Stray

We toured all of the best hotels in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo in April 2007. Without question, La Casa Que Canta is absolutely one of the best. They have some amazing wedding sites and very romantic rooms, but you definitely pay for it! Amulteo is also an amazing hotel, but they've only done a handful of weddings to date. It's a very romantic, intimate and secluded hotel with probably the best view in the area. You can check out their website at Amuleto - A Boutique Hotel Other small romantic hotels in Zihuatanjeo that you might want to consider include La Quinta Troppo (near La Ropa Beach) and Hotel Las Palmas (near the airport). Club IntraWest and Villa del Sol are also great hotels on La Ropa Beach, but they're a bit less intimate. If you want more information, feel free to contact us at [email protected]

To clarify, there are two separate wedding planning companies that have very similar names. Paradise Weddings is in Playa del Carmen, and Weddings in Paradise is in Cabo San Lucas. If you want to know more, here's their contact information: Paradise Weddings Owners: Manuela Ek Novak or Tere Espinosa Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo [email protected] www.mayarivieraweddings.com Weddings in Paradise Owner: Mary Bragg Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur Tel: 1 (88 259-0337 (U.S.) or 52 (624) 143-3922 (Mexico) [email protected] www.weddingsparadise.com

We recently received this question, so we asked some of the wedding planners in Cancun where the best places to get a wedding cake are. Laura Mucel Cameras, owner of Cancun-Weddings.com, she said that she has her own cake chef. Laura said she’s happy to e-mail photos of sample cakes to give you a better idea of what they can do. You can contact Laura at [email protected]. Laura E. Vadillo, from My Cancun Wedding (www.my-cancun-wedding.com) Cancun recommended some of the bakeries mentioned in the above posting: 1. Pasteleria La Creperia Tel: 52-998-884-3420 E-mail: [email protected] 2. Tere Casola Tel: 52-998-898-9911 or 52-998-892-4040 3. Pasteleria Italiana Tel: 52-998-884-0796

I visited Presidente Intercontinental this summer to gather information about their wedding services. Here's what I know: - This European Plan hotel is lush, quiet and peaceful, located south of Puerto Vallarta. - The hotel will provide the food, beverage, and cake (can match pictures of cakes, bakery right in hotel), but no other wedding coordinating. They will provide names for musicians, florists, wedding coordinators, etc. - Ceremonies can be held on the beach, in the small gazebo, or on the pool patio. - Receptions are held in the Da Antonio restaurant. - They do not have an on-site spa for hair or makeup. - Private events must end at 11:00 pm. If you want more information or photos of this hotel, e-mail me at [email protected]. Jonathan

So sorry - you're absolutely right, it's called their "Escape! Inclusive Package." Here's the link: http://www.paradisebymarriott.com/escapeinclusive/#

Sorry to disappoint, but as far as I know, the CasaMagna Marriott PV is not all-inclusive. It would be nice if they were though. You asked about the NH Krystal. I wasn't married there so this isn't a review of their weddings, but here's what I can share. This is one of the resorts we toured when we were in Puerto Vallarta in June. The resort has a unique Mexican charm with colonial-style décor. They told us that they are the oldest resort in Puerto Vallarta, but definitely have one of the greatest locations (they're right in Puerto Vallarta - not quite as far north as the Marina). They have a huge property (we were told 36 acres), and a great beach. Not as nice as Nuevo Vallarta, but excellent for PV. For weddings, the resort has a number of options for ceremony and reception sites. They tell us that most weddings are held at the 7 Columns site, which you can see decorated on their website at http://www.nh-hotels.com. This area is very large and could accommodate hundreds of guests. The downside is that it's directly beside the main pool, which is quite busy, but they tell us it's usually quiet for weddings at night. You can also have receptions there with a dinner, dance, and fireworks! If you don't like the 7 columns site, there are many different places around the resort that they will hold weddings. There's a plaza with a gazebo in the middle of the resort, different garden areas, the beach, etc.

It's too bad you didn't get to see Dreams. It's true that their security is very strict, in part because they do not make their guests wear the little plastic bracelets. When we toured the resort this summer, they made us leave our drivers license at security, which made us a little nervous. Once you get inside, it's a very impressive resort. Great for families! One of the things I like about Dreams is that they will host full reception dinners on the beach with fireworks and everything - something RIU won't do (unless they've changed since then). Dreams has great wedding services, and excellent ceremony and reception sites. So don't be totally turned off just because security wouldn't let you in (although I understand how annoying it would've been. If you came from Nuevo Vallarta, it's a long drive!).

You can find all of the CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta's information at the following: Find A Resort - StrayWeddings.com You will find their wedding packages, menus, flowers, spa services, photos, everything! I toured this hotel a couple of months ago. It's a great hotel with beautiful grounds. Certainly one of the best in the Marina Vallarta. I'm including a Google Satellite image of the property so you can see their grounds (I hope it works). Although it looks different from above, I'm 99% certain this is the resort - you can see the massive garden area on the right where you can hold receptions, and the jetty on the bottom right hand side where they hold many ceremonies: Google Maps If you have any specific questions, I would be happy to help if I can.

I don't know why it is authorized, I assume because there is enough demand for it. I wouldn't be surprised if other hotels do the same. If you want more information about the Catholic ceremonies at the Marriott in Cancun, or want to see a photo of their wedding gazebo, go to Find A Resort - StrayWeddings.com

I notice that the list of photographers at the beginning of this thread was taken from our website. It's great that you are giving these photographers more exposure! However, the list you gave is incomplete. For the rest of the list, go to www.strayweddings.com/find_photo.php Remember, there are many photographers from other areas around Mexico that are more than willing to travel to Puerto Vallarta for your wedding. If you like their work, give them a call or send them an e-mail.

I notice that the list of photographers at the beginning of this thread was taken from our website. It's great that you are giving these photographers more exposure! However, the list you gave is incomplete. For the rest of the list, go to www.strayweddings.com/find_photo.php Remember, there are many photographers from other areas around Mexico that are more than willing to travel to Cancun and the Mayan Riviera for your wedding. If you like their work, give them a call or send them an e-mail.

The JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa/CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort will perform Catholic weddings at their Nuptial Gazebo. Although it's not directly on the beach, the gazebo does overlook the ocean. It's the first ocean view gazebo in Cancun authorized to perform Catholic weddings.

This summer we toured both Dreams Puerto Vallarta and The Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta looking for the best places to get married in the area. Here are some brief thoughts about the two resorts. The Westin is located in the Marina Vallarta (northern part of the city). Dreams is located a few minutes south of the city on your way to Mismaloya. Being outside of the city, Dreams is more secluded. These two resorts are very different. Dreams is an affordable family all-inclusive resort, the Westin is a luxurious, upscale European Plan hotel. If you wanted to get an all-inclusive that was on par with the Westin, you would have to go someplace like the Grand Velas. 1. Dreams Puerto Vallarta Benefits - Secluded beach (no beach vendors) - Lively - Always 90% full, never boring or empty - Excellent value, including wedding packages (free weddings!) - Offers catered beach receptions with dinner & dancing - Great for families - Plenty of activities (non-motorized watersports, water trampoline, movies on the beach, theme nights, etc.) If you want more information about Dreams Puerto Vallarta, you can find complete wedding information and wedding photos at http://www.strayweddings.com/find_re...hp?resort_id=3 2. Westin Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta Benefits - Very high-class resort - Excellent wedding services (excellent photographers, flowers, cakes, etc.) - They will fully-customize your wedding. Send them pictures of your bouquet or cake and they will match it exactly. - Beautiful grounds - Great outdoor ceremony & reception sites, which can accommodate a dinner and dance by the sea. - Quiet and peaceful ambience I have too much to say for one posting so if you have specific questions I will try to answer them.