Live your Dreams, Say “I Do” in Puerto Rico

2011 ABC FAMinarBy Carmen Mesa, ABC™Last July, the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC) and the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau partnered to bring stateside and local wedding planners and vendors together to learn about the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.Welcome to San JuanABC members from Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Maryland arrived in San Juan on Sunday, July 17, and were joined by local ABC members at the beautiful Gran Melia Golf Resort. That evening, a welcome reception was held at the beach and featured food, drink, and local entertainment. When we returned to our rooms, there was a beautiful gift basket filled with goodies from the Convention Bureau and the FAMinar sponsors.Education and historyAfter breakfast on Monday, we toured the Gran Melia, a beautiful property with lush, vibrant tropical gardens, open-air lobbies, pools, a spa, and upscale accommodations. Then, an ABC Expanding Horizons: Rehearsal to Reception seminar allowed us to share ideas with local planners and vendors. We discussed local marriage requirements, partnering with local planners and vendors, the expectations of brides, and the many options in Puerto Rico.Between the morning and afternoon sessions, the Trump International Golf Club hosted lunch. The club is just down the road from the Gran Melia and has spectacular views of the golf course, ocean, and rainforest. That evening, we traveled to Old San Juan for an overview of the city’s rich history and culture. Cocktails, dinner, and a site inspection were hosted by the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel and Casino. This beautiful, upscale hotel is in the heart of picturesque Old San Juan, with spectacular views of the bay. It is located minutes from cobblestone streets, 16th century Spanish fortresses, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and world-class shopping. We returned to the Gran Melia enthralled with the sites, warmth, hospitality, and service. And, once again, when we returned to our rooms, a gift awaited us.Beauty, beach, and local flavorTuesday morning’s host for breakfast was Hacienda Siesta Alegre, an elegant, unique, rustic, Spanish colonial residence in the foothills of the El Yunque Rainforest. Surrounded by natural beauty and tranquility, it is the perfect place for a country garden wedding. Our next stop was the El Conquistador, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. This lush property and wedding destination is located on an overlook where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Caribbean Sea. Wedding sites include garden terraces, beach settings, elegant ballrooms, or intimate private rooms. The next stop was Palomino Island. After a short boat ride across the beautiful water and under clear, blue skies, we arrived to the sounds of a tropical steel drum band and the aroma of a wonderful private buffet.  Before we departed the El Conquistador, there was another gift. The pastry chef made individual wedding cakes for each of us.El San Juan Resort & Casino hosted dinner that evening. This charming hotel, with its old world sophistication, is located along the most beautiful beach on the island and surrounded by 15 acres of tropically landscaped grounds.  We enjoyed delicious, traditional island food and a fabulous presentation of folkloric music and dance on our last evening.Nature at its bestThe next day, those who did not have early morning flights participated in the optional tour of the El Yunque National Rainforest, which spans 28,000 acres and is the only rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. Walking the trails, we saw waterfalls, tropical foliage, treetop canopies, flowers, stunning views, snails, and lizards and heard the sounds of the coguis, the island mascot, a tiny little frog that sings a song “coqui, coqui.”Regresaremos—we willAs all good things come to an end—so did our event. But we left with new friendships, new business connections, new ABC members, new information to pass along to our clients, and the promise to return to this beautiful island.