An Enchanting Destination Wedding at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Debbie and Daniel were only 17 when they first met. As fresh high school graduates who were ready to start their college journeys, they had no idea that a life together was also on the horizon.
“It all began on Memorial Day Weekend 2016 in Palm Springs,” Debbie shares. “I was there with my family, bored and eating a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream cone, when I got a text from a friend inviting me to a small get-together. To my surprise, my parents immediately said yes, which is something every Persian Jewish girl knows is a rare miracle. Looking back, it’s as if they somehow knew I was about to meet my future husband.
“When I arrived at the Westin, someone pointed out a tall, handsome guy who, coincidentally, shared my last name. Curious, I went over to introduce myself. We joked about being long-lost cousins and promised to see each other at a future Shabbat.
“A few weeks later, I was at a Pali High graduation party when I spotted the same tall guy from Palm Springs, Daniel. I greeted him with a playful, ‘Hey, cousin!’ and what started as a joke turned into hours of effortless conversation. We laughed, shared stories, and quickly realized we weren’t related after all. Before the night ended, Daniel made sure I texted him when I got home safely, a small gesture that showed his kindness early on.
“Not long after, I saw a Facebook invite pop up: ‘Daniel Cohen’s Party.’ My friends and I went, and it was nothing short of legendary; a scene straight out of Project X. Despite the chaos of hundreds of people and frantic calls from his parents abroad, Daniel kept checking on me, making sure I was comfortable and having fun. It was impossible not to notice how caring he was.
“When I left that night, he asked me again to text him when I got home safe. I did—and this time, I added that I thought he was cute and asked if he wanted to get frozen yogurt sometime. He later told me he’d thrown that entire party just to see me again. And that’s how our story began; with a little coincidence, a lot of laughter, and the courage to send one honest text.”
A Palm Springs Surprise
After finishing her third year of optometry school, Debbie and her family took a much-needed trip to Palm Springs. Daniel wasn’t supposed to be there, as he was in the middle of his third-year law school finals.
The first night passed for Debbie like any other family getaway. The next morning, she woke up early to go work out with her dad. Still half-asleep and walking toward the gym, she saw him.
“There was Daniel,” Debbie describes, “standing in the middle of a heart made of roses, waiting for me. I was completely shocked; he had managed to finish his finals, hop in the car from LA to Palm Springs at 4 a.m., and orchestrate the most beautiful surprise.”
“The love, joy, and spirit of the evening were truly unforgettable.”
Partnering with Prisar Events
With the couple being in graduate school at the time—Debbie in optometry and Daniel in law—their schedules were incredibly limited during the wedding planning process. They chose to host a destination wedding at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and only had a chance to visit the property once, just two months before the big day.
“What truly made the process seamless and enjoyable,” Debbie explains, “was our incredible wedding planner, Priscilla from Prisar Events, and her amazing team. Priscilla was on top of every detail, big and small, and always seemed to know exactly what we needed. She made the entire experience stress-free and brought our vision to life in the most beautiful way. We absolutely loved working with her; she truly made our dream wedding come true.”
A Dreamy Wedding Ceremony at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
The wedding day began with the bride getting ready with her mom, mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit surprised them with a beautifully catered spread, as Priscilla insisted the bride started her day with breakfast. As the bridal party got their hair and makeup done, the significance of the day began to set in for Debbie.
“We had already celebrated an incredible welcome event and Shabbat dinner that were full of love, energy, and joy,” she says, “so I couldn’t imagine the wedding day topping those moments, but somehow, it did. As I sat in the hotel’s kids club waiting to walk down the aisle, the emotions really began to set in. I’ve always been a huge daddy’s girl, and the thought of seeing my dad waiting to walk me down the aisle brought tears to my eyes before I even stood up. When I finally heard the song start, I took a deep breath and began walking. The tears just poured down my face. Seeing my family, everyone emotional and smiling through their own tears, was overwhelming in the best way possible. When I reached my parents and Daniel joined us under the chuppah, it was one of the most special and meaningful moments of my life.”
Enchantment and Energy
For the reception, the ballroom of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was transformed into a floral wonderland that created an enchanting blend of romance, elegance, and energy. Cascading arrangements of white blooms and lush greenery were suspended from the ceiling, forming an ethereal canopy that glowed under soft golden lighting. Tabletops were adorned with delicate white florals, flickering candles, and crystal-clear glassware, adding to an atmosphere that was both intimate and grand.
“We wanted the space to feel timeless yet full of life,” Debbie adds. “Classic ivory tones paired with warm amber lighting gave the entire room a magical, golden glow. Our planner and her team executed every detail flawlessly, turning the venue into something straight out of a fairytale.”
The wedding menu was exquisitely crafted and featured glatt kosher meat that the bride personally sourced. Chef Raul at Grand Velas delivered a beautifully presented array of dishes that guests still rave about to this day.
“From our romantic first dance under a canopy of flowers to the lively energy that filled the dance floor all night, every moment felt special,” says the bride. “The love, joy, and spirit of the evening were truly unforgettable—a celebration we’ll cherish forever.”
Honeymooning and Ever Afters
About seven months after their destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta, the newlyweds set off for a honeymoon in Greece.
“Just two weeks before leaving,” Debbie says, “we got the most unexpected and exciting surprise—we found out we were expecting! Our honeymoon turned out a little different from what we originally imagined, but it was even more special in its own way. We spent our days exploring beautiful cities, relaxing by the sea, and simply enjoying each other’s company as we celebrated not only our marriage, but the new chapter that was already beginning.”
WEDDING TALENT
Location: Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit; Planning: Prisar Events; Floral Design: MDesigns; Hair & Makeup: Graciela Saldivar; Entertainment: DJ Justin - LIV Entertainment Group; Photography: Jorge Mercado Photography