After Joshua and Caroline got engaged and began planning their special day, they instantly knew they would have a Puerto Vallarta wedding. Caroline says, “We decided to have a destination wedding because we wanted a very small and intimate celebration. We wanted to encourage our families to go on a much-needed vacation, too!”

After choosing Hyatt Ziva in Puerto Vallarta as the place to host their Mexico destination wedding, it was time to tell their friends and family the news. Caroline says her family and friends were apprehensive at first. However, she added, “When our wedding was over it was one of the most talked about events and they wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Our families got to spend time together in such a beautiful place and it was all worth it!”

With the help of wedding planner Valentina Valencia with Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and photographer Katie Nesbitt Photography, the couple was able to create everlasting memories on their special day. Caroline says, “Planning our destination wedding wasn’t too stressful. We were in constant communication with our coordinator and I sent her a lot of photos to show her how we wanted everything to look.” She admits the stressful part was making sure her guests’ travel arrangements were in order and ran smoothly. Caroline says she had a lot of ideas for her wedding as she works in the wedding industry. In true do-it-yourself spirit, the couple created wedding programs that doubled as fans for the guests.

“Cost was a huge factor in our decision to have a destination wedding,” says Caroline. “Hands down, we spent significantly less money than a traditional wedding. It was such a relief to not go into debt for one of the biggest days of our lives!” Caroline also says that if the wedding had been local, it would have been considerably more stressful because more guests would have attended, thus driving the cost up.

Caroline has lots of great tips for anyone planning a destination wedding:

• Focus on what you and your spouse want to do for your wedding
•  Listen to all the opinions that are given to you, but remember you only get married once

Vendors: Wedding Location: Hyatt Ziva in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Photographer: Katie Nesbitt Photography, Wedding Planner: Valentina Valencia with Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, Ceremony/Reception Site: Hyatt Ziva, Florist: Hyatt Ziva, Stationery: Crisp by Britt Larson, Cake: Hyatt Ziva, Hair & Makeup: Hyatt Ziva, Gown Designer: Olvi’s Lace, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Joseph Aboudd from Men’s Warehouse & Bridesmaids’ Clothing Designer: David’s Bridal