Brit & Brent's PV, Dreams, Las Caletas, Beth Lloyd - Best week ever review!!

[brittbrodin]

Dreams, Puerto Vallarta

 

This is the first time we’ve ever done all-inclusive and if you’re on the fence about it trust me, it’s worth it…at least at Dreams. When we first checked out the pricing, it seemed a bit high, but when we got there we realized it was definitely worth every penny. My husband, Brent (I'm definitely still getting used to calling him that) and I stayed in the preferred tower. We had the Jr. Suite, with an amazing view and Jacuzzi on the balcony. Most of our guests stayed in the old tower and thought it was totally fine, especially since such little time is spent actually in your room. Except for one of our friends who enjoyed ordering room service (I swear he called every hour just to make sure it really was 24-hour room service) and watching ESPN…I guess it was March madness time, but really when you have a gorgeous beach and swim up bar, seriously??  The food, for the most part, was really good. We enjoyed the World Café buffet for breakfast/lunch and Oceana and Portofino were definitely our favorites for dinner. The only place we didn’t really like was the Seaside Grill. One of our friends ordered nachos and it literally came out with two melted craft singles on top! Overall, the resort was amazing, the beach is one of the nicest in PV and the staff was awesome!

 

Barcelona Tapas – Rehearsal Dinner

 

I knew Barcelona would be over the top, but it was AMAZING!! The view, food, atmosphere, staff…everything about it was perfect. Our guests could not stop talking about it. They kept bringing out course after course of delicious cold and hot tapas and our sangria glasses were always full. We had 40 guests and reserved part of the top floor since the capacity is 70. I honestly didn't even notice anyone else was there. The price is right too. After the dinner Brent and I stayed back to pay the bill and the host that took care of us all night started pouring samples of some of the rarest tequilas for us and a few of our guests who were still there. The staff was super cool and we just hung out there for awhile afterward. Anyone who wants more info. just ask, I'd be happy to share.

 

Las Caletas!!!!

I've read so many rave review on here for LC (thanks to all you LC brides) and honestly, it lived up to every single one of them. I went over early with my 6 bridesmaids and my mom. Nicole met us at the marina and gave us a quick brief and grabbed all our dresses. That's the first time I had actually met Nicole and she was so cool and helpful. The boat ride over was really choppy and one of my bridesmaids ended up getting sick Luckily, the catamaran back at the end of the night was really smooth - except for all the dancing we did, I'm sure we created some waves!). The staff on the ride over is always entertaining and we enjoyed watching them and taking some pics. We arrived at LC and got all of our things settled in the bridal suite. Then, some girls got massages, went kayaking, and I went snorkeling w/ a few of the other girls and laid out on the beach until lunch. It was the most relaxing day EVER and I honestly didn't worry about a thing...until later in the day when the guests were a bit late, but I'll get to that later. We enjoyed the delicious spread they had for lunch and then it was off to get ready. As many of you know, the bridal suite isn't very big, but all 7 of us managed to get ready on time. Thank God I have some really chill laid back friends, because I could see if you have some divas up in there how it may be a bit tricky to make it work!! It took Fernando like 2 1/2 hours to do my hair and makeup (I'm a bit picky when it comes to makeup because I usually don't wear much, but he was totally cool with all my suggestions and even convinced me to wear fake eye lashes...they honestly looked very natural!). I can't begin to express what a professional Fernando is. He did an AMAZING job!!! It was definitely worth the $$$!!! Our photographer, Beth Lloyed showed up (I'll write my own review on her later, that's how good she was...LOVED BETH!!). She took some of us getting ready, just me and then me with all the girls. We were all ready to go and discoverd that the boat was running late...like 45 minutes late. So here's where the drama comes in (there has to be some drama, right...I just thank god it was Brent instead of me!!!). While we were chillaxing on the beach, with honestly, not a care in the world...Brent was sweating bullets back in PV!! All the guests were supposed to meet at Dreams at 3:30pm. 3:45 rolls around and Brent was like, "Where is Brit's dad?" My family is notoriously late for EVERYTHING, but honestly dad, this was my wedding!!! So Brent calls my dad and my dad was like, "Oh hey, were meeting at 3:45p right? Brent was like yeah it is 3:45. Apparently my dad's watch broke (which just happens to be the watch Brent and I bought him for Christmas and he ended up throwing it away shortly thereafter :-)) and he thought it was an hour earlier. So they make it to the marina and the rest of my family - grandma & grandpa, aunt & uncle, cousins, and brother in-law and 2 nephews, who were all staying at a different hotel - were nowhere to be seen. They waited for like 20 minutes and then Emilio, one of the guys who works for Vallarta Adventures and our MC, told Brent they could wait one more minute and then they had to get going. Brent was thinking of how he was going to tell me that most of my family would not be in attendance!! Right at about this point, I'm toasting a glass of champagne to all my girls in the bridal suite, SALUD!! Thanks God, I had no clue at all what was happening back at the marina!!! So anyway, literally 30 seconds after Emilio gave the one minute deadline Brent sees my cousin sprinting towards the boat!! Brent was having a heart attack, but totally made the best of it because he told me later that whatever else happens that may not go exactly according to plan, doesn't matter as long as my entire family was there!! I love this man!!! So anyway, they finally arrive and the guys have 5 minutes to get ready. Our photographer Beth, was a lifesaver. She calmed Brent down and helped all the guys get there boutonnieres. Brent and I wanted to see each other before the ceremony and Beth set it up so that I walked down a set of stairs and Brent had his back to the wall and when I got to the bottom of the stairs he turned around and I could tell right away he was so relieved to finally see me. Both our minds were put at ease and I was really relaxed the entire ceremony. The ceremony and reception were absolutely GORGEOUS! Kelley and her team did an amazing job w/ all the details and really nailed it. The rest of the night was kind of a blur because it flew by. Before I knew it was 9:30PM and we started the party on the dance floor. I was SO glad we added the extra hour because w/ the fire dancers, first dances, etc. we didn't really have a ton of time on the dance floor. Luckily, we had the entire boat ride home to continue the party. This is getting really long so I'm going to end it here, but please let me know if anyone wants more details on the rest of the night! Overall - best wedding/week ever...I know it was mine, but seriously I heard this from so many of our guests! :-) Some are already planning next years reunion!

 

I just realized that I forgot to post a separate review for Beth...so I'll add that later. Also, pics to come soon!

[msjcastillo]

Congratulations and welcome back home!!!

 

Thank you SO much for posting your review- we're staying at Dreams and I was feeling nervous about it! I can't WAIT to see your pictures. We haven't booked a photographer yet and what I've seen from Beth Lloyd looks fantastic!

[JaimeLynne]

Thanks for the review!! Sounds like things pretty much went awesome (except for your family! helloooo people!! LOL )

 

Woohooo! CONGRATS!!! You're MARRIED now!!!!

[Andi]

Brittany, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

 

I am so glad that everything turned out well! I am glad your dad was running late as opposed to something happening to him! My heart sunk when I was reading that, I thought you were going to say something about your dad being sick or missing or worse!!!!!! I think that it is funny that you girls were just at Caletas toasting away while Brent was running around like a mad man trying to find everyone! hee hee hee, ahhhh the perks of being a Las Caletas bride!

 

Glad your fam finally showed, that is my fear that my notoriously late arriving family will miss the boat!

 

I can't wait to see your pics...let us know when they are up!

 

Oh, also if you don't mind me asking...what was the price range for Barcelona Tapas? We are suppose to have our welcome dinner at our hotel but I have heard about the amazing food, service, views, etc. etc. from a few others and thought it might worth looking into? let me know thanks!

[Andi]

oooh one other question...how was the snorkeling at Las Caletas? I love to snorkel but was just wondering if you saw anything cool?

[brittbrodin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andi Brittany, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am so glad that everything turned out well! I am glad your dad was running late as opposed to something happening to him! My heart sunk when I was reading that, I thought you were going to say something about your dad being sick or missing or worse!!!!!! I think that it is funny that you girls were just at Caletas toasting away while Brent was running around like a mad man trying to find everyone! hee hee hee, ahhhh the perks of being a Las Caletas bride! Glad your fam finally showed, that is my fear that my notoriously late arriving family will miss the boat! I can't wait to see your pics...let us know when they are up! Oh, also if you don't mind me asking...what was the price range for Barcelona Tapas? We are suppose to have our welcome dinner at our hotel but I have heard about the amazing food, service, views, etc. etc. from a few others and thought it might worth looking into? let me know thanks!

Thanks, Andi!!!! I will definitely let you know when the pics are up...I'm trying to figure out how to post just a few in the meantime, but I'm having a tough time figuring it out! Not the most computer savvy!We paid in cash, because then Bill gives you a 10% discount off the bar tab...but I think it was like $1,800 before tip so for what we budgeted and for what you get, I thought it was an amazing price! I can send you the menu Bill sent me if you'd like.

[brittbrodin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andi oooh one other question...how was the snorkeling at Las Caletas? I love to snorkel but was just wondering if you saw anything cool?

To be honest, there were so many people out there following around the guide we mostly saw flippers and butts! But we had a blast doing it and I think it may have been the hardest I laughed all week!

[lmg970]

ohh, I absolutely love that last picture with the pretty sunset colors in the background. Of course you and your wedding party looked great too. congrats on a great time. and thanks for the reassurance for us who have never done all-inclusive

Laura

[brittbrodin]

Thanks, that one is definitely my fave too!!!

[Helen_S81]

Great review! Poor Brent dealing with the drama. Love the colour of the bridesmaids dresses. Congratulations and I can't wait to see more pictures!