Weddings at the Grand Velas in Riviera Nayarit
Nestled at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountain range lies Mexico’s Pacific Treasure, the Riviera Nayarit, 190 miles of sun-soaked beaches, small fishing villages, nature preserves and colorful culture flanked in the north by Playa Novilleros and in the south by Nuevo Vallarta. Although Nayarit, located in western Mexico, is part of the 31 states (along with the Federal District) that make up the country, the Riviera Nayarit is celebrating 10 years as a tourist destination. Adored by locals and visitors alike, Riviera Nayarit promises culture, cuisine, nature, golfing, surfing, world-class spas, luxury resorts and perhaps the most spectacular of sunsets in the area.
Due to its newfound status as a tourist destination, Riviera Nayarit is relatively undeveloped, leaving visitors options to explore its 23 micro destinations that range from world-class resorts to bucolic fishing villages and uncrowned beaches. Although human settlers have been recorded here as early as 5000BC, it was the Coras Indians who claimed the first civilization in 400AD. Since then, the area was and continues to be occupied by the Coras, Huicholes, Tepehuanos and Mexicaneros, each known for their unique language and culture. Visitors are most likely to encounter the Huicholes, who are distinguishable by their colorful dress and embroidered manta cloth. The Huicholes are revered for their beaded sculptures and jewelry, which is designed in motifs that honor their shamanistic ancestry as well as hints at their future. Common motifs to look for in the brightly colored bead works and yarn paintings are peyote, deer, maize, the sun and the eye of God. Although you can find these natives selling their wares in many of the more touristic towns, The Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and the Traditional Arts, located in Huejuquilla el Alto in Jalsico, provides insight into this fascinating tribe and their ancient beliefs.
Puerto Vallarta
The most popular town in the area is Puerto Vallarta (located in the state of Jalisco) with its long-standing reputation as a tourist destination. In fact, the first advertisement for Puerto Vallarta appeared in 1942 in the New York-based magazine, Modern Mexico. By 1945, DC-3 planes carrying 21 passengers were landing in the town and by the 1950s, Puerto Vallarta became a bonafide getaway for Americans, mostly artists and writers, looking to escape Eisenhower-era McCarthyism. However, it was director John Huston’s 1964 film, The Night of the Iguana, and the media coverage surrounding Elizabeth Taylor’s extramarital affair with Richard Burton that put Puerto Vallarta on the pop-culture map. It was also a port of call in the popular late-70s TV show, The Love Boat, and remains an active cruise ship port today.
El Malecon, The Boardwalk
El Malecon is a 12-block paved boardwalk that is bordered by scenic waves on one side and a procession of bustling shops, clubs, bars and restaurants on the other. Start your tour by taking in the sight of The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Calle Hidalgo, swing by the nearby elevated Gringo Gulch for panoramic views and then head down to El Malecon for a leisurely boardwalk stroll. The most popular time for locals is the Sunday evening paseo (walk) amidst the many street performers fringed around sculptures by artists like Alejandro Colunga, Sergio Bustamante, Ramiz Barquet and others, but visitors will enjoy the spirited nightlife with $1 beers and margaritas (with prime people-watching and sunset views on the third-floor bar) at Cheeky Monkey (Paseo Díaz Ordaz, 556).
Although there are many dining spots – some of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta are located nearby – eating is best done by tasting your way through the sundry of street foods. You will find local dishes like esquite – a cup full of roasted corn spiced and topped with fresh cream, cotija cheese and lime juice, tostadas – crisp tortillas topped with seafood ceviche, aguachil and salsas, all types of tacos, grilled skewered meats or delightfully sweet coconut confections. When the sun goes down, the night heats up at the always fun Mandala nightclub or listen to a rotating roster of musicians at The Jazz Foundation. Nearby Zona Romantica offers a multitude of options for the LGBT community.
Weddings at The Grand Velas
When hosting a wedding in Riviera Nayarit, the first thing to decide is whether you want a formal, luxurious affair or one with a more bohemian feel, as the location offers diverse selections for both. For formal weddings, a resort is your best option and the all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, located on the northern edge of the Banderas Bay is rated as one of 2017’s “Best All-Inclusive Hotels in the World.” With its central location, AAA 4-Diamond-star restaurants and 267 all-suite accommodations, each facing spectacular sunsets framed by a rolling mountain range on both sides of the bay, the Grand Velas makes for a luxurious and elegant bridal setting. But perhaps what stands the Grand Velas apart from other world-class resorts in the area is the acute personalized attention each guest experiences at the resort, starting from the first moment you arrive and spanning through your stay to your time of departure. Upon arriving at the resort, guests are welcomed with a cool drink of fresh guava juice and a mini aromatic shoulder massage. All guests are assigned a personal concierge, who handles all needs, from booking tours and making dinner reservations to taking care of laundry or offering a customized pillow from the resort’s pillow menu (yes, pillow menu!). The rooms boast heavenly soft linens and in-room Jacuzzi tubs, and amenities include L’Occitane products, gourmet coffee and a bottomless snack and mini bar.
Yes, the three-tiered infinity pool is splendid, but so are the kids’ pool, jacuzzis and cabanas dotted throughout the property and along its idyllic beach. While you’re lazing away at the swim-up bar, don’t be surprised to see peacocks roaming the property. Wedding guests will enjoy the daily buffet and oceanside dining at Azul, but for a really special treat, dinner can be savored at one of three AAA 4-Diamond-rated restaurants: traditional Mexican at Frida, where the Mexican coffee “show” is not to be missed; Italian-Mediterranean Lucca, with its succulent risotto; and the classic French Piaf, regarded as one of the best restaurants in Puerto Vallarta. Be sure to insist on the Mexican wine pairings… you will be delightfully surprised.
The Grand Velas offers a multitude of private and scenic wedding venues on the property, starting with a ceremony on the beach for about 300 people under three giant structures that beautifully frame your ceremony, followed by a private reception on the beach. The Ocean Garden, on the other side of the property, offers a private, beachfront garden for 800 people, complete with swaying palm trees and a built-in stage. Fireworks can also be arranged through the hotel. Stunning sky-lit terraces offer smaller spaces for photographs or Mehndi ceremonies, while a central and tasteful 400-person ballroom waits on standby in case of inclement weather.
The destination weddings team at Grand Velas are certified in South Asian wedding planning and provide a dedicated, on-resort wedding planner who handles all of the couple’s needs, such as blocking rooms, arranging entertainment, devising an appropriate baraat route or finding henna artists. The resort’s wedding packages also include photography and videography, fresh flower arrangements, spa and salon treatments, transportation, live music and pre- and post- dinner and brunches. Your wedding planner will help you devise a package that is best for you and your guests and will also inform you regarding the many complimentary room upgrades available.
For the utmost in relaxation, the SE Spa at the Grand Velas is absolutely worth a visit. Recognized as a “Most Excellent Spa Hotel” by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine, many of the spa’s treatments use ingredients from the property’s organic herb garden, coupled with ancient Mexican Indian rituals. Each treatment begins with the Grand Velas Water Ritual, where guests are treated to a Far Infrared sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hot- and cold-plunge pools and more. Stressed brides will benefit from the escape known as the Aromatherapy Massage, while grooms can detoxify with the mindful Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment.
The Grand Velas is centrally located in Nuevo Vallarta with tours and activities within easy reach. Although the hotel can arrange for transportation like taxis (Uber does not work here), a free bus runs up and down the main boulevard just outside the hotel, connecting it to a central market. An ATM machine is located nearby and the hotel can also handle money exchanges. Note: Avoid using non-bank ATMs of which you will find plenty in the area, particularly in El Malecon, and although most people understand English, it is a good idea to know a few key Spanish phrases, particularly when dealing with taxi drivers.
Photos by author and courtesy of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Tourism Bureau.
