A wedding in Puerto Vallarta is a dream for any couple who loves Mexico, as it is a magical destination to celebrate a wedding and start enjoying a well-deserved romantic honeymoon.
Situated at the mouth of the bay, bordered on both sides by the Cuale River, lies a charming and picturesque little town with a true Mexican spirit. We are talking about Puerto Vallarta, one of the most visited tourist destinations in Mexico and the place where Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton chose to live their love in the 60s.
In this article, we tell you all about a wedding in Puerto Vallarta: what sets it apart from the rest, the best places to get married here, the cost of a wedding here… and much more.
Find out what Puerto Vallarta has in store for you and start dreaming about your wedding now!
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What distinguishes Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most important tourist destinations in Mexico, number 1 on the Pacific coast. It is considered the most Mexican beach destination in the country. The city preserves the Mexican essence, with its cobblestone streets and red tile roofs, and much of the colonial architectural style that characterises the traditional towns of the region.
Puerto Vallarta is distinguished by its wonderful climate. With sunny days all year round and an average annual temperature of 27°C, its pleasant breeze comes in from the sea to cool and caress the skin. The climate invites you to enjoy outdoor activities, whether sunbathing by the pool or swimming in the sea.
Its beautiful beaches also stand out, where its entire coastline abounds with beautiful sandy and sunny beaches, with a fresh and crystal clear sea, bordered by the lush tropical vegetation that covers the mountains around it. A true paradise!
The destination is privileged to have a unique combination of sea and mountains that endows it with incredible landscapes that captivate visitors. In addition, a large number of rivers and streams descend from the mountains to the sea, giving rise to spectacular waterfalls and backwaters where you can really experience the scenery.
The food in Puerto Vallarta is one of the reasons why it is also considered a paradise. All styles of cuisine are cultivated here, from traditional Mexican to molecular cuisine. The high quality it has achieved places it as the second best gastronomic destination in the country.
In addition, Puerto Vallarta is a Gay Friendly city and one of the best LGBT destinations in the world. Specifically, it is the second most important beach destination for the gay community.
But if there is one thing that sets Puerto Vallarta apart from the rest, it is its humpback whales, which come to the coast every year during their breeding season. Being in the presence of these mammals is an unforgettable experience.
Why is it called Puerto Vallarta?
What we know today as Puerto Vallarta remained isolated from the rest of the world between the mountains, the ocean and the Ameca River for many years. Its beaches were only used for loading and unloading supplies for the mining companies in the mountains. The economic activity of the region was concentrated in the towns of Cuale, San Sebastián del Oeste and Mascota, in the silver mines.
Puerto Vallarta was a traditional town before it became an international tourist destination and, believe it or not, it was not always called Puerto Vallarta.
This beautiful town was founded in 1851 by Don Guadalupe Sanchez Torres, who called it “Las Peñas de Santa Maria de Guadalupe” or more commonly known as “Puerto Las Peñas”.
It was not until May 31, 1918 when “Las Peñas” became a municipality and received the name of Puerto Vallarta in memory of the illustrious lawyer and Governor of Jalisco, Don Ignacio Luis Vallarta, recognised as the wisest jurisprudence in the country.
How much does a wedding in Puerto Vallarta cost?
An important fact that couples who want to get married in this area want to know is how much does a wedding in Puerto Vallarta cost.
It should be noted that there is no standardised figure, as the price of your wedding will depend on many factors.
Generally speaking, we can say that a beach wedding in Mexico requires an initial amount of around 150,000 MXN (7,400 USD) for celebrations of approximately 100 people.
However, if it is a more luxurious wedding, the cost can exceed one million Mexican pesos (49,000 USD). The price will vary depending on the number of guests, the final venue, the banquet and the number of extras hired.
Where to get married in Puerto Vallarta?
One of the favourite beaches of all Mexicans is the one that Puerto Vallarta offers in its beautiful landscapes. For this reason, here are the top hotels for your wedding in Puerto Vallarta.
Barceló Puerto Vallarta
An exclusive resort that perfectly blends modernity and elegance with Mexican style. It is the perfect place to have a wedding full of distinction, joy and quality. It puts at your service a trained staff that will pamper you with a personalised service where they will take all your ideas and make them come true to exceed your expectations. Between restaurants, terraces, lounges and pools, this location offers an environment where nature coexists with modernity, what more could you ask for?
Hotel Catedral Vallarta
Hotel Catedral Vallarta offers you a boutique hotel concept that fuses luxury with Mexican folklore to create a harmonious atmosphere where life, love and distinction are the protagonists. This hotel is committed to an innovative Mexican style that results in an architecture and decoration rich in textures and colours. This is the ideal place to have a different and cool wedding.
Riu Hotels & Resorts Vallarta
Riu Hotels & Resorts Vallarta offers different packages so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. You will be fascinated by their service and their first class attention will take your breath away. Its facilities will provide your party with luxury and sophistication, and its spaces have different types of locations for you to organise the ceremony of your dreams. Among its complementary services you will find: decoration and set-up, wedding cake, sparkling wine, table centrepieces, music and mariachi, simply perfect!
Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center
The panoramic views of Banderas Bay, together with its modern facilities, will create the perfect setting for you to celebrate your civil ceremony, religious ceremony and reception in style. Sheraton Buganvilias Resort & Convention Center has different packages and a “service without limits”, which means that they are flexible and will do everything in their hands to make your dream wedding come true. This hotel will make sure you live a memorable experience, that’s why they will delight your senses, through their personalised service and their delicious gastronomic proposal. You won’t regret it!
CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta
The beauty and magic of this hotel is so spectacular that it was named one of the 100 best hotels in the world. If you want your wedding to be in a magical place, with class and distinction, this is the right place for you. At Casa Magna Marriot Puerto Vallarta you will find private gardens and charming corners, which will bring absolute luxury to your wedding. With their personalised attention you will enjoy perfect organisation and attention to detail for your special day.
Paradise Village Resort & Spa
Paradise Village Resort & Spa has been crowned as one of the most exclusive and luxurious hotels in Puerto Vallarta thanks to its magical atmosphere and good taste. So that you don’t have to worry about anything, a group of professionals will take care of the design and production of your event. Let yourself be pampered by a spectacular hotel in a fabulous destination. It offers: In this hotel you will have access to endless beautiful details and a charming design that will help make your wedding special.
Casa Velas
It is an adults-only resort where fun, elegance and glamour are some of the factors that make it a favourite in Vallarta. Its colonial design makes the ideal match with nature and the sea. This fabulous hotel is a luxury location to say yes surrounded by family and friends. In addition, they offer succulent dishes, video and photography, decoration and everything you need to make your day special.
How to get married in Vallarta?
Getting married in Mexico and making it official with a Puerto Vallarta marriage license is a unique and romantic moment.
The first step is to apply for a marriage licence to get legally married in Puerto Vallarta. There is a fee for this requirement, and it can be processed once you have arrived.
Another legal requirement for a wedding in Puerto Vallarta will be to have a blood test once you arrive in Mexico, within 14 days of your wedding. While the results will not affect your ability to legally marry in Mexico, you must have this document in Spanish issued by a doctor. This can be accomplished in one day.
One of the most special steps to getting legally married in Puerto Vallarta is to have four witnesses present at your marriage. These witnesses can be anyone you wish, with the exception of your parents. Witnesses must present their official identification and their original tourist visa, if they are foreigners.
Getting legally married in Mexico can be complicated, especially when you start the process outside of the country. But, wedding coordinators are familiar with this process and know where to obtain translated documents, so they can help you with all the organisation. This way, you can get married in Puerto Vallarta without having to worry about anything.
Which is nicer: Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta are two beaches located on the Pacific coast, very close to each other, both beautiful and very different from each other. The first one is located in Jalisco while the second one is in Nayarit, each one is ideal to celebrate a wedding, but if you don’t know which one to choose, don’t worry, we will tell you the differences between each one and you will be able to decide which one suits your needs.
Puerto Vallarta has transformed from being an old fishing village to become one of Mexico’s major tourist destinations. Nuevo Vallarta, on the other hand, is a modern destination that began to develop in the 1990s and has continued to grow with the construction of resorts, golf courses and a yacht marina.
For many, the beaches of Nuevo Vallarta are better than those of Puerto Vallarta. With their soft sand and calm waters it is possible to swim there most of the year. In Puerto Vallarta you will notice that the beaches change depending on the area you are in, as there are beaches suitable for swimming, but there are also beaches with strong waves and lots of rocks.
Both destinations are excellent for foodies, in Puerto Vallarta food is almost a religion for tourists and locals alike. If you like markets, street stalls and trying new flavours, this is the city for you. Seafood, fish tacos, sushi, wood-fired pizzas… On the other hand, if you like to travel with more glamour, you will feel in paradise at the all-inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta that have five-star food and drink.
When it comes to activities it’s a tie, as both destinations offer dozens of activities and sports (in the sky, sea and land) that will make for an adrenaline-filled wedding stay. If you’re travelling with children, it’s good to know that Nuevo Vallarta has incredible water parks and dolphinariums.
Here is everything you need to know about weddings in Nuevo Vallarta: live your big day in a paradise of lush jungles and golden beaches, so you are closer to choosing your destination!
Wedding packages in Puerto Vallarta
If you are looking for closed packages for your wedding, here are some examples of different wedding packages for a wedding in Puerto Vallarta:
Ceremony package: event location, altar, ceremony officiant, bridal bouquet, groom’s boutonniere, torch-lit walkway, chairs…
Ceremony and banquet pack: everything included in the ceremony pack and also the 3 course set menu, open bar, waiter service, table set-up, sparkling wine for toast, wedding cake…
Pampering and emotions pack: manicure and pedicure session, VIP reserved area, full body massage, spa and beauty treatment, make-up and hairdresser…
All-inclusive package: accommodation for guests, ceremony, banquet, decoration, formalities and documents, wedding night, wedding cake…
Most venues offer wedding packages, designed for different budgets. Many couples even find that, with the right package, they can have their perfect destination wedding without spending more than they would in their home city.
As you look through the different packages, make sure you know which ideas and inclusions for your wedding venue are a must for you and which ones you can do without, so you’ll find your perfect option.
At Perfect Venue… We have your Perfect Plan! Yes, as good specialists in destination weddings and connoisseurs of Mexican land, we take care of elaborating your wedding package so that everything is a success and you don’t have to worry about anything.
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