Negativity about picking Mexico as destination wedding?

[JessiTaylor]

I live in Monterrey which actually is one of the cities near the border specifically mentioned in travel warnings for foreigners! My guests pretty much trust me when i say that going to Cancun is fine,but visiting me here would be less fine (but still not as bad as many people make out). I use the analogy of states in the US....if there are a string of murders in New York, you don't start stressing out if you live in Washington (actually that analogy pretty much epically fails with my English friends since they don't have much concept of US geography )

 

Unless you're going to wander into dark allies waving wads of cash and your rolex, or going to try to buy drugs or get involved in criminal activity - there is no reason why anything would happen to you. Far more people die from deciding its a good idea to drunkenly frolic in the sea at night whilst not paying attention to warnign signs about rough water. Actually perhaps don't mention that, you dont want to add fear of drowning to their list!

 

 

[Pierre Violle]

The media problem is a biggie. It really is such a huge country and this area is so far from the major drug-related crime. And yet, it is difficult for people to grasp that.  Here is a GREAT article written with a lot of wit and humor you can forward to your worrying family:  "How Not to Get Beheaded in Mexico".  I particularly enjoy the part: "Do not, under any circumstances, take a job with a major drug cartel. Just say no."

Hope it helps!

 

[JessiTaylor]

That is a fantastic article, it really made me smile imagining a mexican family dismissing canada as a viable vacation spot.

 

Even though i live in Monterrey, as the author put it "I can't even remember when I last experienced the beheading of a close friend."

[jules2012]

That's a great article..thank you!!

[saraluvsmikey]

Hello! I'm a newbie, just starting my planning... Haven't had anything to say on this forum quite yet, until now! We are experiencing a lot of "Why do you want to get married there?" from my side of the family. I feel bad that's it's my side of the family, but I should have expected it. My grandparents travel across country in their truck once or twice a year, but they HATE flying and would never DREAM of leaving the US. I know they used the violence as an excuse, which I think is hilarious because my grandmother wants us to get married where my fiance and I live, in Chicago. I have seen SO MANY people get arrested right in front of me in Chicago, it's laughable. I'm not saying I'd get married in those parts of town, but I'm just saying, Chicago is NOTORIOUS for crime!

 

So, this has been a struggle... but our wedding is over a year away. Maybe they'll come around?

 

Love that Huff Post article! I love the comment about how NOT to get murdered: don't join a drug gang! I traveled to Colombia by myself after high school and met up with a Colombian friend and everyone was telling me how dangerous it was. I just told them I wasn't planning on running off into the jungle or accepting offers to become a drug mule during my visit!! (:

 

xo

Sara 

[saraluvsmikey]

Hello! I'm a newbie, just starting my planning... Haven't had anything to say on this forum quite yet, until now! We are experiencing a lot of "Why do you want to get married there?" from my side of the family. I feel bad that's it's my side of the family, but I should have expected it. My grandparents travel across country in their truck once or twice a year, but they HATE flying and would never DREAM of leaving the US. I know they used the violence as an excuse, which I think is hilarious because my grandmother wants us to get married where my fiance and I live, in Chicago. I have seen SO MANY people get arrested right in front of me in Chicago, it's laughable. I'm not saying I'd get married in those parts of town, but I'm just saying, Chicago is NOTORIOUS for crime!

 

So, this has been a struggle... but our wedding is over a year away. Maybe they'll come around?

 

Love that Huff Post article! I love the comment about how NOT to get murdered: don't join a drug gang! I traveled to Colombia by myself after high school and met up with a Colombian friend and everyone was telling me how dangerous it was. I just told them I wasn't planning on running off into the jungle or accepting offers to become a drug mule during my visit!! (:

 

xo

Sara 

[AllieH]

There was an article on this in today's Houston Chronicle - scroll down to the end and you'll see a list of all the states of Mexico. Quintana Roo (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum) does not have any travel advisories. 

 

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/U-S-expands-Mexico-travel-warning-to-14-states-3242201.php

 

here's the direct link to the US State Dept. website too: 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665.html#

 

[JessiTaylor]

ooh are you from houston?? im waiting for a discounted flight from vivaaerobus from monterrey to houston to possibly look for wedding dresses. if you have any shop suggestions that would be great! bizarrely my future mother in law is convinced that no good dresses can be bought in Mexico (and shes Mexican!) and of course i must go to the states to look. Im checking out local shops too obviously, but sometimes they have fantastic deals to the US. And just seems less hassle then driving across border for hours.

[AllieH]

I'm in DFW now, and no help with Houston dress shops unfortunately. If you find a cheap flight to DFW, I'd be happy to help you out here. 

Originally Posted by JessiTaylor 

ooh are you from houston?? im waiting for a discounted flight from vivaaerobus from monterrey to houston to possibly look for wedding dresses. if you have any shop suggestions that would be great! bizarrely my future mother in law is convinced that no good dresses can be bought in Mexico (and shes Mexican!) and of course i must go to the states to look. Im checking out local shops too obviously, but sometimes they have fantastic deals to the US. And just seems less hassle then driving across border for hours.

 

 

[QuintanaV]

I'm from Houston and have yet to go wedding dress shopping since my wedding won't be until May 2013, but I have heard from countless friends that Ventura's Bridal here in Houston is the place to go! They have tons of different designers all in one place and even take reservations. I'd recommend making an appointment with them if you are coming in from out of town.