Branya2012

Originally Posted by DarlingD 

 

Has any bride who stayed at the Barcelo hotel resort used their hair/makeup services for their bridal party? Since Las Caletas only allows 5 girls max (including bride) to go early I have about an additional 6 girls that will need to get ready at the hotel? Any advice?

We stayed at the Barcelo PV and my husband's cousin got her hair done at the salon there before the wedding, however, she said that she would have rather not paid to get her hair done because the boat ride was pretty windy. Her hair still looked nice and she was happy with it after the salon, but she wasn't happy with it after the windy boat ride. Just something to keep in mind! Also, the salon was apparently very busy when we were there (early December), so if you are going to arrange appointments for the day of your wedding, I would try to set an appointment before you go and then confirm it when you get there.

Originally Posted by cbsallee 

 

Hi Ladies, 

 

We just booked our DW with Las Calitas and I'm very excited but also realize I have so many questions! I can't believe I did this without actually visiting the site ... I have a couple worries (being that I made an impulse decision after seeing the pics but it usually takes me forever to make big decisions like this) - hoping past Las Calitas brides can answer. 

 

The bathrooms - Are these clean? I have read some reviews saying they were only lit by candle light, was this ever a problem? 

 

The boat - Did any guests get sea sick? 

 

Shoes - Did you wear shoes or flip flops or go barefoot? 

 

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Super exciting, congratulations!!

I only used the bathrooms by the dance floor/reception area once. They were only lit by candle light but seemed clean to me. The candles were a bit intimidating because I hauled my dress up to pee, but I didn't catch on fire so it was all good! Some of our guests complained because the washrooms were a bit of a walk to get to, but in my opinion it was hardly a walk at all and it was nice to have the pathway lit with candles. It added to the ambience!

I don't think anyone from our group got sea sick on the boat ride to or from the island...

I wore strappy flat sandals (there's a picture of them on here somewhere...). The sand was so nice on the beach, very fine and nice on the feet. My husband wore slip on sandals but took them off when we did pictures.  We did pictures before the ceremony, which brings me to my next response...

Originally Posted by kime

 

I am tentatively planning my wedding at Las Caletas for Nov. 2014. Super excited! Just a question for any brides who had the grooms come out early for pictures. What type of boat did they bring them on? It took me a while to convince my FI to come early with his groomsmen so that we can get some pictures before the ceremony as there will be no light after that time of year. However, I am worried that if they bring them in on a not very nice panga, it will ruin the "specialness" of the day for him. I want him to feel special on the day too. He asked about renting a private charter for them to take them out, but I have a feeling vallarta adventures are not going to allow this. Any input on this would be helpful. Thank you.

I believe they were on a zodiac type speed boat. We don't have a picture, but my husband came over with our photographer and his wife (also our friends) and no one mentioned anything about the boat being crappy or a downer on the day. I would hope that a quick boat trip (20 minutes) wouldn't take away from the specialness of your day! Even if it was a tin boat that seated 4, it's an adventure and well worth the trip to Las Caletas to experience a one of a kind wedding!! I mean, us brides usually come over with a group of other people and that didn't take away from my day at all.

I think it's definitely a good idea to do formal pictures before the ceremony because by the time we got our group shots done with our friends and family after the ceremony (our group was small, too, only 26 people total) it was dark.

Hope that helps!

Our wedding group stayed at the Barcelo PV! It was a little far from town, but the bus stopped right outside to get to town when we wanted to do that. It was a really nice resort, they were accommodating for our group for a welcome dinner and the setup of the pools made it really easy find people from our group. Most people that came to our wedding were first timers to Mexico and they were happy with the resort. The only real complaint was the distance from town and the airport, but I don't think that took away from anyone's trip!

If you have any more questions, pm me!

And congrats on picking Las Caletas! Your wedding will be more amazing that you could ever dream of!

Originally Posted by tammylee 

I'm soo excitied to be getting married March 23/2014 at las caletas.. Does anyone know about barcelo puerto vallarta resort?

We tipped our wedding coordinator with a small amount as we were leaving the boat at the end of the night. I completely forgot to get anything extra for her so I had to borrow some pesos from my mom, but at least it was a small gesture to show how much we appreciated her help! As for the hairdresser, etc, I had my hair and make up done and paid for my mom to have her hair done. My mom gave a small tip as Jamil was leaving, but I didn't. I found it to be extremely expensive to begin with. Well worth the money, but I chose not to tip because of that.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by poorplaces 

Hi gals, I have a question about tipping at LC. I know that we are paying an additional $10 per guest as a tip. Did any of you tip/plan to tip additionally? If so, who, how, and when? Thanks in advance for any help

We tipped our wedding coordinator with a small amount as we were leaving the boat at the end of the night. I completely forgot to get anything extra for her so I had to borrow some pesos from my mom, but at least it was a small gesture to show how much we appreciated her help! As for the hairdresser, etc, I had my hair and make up done and paid for my mom to have her hair done. My mom gave a small tip as Jamil was leaving, but I didn't. I found it to be extremely expensive to begin with. Well worth the money, but I chose not to tip because of that.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by poorplaces 

Hi gals, I have a question about tipping at LC. I know that we are paying an additional $10 per guest as a tip. Did any of you tip/plan to tip additionally? If so, who, how, and when? Thanks in advance for any help

I had to choose two - here is a picture right after we did our first look. My husband came up to see me in the window. You can see how much emotion he had on his face and it just makes my heart so happy to see the love between us!

And second, we didn't have a bridal party but here some of our closest friends did a jumping shot with us! So fun!

Thanks HappyBride13! That is Yamil. He was really nice. Wasn't too chatty with me, but totally was with my mom! Dennise brought that flower (and another white flower option). Of course you should care, but just expect them to be fabulous!! I didn't mean to imply I didn't care, I just wasn't very specific in my expectations. Weddings are what they do...trust that they'll do everything fabulously!

Originally Posted by HappyBride13 

Thanks Branya--you look beautiful!!

Is that Joel or Yamil?

And the flower--is that one you purchased for your hair when you bought your flowers or did you get it from somewhere else?

I am trying to get to the point where I have few expectations--I do about just about everything else, but for my hair and make up, I seem to really care!

Thanks Lala1116!!

Originally Posted by LaLa1116 

You look great! Thanks for setting my mind at ease.  I'll try to let go of expectations a little.

Congratulations bleissoo! It will go by in a flash, and before you know it your special day will be here!

Originally Posted by bleissoo 

Hi Everyone!  I am new here and have been reading this forum for the last few weeks so thought I would finally join and write a post:)  I am getting married at Las Caletas on 10.24.13, seems far away, but it is already going fast!  This forum has been such a great help so far, and it is what made me choose Las Caletas in the first place.  So thank you!! 

 

-Brianna

@shortensweet007 I'd say hire the DJ. It seems like a lot of money, but then you don't have to worry about it. We weren't going to at first, but then when we realized that someone from our guests would have to be at the music station to press stop and play, we decided to just let the DJ do his thing. He was great, completely took our suggestions that we sent beforehand and took everyone's requests during the wedding. They played music that we suggested for the boat rides, or you can tell them what type of music you want them to play and they'll do that. I think they did a pretty great job at playing to the crowd and they definitely played current music.

Basically, if you choose the DJ, they send you a form to fill out for options for music at all points where it will be played through the night and you don't have to worry about a thing on the big day!

Originally Posted by shortensweet007 

I am confused about whether to have a DJ or not.  I was originally just going to have one so I had one less thing to worry about, but a few of my friends are advising me against it and to just do my own playlist.  

For those that have had the wedding there, how was the music that the DJ played?  What genres did they play and was it current music?  I don't want it to consist of the typical wedding songs (YMCA, macarena, etc...lol).  Were you able to tell the DJ what kind of music to play or did you find they played what they wanted.  

For those that just played their own playlist, were you happy with your choice or did you wish you had the DJ?  

Also, for the boat ride there and back, does the DJ play on there or should I have music for there as well?

 

Thanks for any help! 

Don't worry about the makeup! It was so light, it didn't even feel like I was wearing any at all! Seriously! I didn't get a trial done, but I wasn't worried about anything...I let him do what he wanted for my hair and makeup (even though I brought inspiration pictures...he did not really follow them and it was perfect!). I felt like the less I expected to be a certain way, and the less I could be disappointed about. And I was right, I LOVED everything!!

Here's a shot of me having my makeup done. When I first saw myself after my eyebrows were done, I thought they looked way too dark, but it translates to our photographs amazingly! I think he is just putting the finishing touches on here:

Good luck! Try not to stress!

Originally Posted by LaLa1116 

Ladies,

 

A little apprehensive about airbursh makeup.  I don't usually wear a lot of makeup and don't want to look too "unlike myself."  Does it have that heavy, caked-on feeling?  Does it look natural?  I don't want to spend a lot of money on something I'm not totally happy with or end up redoing myself.    Anyone get a trial in town before the wedding?  Think a trial would ease my mind about it.  Thoughts or pics would be very helpful.  Thanks, everyone!

I say absolutely go for it!! I spent around $1,600 with alterations, did a trash the dress shoot, and would've done it all over again in a heart beat! Honestly, the bottom of my dress was more "trashed" after the wedding than it was after the TTD, in my opinion! I stepped on the layer underneath, which ripped, on the night of the wedding, and there was a big ring of dirt underneath my dress after the wedding. As soon as we jumped in the pool during the TTD shoot (our first stop before the ocean), the dirt all came off the bottom!

There was ruching on the body of my dress, and after the TTD, there was sand in all of the layers. We both showered off straight after rolling in the ocean, and then after my dress dried off, I just shook all the sand off, bundled it in a plastic bag and brought it home in a suitcase. Then I took it for drycleaning straight away when we got home and they didn't even charge me any extra money because of the sand!!

As for my husband's outfit, it wasn't trashed at all. It probably helped that the sand at our resort was bigger and not too fine (therefore not too muddy) but I cannot think of any time I've gone to the beach at home and had it stain my clothes. I don't think wedding clothes are any different, except the hesitation because of how much $$ we spent on them!

I don't think I've read a review where anyone that has done a TTD has regretted it. I sure didn't! It was tonnes of fun and the pictures are priceless!! I don't think that a TTD shoot necessarily "trashes" your dress anyways!

EVKnowsitall - I agree...what would we be saving our dresses for?! I had mine dry cleaned and preserved, only because it was so soon after the wedding and it was too soon to part ways with it just yet.

Originally Posted by VanessaBB 

I just bought my wedding dress from avenue 22 bridal in Toronto. It's alot more bridal than I thought I wanted but I love it. I spent 1500$ with tax and alterations included was a sample gown from last year. I really had wanted to do a trash the dress photo shoot but when I said that at the store the lady freaked out saying this dress was way too nice! Ok what do you ladies think 1- is my dress going to get completly messed up cuz of some sand and water and 2- is there a price point that makes it ok to "trash your dress"?

Originally Posted by EVKnowsitall 

Gooooood question. I want to trash my dress. My mom paid for it as my gift and it cost $2500 so EVERYONE is telling me I'm nuts. My fiancé originally was down until he decided to get a custom suit at $800 and now he refuses to trash his suit. I keep hearing from past brides and photographers that the dress rinses clean of the sand. The advice I have seen is to just rinse it immediately after the session and hang dry it.

I thought about doing a separate dress- but it wouldn't look or feel the same. The point of a TTD is to have super awesome pics in your actual dress. I also considered getting a cheaply made duplicate look alike. This can be made in China. A few brides have done this. You send a picture of your dress and have it duplicated for relatively cheap- $300 or so. This is still a consideration but despite what people think- so is trashing my real dress. What am I saving it for? I didn't want to wear my mothers dress, how can I assume my future child will want mine? Why else do you need the dress to stay in perfect condition? I can't come up with a good enough reason to NOT trash the dress other than people telling me not to.

Thanks!

The chuppa with flowers was $200...not sure if we were supposed to be charged extra for the flowers? There was one centrepiece included in the package fee - those are the flowers on the table that was underneath the chuppa. Those flowers were moved after the ceremony to the middle of our dinner table. You can pay for extra centrepieces, but we did not. Honestly, the candles and flower petals on the table runner were more than enough decoration, in my opinion.

Originally Posted by lianne 

Branya, 

Love the photos.  Congrats! 

Just curious how much did the chuppa with flowers cost?  And did you have to pay extra for the table with flowers under the chuppa?

Thanks! 

We got our professional pics in! Just thought I'd share a few shots around the wedding area, and a couple of my faves:

The dinner table set up (we had one long table of 26 people):

The ceremony set up:

A couple shots from around Las Caletas:

Our first dance:

Fire dancers:

And from the TTD shoot, a few days after the wedding (taken at our resort, the Barcelo):

I can't get enough of them!

When we were in PV at the beginning of December, the nights were pretty warm. There was a little bit of a breeze at our resorts on a few of the evenings, but on the day of the wedding at Las Caletas, everyone was hot! I brought a sweater to wear over my dress because I anticipated being chilly (I am always cold) but I didn't even put it on during the boat ride back! You will be warm, especially if you and everyone else are up dancing as much as our group was!

If it's important to you to have the first look be when you're walking down the aisle, go with that! But maybe try to do as much as possible, like the bridal party pictures, done separately before the ceremony. We were left in the dark by the time we did a group shot and pictures with our families.

Originally Posted by ScottandRobyn 

I was wondering if anyone found it getting cold at night for our guests, our wedding is next month and I have only been to PV in the summertime, I was wondering if its quite chilly or windy? February? Thanks! Very excited, I have been calm for the entire year but I am getting the last minute jitters and panics...! I also am very concerned about the lighting but its fairly important to have the first glance at the ceremony down the aisle...I know I seem to be stuck because its one or the other?! 

I second what AllieH said - I planned on wearing my hair half up/half down, and was even leaning more towards having it mostly down before the wedding, but when we got there and it was windy, I basically just let the hairdresser do what he wanted. He put it all up and I am SO glad that he did! It was so hot when dancing, I know that my hair would've bothered me, sticking to my neck and then I didn't have to worry about it blowing around at all.

Definitely a good idea to have ideas of one up do and one other do, just in case!

@gypsymoth - Your dress looks amazing! What a transformation! And very sweet that you have a piece of your mother's dress to become a part of yours.

@LTLFaithy - Beautiful! Very flattering dress!

We travelled with WestJet to our wedding in December. I did have to put my dress in the overhead bins overtop of everyone else's things. The other guests on the plane were surprised that I had to do that, but it turned out okay. It didn't have to cram too much, it laid pretty flat on the top. I had called WestJet beforehand, asked when we checked in and asked the flight attendants when we boarded and they all gave the same answer - no closets!! It'll be okay! I was shocked at how well my dress travelled. I brought it home in a small suitcase because after TTD I didn't really mind that it was all folded up in there!

As for your dress being your only carry on, I would look into that some more. We were allowed two carry ons each, so I had a small duffle bag and my dress, and my fiancee/now husband had a back pack. It worked out great.

That is amazing that 78 out of the 120 person flight are your guests!! Very impressive turn out!

Originally Posted by jreist 

I am flying West Jet, and it sounds like they are very strict. I am bringing my dress as carry-on, but that counts as the only carry-on that I am allowed. Plus it doesn't sound like it gets a special compartment anywhere, it has to be crammed with other people's stuff

Our plane is sold out too so hopefully the other passengers are sympathetic. Haha then again, 78 of the 120 person flight are my guests, so hopefully no problems lol. 

We didn't do a bouquet toss, so I'm sorry...cannot help you there! My flowers were looking pretty limp by the time we got them back to the resort. I would imagine if we had done a bouquet toss, I would've used my actual bouquet.

Originally Posted by weliaslo 

I have a question for your ladies: what bouquet did you use for the bouquet toss? Did you buy an extra one, use the centrepiece or other? My wedding is in two weeks and this just dawned on me. 

Here is my review!

http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/products/adventure-weddings-las-caletas/reviews/6746

Sorry it's so long! And I only had a couple of pictures to include. Enjoy!!

Thanks Lianne!

We did not have a late night snack and no one complained of being hungry at all. We did have wedding cake, which was passed around right after we cut it and had our first dance, but I would recommend to ask if you could have the cake (if you are having one) passed around a bit later, if you are worried about that. There is so so so much wonderful food, I never heard anyone mention that they were hungry later in the evening.

Jamil from Joel Salon did my hair and makeup (booked through Dennise/Adventure Weddings). He spoke English, but didn't really copy the pictures I brought. That being said, he did an AMAZING job!! I wouldn't have changed a hair on my head! It's expensive, but worth it, in my opinion.

Dennise sent me an email with a link to the reviews Las Caletas board on the forum. After I write my review, I will put a link to it here. Hopefully within a week or so? It's back to work today.

Originally Posted by lianne 

Congrats Branya! So glad you had a beautiful wedding. Just curious did you have a late night snack for your guests? If not did anyone complain about being hungry??? Also who did you use for hair and makeup?  Thanks!!!! Can;t wait to see your review (p.s. where will it be? I can;t seem to find any of the old Las Caletas reviews).  

Hi ladies!

We just got back from our honeymoon yesterday!! As Kim mentioned above, Las Caletas is even more beautiful in person! Photos and words just cannot begin to describe it. Brad and I had an amazing wedding day, no hiccups whatsoever (other than the one day my mom got sick during her two weeks in Puerto Vallarta was the day of the wedding!), it was honestly perfect!

I will do a full review once I have some time. We didn't have any problems with the lighting, though it did get dark very soon after the ceremony. We are so glad that we did first look pictures and pictures before the ceremony. Any questions, just ask! I cannot wait to sit down and recap our amazing day!!

Your venue is switching to adults only two weeks before you get there? That's crazy that they can do that!!!

Originally Posted by Peach 

 

Wow, that would be so extremely stressful with the venue! What a great, "everything will work out" attitude! It will, and I am glad you are able to get "back on track", 

 

I, too, will likely not have a bridesmaid be able to come. Our venue is switching to adults-only 2 weeks before we get there. My MOH is 17 and my BM is an adult.... but will have a 6 month old. We have permission to have my sister there, but the baby will not be able to come. So it looks like neither will my BM. 

 

I cannot imagine the stress that you must be going through trying to find a new location. I am sure you will be able to (and congrats on great photographers!). The resort sounds really unreasonable for weddings. Hope you have better luck staying there! Good luck!

I am doing OOT bags and favours but we're having a pretty small wedding (we did 16 OOT bags altogether and are having 24 guests at our wedding). For the OOT bags, I spent more on the beach bags than anything else and I included a small Wedding Week Survival Kit and a welcome letter (probably spent $15-20 per OOT bag altogether). For favours we are getting hand painted maracas made. We wanted guests to have something at the wedding and then they are getting the bags in the rooms when they arrive at the resort.

Don't feel like you have to give favours as well as bags, but I think that more people expect favours than bags. If I had to choose I would've chosen the bags over favours, but at least done something small (like we're having a small thing of bubbles with our names and wedding date on them) for a favour at the wedding.

Originally Posted by missroxy 

What are you girls planing on giving as favors ? If I do OOT bags, should I also give them wedding favors ?

 

ahhhhhhhh so much going on in my head right now hahaha

I, personally think that the norm for a destination wedding is whatever you want it to be! You describe your location as a classy garden, so class up your man! That doesn't have to mean a suit, but at least a tie and maybe a vest, if you like that look? Close your eyes and imagine what your man would wear...then I'd go with that!

Originally Posted by JA2012 

Is there a certain rule that GM and the groom should follow for a destination wedding? Obviously most brides wear a white dress but what's the rule with men? I can't decide on a formal suit, a linen suit, a vest and pants, or a shirt with suspenders. I'm not having a beach wedding but I am having a classy garden wedding in the tropics. I don't want guests to look dressier than the groom but I don't know what the norm is....Any help is appreciated.

Awesome!

I can't wait either! Our wedding is actually two weeks from today!!! SO excited!

Originally Posted by lianne 

Thanks Branya2012, I'm leaning towards that too.  Looks like we're getting married at the same place!  Can't wait!!!!  

You look beautiful!!

My vote would be short, simple veil with no sash.  Something about the pic with no sash looks very elegant...I'm not sure that the sash really adds anything. Just my opinion, tho! You look beautiful either way!

Originally Posted by lianne 

alright ladies need some help here....cathedral veil with lace border or short simple veil?  Also, sash or no sash?  Thanks!!!  

 

 

 

We picked up my wedding band! Here is a shot of it with my engagement ring. I cannot wait to wear them both together!! The big day is two weeks from Wednesday! And we leave a week Saturday! Yaaaaaaaaay!