AfricanVenus

You two looked absolutely adorable! Congratulations!

Alice in Wonderland = Johnny Depp

My regimen so far has been to work out 2-3 times a week for 45 minutes and eating more veggies. I cut sugar and meat out for 21 days, and it worked really well. I wasn't tired all the time and I just felt better. Weight fell off. I'm eating everything again, but I eat less and maintain the same exercise (cardio and toning only). I'm not interested in losing weight so much as I am interested in toning and strengthening. I wanted to focus on the areas of my body that were highlighted by my dress: my arms, shoulders, and upper back. It really helps to exercise with a friend. My mom and I, and another church member have been encouraging each other and it's done wonders. We can see the benefits. I would encourage all brides to have a support network, b/c you're more likely to stay on top of it. All the best to us 2011 brides. We're gonna look awesome!

When I first began looking, I had the same reaction also. I think the best thing you can do is contact a villa rental agency and have them do the legwork for you. They're pretty familiar with wedding villas and your requirements. Some of them are: Casa Bay Villas (www.casabayvillas.com: Jennifer Lawrence, the proprieter is very nice), La Punta Realty (www.lapuntarelaty.com: they take some time getting back to you, but have some nice properties), Casa Helga (www.casahelga.com: I didn't particularly care for her attitude), Casa Garza Blanca (very affordable), Vacation Rentals By Owners (www.vrbo.com: allows you to contact the owner directly), Boutique Villas (www.boutiquevillas.com). When I visited PV for the first time in 2009, I rented thru Casa Bay Villas. She has a ton of info, photos, and can direct you to planners, etc. You probably already came across Casa China Blanca, Villa Mia, and Casa Valerie. Those are the main wedding villas. Think outside PV as well. You can find villas anywhere from Sayulita to Mismaloya. I think those agencies will give you a good starting spot for $20,000. Let me know if you need any other help!

Which Grand Velas property are you looking at specifically? I'm having mine at GVV Nuevo Vallarta on June 25, 2011. I fell in love with the 3 squares. All the best and welcome!

That's funny. My fiance is not too crazy about water either. He had a near drowning as a child, so he doesn't play around in it too much. Hopefully I can help him out though. He played around a little bit when we went to Ocho Rios.

Perhaps you can make an AHR website and include the no-alcohol wedding info on there. Or, spread the word the old fashioned way and it'll get around. Then again, you don't have to say anything. People should be coming to celebrate the couple, not looking for alcohol. If they decide to show up, and there isn't any, then no big deal. Your menu items still sound appealing. If it still bugs you, just make a cute little vintage sign about there being no alcohol and make a joke out of not telling people on purpose so they'd come. Just don't sweat it is my opinion. All the best!

I'm in a bit of the same thing. I wanted a small wedding, but the few people I expected can't show on one level or another. It is a bummer, but whoever's supposed to be there will be there. If it's your dream, that's what matters.

Would you all say Linen suits are easily wrinkled? I feel like I have the hardest time trying to iron out the wrinkles. They seem comfy, but my FI is resisting linen...

I'm gonna do my usual weave and try to find a stylist that'll give me the curls I want. I'm not staying in Mexico long enough to really swim, etc. However, I've always been able to swim in weaves, if they're sew-in. Just wash normally and style as usual. The day after is my TTD, so my hair will get wet, but I'll just wash it before I leave the country and let it air dry. Salt water's no joke!

Right here: www.marweddings.com

Hi again ladies. Has anyone heard of or worked with this photographer? [Mishka, you can ignore this one :-D] She's got a great body of work, but very little is known about her. Thanks in advance!

Anyone ever heard of or worked this guy? [Did a preemptive check already]

Very pretty! Loving all these sapphires!

I have settled on a hair style for my wedding. I'm into this look with red lipstick and a real señorita flair! Just need a nice veil to top it off!

I remember this dress. It's Pronovias. I tried it on when I went dress shopping. Forget the name of the style, but it's very figure flattering. Congrats!

I'm having the same dilemma. I'm having my wedding at a hotel, but I'm not sure they'll execute my vision the way I like, so I need a day-of planner to do the set-up. I'm aiming to do a lot of DIY myself. Try these planners for size: Mishka Designs or Rocco Troyani may work...They're are a lot. Dazzling Details, Vallarta Wedds Planners, E & M Vallarta (will work with you on price), Landa Weddings (might not be cheap), Vows Vallarta, Vallarta Incredible Weddings, Vallarta Weddings By Monique, Platinum Weddings Mexico, Martoca Beach Garden, and Prisar. Just to name a few! Just compare and contrast. All the best!

1. How old are you? 26 2. At what age did you/will you get married? 26 3. Do you have children? Not yet. Give us a year and change, lol. 4. Did you think you would marry the person you are with now? Not at all. I don't mean it in a bad way either. I thought I'd marry my ex, lol. My FI thought he was marrying his ex, lol. 5. Were you ever engaged or married to someone other than the person you are with now? No ma'am...or sir? 6. Do you want a garden wedding, beach wedding, or the traditional church wedding? Beach of course. God is everywhere. 7. Where did you/will you get married? Nuevo Vallarta, MX at the Grand Velas Vallarta Resort and Spa! Whoo-hoo! 8. First dance - classic waltz, slow and sexy, or fast and spicy? Slow and sexy. I'm working on choreographing a rhumba. 9. How many guests did you/will you have? About 25. 10. Do you want/did you have an extravagant wedding or a simple wedding? Simple in some ways, but extravagant in others. Like, the ceremony and guest list are pretty simple, but the hotel and reception aren't. 11. Vows - traditional or something you make up on your own? A mix. 12. How many layers of cake did you/will you have? Not sure. The pic I sent them has 3, but I'm game for 2. Whatever brings the costs down! 13. Is/was your wedding/reception at a hotel? Yep, on the beach. Best of both worlds. 14. When did you/will you get married - sunrise, mid-day, sunset? Sunset. It's always good to be cooler on the beach in June! 15. Did you/will you have your reception outdoors or indoors? Outdoors on the beach. 16. Plan every detail down to the napkins or let someone else decide? Both. I plan, they execute. 17. How did/will the bride enter? Down the aisle on my daddy's arm. 18. Song to walk down the aisle to: "When I Found You" by BeBe Winans so far. 19. Song to make your exit: Hmm...gotta get on that one. 20. Will you/did you have a solemn ceremony or a light one? Solemn 21. At what age did you think you would get married? 24 22. Who to invite - practically everyone or a select few? Only a select few. Gotta have people who know you and will hold you accountable. 23. Wedding menu - fine dining or simply delicious? Porqué no los dos? 24. Champagne or red wine? Neither. Hate alcohol...Give the girl some juice! 25. Honeymoon right after the wedding, awhile after the wedding, or no honeymoon? Awhile after. 26. Was your/will your honeymoon be at a place special to you both or somewhere brand new to you both? Some place brand new! 27. Who will pay for the bills? Both of us. 28. Living together: Not before marriage or absolutely before marriage? Not before. Have faith in who God's chosen for you. 29. Anything else about marriage you'd like to say? It's forever.

I concur. I really miss being able to just go to a new review.

Quote:Originally Posted by moemarx Sorry Ladies...This is the first time I'm posting an image so it took me a couple of tries LOL.

Great ring lady!

I'd love to know what you've found as well. The only places I can think of are Todo a Mano (www.todoamano.com.mx) and Martoca Garden in Bucerias (can easily Google). I've tried asking local wedding planners for some vendors, but they get all cagey. Big headache! Hope you find something useful.

I have a similar issue that I'm praying about (soooo not to draw attention to me, but I figured if someone already started a thread...). I've had my hairdresser since I was like 20 (I'm 26 now). I've followed her to 3 salons, but luckily, the price hasn't changed too drastically. People always compliment my hair and ask who did it. I tell them all about her and how awesome she is at what she does. She's really very good. A lot of the people I told her about started going to her and some of them are from my church. Anyways, I was on vacay and my mom called me to shoot the breeze. She tells me that a close church member informed her that a bunch of people in the salon were talking ish about me. The church member was shocked and tried to defend me. However, it appears my hairdresser was in on the bashing. I was shocked and a bit hurt, but I tried to understand that sometimes haridressers just play that role because gossip lives in a salon. Still, it bugged me and I don't know what to do. I've been toying with the idea of moving on for a little while, because I've found another place that does the style I like for much cheaper. It's a bit of a drive, but I do my hair every 3-4 months, so it's no biggie. I don't think the drive even exceeds what I pay to get my hair done: $260 every 3-4 months, plus some minor maintenance in between. With wedding planning, that's hefty for me right now. I've been keeping an eye on this other salon to hear reviews and such. So far so good. I'm wondering should I move on, confront my hairdresser (highly unlikely), or just stay? What would you all do?

I would love to hear some ideas myself!

I'm anxiously awaiting AshleyMichelle's review also!