ChristinaH

No, he wasn't the DJ nor did we pay for a DJ. We provided an iPod with all of the songs we wanted to be played.

The Marriott is great - we did a group block of rooms and everything worked out for everyone really well. They are non-AI, but I do believe they have AI options available. The whole hotel just went through a renovation and looks great. The food is good, the staff is friendly and the pool is great. The ocean water in that area is not so hot, but the pool overlooks the ocean. Great for walks on the beach though.

The Marriott does it most evenings around sunset. My friends and family loved this! It's super cute and fun for all.

Vallarta Adventures has loads to offer (same group that owns Las Caletas): Puerto Vallarta Eco-Tours, Expeditions, and Adventure Tours I've also had this one bookmarked: Tour Dune Buggy Adventure by Jungle Trek in Puerto Vallarta

Does anyone know if Fernando (does hair at LC) have direct contact info or is available to do weddings other than at LC?

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR I'm not very smart! I must have been looking at the wrong pics - I only saw the ceremony ones. I was like, I don't get it - why should I recognize this dress?! lol DUH! not sure what i was looking at, but i didn't see the TTD pics. NOW I see the dress! lol It looks great on you, much better than it did on me. It fit great and I loved it (THANK YOU, ANN), but once it got wet at the TTD, it became VERY see-through. The other guests at the pool got an eye full (I wasn't even wearing panties).

I still owe a review of the Marriott. Nothing sketchy about it for me. I've stayed there several times in the past few years and have never had a problem. The renovations are great, too! We had a Jr. Suite and it was beautiful and big. Connected to my daughter's room, too. I'll have to post more info, but honestly I'm a fan of the CasaMagna Marriott. I know some girls on BDW have had bad experiences, however. Another good spot to read about the hotel, see pics from guests, etc. is on TravelAdvisor.com. Very honest reviews there as well. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...fic_Coast.html

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne lol Christina - you are so funny!!! (In a good way!) Reading your review I'm thinking "that's exactly what I'd be feeling!" - I'm thinking we must have similar personalities! I'm so happy that you didn't let the "little" things (and I use that term loosely when your wedding dress is burned!!! LOL) get you down! Good for you!!! Sounds like you made your day happen. I can't wait to go see the pics now!!! Did you happen to post a separate thread about the Marriott?? I haven't browsed for that, but I will. I'm dying to hear about that as well. All in all - sounds like an AMAZING wedding!! CONGRATS and welcome back home!!!!! :) :) :) Thank you!!! So sweet... After my husband stepping on the train of my dress, taking out the bustle after four months of work, I had to get over the little things. I was pretty stressed out prior to that really. But after a drink, I got into the spirit of things and just let it all go and enjoyed myself and had to remember that the small stuff doesn't really matter. I did not do a Marriott thread, but I should post for it or at least tag onto the one from before. Hope you got to look at the pics. I can't stop looking at them!!! I loved our wedding day!

So many pics! All so good!! Stunning. I want to go back there now!

Quote: Originally Posted by JaimeLynne Hey Christina Been busy! Just wanted to say HI! Hopefully not too busy to read my LC review and view pics ; ) Let me know if you need anything/have questions, etc. about LC and the PV Marriott. Too bad you have surgery on 12/12. Hope everything is okay!

I would love to meet up... I missed the last one because of my bridal shower. Plus, it's a good excuse to go to the Glass Cactus. Been dying to go there! Jaime - it's nice to see you on here. It's been a while...

Wow - everything sounds great! The chuppah looked just like mine - except I didn't have the shells. We were so glad we extended ours an hour but on the back end - we left LC at 11:30pm. Love the pics and review! You were about two weeks after me : )

Quote: Originally Posted by brittbrodin Thanks for the review Christina!! Isn't Kelley great!! She is also my WC. My FI and I met w/ her last July when we did the site inspection at LC. It was so nice to actually meet her and she made my decision so easy because she was so great! So I'm really glad to hear she took care of every detail and more for you guys! Congrats!! Kelley was great - Nicole was my WC and she was fantastic! They both are so good at what they do.

Quote: Originally Posted by AnnR What a detailed review, I love it. But I must admit, I don't recognize the dress! lol I looked and looked! It does look similar to mine w/the shimmery beading, but I think it's a different dress - right? Please do come back and post a review, I love reading them and they really are helpful to future brides! I used the JCrew dress from you in my TTD - very simple and very plain but so pretty. The TTD is at the end of the pics. oh well...

Quote: Originally Posted by brittbrodin I was talking w/ my FI last night about your incident with the DJ! I can't believe you had to go over there like 4 times just to get him to play from your playlist. This is something we've put a lot of work into and spent several hours and $$ on itunes so I hope he finally got the point. Maybe since you mentioned it to Nicole she'll make sure it doesn't happen in the future. Also, aren't the fire dancers always supposed to come out and suprise everyone at the end of the night?? I thought that's what Kelley told me during our visit. Anyways, great review and you definitely started getting me excited!! We didn't hire him as a DJ per se, it was just the sound guy - but definitely got the better of me that night. We put a lot of time and iTunes into our playlist, too! I still fume when I think about it... we had some really good songs that we never got to hear. Not sure when the fire dancers are supposed to come out, but for us it was to be after the first dance. I just happen to see them and said we may as well get moving with the dance portion of the night anyway - they probably had come straight over after the Rhythms of the Night show. You could probably have them wait till you're ready.

Quote: Originally Posted by Andi Christina your pics are gorgeous! Your hair looks so good! so did they end up using the extensions you had brought or not? also that pinata idea is great! I may have to "borrow" that idea if you don't mind Thank you - I loved my hair, too! He didn't use the extensions, but he did use the fake hair ponytail thing - which is basically a big hair claw with fake hair attached. It was a touch lighter than my hair color, so it's underneath and he had my own hair on the outside of the bun (make sense??). By all means, borrow the pinata idea. I think Nicole had said we were the first to do that at LC and it went over well. Great fun for all participating and watching.

Quote: Originally Posted by petunia Beautiful pics of a beautiful bride and her wonderful wedding. If my fiance sees your pictures he will definitely want to steal you "Terrible Towel" idea. LOL. Thank you! The Terrible Towel was my idea for the wedding. We were engaged while tailgating last year at a Steelers game in Pittsburgh. It seemed appropriate to have them at the wedding - plus, I'm from there, grew up a fan and many friends are huge Steelers fans. However, in some of the group photos that the professional photographer took, some of our Cowboys fan friends have the towel over their heads with a big thumbs down. Kinda funny...

Quote: Originally Posted by brittbrodin Love the pics!! It looks like you guys had so much fun and you looked amazing! I especially love the terrible towel and pinata ideas...we have a few little ones coming so that might be a great way to keep them busy (at least capture their attention for a few minutes! :-)) I thought of a couple more ?s when I was looking at your slideshow: 1. Did you arrange a charter bus through Vallarta Adventures? And did they pick all your guests up at the hotel and bring them straight to the marina? 2. What Company did you order the fans from? 3. I loved the cake! I think you mentioned your cake in your review, but did you just tell Kelley/Nicole what you wanted and they took it from there? Thanks and Congrats!! Thank You! We did have a fun, fantastic time. I'm from Pittsburgh - Steelers Pride : ) Ironically, our photographer is Steelers fan, too - Roberto Aceves - a PV local. To answer your questions: 1. We arranged the bus through VA. Pick up at hotel to the marina, as well as return after the wedding. 2. The fans are from Oriental Trading. I have 9 extras. 3. I drew a little picture of the type of cake I wanted and Nicole came through. It had to be ordered by an outside vendor, however. Not typical for LC. I had sent the almond flavoring to Nicole, not sure it was used by it tasted like almonds and had crushed almonds in the cake. Soooo good!

These are a blend from a couple friends' pics taken from the day, starting with the boat ride over. My girlfriends and I were already over at LC in the morning. Kodakgallery.com*Join now and receive beautiful photographic prints from your camera

I have pics! Non-pro pics from friends: Kodakgallery.com*Join now and receive beautiful photographic prints from your camera

I have pics!!! Non-Pro Wedding Pics: Kodakgallery.com*Join now and receive beautiful photographic prints from your camera

Quote: Originally Posted by brittbrodin Thanks, Christina! I'm so glad to hear that he did an amazing job and you didn't have to do the trial. Is the quote of $220 correct for hair and makeup the day of? Did you also bring a picture of for your makeup...or just gave him a general idea? Yes, $220 was what I paid - however, I gave him more since he put on lashes for my girlfriend and did my daughter's make-up while I finished getting ready. I brought several pics of hairstyles I liked as well as make-up - including my trial run at MAC.

I didn't do a trial with Fernando, but he was a rock star with my hair and make-up. I brought pics of hair and make-up and even brought a hair piece because I wanted a big ol' bun - think Heidi Klum at the Oscars. I also wanted fake eyelashes - which I brought and he put on for me & one of my girlfriends. He uses MAC makeup too. It all turned out great!

Quote: Originally Posted by brittbrodin The whole experience sounds amazing...well except for the whole dress on fire thing!! I never even thought about the possibility with the candels! Did you do a trial with Fernando for hair? I'm also using him and debating on whether or not to do a trial since I think it costs like $200 more! But I think I'll be really nervous about it if I don't Also, we are looking at Barcelona Tapas for the rehearsal dinner. Do you know what options they have? How far in advace did you book with them? It really looks like you guys had a great time and I can't wait to see your LC pictures!! It was an amazing day for me. I never thought about the candles - but at that point in the night, I didn't care either. So what if I caught on fire ; ) I did not do a trial with Fernando. My trial had been back in April when LC was using L'occocco. So I was slightly nervous, but Nicole reassured me that Fernando was fantastic - and he was! I brought plenty of pictures of hair and make-up of what I envisioned and he got it just right. The make-up was heavier than I like it, but it worked out for photos. Barcelona was fantastic! We booked a few months in advance, just to make sure we had seating on the top level. For large groups, they do the Tasting Menu (see their website: Puerto Vallarta Restaurant - Barcelona Tapas). You get included in one flat price: soup, salad, choice of 5-8 of the tapas offerings, and 3 choices of the desserts. The food was brought out 2 choices at a time. There was so much food and everyone loved it - no ordering off menus, and everyone got to taste everything. I'm trying really hard to get some non-pro pics posted.

Quote: Originally Posted by HolleyC Thanks Christina! Your review made me super excited and I don't know if I can wait another 6 days! I know that I do not post on this forum often but I will make sure that I provide a review when I get back Thank you ladies for your guidance and wisdom...it made planning my wedding at LC much easier! I was more of a stalker than a poster on here. But once it was all said and done, I truly felt the need to post my review and links to pics for all to read and see. Everyone on here is so helpful and I learned a lot to make my wedding day even more special. Enjoy your time in PV and Congrulations, Holley!