When April and Glenn decided to marry in Puerto Vallarta, they envisioned something intimate, beautiful, and deeply personal. Their wedding at Hotel Playa Fiesta fulfilled that vision: a setting by the sea, succulent florals, cherished family and friends, and moments captured forever.
The Venue: Playa Fiesta
Hotel Playa Fiesta is a gem among Puerto Vallarta’s wedding venues. Nestled beside the Pacific, the hotel offers an exclusive, tropical atmosphere—beautiful oceanfront views, lush gardens, and a sense of privacy that lets couples focus on celebration rather than logistics. stylemepretty.com+2WeddingWire+2
For April and Glenn, choosing Playa Fiesta meant embracing this natural beauty: the sound of waves, the warm golden light at sunset, and the soft breeze off the water. It set the tone for their ceremony: relaxed, elegant, and heartfelt. Vimeo+2stylemepretty.com+2
Ceremony & Decor
The wedding was small and intimate, one where every detail could be appreciated by all in attendance. A key design element was the use of succulent flowers, bringing in natural tones and texture—earthy greens, muted tones—complemented by Pacific blues and sunset hues. These floral touches added a rustic yet elegant feel, echoing the natural surroundings. Vimeo+1
Seating was arranged so that guests could take in views of the ocean, perhaps with the ceremony taking place on or just above a stretch of sand, letting the sea and horizon become part of the backdrop. The lighting was soft—sunset glow mingling with warm ambient lighting, making for perfect photos. (While not all details are documented, the images and impressions suggest this kind of approach.)
Moments Captured
What makes weddings like April & Glenn’s stand out is not just the décor or venue, but the moments:
- The walk down the aisle with the sound of surf in the background.
- Quiet exchanges of vows under skies that shift from blue to rose.
- Laughter shared among family & friends—close, joyful.
- Sunset portraits on the beach, perhaps with silhouettes, golden light touching the edges of gowns and faces.
Photography by Michelle Turner (with Eduardo Reyes) frames these moments with sensitivity: capturing the emotional depth, the natural beauty, and the small details (hands, smiles, the interaction between light and landscape). Michelle’s style often balances posed portraits with candid moments, letting the wedding’s personality shine through. stylemepretty.com
Guests, Spirit & Atmosphere
April and Glenn are originally from Georgia, and their guests traveled from near and far to share their day. The gathering was not large, but what it lacked in size it more than made up for in closeness and warmth. Many reviews of Playa Fiesta praise its hospitality—staff, service, and how flexible the venue is for customizing ceremonies—so the couple could lean into their vision. Tripadvisor+2WeddingWire+2
The mood was casual elegance: dressy but comfortable, romantic without feeling stuffy. Friends and family mingled under dusk skies; children with bare feet on sand may have trailed behind parents; gentle waves provided a soundtrack.
Photography Highlights
Some of the standout shots likely included:
- Beauty shots of the rings or floral arrangements tucked among succulents.
- Bride & Groom portraits at sunset, beach as foreground, ocean and sky behind.
- Guest candid moments: laughter, hugs, maybe a tear or two.
- Detail shots of décor: florals, place settings, venue signage.
- Evening shots: ambient lighting, perhaps lanterns, tiki torches, or candles creating warm light.
Michelle Turner’s photographic eye often captures not just what the scene looked like, but what it felt like—the calm before the vows, the joyful release afterward, the serenity of two people choosing each other.
Why It Stands Out
What makes April & Glenn’s wedding especially memorable is how well the elements aligned:
- Location: The romantic natural beauty of Playa Fiesta, with its ocean views and tropical vibe.
- Scale: Intimacy gave room for serenity and attention to detail.
- Decor: The succulent-themed floral choices tie rustic and elegant together in harmony with the surroundings.
- Photography: Capturing emotion and setting in equal measure; letting the landscape and sensitive lighting do part of the work.
Takeaways & Tips for Couples
If you’re planning a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta (or anywhere tropical/seaside), here are some ideas inspired by April & Glenn’s day:
- Choose a venue that integrates nature — beach-front views, natural light, ambient surroundings help reduce the need for heavy décor.
- Scale matters — smaller weddings allow more personal touches and meaningful moments.
- Floral design with texture — succulents, local foliage, muted tones often photograph beautifully in bright light + sunset.
- Lighting planning — schedule the ceremony near golden hour; ensure dusk/evening lighting (lanterns, candles) is part of the setup.
- Capture candid emotion — hire a photographer who notices and frames small, spontaneous moments (laughter, tears, interactions).
Final Thoughts
For April and Glenn, their wedding at Playa Fiesta in Puerto Vallarta was more than just a ceremony—it was a moment circled in time, shared with loved ones, against the backdrop of sea and sky. What lingers are not just the images, but the warmth, the laughter, and the feeling that the day reflected them—not just what weddings do, but who they are. more like https://michelleturnerphotography.net/april-and-glenn-puerto-vallarta-wedding-photography
