jdrewett

Congrats and welcome! This website is a lifesaver. I chose Playa Fiesta in Puerto Vallarta within a month of being on this site. I did not know where to start at all. Good luck!

Congrats! Welcome to the forum!

Congrats! Welcome to the forum! You will find so many great resources here!

Ryan and I have been dating since 2003. We had broke up a couple times and dated long distance a few times. Our school and jobs had taken us in different directions. I had moved to California to begin my career last August, while Ryan finished school in Texas. When I came back to visit for Christmas, I arrived on Christmas Eve. I planned to meet my mom and Ryan at the airport, change, then go to my grandparents for our traditional Christmas Eve night. The entire day while traveling, I had called my sisters, my mom, Ryan, but everything seemed normal. After a long day of traveling, I got off the plane and started aimlessly following the crowd trying to find baggage claim. I was looking up, when someone stepped in front of me...it was Ryan...in a suit...with flowers. I was shock but it didn't register he was behind the security line. I said "oh, hi baby" and gave him a hug. For a second, I just thought he was dressed up for Christmas and had the flowers to welcome me back. Then it hit me, I said "wait, how did you get back here?" I don't even remember what he said or what was going on around me, but he got down on his knee. All I remember is him saying "I love you so much. Will you marry me Jess?" I said yes, of course, and we exchanged a few hugs and kisses. As we made our way to baggage claim, I was crying and kept staring at the ring. Then I started asking questions, how did you get back here? Right before we went through the doors for baggage claim, I hesitated and it hit me...who else is here? I quickly tried to wipe my eyes and fix my hair because I had a feeling there were other people waiting. We walked out and both of our immediate families were there! My sister had a camera and apparently had been following us the entire time. My dog flew home with me, so her crate came out with one of the airline crew members shortly after. It was so great to have her there for the occasion too! I started texting and calling people in the car and we watched the video when we got to my grandparents house. That was last Christmas. Almost a year later, we are finally going on our site visit to Mexico before our trip home to Texas. It wasn't how I ever imagined being proposed to, but it took a lot of time and effort for Ryan to organize everything. I love how unique and thoughtful it was! I expected he would propose sometime in the year (probably after he finished school and moved to California), but had no idea how or when. I love him so much!!!

SO pretty! Great job!

I vote for putting the info on the website too. Then your guests can see the rest of the information/photos and start to get really excited!

How adorable!! I love the RSVP boarding passes too! How long did it take to design/order them? What did you do for your save the dates?

Alison Hotchkiss has a book for Destination Wedding Planning. There is a whole section on the site visit. Check it out: Destination Wedding Planner: The Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding from Afar $19.95 : Chronicle Books I love it!

Quote: Originally Posted by kate.com Oh yeah! I prob disabled it. I will un disable it for you:) Yay!!! : )

Quote: Originally Posted by kate.com Hi Elizabeth!!! I just remembered that I have to email you back:) = Shreets there is a Walmart and a Costco. It was very reasonable to take a cab- he even waited for us while we shopped. We stuck to snacks but some of the suites do have kitchens. Jessica- you can check out our website and copy and paste anything you'd like... the other Kate and I did this when we were making ours:) Wedding Website - Kate & Bill Thanks Kate! How do I get to your Playa Fiesta info? I only see your AHR info. I have been copying a lot of info from www.maraandchris.com too. Shh! : )

Quote: Originally Posted by shreets Thanks ladies. I emailed Blaire last week, and haven't heard from her since. I'll probably send her another email sometime later this week. Jessica - when are you doing your site visit? where are you staying? I'm debating the site visit. Kate - you mentioned you didn't do a site visit and everything looks like it turned out perfectly. My biggest issue at the moment - is figuring out how to ask extended family / friends if they'll be able to come so early. The wedding wouldn't be for another yearish......I guess this is where the save the date's come in handy. We are going next month for our site visit...mainly as an excuse to getaway. : ) I do site visits for the resort I work at. From my experience, they are helpful, but certainly not necessary. I work with many brides who don't come to the property until they check in for their wedding. We are also having our ceremony in a church, so we are mainly using the site visit to narrow down the church details. There is not much info online, so we would rather secure that part in person. Also, since we will have our deposit in by then, Adam and Lindsay are taking care of our room!! Can't turn that down! Depending on the season and availability, some properties can offer discounts and comp stays for a site visit. We are booking for next November. We just asked our friends and family if they would be willing to come and told them different dates we were looking at. Like Mel said, some will tell you right away they would come, some will not commit right away. We made an excel sheet with a rough guest list and started putting yes, no, and maybe by each name. Regarding emails and responses, just be patient. I know it's hard sometimes, especially when we are excited about making progress on wedding planning. Keep in mind they are juggling quite a bit as hotel owners. Not only did they just reopen from the rainy season, but they probably have wedding groups and hotel guests in house, hundreds of emails, phone calls, etc. I always feel bad when brides get frustrated emailing me, but in busy season, I truly am out of the office quite a bit focusing my time and attention on the current events. Blaire, Lindsay and Adam have all been great so far. I know they email me as quick as they can and sometimes scheduling a phone call can be better too. I love this board because its a great place for answers in the meantime. : ) Hope this is helpful! I have made some progress on our wedding website, but still more to do before I post it. We also sent our custom passport covers from etsy to our wedding party this week to ask them to be a part of our wedding. I took some pics. I'll get around to starting a planning thread or something to share our projects.

Yes, Blaire was emailing me first then put me in touch with Adam and Lindsay.

Congrats Magalie!! That's exciting. We are getting close to booking. We were going to wait until our site next month, but you girls have reaffirmed our decision. Jenniebey-Your day is almost here! Can't wait to see pics! Monty Crysto- Welcome and congrats! Mel and Kate- You girls are the best! I'm so happy you are still sticking around to give us great advice. Thanks!

Quote: Originally Posted by shreets Hi ladies, Can I just tell you, that you are all so wonderful. I just spent the entire evening reading through these postings. We're planning on an oct / nov 2010 wedding at PF as well. But - we're still deciding if its in our budget and our guests budget. The pictures are amazing - and it seems so perfect for what we want. It seems like Lindsey is pretty flexible in working with you. We're going to be having some vegetarians there - so I want to make sure that we can work with that. One clarification regarding the open bar on the wedding night - is it an additional cost (even if you don't go with premium)? or is it part of the room cost? I'm sure I'll have more questions soon! Thanks again for sharing! I'm hoping to be a PF bride too! Don't worry, I'm going to have a couple vegetarians too. Both of my sisters are vegetarians. I'll keep you updated on the choices. Yes, the open bar on the wedding night is an open cost. I am in the beginning stages of booking, so I will have many questions too. Good luck! I think it is the best choice! We are going to book soon!

Let's see some pictures! : )

Can't wait to see them! Please post pics.

Don't worry, this site will guide you through everything you need to know. I was in your same situation! My fiance and I have been dating for about 7 years. We were engaged last year. I did ZERO wedding planning until this month. With the help of the girls and information on the forums, it will all come together pretty easy. First, you should narrow down the general details....a few places and a few dates. Once you secure the place and date, you can send out the STDs and start shopping for all the fun stuff. You have plenty of time, so don't stress. : )

Thanks girls!

Good to know. I thought a shuttle would save money. How would you organize that many taxis for the drop off/pick up? Would it just take a bit longer?

I am not a L of G bride, but we are still looking at churches in PV. Good luck! Let us know how everything turns out!

We are hoping to have our catholic ceremony in Puerto Vallarta. I found a few churches, but haven't started contacting any yet. Our Lady of Guadalupe is too big for us. Let me know if you girls have any suggestions. I also have no idea where to start as far as paperwork and making it legal.

Here are the passport covers I ordered. She custom made 4 senoritas and 4 senors for our wedding party. They shipped out today. So excited! Can't wait to see what else I can find. Keep them coming! Recycled Plastic Passport Cover Blue by OfLandAndSea on Etsy I'm also interested in the "fake" flowers since this site too.

Quote: Originally Posted by Ashleykmorgan I am actually doing this as well. We just got married last week in Mexico with about 30 guests, but one of my grandmothers and quite a few aunts and uncles were not there, so about one hour before our At Home Reception begins we are having a vow renewal for just family and close friends in the garden outside of the venue. We are using our pastor. Most pastors have a special vow renewal ceremony already prepared for use. We are going to recite the vows we wrote for eachother. I am going to wear my dress again. After this little ceremony we are going to have a champagne toast at the site and have photographer snap some family pictures. Basically, try and make it feel like a real wedding for those who couldn't or woudln't come to Mexico. Yay! This is almost exactly what we are planning to do. My fiance's grandmother is not going to be able to make it to Mexico, so we want to do something special to include her when we get back. We are going to do a renewal of vows in the smaller chapel with our priest before our AHR.

Amazing!! I'm going to check Ebay more often! Congrats!

Great job!! So cute!! I ordered some handmade passport covers from etsy, but I think I will do a little tequila and shot glass to get them in the mood too!