August 2013
Valley Business Report 7
and Marketing there. The tropical setting of Casa Mariposa and the nearby white sands convince brides that the island is where they will wed. (Courtesy “But discounted rooms of Anahi Navarro) are part of a great package for destination weddings. If brides want something basic, it’s stress-free. They don’t need to have a wedding coordinator.” Brides can book one of the three wedding venues at the hotel and choose reception food from the hotel’s menus. “But we work well with professionals like Janelle Allen and Maury Collections for décor, too.” Most weddings at the Pearl involve couples from San Antonio, Austin and Dallas whose families have vacationed on the Island, although Valley couples often choose it for summer weddings, Castillo said. Families are starting to see the Island as an affordable and accessible alternative to Cancun, without the hassle of passports. Destination Driven For the last eight years, McAllen-based David Pezzat has concentrated on wedding photography, particularly destination weddings. He sees South Padre Island is coming into its own as a destination wedding site. “As a whole, the wedding business is growing. That’s great for all the island businesses and hotels. Wedding guests come and enjoy a mini-vacation.” Valley residents have their own connections to the Island and associate it with good times, Pezzat pointed out. “It’s a great place to have a wedding not that far away.” More northern Mexico clients are choosing Island weddings, too, because it means they won’t have to worry about security, he added. The newlywed bride and groom kiss passionately under the flower-draped canopy at the edge of the Gulf of Mexico. In this romantic, memorable and relaxing setting, their marriage has begun. For more information, see ABeachAffair.com; southpadresands.com; casamariposaspi.com; pearlsouthpadre.com; Davidpezzat.com; anahiphotoart.com; jaycaballero.com.