Reviews

Affirmations
The most beautiful and unique wedding venue out there! A spectacular villa nestled in the jungle with the most gorgeous view of the bay in Boca de Tomatlan. You arrive via catamaran and are greeted with champagne by the host, Mike Piper, himself. The moment you arrive at La Villa Esplendida you know you are in for a once in a lifetime experience. The florals!! Come on! Mike made sure they were perfect. I mean, the photos speak for themselves. The food was some of the best we had in Mexico. I'd make a trip back for the tacos alone! Mike even made us a personal seafood tower to enjoy in private after the ceremony, such a treat! Planning a destination wedding is intimidating, but not if you have Mike by your side! He lined up all our vendors for us, provided us with multiple quotes and was extremely communicative through our entire wedding planning process. There was not an opportunity to be a bridezilla because Mike made sure everything was seamless from start to finish. Working with Mike is a true gift, if you have the opportunity to have your wedding or event at La Villa Esplendida, do NOT turn it down!
Grace
11/2021
We were fortunately able to attend a wedding at La Vila Esplendida this October. The catamaran picked us up at the beach pier just in front of our hotel and delivered us to this spectacular location. La Villa Esplemdida is a tiered mansion on the water only acessable by boat. I would like to come stay for an extended period to truely escape. Puerto Vallarta is a blast but this place is special.
Tyler
11/2021
OMG best, most unique wedding venue ever! Arrival from Puerto Vallarta by catamaran to be greeted by champagne on the dock at the glorious entrance to the villa. Up a majestic white staircase to a series of gorgeously decorated palapa covered Terrances, each level offering an even more spectacular view of the ocean and surrounding jungle. The decor and venue were first class and so well thought out and designed! The flowers!!!!!! I could go on and on about the gorgeous displays and bouquets, Over the top decadent!! There were tropical arrangements everywhere! The bride and groom were so thrilled and the value for the price was incomparable. We could not have gotten anything like this in the US for the price and there is no other venue in Mexico that offers complete packages at this level for a reasonable price. We are thrilled with our unforgettable wedding experience! Would highly recommend this venue and host! Mike Piper is a genius event planner!! No one of our guests will ever forget this epic experience. So special!!
Melissa
11/2021
Following is a small sampling of reviews from past wedding clients of Mike Piper’s from the USA. While these reviews are not specific to La Villa Esplendida, they are instead a true review of Mike’s business ethics, attention to detail and his desire to create incredible special events for his clients….no matter where in the world that may take place!
Amazing everything ! Mike was great, the venue was beautiful! The food... the food was great! Worth every penny!
Ashika
Married on 11/11/2017
Mike and his staff could not have done a better job for our wedding. They were such a huge help throughout the entire planning phase, and the day of the big event was so stress-free because of how much thought and effort they put into the event. I have had countless family members tell me it was the best wedding they have been to, and that is in large part a testament to the level of service we received from Mike and his staff. If we were to go back and do it all again, there's a 100% certainty we would work with Mike again.
Jordan
Married on 03/14/2020
This venue is gorgeous and Mike Piper alone makes it worth the cost (not that the cost isn't reasonable). We searched all over Portland, knowing we wanted an indoor venue (October in Portland is a little too iffy, weather-wise, for our taste). There were a few nice places we were considering,but the moment we walked into the Elysian Ballroom and met with Mike Piper, we were instantly like "THIS IS THE PLACE."
This is a super inclusive venue -- we could have brought in nothing on the day and it would have been perfect and gorgeous. Truth be told, we only ended up bringing in some greenery for the tables and that was pretty much it. Nice linens and multiple colors? Included. Those gold chairs everyone loses their minds over? Included. Gorgeous lighting? Included. I can hardly think of a thing that we asked Mike about that wasn't just a part of the deal. If you have been shopping venues, you know how rare THAT is.
It was invaluable to have Mike around as the day of coordinator as well, there is so much going on at once, I can't imagine trying to be the bride as well as the point person for the multiple teams of people and family members and bridal party, caterers, photogs, DJ, etc etc etc. Mike Piper coordinates it all so you can basically turn your brain off and enjoy the day (as best as anyone can).
Stephanie
Married on 10/14/2017
Our wedding was flawless. Not only is the venue beautiful and unique, but when you book the venue, you also book Mike and his staff. Mike is an absolute dream to work with and makes organizing your wedding fun and easy. He has 25+ years of experience and helps you plan everything to the very last detail. He even facilitates your rehearsal and is your day of coordinator.
Mike’s entire staff is professional, thoughtful, and truly wants your wedding to be the day of your dreams. We had countless guests tell us it was hands down the best wedding they had ever attended. Booking The venue was our first and best wedding decision. We cannot imagine our wedding anyplace else! Thank you Mike! We might be back for a wedding anniversary party in a few years 🙂
Vanessa
Married on 09/22/20
Working with Mike was the perfect choice for our December wedding reception. The space is absolutely stunning, with lots of detail and charm, you really feel like you're transported to a different time. He did a great job of providing an all-inclusive experience, as he caters the event as well, making things much easier for all involved. I very much recommend his flower company as well, as he knows the space well and what looks good in it to help you choose the best flowers for your theme. During cocktail hour, everyone was able to get a drink in their hand and an appetizer without waiting. In keeping things moving and everyone happy, Mike has it down to a science. We were so happy with our experience here.
Kathleen
Married on 12/12/2015
I would not hesitate to recommend Mike Piper, to anyone. In fact, I have already recommended him to tons of people! The venue is a gorgeous and well appointed space, perfect for weddings or parties. It needs no further decoration; we bought some flowers at a farmers market the day before, put them in nice mini arrangements, and it was just right. Mike is amazing, totally professional, and committed to ensuring you are "a guest at your own wedding". He’s been doing this for a long time, so he is always ready to give advice and tips (and they are always spot on!), but is dedicated to ensuring you get exactly the day you want. I don’t have the space to write about the food if I want to keep this concise, but I will say that after the tasting my husband and I decided that we needed our own "sweetheart" table so we would be sure to have time to eat. It was an excellent choice and neither of us regret stuffing our faces with the amazing fare all night. I’ve had so many people tell me it was the best wedding they have ever attended, and tell them it was all Mike and his staff. THANK YOU MIKE!
Emma
Married on 07/22/2018
Mike is a wedding coordinating saint! We began planning our wedding in February, and he met with us multiple times to discuss even the most miniscule details that we never even thought of. We didn't have a bridal party, so it was up to my sister and best friend to take care of all the details (rings, marriage certificate, details, decor, etc.). However, by the time they even got there, Mike had it all done and figured out. Ceremony decor, stage set up, bridal suite set up was all set up for us as soon as we got there. Oh, and it was freaking gorgeous!
The tear down of everything was also so easy -- we probably were packed and ready to go within thirty minutes of our event ending. Also, the food was amazing, and Mike is one of the most flexible and accommodating vendors we have worked with.
Katie
Married on 09/23/2017
We got married in July 2017. Mike was great to work with and made the day seamless! We had no problems and we were able to enjoy our wedding with no stress. All of our guests raved about the venue and said it was the best wedding they had been to. I would highly recommend Mike to all brides!
Breanna
Married on 07/22/2017
Mike, the venue owner, was great to work with! He was very responsive in all of our email communications and made the whole wedding planning process a very smooth one. He had all the answers and help make our day stress free. We went with the in house catering, drink package, and DJ. We only had two outside vendors, which were for cake and photography. The food was great and we received a lot of very positive feedback on the food from our guests. I would highly recommend working with Mike if you're looking for a very classic and romantic venue, with in house catering. We couldn't have been happier with our choice. And of course Mike is the best!
Leslie
Married on 06/25/2017
The PERFECT place for our son and daughter-in-law's wedding! Mike and staff were superb in every aspect imaginable!! Every detail was handled to perfection and we could not have been any happier with such an incredibly awesome wedding venue! Don't look anyplace else, this is the place!!! You can relax and enjoy the day, it's a blessing and an honor to have found Mike!!
Adrienne
Married on 01/21/2017
Mike Piper, Wedding Planner Extraordinaire: Where does one begin to write a review for someone and someplace that has exceeded your every expectation beyond anything imaginable? … From first contact through all the preparations and planning, Mike Piper was professional and quickly responsive to all communication and questions regarding our ideas, thoughts, and suggestions and needs. He provided honest and most helpful advice at each step and more than accommodated our requests where possible. The day of the wedding everything was dialed and proceeded like a superbly manufactured clock. Because everyone had worked a multitude of weddings together, everything proceeded seamlessly. The décor for both the ceremony and the reception was enchanting. The food and the service for both the cocktail hour and reception were wonderful! AND, Mike Piper orchestrated it all! helping us make it the wedding of dreams. Thank you Mike Piper!!! You and Your gift will be part of our memories of this day forever.
Dorene
Married on 01/22/2017
I can't say enough about how wonderful Mike and his team are. I got his name from a friend of a friend and had no idea what to expect. My husband and I were doing our wedding reception a year after the wedding. I did not care about the details.....flowers, colors, etc. We just wanted a party with great food, drinks, and music, and Mike delivered exactly what we had in mind - even more. He took all of the minute details (that I would have definitely overlooked) and gave us an amazing night. The food was OUT OF THIS WORLD - I had at least half of my guests ask who the caterer was and if they could hire them. The night flowed seamlessly and everyone had nothing but praise for what an outstanding venue we had chosen. I have to give all my thanks to Mike. He knew the answers before I even asked the questions. He was hands down the best planner I could have ever hoped to work with, and you won't be sorry if you put your event in his hands! Thank you Mike!!
Lauren
Married on 07/16/2016
I cannot say enough great things about Mike Piper. It was the perfect venue for our special day and Mike made sure everything ran smoothly, absolutely nothing went wrong because of Mike's attention to detail and his experience. The venue provided the perfect atmosphere for the glamour/vintage/old hollywood vibe that I was looking for, and the food was really, really good! I had so many guests tell me how much they loved our venue and the food. What's nice is that all the food, beverages, tables, linens, etc are all in-house so you're not being charged a lot of extra fees for bringing all that in. I was amazed at how reasonably priced everything was.
Karen
Married on 05/01/2016
Such a beautiful venue. Mike Piper was so helpful and everything was perfect.
Jennifer
Married on 03/19/2016
I am the MOB. The experience we had with Mike was beyond exceptional. The venue is beautiful, he is prompt in responding to questions. The food was incredible and every detail was attended to. My daughter who lives in Indiana could not of picked a better place or person to work with. Even with her out of town, I felt like a guest because Mike took care of everything. It was a joy to have a wedding for my daughter there with Mike:)
Barb
Married on 07/31/2015
I cannot say enough great things about Mike Piper. It was the perfect venue for our special day and Mike made sure everything ran smoothly, absolutely nothing went wrong because of Mike's attention to detail and his experience. The venue provided the perfect atmosphere for the glamour/vintage/old hollywood vibe that I was looking for, and the food was really, really good! I had so many guests tell me how much they loved our venue and the food. What's nice is that all the food, beverages, tables, linens, etc are all in-house so you're not being charged a lot of extra fees for bringing all that in. I was amazed at how reasonably priced everything was.
Karen
Married on 05/01/2016
I could not be happier with our choice to have our wedding and reception at the Elysian Ballroom. This is the most beautiful venue in Portland. We initially thought it was a little out of our price range, but after further review of all of the things that come with the booking we realized that we were actually able to have our dream wedding at a fraction of what it would cost if we rented everything. For example, the venue has chivari chairs, beautiful lighting and draping with chandeliers, gorgeous linens, bistro tables, lounge furniture, candles, almost any piece of decor you would need for your tables. We also used Mike (the owner) for our flowers and he was actually less expensive than other places in Portland and also included any rentals from his warehouse for free!
During the wedding, Mike was so helpful and was doing everything in his power to make sure we (and our guests) were having a great time. For example, he made sure that my husband and I had full plates of food at our seats as soon as dinner was served so we would be sure to be able to eat at the wedding. He also noticed any time we needed a refill of our drinks and would come swooping in with a new one!
Mike has been in this business for a long time, and he knows all of the little ways to make a big impact in the wedding. Having him as part of the wedding is priceless, and his venue is absolutely incredible.
Amy
Married on 10/10/2015
I had a BLAST at my wedding. I even ate the food and the cake. It looked better than the Pinterest pictures I showed Mike for examples of my vision. He exceeded all expectations. I couldn't be happier. It literally would not have been nearly as perfect anywhere else or done by anyone else. Mike Piper is the best in the business. He knows his stuff people. I'm sad it's over because I won't see him anymore! I felt like he was a part of the family! Mike was so quick to respond at all hours, he resolved all issues with ease, the wait staff is super friendly and fast ( Eric is awesome!!) I just can't say enough good things about Mike, the Elysian Ballroom or An Affair to Remember. Not to mention the cake! Holy moly people are still talking about how good it was! It was truly beautiful. I can not wait for the pictures. If I did it all over again I wouldn't change a thing except maybe slow down time ☺️ Thank you Mike!! We love you!!!
Autumn
Married on 08/08/2015
We cannot say enough about how wonderful Mike Piper, is to work with. Mike anticipated our needs, saw to every detail, and went above and beyond at every turn. We had a family medical emergency on the morning of our wedding and he responded with compassion and professionalism. He exceeded our expectations and I'm so grateful for his wisdom and experience. The venue itself is stunning, elegant, and left my guests in awe. The transitions were seamless and the staff was attentive.
Alissa
Married on 07/18/2015
Where to begin with Mike Piper. This place was just magical. My husband and I looked at several venues - both inside and outside - and the moment we walked into the ballroom we knew it was the one. You are instantly transported into the most elegant, classy, beautiful space. All of the finishing touches, the polished glass, the complementary colors... so beautiful.
In addition to the most lovely space, Mike Piper and the staff know their stuff. You don't have to worry for a second about whether or not something will be taken care of - because it will. Mike has his own wedding planning company as well, so he's got a warehouse filled with wedding decorations. This meant that when we forgot to think about what what was going to hold our escort cards on the table, Mike had a beautiful solution. When we didn't remember table numbers, he had some ready to go.
Everything you could ask for in a venue is here. Get married here and all you have to worry about is yourself and the rest is taken care of.
When you go with the venue you can also use Mike for your flowers (which we did). They were amazing. Simply beautiful.
Lauren
Married on 06/20/2015
This place, Mike, and his staff are all amazing. We had our ceremony followed by a cocktail hour while Mike and staff seamlessly transformed the venue from a ceremony space to a reception hall. The food is fantastic and you have so many options with multiple choices for people with dietary restrictions (the tasting dinners are great too). Mike was always available by phone any time we needed him before our wedding date. On the day of, he was right by our side when we needed him, and totally blended in when we didn't. He helped keep the wedding and reception moving smoothly all night. We got so many compliments on how well run our wedding was, all thanks to Mike. The planning meeting that we had with Mike in the week or two before our wedding took all our stresses away, he knows exactly what he's doing and makes it so simple. Another bonus, we initially were considering making or buying our own centerpieces, Mike has everything for rent and it is very reasonably priced. Much nicer than anything we would have came up with, and you don't have to find something to do with it after.
Go see this place for yourself. The pictures are gorgeous, but it's even more incredible in person. I am the groom, and if i'm gushing over this place, imagine what my wife has to say...
Big thanks to Mike Piper and his Staff.
Jane
Married 2+years ago
My husband and I couldn't have picked a BETTER place to have our wedding reception. Mike Piper, the wedding/reception coordinator, was not only wonderful to work with he was so friendly and flexible when changes and decisions were made. My husband and I decided on a photo booth a week before the wedding and Mike made sure it worked. Mike, along with those that work with him, also set up all the tables for us for our reception and made sure everything was exactly how we had wanted it. We felt so comfortable and at ease through out the entire process. I highly recommend working with Mike.
Adrianna
Married on 01/18/2015

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