DREAMS PUERTO VALLARTA "thread"

[NM2011]

Hey Dreams Ladies - Question for you. I'm being quoted $395 for the "Legal Cermony" op top of what I am already paying for my wedding package. This seems really expensive to me. Did any of you do the legal cermony and get these additional charges? FI and I are thinking of just getting legally married here to avoid the hassel and excessive charges? What did you do?

[SarahBen2011]

It's definitely more expensive to do a legal ceremony in Mexico, but I would find out if that's the blood test, paperwork and everything (which is usually about $400 or $500 I think).. or if that's just a "Dreams Fee".  We'll be getting married here in Chicago maybe a week before our DW on the hush.  Hoping to do the least amount of real vows so we can save it for Mexico!

[NM2011]

 

 

Originally Posted by SarahBen2011 

 

It's definitely more expensive to do a legal ceremony in Mexico, but I would find out if that's the blood test, paperwork and everything (which is usually about $400 or $500 I think).. or if that's just a "Dreams Fee".  We'll be getting married here in Chicago maybe a week before our DW on the hush.  Hoping to do the least amount of real vows so we can save it for Mexico!

 

Yes.. That quote does include all the blood work etc.. I think we may do the same thing. Legal paperwork here in AZ before we go. I was looking online and it looks like it will cost $100 total. Plus I have two friends who were married in Mexico in the past 3 years. They are having one heck of a time getting their passports corrected to their married names because their weddings were in Mexico.. I like the idea of saving $300 that could cover the cost of the bonfire I have been wanting. lol Thanks Sarah for the info!

 

 

[kerrib]

We have decided to do a legal here "hush-hush" too. We didn't want to pay the fees, I was a little sketch on getting my blood drawn there, and people have said it wastes a whole day. We also talked to a lawyer to see how easy it is to convert everything over and if our marriage would even be recognized in the US. He told us it depends on the city and state, and sometimes they are not.
 

Originally Posted by NM2011 

Yes.. That quote does include all the blood work etc.. I think we may do the same thing. Legal paperwork here in AZ before we go. I was looking online and it looks like it will cost $100 total. Plus I have two friends who were married in Mexico in the past 3 years. They are having one heck of a time getting their passports corrected to their married names because their weddings were in Mexico.. I like the idea of saving $300 that could cover the cost of the bonfire I have been wanting. lol Thanks Sarah for the info!
 

 

 

[vollydolly]

We are doing a legal "hush" also the week before in Vegas.  Too much hassle to do it in Mexico.  I kinda like the idea of getting married twice!  lol.

Originally Posted by kerrib 

We have decided to do a legal here "hush-hush" too. We didn't want to pay the fees, I was a little sketch on getting my blood drawn there, and people have said it wastes a whole day. We also talked to a lawyer to see how easy it is to convert everything over and if our marriage would even be recognized in the US. He told us it depends on the city and state, and sometimes they are not.
 

 

 

[vollydolly]

I just got an email from Esman saying that I cannot have a third option as a main course only 2 options.  The reason I am having the 3rd option is for myself and a few of my guests who are vegetarian.  I am sooooo frustrated and can't believe they are not being accommodating. 

 

I asked to talk to a manager or someone else about this.  I don't think it is unreasonable to ask.  I am even skipping the cocktail hour and it is included in our package.  Did any past brides get 2 options plus a vegetarian option??? 

[sarahinlove]

As for "hush-hush", that's what we did! We're getting married at dream on June 7, but signed the papers on Feb 20th at a remote winter resort with just us and the JP. The hotel provided two of their staff for witnesses! It was perfect. We chose Feb 20th, because it was our dating anniversary. Now we will always have this secret second anniversary, and its a great way of remembering all the dating anniveraries we spent together. Getting legally married so far in advance hasn't bothered us one bit! We keep forgetting, even! We know that we won't feel really married until I walk down that isle, get to wear our rings and I get to change my name!

 

As for "vegetarian options", I was given one entree choice and the vegetarian choice. So only two. We only have three vegetarians (me, MOH and a Groomsman). That is why I went with the steak and chicken combo. I figure everyone likes either chicken or steak. And on the menus I made, I just left out the "bone marrow" part! VollyDolly... can I ask what vegetarian option you are picking??

[sarahinlove]

Hey ladies,

I thought I'd post the flickr links of my invites and the little program I made to be given to guests as they arrive!

 

The invitations were printed postcard sized, and attached in the top left with a grommet, the RSVP was an actual postcard. Then all was put into a handmade envelope.

 

The program I printed as a little booklet. I thought it might be good to give everyone an idea of what was going on for the week and a little "who's who" of all the guest.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saraheya/sets/72157626698460264/

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/saraheya/sets/72157626698552530/

 

 

 

 

 

[Dreams2011]

Re:  Legal Marriage in Puerto Vallarta, MX

 

We had a legal marriage in PV, Mexico in January. It was very simple and only took a total of about 2 hrs including the taxi ride to and from. We were met at the resort by the coordinator who accompanied us to the lab (it was across from the Walmart) then we walked a short distance to a community centre to watch a 20 min or so video on the sanctity of marriage. 2 hours might even be an exaggeration. The lab stop was quick and the girl did a fine job. It was basically the same as is done at home (well in Canada at least) except the blood was drawn into a syringe appose to an individual vile then poured into the vile. The needles were all individually packaged. The total cost was $350 USD (cash) and included:

 

• Provide you with the necessary paperwork for your civil ceremony in Puerto Vallarta, depending on your nationality
• Verify all your documents to make sure you have everything you need
• Receive your documents one month prior to take to and from assigned translator in Puerto Vallarta
• Make arrangement for date and time with the judge at the judge’s office
• Once you arrive to Puerto Vallarta, during the week prior to your wedding date, we personal take you to a pre-marital video watching (DIF) & mandatory blood test; we will return you to the hotel.
• We retrieve the blood test and necessary paperwork and deliver everything to the judge’s office to be entered for your ceremony
• Presence the day of the ceremony to assist with verbal translation if needed.
• Translation of 2 birth certificates (add cost applies for extra documents such as divorce decree or naturalization certificate).
• DIF meeting
• 2 blood tests and doctor certification.
• Judge’s transportation

 

The company that coordinated this was called Incredible Weddings & Events... here is there website link:  www.vallartaincredibleweddings.com

 

The person whom we coordinated everything with via email was Patricia Romo. The wonderful young lady who picked us up for the tests and video then translated at our wedding was Diana (not sure of last name). To solve the legalizing back home we ordered a translated copy of the marriage certificate, which was $40 USD + $35 Admin fee + shipping ($45USD FedEx to Canada or $7 reg mail). This suffices our provincial requirements anyways. We are happy that we opted for the legal marriage and everyone was wonderful! We wanted to get married on our anniversary of dating, which was the same day (a couple years later) that we were engaged and we wanted this day to be known by all as our wedding day, not just us.

 

Hope this helps out those who are wondering the details... any questions, let me know

[vollydolly]

Sarah,

We went with a mexican menu.  See the three options I want:

• GRILLED ARRACHERA DRESSED ON A GUAJILLO SAUCE SERVED ON BLACK BEANS BEAD AND A CORN ON A SIDE
• POBLANO CHILLI STUFFED WITH CHEESE WITH A TOMATO SAUCE AND RICE WITH CORN TORTILLAS (This is the veggie option I'd like to have for my veggie guests)
• FISH FILLET VERACRUZANA STYLE (TOMATO, VEGETABLES AND ONIONS)

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will let me do this.
 

Originally Posted by sarahinlove 

As for "hush-hush", that's what we did! We're getting married at dream on June 7, but signed the papers on Feb 20th at a remote winter resort with just us and the JP. The hotel provided two of their staff for witnesses! It was perfect. We chose Feb 20th, because it was our dating anniversary. Now we will always have this secret second anniversary, and its a great way of remembering all the dating anniveraries we spent together. Getting legally married so far in advance hasn't bothered us one bit! We keep forgetting, even! We know that we won't feel really married until I walk down that isle, get to wear our rings and I get to change my name!

 

As for "vegetarian options", I was given one entree choice and the vegetarian choice. So only two. We only have three vegetarians (me, MOH and a Groomsman). That is why I went with the steak and chicken combo. I figure everyone likes either chicken or steak. And on the menus I made, I just left out the "bone marrow" part! VollyDolly... can I ask what vegetarian option you are picking??