Calling all Villa Brides

[jmred]

Yay! We reserved Villa Encanto for the wedding next year. I'm excited about this choice.

 

Can you suggest - restaurants nearby, hotels for guests or must dos/sees in that area?

 

Is it far from Zona Romantica - can guests stay there and shuttle over?

 

We probably won't do a site visit - so I'm planning site unseen.

 

Any help or insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

[arobarpics]

jmred- are you talking about Zona Romantica in Puerto Vallarta? If so it is a little far to go back and forth, about an hour or a little more by bus from Bucerias to Puerto Vallarta by bus, but have never done the trip by taxi so I'm not sure how long that would take, thinking about 30 min or so and about $20-$25. 

[villabridehelp]

Villa weddings are spectacular, private and fun!  You quite literally take a wedding-cation with your favorite people!  Villa brides are fun, easy going, and relaxed!  They don't want to turn their wedding into a show for hundreds of guests, simply spend quality time in the sun, near a beach, on a mountain, or whatever their dream vacation is..and to make one of those vacation days, a day to get married to their best travel partner ever!

 

Most rental villas, especially those that are large, have wedding resources, vendors and planners that can help you organize your ideas from afar. Planning a villa wedding can be a simple as finding a villa online and then calling them to ask about the services they offer.  Some of the questions you can ask are:

 

* Number of minimum nights

* Cost per night and what it includes

* How to they handle food and beverage for the villa for both larger groups and/or smaller groups

* Do they offer housekeeping, chef, and hosting services

* Do they have wedding vendors they feel comfortable with such as florists, entertainers, bakers, etc...

* What activities are available for your guests

* How many guests can they house and how many can they accommodate for a party

* If there are nearby accommodations for overflow guests

 

 

 

[Newyorkbride]

Hi. I'm new to this website and am considering a villa wedding in puerta vallarta in 2013. Can anyone provide insight as to how hot or rainy it can be in May or September? Our preference, based on reviewing websites, is Casa China Blanca. Does anyone have information on what they charge for an event fee if you plan to stay there as well? Also estimated budget for food/alcohol/rentals per person? Thanks!

[Martoca]

Hi there! Congratulations on your engagement. China Blanca is a villa that I believe you have to rent for 5 nights but let me check and get back to you. Have you considered a private beach garden? Where would you be staying?

Jimmy

[Martoca]

Did you reserve it to stay there or just for your wedding day? Bucerias is a town that is about 45 minutes by car and about 1 hour and a half by bus  from what is known as the Romantic Zone in Downtown Puerto Vallarta  *because you have to swith buses at least twice and perhaps 3 times....

It is definately worth it to go by bus if you want to experience that once at least. You will save about 20 dollars. As far as Bucerias goes there is many things to do as far as shopping for souvenirs and messing around on the beach of course but dinning wise it has really taken off as well. It is a very small town and it is almost as it was 40 years ago when my family got there so it is as authentic as it gets. Except for a few gringo bars, or Canadian mostly actually, you can choose from. You will be located about 8 blocks southwest of the plaza (town square) so you will not need transportation within Bucerias. Only walk around everywhere. It is safe do not worry. i grew up there I know what I am saying and in the 70s we were the only gringos there I think.

Well as far as actual good food I suggest a great place fr breakfast on the same street your Villa is on just head towards the town square and on your right about 4 blocks up you will see a breakfast place that makes their own bread... awesome. It is hard to say where to go or not go... just try a lot of different cafes and dinners are open. For a nice upscale dinner try Mark's restaurant they are about as fancy as you can get in Bucerias. A bit over priced but if you want fancy that is it. Other than that you have to go to Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta. Nuevo Vallarta is about 5 minutes south by car and you can actually walk there (2 or 3 miles) and check out that area as well. It is basically a residencial area not much to see except houses but it is interesting if your guests do not know Mexico so the can see our "rich areas". The homes are very nice... Get some bycicles and mess around!!

I hope you enjoy my town and area in general. Thank you for choosing Puerto Vallarta area and Bucerias to be precise. I strongly suggest you take a tour to Sayulita or San Pancho if you like the small town beach bum village feel.... Those towns are about 40 minutes North... Jungle and beaches and surfing.... great art work and cool vibe... So much to do and choose from hahaha sorry. I am home sick. 

Jimmy

[Martoca]

I just saw that you asked if guests should stay in Zona Romantica.... if they rent a car yes or if they do not mind cab rides of about 20 dollars each way this is fine as well. It is not close. It is 45 miinutes to an hour depending on traffic... If you just want to see them once or twice it is OK but if you plan to see them often it will be inconvenient for everyone in my opinion. But it is a very fun and hip area to stay in for sure... tough call. I think if people want nice beaches and relaxation and just to enjoy the company of loved ones and friens stay in Nuevo Vallarta or BUcerias. if your guests are independent and want to party and chase the night life let them stay in Vallarta or they may be bored in BUcerias... I am thinking the 20 year olds... anyone above 35 will appreciate Bucerias just as well I think.

Good luck!

Jimmy

[Martoca]

Do not get married in September!!! Probability of rain is 90% and it is humid as hell. May is much better. )

[Photoshootsvallarta]

Here is what Casa China Blanca was charging, when I asked for my May 2012 wedding:

 

June 1st through September 30th: $1500usd per night

October 1st through December 14th and April 16th through May 31st: $1800 usd per night

January 16th through March 14th: $2000 usd per night

December 15th through January 15th and March 15th through April 15th: $2500 usd per night.

 

There was a 1 night minimum stay for Events, and the Event fee varied from $2000 usd for 15 to 30 guests in the low season to $11500 usd for 201 to 250 guests in the High Seasons.

 

The Villa fist 10 guests.

 

The house is amazing for weddings but was a little expensive for us.

 

It wont rain in May but it is almost certain it would rain in September...

 

Pierre
 

[Mandabear]

We just got married July 14th at Villa Vista Magica in San Pancho.  We had 42 guests who were all staying with us at Vallarta Palace.  We were originally planning on getting married at the hotel and had nothing but problems with the wedding coordinator at the hotel and decided to get married at the villa.  We are now so thankful that we did.  Our wedding was absolutely amazing!!!  Mainly thanks to our incredible wedding coordinators Eva and Micheal at Vallarta Weddings.  I would definitely reccomend them to anyone looking for an affordable wedding planner.   They planned the most amazing day for us in such a short time!  Everything was beautiful.

For photography we used Pierre and Eva at PhotoShoots Vallarta, I would also definitely recommend them to anyone as well.  Our wedding pictures are absolutely amazing!  I can not stop looking at them.  Our videographer was Raul Rios who was also amazing!

Please let me know if anyone has any questions