Wedding Week Activites

Only two weeks until departure time! Below is what Ronnie and I will be doing. Feel free to join any of them or none at all! (Except the rehearsal dinner and wedding of course)
Most events take place at Casa Luna Quebrada or will be otherwise noted.


Monday, October 11th, 2010
9am- Breakfast Quebrada (Guests of Casa Luna)
11:00am-2:00 Mercado Shopping (Join us for an artisan shopping trip)
7:00 Casa Payo Dinner (Argentinan Steak House)

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
9:00am- Breakfast Quebrada (Guests of Casa Luna)
12:00pm-3:00pm - Dominoes, Cards and Pool Time- Quebrada
4:00 –7:00 Tapas at Eleanor’s Casita- Meet at 4:00 in front of Quebrada for taxis
8:00 Street Tacos/ Jardin/ Roof Top Drinks ...to be determined.

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
9:00 Breakfast Quebrada (Guests of Casa Luna)
11:00am-3:00pm Ronnie leads Golf Group
11:00am-3:00pm Julie leads a group to La Gruta Hot Springs
4:00 Relaxation at Quebrada
6:00 Warren Hardy Lectures about the history of Mexico and our cultural differences- Quebrada
7:30 Dinner- Italian Restaurant on Codo

Thursday, October 14th, 2010
9:00 Breakfast Quebrada
10:00am Guanajuato Side trip for those interested please contact Dianne at Casa Luna (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
11:00am-2:00 Mercado Shopping
2:00 Comida at Cha Cha Cha
5:00-7:00 Welcome Happy Hour- Quebrada
7:30- Dinner- Pollo Feliz - Quebrada

Friday, October 15th, 2010
9:00am – Breakfast at Quebrada (Casa Luna Guests)
10:00am- Bridesmaids and Julie go to Rancho Casa Luna
10:00am- Ronnie leads group to ATV off road rentals
2:00pm- Wedding Party meet back at Quebrada
2:30pm- Wedding Rehearsal (Wedding party only please)
4:45pm- Everyone to be at the gate of Quebrada to prepare for parade
5:00pm- Parade
6:00pm- Dinner at Mi Casa in Instiuto Allende

Saturday, October 16th, 2010 Wedding Day
9:00am- Breakfast at Quebrada
10:00am- Bridesmaids and helpers only leave for Rancho Casa Luna
3:00pm- Quebrada- Shuttles depart for Casa Luna Rancho
3:30pm- Rancho- Guests arrive
4:00pm- Ceremony Begins
11:00pm- Shuttles depart Rancho Casa Luna and return to Quebrada


Sunday, October 17th, 2010
9:00am Breakfast Quebrada (Casa Luna Guests)
10:00am Guanajuato Side trip for those interested
12:00pm House and Garden Tour- La Biblioteca (Library) (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
1:00pm La Gruta Hot Springs Side Trip for those interested
7:00 Farewell Dinner

Monday, October 18th, 2010
9:00am Breakfast Quebrada

Bride and Groom depart for Honeymoon in Paris...

Two Maps of El Centro!

This map came from here.

On Thursday, October 14th, we will be having a "Welcome to Mexico" happy hour from 5:00pm-7:00pm with margaritas and botanas (snacks) at Casa Luna Quebrada. (See below for map)

The wedding festivities will be a bit out of town, so the place to meet the van for the wedding is at Casa Luna Quebrada:

We will be having a Quaker Wedding Ceremony

While we are not Quakers, we will be holding our wedding ceremony as an edited version of a Quaker Friends Meeting, or Quaker ceremony. After we say our promises to each other, our guests will have an opportunity to say something nice before we exchange rings. Heartfelt toasts or excerpts from texts are examples of what you might prepare for the ceremony. Messages may be literal or metaphorical, and about anything appropriate to the joy and solemnity of the occasion—love, family, marriage, life, or what you will.

Please keep your message relatively short (no more than a few minutes) so that all those who would like to speak will have a chance to do so without the ceremony going on for hours.

Wikipedia says this about Quaker ceremonies:

Since traditionally Friends have no clergy, there is no one person to “marry” them. Instead they declare themselves married before God and those gathered.

The couple then signs the Quaker wedding certificate which, for the purposes of the meeting, means they are now married. All those present are invited to share messages with the gathered meeting as they feel led (as in any other Meeting for Worship, see main article on the Society of Friends). At the close of worship all those present at the meeting are asked to sign the wedding certificate as witnesses. Often the certificate is hung prominently in the home of the couple as a reminder of the promises they made, and of the people with whom they shared that moment of their lives.

How to get from the airport to San Miguel

One of the great things about getting a shuttle is how affordable it is to get from Leon Airport to San Miguel de Allende. You can book your travel service with them online and pay them in cash when they drop you off at your hotel (don't forget to tip!).

We recommend these guys:

The San Miguel Super Shuttle

Here is some information regarding their rates from their web site:

From the León (BJX) airport to San Miguel de Allende.

Our driver or representative will be waiting with a sign with your name on it outside the customs area (you will pass through immigration, pick up your luggage, and then go through customs). The driver will take you directly to your house or hotel in San Miguel.
Note: Our goal is to only wait for passengers arriving on the same flight. Please be patient while the rest of the passengers go through customs.
Travel time: 1 ½ hours

Rates:

Shared Services (Prices based on passengers):

• BJX (Leon) Airport: $24 USD 1 passenger
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $48 USD 2 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $72 USD 3 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $80 USD 4 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $90 USD 5 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $95 USD 6 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport: $99 USD 7 passengers

Rates:

Private Services (Prices based on vehicle):

• BJX (Leon) Airport mid size car: $69 USD up to 2 passengers
• BJX (Leon) Airport van: $99 USD up to 7 passengers

From the airport in Mexico City to San Miguel
Our driver or representative will be waiting with a sign with your name on it outside the customs area (you will pass through immigration, pick up your luggage, and then go through customs). The driver will take you directly to your house or hotel in San Miguel. NON STOP SERVICE. Travel time 04:00 hrs

Shared Rates:

MEX (Mexico City) Airport: $65 USD 1 passenger

MEX (Mexico City) Airport: $130 USD 2 passengers

MEX (Mexico City) Airport: $185 USD 3 passengers

Private Car Rates:

MEX (Mexico City) Airport mid size car: $199 USD up to 2 passengers

MEX (Mexico City) Airport van: $229 USD up to 7 passengers

From San Miguel to the airport in León (BJX)
Our driver will arrive at the time designated (no more than 15 minutes after) at your house or hotel to take you directly to the airport in León.
Travel time: 1 ½ hours
Note: Our goal is pick up all passengers in no more than two stops, but there is a possibility that a taxi will pick you up and take you to the van. This taxi will be paid for by us. In keeping with our punctuality, we ask that you please be kind enough to be ready to leave at the designated time.

We have registered for China at Heath Ceramics and other items at Macy's

Since the invitations are going out VERY SOON...it was time to register. For our tableware/china, we chose to go with local classic, Heath Ceramics. The have been around since the 40's and have beautiful work. They produce all of their clay from the beautiful land of Sausalito.

We also registered at Macy*s because we know it is easily accessible for everyone.

Please do NOT bring any gifts to Mexico. Please have them shipped to either our apartment or to Alice Bull's (my mom) house. (I can give you her address if you email me)

Can you believe the wedding is only 2.5 months away? Neither can we!

Where to Stay in SMA

There are so many beautiful places to stay in San Miguel de Allende. Below are some recomendations we have for you. There are B&B's, a Best Western and vacations homes that several of you can pitch in to get together to save money.

Casa Luna B&B (SOLD OUT)
This is the place that started it all. Our friend Dianne runs this amazing hotel that is probably the most romantic place we have ever been. Ronnie and I stayed here on our first trip to SMA and it was almost a home-base while we lived there. Each room has it's own flare and charm. They have King sized beds or can make two twins if you like. All have bathtubs and I believe fireplaces.



Hotel Villa Mirasol (Avg. $95 a night including breakfast)
Although we have never stayed here, it gets amazing reviews on Tripadvisor and is literally around the corner from where we will be staying. The rooms have balconies and wifi but the bathrooms are showers only. This hotel is built in an old colonial home and looks cozy and charming. This is a good alternative if Casa Luna is a bit out of your price range but you want a similar feel.



Casa Sierra Nevada (Avg. $265 a night)
A very luxurious and high end five star hotel that often appears in travel magazines. They have two properties: one in Parque Juarez and one in centro (downtown). Both are close and operate shuttles to either property. They have a pool, business center, restaurants and on and on. It is gorgeous but you have to pay the price. This may be one of the most expensive hotels in San Miguel de Allende and is best for those looking for a farmilar hotel feel as opposed to a B&B. When we stayed it was beautiful but was out of our usual budget.


Hotel Villa Rivera (Avg. $105 a night)
We have never stayed here but have peaked into their bar which is beautiful. This hotel is only one block from the main square and about 4 blocks from where we will be staying. It has a pool, free wifi and offers a light breakfast with your stay. It looks lovely and is well priced.




Best Western Monteverde (Average $70 a night)
We have never been inside but the reviews on Expedia were a 4.2 out of 5 for this place. Nice lawn space and places to sit, but a basic hotel with not a lot of amenities. It is about an 8 minute walk from where we will be staying and 10 minutes from the town square (jardin).



Hostel Alcatraz ($10 per person per night)
Phone (Mexico Number) 01 415-152-8543
A good friend of ours in SMA swears by this little hostel. He said he met his roommates there and people from all around the world. Some of the rooms are dorm style but people seem to love it. Only a couple blocks from the main square, this hostel is worth checking out if you are on a tight budget.


Also, be sure to check out some vacation rentals. There are many amazing homes to rent for the week or a few days that are stunning. Why rent just a room when you can have a whole house?! Pretend you live in SMA for the week! Prices vary greatly but this route is recommended for those wanting to feel like they are expats themselves!
Check out:
House Rentals in San Miguel
Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO)
Home Away
Even craigslist in Mexico>Guanajuato>Vacation Rentals



If none of these places feel quite right for you, feel free to email and ask us for more ideas. Can't wait to see you there!

Save The Date! October 16th, 2010!

Hola Amigos y Familia!! Ronnie and I have officially decided that the place we want to exchange our vows is in the heartland of Mexico. We understand that these are difficult times for everyone and if you can't make the trek to San Miguel de Allende we completely understand and there will be no hard feelings.

We have chosen San Miguel de Allende not only because we think it is one of the most beautiful places in the world (it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site) but also because it is the place where Ronnie and I had the true realization that we want to spend our lives together. It isn't where he is from and it isn't where I grew up either...but it is the place where we came together as a single unit and discovered that want to stay that way for the rest of our lives.

While living in San Miguel, we were lucky enough to visit the fabulous Rancho Casa Luna. While there, Ronnie and I would dream about what it would be like to have a wedding there and since we are all about dreams coming true...we are going to make this a reality. Please mark your calendars for October 16th, 2010 as our wedding date.

We will be staying in San Miguel from Oct. 11th to Oct. 18th and you are welcome to join us for all that time or for just a few days. We will be staying at Casa Luna Quebrada, which is just a few blocks from the main square, for the duration of our wedding week. I will update this blog soon with different lodging options from hostels for about $20 a night, to a couple B&Bs around $150 a night, to recommended vacation house to split among several of you.

Several airlines serve the closest airport Leon / Guanajuato (airport code is BJX). Continental, American Airlines and Mexicana will all take you there. After you arrive at the airport, a car or van if there are several of you arriving at once will pick you up and drive you to San Miguel. It is an hour and a half car ride through the Mexican countryside. Another option is to fly into Mexico City and have a van pick you up from there. The drive from Mexico City to San Miguel is about 4 hours.

Please check this blog often for new information and exciting facts about San Miguel de Allende. We hope to see you there in October!

Love,
Ronnie and Julie