Real Wedding - Puerto Rico

ABC Member Planner: Sari L. Skalnik, ABC™, Tropical Weddings, tropicalweddings@yahoo.com, tropicalweddingspr.com.Photographer: Alex David StudioNon-Member Businesses: Hacienda Siesta Alegre (venue), Gran Melia (accommodations), Pastor Cory Casterton (officiant), Chef Marisoll (catering), Gray Line Charter Coach (transportation), Big J Music Services (DJ), Ramon Saldana (band), D.an Sherbansco (ceremony/cocktail music), Caridad Vidro (hair/make-up), EOS Event Designers, Caribbean Trading Company (favors), NDF Films (videography), Nidia Rodriguez (cake).Couple: Lauren Lehew and Nicholas Carr live in Bonita Springs, Fla. They chose Puerto Rico based on a friend’s recommendation. With beautiful weather, beaches, great food, culture, friendly people, and an amazing rainforest backdrop that were all a short trip from the airport, they thought the Hacienda Siesta Alegre would be the perfect location for their wedding.Wedding Date: June 23, 2012.Color Palette: Deep burgundy/maroon and gold.Guest Count: 60.Budget: $20,000 (including all activities related to the wedding day).Most Unique Design Element: The most unique design element was in keeping the rustic feel but bringing in soft elegance.Biggest challenge: The biggest challenge had nothing to do with the wedding. Simultaneously, we had another wedding going on at a different property with the bride running very late. We also had a guest from a Thursday night wedding in the hospital. So, while running this wedding, I was also talking with my husband (the coordinator for the other Saturday wedding) and the parents of the groom from Thursday night, because I had to move them from hotel to hotel since it was a holiday weekend. They needed to be closer to the hospital where their aunt was now scheduled to have surgery.Hindsight: We would have not changed a thing. The teamwork at this event was flawless. Most of the team is used to working together so everyone knows what needs to be done and when. We have a lot of respect for each other.Learning: Having the right team of wedding professionals is the key to a perfect event.