2011 Destination Weddings Puerto Vallarta FAMinar

“Where Mexico Comes to Life”By Christina Safford, PBC™Puerto Vallarta provides a stunning backdrop for weddings or honeymoons. From historic churches and all-inclusive hotels to year-round sunshine, beaches, and magnificent sunsets, it is the perfect location for destination experiences. Holding a running title for “sexiest romance/honeymoon destination,” Puerto Vallarta was the site of an Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) FAMinar, thanks to the sponsorship and support of local tourism offices, Tropical Incentives, and the Palace Resorts. “It was wonderful to get a complete view of Vallarta and what it has to offer,” says Lisa Chapman, of Brides Magazine.The group stayed in Nayarit, best known as the birthplace of tequila and mariachi music. The evening of our arrival, a warm breeze welcomed us, as our hosts at Palace Resorts treated us to a perfectly set, private dinner on the lawn overlooking the ocean.A charming, magical, and safe cityIn Vallarta, history merges amicably with modern influences as a backdrop to beaches of soft sand with flecks of gold glinting in the waves. The city sits on one main thoroughfare along Banderas Bay. It is broken into zones that give every visitor the opportunity to find their niche—the hotel zone, the marina where the cruise ships port, and a cobblestoned downtown with local artisans, exceptional dining, and Vallarta’s active nightlife. The malecon, or “boardwalk,” is reminiscent of the Santa Monica pier as the evening lights flicker on and locals fill the streets to shop, eat, dance, and watch sand sculptors and artists work magic. Puerto Vallarta is not only a safe city, it has charm and flavor. Friendly, passionate, and willing to go above and beyond the call, it is the people of Mexico that make this location the ideal spot for weddings, celebrations, and honeymoons.Experiencing the variety of VallartaDuring our stay, we heard from Camelú Millán Vargas, MBC™, with Diseño Nupcial, Elizabeth de Petersen PBA™, director of ABC Jalisco, and Lilia Anciola with Consultores Nupciales, who gave us an overview of Mexican wedding traditions, weather patterns, the busiest months for weddings (May and December), requirements, and more. Local coordinators encouraged the prospect of working with their American counterparts and shared an arsenal of tips, knowledge, resources, and information on the legalities that will make future destination events an exciting prospect.We discovered many things about the city of Vallarta as Sara Sanchez Maldonado, promoter with the Tourism Board of Puerto Vallarta, shared the delights of the city. Following a site inspection of Vallarta Palace Resort, we were able to catch some sun. Ana Corona, director of sales with Tropical Incentives and Vallarta Adventures, then transported us to the popular, “Rhythms of the Night”— a boat trip to the remote island of Las Caletas where we dined by torchlight and were entertained by Cirque du Soleil-trained performers.On our third day, Elise Enloe, MBC™, ABC Florida state coordinator and director of education, shared information about stateside weddings and successful communication strategies. Our whirlwind tour of site inspections began with Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort, a property that brought the tropical paradise to life. Creatively inspired cocktails were followed by an incredible lunch that highlighted the gastronomy Puerto Vallarta is famous for in which nouveau and familiar flavors are blended seamlessly.We then toured sister resorts Velas Vallarta, with its stunning ceremony site, and the Casa Velas Beach Club, a charming boutique hotel. Dinner found us at Dreams Puerto Vallarta, where we ate with our feet in the sand as the sun set over the ocean. After, we kicked up our heels at the open-air River Café Restaurant, along the famous Rio Culae. It was a delightful evening with lots of laughter, memories, and bonds of friendship.Top row, l-r: Carmen Laborin; Elisabeth Petersen, MWV™; Gloria Suazo; Pamela Zapata; Mary Spicer; Joyce Smith, MBC™; Elise Enloe, MBC™; Guy Berges; Lisa Chapman. Front row, l-r: Sara Studebaker; Richelle Raney; ABC President David Wood; Camelú Millán Vargas, MBC™; Pedro Tellez Giron Hernandez; Candice Benson, MBC™; Christina Safford; Lilia Anciola.Resources:Vallarta Palace - www.palaceresorts.comThe K Group - www.LoveMexicoWeddings.comTropical Incentives - www.tropicalincentives.comVallarta Adventures - www.vallartaadventures.comGrand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort - www.grandvelas.comVelas Vallarta - www.velasvallarta.comCasa Velas Beach Club - www.hotelcasavelas.comDreams Puerto Vallarta - www.dreamsresorts.com