Andi

Quote: Originally Posted by BachataBride Oh....I had an epiphany last night while watching Shawn....her face reminds me of miss piggy!!!! She has a cute upturn nose & round cheeks!! Does anyone else see this?? Or am I crazy!! LOL I guess I never noticed that but I am not really a Shawn fan at all! Something about her just drives me crazy! I am rooting for Melissa...she is just so darn cute!

Quote: Originally Posted by jenniebey Great review Andi! I've totally been checking out Casa Velas now. It looks amazing. Not being by the beach would be my biggest concern, but now that I think about it, every time we do a beach vacation it seems we spend so much time at the pool instead of the beach! I agree! and actually at Casa Velas you get the pool that is there plus the pool by the beach! You really can't go wrong

Quote: Originally Posted by Erika J Andi -- Great review> I wish I was there right now. PS--- Picof you napping!! so cute LOL!! Ha! I didn't think it was too funny! I didn't even know my lovely DH took that until way later in the day! Quote: Originally Posted by Jess Andi thanks so much for the review!!! I think you made us make up our mind on this place for our honeymoon - so thank you Jess...Casa Velas was amazing! If you do decide to go there, trust me you won't be disappointed! let me know if you have any other questions!

Everything looks great! HAVE A AWESOME TIME!

Ok, so even though we got married at Las Caletas, when I was planning to stay at the Vallarta Palace, I couldn't find too much info on here....so I hope I can help with some insight to the hotel. I have to start by saying that our expectations were really high for the Vallarta Palace. I should also note that when DH and I decided on a DW we pretty much knew we wanted to stay at a palace resort. We had vacationed at the Cancun Palace a couple of years ago (just after it had re-opened after remodeling) and it was AMAZING. so because of that experience we really wanted to stay at a Palace resort. Overall the Vallarta Palace was really nice. We had no problems checking in...DH couldn't wait for them to bring us the cold towels and champagne upon arrival...he was very concerned that each of our guests got the champagne! The room was really nice...a bit on the small side, but really we weren't in there much. The pull out liquor dispenser was a hit with all of our guests! full size bottles of jose, jack, bacardi and some kind of vodka...put a glass up and dispense it right out! that is something that all Palace hotels have I think and it was great (even though we only used it a couple of times) The pool is really big! we had no problems getting a chair, even for our large group of about 25...we always seemed to find chairs very close to one another. One thing to note on the pool...there is not a swim up bar...that was kind of a bummer (I did know this prior to arrival) but it really was a bummer.... The restaurants are nice and overall the food very good...my favorite was always the guacamole and eggs at breakfast! also be sure to go to the Japanese restaurante for dinner. I think that was the best dinner we had. They do require that men wear slacks at that restaurant and we did have to send a couple of our guys up to change out of their shorts. no biggie though. At the bars...they tend to keep the name brands Crown, Jack, absolut, etc. under the bar and you have to ask for the good stuff just ask though...it is no biggie! they say that tips are included in the room price, however we found if you just tip (a dollar for every couple ofdrinks or so) the staff is very appreciative. Also too we just felt weird eating and leaving and not tipping for service! We did work with the wedding coordinator Lorena for our welcome dinner that we had the night before the wedding. I didn't have too much correspondence with her before because it was just a simple dinner we had booked. I must say that girl is BUSY! we saw her running around the hotel showing people around and such a lot! the welcome dinner we had was set up at the Triton Pool Terrace....it was nice. So if Lorena doesn't respond to an email right away...she is probably literally running around the hotel! she was very nice and easy to work with overall. We did have 6 guests that we had to pay extra for (because they were staying at other hotels) at the welcome dinner. No big deal...I knew going into it that they would be very strict with the outside guests and the times that they were actually allowed in...they were allowed in from 6:45 -9:00. well our guests showed up at about 6:35, they wouldn't let them in. Actually we laughed about it (with our guests too) later and how they were banned. then come 9:00...boy, the guards were ready to kick the outsiders out! we had planned on leaving right at 9:00 and heading downtown with some of our guests (including all of the outsiders). come 9:05 I could see the guards getting antsy...I just walked up to them and told them we were actively working on getting everyone together to leave and we would be gone shortly. they seemed fine with that and it really wasn't a big deal at all...like I said I knew they were pretty strict with the outside guests. Overall I think I would book the Palace again for our group. It was nice and most of our guests had never been to an all inclusive...so for them especially they were blown away! The staff overall was very nice and really we had no complaints (other than no swim up bar ) Any questions...just ask! DH standing on our balcony...great view! our room...yes he was working the first day we got there...ugh! the pools, oh and just to the right of the pool where the small round tables are...that is where our welcome dinner was set up! it really is so pretty the wedding chapel - as looked at from the beach The spa -as looked at from the beach

Quote: Originally Posted by H&F Yeah Andi! Thanks so much for posting. I loved reading your posts while you were down in PV during your wedding week and honeymoon. I really appreciated all that you did while you were down there. I'm so glad you had a great honeymoon and CONGRATULATIONS on your marriage!!! aww thanks! I hope that my quick posts about the swine craziness helped maybe a few brides.... I saw your post on the honeymoon thread about what this swine stuff is doing to the the tourism numbers in Mexico...good for you and being proud of your DW! I am sure it will be amazing!!!!!! Seriously though, we were totally fine down in Mexico during the swine stuff!

hey honeymoon seekers! my review of casa velas is up! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t42804

Pool at Casa Velas...oops I mean the pool is in the back the little koi pond is in the front! Nap time at the pool...that was great! Lobby Entrance to Casa Velas Cabanas on the beach This guy visited us at the pool at Casa Velas one day...he lives in the golf course...after a swim in the pool he made his way back home! Ahhhh...don't these look just delicious? they were ok, that is it... any questions, just ask me!

Sorry Mods...I couldn't decide if this should be in the PV section or Review section? So please move it if it is in the wrong place! We stayed at the Casa Velas for 5 nights…was suppose to be 4 but I will tell you about that in a bit! So DH and I stayed in a Grand Class Suite with a plunge pool…it was AMAZING! We got in on their special promotion (I think they still have it going on their website) stay 3 nights get 1 free. After being at the Vallarta Palace with our family for 4 days we were more than ready for some quiet relaxing time! Casa Velas was PERFECT! It is such a pretty pretty place…the staff is MORE than accommodating and the hotel itself is just so QUIET. We were there during the Swine freak out time…but honestly I think that whole thing worked in our favor because we practically had the entire hotel to ourselves! There are 80 rooms at the hotel and I think that we saw the same 10 couples everyday…our best guess was that MAYBE 15 rooms were occupied for the entire 5 days that we were there! Ok so the room…perfect…so pretty…the plunge pool was cool. Stocked fridge with waters, beer and a small snack cabinet…all part of the all inclusive package! Also on the all inclusive…it is the way to go! It was kind of weird though because every time we were eating we had to sign a bill to our room but as they told us when we checked in, it was all zeroed out by the time we checked out! sorry don't mind the clothes and my DH in this pic! our plunge pool So there really is only one restaurant at Casa Velas, Emiliano. It served breakfast, lunch and dinner…the breakfast was AMAZING! DH and I really enjoyed the Huevos Rancheros and Machaca. We never at lunch there and dinner just once…but that was good too! this is our view of the pool while eating breakfast every morning So maybe I live under a rock...but this is the purse stand that the staff would bring over every time for my purse so i didn't have to put it in a chair or on the ground! I just thought this was COOL! As part of the Casa Velas package, all guests can go to the sister property Velas Vallarta, the bigger more traditional resort and enjoy any of the amenities there such as restaurants, pool, etc. DH and I did walk there one day (about a 5 minute walk down the beach from the beach club). We walked around and checked it out…got a drink (which by the way the drinks were way better at Casa)and left. We had our Casa Velas wrist band and had no problems walking around the property…the staff there was very nice too. Velas Vallarta My DH and I at the Velas Vallarta Ok so our biggest decision everyday was Pool or Beach Club? The Casa Velas Beach Club is AWESOME! When I booked Casa, the one thing that really turned me off was that the property is not on the beach. It is on a golf course…which is VERY nice. Well so Casa Velas has a Beach Club which literally is a Beach House! It is right next to the Marriott. So you can take a shuttle over to the beach club at any time you want…it is about a 3 minute drive at most! There is a restaurant there that serves lunch and dinner. We had sushi almost every day for lunch…with French fries! DH LOVED IT! There are chairs by the pool or little cabanas down on the beach…tell you what…make sure you take a nap in the cabana on the beach, I did that almost daily too! They have a beach side dinner…you have to make a reservation, which is not a big deal though. So we made a reservation for one night and then um well we had too many drinks by the pool that afternoon and totally passed out and missed our reservation…oops! So sadly we never enjoyed a dinner on the beach, oh well I guess that gives us a reason to go back! Beach Club Looking at the Beach club from the beach So yeah…we were booked for 4 nights…we were having so much fun we didn’t want to go home so we stayed one extra night! We lucked out on changing our flight too, thanks to the swine…the airline was waiving all change fees for travelers to mexico or with reservations for Mexico…the reservations guy totally was laughing at us when we called to stay an extra day! He said we were the only ones who had that request! So if you are thinking about Casa Velas…book it! BUT I will say…we were glad we didn’t have our entire group stay there for the wedding portion…it would have been just too quiet of a place for all of our guests. For the honeymoon though…PERFECT! Also, I pretty much had to beg DH to let me book Casa Velas for our “honeymoonâ€. He wanted to stay at the Vallarta Palace…I knew we would want a change. 30 minutes into our stay at Casa…DH told me he was so glad we changed hotels! A few more pics coming...

AWESOME! We loved the Vallarta Palace too! We didn't get married there but had our group stay there...actually, I am working on my review tonight...with a few pics!

oh Susan....my "bachelorette/bachelor" watching buddy I KNEW you would have a post on her today! ok...I was really MAD the way the last one ended with Melissa, but I think I am over that now and will be watching tonight!

Quote: Originally Posted by Mel&B Hi Jess, I'm not sure how long you are staying with your guests at Dreams, but you guys might be exhausted by the time you get to your honeymoon! I was on such a high during the week before my wedding- I barely slept all week. By the time we got to our honeymoon, we desperately needed to relax. OMG Mel I totally second that! we were on the go NON stop with LITTLE sleep even after our wedding...basically we were running around the entire time we had guests with us because we wanted to be with them (I mean they did pay a lot to be with us on our special day!) By the time we moved to Casa Velas we were LAZY! One of the reasons we chose casa velas was because it was closer to town and we only went to town once for about 2 hours! Other than that we RELAXED by the pool oh and drank too!

oh no! REST, REST, REST! I know that might be difficult with the wedding so close! Try not to stress too much about it either...that will just make it worse! Feel better soon!

Quote: Originally Posted by amandalsu Is anyone familiar with the Four Seasons Punta Mita? We will be staying 7 days at Villa Celeste in Conchas Chinas and thought about heading up to that area for a change of scenery for the honeymoon. I read somewhere it was the top resort in Mexico but you can't believe everything you read. By the way, I just got back from PV and the trip was great. Some things were closed or would close early but we got great deals on all the things we did do (like 30% off Vallarta Adventures). We were at a villa so we had a cook for two of the meals and didn't have to worry about finding a place still open for dinner. We enjoyed the lack of crowds and no one got sick (with the exception of several hangovers) from the trip. I had heard the Riu closed 2 of the hotels because of the cancellations. Sorry that messed up your honeymoon some. Hopefully you still found a way to enjoy it. Hi Amanda, We never actually made it to the Four Seasons but when we were on our honeymoon at the Casa Velas there was another couple that we were chatting with at the pool who had taken a day trip to the Four Seasons to check it out. Actually from what they told us they were not impressed with it...yes it was nice but VERY over priced. they shared with us that they had lunch there that was a hambuger they split, fries and 2 drinks...just that cost them $80USD! For me, that would not be worth it! that is just my 2 cents on that Also...I know...again, I am a HUGE SLACKER! I have a Casa Velas review coming tonight with pics! I got too busy to do it last week/weekend...but tonight it is on the agenda!

Quote: Originally Posted by jmb0902 Andi-- what font is the cursive one? Thanks! Quote: Originally Posted by Anna83 I think it is Blackjack. Yep! Blackjack

Hey...I just wanted to share this...I really have never looked at this site and the "real weddings" so I don't know much about it...anyway, came across some more LC pics! The Knot - My Real Wedding - Las Caletas Wedding - Photo

oooooh I thought the finale was so good! My guess is that they are both gone, I have heard those rumors too about how they both wanted off the show! I noticed that the patient was George right after Meredith drilled into his head...I said to my DH "Oh that is the other Dr. guy!!!" DH didn't believe me either so we rewinded and when the patient grabs Meredith's hand during that part you can tell by the eyes that it was George! I thought it just a good episode! Dang it...now we have to wait all summer for another new one! ugh!

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR Wait until you're about to celebrate your 2 year anniversary and STILL talk about the destination wedding planning site you're still on daily. See what kind of looks you get then! lol that is funny! I am sure you get some odd looks!

Quote: Originally Posted by Mel&B Yeah, I'm waiting for all of my guests to upload their photos to our photoshare account and then I'm going to make slideshow. I don't have any pro pics yet, except for this teaser, Evrim Icoz Photography - Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington and Destination Wedding and Portrait Photographer sorry I am hijacking too! Mel your teaser is great! Can't wait to see more...are you just DYING to see pics? we too haven't had really any of our guests share their pics with us yet on photoshare and all we have is a pro teaser!!!! I am going crazy!!!!!!! Just wanted to know how you are getting through the wait!!!! ok...sorry for the talk off topic...now,

Quote: Originally Posted by bca33 I completely agree. My friends just look at me odd when I talk about the forum and everyone in it. I think your right that they just cant comprehend it! Just wanted to let everyone know I did purchase a starfish and will be leaving it there for whoever is next!!! Yep.. I think my guests thought I was crazy when I tried to explain the BDW to them... They just kept asking me how I was able to so easily plan everything for Mexico from the US....i would say BDW! and then I just repeatedly got this blank stare from them... I guess they will never understand! that is super awesome of you to have purchased another starfish!

your pics are beautiful! welcome back and congrats Mrs.!

AWESOME! i have been looking for a good ring cleaner...what should i get though? the $24.99 kit? Something New Jewelry Cleaner

how fun!!!! you are so close!!!!! have an awesome time!

Jess, Casa Velas was AWESOME!!!!! I do have a full review coming here maybe today or tomorrow with pics....I am a slacker i know... but yeah...we liked it SO much we stayed an extra day and I still wasn't ready to come home!!!!! I will let you know when my complete review is up of it! but yeah....it was AMAZING!

Oh Geez Jaime! As if you need this now! sorry hun, I am NO help on what it might be...but I will cross my fingers for you tonight that this crappy rash goes away asap!