Among the exciting decisions that go into wedding planning is the selection of the bridal party. Usually. But a lot can happen before the ceremony — pressures build, relationships fray. A spat about the color of the bridesmaids' gowns can turn into a battle royale. Most times, problems blow over, but when they blow up, it may be time to hand out the pink slips.

Step off the plane in Rio de Janeiro and you're liable to experience a feeling of past-trip regression, a phenomenon in which first impressions of the city spark memories of other destinations. The tropics of Hawaii, perhaps. The Pacific coast. The beaches of the Rivera. But in the time it takes to sip a Caipirinha, the national cocktail, everything changes. Rio is singularly Rio, a romantic and storied city.