Mexican Wedding Vacation Pics

**Rex_Tremende** · 26th October 09, 07:19 PM

So, this is mostly non-kilt related, but to recap, I was invited to attend a Mexican destination wedding of some friends of mine. I asked Paul Henry to build a kilt for the occasion.

We stayed at the Dreams Resort, which had the good fortune of being located in a most beautiful setting, between a vast, picturesque bay on one side, and lush, verdant cliffs on the other. Besides the blessings (and a few inconveniences) that nature bestows on its guests, the primary charms of this particular resort are exceptional service and an apparently bottomless well of liquor.

Here are some of the best photos from my trip to Puerto Vallarta this week.

The morning after tropical storm rains, half the beach was missing, but there was still enough there for these girls to catch some sun.

Click to enlarge

Arbors of giant mushrooms formed from thatched palm leaves sprang up from the sand to provide shade and a place to set your rotation of cocktails.

Click to enlarge

Rows of blue chaises lined up to face the morning sun before a soaring, tropical backdrop.

Click to enlarge

There was a swim-up bar on the rowdy side of the terraces (and an adults only pool on the opposite side).

Click to enlarge

A butterfly resting a spell by the pool.

The grounds were arrayed with beautiful, well-tended gardens and most everything was in bloom. I didn't spend any time taking beauty shots, though. They offered a guided tour for the botanically curious.

Click to enlarge

A view of the beach from the gardens through the coconut trees.

Click to enlarge

The view of the preferred guests tower from my room on the 19th floor of the commoner's tower.

Click to enlarge

There were two towers of roughly equal size, about 21 floors each, every room an ocean view. One side was made up of your basic hotel rooms, the other more luxurious and lofty and more nicely appointed.

The sunset, a split second before it dipped below the horizon.

More to come...

**Rex_Tremende** · 26th October 09, 07:20 PM

Here are a few of the beach-side wedding and reception.

My friends, the bride and groom, exchanging vows on the beach at sunset.

The handsome groomsmen and family of the groom.

The beautiful bride and her friends chatting at the reception.

I was the first to notice this little clutch of lasses. As soon as I snapped this, cameras came out of the woodwork.

My friends, the groom's parents, who love each other and their family very much.

I know you have no clue who these people are, but I consider myself very lucky to have them as friends who include me as part of their own family. I very much like the way this photo seems to celebrate their love for each other and their growing family.

**Rex_Tremende** · 26th October 09, 07:21 PM

I know you've already seen the outfit, but here's the Paul Henry kilt in situ, its intended purpose. The wedding party loved it.

The elevator lobbies had the most awesome mirrors. Not knowing whether I'd be able to broker a portrait at the wedding, I regarded myself and liked what I saw, so I did what anyone would do.

At that very moment, the aunt of the bride came around the corner. Her beach wedding ensemble was nearly the same palette as mine, so I talked her into a joint shot.

Rex at the reception, overlooking the beach.

I chose the linen/cotton herringbone fabric in part because it reminded me of sand.

The pleat shot at sunset, waiting for the wedding party to return from the photo shoot...

...and enjoying the last quiet moment of the day.

The next day when I went into the old town flea market, I bought a small, round, sliver brooch depicting an Aztec that is inlaid with turquoise to signify the purpose of the kilt. I'll post a picture some day when I get around to it.

**Rex_Tremende** · 26th October 09, 07:22 PM

The bridal couple gave as a gift to the guests some awesome, fluffy beach towels. Since I could only get one of them into my suitcase, two days later I decided that I would wear the kilt home and not the towel. I swapped out my flashes and shirt for pale blue, but all the other accessories were the same. It was my first time to fly in a kilt, which turned out to be quite comfortable and not much inconvenience at all. Because the kilt has a hidden buckle, I was stopped in Mexico for a light wanding and very brief and delicate pat down by a pretty guardia, but it garnered me a full see-through body scan in Dallas. I imagine that they really just wanted to know The Answer.

Given the thousands of people I encountered Sunday, I felt that I was observed, but largely ignored. At different times, two ladies came up to tell me about their one trip to Scotland. The first addressed me in the one phrase she knew in Gaelic - I didn't understand her, and begged her pardon, so she repeated herself, and for a spilt second I thought I was having a stroke. The other told me that she had it on good authority by the locals that there is, in fact, a monster in Loch Ness.

One woman in Dallas-Forth Worth approached me as I was waiting to board my connecting flight home. She was solid woman, with what clearly was meant to be big hair and a confident stride. "So, what part of Scotland are you from?" she demanded to know. "The girl wants to know and is afraid to talk to you." She pointed in the direction of a little Bo Derek in corn rows and fifty beaded braids.

"Ohio," I said.

"Well, are you Scottish?"

"A little."

"Well, why are you wearing a kilt then?"

"Because kilts are more comfortable than pants." Which ended the conversation. The woman strode back to her curious looking family and explained what she learned.

Other than that, it was just a handful of enthusiastic compliments here and there along the way.

I'm so glad I went for this kilt and can't thank Paul Henry enough for helping me see the project through.

Regards,
Rex.

**pdcorlis** · 26th October 09, 07:33 PM

Rex - I am so sorry you had to suffer through such impossible weather, cope with the difficult accommodations, and patiently endure the overwhelming love and general warm feelings of the assembled group. I think you are a better man for having survived this challenging experience.

Seriously - wonderful photos and an delightful celebration, thanks for sharing it with us!

**dfmacliam** · 26th October 09, 07:49 PM

Rex, its a shame we did not know you had a layover in DFW, I am sure a few of us would have met you for a bit, and give you a bit of company, while you waited for your connecting flight..