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Dress comfortably for the tropical weather. Photos and video will be taken, so if you have certain standards for how you’d like to look in the wedding photo album or DVD, be forewarned! :-) All we care about is that you’re comfortable and have a great time.

Paths in Yelapa can be dusty and sometimes muddy, and the wedding venue has a grassy sloped lawn. We would strongly advise against bringing any clothes that are difficult to clean.

Most importantly, bring comfortable shoes for walking on uneven and steep paths. See the "what to bring" page for more advice on footwear.

The dinner on Friday is completely informal--come as you are.

For the wedding on Saturday, we recommend these combinations or something similar:

• A lightweight short-sleeved shirt with either shorts or lightweight pants. Jacket and tie are not recommended.

• A sundress or a lightweight skirt and short-sleeved or sleeveless top. High heels are not recommended.

These are just our recommendations. Again, our top priority is for you to be comfortable, so please, wear whatever you like!

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U.S. travelers will need a valid passport to enter and return from Mexico. If you need to renew your passport, visit http://travel.state.gov for forms and other important information. Allow at least three weeks to process your renewal, or pay the "rush" fee.

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Not yet, though a few states in Mexico recognize civil unions. As of 2009, marriage rights are extended to all couples in Mexico City. Our civil wedding will be was just us, a couple witnesses, and a county clerk in California, where marriage equality is now was and will soon again be guaranteed by law.

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Obviously if you don’t speak the language, you will not benefit as much from the cultural opportunities in Mexico or anywhere else, and you may not be able to communicate with any given person you encounter on the street.

Puerto Vallarta is a tourist destination, so taxi drivers, airport staff, and restaurant staff will know enough English for all basic transactions. Likewise in Yelapa, you will be able to conduct business at restaurants and water taxis without knowing Spanish.

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Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa serve filtered water, and ice is made from filtered water. Their produce should be fine as well. Generally, any business frequented by tourists that someone could return to (or post reviews about online) will be OK for travelers. Food from street vendors in large cities presents more of a risk. (You must try a slice of pie from the famous "pie ladies" of Yelapa, however!)

The place where you’re staying will almost certainly provide some form of filtered water–-you just have to remember to use it. Tap water is fine for showering, but avoid drinking it or brushing your teeth with it. Fresh produce should be soaked for 30 minutes in water with a few drops of iodine (Microdyn is available for purchase in the village, or may be provided where you're staying, or you can bring your own). As you can see on the CDC travel safety website, this part of Mexico is not affected by insect-borne illnesses common in other tropical regions. Also see the health and safety advice from Vallartasource.

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Adults and kids alike should avoid surprising–or being surprised by–scorpions, which can give a nasty sting. Try not to leave cool, wet, or dark hiding places (e.g. towels, shoes, clothes, open bags and containers) near the ground where a scorpion might want to find shelter, and get into the habit of checking before you put your hands or feet into an enclosed space (drawer, shoe, etc.). See Brad’s advice on scorpions at the bottom of his pre-arrival tips page.

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See the packing tips page.

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The page on stuff for kids may help you answer that question.

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After you decide your priorities, look over the overview of locations in Yelapa and our advice to narrow down the options. If you'll let us know what you're looking for, we can provide specific suggestions tailored to your preferences. NEW! We are also maintaining a spreadsheet (go here and select "File >> Download as >>" to download your own copy) listing all of the rentals on yelapa.info and what we know about them.

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Post your questions on our email list or send them to us and we’ll answer as soon and completely as possible.