Renewal of Our Vows part 2 - Picking the Attire

text by Jaime Valdes-Riench
Veil picture from birdcage veils.com

Well, here I am again, ready to give you the inside on my and my hubby's journey for our renewal of vows.  I wish I could had written sooner, but being a wedding planner, my clients always come first and rightfully so...

So where are we to date?  I would love to share the journey of picking our attire for the ceremony.  I will not share photos quite yet, or I will spoil the only surprise I have left for my hubby.. sorry everyone, that will have to wait.

I was stumped on what to do.  Our ceremony is only the two of us and let's face it, I am a bit more mature in age.  My very first impulse was to run to Bliss Bridal and pick out a lovely gown.  Not over the top, but lovely none the less (that would be my inner child coming out enjoying dress up!!).  Then my wedding planner budget side took over ,and all I could think about was being practical.  

I have to admit, I love the 50's looks when women were really ladies, and THEY HAD CURVES!  So I went with a more fitted practical gown I could use later.  It is more of cocktail dress, and yes I did choose white.  Pairing that with sexy nude pair of 5" heels and birdcage veil, I think the look suits me well.  Most of all, the good old practical side says I can pull on a suit jacket over the dress and presto, I have a dress that would be great for work.  All in all, I only spent around $250.00 total for my look.  This is a sentimental ceremony, so I wanted to utilize jewellery that means alot to me.  This ceremony is all about the meaning, not about glitz.

Now, on the topic of sentimental, I really am one to dig deep sometimes. For my hubby, Jorge, we picked a tan dress pant and a French cut pin striped dress shirt.  To spicy it up, we picked out one fabulous tie!  His meaningful piece will be the cufflinks I bought him as a gift.  They are amber.  How appropriate considering we are having our ceremony at NOW Amber Resort.  He will have a special memory and keep sake.


By no means do I think the more mature bride or couple that wants to renew their vows should settle on what they imagine their ceremony should be (i.e. not going for the gown), but even though I am surrounded by so much eye candy with weddings everyday, I am actually a simple girl.  This ceremony is just about us.  I will still knock 'em dead, not because I will be that gorgeous, but simply because I know my husband.  I know how he cried when he saw me when I walked down the isle on our wedding day, I know how he looked at me when we had our gorgeous babies, and I know how he looks at me when we slow dance for no apparent reason but because a love song is playing.  

When it comes down to it, its love.  Simple, beautiful, pure love.. 

Thanks for reading.  I will love to share the flowers we picked next and then the special part.... the vows.  

Cheers to happy life!
Jaime.

Always a wedding planner, never the bride

text by Jaime Valdes-Riench
picture: Now Amber Resort

As the owner of Travel & Events With Style, I have the opportunity to work with so many amazing couples and very closely with the brides as we plan their wedding day.  It is something that is so magical and makes my job such a pleasure.

Destination weddings are definitely more unique in the way that the securities of having a wedding locally are not there.  When getting married here, you know you can taste, touch and choose first hand everything you want for your big day.  As for destination weddings, there is alot of inquiring and unlimately faith in your wedding planning professional on the selections.  Most importantly, there has to be alot of faith in resort and vendors themselves to deliver.

After doing this for the past 8 years (travel side 16yrs), it always makes my heart long for another chance to marry my amazing husband one more time.  For a little back ground, Jorge and I have been together since we where in highschool.  This July that would be 20 years! Out of those 20, we have been married for 13 years this June 19, 2012.  Our original wedding date was June 19, 1999.

We had a lovely wedding, but it always never seemed like, OUR wedding.  To have the chance to speak our hearts, in the tropics, where we love so deeply, is something I have hoped for for a long time now.

This brought me to a grand idea! Why not surprise Jorge with a renewal of vows?  So at the end of June, when both myself and Jorge go down to do site inspections of the brand new NOW Amber, and the Dreams and Secrets Puerto Vallarta Resorts we will do just that.  As for the surprise part, well, Jorge found out.  Not because someone told him, but because he was doing what he does best, helped me work (he is my business partner after all).  He came across the email from the minister and found out.  Not entirely terrible, it just means that now I will get ready on my own and meet him at the alter as the surprise.  I can't wait to look into his eyes the way I did on our wedding day as I walk down the aisle.

So on June 27, 2012, I will marry my soul mate of 20 years again.  If you would like to continue our reading our journey, I would love for you to participate as we go down this road together.  It will be so special to me to learn how all my brides feel as they plan their big day, and I know that will help both me and Jorge be even better at what we do. International weddings with style!

Cheers and more to come.. (next up - buying the dress!)