HappyBride13

My vidoe is my FAVORITE part of my Las Caletas package--used Sandra!  The editting she did was amazing and our video is so intimate.  If you need to cut somewhere, it is not necessary to have her there when getting ready.

Check out Playa Escondida--I loved it there--we spent 4 days of our honeymoon there.

I walked down to "Love Changes Everything"--very dramatic!

Our recessional was "I Do" by Colbie Callait--very upbeat!

HI all!
I just got married there and it was as wonderful as everyone says!  I had a wonderful time and my guests loved it!
I don't have much to add aobut the place and the day and the beauty--just to emphasize that everyone was right about how easily it all runs and how fabulous it all turns out!!

My one difficulty was hair and make up--I share here only becasue I think I have some solutins for those that read this.  I had it done by Jamil from Joel's Salon.  I did the trial at my hotel the day before and we did my hair half up/half down and curly as I wished.  Jamil told me it would get frizzy and curls would fall out faster at LC than in PV--sure enough, it fell out in 2 hours. So on wedding day we decided to do it up--which we had not practiced.  Jamil was an hour and half late (some confusion as to when he was supposed to arrive but I was going by my timeline), which alone was stressful-- one of my bridesmaids eventually found him just hanging out.  There was not time to adjust my hair and make up afterwards.  Also stressful.  I did not like either (hair or make up) and it was a bit of a damper on things for me.  He worked hard, was friendly, had a good attitude, but, in the end, I wish I had done my own hair and make up (or had a girlfriend do it).

A few comments though, so you don't worry too much:

• My pictures look GREAT!  So my disappointment was more probably about my expectations and what I am used to than to how I really looked.
• The airbrush was amazing, my favorite part of the make up!
• He uses fake eyelashes---I think I just felt mine were too much (others thought my eyelashes were too much too, we have laughed about it now) on me and I didn't feel I had time to take off/clean up/reconsider.  Think this through beforehand--and maybe bring the ones you want from home (a friend got natural looking ones from Benefit)--he had a limited selection and I picked the best ones on my trial day and then had even fewer choices on wedding day. But again, they looked good in the not-as-close-up pictures....
• Hair: it does seem that up works best in that climate so maybe practice up at home and decide what you really want (I didn't know if I wanted the "bun" on the side or in back and I realize now I wanted my ears to show).
• Make sure he gets there on time--talk to Blanca about this (which I did, I heard he is often late, did not help in my case, but might in yours).

Again, it all worked out okay and it was small in the grand scheme of things (like I married an amazing man surrounded by my favorite peoplein a magical place!) but I thought I would share so you can think it through.

OH! Also, I used Sandra for my video and Eder fo rmy photos.  I don't have the photos yet but really enjoyed Eder--very friendly and flexible.  I did get a highlight video already (we have our AHR tomorrow and will show it) and I LOVE IT!! She made it soooooooooo special!! The photography of it is great but it is the EDITTING that took my breath away--the way she added hte music, put it together, the parts she picked, AMAZING! (And she did it super fast for me!) 

That is my two cents.

Best to you all!!!! 

OH, one more thing....we honeymooned at Playa Escondida and it was absolutely prefect for us! Not for everyone but perfectly relaxed for us. (Don't beleive when they write that you have to be an outdoorsy person--I'm not, just up for something different!)

Thanks Branya--you look beautiful!!

Is that Joel or Yamil?

And the flower--is that one you purchased for your hair when you bought your flowers or did you get it from somewhere else?

I am trying to get to the point where I have few expectations--I do about just about everything else, but for my hair and make up, I seem to really care!

You leave in 3 days!  Wow! So excited for you!!

Sorry about the favors being returned----that is a drag when there is a charge for luggage so you have to worry about weigth already!

HAVE FUN!  YAY! 

Yayay!  I haven't put anything in suitcases yet (hope it fits!) but have it all laid out!  I think I will end up asking my fiance to take all the wedding-related stuff since my bag will be at the limit (50 pounds on US Air) with just my clothes!

What day do you fly down?  My fiance is counting down to the wedding day (Monday--12 days) but I am counting down to the day I have to be ready to leave (next Thursday--8 days!)!

So exciting!

The only place I can think of is the area above the eating area--where the boys change.  I am not sure how open it is... I know the bathrooms are small (stalls) and there is only candle light (don't catch your dress on fire!) but that area might be your best bet.  I am still undecided about chaning afterwards but if I do, I will do it there.  My dress is not too big, though....only one layer of poofiness underneath and light material.

I hear that airbrush make up is very light, looks super natural and is the perfect answer for having professional make up done if you dn't usually wear a lot of make up.  Not only is it light, but it stays on for a long time! 

I am having a trail done becasue I want to be relaxed on my wedding day and not knowing how my hair and make up are going to turn out woudl stress me out.  It is not cheap, but to me, the sress release is worth the price!

HI all!
I have read fromway back, that it is good to bring a 2 prong power strip for your bridesmaids to use at the bridal casitas.  Then I read it was remodeled.  I wondering if this means we no longer need to bring extra power strips?  Anyone who has been there have input?

Thanks!!
 

MarriedNMex--It is almost our turns!! 
 

Cute!
 

I just called the number on the website--someone answered. I think they have been really busy lately---it has been taking longer for replies lately.

The deposit was $1000 and I paid it by credit card over the phone.

Keep trying--it will be worth it!
 

HI Heather!  Congrats on your special wedding!  Mine is in 5 weeks!

I am wondeinrg waht you did about timing---photos after the ceremony, before the sun set?  Did you see your fiance before the ceremony, did you take pictures afterwards, how much time did you have before the sun set?  I am concerned about ti being too dark for us to get good photos.

Thanks!

PS what did you do about communicating with Blanca once you were there--did you use a cell phone? hotel phone?

Thanks!
 

Hi all,

What did you all do about contacting people while in Mexico?  Did you use a cell phone?

thanks!

I would love to read the ideas too but when I click on the link it just takes me to the general forum page--any ideas on how to get there without the link?

Thanks!
 

Thanks for the info!
 

Thak you both for your reassurance----for the sake of convenience, I will use them!  Any thoughts on a second shooter (an extra photographer/videographer to get shots from another angle)?  I can afford one for either the videographer OR the photographer (I will have one of each) and can't decide where to add the second shooter!

Thanks again!
 

Has anyone used, or planning to use, Eder Acevedo or Sandra Briones for photo and video?  The products look good but many LC brides seem to use other Puerto Vallarta photographers....makes me wonder what they know that I don't know!
 

Posting this in the Las Caletas section might help get an answer...plus you might find some reviews there already!

Hi Brides!

Did anyone use the photography services recommended by the Las Caletas team?  Eder Acevedo for photo and Sandra Briones for video?  I am considering using them and am wondering what others have thought....

Also, if I get a 'second shooter', should I use him or her on phoography or videography?

Thanks for any thoughts!!

Hi all!
Unlike vacation, I think there will be a need for me to use my cell phone before my wedding while in Mexico--to coordinate with WC and guests.  Does anyone know anything about phones and plans there?

Thanks!!

We are staying in Mexico, so flights are done, and will move to a new resort after the wedding. We plan to spend maybe $3000 for both of us....
 

Hi all!
Has anyone had their Welcome Reception at the Marriott or does anyone know any fun places nearby (walking distance)?

Let me know if you can recommend anything.  We would like a funky or a nice place--nothing too loud or crazy (we are in our 40s--not big drinkers).  Any thoughts would be helpful!

Oh! Or if you have thoughts on day activities....we think we want to takeo ur guests out for a day of snorkeling or something--we figure they will really get to know one another that way!

Thanks so much!!

HI all!
Has anyone been (or heard about) the beaches in Punta Mita?  Do the beaches have the same vendors selling items like in PV--we would like to avoid them?  And can you swim there easily (without running into rocks)?  We are looking at Royal Suites, Hotel Cinco, and Tranquila for our honeymoon.  We are seeking something smaller, more private than the resorts in PV.  Any thoughts?
Thanks!!