Puerto Rico Destination Wedding/ Mua's/

Many other brides say a wedding planner is indeed needed.

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Thank you!

We thought about eloping to Puerto Rico and it was more expensive then a wedding here! The rules at the hotels mentioned didn't mesh with what we wanted. They are absolutely GORGEOUS venues. Yes, I'd definitely hire a wedding planner. You'll need someone to make sure everything is running smoothly. I have friends there, but some vendors dont speak English very well so a bi-lingual planner will be perfect. Such a beautiful location. Best wishes on your planning. Ask your planner about a make-up artist. My girlfriend gets really dark after being on the beach, can't imagine not one make-up artist can handle your skin tone. I heard the salon at the Coronado Vanderbilt was excellent!! I think the Isle Verde just reopened from hurricane damage. Remember, hurricane season begins June 1st. I'd do a May or June wedding, nothing later. I grew up in a hurricane area. You all don't want to be on a small island with a Cat 3 or more bearing down on you. Just my honest opinion.

Welcome to the WeddingWire community, Kira! Congratulations on your engagement

Puerto Rico is so beautiful!!

Here are some venues ideas from the WeddingWire ideas section which may inspire your search - 9 Can’t-Miss Puerto Rico Destination Wedding Venues

Many couples planning destination weddings work with wedding planners for many different reasons. Some are looking for the local expertise a wedding planner has with booking vendors, venues, etc., others simply want the extra help in planning from a distance!

A venue coordinator may be a good resource to tap into when sourcing a MUA. Alternatively, you may find some on review sites like Yelp, you could then check out their work on Instagram, professional sites, etc.

Why did you choose Puerto Rico for your destination wedding?

I’m planning a wedding in Puerto Rico for this November. We are getting married at Hacienda Siesta Alegre in Rio Grande. Even though I ended up getting a few vendors on my own, I eventually hired a wedding planner. We made a trip out there last summer and she set up vendor meetings for us. I feel much more calmer knowing I have a planner on the island and she’s been very helpful.

@Hailey Thank you very much.

@victorian Bride, Thank you I will definitely think about those pointers.

@Cliodhna - Thank you. My fiance` and I love it there!

I’m African-American and also having the same concern trying to mind hair and makeup artists in Puerto Rico on Instagram or WeddingWire that work with our skin tone. I’m sure anyone my planner recommends will do great, but it still makes me uneasy not being able to see any examples from their work. I think I’m going to end up flying out someone to do my hair and makeup for the weekend.

I am also getting married at Hacienda Siesta Alegre in April 2020 and think a planner is essential! People talk about the cost being expensive in Puerto Rico, but I’m finding all the vendors are at least 10-15% cheaper than quotes I was getting locally. Clearly I’m in the beginning stages but I already think it’s worth it.

Maybe don’t hire a full one but a coordinator is a most! You do not want to deal with all the things that happen and you need someone to keep you in track of the timeline. This is where they come. Some venue and hotels at destination weddings offer a coordinator so you can take advantage of that.
I had a DW as well and I booked all my vendors local. It was cheaper and more convinenent. I say if you’re afraid of it keep looking and get recommendations from other vendors once you start booking them and trust their opinions. I personally think taking a trip to PR would be cheaper than brining your own MUA. Find good deals for flight and just go for few days. See the venues, meet vendors and do trials.
We went to our destination about a year before the wedding and our venue gave us the place free of charge during our stay. Ask what options they have available.

View Quoted Comment RIGHT!!! I think I am just going to fly someone out as well.. Because makeup is THE most important next to decor for me.. and all the ones that I found on IG of course they look great but I am not seeing no work on my skin tone at all. Ok cool bc I thought $**** for a wedding planner was a bit much.

I love Hacienda Siesta Alegre! But we want a ocean view ceremony.

Thank you.

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Thank you Yoice!! Yea that's a good idea!! I will definitely look into doing that.

I looked at having a wedding in Pueron Rico and all of the venues I loved were out of my price range. I ended up deciding on the Dominican Republic because it’s so much more affordable and they have a lot of vendors out there. I’m Dominican and need special services for my skin complexion and hair texture. I found a black Dominican stylist outside of my venue, who will be taking care of my hair and makeup.

I strongly recommend hiring someone who’s specialized in your skin tone and hair (if you need those services too). Also a wedding coordinator/planner is a must! You need someone so make sure everything is happening in the ground and not one detail gets missed.

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@Stephanie Alot of them are pretty pricey but I am researching alot to cut corners and costs.

Dominican Republic will be niceeee!!! Congrats!

View Quoted Comment @kira congrats to you too! Good luck finding the perfect venue and vendors

View Quoted Comment Who did you hire as your planner? Getting married in PR June of 2020!

For HMUA in Puerto Rico that does a phenomenal job in brown/dark skin women, your choice should be Qza Makeup Artist. I’ve known her for a few years and she’s known in PR for knowing how to do amazing in makeup for dark and light skinned individuals alike. She’ll be my HMUA, I’d suggest that you contact her (you can find her here in WW).

This lady (Qza) trains future MUA on the island, she’s been around for many years and she’s great. I had my hair and makeup trial posted, although I don’t have dark skin, you can get an idea of her work. She’s very reliable, there are coordinators that actually call her to go everywhere around the island (and even outside of the island) when there’s a bride with dark skin needing HMUA, thats how much they trust her services. She is incredible!!! And her prices are fair, especially if the wedding is in the metro area (which is pretty much what you’re looking at, judging by the venues).

BTW, I’m pretty sure you can find her here in WW.

For venues in PR, if you’re looking for a hotel in San Juan area, I’ll list a few that look great for weddings...
1. La Concha (Condado, San Juan)
2. Condado Vanderbilt (Condado, San Juan)
3. The Ritz Carlton (Isla Verde, Carolina)
4. Caribe Hilton (San Juan)
5. Condado Plaza (Condado, San Juan)
6. San Juan Hotel & Casiano (Isla Verde, Carolina)

These are some outside of the metro area, in case you don’t have a preference
1. El Conquistador (Fajardo)
2. St. Regis Bahia Beach (Rio Grande)
3. Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort (Rio Grande)
4. Ponce Hilton (Ponce)
5. Mayagüez Resort & Casino (Mayagüez)

FYI, there are 4 and 5-star hotels on this list, some of them are less expensive than others, I don’t know how’s your budget, hotels in PR are kind of expensive. If you’re looking for a venue other that a hotel, let me know. I also have a few. BTW, I’m getting married in PR next month, I’m borned and raised in PR, now I currently live in the states but I worked in the tourism industry in PR many years, let me know if you need any help!

View Quoted Comment Congrats! I am using Silversilke event planner and her name is Jeanette Centeno.

Great 👍🏽 thank you!

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@Iris Thank you sooo much. I have been looking at quite a few of these that you mentioned... I will private message you regarding the venues other than hotels!