FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EVENTFUL MOMENTS OFFERS 10 TIPS ON PLANNING A
DESTINATION WEDDING IN PUERTO VALLARTA

PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO – Jan. 15, 2010 - Eventful Moments, the largest and oldest destination wedding and event planning company in the Bay of Banderas, is helping brides in the United States and Canada understand some of the essential needs in hosting a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Eventful Moments provides an experienced staff to help make all your dreams of planning a destination wedding hassle-free.

Zac Campbell, president and founder, said, “We are here to be a bridge to our clients and help them understand the Puerto Vallarta marketplace. With our help, we are here to give our clients the information they need to plan the destination wedding of their dreams. We bring over 20 years of combined, professional culinary and event planning management experience, and we are the only company that knows the ins-and-outs of planning a flawless wedding in Puerto Vallarta.”

Campbell provides 10 Tips on planning a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta:

•  When is the best time of year to get married in Puerto Vallarta?

The best time of year to get married in Puerto Vallarta is between mid-October through the end of May. June and July are also an option if you are willing to deal with a bit of rain and humidity. August and September are the height of rainy season – rain and high humidity are almost guaranteed. This is not the case in other parts of Mexico.

• Is it less expensive to get married in Puerto Vallarta as compared to the United States?

This depends on what you are looking to create, and the experience you want to have for your wedding or event. From our research, you tend to save about 20 to 30 percent by having your wedding in Mexico versus comparable event costs in the U.S. or Canada. Couples tend to spend the same amounts, but usually end up with a bigger “bang-for-the-buck” wedding in Mexico. A destination wedding is usually a more memorable event because it becomes a vacation for you, your family and your guests.

• Why should I hire a wedding planner? Can I do this all on my own?

For planning an event in Mexico, we suggest it is essential you use a wedding planner. Do you hire a CPA to do your taxes, a lawyer to handle family business? Hiring a wedding planner is the same. The goal of a wedding planner is make your vision a reality, and take the stress off you, your family and your friends. We suggest your big day be filled with happy memories, not ‘where’s the wedding cake?,’ Why is the catering company two hours late? Did the DJ get paid? Where is Aunt Sally’s corsage? Why is Cousin Joe passed out? A wedding planner takes care of all the details. We believe the biggest gift you can give yourselves is to be emotionally, mentally, and physically present on your big day.

• How can I be sure the wedding planner I chose is reputable?

Ask to speak to live clients about the wedding planner’s previous work. Ask for current and past client, references. Don’t be afraid to ask what a reference would have done differently or kept the same. Check to see if the planners you are researching are involved in the event planning and wedding industry. Look for planners, or companies that have won awards, belong to associations, and have the perfect references. Choosing the right planner is key to having the wedding that meets your expectations. Hire someone you feel comfortable with, and is open to your questions. Eventful Moments Vallarta prides itself on being transparent. We want to work with couples that want to enjoy themselves and realize there is a lot that goes into planning the perfect wedding.

• How many guests will attend a destination wedding, especially if you have a large guest list?

We suggest that you go through your current guest list and mark each guest with an A, B, or C. People you have marked with an A – are those who have very little chance of getting on a plane. Guest marked B, could go either way, and guest marked C, are those you are certain will attend. We recommend adding each letter, using this formula: 25 percent of A will attend. 50 percent of B will attend, and 90 percent of C will attend. Calculate each segment and add them together. This should give you a rough estimate of total guests attending.

• Should we get married in a hotel or private villa?

It depends on the tone and mood you are trying to set for your wedding. Choosing a villa creates a sense of privacy and exclusivity. You typically have far fewer restrictions than a hotel. Hotels, however, can be a good options for some couples. In a hotel, everyone can usually stay in the same location, and there are fewer logistics. Hotels are not, traditionally, as flexible, have earlier end times, and are far less intimate and private. We are seeing more venues being built in Puerto Vallarta exclusively for events where the wedding and the reception are all possible in the same location, as well.

• What happens if I choose a venue and my guest list exceeds the maximum the venue allows?

Call your wedding planner immediately so they can assist you with finding another location or talk to the existing venue to see if there is flexibility. We suggest only choosing locations that can accommodate your entire guest list. What if everyone says yes?

•  Can I rent a private villa in Puerto Vallarta for just one night?

The majority of private villas here are not in the business of holding events, but instead are luxury vacation homes. As a rule of thumb, most villas require a five night minimum rental, and they often charge an event fee. Not all villas do business in the manner, so be sure to check with you wedding planner or travel professional to show you properties that will work within your vision of the event. There are more venues opening in Puerto Vallarta that are available for just one night, or a few days.

•  Are there local vendors, photographers, bakers, florists I will like in Puerto Vallarta?

The team at EM Vallarta has a long standing working relationship with all the top vendors in the area. We work with vendors that will suit your style and vision for your event. We suggest that no matter who you chose as your wedding planner, that they have long-standing relationships with their vendors to provide the best results. Relationships with vendors in Mexico is very different than relationships with vendors in the U.S. and Canada.

•  Can I get legally married in Mexico?

We recommend to all our clients that they get married in the states legally before the ceremony. Discuss this process with your wedding planner before making a decision on when and where. Many of our couples choose to get legally married before coming down, with the ceremony in Mexico being  a ‘spiritual ceremony’.

About Eventful Moments Vallarta

Eventful Moments Vallarta is the largest and oldest full-service, custom designed, destination wedding planning and catering company. We work with clients who want a unique and memorable wedding or event that is customized to meet their vision. Services range from venue selection, assistance with accommodations, planning leading up to the event, menu development, and full event design, production and management. EM Vallarta offers services throughout Puerto Vallarta and the surrounding Bay of Banderas region since 2003. Please visit us on our website at www.em-vallarta.com.

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Stephen Davis

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