Mexico Destination Wedding Details
Wedding Date: December 16th, 2023
All-Inclusive Wedding Resort: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Wedding Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Wedding Venues: Sky Penthouse Terrace and Blaze Restaurant
Wedding Photographer: Underground Studio Puerto Vallarta
Destination Wedding Travel Agent: EverAfter Travel
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Wedding Resort Highlights
Family-friendly, all-inclusive resort only five minutes from charming downtown Puerto Vallarta
Secluded beachfront property nestled into the surrounding rugged cliffs and lush vegetation
Located about 30 minutes south of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
Six dining options with Italian to Asian and more
Four bars/lounges including a swim-up bar and beach bar
Seven pools including five infinity pools and an adults-only pool
Daily activities and entertainment including live shows and theme nights
Western-facing resort with stunning sunsets
Real Wedding Q & A With Ariana and Omar
Why did you decide to have a destination wedding?
We wanted to do something smaller and more intimate with our favorite people. Knowing that the big day can go by so fast, we wanted everyone to be able to let loose, relax and really spend some quality time together over the weekend. Due to the pandemic, many of our family and friends had not yet met, so this was the perfect fit for us.
What were your biggest concerns about planning a destination wedding? What were you struggling with the most before reaching out to EverAfter Travel?
I was mega stressed about supporting everyone's travel plans. Some of our friends and family are avid travelers, and others not so much. Many of them had never left the country before. I knew it would add even more stress for me and I knew I needed someone else with more savvy to hold it.
What were your "must haves" for your destination wedding? What were the deciding factors for choosing your resort?
Food was top on our list! Also a destination that offered variety for all of our guests to do whatever they wanted around the wedding events. Safety, charm and affordability were also important to us.
Tell me about your wedding e.g. events, venues, special touches, etc. How many guests did you invite to your destination wedding and how many people ended up attending? If you're comfortable sharing, how much was the total cost of your destination wedding celebration (not including things like travel expenses, your dress, etc.)?
We invited just over 100 guests, and had a total of 84 guests attend our wedding - we were so lucky! We didn't expect that many to be able to make the trip. Our total cost ended up being about $30k. It would have been cheaper, but we opted for two special venues within the resort that we just couldn't say no to: a rooftop and a beautiful restaurant overlooking the ocean.
Was there anything you splurged on for your destination wedding and if so, did you feel like it was worth it?
I splurged on my wedding dress and on the venues for both ceremony and reception. Yes, I would say worth it! I'd be lying though if I didn't admit I had some reservations about my dress splurge. It was beautiful and the alterations were okay, but I think I could have found something for much cheaper and still felt beautiful.
Was there anything you tried to save on for your destination wedding and if so, did you feel like it was worth it?
I tried really hard to save on decorations. That was a bit more stressful than I would have liked. The decor prices at the resort were a bit costly, but I had to also travel with three big boxes and pay for those costs too. I also had to have friends and family help set up the tables day of since they were not from the resort, and that added some stress for my family and friends. I ended up leaving most of my decorations at the resort anyways. Looking back I probably would have just bit the bullet on that cost. I still have my beautiful flowers, but still figuring out what I want to do with them.
What were your favorite parts about your destination wedding?
Favorite parts were blending our families/friends together in such a fun way. Everyone was on vacation so they were able to let their hair down. I was so surprised how quickly our guests hit it off, and that was such a highlight. Also, waking up in paradise every day and being able to have everyone in one place was so beautiful.
Is there anything you would change about your destination wedding?
Honestly, nothing I would change!
What were the most helpful online websites/social media groups/content creators/YouTube links that helped you during the planning process?
Pinterest was my best friend in the year of planning. There are just SO many ideas/options out there. I felt like it helped me lean into my creative side and pick the things that we really wanted for our wedding celebration. The Knot was also helpful with questions about comparing costs, and what other brides have done before. Helpful to learn from others!
Shout out to any wedding vendors you loved e.g. photography, DJ, makeup, etc.
Underground Studio PV - so nice and our pictures turned out pretty great.
What advice do you have for other couples planning a destination wedding?
Don't stress about the small details! They are fun but if they are already adding you stress, that is your sign to just let it go. Put some trust in your wedding coordinator. Don't be shy to ask the hard questions earlier on and get it in writing.
What kind of feedback did you hear from your guests? This could be about the resort, the wedding, and/or EverAfter Travel.
Our guests were over the moon with the resort, destination, and how easy EverAfter Travel made it for them. Many of them want to go back with their loved ones, and that made me so happy. There was great feedback about the food and the customer service at our resort.
Why did you choose to work with EverAfter Travel for your destination wedding?
I wanted someone who was approachable, calm, empathetic and knew their stuff. I talked with Jodi the first time and knew she would be perfect. Our first call I went from stressed to immediately calm. I knew Jodi would be helping my guests, but didn't expect all the support for me personally along the way - Best decision I made!
How did working with EverAfter Travel make planning your Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta wedding easier/better/less stressful? Would you recommend EverAfter Travel to other couples planning a destination wedding?
Before I reached out to EverAfter Travel, I had researched probably every resort in all of Mexico. None of them were meeting the mark unfortunately and I couldn't make a decision. I talked with Jodi and she asked me the right questions to help me figure out what it was I even wanted. She artfully picked the perfect resort for us and made sure we had all the information, and helped us even schedule a trip to go check it out before making the big decision. All of this was so new, and to have a partner in the planning was a true gift. YES! I will keep recommending EverAfter Travel to everyone I know.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU! We couldn't have pulled it off without you :)
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