A wedding coordinator interview! The Grand Velas

To see our recent hotel review on the beautiful Grand Velas, click here.


Hello Flor and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to be with us today!

So how long have you been helping plan dream weddings for the Grand Velas?
I've been working in the hotel industry for almost 10 years, but for Grand Velas just a couple of months and I love it.

What is your favorite part about your job?
Being able to perform the bridal ideas and feelings, it can sometimes make me feel like an artist.

What are some of the most fun/memorable weddings you’ve planned?
Each wedding has a special flavor, but I will never forget one by the beach where each table was set up under a white tent surrounded by curtains made with bright seashells, the ocean was so blue that day that even though during the day the set up was so bright and delightful just standing there.

How do you feel about wedding favors?
I love favors they express the fun side of the newlyweds


Being in a tight economy right now, would you suggest an area to cut costs or downsize? Choosing an All inclusive hotel like ours will help you to reduce your food and beverage budget into the minimum and never cut cost for your bouquet. There will always be an option to make it as you planned.


Is there anything new and exciting going on with Grand Velas weddings?
We are in the process to offer new packages , also for vow renewal and some theme parties


If you were to give some tips or advice to a soon to be bride, what would it be?
If you do not have an specific idea already in your mind , get into Internet wedding pages or blogs and I am sure that you will find many ideas , to combine the styles , colors and shapes that you like share them with you wedding coordinator to make them happen.


Again, thank you so much Flor. You're a pleasure to work with.

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any additional information


All by best,

Flor Guzman











If you would like a charming beachfront wedding at this luxury all-inclusive resort, give us a call to make it happen. Feel free to look over some of the wedding packages they offer HERE.


Nicki and I with Olimpia and Flor



Happy planning,

A new favorite resort ~ The Marival Residences & World Spa

There is a new resort in Riviera Nayarit that has stolen my heart! The Marival Residences & World Spa has thought through every detail to create the ultimate all-inclusive resort and I am beyond excited to share with you their amazing wedding promotion!

Right now they are offering FREE weddings! No minimum number of bookings required.

Free wedding package inclusions:

* Fruit basket in your room upon arrival
* Upgrade to a One Bedroom Ocean View for the bride & groom (subject to availability)
* Mandatory medical exams
* Judge fees and wedding certificate
* Decorated location
* Tropical wedding toast with Margaritas & Martinis
* Bride’s bouquet and Groom’s boutonniere
* Three course dinner for the wedding group in one of our specialty restaurants (for registered guests)
* Wedding cake for all invited guests
* Bottle of champagne in room on wedding night
* 30 minute massage for the bride & groom
* Breakfast in bed

* Wedding extras/add ons available with surcharge.




The resort is just 15 - 20 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport and those who have the privilege of staying at the Marival Residences also have full access to it's sister property, the Marival Resort ans Suites.

Before going into the details of the new Residences, it is important to know what all you get at the original Marival Resort. Both resorts have lush, tropical grounds that simply stunning. Guests staying at the Residences have convenient shuttles that are constantly running to and from the original resort. The beach there is long, wide and amazing. Guests staying at the Residences have a private beach club area where you can enjoy beach butler service while soaking up some rays. The Marival Resort also has some fun, active pools that include swim-up bars and a über cool waterpark for the smaller ones.

The Marival Resort and Suites has a different themed party (a.k.a. fiesta) every night. The bright, colorful frills everywhere really made it lively and festive.

Another fun thing to keep in mind is that over at the Marival Resort they have a disco where you can dance the night away.

Okay, so now on to the fabulous Marival Residences & World Spa!

Every single 'Residence' is a penthouse with state-of-the-art design and 24 hour room service. Yes, 24 hours. The Residences range from 1 to 4 bedroom accommodations. They even have washer and dryers in each Residence! Each Residence have large balconies facing the Pacific Ocean with tropical flowers and patio furniture. Each room have flat-screen TVs and the master bedrooms have iPod docking stations. The penthouse rooms alone are enough reason to stay in the Residence section.









The Food and beverages. The head chef came to this hotel from the Four Seasons Los Angeles and we are thankful he did! Each meal was impeccable. The service goes beyond expectations which really does leave a lasting impression. While they may only have 3 restaurants, don't forget you have full access to the Marival next door which has 4, making a total of 7 restaurants. The Sky Bar is on the top floor and not only does it have amazing views of the Pacific but they serve up some mean drinks as well!


Our first night there


Kampai!


Cheesecake Lollipops


Enjoying the sunset from the Sky bar

The Spa. The Marival Residences has one of the only World Spas in the country offering 9 different treatments from all over the world along with a cutting-edge salon. I could of stayed in the spa for the entire stay honestly.


Full-service salon


Italy-themed treatment room


Kids need lovin' too. While the resort seemed to be very grown-up, they definitely kept the kiddos in mind when making their 5 star all-inclusive concept complete. They have FREE nanny services (maximum 8 hours/5-night minimum stay required) along with an adorable kids club that offer things like arts & crafts, a game room and just an entire little paradise for them to explore in.


Heck, I could have fun in this kids' club!


For the gamers...


Outdoor play area


Okay, it's time to announce my favorite part. Are you ready? Drum roll please... How would you feel about .... UNLIMITED excursions INCLUDED??? Years after a destination wedding the thing that sticks in everyone's memory is usually a group outing that everyone experiences together. They have things like sunset sailing and the dolphin encounter. How about sea lions? Go horseback riding. Zip line through a jungle!
Marival Residences have teamed up with Trafic Tours and are able to offer their guests unlimited select tours. Click HERE to see which ones they are currently offering. If you think about it, each one of those tours is generally $100 or more so if you did one per day that can really add up. The pick up for the tours is just a $5 cab ride away.

If you are considering a destination wedding, feel free to call us. We LOVE what we do and can't wait to help!

The resort is still rather new so be sure and take advantage of their current ideal low pricing.



Lots of love,

Va Va Voom! It's the Grand Velas!

Hola wedding world! Nicki and I have recently returned from the beautiful Puerto Vallarta! We were able to meet some wonderful people, eat gourmet food, inspect some amazing resorts and we had some adventure thrown in there too. The first resort that we would like to share with you is the ever-so-fabulous Grand Velas. Their wedding packages along with their wedding team goes over and beyond to satisfy even the pickiest of brides.

The Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta has been a hotel that I've been dying to see since I started in the travel industry in 2005. As you can imagine, I was giddy as a little school girl when we were taking in all of it's beauty when Nicki and I recently had the chance to visit there. It was even more beautiful than I had imagined. As soon as you walk up, you enter into a spacious and beautiful open-air lobby with spectacular views of the Pacific ocean. You immediately notice that there has been careful consideration into every inch of detail throughout the resort. They greet you with a smile, cold towel with a sinus-clearing scent and a champagne glass filled with the daily specialty drink. Instead of tacky, plastic wristbands you will get to wear a cute, keepsake bracelet.



The pools were just as impressive. The infinity pools appeared to flow gracefully right into pacific ocean. A trick to the eye that made me do a double take. The lounge chairs are beautifully designed with beach towels carefully rolled up on each one. The pool side service was friendly and prompt. Next, we walked down to the beach which made us stop for a few moments. In those moments we simply tried to take it all in. Something about the sound of the waves coming in surrounded by impeccable design and service just made it all come together. I then realized why this resort had won so many awards.



As we were walking up to check out their rooms, we couldn't help but to notice a structure that stole the spotlight. It was obvious that this is where they hold some magnificent weddings and gatherings. Even if you had the ceremony on the beach, wouldn't this be a perfect reception spot?? With the ocean in the background?



We will go over the weddings a little bit later. Now on to the rooms!

Every single suite was decorated in neutral tones that had pops of tropical-influenced color here and there. The most memorable part for me was that every suite had private, oceanfront balconies decorated with bold, beautiful flowers in the shades of fuchsia.




As we walked through to each restaurant we kept pointing out gorgeous details that would catch our eye such as Koi Fish Ponds and the spacious, lush hallways.




The resort has 4 Signature Restaurants that each have their own unique style and music. Lucca, the Italian has a piano player while Piaf, the French restaurant has a violin player. Please note that Piaf's is for 12 years old and older only.

Next up, that award-winning spa!
As soon as you walk in you smell the aroma and your stress can't help but to melt away. Haha! Corny I know but oh, so true. The Grand Velas is a member of the Leading Spas of the World and they offer every treatment imaginable. The even offer daily meditation, yoga, and Pilates classes.

AAA, Conde Nast Traveler, Leading Hotels of the World and more, have honored Grand Velas Resorts for its all-inclusive luxury, superior service, spa facilities, amazing gourmet dining, and state-of-the-art resort facilities.

The Grand Velas definitely did not disappoint and we can not wait to visit again.



Until next time,