Top 10 Questions & Answers to get married in Puerto Vallarta

What are the best months to get married in Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding areas has become one of the top destinations in North America to get married.  The best times of year to enjoy it the most are between mid Octobers through the end of May.  If you and your guests are willing to deal with a bit of rain and some humidity then you can also look at June and into July.  That is not to say you cannot get married in late July, August or September but keep in mind that this is the height of rainy season.  Rain showers and high humidity are almost guaranteed.  This is not the case in other parts of Mexico so make sure to ask your planner which time frame works best for you and your guests.

I have invitation list of 200 people. How many can I expect to attend?

Ahh..If only we had a formula that could answer this with an absolute number.  Each and every wedding group is different.  We suggest that you go through your current invitation list and mark each guest with an “A”,“B”or“C”.  People you have marked as “A” will have very little chance of getting on a plane.  The “B” folks could go either way and“C” for those people you know for sure will jump on a plane at the drop of a hat to be with you on your wedding day.  Then tally each letter.  About 25% of the “A” will show, 50% of the “B”s and about 90% of the“C”s.  Calculate each segment and then add them all together and you should have a rough estimate of what your total number of guests will be.

What happens if the venue I have chosen has a maximum number of guests and I exceed that number?

Call your planner immediately so they can begin to assist you with finding another location or talk to the existing location to see if there is any wiggle room.  This is why we suggest only choosing locations that can accommodate your entire guests list. What if EVERYONE said yes?  Anything short of that is a calculated risk.

Should we get married at a hotel or a private villa?  What are the pros and cons to each?

This is a big question and it really depends on the tone that you are trying to create for your wedding.  Choosing a Villa creates a sense of privacy and exclusivity to your wedding.  You typically have far fewer restrictions than if you were getting married in a hotel.  That said hotels can also be a great option for some couples.  Every one can stay in the same location and there are fewer logistics to contend with.  That said, hotels are traditionally not as flexible, have earlier end times, and are far less intimate and private.  Vallarta is starting to see more and more venues that are being built exclusively for events so you can hold the wedding and reception at this location and then every one can stay in the same place the rest of the trip.  There are a number of different combinations that your planner can discuss with you.

Is it cheaper to get married in Puerto Vallarta than in the US?

Let’s face it, some people stay at the Four Seasons or the St. Regis and others are more comfortable at the Motel6. I t all depends on what you are looking to create and the experience you want to have.  As a rule of thumband based on extensive research the EMV team has done in the US and Canada, you are going to save about 20‐30% by having your wedding in Mexico versus a comparable event in a major US or Canadian market.  That said, bridal couples tend to spend the same amount as they would have at home but end up having a much MUCH nicer wedding than they would have had a thome; a bigger bang for their buck, if you will.  The bottom line is a destination wedding is inherently more memorable because it becomes a mini vacation for you, your family and your friends; a time to connect in a way that is just not possible when you have local wedding.

Can I rent a villa for one night?

The majority of private villas in the Vallarta area are not in the business of holding events.  They are luxury vacation homes.  The events are secondary to them.  As a rule of thumb, most villas in this region require a 5 night minimum rental.  They typically charge an additional one night supplemental to hold an event.  Totaling 6 nights.  This is not true of all villas so make sure to discuss this with your event planner or travel professional so they can show you properties that work with in your vision for the event.  There are also more and more venues popping up that you can rent for just one night.

Are there local vendors, like photographers, florists, bakers, that I will like?

The team at EMV has a long standing working relationship with all of our vendors that will suite your style and vision for your event.  We suggest that no matter which planner you work with that using the people they have a continual working relationship will assure the best possible results.  Relationships with vendors in Mexico are very different than working relationships with vendors at home.

Why should I hire a wedding planner? Can’t I do this all on my own?

Can you... possibly.  Should you, NO!  Do you hire a CPA to prepare your taxes?  Do you hire an attorney to handle your family business?  Hiring a destination wedding planner is no different.  While hiring a planner may add another layer of expense to your budget, it also ensures that you have a professional working with you every step of the way.  Somebody who speaks the language, knows the intricacies of the culture, lives in the destination, knows which vendors and service providers are top notch, reliable companies or which are not and is able to meet with those vendors as many times as it takes to make your dream wedding a reality.  Our goal at EMV is to have your vision met and for it to be as stress free for you, your family and friends, as possible.  We want you to glide through your planning process with ease.  Your wedding day should be filled with gorgeous moments and fond memories, not “Why isn’t the florist answering my calls?  How do I find a salon to do my hair and makeup? WHERE IS THE WEDDING CAKE?  Why is the catering company 2 hours late?  Who is going to set up the tables and chairs?  Did the DJ get paid?  Where’s Auntie Sally’s Corsage?  Why is Cousin Joe passed out? Who is cueing the musicians for the ceremony?” Leave all that up to us!  We’ve all attended DIY weddings and the experience is just not the same.  The biggest gift you can give yourselves on your special day is to be emotionally, mentally and physically present.  This is your big day!  Enjoy every moment of it.

Can I get legally married in Mexico?

Yes, you have the option of getting legally married in Mexico.  Make sure to discuss this process with your wedding planner before making a decision as there is additional paperwork involved and documentation required which can take some time and needs to be started early on in the planning process.   We have found that many of our couples choose to get married legally at home before coming down.  This allows for them to have what is called a “Spiritual Ceremony” that fits perfectly in to what they are envisioning.

How can I be sure that the wedding planner I have chosen to work with is reputable and will perform on the big day?

Do your homework!  Ask for “live” references, clients who you can either mail or talk to.  Ask for current clients as well as past clients.  Brides and grooms LOVE to talk about their weddings.  Don’t be afraid to ask what they would have done differently or kept the same.  Check to see if the company you are considering is active in the event planning and wedding industry.  Look for companies who have won awards, that belong to associations, and that have solid references.  Choosing a planner is key to having the wedding that meets your expectations.  Hire some one you feel comfortable with and that is open to your ideas and suggestions and questions.  Eventful Moments Vallarta prides it self on being transparent.  We want to work with couples that want to enjoy themselves and realize that there is a lot that goes in to planning a destination wedding.