DB2B

Mmmm... I must be hungry! Can't wait to check it out when we go down next week!! Finding something while you're there definitely sounds like the way to go - we're going to try to eat as many places as possible and this place sounds like it should top the list! Abbie - did you stay at the Los Arcos? Nicole, with Las Caletas, suggested it as a possible hotel, but the reviews on Trip Advisor were less than stellar...is it nice?

Hi Selene, I'm planning a wedding for November 2009 in PV and we're just starting to make decisions, so I can't give you any set in stone numbers. What I've found is that it ranges a lot - you can spend as much as the average US wedding, or a lot less, it mostly depends on where you want to have it and how detailed you get (and how many people come!) I haven't looked at the Mayan Palace or at Casa Valerie, but what I know (and what some of the planners have told me) about Villas is that they generally are more expensive. Partly because you need to bring in more furniture/tables/chairs, etc. and partly because most owners charge a higher fee for a wedding. If you want to stay there as well, there's usually a 3-5 night minimum, so it's definitely something to factor into your budget. The weddings often look gorgeous though! Hacienda San Angel is actually a boutique hotel. THe rooms are pretty pricey, but you can just use the venue. They charge a usage fee and then have rates for the bar, menus, etc. I've been in contact (e-mail) with Janice, and she says that they're willing to work with outside planners, if you're using one. If you want to pm me, I'll send you more detailed information from the e-mail she sent me Hope that helps a little.

Hi momb! I looked into Le Kliff for our wedding, but haven't been there. We're headed to PV in November for our scouting trip. It's lower on our list of possible sites, mainly because a couple of the wedding planners I spoke to mentioned it is rather expensive per person for the reception and suggested alternatives. It looks gorgeous though! And the owner seems really nice! Let us know if you decide to go with them.

Hi Colleen! We haven't made a final decision yet. We're getting married in November 2009, so we're making a scouting trip this November. I really love the idea of Sayulita, but after discussing it with my Mr., we're leaning more towards something in town. We're looking at staying at the Buenaventura Grand and Villa Premiere, since they're within walking distance of downtown and our group likes to go out. So we're thinking of possibly doing the wedding at one of those hotels, or somewhere offsite like Las Caletas or a restaurant. I like the Botanical Gardens too, but it's a bit further out. Which is a long way of saying, all options are still open! We're thinking of Sayulita maybe as a honeymoon area and keeping the wedding closer to the action of Puerto Vallarta, but we've never been down there. I think once we've seen everything in person we'll have a better idea of what suits us. I had to count out Villa Amor, though, because I read that it has some steep hills/stairs and we have some older folks and possibly kids that might have difficulty maneuvering Have you been looking anywhere other than Villa Amor? I think I looked at Costa Azul and Playa Escondida as well as a few places up in San Francisco (I think the Hotel Cielo Rojo and I really loved Casa Obelisco in San Pancho, though I don't know if they do weddings). It's hard to balance ease of flying in and getting there with the romantic getaway. I'd love to hear what you're looking at though!

I'm so sorry to hear that! I hope your insurance covers it. Now i think I shoudl be more careful of flinging my hands about. I hope it works out - keep us posted!

Gorgeous! I love the layers, it's so chic! Congrats!

Does anyone know if the Buenaventura Grand corresponds via e-mail? I tried using the address listed on the website but it was returned as a failed delivery. Do I have to call them to find out details (I tend to be phone-phobic...)??

Thanks for posting that! I think I was the one asking about Sayulita - it looks beautiful!

Rosa - if you could post pictures when you get back, that would be terrific! There are soooo many hotels in PV, it's impossible for me to choose one sight unseen. We're going to head down in November around Veterans day (when Rosa's getting married!) to scout out officially, and I'd like to check out both of these properties. We may have some kids, so if they're neighboring it woudl be really convenient and give our guests a range of price points without completely stretching everyone out...

I agree. I think your wedding is about surrounding yourself with the people you care the most about, regardless of whether it is consistent with conventional ceremony or not. So you should do what makes you happy! Of course, I'm biased - I have a best man too! He's my best bud (and former roomie) from college, and there was no question. He doesn't care what he wears, but I've promised him the grandest butt-bow of all!

Thanks for the info everyone! Very helpful! I think we'll just have to head down there and check it out for ourself. YOu all make it sound lovely, but i have to admit, we (and our group) will probably be less hippy/more yuppy, so maybe we should stay in PV and take a group trip to Sayulita... Still, I'm looking forward to visiting in November - then I can see what everyone is talking about!

I'm in favor of the fake flower for all the reasons listed above. I was pro au-naturale but I changed my mind. Not for practical reasons people have listed, but because I want one of these flowers! I love them, and I'm hoping I can wear one with my dress without style-clashing. Plus, it's a little tough to find an appropriate venue to wear your wedding dress over and over (if anyone has any ideas though, let me in on them!), but I can wear this forever! Just my 2cents! Will you post a picture of what you decide on!

Wow! Thanks guys! I live in the DC area, and I did find a place that carries this designer (though not the whole line), so I'm going to ask which dresses they carry. Then I'll go in and try it on. I'm a little apprehensive - I know this is a style that suits, if the bottom isn't toooo voluminous, but there's always that chance otherwise! And on the flip side, if I love it, it'll be hard to leave behind! But it's a chance I"ll have to take. You guys are so nice! I no longer feel depressed - where there's a will, there's a way and if nothing else, this will be excellent inspiration! Still, perhaps we should hope I look like a befuddled elephant in it -- it would solve a lot of problems! *petals* - Thanks for looking! I tried to search, but clearly used the wrong terms. Can you tell me where the first picture (all white) is from? I can't quite make it out on the picture, but it looks similar! becks - I agree, I was thinking I could look around until I noticed the 09 collection part - I'm not getting married until November, but I think there's still a slim chance of finding it elsewhere. Typical - I always fall in love with the $500 shoes and the hard to find dress! carly - thanks for nabbing the pic! You must be so tech savvy - it wouldn't let me grab anything! kerryjbrown - thanks for the tip! I live on the east coast, but I'm from OR and will be heading back this fall... perhaps this necessitates a visit to my Cali friends!

This has been a topic of discussion in our house. Currently I share a last name with a certain quarterback of the NE Patriots, as well as a 70's tv family (not to mention the EXACT same name as a soap opera character!), so it would be nice to have a name with no pop culture references. That said, I would like to hyphenate. Maybe I'm just lazy, but really, my name (nickname that I go by) is Sam... and my FI's last name rhymes. Sam Pham. Yet another source of comedic interpretation! I figure it's a game time decision...

Does anyone have any designer (or dress) suggestions? I've been poking around looking at gowns (the fun part!) but have been discouraged because most of the dresses I see are not my style. The poofy princess dresses, while gorgeous on other girls, don't seem to fit me, style wise. I've been looking at sheaths, but have yet to be inspired... ...until I saw Rosa Clara's '09 collection --- I love love love the Lau dress (Sorry, it won't let me copy the picture and I can't find it anywhere else -- if you want to see it, enter the site, go to "Rosa Clara" [the second choice down] and click see models). It is exactly what I want! Even though it's strapless! It has an obi-like sash/train, which is perfect since I'm half Japanese and spent a year in Japan - kind of ties in my heritage. And more importantly, it's gorgeous. It's also in the multiple thousands of dollars -- as in over $5k I think. I really love her design aesthetic (I love the Lak style as well), but haven't seen anything similar. I have plenty of time to look, but I'm a little deflated right now. I guess I could try to have a seamstress replicate it (in something a little lighter than silk brocade!) but I would think I should try it on first to be sure... Does anyone have any suggestions? Or has seen a similar designer somewhere? I hope!

I've been trying to narrow down the options for our DW (our initial plan of Hawaii proved SPEN-DEE!), and I think the PV area is what I'm looking for. Does anyone have any info or (even better!) pictures of Villa Amor in Sayulita? Or any info on the area around Yelapa (south of PV)? Sayulita seems to be what we - or I - am looking for: I want to have a relatively simple party, basically. We're inviting about 100 people, figuring 50-75 will come, and we really just want to have a really relaxed, fun time. I'm not really big into the resort scene, but am looking into renting a villa for at least my part of the wedding party, so we have a house where people can come and chillax during the day. Location wise, I don't want to be in a real touristy strip, but would like to feel like we're in Mexico - for reference, I hate Waikiki in Hawaii; we have a lot of family there, so we go where the locals go and I enjoy it a lot more. I'd like the area we're in to be walkable - we have a wide range of people coming though, and I don't know how accessible taxis are (for the older folks). Basically, I don't want to dictate where everyone stays, but I'd like everyone to feel close. And that way we can walk to dinner, drinks, etc. as a group. As for the wedding, I figure wherever it is, provided the bar is good, people will have a good time! I'm not too concerned with flowers or details, so I figure I can work that out wherever we decide. Am I asking too much?? Is it possible to put this all together?!

That view is gorgeous! I was looking at CasaMagna as a possibility for our wedding, but I was hoping to stay somewhere within walking distance of the city - for the non-wedding days. Does anyone know if it's a pain getting back and forth?

Congratulations! Pro photo or not, you both look stunning - and I love your flowers! Can't wait to see the rest of the pictures - it looks like a great time!

I have to agree that hot, humid weddings are no fun for guests in formal dress - we've been to two outdoor weddings in the past two weeks (in DC) and it was extremely uncomfortable - especially for the poor guys in suits. I'm guessing the humidity is probably worse in Mexico, but that said, everyone enjoyed themselves regardless. It's a wedding! It would definitely have been better if we could have come dressed for the heat - if your guests were prepared and able to dress coolly (no suits!), I don't think it would be too bad - that would have made our night! Maybe you can shade the area (which could help the rain contingency) and make sure there is plenty of water during the ceremony - always a plus. Any chance you can make a quick trip now, just to get an idea of the conditions? We're thinking of getting married in November (our anniversary is in July too, and I was really disappointed we couldn't do it then), and will probably make a trip to be sure it's not too muggy still.

Congratulations! Your photos turned out great - I love the style. They really seem to capture the feeling of the day. And your dress is to die for!

Hi, I'm Sam! I'll be getting hitched winter of 2009-2010, but the destination is to be determined - we're thinking either Mexico or Costa Rica...or elsewhere! I'm hoping all the advice and info on the boards here will help make the final decision. I'm looking for a place that's intimate and less commercial but still easy to get to and can accommodate both my grandparents and our friends. If anyone has any suggestions, let us know! Wherever it is, it's clear from all the experiences it'll be gorgeous! So excited!