What's New on StrayWeddings.com - One&Only Palmilla

The One&Only Palmilla is no ordinary hotel. This spectacular property in Los Cabos, Mexico is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World™, was awarded Condé Nast Traveler's 2006 Readers' Choice Award, was listed in Condé Nast Traveler's 2007 Gold List, and was rated #1 for Baja California in the world's 500 best hotels (2007) by Travel + Leisure.

With 172 beautifully-furnished rooms, the One&Only Palmilla offers complete luxury and all the amenities of a first-class resort. For weddings, the property has a charming Mexican-style chapel which overlooks the resort's grounds and ocean, accommodating up to 40 guests. Couples can arrive to the chapel by traditional horse-drawn carriage for that extra special touch. Wedding ceremonies can also be held on the beach or at the Agua Pool Terrace for a more tropical feeling.

For more wedding information and to see real wedding photographs, go to www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=189

Image copyright One&Only Palmilla, used with permission.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Playa Fiesta Beachclub & Hotel

Tucked away on a private stretch of beach, away from the busyness of the city, you will find Playa Fiesta Beachclub & Hotel. This boutique hotel, located south of Conchas Chinas, dedicates itself entirely to serving wedding groups. Since the entire hotel is rented out to wedding groups one week at a time, you can be assured complete privacy for your wedding event.

One of the greatest strengths of Playa Fiesta lies in its ability to provide you with customized service and attention during your entire stay. However you envision your wedding day, the dedicated staff at Playa Fiesta will do everything in their power to make your dreams a reality.

The hotel has a fantastic ocean view, but there isn't really much of a beach at the hotel, so if you are dreaming of a beach wedding with the warm sand between your toes, this probably isn't the place for you. Despite the lack of beach, this truly is a great wedding hotel. The atmosphere is fun and casual, the staff are warm and welcoming, and this hotel is quickly becoming the most popular wedding spot in Puerto Vallarta. Be sure to make your reservations early as the hotel books up fast!

For more information and photographs visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=56

Image copyright Playa Fiesta Beachclub & Hotel, used with permission.

The Tides Zihuatanejo - Wedding Photos

To view photos of real weddings at The Tides Zihuatanejo in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico follow the links below.

• Romantic Planet Vacations Wedding Album
  www.romanticplanet.ca/images/weddingalbum/villadelsol/index.htm
  

*View Real Wedding Galleries for other hotels across Mexico.

If you were married at this hotel and would like to share your wedding photographs, please contact us at info@strayweddings.com. Image copyright Kor Hotel Group.

Ikal del Mar Becomes The Tides Riviera Maya

Have you heard great things about the luxury boutique hotel, Ikal del Mar, in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, but can't find any information about it? You might have better luck searching under The Tides Riviera Maya. The hotel changed its name in conjunction with the international expansion of The Tides brand by Kor Hotel Group.

With only 30 villas, this boutique hotel offers intimacy on one of the most sought-after beaches in Mexico, just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen in the Mayan Riviera. Weddings at The Tides Riviera Maya can be completely customized to suit each couple’s needs. For a special touch to your wedding, the Good Wish Maya Ceremony is a renewal of vows ceremony performed in the Mayan language. Along with ancient Maya symbols, rituals and music, the bride and groom exchange their vows in traditional Mayan clothing. For more information on weddings at The Tides Riviera Maya, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=39

Other Properties by Kor Hotel Group

Kor Hotel Group is increasing its presence in Mexico. In addition to The Tides Riviera Maya, Kor Hotel Group has recently acquired the award-winning Villa del Sol in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero and plans to expand the hotel’s spa into a world-class facility.

Upcoming Mexican properties include The Tides Playa del Carmen and Viceroy Resorts & Residences, both located along the Mayan Riviera coastline. The Tides Playa del Carmen will span eight acres along the beaches Playa del Carmen, and will offer resort residences, a private beach club, and a 10,000-square-foot spa. Viceroy Resorts & Residences will be located in the newly-developed Mayakoba region, with rooms situated along the beach, and woven around lagoons and waterways. This property will feature beach and lagoon clubs with swimming pools, restaurants, lounges, cabanas, and activities, a spa and fitness center, gourmet and casual dining, water taxis for transportation, and a kids club. And for golf lovers, the Greg Norman golf course El Camaleón is just steps away.

For more information on these properties, visit the following sites:

• Kor Hotel Group: www.korhotelgroup.com
• The Tides Riviera Maya: www.tidesrivieramaya.com
• The Tides Playa del Carmen: www.tidesplayadelcarmen.com
• Viceroy Resorts & Residences: www.viceroyrivieramaya.com
• Villa del Sol: www.hotelvilladelsol.com

Image: The Tides Riviera Maya, copyright Kor Hotel Group used with permission.

Photographer in Profile – Juan Carlos Tapia Photography

Juan Carlos Tapia has become one of the most sought-after photographers in Mexico. His photography brings out the romance and emotion of every wedding, capturing those touching moments that often go unnoticed in the excitement of the day. Warmth, beauty, elegance, intimacy, joy… Juan photographs every aspect to perfection!

Currently Juan lives in San Jose del Cabo on the Baja California Peninsula, so if you plan to be married in the Los Cabos area be sure to check out his gallery at www.strayweddings.com/find_photographer.php

Juan also has a particular talent for putting together artistic wedding slideshows. To see some examples, browse the Los Cabos Real Wedding Galleries or visit his website at www.juancarlostapia.com.

Image copyright Juan Carlos Tapia Photography.

Mexico Tourism on the Rise in 2007

Image: Cancun Hotel Zone, copyright Cancun Convention & Visitors Bureau www.cancun.info

According to Mexico’s Tourism Secretariat, the tourism industry in Mexico is continuing to grow, with a 15% increase in revenue since 2006. The Mexican government feared that new passport requirements in the US would discourage American tourists from going to Mexico. However, more Americans are traveling to Mexico this year than last, showing that passport requirements have not deterred travel across the border.

Since Hurricane Wilma devastated tourism in Cancun and the Mayan Riviera in late 2005, the region invested millions of dollars in renovating hotels and resorts. After several upgrades, these properties have now re-opened and guests can enjoy an even more luxurious experience.

Destination weddings in Mexico are likely to follow an upward trend as hotels receive more guests throughout the year. With more tourists, upgraded properties, and increasing wedding services, Mexico’s destination wedding industry is sure to be a success in 2007.

For more Mexican tourism statistics, visit www.sectur.gob.mx.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - New Wedding Photos at El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma

Sol Tamargo has done it again! To see her latest work at El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico visit www.soltamargo.com/weddings/chantal&chris/

To find out more information about getting married at El Dorado Royale, A Spa Resort, by Karisma, and to view more wedding photographs, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=14

To see Real Wedding Galleries for other hotels across Mexico visit http://strayweddings.blogspot.com/2007/04/real-wedding-galleries-destination.html

Image copyright Sol Tamargo Photography - www.soltamargo.com.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - New Wedding Photos at Gran Bahía Príncipe Tulum

See Eduardo Machuca's new wedding photos of the Gran Bahía Príncipe Tulum Resort in the Mayan Riviera, Quintana Roo, Mexico - http://emac2.smugmug.com/gallery/2744627 (April 2007). Eduardo Machuca is a professional photographer who lives in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico and is available for hire for weddings and other special events.

To find out more information and to view more wedding photographs of the Gran Bahía Príncipe Tulum visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=80

To see Real Wedding Galleries for other hotels across Mexico visit http://strayweddings.blogspot.com/2007/04/real-wedding-galleries-destination.html

Image copyright Eduardo Machuca Photography (http://emac2.smugmug.com).

Wedding Review of Hotel Villa Rolandi, Isla Mujeres

This following review of Villa Rolandi in Isla Mujeres, Mexico was sent to us by Ellen, a travel agent from Special Occasion Travel.

It was hot and white and the perfect spot. It was absolutely picture perfect in every aspect: "perfect rooms, amazing food, attentive and wonderful staff" - the perfect atmosphere for a vacation. When you go on vacation with your best friends, that's what you would expect. But would you expect everyone to get married while you were there?

That is exactly what Angie and Terrence Repasky, of Ft. Collins, did when they went to Isla Mujeres with their long time friends. Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, is where time passes slowly and your dream vacation becomes a reality. This fishing village still retains its charm and tranquil atmosphere. As you stroll the streets in the evening you will see families gathered together in Caribbean styled homes, tucked between stores and restaurants, mending their fishing nets and relaxing.

Angie and Terrence had called Michelle and Derek of Michigan to invite them to witness their marriage they were planning in Mexico. But before they could get the invitation out, their friends announced their engagement! What happened next was a whirl of activity for both couples to get married in Mexico!

First on the list was to locate a travel consultant to help them find and book just the right place for their dream wedding. They needed suggestions and coordination between the two couples and the resort. That's when they found me, Ellen Keralla at Special Occasion Travel. I specialize in romantic travel especially honeymoons and weddings. My areas of expertise are the Caribbean, Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii, Tahiti and Fiji.

Working with these two couples was both fun and exciting. They needed help with choosing their date and destination for this very special occasion. After listening carefully about their dreams and requirements for the wedding, we choose Hotel Villa Rolandi.

Hotel Villa Rolandi, Gourmet & Beach Club is five minutes away from the ferry terminal in Isla Mujeres. The dock is 20 minutes away from Cancun international airport. The hotel lies between the beach with its white sand and the Lagoon Makax, where its private luxury yacht has its pier. The property consists of 20 luxury Junior Suites, all with Ocean Views, full amenities and the best quality materials. The Casa Rolandi restaurant is a gathering of the local gourmets. Connoisseurs come in their boats from Cancun, just to have a gourmet experience in the relaxing atmosphere of the hotel. Evening dinners are a unique event of romanticism and quality food. The management makes you feel at home and the guest's wishes are orders for the hotel's personnel.

Choosing the date was our second concern. We wanted to avoid spring break but still fit it in during the winter. The legal requirements for marriage in Cancun are to have certified copies of both parties' birth certificates or valid passports, blood tests taken, a copy of both tourist permits, four witnesses, and three full days to process the paperwork. With these things in mind we decided on March 3rd.

With the resort chosen and the wedding date confirmed with the coordinator, we could then make travel arrangements. The Ft. Collins couple would arrive on the same day as the Minneapolis couple, within a few hours of each other. Both brides had a couple of days to decide on the location of their ceremony (they chose the beach) and time of day.

On the big day, the weather was perfect, the sunset brilliant and the sand white and warm. The ceremony took place at Sunset to add to the romance of the event. As required, the ceremony was in Spanish but the resort provided an interpreter for the brides and grooms. The Mexican official performs the ceremony with heartfelt Spanish words such as "Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way: it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrong doing, but rejoices in truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things..." It is a very thoughtful and touching ceremony even if you don't speak Spanish.

Michelle and Derek were married first followed immediately by Angie and Terrence. Congratulations were exchanged and pictures were taken. The sun set with a beautiful brilliant color that reflected off the Caribbean Sea. All four best friends sat down to celebrate their special occasion with a Tiki Torch dinner on the beach. They had the most wonderful photographer that even pointed out that they had married on the night of a lunar eclipse! This added to the already perfectly romantic memory that will be with them forever.

Ellen Keralla, Special Occasion Travel
Tel: 1-800-691-0243
ellen@specialoccasiontravel.com
www.specialoccasiontravel.com

Hotel Villa Rolandi Gourmet & Beach Club
Tel: 52 (998) 877-0700
www.villarolandi.com

Meliá Azul Ixtapa - New Wedding Photos

Here are some new wedding photos of the Meliá Azul Ixtapa resort sent to us by the hotel's wedding coordinator Eva Luz Ramirez. For more information about getting married at this resort visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=89

1. Oyster Bar

2. Pergola Terrace

Terraza Alberca II

Garden

Sunset Photos
Images copyright Meliá Azul Ixtapa, used with permission.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Travel Agent's Review of El Dorado Seaside Suites, by Karisma

This wonderful review of El Dorado Seaside Suites, by Karisma was sent to us by Ellen, a travel agent from Special Occasion Travel. If you would like to find out more about getting married at this hotel, visit http://www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=139.

The Riviera Maya has several options for resorts ranging from the 2,000 room Moon Palace to the small 130 room El Dorado Seaside Suites. There are eco-lodges (no electricity), all inclusives, European plans, and even resorts that include all of your tours. Choosing the correct resort means knowing what is important for your honeymoon vacation. Do you want to spend your days enjoying a wide, white sand beach just looking at the beautiful Caribbean water or do you want to hike through the Mayan ruins and learn all about an ancient culture? These are some of the questions I will ask you when I help you determine just the right place for that romantic getaway.

One of my favorite resorts in the Riviera Maya is the El Dorado Seaside Suites. Located very far south in the Riviera Maya it is closer to Puerto Aventuras in Kantenah. The beach is beautiful, small, with white sand. The water is aqua colored and great for snorkeling. The closer you get to Akumal the more reef you find in the water. I caution my clients to be sure and take water socks with them when traveling to these southern resorts. Although this reef may be hard on the feet, it is fantastic for your vision as you will see more colorful fish than anywhere else.

The El Dorado Seaside Suites is an adults only resort. It is about 1 hour from the Cancun airport. Pay the extra fee to get the non-stop transfer service as there are many resorts between this one and the airport.

This resort embodies barefoot elegance for the carefree and relaxed. All rooms are junior suites with Jacuzzi tubs. Flower petals floating on a bubble bath greet you on your first night. Four poster beds draped with soft fabric enhance the romantic mood. Some ground floor rooms have a swim up pool that culminate at the end of the building with a swim up bar. 24 hour room service is available.

This property has that boutique-hotel atmosphere with a creative a la carte cuisine at 4 restaurants. Non-motorized sports such as paddleboats, kayak and snorkeling gear are included in your room rate. Other activities are available such as beach volleyball, aquaerobics, salsa lessons and aerobics.

No trip to the Riviera Maya would be complete without a visit to the Mayan ruins. Explore the amazing views of Tulum, the only Mayan fortress resort built by the sea and used by the Mayans as their port of entry for Caribbean goods. Combine your visit with a trip to Xel-Há, a place where the best of the Mexican Caribbean nature comes together. The world's most spectacular aquarium invites you to embark on an aquatic adventure. Explore creeks, lagoons, natural wells and ancient caves fed by subterranean rivers flowing to Mexico's beautiful Caribbean Sea. Walk through its jungle and discover plenty of spots to spoil each other.

On Mexico's Turquoise Coast, Maroma Beach feels like it's like a million miles away, but is actually just 35 miles south of Cancun on what has become known as the Mayan Riviera. Also rated one of the Travel Channel's "Best Beaches," its sand is the color of powdered sugar and its clear waters the temperature of a warm bath. On the slight chance you'll want to do anything but just melt into the sand, you can snorkel, jet ski, drive ATVs, or go deep sea fishing. This is an excellent location for a wedding too. It has food and drink facilities along with showers and lockers right on property.

For more honeymoon and anniversary information please contact me at Special Occasion Travel either by phone 1-800-691-0243 or email at Ellen@SpecialOccasionTravel.com. Please visit my website at www.specialoccasiontravel.com and sign up for my complimentary weekly travel tips.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - New Wedding Photos at Iberostar Paraiso del Mar

Check out Sol Tamargo's new wedding photos at the popular Iberostar Paraiso del Mar www.soltamargo.com/weddings/lisa&nathan (April 26, 2007).

To view more Real Wedding Galleries at this hotel go to http://strayweddings.blogspot.com/2007/03/wedding-photos-at-iberostar-playa.html

Image copyright Sol Tamargo Photography (www.soltamargo.com).

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - New Wedding Photos at Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun

Cancun photographer Sol Tamargo has posted some fabulous photos from a recent wedding at Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun. To view the new photo gallery, go to www.soltamargo.com/weddings/shelley&chris

To find out more about getting married at the Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, and to download their wedding packages, menus, spa packages and more, go to www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=2

Image copyright Sol Tamargo Photography www.soltamargo.com

Los Cabos Wedding Guide

Los Cabos is a large area located on the Baja California Peninsula of Mexico. The Los Cabos area includes the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, as well as a 20-mile strip of luxury hotels and golf courses between the two towns, known as the Resort Corridor or "el corredor." Destination weddings in Los Cabos are popular because of its close proximity to the USA, its high-end resorts, and beautiful beaches. The area is also full of activities to keep guests busy, including sport fishing, whale watching, sailing, diving, surfing, relaxing spa experiences, and world-class golf at eight golf courses, including the 27-hole Palmilla Golf Club designed by Jack Nicklaus.


1. Wedding Locations in Los Cabos

You can expect nothing but the best for your wedding day in Los Cabos. The area offers some exceptional resorts for weddings, all with luxurious accommodations and first-class amenities. The following is just a sample of what the area offers.

Esperanza, An Auberge Resort $$$$$

Image: Esperanza, An Auberge Resort, copyright Esperanza, An Auberge Resort.

This ultra luxurious boutique hotel features 50 oceanview casitas and six luxury suites, ranging from 925 to 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space featuring large outdoor terraces and views of the Sea of Cortez. No stranger to the rich and famous, Esperanza has known to host many famous celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Jennifer Garner, Owen Wilson, and Paul McCartney. For more information, photographs, and wedding videos, visit Esperanza, An Auberge Resort.

One&Only Palmilla $$$$$

Image: One&Only Palmilla, copyright One&Only Resorts.

This serenely private and sensually elegant resort features expansive ocean-facing accommodation, each with veranda, sunbeds, and indulgent amenities. Internationally acclaimed as the quintessential embodiment of elegance, every need is attended to with gracious hospitality, and the distinctive artistry of Mexico is discovered at every turn, from wrought iron as delicately patterned as lace to massive wooden doors weathered with age for authentic beauty. Perched above the beach, accommodation is presented in single-story and three-story buildings, or "casas," encircling the resort grounds along the peninsula's edge. With its historic chapel exuding an aura of romance and enchantment, One&Only Palmilla is a heavenly location for a wedding or honeymoon. For more information, photos, and wedding videos visit One&Only Palmilla.

Marquis Los Cabos $$$$

Image: Marquis Los Cabos, copyright Marquis Los Cabos Hotel.

Marquis Los Cabos offers its guests the utmost in luxury and service. Each of our suites and casitas include spectacular amenities, and every room features a breathtaking ocean view. Whether you select a junior suite, a 1,420 sq. ft. master suite or a spacious casita with a private pool, you are sure to appreciate the hotel's contemporary Mexican décor. All accommodations include luxurious amenities such as hydromassage tubs, Bulgari toiletries, Frette bed linens, down comforters, bathrobes and more. As a guest at Marquis Los Cabos, you awaken to a complimentary Marquis breakfast that has been placed in a private niche each morning to be enjoyed at your convenience. The Marquis Los Cabos is also a spectacular setting for a truly romantic wedding. Whether you wish to be married on the glistening beach, in an elegant ballroom or by the pool, Marquis Los Cabos offers the venues and special services that will make your dreams come true. For more information, photos, and wedding videos visit Marquis Los Cabos.

Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa $$$

Image: Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa, copyright AMResorts.

Situated on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, you will find Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa. This Unlimited-Luxury® resort, where everything is included, features 308 suites, all with views of the sea and 24-hour room service. Beach and pool wait service will treat you to margaritas as you bask in the sun, and a full-service spa will provide some much-needed relaxation on your wedding day. Your wedding can be performed on the beach or in the contemporary beachside wedding gazebo with a full ocean view. On the beach or beside the pool, a romantic private reception dinner will be illuminated by candlelight and decorated with flower petals. For larger wedding groups, the indoor ballroom can accommodate a banquet for up to 200 guests. For more information, photographs and wedding videos visit Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa.

Sunset da Mona Lisa Restaurant
Another great wedding venue is the Sunset da Mona Lisa. This restaurant specializes in Italian and Seafood cuisine and offers a view of the famous Los Cabos arch. For more information, visit their website at www.sunsetmonalisa.com.

To find a complete list of wedding hotels in the Los Cabos area visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort.php


2. Legal Requirements

View a summary of civil marriage requirements between foreigners in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico: Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Los Cabos.


3. Hotel Map of Los Cabos

To help you locate the wedding hotels in Los Cabos we have pinpointed them for you using Google Maps (Satellite Image). To browse the map, click on the link below:

• Hotel Map of Los Cabos (Google Maps, Satellite Image)
  

4. Video Tour of Los Cabos

To acquaint you with the landscape of Los Cabos, Pictronica PHOTO + VIDEO has provided us with a video aerial tour of the area. The video was produced for the local tour company Caborey, which offers boat and helicopter tours in the Los Cabos area. For more information on Caborey, visit their website at www.caborey.com. To view the video tour, click on the link below:

• Caborey Video Aerial Tour of Los Cabos
  

5. Wedding Photographers in Los Cabos

Image copyright Manuel Bourgoin from Weddings in Los Cabos.

Los Cabos is also home to some incredible wedding photographers:

• Juan Carlos Tapia Photography - www.juancarlostapia.com
• Weddings in Los Cabos - www.weddingsinloscabos.com
• Gilda Badillo Photographer - www.gildaphotovideo.com
• Cabo Wedding Photography - www.cabophotography.com
• Pictronica PHOTO + VIDEO - www.weddings.pictronica.com.mx
• ArielPhotographer.com - www.arielphotographer.com
• Bruce Herman Photography - www.brucehermanphotography.com
• Fabian Espinosa Photography - www.fabianespinosa.com
• Foto Experts - www.fotoexperts.com
• Francisco Estrada Photography - www.photomexico.com
• Images by Peter - www.imagesbypeter.com
• Tomas Barron - www.tomasbarron.com

To view wedding galleries for these and other photographers in Mexico, visit http://www.strayweddings.com/find_photographer.php


6. Wedding Planners in Los Cabos

Image copyright Juan Carlos Tapia Photography.

If you are looking for some extra help in planning your wedding, here is a list of wedding planners in Los Cabos:

• Weddings in Paradise - www.weddingsparadise.com
• Romantic Cabo Weddings - www.romanticaboweddings.com
• Perfect Weddings by Sergio - www.perfectweddingsbysergio.com
• Fabuloso - www.fabulosoevents.net
• Maye Cortinas Wedding Planner - www.mayecortinas.com
• Caboevents - www.caboevents.com
• Baja Weddings - www.bajawedding.com

To find other wedding planners in Mexico, visit http://www.strayweddings.com/find_planner.php

7. Guides to Los Cabos

The Up-and-Coming Wedding Destination of Huatulco

Image: Camino Real Zaashila, Huatulco, Oaxaca.

Located along the southern Pacific shores of Mexico in the state of Oaxaca, Huatulco is starting to grow in popularity among tourists. This Fonatur resort area is surrounded by nine bays and 36 beaches, with the town of Santa Cruz as its main center. Tangolunda Bay is well-known for its high-end resorts including Las Brisas Huatulco, Gala Beach Resort Huatulco, Barceló Huatulco Beach Resort, Camino Real Zaashila, and Quinta Real Huatulco. Weddings are currently available at most of these resorts.

As Huatulco grows in popularity, so too will its destination wedding industry. AMResorts plans to open two new resorts in the next couple years - Secrets Huatulco and Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa. Secrets and Dreams resorts across Mexico have become prime destination wedding choices, offering affordable and even complimentary wedding packages. For more information visit www.amresorts.com.

Although still in its early stages, the Huatulco area will continue to develop and grow, and will likely become an excellent location for weddings in Mexico. Magnificent beaches and spectacular scenery provide a romantic setting, and while the area is still largely undeveloped, you can enjoy an unspoiled habitat. We will be sure to keep up to date on Huatulco over the coming months.

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Bayne Photography

If you're looking for a talented photographer for your destination wedding, consider Rachel Bayne of Bayne Photography. This American photographer is more than happy to travel to Mexico for your wedding event.

Rachel will be in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Guerrero from June 23-30, 2007 to photograph a wedding. If you're getting married in the area that week and love Rachel's work, be sure to give her a call!

Bayne Photography
Location: U.S.A.
Telephone: 1 (360) 739-3228
E-mail: bayne_11@yahoo.com
Website: www.baynephotography.com

What's New on StrayWeddings.com - Weddings at Meliá Azul Ixtapa

On a recent visit to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo in Guerrero, Mexico, we toured Meliá Azul Ixtapa to get an idea of what the resort offers for weddings. This family-oriented all-inclusive property has 400 rooms, seven restaurants, three outdoor swimming pools, a fabulous park for kids, and numerous activities to keep guests busy. Located a few minutes north of the main Ixtapa hotel strip, the resort enjoys a more private atmosphere and is surrounded by green hills and the beautiful Pacific Ocean.

For wedding groups, Meliá Azul Ixtapa has some excellent ceremony and reception sites. One of the more popular sites is a platform situated away from the main resort grounds. A stroll down a wooden boardwalk leads you to the platform where you can enjoy privacy for your wedding and a breathtaking view of the ocean. Nearby is the Oyster Bar restaurant, which can be used for a private reception dinner. Other wedding locations include a large pergola (covered platform) beside the pool, and a large open green space near the resort's Convention Center. If your guests are not staying at the resort, they will have to purchase a day/night pass to attend your wedding.

For more wedding information and photographs, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=89

Image copyright Meliá Azul Ixtapa, used with permission.

Photographer In Profile - El Taller Fotografia y Video

This talented wedding photographer has been capturing weddings for seven years and has done approximately 200 weddings to date. Her headquarters are in Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico, but she is willing to travel anywhere in Mexico for your wedding event.

"As an artistic expression, photography and videography require an experienced professional from the original conception to its final presentation. You have moments that are unique and unrepeatable and we are dedicated to capturing those moments with the highest of quality and care." - Sandra Muñoz, El Taller Fotografia y Video

For more information, and to see a gallery of her work visit http://www.strayweddings.com/find_photographer.php

Image copyright El Taller Fotografia y Video, used with permission.

Playa Fiesta Beach Club & Hotel - Wedding Photos

Image copyright Elizabeth Medina Photography - www.elizabethmedina.com

To see photographs of real weddings at Playa Fiesta Beach Club & Hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, follow the links below.

• Elizabeth Medina Photography - Apr 2007
  www.elizabethmedina.com/jm_mini
• Feb 23, 2007
  www.playafiesta.com/slideshow/katie-noah/slideshow.html
• Feb 17, 2007
  www.playafiesta.com/slideshow/eddie-anastasia/slideshow.html
• Feb 3, 2007
  www.playafiesta.com/slideshow/nichole-nate/slideshow.html
• Jan 20, 2007
  www.playafiesta.com/slideshow/tiff-jon/slideshow.html
  

For more information, visit www.strayweddings.com/find_resort_details.php?resort_id=56

*View Real Wedding Galleries for other hotels and resorts across Mexico.

If you were married at this hotel and would like to share your wedding story or wedding photographs, please e-mail us at info@strayweddings.com.