Dreaming of a wedding locale that blends tropical warmth, historic ambiance and at-home accessibility? Puerto Rico offers all this and more, accented with spicy Latin flair.
East Coast and Vieques - Rustic Chic Puerto Rico's east coast is another wedding hot spot. Megaresorts like the El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa in Fajardo, and Westin Rio Mar Beach Resort and the all-inclusive Paradisus Puerto Rico, in Rio Grande, offer golf, spas, fine dining and onsite wedding planners accustomed to working with North American brides. The region also provides easy access to some of Puerto Rico's most well-known attractions: El Yunque Rain Forest, the only tropical forest in the United States National Forest System; the popular half-moon of Luquillo Beach; and Cabezas de San Juan, a natural preserve with lighthouse views of a half-dozen Virgin Islands. The area is only a 45-minute drive from San Juan; most larger resorts offer shuttle service to and from the city's international airport.
Eight miles off Puerto Rico's southeastern coast is the island of Vieques. The U.S. Navy once used this 21-mile-gem as a military testing ground, but in recent years it's become one of the hippest destinations in the Caribbean. Accessible via a 20-minute flight from San Juan or a one-hour ferry ride from Fajardo, this tiny island has loads of natural charms, including nearly empty white-sand beaches, resident wild horses and a bioluminescent bay From the oddly welcoming cement bunkers at Hix House to the novel decor in each room of Hacienda Tamarindo, to the African veldt glamour of Inn on the Blue Horizon, the resorts of Vieques are highly individual. This is an island of fashion shoots and flip flops, battered jeep rentals and wine-tasting afternoons.
"I wanted a barefoot-in-the-sand ceremony and reception for my 50 guests," says Michelle Perez Kenderish, who was born in Puerto Rico and now lives in Miami with her husband, Victor Hugo Colmenares. She'd heard about Vieques but had never been there; a tip from a colleague and a quick visit proved it was the place for her and her groom. "We chose Vieques because it was the undiscovered Puerto Rico. Not a lot of people know about it, so it has remained unspoiled and magical," she says. "I was thrilled when I discovered that it had plenty of options for all kinds of budgets." For their home base, the couple rented the luxurious four-bedroom Villa Playa Martineau, which came with a pool and hot tub. "It was worth the splurge on the house -- it sleeps 10, so I could have my family with me and save on hotel expenses."
The couple held their rehearsal dinner at the ultra-chic, adults-only Bravo Beach Hotel, followed by a ceremony on May 20, 2006, at Martineau Bay Resort & Spa. (Note: The resort has since closed and will reopen as a W Hotel in late 2007.) Minister Raúl Utreras performed the bilingual ceremony. "A minister is the best choice," says Vieques- bases wedding planner, Galina Slavova of Sweet Gala. "If you want a judge you have to go to the main island."
The couple held the reception at the villa so the party could go on all night. A traditional three-piece trio played local ballads during the cocktail hour, while the reception featured a drum-based bomba and plena group. "Our guests had a blast dancing," Michelle says. "It was truly a great way to showcase something truly cultural and unique to Puerto Rico."
