Partyhopper

What's the only downside of attending a party in Puerto Vallarta? Unpacking. Nothing snaps you back to reality like a suitcase full of dirty laundry, let me tell you.

Fortunately, generous Joely Fisher gifted me—along with her other guests—with some fabulous treats, so opening my suitcase was more akin to cracking apart a piñata. I'm also grateful to the airports in Mexico, since the security officers don't seem to mind if you stash more than three ounces of liquid in your carry-on luggage.

The goody bag
Photos by Mark A. Neston

Which is a good thing, because I probably would have cried if they'd made me throw out my Dermalogica skin-care products or my margarita-scented Philosophy body wash. My stash also included a digital Philips Photo Frame, black Havaiana flip-flops, a gift certificate to Privé salon and a customized DVD case, which had a beautiful black-and-white photo of Joely and hubby Chris (from their first wedding) on the front. Inside the DVD case was a free one-year membership to One True Media, an online service that compiles personal photos, videos and music into a professional-quality DVD or online video.

James makes a new friend at Sea Life Park

Joely plans to send friends a customized commemorative DVD of her "Mexican Love Jam," and I'm praying that it doesn't include any footage of our Dolphin Discovery adventure at Sea Life Park in Vallarta Nayarit. I think I'll die if my inexplicable dolphin-phobia winds up on YouTube.

I remember Joely's sister Tricia joking, "Joely doesn't let anything slide without catering and a goody bag." And Entertainment Lifestyle Specialist (what a great job title!) Janna Robinson, of Janna Rachelle Inc., put together a killer collection for the real stars on this trip: They got high-tech hookups like Magellan's 2200T Roadmate GPS and Logitech's 880 Harmony TV remote, as well as Salon Tea products ("The Tea Gel is especially fabulous for hangovers," Janna tells me) and Essie nail polish (the bride requested that guests show up barefoot for her vow-renewal ceremony on the beach in front of the glamorous Vallarta Palace).

Joely and Chris at Nikki Beach in Puerto Vallarta

While I'm clearly on the subject of shout-outs, I also want to thank Joely's Jolly Helpers, who assisted in executing her vision for this muy bueno blowout: Christopher Raphael of The Really Spectacular Company (love the name, Chris!) and Amy Kean of Amy K Biz. As Amy says: "An event is like a live TV show—you only get one shot." I have to say: These two really knocked it out of the park! You can see for yourself on February 5, when ABC airs our In Style Weddings TV show. I hope you'll also check out my story about this wonderful weekend in the next issue of In Style Weddings magazine, which goes on sale March 30.

-- James Patrick Herman

Sunset in Vallarta Nayarit