Amanpulo Honeymoon : An Island Getaway
September 10, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Honeymoon Planning
Ever thought what your honeymoon will be like? Are you hoping that you will get to spend time alone together, really alone together? Are you hoping to find an island that is beautiful, exclusive and not over crowded with holiday makers? Do you want all the amenities of home in a rustic setting? Then Amanpulo may be the perfect place for you.
Amanpulo is a great place to have a honeymoon. It is located on its own private island called Pamalican, Philippines. It is a mere 1 hour flight out from the country’s capital. In fact, all visitors are flown in directly by a private jet. How’s that for elegance and style.
The island is an absolute haven of beauty. It has gorgeous white sands, crystal clear waters and well preserved coral reefs. You can enjoy just lazing on the beach and getting a tan together. Swim in the clear waters of the cove. Since the island is exclusive it is a quiet place to be and you can pretend that there truly is no one but the two of you, most of the time.
If you prefer to enjoy some water sports, that is definitely available. With the beautiful reefs just off its shores, you’ll have a lot to explore. You can try your hand at sailing a hobiecat or windsurf. Why not go rowing? Gentlemen, flex your muscles for your wife; feel free to impress her. If you like, you can go fishing and see if you are a lucky fisherman.
The owners of Amanpulo have tried to keep the natural beauty of the island intact. Yeu can enjoy eco walks with guides to show you the way around and enjoy the lushness of life on the island. Have a picnic or two and just enjoy being together with good food.
Feeling a need to get some exercise in? How about some tennis? The resort has a professional instructor available if you’d like to improve your game. If you prefer, you can take a bicycle and explore the island some more. If you just want to stretch, on the other hand, you can attend yoga classes instead.
After you give your body a workout, there is nothing like having a massage. You can have an open air massage or you can have a special session of aromatherapy scheduled. You can pamper yourselves with a facial, manicure and pedicure to enhance your beauty even more. This is definitely a treat that the ladies will love.
Don’t think for a moment though that you have lost touch with civilization. While the casitas design is based on the native nipa hut, the interiors are pure luxury. Half of each room is occupied by the marble bathrooms. No such thing as a quick shower here. The rooms have satellite TV and CD players to keep you apace of your favorite programs.
If you are feeling sociable, there is a club house. The restaurant is also located here and you can enjoy the flavors of Asia and some continental cuisine courtesy of the excellent kitchen staff the resort hires. If you’d rather have more time alone, simply order room service so that you have more privacy. Better yet, why not make arrangements to dine on the beach. There is nothing like it.
If you would like to find out even more about Amanpulo, please visit their website or ask your travel agent.
Walking the Aisle
September 8, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Wedding Planning Tips
Since you were a kid, you’ve probably pretended to stroll down the aisle to the sounds of the “Wedding March” or “Here Comes the Bride”. It is one of the best known songs on the planet. Almost everyone knows it and in fact just the first few bars probably used to make your fiance uncomfortable until he met you.
If you’ve ever watched the Sound of Music, you know that you can actually have music specially composed for your entrance. The reprise of the song of Maria was beautiful. Don’t know if you want to be labeled a misfit and a problem solved as you walk to the altar though.
One song that is absolutely beautiful and is very apt for weddings was recorded by Whitney Houston for the movie “The Preacher’s Wife”. The song is titled “I Believe in You and Me”. This song speaks of finding dreams, miracles and faith; choosing to commit to this special person because you believe in each other. Isn’t that exactly what marriage is about? If you’ve ever wanted to hear the wedding vows put to music, this is it.
If you have chosen to walk to the altar together, the song “Whatever We Imagine” may be something that will appeal to you. This is really a song about partnership and working towards the dream that you share. You may want to ask your musicians to arrange the song so it has a more nuptial feel to it, and adjust the length of the song as well since you may run out of aisle before the song ends. Alternatively, you can use this to exit the ceremony instead of as you enter.
Shania Twain has a song that you may also want to use. Aptly titled “From This Moment”, it signals the beginning of a new chapter of your life.
How about a song sung by Billy Joel? His song “She’s Got A Way” is popular with quite a few brides. Do you think that sounds like your style? Or you may prefer his “Just The Way You Are” which is one of the most popular of his compositions.
You may want to check out the song called “Spend My Life With You” by Eric Benet and Tamia. The lyrics that Eric Benet wrote for this song are very beautiful and talks about the things you look forward to together like waking up every morning together. This is also a favorite because it is a duet unlike the others.
There are hundreds of songs to choose from. You can transform almost any song into your processional. It really is up to your individual taste. Here are a few key points to keep in mind as you look for your song:
- Tempo. Simply put, tempo is how fast your music is. Too slow and you look unsure. Too fast and you look like you’re rushing.
- Rhythm. Working with your tempo, rhythm is the aspect of your music that keeps your beat even. It basically means that each step you take will be at an even measure. Find a song that has a regular rhythm so that you and your entourage walk apace.
- Lyrics. As always, what the song says is important. You don’t want to walk down the aisle to a song that says goodbye to love and romance. It will sound like you are regretting your choice to marry. Make sure to read the lyrics of any song you consider. Most songs have lyrics available online.
- Song Length. Keep in mind that it isn’t that long a walk from the doors to the altar. Ask your musicians to adjust the song according to your needs. If you will be using a recording, you can easily prepare the adjusted song ahead of time. You may want to practice with your music at least a week or month before to test the time, tempo and rhythm.
- Dresses for dancing. Choose dresses for you and your bridesmaids that they can move in. If you will give them a form fitting gown, make sure it has an interesting slit so that they can move around in it without teetering around. Full skirts gives a Ginger Rogers effect and makes a beautiful flourish when the boys twirl the ladies down the dance floor.
- Dancing Shoes. Providing shoes for your entourage is an option, not a requirement. If you have decided to be generous and have everyone shod in the footwear of your choice, keep in mind that you want them to have happy feet at your party. While dancing shoes are not meant to be used anywhere but on the dance floor, there are pairs of shoes that can come pretty close. They look great, fit well and are absolutely comfortable to trip the light fantastic in. Maybe one of these dancing slippers will hold the key to one of your guest’s heart.
- Music to Groove To. Don’t get stuck on the idea that weddings have to be formal events. If you want dancing to happen at your party, find music that will get your guests up on their feet. Your nuptials may not be the time for break dancing but you can still have an assortment of music, from waltz, to tango, to swing, to hip hop. As long as you and your guests get caught up in the rhythm and have a great time, no one else will mind.
- Dance Floor. If you are going to dance, it is best that there is a dance floor to move gracefully on. Carpeting really won’t do as it puts your guests at risk for injury. Make sure that your caterer and the manager of your reception venue knows that dancing is part of your plans so that a proper dance floor is laid out for your party.
- Mention Dancing On Your Invitations. If you want everyone attending your wedding to participate in the dancing, make sure that they know that dancing is on the menu. It will help ensure that they come wearing the best possible outfits to groove in and that they come in the mood to get down and party.
[tags]wedding,wedding planning,music,Whitney Houston,SHania Twain,Tamia,Eric Benet,Billy Joel[/tags]
You Make Me Feel Like Dancing
September 6, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Wedding Music
There is nothing like being in love. The sheer joy of having each other often makes the lovers feel that they can fly or at least float on air. That is the very emotion that they display in their first dance.
Of course, they aren’t the only ones expected to have a great time dancing. The matchmakers that most lovers automatically become when they find their happiness demands that they give their family and friends every opportunity to find their other half, possibly during their wedding. What better way for their friends to meet and maybe impress each other than on the dance floor, right?
Ladies, if you are serious about having a great time dancing at your wedding, then here are some things you need to prepare:
Color Coordinating
September 4, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Wedding Planning Tips
With weddings, color is often the basis of themes. Think of it as the brides way of bringing the party alive while keeping the focus on her, as the only one dressed in flowing white.
Too much white makes for a bland affair. Color is needed because weddings are a celebration. It is a joyous moment for more than two people. In fact it involves a whole community. Everyone present is celebrating one of life’s greatest moments, which is why the bride and groom must plan carefully.
Red is an absolute favorite for this very reason. It is the color of our lifeblood. It is vibrant and bright. In fact, in the eastern part of the world it is the color of weddings.
Red being a primary color is easy to pair up. It goes well with most colors. Most brides do avoid pairing it with green since that gives a more christmas feel to the event than most brides like, unless they are getting married during the christmas holidays.
Blue is another favorite. It is the color associated with peace. Reminiscent of both water and sky, it is often paired with white. The deeper shades of blue are favored by royalty, hence the birth of the shade known as royal blue.
Blue is considered a masculine color while red is a feminine one which is why they are often paired together. Since the deep colors may be too somber for some, brides often opt for its paler cousins. They would often choose baby pink and baby blue as their theme. In its way it is apt since babies are expected to follow after the union, though not necessarily immediately after the nuptials.
Yellow is also a primary color but rarely is it chosen in its stronger shades for nuptials. Most brides have a preference for the pastel shades, most of which are based on yellow but are very pale such as beige or ecru. They are pale enough to come close to white and will not eclipse the bride’s pale beauty as the strong colors can do.
Green, though not a primary color is also another favorite at weddings. This color usually plays a secondary role at most weddings, more to accent your preferred color, be it red, blue or yellow. Think of it as the leaves of a plant. No matter the color of the bloom, the leaves are almost always green.
Though beautiful colors in themselves, gray, lilac and lavender are not common choices for weddings. They tend to be colors that are too washed out for a moment as special as these. These shades are also normally associated with fading or the opposite end of the life spectrum, symbolically speaking and are often found unsuitable for such a joyous occasion.
There is no hard and fast rule on what colors you should use for weddings. It is truly up to the bride and groom to decide what colors they want to brighten up their wedding. Do keep in mind though that it is a good idea to choose a color that is easy to find so that your professionals are sure to have materials that match your theme, be it cloth, plates or anything else.
[tags]wedding,wedding planning,wedding themes,colors[/tags]
Impediment Free
September 2, 2006 by Lesley-Ann Graham
Filed under Wedding Planning Tips
In order for you to get married, you need to have a marriage license. No license means no wedding. The license is the clearance certificate from the government stating that you have checked out OK and are qualified to proceed. Marriage is, after all, a binding contract with many long term effects on your lives beyond just having a ring on your finger.
So what do you need to know before you go and get your license? What are the requirements? Better yet, what are the reasons behind them?
Age is the first requirement. You must be of legal age to get married. To establish this you are asked to present a valid ID - your driver’s license or passport.
The legal age varies in each country; for some it varies per state. Generally, the legal age is 18. You need to be of legal age because no contract you sign is binding unless you are no longer a minor. The marriage contract is one of the most significant agreements you will ever make in your lifetime.
There are some exceptions to this rule. In some countries you can get married even if you are still a minor but no less than 16 years of age if your parent gives their consent to the union. In some countries even if you are already of legal age you are not automatically granted a marriage license. Some countries, like the Philippines, requires that both parties must be 25 years old and above to get the license on their own. Marriages between individuals 18-21 require both parental knowledge and consent while those between ages 22 to 25 need parental knowledge alone.
If you marry below the specified minimum age and without the necessary consent your marriage automatically invalid, even if you later have children. It may seem a pesky annoyance to some and very restrictive but the government knows that marriage is no easy thing. The mind of the individual must be mature enough to handle the various situations that come with being part of a wedded pair especially since, for some countries, it truly is for life.
Next you will be asked to confirm that you are not related by blood, within two degrees. Marrying within that level is considered incestuous. This means you cannot marry any member of your immediate family beginning from your grandparent to your grandchildren. This rule applies as well to marrying your aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews or cousins. This law is based on genetics. The last thing we want is inbreeding since this brings out the less desirable traits and medical problems inherent in our line.
You will also be asked to provide proof that you are not currently married. You will need to bring your annulment or divorce papers if you have already been married before. If you are a widow or widower, bring the death certificate of your spouse. This is so that you do not become a bigamist. Marrying someone who is already married means that your marriage is actually null and void from the start.
Start your married life on the right foot. Make sure that you are truly both ready to get married and free of impediments. Otherwise someone may just stand up in the middle of your ceremony and stop it from ever happening spoiling your big moment.