Thinking a Winter 2016 Destination Wedding?

Is it Too Early to Plan if I Start now? 

Written By: Jaime Valdes-Riench, owner of Travel & Events with Style

Recently, even more so than usual I have been asked, “ Is it too early to start planning my 2016 winter destination wedding?”  They all seemed prepared for me to “yes” and are genuinely surprised when I actually, “No! Actually we have quite a few couples contracted that are already with us starting their wedding planning.

The interesting part is that most couples have first gone to another travel agency, and have been told it is too early.   You can’t blame anyone who asked around and went to a family friend right? Most travel agents wouldn’t think of going this early to start the destination wedding.. well, we are not your typical travel agency are we?

Now the reason for my reply that it is not too early simply is that we have added a services to guide you by the hand to START the RESEARCH before even pricing the travel and wedding planning.  Personally, I LOVE how couples are being more cognitive of their incomes.  Whether you can afford something or not, why are you going to spend it all at once without a quality decision?  If you asked me, I know I would be honest and say I do a LOT of research before I buy most things, so it only makes sense that wedding needs this much care.

What we have done is added a few facets to our wedding planning package that now allow couples to dig deeper than the surface to find the best wedding location FOR THEM. Price or not, please, please, please do not just choose your location based on price.  How are you going to be happy? Honestly, if you choose  a location because “it is cheap”, well let’s be honest, you may really get “cheap” in the end.  Or what about the most expensive? Why would you pay for a top dollar resort when it really does even suit you as a couple?

My suggestion is meet with us.  Talk with us. THEN let’s see if we should start a wedding planning package that helps you research before we hand over your hard earned dollars to travel companies and resorts.  Taking this extra step will really give you that peace you made the most informed decision you could. 

Note we have many packages now for destination weddings and we really can adjust them for you.  Can you call us up and ask us how much? No, and we will not answer you over the phone.  Are you shocked I said that? If so, I am sorry, but we would not be one of the most specialized companies for destination wedding if we did? We need to tailor it for you.

Below are 2 most popular destination wedding planning packages.  The first is our most inclusive package the Platinum Package.  This is best suited for those who really need us to take you by the hand from start to finish.  We don’t limit our time to plan your wedding. It is start to finish!

The second is our newest package called our Pearl Package! It is our mini package.  It is really great as it is half the price of the Platinum but is covers all the important bases.  The most important part is that is covers the research help.  You have 90 days access to a resort specific data base to learn about the different resorts in detail.  Once you are ready we can price, narrow it down and we will then get you the information on the wedding packages, connect you with the resort planner and secure your wedding date and location… THEN you can take over.  This is the best package for couples who really want to plan themselves but have no idea how to start.  Sometime it is not just that you don’t know who to start, rather WHO DO YOU TRUST to be honest. 

So read this over, and call or email us.  Let’s talk. Let’s make your wedding your best day thus far, and most it the way YOU want it.  Instinctively, we are often motivated by highly advertised low priced holidays.  Remember, this is your wedding.  You will want to find a balance between low cost and high quality.  Even though you want to shop around for the best price, try to find out at the beginning if you think you will have a good relationship with your destination wedding travel professional.  You are planning a wedding, you will want to work together as team to make your day unbelievable! 

Salud to Your Future & Your Wedding!

Jaime VR 

Barcelo Puerto Vallarta – Quiet, quaint and good family fun

Written By: Jaime Valdes-Riench, owner of Travel & Events with Style

Image credits to:  Jorge from With Style Designs
Resort link: Barcelo Puerto Vallarta

Another trip, another FAM to open us up to new locations and resorts.  This last trip was to Puerto Vallarta and we stayed at the Barcelo Puerto Vallarta.

The Barcelo Puerto Vallarta is definitely a resort that will fit well with some and not others.  For us, as a family it was wonderful! We had the time of our lives and I would definitely recommend it to others.

The Barcelo is a little off the beating path from the other resorts.  It is one of the furthest resort South of the strip and a good 45mins from the aiport and downtown.  This makes for a great hideaway, but not for those who would rather be right in the city to walk and talk to the locals.

Personally, I love that we where far and away.  It was a perfect location for a retreat.  The kids program there was lacking if you wanted to drop them off at the kids club, but if you didn’t mind staying with the family then you really would love every minute.

We had the privilege of staying in the Presidential Suite.  Was it worth paying the upgrade? YES!  The deck was absolutely amazing as it wrapped around 3 sides of the ocean front building.  No disappointment there at all.  OK, maybe one.. we had to go home after the week and wanted to stay forever.

The cuisine had a lot of variety.  We tried the room service and they where attentive and the food was hot and cold as it should be.  No complaints.  I found the food very decedent and I think we may have eating our weight in avocados and papaya.  That alone would be an extra star rating in my heart.

As most resorts, there was a themed night every night and the entertainment was great.  Our stay landed on Carnival and the entertainment that night was outstanding! We where very happy over all with that.  Everything was off at the resort outside at 10pm.  To be honest, it wasn't bad.  You simply  just had to choose a place in doors to continue and it the kids sleep great.  There was not a night club on the property though and with the exception on a shack down the beach, there really wasn't anything near by either.

For wedding locations, it was quite nice, though I am not sure if I would recommend a beach ceremony in the month of March.  The tide is high that time of year, but I have heard it boasts long beaches as it get closer to the summer months. 

 The courtyard and deck around the pool where great locations to consider however for a wedding reception and the garden for a ceremony.  Both great alternatives and most (with the exception of the garden), looks out to the beautiful ocean.  One item to note for couples:  this resort does not allow wish lanterns.  If that is important to you, then this may not be the place for you.

If I had to rate it, I would give it is a solid 4.5 Stars.  There where a few items lacking, but it made up for it with the service and price.  Yes, the price, it was amazing! Great deal for sure.