with seashells trickling down the cake. Dragees are being used for that. Not sure how this is working out but wanted to try a nicer cake if possible. Its hard knowing everything as we havent visited the island yet and of course this is something we've both looked forward to doing in our lives, hopefully with Nicole's help and the brides before us we can make this beautiful wedding atmosphere as romantic as we envision it. But as we all know just being with him is enough when we get down to it. Thanks for the comments and pics. So helpful.

Hi Girls, Just reading all the info makes me so excited about the wedding...okay even more so than I already am. My question is: There a few things Im bringing for the table settings and to make the wedding more personal. I wondered how it is getting things into the country? I have about 10 orange parasols, 100 white fans for guests, 20 tall sea fans for the table, seashells, picture frames with wedding pic and our couple shot, large seashells (3) to hold the ring and table arrangement, Glass w/ small glass vases to have for the Sand Ceremony, and I believe some fabric net to use around the chairs and the cake area, book area as well. That sounds like a ton of stuff but I don't think I can find those things in Puerto Vallarta. Does anyone know about getting items like this in the town there? My mother is a designer and wanted to help with the flowers but wondered if there were florist available for her to put the flowers together. Thousand questions and Nicole has been a doll to work with. Nothing like the real thing though so you brides if you have info lets share and I love seeing the pictures. Great and I'll post ours once we get them...hahaha Jan 5 isnt that far away hahahaha

Chris and Vanessa We are getting married Jan. 5, 2008 in Puerto Vallarta at Las Caletas Island. We are soooooooooooo excited. Would love feedback from those who have gone before us.