EricaMarie

Thanks! Yes, we are going ahead with the wedding we wanted. We have 27 guests who have purchased airline tickets and booked hotel so far. I also have family in Mexico who know will be coming. It is just hard because FI only has 5 people from his family coming. We are still not sure if his brother, SIL and niece will be coming (bestman and Flowergirl) so I know that is upsetting him. I am just mad now that my parents will be paying for a nicer and more expensive reception since soo many people had said they were definitely coming but have now backed out. I already signed contract for reception so hoping that the owner of the venue does discount some if we end up having less guests. This makes me not want to have a AHR now since people are choosing to not go it isn't that they can't afford or are able to come. Those who we thought could not afford it or would never come were the first who booked! I am staying positive and thinking about how we can now socialize with our guests who are coming easier and I will be able to make OOT bags since we will have less guests now!

I am getting married in Nuevo Vallarta Mexico on Decemeber 28,2011. I am trying to decide what we can do in terms of a affordable AHR. I don't want to spend a ton on a AHR since so many of our close family members were supposed to come but now are backing out based on finances. Does anyone have any suggestions for location to hold AHR. I live on the northside but most of my family lives on the southside so even NW Indiana works. Is waiting until May seem too long so we can have outside? Thanks!

Did anyone have a mass earlier than 4pm? I am worried about the logistics of getting to our reception location and having enough time before sunsets. We will hopefully be taking most pictures before the ceremony.

Things did not work out with the coordinator Jeniffer from The Event Mexico who is in Chicago she would not work with Jimmy's prices that I was quoted. She was going to be charging much much more. It was a waste of my time dealing with her. I went with Jimmy's in house coordinator Odette and could not be happier. She has a blackberry and answers my blackberry messages within minutes. She even has sent me pictures of all of the events as they are setting up so I can see the table set up, decorations, and cakes. I am soo excited for my wedding. If you want a private reception on the beach this is the place for you! If you want information I would be happy to help.

I agree Yes, he knows that this is what we want and need to focus on that. We would have an reception of some sort when we get back. I love your idea of showing all the celebs out there! I know my guests would not be going wondering into sketchy areas. I am sorry to hear about your experiences in Chicago. I grew up on the south side of Chicago so I know the violence was around, but my neighborhood was nice and we didn't go out looking for trouble. In your case though that is not preventable, but could happen anywhere. I am just keeping my fingers crossed that we have the most important people there with us and that will be all that matters. Thanks for listening to my worries!

I appreciate everyone's opinions. I am not worried about violence on the resort but that is what all of our guests are worried about. I tell all of my guests that what do others think about Chicago hearing about all the crime here. I have lived in Chicago my whole life which is 26 years and have never seen violence myself. I know it happens but it is all a matter of where you are. Unfortunately thanks to the news everyone is under the impression that there is violence everywhere in Mexico. My FI tells me we are absolutely not changing the plan and going forth with the DW even though he will not have much family there. Maybe some of his family will come around.

I am having second thoughts about DW. We have our date saved at church and venue that will be holding reception. I am in panic mode over whether or not this is best. We asked our families if everyone was open to the idea of a destination wedding and would be willing to go and no one objected. Now that we have sent out save the dates and asked for a preliminary RSVP we have found out that no one in FI family plans to attend other than his parents and one sibling. His brother, niece, and SIL may come. I feel terrible because many people in my family want to come. I am worried that when people need to actually book they will say its too expensive. I knew that not everyone would be able to come going this route. But between cost and the violence in Mexico I am really worried about who will actually come. I actually called today to find out what the available dates are for two reception halls in our hometown. Really trying to decide whats more important having all of our family with us or what I thought was my dream wedding

They aslo have these that match. Very cute if you are doing the beach theme

Thanks so much! I will definitely be looking into those!

You looked beautiful!

Where did you get the tissue paper poms from?

I just saw this ringbearer pillow online at Bed Bath and Beyond and thought I would share.

Everything looks great! I love your christmas ornaments. I have been thinking of doing the same because I am getting married December 28, 2011. I really like the two types you did because I also have family in Mexico as well as my family coming from Chicago. Congrats

Waiting for the prices is getting harder the closer we are now! I just want to know already! I am sure my guests are anxious as well.

Yes, if you decide to go with this location one of the coordinators he works with is opening an office in Chicago and will be here starting in January. I will be sure to let you know what I think of her. I am getting married December 28, 2011.

You should contact Jimmy at [email protected]. I contacted him and told him what I was looking for and how many people would be attending my wedding and he was able to create a package that would work for my party which includes a wedding coordinator that fit into my budget. He does not have a caterer on site, but knows of many and will set everything up for you. I would really contact him if I was you because it is really reasonable and you can have as much or as little as you like. Good luck!

So you ended up being able to keep Laura as your coordinator?? Thats great. Oh no about the cruise ship! You are still able to keep your date?

I am sorry you are going through this. When we asked all of our family if they would be on board if we got married in Mexico everyone was thrilled. Now that we sent our save the dates my FH's family feels very different now. No one wants to go based on what they hear on the news. We are just trying not to think about since we have a year until our wedding and hope everyone turns around. My aunt (who is in a non-tourist area) just called me this morning to tell me that she has not seen any violence what so ever. She also said that she has never seen so many Americans as are currently out there. All of my dad's side of the family lives in Mexico and they have told us yes certain areas are facing lots of violence right now but is only the areas that are where the drug cartels are at. I live in Chicago so I am telling everyone just think about what Chicago must look like to those who only hear about all the murders that occur here daily. If I knew no better I would think that you couldn't go anywhere in Chicago, especially not the south side where I have lived all my life in a very nice neighborhood! If I was you I would go forward with the wedding. I have heard nothing happening in any tourist area. I wish you the best of luck. Just remember your wedding is ultimately for you and your husband.

My ceramony will be at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadelupe and my reception will be at a private venue called Martoca Beach Garden. Still trying to decide on where to stay we are thinking the RIU Vallarta. Congrats to all!

Me and my future husband live in Bucktown. Congrats where will your wedding be in Puerto Vallarta?

Seems to have worked fine. I sent out my save the date last week with that info and I a request for a tentative response that they needed to make on our website and we already have 10 yes response. Now that I am pretty sure I picked the resort that I want people to stay at I am going to put the information for the resort on the website so they can take a look at it even though we will not be booking yet.

I just sent out tentative RSVPs with my Save the Dates and am actually getting lots of responses quickly, but all Yes responses so far. This is going to be interesting people we thought we definitely not come were the first to RSVP I am worried now this is going to be a much bigger weddign than I have been thinking!! I am also being asked if people we had no intentions of inviting could come!

I love both! All that matters is what you feel best in. Everyone will see how happy you are and love it too.

Yes, I think you are correct that you can reserve your date I am sure before rates are out. I just don't know much about this because I am not getting married at a resort. I am just looking for a resort to spend the week with guests and airfare. Thanks though!