Calce: Hacienda Campo Rico in Carolina.
Destination weddings are incredibly attractive. Its perks? Visiting a place you have never seen before but always wanted to, or for some it means going back home and celebrating your most special day in the place that watched you grow. Regardless, it is guaranteed to make your special day even more unforgettable.
The global destination wedding market has become increasingly popular, even so that in 2023, the online platform Research and Markets reported that it grew to $28.31 billion.
In the same way that planning a vacation with many people can be daunting so can be planning a wedding overseas. Luckily, wedding coordinators in Puerto Rico are up to the challenge and thrive on delivering the most romantic wedding.
Luisa Echevarria, a wedding coordinator with over six years of experience, attributes Puerto Rico’s attractiveness as a wedding destination to three main factors, the same one that generally attracts everybody – warm weather, cuisine, and the people.
From her experience, clients who chose to have their weddings in Puerto Rico are threefold: those who have heard and investigated the island and have fallen in love with it at first sight; those who have vacationed here and have experienced all its beauty first hand; and lastly those who grew up on the island, but live elsewhere.
For each of them, a tailored list of venues is proposed according to their needs and interests. Some of these weddings are generally three-day events that include experiences and activities for the guests. For this reason, hotels generally pick her client’s interests as ideal wedding venues because they tend to facilitate transportation and mobility logistics for their guests.
Some of these include familiar, yet beautiful options such as the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort, Fairmont El San Juan Hotel, among others in the region. The Old San Juan area is particularly attractive as it offers a taste of Puerto Rico’s culture and history in a nutshell. Which is why other iconic venues including Casa de España, Antiguo Casino de Puerto Rico and Museo Casa Blanca.
However, couples who live in Puerto Rico tend to be more adventurous when it comes to local venues, said Echevarria. Since guests are also familiar with the lay of the land, they tend to partake in a more natural and outdoorsy selection.
Because in the metropolitan area there are not many “Haciendas” -aside from the beautiful Hacienda Campo Rico in Carolina- those considering this type of venue must travel farther into the west or eastern coast of the island.
On the other hand, for those searching for a more alfresco alternative, Yaska Crespo, a wedding coordinator with over 15 years of experience, pointed out two additional venues for that fairytale wedding spot outside of the metro area.
On the eastern coast of the island you can find Hacienda Siesta Alegre, situated near the foothills of the Yunque Rainforest in Rio Grande, which offers an encounter with nature, surrounded by luscious green landscapes and historic architecture.
The Spanish colonial-style hacienda offers four main options to host weddings. The garden’s classical portico provides a perfect outdoor background to say “I do.” Similarly, the small river bank allows for a more intimate ceremony surrounded by calming water sounds. An open-air courtyard transforms into a dance floor with string lights crisscrossing offering a magical ending to an unforgettable day. Lastly for those searching for a country vibe, Siesta Alegre’s Barn also offers ample space to dance under the stars.
Another venue Crespo suggested was Royal Isabela which recently hosted the wedding of local urban artist Jay Wheeler and Venezuelan singer Zhamira Zambrano last December. Located in the northwestern town of Isabela, this luxurious oceanfront resort offers many breathtaking landscapes that not only characterize the region but will also make those wedding pictures iconic.
Lastly, if the countryside, the beach, and formal ballrooms are not your style, there are still some other options to explore. For more intimate weddings, both coordinators coincided on two other wedding venues that could be a perfect fit; the Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC) and the Miramar’s Museum of Art and Design (MADMI).
Iconic for its brickstone architecture, the MAC offers a charming setting with the option to host the ceremony in the stunning exterior garden while hosting the reception at the inside patio. The venue has a glass ceiling which will come in handy in case it rains.
The MADMI on the other hand differs in style from the MAC, as it is more modern in style. However, the museum has an outdoor terrace where the breeze is fresh, and an indoor salon surrounded by glass walls.
Clearly, there are plenty of wedding venues to choose from depending on budgets, wedding styles, and the couple’s aesthetic. Nonetheless, no matter the venue, the Puerto Rican way of doing weddings will not disappoint and will ensure that your special day is the most memorable
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