chrisnessa

We just got back from our wedding. Jan 5 The pictures of Chris and I were a problem. Why: the sun was setting. Check out the pics on the links below and you can see how its going down fast. There isnt a way to fix this unless your guys come dressed and you immediately begin the ceremony, giving you maybe 20 extra mins of sun. Chris and I had so many members of our families come in from abroad we had to take the time to get group shots, so we ended up with NO beautiful shots of he and I. I am very sad about that but we did a TTD (trashthedress) shot the next day so it didnt make up for it only gave us some more pics we could use as our couple shot. My suggestion would be if you do the schedule Nicole and kelley have set up , which is awesome, anyway is to do your couple shot first...and know that the bridal party and family/friend shots will be in a time period that has little light. You can see the ceremony on our site and then the pics as they were taken and then the darkness. Now the candles are so romantic and beautiful. They really do as others said make a magical setting. You will not be unhappy about anything. Your guests will love the atmosphere and you will have raves about it. But you do have little light for pics and theres nothing you can really do about that other than do your couple pics first and fast. The wedding was beautiful and each bride seems to have a way to make it her own, Las Caletas is a fantastic wedding site. I think you and your FH will LOVE IT. Good luck and congratulations. We had a Blast!!!

Thank you Starchild for your help w/ the slideshow links. I tried to put as many pics to show the cove as possible. Enjoy! We had a blast. Our hotel was Riu Jalisco and I do have other pics to send privately if any of you need to see the hotel. Yeah we have like 3,000 pics to chose from TY girls its been great.

Thats great news. Keep us posted. Love the pic of you two on the siggy.

That's great! Your upcoming wedding and new job position you'll be a busy bride to be! Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!

I had issues w/ my nerves as well a month before the wedding. I actually had a zit on my face during the wedding. hahaha I guess I could have used some windex for that. But I too didn't see anyone just Chris. You will be lost in the moment. It's really a soft blur but a great and happy one. I agree with Tammy...you'll just be starring at him!

so awesome. I have to do an after the wedding card. Great ideas! Very pretty pics.

This is also a cute idea and your guests will like and enjoy it for sure.

This is also a cute idea and your guests will like and enjoy it for sure.

What a pretty dress.

That is so cute and festive. Love it!

How beautiful it is. How organized Nicole and Kelley are. How I didnt really need a large wedding cake. How much fun it was to dance. How tastey the food was. How much drinking we did and still stood. How short the walk from the stairs to the alter was. How quickly the sun went down in January. How we really did need some shawls for the ladies w/ the cool breeze. How important it was to keep things going w/ all the activities we had going on. How we could allow the slideshow to continue throughout the evening. I should have added more pics to it. How others noticed if they werent in it HA How quickly it was over

I agree with Ann. We got a cake and it was 300US for 60 people to eat. We had 77 guests. I had quoted 600 earlier in a post. Mistake on price. I think maybe 10 people ate it. hahaha but have a little one and do the cake pic thing and then move along to dancing. Everyone seemed anxious to go dance after dinner. We did our cake cutting pretty much alone w/ the cameraman. I had them use fondant. Dont do it. It was melting. hahaha

These pics are: Of course the dinner area and the seating for the wedding. I believe Nicole mentioned those white columns w/ are fabric being an arbor soon. You will have to double check that. It was quite elegant. I had no idea they were doing renovation on the site, but it was okay either way with color. The second pic is the back of the wedding suite. The hammock but on that ledge is a whirlpool for the ladys. Maybe 6 in it. Very nice and some did enjoy that feature. The third is: On the left side of the main serving tables. We had guests on the left then the middle of the main bldg and then on the right down a small slope nearer the ocean. It was gorgeous all of it. The third is: I am standing against the mirror and dressing area to shoot that shot. It is also at the back door of the suite where the whirlpool and hammock are. Looking toward the right is a L shaped sofa and table. You cant see it but to the right of my shoulder is the bath area. 2 shower heads/toilet/hanging closet for your dress(s) They brought up an adaptor to plug in more hairdryers and rollers. It all worked out great. BTW I wore my hair down and it looked a mess. Not because it was blowing or humid but I didnt take enough time to work on it. So ladies be sure and take care of YOU first. I was trying to be the hostess...big mistake on my part. And I should have brought some powder down to the beach area because you can see in my pics Im shining on the face from sweating. Those are all my own doings so I can only just laugh about it. But I didnt get the beautiful photos I wished I did for Chris and I together. but make sure you do I also bought another dress and changed into it halfway through the reception. Im sooooooooo glad I did that. My dress is so dirty at the bottom. hahaha

Thank you girls...I wasnt really looking at the color hahahaha I was lost in the beauty of the place. Isnt that funny. I will say, we used a soft coral for the other main color against the white. I can not tell you new brides to be how beautiful it is there. The pics will not ever do it justice. If you look back at all the brides before you at LC...you will see things you like and think how awesome. But when you stand there you have no camea or video that can truly capture what its like to stand there and lookout. In looking at the pink it looks so pretty and festive, in looking at the gold it looks so warm and easy feeling. It was so pretty, so lit up in candles that highlighted everyone and one guest said "it was a guy" look at everyone to Chris, "they look beautiful and like angels" now this is a guy in his 20's who in his eyes was seeing the candles, the white, the palm trees, the ocean softly coming against the shore. It was absolutely............A B S O L U T E L Y...unbelievable. Another guest: another guy said come back for me tomorrow Im not ready to go. Just wait. You'll see. Enjoy it, "If I can leave with one thing to you, ENJOY IT" it comes quickly and then its a beautiful memory. I think you will love the color btw it blended in with the natural scenery and gives a glow to everything. The next bride I didnt do, sorry please take pics of the suite and spa in detail for the girls upcoming. I was going to do this but I soooo got caught up in everything. Maybe our guests will have some other shots. I still have to figure out out to load the pics to a link here? does anyone know. Otherwise I will everyday kind of add new ones to see things until I figure it out. Otherwise I'll email them to you if you want to see that way via a private message w/ your email. Well, Im still sorting out things. But it sure was a pleasure to be there. People thought we paid a LOT of money for our wedding there. Shhhhhhhhhhh I didnt tell. hahahaha

I went into Sams and there were some cakes there. You might call your PV coordinator and ask them to help with that. Or call Sams main headquarters for that. Good luck. We had a 600US cake and only a handfull of people ate it. hahahaha A waste of money should have just gotten cupcakes I too wanted this gorgeous cake. It didnt happen but its okay our wedding was great at Las Caletas.

Hi My mom took it for me. She had the airlines put it in the closet at the front of the plane. They actually offered to do it. The problem remember to get it. hahahaha Mine was a shealth style so not bulky. We had no issue with getting it on the plane or through customs. I hung it on the door and let it fall out on its own. Depending upon where you will marry the sand is a hard place to walk through. I actually brought another dress to change into after the pics so I could enjoy walking around. My dress was so dirty at the bottom. Then I did a trash the dress photo shoot and it actually cleaned it up some. hahaha

Hi Brides (to be) I am trying so hard to post some pics. My computer is not working with me. I have so many pics and trying to figure out the best way to show everyone. In the meantime, if you want to send me a private message w/ your email I will send the ofoto/Kodak slides I have right now. Otherwise, give me about a week to figure this out. I have so many pics to show you. But I will say this: There is no need to over due the decor at Las Caletas. We tried and in the end we allowed Nicole and Kelly to do whatever they thought best. This is not like any wedding you've attended before. Everything gets lost in the beauty of the Cove and natural surroundings. It went by much to fast and so many things are a blur. But the guests did enjoy their cigars. A big hit. The sand ceremony was an added plus for all. If you get married during this winter time...please know that your LIGHT will disappear within minutes of the next. Chris and I did NOT get our pretty wedding couple photos because we were trying to get our families pics together after many of the long travels to see our wedding. Soooooo. I really dont know how to handle that except perhaps do the lovely ones of you two FIRST. But I am not kidding the light is GONE..........then it becomes beautiful candlelight but thats not so keen on camera shots. So much to tell you. The spa was great with 13 women. The bridal house is small but very lovely and we were out in the back area w/ whirlpool and hammock. It was very easy to be in there, because we just made room for ourselves throughout the inside and outside of the suite. It is so pretty you will not believe it. The walk to the bridal room from the boat is quite a hike. If you bring someone who has some trouble with that, just know they will take their time and get there in about 10 mins. Slow take pics and enjoy the walk. hahaha Its uphill but not something you cant do just only want to do it once hahaha The hill steps going down are much easier because Nicole and Kelly have a shorter way to get down. The guys are right up the first flight over the bar so no problem for them. Our grandparents stayed on the sand and did not go to the first level. That worked out so much better. Even though you are going to see some people in our pics as they took them, it didnt matter to Chris and I because it was all part of the experience. I will have other things to say later. But if you want some pics quickly send those email addy's. I will note the title as wedding pics. Okay have to run to watch the Cowboys win BB soon.

Thank you all. I have a lot of pics and should have some to view this week. The slideshow comes to me in 2 weeks. I will need some help with putting them online if you have any suggestions on how to do that best for the site. Question: About the Westin It is a very pretty hotel. The beach are is excellent and sexy. There were no people there. For our families, it was much to quiet and extremely expensive for what you were getting. I could have laid on the beds at the beach forever but we needed more going on. We love the chair WESTIN but for what we were doing and needed it would not have worked. One of our guests (couple) stayed there and they enjoyed it as a couple because they were trying to have a quiet getaway alone. So if you want that atmosphere I think the Westin is a good place. For a wedding especially with a lot of people I think a different place. I would also say that: As I looked onsight at the Riu Jalisco...for us I couldnt see a place I'd ask to be married on property. Which is why LC was so incredible. We are so happy we chose it among any in the states or abroad. We loved Las Caletas. It holds 150 people in a wedding and it would have been outstanding that way or smaller. Its just fantastic. Westin is gorgeous. Quiet. Expensive. and for us not what we were looking for. I think if the engaged couple can do the sight visits they will find that special place for them. And please other brides considering the Westin. It might meet all your needs but just not what our guests could do. We did have our bachelorette party there on the beach. 2 couples were there besides our girls and we had the place to ourselves. The drinks were 10 US, We ordered a bottle of tequila 150 US and 2 setups I think 85US for that. We didnt stay long then headed to Senor Frogs which was very fun for the evening. We didnt go on sight visits and looked to all the past brides his brother who had gone to LC for a wedding and pics to decide our plan of action. We are so lucky and happy we chose LC but again that worked for us. Good luck all. Please these are only our thoughts for us and if you chose the Westin, know it is a beautiful property and there were some shopping areas around there. Hope that helps.

Oh, dont buy liquor if you cant put it under the plane. They took all our guests purchasing from DutyFree because they were carrying them on the plane. ;(

Hola We are Back!!! Where do we start. After a few bumps and bruises from general travel, we arrived in Puerto Vallarta Airport. Came off the plane. Hit the button got a green light. Off we went. Red button pushers get to take their bags apart for the customs official. No hassle for us with any of our wedding inventory since they did not check our bags. Doors open hundred people yelling at you about a taxi, come here, hotels, etc. We looked for our FunJet Rep dressed in white pants or skirt, blue or red shirt with a sign that read FUNJET. Out the main door of the airport to the other two FunJet men who signed our names off the list and off we went to the resort of Riu Jalisco. 15 - 20 mins depending upon traffic. If the guest list to pick up at the airport isnt large they come for you in a car or small van. The men and women who are the TimeShare people are loud and talking fast...stay away from them. They will tell you they are FunJet or they are going to your hotel. Of course they will if you let them and you'll PAY . Ultimately if you do find yourself with a TimeShare rep just walk away...keep walking Gracias and GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. If you use FunJet you will see them holding their sign w/ that clothing on. Negotiate your price for the taxi if you go that route. Our drive to and from the airport (guests) who took them was 15 - 17 US dollars no tip. Airport to Riu Jalisco Resort. That was a regular taxi. Once we took a van full of people and a taxi with 4 people and the cost was 30 for the van and 15 for the taxi. We went from the Riu Jalisco to the Westin Hotel. No tip 45 total US. Okay, Riu Jalisco: Beautiful, very large, food okay, beach excellent, entertainment...okay. Rooms okay some with better views others not so great. Overall, on a scale of 1 - 5 (3.7) in food and rooms (5) beach Would we go there again. Probably not. Westin was beautiful would not stay there. Its to quiet. When our guests arriving late arrived. NO Room for them so they put them up at the Riu Vallarta (they did not like) and moved them back to the Riu Jalisco the next morning. Its high season in Jan. and the hotel was full. The front desk people will lie TO YOUR FACE!!! Laughter now but anger then. Staff is very friendly. Beds are hard as a rock and the pillow is a boulder. This sounds so negative but trying to give the full on thoughts. Summary: Beautiful in design, rooms okay, beds and pillow hurt they are so hard, food is acceptable not great, beach is great w/ active volleyball. Other water activities are going on some for a price some as part of the resort pkg. All enjoyed because Las Caletas IMPRESSED THEM. Las Caletas: BUTTER.........BUTTER.........SMOOTH BUTTER PERFECT~! Kelley: Friendly, witty, cute, knows her stuff Nicole: All the above and the head of this staff. Staff: All the above. We take a van to the Adventure office where we have some complimentary coffee and muffin. We board first on the board (13 of us from the wedding) then the other guests who are touring the island are allowed to board. All were wondering about the weddings on Las Caletas, so we became PR for the Riu weddings staff hahahaha The boat ride was great. Seemed so quick. The staff on board were funny, dancing, and giving info on Las Caletas. This tour was for others as we mentioned going to explore LC. We were going to get ready for the wedding. We get off boat, met by a huge lizard, 4 parrots and many winds and turns before behold STAIRS. Up we go to the Bridal Suite and spa. It was truly like being in DisneyWorld on the Island ride. Its extremely well kept, and the BSuite is very nice. We had 13 women and we FIT. Some went out on the back deck and got into the hottub and the hammock out there and relaxed with a drink. Others put their clothing up and begin their massages $25) each plus tip 11 massages and tip 362.88US Kelley was with us and Nicole came around 1 to LC. Kelley showed us everything we needed for the day there and we met for lunch at 1. The table they set up for our lunch was on a cliff overlooking the water and it was truly truly MAGNIFICENT. The food there is very tasty and very good. We had a shot of tequila and talked took some photos. Kelley showed us how the lineup would be and then we went up to shower and get ready. Some girls laid out but really we were getting excited and all ended up in the spa to talk. There are enough plugs to do your hair. Big mirrors for you and makeup. Even outside some girls by the whirlpool were putting on makeup. Nicole and Kelley left us and went to have the wedding tables/chairs/etc setup. We did not go down there again until we were walking to the alter. Mom brought tons of things for them and they chose what they felt would be good and it was GREAT. Give them the free rein on it, because it was beautiful in the end. Also they know what this facility is like and you dont, therefore they can make those decisions for you so you can relax. We were all ready at 5pm like they asked us. Our bags were packed outside the suite door and the guys on staff later put them on the boat. 1 bag was left behind but the girls found it and brought it to us on Monday. Oh forgot the bldg which was pink is now Mexican yellow Not POW yellow more soft gold. But to be honest at night only candles are really what you see. (I have to reflect for a moment because did we say I say it was absolutely the most beautiful wedding I have ever seen or been to) It takes my breath away thinking of how it looked. Okay back ....The boat arrives and we girls can see our men walking to their really cute cute cute mens room that overlooked the dinner and beach area. WE had glasses of tequila set up for them so they could toast Chris. I dont know what happened there but they dressed and came down to the level Nicole told them to be. Each girl took her place and my Father and I waited. I gave him a little lady bug to put into his pocket for luck. And it was the moment he and I had to say all the things you say and not say a word. (tear) The men walked the women to the alter after our grandparents and parents walked. Kelley and Nicole have the music down pat. They had Cesar working it and it really went perfect. The wedding isnt a blur but its one of those moments that passes before you realize it. We said our own vows, the sun was going down FASTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT we did the sand ceremony and tucked in there was a reading by one of our groomsman. WE had shakers placed on the chairs and after we kissed they begin to rattle as we went to the area for pics. It was very fun and loud. Lots of hugs and drinks flowing. The pics were shooting fast because honestly there wasnt anytime for Chris and I to do them. We had so many others to do and opted for that at the moment with family and friends. Brad the minister was awesome and did a great job. You could hear the music very well. The walk to the alter btw is short. I had envisioned it longer but it isnt once you get off the stairs. We initally were not going to use a camerman but so happy we did. He was great and had a huge light at the end of it Im hoping the movie comes out with light and not as dark as we looking around was. That will come in about 2 weeks. The guy filming said he was having fun with us so that made us feel good. We chose the fastest most group oriented songs to play and used bits and pieces of all your input so thank you so much. Only 1 song had 2 couples playing. They others we had to go onto the sand as well as the platform. So ladies if you're looking for party...chose those shake your bootie songs. Chris and I after seeing the YouTube wedding dance created one for our guests...and they loved it. We had so much fun doing it. We had the slideshow running throughout the wedding and my suggestion would be if you can to put every single guest on that slideshow and as many pics as you want because it just runs constantly. It was awesome too! They put up a huge screen behind the DJ/ Ipod Cesar and it really is pretty to see. Our cake was good and tasty. The fondant did begin to melt but only because the time was going so fast we didnt truly have this elaborate cake cutting thing going on instead we cut it and went down to dance. People came up as they wanted and took a piece by cutting the rest themselves. It worked it was fine and we are happy we did a cake. Our cigar roller was a hit thats really all I can say. They were pretty decent cigars / tobacco and all the men thought they were Italian like my Dad hahaha The firedancers came and the people loved them. Its not to long a show nor to short and great fun for the guests. Where the time went I dont know but it was time for us to board. The guest who had to take extra time to walk begin boarding. Its a little walk for them. By the time we needed to leave we did. We danced on the boat had drinks. I tossed my garter and bouquet on the boat. And Kelley caught it. hahahaha Good for her!!! Chris's brother caught the garter. Not planned at all. Just about 45 mins out the fireworks we ordered begin poppin and all enjoyed for a quiet moment. I had guests say that wanted to be left on LC and would come home the next day. So our guests truly loved it. Comments: this is the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended. 2.) All the issues of flying our hotel reservations being a mess, coming here has made it worth the trip...guests from Paris. We got so many compliments on the wedding at LC that I cant even explain to you the comments. Kelley and Nicole are truly a great asset to the company they work for. Nicole did also come to us on Friday afternoon at the Riu Lobby and give us a little rehearsal and that was good, and all got to meet her. She couldnt stay with us for dinner because of her committment that evening and the next day but it was good to have her with us for a little while that evening. Tips: Between 100.00 - whatever US dollars if you feel the need to add extra to the girls and the minister. We said our good-byes at the dock and off we went to in buses back to the hotel. It was an amazing quick wedding. Enjoy it for all its worth it truly is here and then puff its over. WE have over 2,000 pictures to share with you but that will be in the week or next two weeks. Oh we did our love pics at our TRASH THE DRESS photo shoot on the beach at the Riu Jalisco. It was soooooo fun and my dress is trashed. hahahaha and it weighed a ton when it was wet. We love the pics and cant wait to show all of you. Thank you for the good wishes we are and were so happy with the staff and the location of Las Caletas. We would do it again and again it was fabulouso! Talk to you soon! Mr. and Mrs yeahhhhhhhh

Hi Girls, Well, we are heading to PV Monday for our wedding. I have some last minute questions to ask: 1. Customs: Ya'll said, make sure we bring our receipts, load things in our luggage w/ clothes, no boxes if possible, spread out things to others if possible, $300.00 US per person allowed for wedding products, don't cause issue if they give us a hard time, act like you didn't realize if they call you out on something, have some ready cash just in case? Did I cover everything? 2. Taxi's: at airport and in city........ We are staying and so are our guests at the Riu Jalisco. We are supposed to have a free shuttle as part of our reservation. In case, things get mixed up: Did anyone stay at the Riu and how much if you remember was it to taxi there? How far is it? And someone said to walk across the bridge at the airport to get a better rate? Also, the FunJet people who we are supposed to look for are in white slacks, red or blue shirts w/ sign saying FunJet. If you stayed at the Riu did you take this shuttle or was there another shuttle? I'm so worried about our guests I can't wait to see them at the hotel smiling! 3. Airport: I have been to PV before about 4 years ago. I do remember lots of interaction of venders there yelling Taxi, Car, come here, etc. I have traveled a lot so Im not worried about Chris and I, only our guests who will be doing this for the first time abroad. Any suggestions for them. I know a few of you have been the PV most recently? Thank you so much for all the help ya'll have given us. Amazing forum! High five to the ones who put this together. Its been a life saver!

We leave Monday in the AM. Yeah...........I can't believe it's time.

We are gaving a cigar roller 50 cigars at $450 US Las Caletas

Heather and Dan those pictures were so great to see. We leave Monday for our wedding. Jan 5 Sat (1Wk) Whoa........ Thank you for sharing those it looks so fabulous we can't wait to see it for ourselves. I will definitely bring my waterproof mascara!!! Beautiful wedding and I love the different designs of each wedding. Your pictures were a different perspective to angles, I loved seeing that. Props to the photographer.

I will have to come back to this post in 1 week. Yeah, Jan 5 its almost here!!!