amandalsu

We rented out a few villas in Conchas Chinas and had one group rent from Villas Patricia (you can google it) that had several different units that were more like condos and a bit cheaper. And then a couple stayed at Hotel Playa Conchas Chinas that was pretty cheap and right next door. That allowed for many price options for everyone. There were a few stragglers that stayed in hotels around PV (Westin, Dreams, Barcelo, Casa Dona Susa). All of those not stay with or near us, said they wished they had stayed closer to us because we all hung out at the pools at each other's villas and they felt like they were missing out.

We stayed at Villa Premiere for one night after the wedding before heading up the coast to Bucerias. We got the spa suite and didn't do the all inclusive. I highly recommend it but it was very pricy (the one night was almost the total we spent for a two bedroom two story villa in Bucerias for 3 nights). It came with two massages, a jacuzzi two room suite, welcome massage and drink. We did the private dinner on the point that night. It cost 150 without the all inclusive and an extra 75 if you have the all inclusive. This includes wine and gratuity. The food and service were amazing. It was so nice to be out there on the grassy point watching the sunset and then the fireworks and just spending time just the two of us reflecting back over the wedding and the week. I know Buenv. and V. Prem. share facilities and meal plans so I would recommend you check on this option if you go with Buen. It is a four course meal. We had the shrimp, salad, cheese soup, lobster, sorbet option and everything was delicious. Also, I used the spa at Villa Premiere and it was amazing but I have heard Buen. also has a great spa and at a better price.

I contracted mine through The Dazzling Details (WC) so I do not have contact info but I can give you their contact info. It was one of the best decisions I made for the wedding. We kept it a surprise and everyone love it. They are still talking about it. I did the 3 person show for 15 minutes (which I think was a lot longer) but was plenty of time. This included the fire dancer, a drummer, and they guy playing the crazy austrialian horn thing (no idea what it is called but it is really neat). I think the price was close to $600.

I love Yelapa but it is a bit rustic and remote for my preference. I love to take day trips there though. We actually went up the coast to Bucerias for our honeymoon and it was great. It is about 30-45 minutes from PV (just past Nuevo Vallarta). It is a lot less commercial than Nuevo Vallarta. Most lodging is villas and condos. There are miles of beach (with a lot less rock), a great downtown, a flea market, and plenty of great food. We also took a day trip a little further up to Sayulita (out of the bay on the Pacific). This a great hippy surf town with a laid back vibe and great beaches as well. It has less beach front lodging though. It was a much younger crowd than in Bucerias or PV. I would choose to go to either again over PV and just take day trips into PV.

I had my welcome dinner at Epoca. We had appetizers and an open bar. It was fantastic and a really good price. It was more than enough food and everyone loved the food. The ribs were out of this world. I was worried that with only appetizers, it wouldn't be enough food for everyone. I was way wrong! The food was served buffet style instead of passed which allows guests to get a lot more food. The only downside was the number of sea birds circling that dropped a few prices on two of the guests. They have the tables set under palapas but there weren't enough to cover all of our guests. I would ask for additional umbrella coverage if you have a large party. Everyone liked being on the beach but having easy access to the resturant restrooms. I have eaten at Barcelona and just to warn you it is on the 3rd and 4th floor of a building that is several blocks in from the beach and at the top of a hill. This eliminated it from our consideration because of older guests. The food there is great and we recommended it to several guest that when and ate there during the week. It is definitely pricier though.

To everyone about to leave, have a blast and remember to take a moment to stop and take it all in. Our wedding night flew by. The only day it rained was the day of the wedding. It stopped by the early afternoon but was very cloudy and super hot (no breeze that night). Even though everyone was drenched in sweat, they said it was the best wedding they had ever been to. The surprise fire dancers were a hit too. Make sure you pack sunscreen lotion, not just spray. The spray runs out way faster and will ruin your pedicure (makes it tacky so sand sticks to it). We took our laptop and it allowed us to keep in touch with those with delayed travel, the wedding coordinators, and photographer (who after the wedding, recommended some great places to eat in Bucerias and Sayulita for the honeymoon). We were also able to view some of the photos uploaded by friends during the honeymoon. And we ran into FutureMrsGriffith on the beach during our wedding photos and their trash the dress. They might even be in the background of a few of them!

That is horrible. I am so sorry you had such a bad experience. We went to look at that with Stewart from Plush catering and I was glad I had read the reviews on here about it. It is so gorgeous so I am sure your pictures look great. Now that you got your money back, you should change your review, and include the part about being blackmailed into giving a good review. Be sure to give a review on tripadvisor. So many people use that site now for reviews. We just had ours at Villa Celeste and it was nothing but wonderful. The staff was great and we went through a rental company in the US for all the villas our guest rented and for our trip last May. She handles the security deposit so no funny business.

Keep in mind most people get a little sick in Mexico no matter where you stay or what you eat. I like to call it "part of the experience". We just got back and almost everyone out of our group of 44 had some stomach issues at least one day and most (including us, had it again when we got home). It wasn't anything too serious, just a little annoying. The group stayed and ate at various places so it couldn't be attributed to any one thing. It happens everytime I go. It is better if you take acidopholus (not sure how to spell that, but it a pill with the good bacteria found in yogurt). We didn't stay at Casa Velas but it came down to a decision between that and Villa Premire for the night after the wedding.

Here is my invitations: Etsy :: Talavera Mexican Tile Pressed Wedding Invitation and RSVP My earrings: Etsy :: Lapis lazuli , Moonstone Chandelier - earrings I also bought my necklace from etsy but bought it in person so she took the listing down.

I went to PV twice last year. One time we stayed at a hotel in the hotel zone the second time at a private house in the residential section of Old Town. We felt perfectly safe in both locations and walked all over PV. There are tourist police that are assigned specifically to help tourist in the tourist areas. They will help with directions and crossing the street. Just as any other place anywhere in the world, as long as you aren't doing anything to put yourself in a dangerous position (buying/doing drugs, walking alone in the middle of the night, flashing large amounts of money, etc) you will be fine. The violence in Mexico is mostly focused on the border towns and drug routes. They really value the tourist industry there and protect it from this violence. We leave on Sunday for PV with a group of 45 friends and family. I wouldn't bring them there if I didn't feel it was safe.

Quote: Originally Posted by ~Katie~ Karen, Sammy and Amy....I feel like I've been missing out here! lol Amy why did you not tell about this thread?!! but just joining in on convo here....I said to FI about writing our own vows, to which he replied 'why?' that was enough to put me off! though he had a valid point that then he'd have to use some stuff that he wants to use in his speech, so at least we don't have that worry. And regarding reception music/playlists, we are playing an iPod rather than having a DJ and FI said to me about 6 months ago that he would sort out the music as music is his forte (his words not mine!) and 3 days ago he started it!!!!!!! I spent months nagging him about getting it sorted! but to be fair, he started it and finished it in the same night and created a playlist and put our ceremony music onto a CD so he did come good in the end! I had my hen night about 2 weeks ago now and before then I couldn't even remember the last time I'd drunk alcohol, let alone got drunk! same with FI. we both survived our hen and stag nights but it was tough! (and cheap! lol) but I definitely need to make sure I pace myself on the wedding day! happy thursday ladies amy - 3 days until I fly out!! madness!! Do you have a playlist you can share? We are struggling with this task right now.

Don't wait too long to try on dresses. I did because I kept saying I wanted to loose weight first. I was miserable trying on dresses and was very limited in what dresses I could try because most wouldn't come in on time. Trying on dresses will put your diet in high gear. I was so unhappy with the pictures of me in dresses, I went onto the HCG diet and lost 25 lbs in a month. I never stick to diets especially radical ones but looking terrible in a wedding dress was just the motivation I needed. My dress finally came in (2 weeks before I leave) and has to be taken down over 2 sizes! Moral of the story: Go try, then diet, then order but make sure you give it 6 months to come in.

I travel almost weekly for work and I use airborne in the flu and cold season. Seems to work pretty well. I suggest you use less water than recommended. Then you don't have to drink very much if you don't like the taste. Just get plenty of sleep. I tend to stay up later working when I am on the road and that wears me down.

Yay, my bridal shop just called and said my dress arrived today. I was worried about the volcano messing up the shipments so I have been pretty stressed. I obviously don't have any time for a delay. I have an appointment with the alterations person on Monday. Now lets just hope she can take it in fast enough (I lost 20 lbs since I orderd it).

So back to the spray tan thing. Be sure you don't let them talk you into the darker shade. I had a friend just get the airbrushed tan on and she looked awful. She said the 1st coat looked great and then the girl talked her into a second coat for the darker color. It has taken weeks for the spots and streaks to go away and she was pretty orange. My spray tans only look good for about 3 days in prior experience. I am going to use at home self tanner so I can control it and fix any problems while I am down there (it is also great for fixing weird tan lines or missed sunscreen spots). I will be in Mexico for 6 days before the wedding so there is no use getting a spray tan before I leave. Normally I would get in a tanning bed for an important event but I have spent the last 9 months and a crap load of money working with a dermatologist to fix my sun damage. I have spent way too much money to revert my skin back!

I am pretty much a lurker too. May 15th, Villa Celeste Puerto Vallarta. Also I totally ordered the floating beer pong table! I think I am going to surprise the FI with it (mostly because I don't want to tell him I bought something else).

A friend that previously married in Mexico recommended a good self tanner and bronzing powder to help even out any weird burns you or someone else in your party might get from not applying sunscreen correctly or from straps. And allergy medicine/cream. Sometimes people get weird reactions from the strange food/products and stress of a wedding.

Question: How many dress fittings did it take all of you to complete alterations? My dress doesn't even come in until April 26th and I leave for Mexico on May 9th. I have an appointment the day it comes in and they assure me there is plenty of time but I am very nervous. I have also lost about 20 lbs since I ordered the dress. Between that and trying to decide on songs for our different playlists, finalizing the ceremony, and drama with people trying to bring their kids to the couple shower, I am totally wiped and ready for this whole thing to be over.

I got my invitations from Etsy: Talavera Mexican Tile Pressed Wedding by LetterpressLight on Etsy[]=tags&includes[]=title Heather was great to work with and I could specify my colors.

I finally got mine ordered. I had a hard time finding something I liked. It will be in mid April so I hope the alterations aren't too extensive. It is a really good length so at least it won't have to be hemmed. Wedding Dress1.pdf

I spurred some of my guests along by reminding them flights are historically the cheapest at 90 days out. They typically increase at 60 days and again at 30 days but can go up in price at anytime. Once you hit that 60 day mark the chances of the price dropping is really slim. This got those holding out for a better price to go ahead and book. It really stinks that the flights are so expensive to PV right now. I chose it because there was a low cost Mexican airline that had direct flights from Austin to PV but they stopped service to Austin last summer once I had booked the venue and coordinator. Now with the outrageous taxes and fees the flights are over $400 a piece!

We are doing appetizers and cocktails on the beach at Epoca for ours. One of our appetizers is chips, salsa, and guacamole. We have will also shrimp, ribs, taquitos and meat filled potatoes. We are going on the recommendation of The Dazzling Details and haven't actually been to this restaurant. It had good reviews and they haven't led me wrong on any other recommendations. Kristen has all the pricing and menu information that she got recently for me.

Prices tend to be a bit higher because you have to rent the tables, chairs, linens, glassware, silverware, etc. Based on the pricing I was given, you are looking at over $100/person catering typically to account for all the rentals needed. I am sure there is a huge range of pricing and some may price out the catering and rentals seperately. Most of the villas I looked at charge one nights rental fee as an event fee. The privacy and intimacy of the villa wedding made the extra cost worth it.

Barcelo tapas has great food and a great view overlooking downtown. However you have to climb 4 flights of stairs to get to the dining area and that view. We have older guests that won't be able to handle that climb. We stayed a villa that was very near Vista Grill but it was closed when we were there due to the swine flu scare. This resturant is up in a rural area but does have a good view of all of PV. I am pretty sure they are owned by La Palapa. We ate at La Palapa and the food there was excellent. Has anyone been to Epoca? We are thinking of doing a sunset cocktail/appetizer reception there.

How long did you peel after a chemical peel? My dermatologist has recommend several for me prior to the wedding but said I can expect to peel for 3-4 days. I wanted to tell her I am not some rich house wife like she is used to seeing in her office (in the rich house wife area of town) and will have to go to work. I started using Obagi Nuderm at home that is also supposed to make me peel and come out with a new complexion. I have used it for over a week and the only thing red are the folds of my neck. I am so afraid I am going to wake up one day with half my face sloughing off and have to go to work. I also travel a lot for work so I don't want people staring at me like a freak in the airport.