JaimeLynne

Quote: Originally Posted by amyh lol... tents! I asked Marco, and he said that we'll need to monitor the weather since their are chances of rain in July, so we would need to rent tents. I really hope we dont, more $$$$! Tents?!? Where? On the jetty?? Do you have any idea how much they run?!

Oooh Morgan that is exciting! Getting engaged in Mexico is awesome! Maybe you could do what I was thinking of: Email a couple outside WCs there and ask them to show you around the different properties you're thinking of. I did that and the lady said she would do it for free which surprised me. When we went on our site visit in June we really didn't get much done. Aside from getting really sick (beginning stages of mono!) and getting engaged (YEAH!) we honestly didn't know what we were doing, who to talk with, etc. So I think it'd be a great idea to have someone who is knowledgeable about the area and experienced in weddings to personally take you around. Plus they will probably have more connections. I felt like our last scouting trip was kind of a waste so on this one we are going to try and plan it out much better and have someone to show us around! Hope this helps. Oh, and GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Amy, I definitely want to meet with the WC and see the Mayan before we put a deposit down. So I'm really looking forward to this upcoming trip! Btw, is there a backup there if it rains?

Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB I Love it.. Actully I was just watching a show on the top 10 beaches in Mexico and that was on their list. It looks beautiful and what a perfect place for a ceremony.. Now I want to go.. :-) What was on their list? PV or one of those locations specifically? You can come crash the wedding

Quote: Originally Posted by BEACHBRIDEMA Wow they both look amazing! I love where the wedding ceremony takes place Sarah Quote: Originally Posted by Just Martha Both places are beautiful, Jaime!!! Thanks ladies! The process has been very difficult, tedious and trying but hopefully we have found our spots! That makes it all worth it in the end.

Quote: Originally Posted by starchild Okay Tammy and Maria save me a seat at your table one day...sounds great! Oh my gosh, no kidding!!! My FMIL is an amazing cook, and they conveniently live right down the street so we are very lucky! We're still in college and haven't quite gotten into that cooking phase yet, lol. We really need to tho because we eat out way too much! We do love to cook, but there's not a grocery store nearby so it's always a pain to go grocery shopping. That's our excuse for now anyways

Good review! Sorry you had crappy luck with almost all your appointments. I can see how that would be totally frustrating. But at least it sounds like you've found your site! How exciting is that!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege Very exciting! The photos look breath taking! I can't wait until after your next site visit when you can post some of your own photos. Me tooo!

Quote: Originally Posted by AZ0891 Well, I have to agree with you about the Westin, because that is where I'mhaving my wedding. You'll have to let me know of any pointers you learn along the way. I remember when my Dad got married there and it was beautiful! It rained so they didn't have it on the beach but they got married on this patio and it was still great. I will definitely keep y'all updated!

Quote: Originally Posted by PDCwedding The Westin looks amazing! Where is this? In PV? AND the "heavenly" beds...ahhhh..love those beds!! I know this is off topic but, they're on sale at Nordstroms right now! Your plans look good! Quote: Originally Posted by PDCwedding Wow! just saw the pics of where you'll have ceremony and reception! Looks awesome!! Now, I want another wedding......just a do-over! Haha, thanks! I am so happy right now because these two places feel really good and "real". And yes they are both in PV in the Marina area.

Quote: Originally Posted by amyh Jaime! How exciting! What kind of meal plan do they have What rates are you getting?? Like I've said numorous times, I'm not convinced about the Melia but would love to know what kind of plans the Westin has. Please, more info! Amy, I personally LOVE the Westin. I looked at the Melia but like you said I really wasn't thrilled with it. I'm not so sure about the "Bedrock" theme, lol. For December 16-20 (Sun - Thurs) you can get: *(Basic) Deluxe Room for $119/night!!! *Deluxe w/Ocean View = $149/night *Royal Beach Club Room (w/Breakfast and access to private lounge w/appetizers and self service bar) = $175/night *Grand Deluxe Club Room (Royal Beach Club room + Jacuzzi on Balcony) = $225/night NOT BAD!!!!!! Beware tho, the rates do go UP (like double the price) on the weekends. Also, that's '07 rates that we're looking for for our site visit. I don't know what they'd be like at other times of the year but I'd bet next July they wouldn't be too bad...

And for those of you who aren't familiar with the Mayan Palace, it looks amazing!!! And it's a great deal too. Here's a map showing the location in reference to the Westin: E = MAYAN PALACE F = WESTIN REGINA Mayan Palace Pics:

It finally feels like things are starting to come together! So far we have picked two places that we feel very confident about... For lodging, the Westin Regina in Marina Vallarta For Ceremony/Reception the Mayan Palace just next door The Westin is a European Plan hotel which we were originally not open to at all. However, upon further consideration we realized that this may actually save our guests some money. The majority of them don't drink a lot, and the hotel is within walking distance to a lot of restaurants. Upgrading to some sort of AI plan would be an extra $113/day and I think our guests will be just as happy getting out of the hotel and exploring some other choices. Also, there is a convenience store located across the street from the Westin where you can buy booze and then take it back to the hotel. I've read that you can fill up coolers and take them with you to the pool. We also thought it would be good to add a bottle of liquor to our guests' OOT bags so they'll always have something tasty to drink Ooooh, another plus to this hotel are their famous "Heavenly beds". There aren't many places in Mexico where you get a bed that isn't rock hard. The rooms look very nice too, and there isn't a huge price jump between room categories (about $30 between every category). The suites look awesome with jacuzzis outside on the patios. To top it off we went to brunch with my Dad today and found out THIS is where he got married when he married my ex-stepmom (she raised me from 12 to about 17)!!! I actually remember this hotel from when they got married there. So that makes it extra special. He is a total hotel snob and said he LOVED it there! This makes me so happy because he didn't seem too excited at the other ideas we had been coming up with so far. YAY! Westin Pics (Candid Traveler Photos): ......

Lovely earrings! YAY for Spanx!!!

I was kind of torn but I agree with Courtney that it would be good to have some diversity in colors so I voted Champagne.

Thanks Jamy!

I personally like the idea of having both because of the symbolic nature. My ring would definitely stand alone and be fine (it has 3 round stones and 2 baguettes on either side so it's very sparkly). Luckily after looking at 4 stores we found a ring that matched almost perfectly to mine - it has little round and baguette diamonds that alternate. We are having two tiny round stones on either end removed and filled w/white gold so that both rings end in baguettes. It really is amazing how they match up! So glad we found this one because we were thinking we'd have to go the custom route as well. Well, I guess it has been customized but there was no charge. We should be getting it in soon, can't wait! (Though I must admit it's gonna be hard to hold off wearing it until '09) Here's my set btw:

Cool, thanks Jamy

First off, has anyone stayed at the Westin in the Marina Area? This place looks great, even tho we were originally thinking AI. Secondly, how does the EP work? Do you pay as you go or do they bill it all to your room and then you have to pay it in one lump sum? Or can you choose? I've always done AIs so I'm not familiar w/this...

This is what I wrote back to her: "Tamara, Thank you for the quick response and very informative email! As of right now we are only looking for a person to take us around and visit various possible locations. Honestly, we are only looking at hiring a full service outside WC if we go with an AI resort like Dreams. We have been in contact with Marco from Mayan Palace and he seems very capable of handling our needs. Las Caletas is further down on our list, but like you said they have an onsite WC so if we decided to go with them we would again decline to have an outside WC. Would it be possible to hire you just for the site visits? And then perhaps if we do decide to use you later on we could apply what we would pay you for the site visit to the cost of the Deluxe Custom Wedding Package. Thank you, Jaime & Martin" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ And her response: "Good afternoon Jaime, Thank you for your e-mail! We can certianly at no charge show you the locations that would possible work for our service. Dreams hotel we can tour with you! Please let us know when it would be convenient for you. Warm Regards, Tamara Bradley de Morales" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I must say I am very impressed with her so far! And very pleased that she's willing to show us around for free!

Quote: Originally Posted by AZ0891 I am about to sign a contract at the Westin in the Marina area. I'm not 100% sure if that is where the ceremony is going to be, but we are getting a block of rooms for our guests. I've never been there so I'm looking for recommendations about the Westin for a wedding and whether or not I need to hire an outside WC. Btw, we are also looking into the Westin for lodging and thinking of having the wedding nearby at the Mayan Palace which looks fantastic!!!

Haha I love the sayings on the koozies!

I love the look of the Mayan but really want my guests to be able to do the AI thing... I love the look of the Westin but it looks like it's only EP. Any ideas?!

Ok, I don't think she exactly answered my question but they did send a great email back to me shortly. Here it is: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Jaime and Martin, Thank you very much for your e-mail and Congratulations! We are truly happy that you are considering Puerto Vallarta as your possible wedding venue! It is a truly beautiful and magical destination! Lucie Aubert and My self ( Tamara) have been planning weddings for the past 8 years, we actually moved here from Canada almost 15 years ago, worked in a Resort for several years in group and Events and then finally created Incredible Weddings and events in Puerto Vallarta. Our service is created for the Destination Wedding couple. We understand the need`s of planning a wedding from a distance, the need and desire for a wedding that is not only unique it is also planned with care! We created the customized events at locations in the entire Bay of Puerto Vallarta, we can boast that we are the only service in Puerto Vallarta that has the Certifications as Wedding Specialist, Congress and Conventions License, we have created over 600 events in Puerto Vallarta and all of our events are directly from referrals, not paid advertising! We truly put our hearts into the event when we work with the clients on the location that fit`s the budget and vision of the wedding day. The locations that you are considering are lovely, Dreams Hotel is wonderful it is located on a wonderful beach cover that have a wide beach, plenty of natural vegetation of beautiful tropical trees and flowers. We have had many weddings at this location and work well with the on site group and Event Directors. The Mayan Palace is another wonderful location that has a incredible beach in Nuevo Vallarta, we have had a few incredible events that allowed us to have the ceremony, cocktails and the reception all on the beach in a private area. We too work well with the Group and events Director . The Caletas actually has a on site wedding planner and as it is only accessible by boast this would really make sense to directly contact Caletas for this wedding location. There are many more locations as Puerto Vallarta is a large bay. We can work with you either from beginning assisting you with the actual location search. This means we will work with you on gathering the information on various locations, provide you with the contracts, the floor plans for the entire location set up, We work with the hotel to get the location in place, this seems to be the most difficult part of the planning as not all Locations e-mail promptly unfortunately or they may just have a excess of work and not able to give you the personal attention you need. This includes the visits ( site inspections when you are in Puerto Vallarta) We will show you how the wedding location can work Stage two of the planning is actually creating the entire format of the events, the menus, the bar, the music, flowers and decor, photographer, video, salon treatments the schedule, the over all budget. Contracts with all the providers, Contact of the Officiant Legal or spiritual ceremony Stage three is the final stage of the wedding week, we meet with you the day after you arrive to do a coverage the wedding schedule in case you have any last day changes, rehearsal of the ceremony,enter all documents for the ceremony if a Civil ceremony. We also can assist you and be present if you wish to contract us for additional events such as rehearsal dinners. Then the wedding day, we want you and family to actually relax on this day!! We will be present this day to over see the wedding area set up, the floral delivery ( make sure all is as ordered!) set up of the decor and flowers, send flowers to your room, make sure you get your beauty treatments, have the photographer arrive to your suite in time and take relaxing and beautiful photos of you getting ready, we greet the guest, are with your Bridal party from your room to the ceremony area and guide you, direct all the providers, and we stay until the very end! This way you do not need to worry that the D.J will play the Funky chicken ( unless you really wanted that) We want you to only enjoy, enjoy , enjoy!! This is your day and as all those who have been married know that the day can go by so quickly so enjoy every second! This is why having your own personal Event planner that knows your personal needs from A-Z is so important!! I am attaching wedding package that is for the next year, we look forward to hearing from you soon! Warm Regards, Tamara Bradley de Morales Wedding and Events Co-ordinator Incredible Weddings and Events

Wow, already? Btb - dragonfly (Kelly) Oh and can we nominate Mods? If so then I also nominate you AmyH cause you've been so helpful with the PV forum! Newlywed - And continuing on the Mods, I'd nominate Ann (akh) cause you're always so helpful to everyone no matter what!