Wedding Blog

Destination Weddings – Where to Go?

Lesley-Ann — Wed, 02 May 2007 01:59:10 +0000

I remember posting something about the Caribbean last week but the more I think about it, not everyone will fancy a week in the Caribbean for their destination wedding cum honeymoon. Seriously, though, I cannot (for the life of me) understand why people would not want to go to the Caribbean. I must just be biased. In any case, there are tons of other places where you can go and hold your destination wedding.

If you prefer the cold to the hot – or let’s be moderate and say cool to the warm – then consider going to a ski resort or a mountain retreat for your destination wedding. If you love this kind of atmosphere, it would be perfect for you to spend your honeymoon there as well. There are plenty of places to choose from in the US – Colorado, Vermont, etc. Or if you have a little bit more cash to spend, go to the Alps in France, Switzerland, or Italy. Surely you will not find a lack of cold places to hold your destination wedding at.

One idea for a mountaintop wedding is to have a theme that suits the weather. How about ski suits or something that like that? Of course, it would only be apt if you and your partner are into skiing.

On the other end of the continuum we have the tropical climate with images of palm trees swaying in the breeze as you say your vows. For people who prefer this kind of destination, there are even more choices for you – Southern California, Hawaii, Mexico, and of course, the Caribbean. If you want to go to Europe, you have even more choices – South of France, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Dare to take things one notch higher? Go to Asia! Thailand, India, the Philippines, Indonesia – name it, the choices are endless.

Of course, if you are planning on a far away destination, you have to factor in the costs and all the paperwork that will be needed for your wedding. The idea is to decide on a general location and then zero in at the specific place you want. As I mentioned in another post, try looking for a package that will help you hold your destination wedding without too much of a hassle. Trying to find a minister, buy a wedding cake, get musicians, etc. individually will drive you crazy. For more information about this, see our post on all inclusive destination weddings.

Technorati Tags: weddings, destination weddings, locations, Caribbean, Colorado, Asia

Sprinkle Them With…

Lesley-Ann — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 17:53:48 +0000

It has become a wedding tradition for newlyweds to be showered with something as they exit the church or wedding ceremony venue. What is used differs based on country, religion or tradition. Common choices are confetti, rice or wheat. Usually these are placed in little sacks, pouches or packets which are distributed to all the guests.

Why do people do this anyway? The beliefs vary. The throwing of confetti or its equivalent is said to be symbolic of the hope for increased fertility; the hope that the union will be blessed with children. Another belief says that it represents the showering of blessings in all its forms including the monetary one. It expresses the hope that the couple will have a good future together.

While this has become a wedding tradition, it is one that is frequently overlooked, forgotten or often left to the last minute. Many a bride and groom forget to have these prepared since they usually already have their hands full with the other wedding preparations. So it is often a regret for the newlyweds - though it isn’t a big deal really.

If you are one of the couples that believe that the showering is an important tradition that must be done for your wedding, here are some things that you should do to make sure that it happens:

Decide if you really want to have this tradition. While it has become popular, this tradition is by no means carved in stone. It is optional. Your personal beliefs should dictate whether or not you will make this tradition a part of your nuptials.
Decide if you your budget can accommodate it. Keep in mind that the packets or pouches have an equivalent cost. While it may not seem like much if you’re thinking of just a few, multiply it by the total number of guests who have confirmed that they are attending your wedding and you get its real cost. You might find that you would rather spend the money on your reception or honeymoon, rather than having your guests just throw your money in the air.
Decide what materials you want to use. Gone are the days when you had to use confetti, rice or wheat only. You can still have a showering using other items which are really great for those who want to be creative. For example, you might be someone who is environmentally conscious and want to save more trees. Instead of confetti, how about some bubbles instead? Bubbles are just soap and water. They’re pretty and they won’t harm the surroundings. They are also unique. The limit is really how much you are willing to spend and where your imagination takes you.
Assign someone to handle this task. It goes without saying that you’ll be pretty busy getting married and won’t have time to distribute the packets yourself. Usually this task will go to someone in your entourage or to your wedding coordinator.
Make sure that everyone knows what the packets or pouches are for. Sometimes people mistake this for the wedding favors, especially since they are usually attractively packaged. It helps to tell them what it is for so they’ll know what to do with it when the time is right.
Make sure your guests know when to open and use the pouches or packets. This is the job of the person who distributed the pouches or packets. They need to make sure that everyone is standing in place before you step out of the ceremony venue and shower you as you step out and pass them.

Technorati Tags: wedding, wedding planning, confetti, rice, wheat, shower, showering

Some Things To Put In Order

Lesley-Ann — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 18:56:21 +0000

Before you get married, there are a lot of things to prepare. Aside from the wedding ceremony and reception, you need to get your life in order. You have to make sure that you are truly ready to face life together. This means taking time to make sure that you have what you need as a new family.

Basic to any couple is a place to call home. Unless you already have your own place, you’ll need to find an apartment or maybe even a house. Some couples opt to move in with their parents. The logic here is often that they can save more this way in order to be able to buy a better house. This is a seriously bad idea for the bride. Keep in mind that in every home there can only be one queen, and that is who owns the house. It is far better to put up with a small cramped flat rather than have in-law problems early. Your bride will thank you and you will find that it really is the best way to start married life - on your own.

You’ll also need to think of furnishing your place - at least with the basics. This can be as simple as having a bed, a stove and a ref. Add a few utensils and some cooking tools and you’re all set. Most of the other stuff - major appliance and furnishings can be bought after the wedding. Almost every couple has stories of starting off with the bare essentials.

Don’t forget the utilities. It is easy to assume that all the utilities will be taken care of before you move in and then arrive to find nothing working. Don’t leave these things to chance. Make sure everything is in order.

You’ll also need to start talking about how you handle money. Usually, even up to the moment that a couple gets married, the bride and groom have their own money. Once they are wed, their money becomes conjugal. You will now need to start deciding as a couple on things like who handles the budget, which bills to pay first, buying food, can you afford to get a loan and so on. Even before you get married, it is good to talk about this and avoid the problem that most couples have.

Work is something you need to put in order before you get married. You are about to go off on your honeymoon. The last thing you want to get is an interruption from the office that could have been avoided easily by endorsing properly. It is good to make sure that your clients are well attended even if you are off celebrating this momentous time; and your new spouse will much appreciate the time alone with you - without work rearing its head.

Don’t wait til the last minute to get these ready. Doing so early can make the transition to married life easier. You and your new spouse will be glad that you prepared well ahead of time.

Technorati Tags: wedding, preparation, home, work, basics, money, budget, honeymoon

Honeymoon Destination: Mexico

Lesley-Ann — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 15:08:06 +0000

Mexico is a favorite place for many couples to spend their honeymoon. In fact it is still the world’s number one choice for their honeymoon destination. It really isn’t so surprising since 4 of their islands are voted in the top ten. They also have some of the highest rated resorts and hotels in the world. You can tell that Mexico has gone out of its way to make them the favorite destination of any traveller.

Its popularity among the Hollywood crowd has also increased its visibility. This is where celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Gwyneth Paltrow chose to spend those magical days of newly wedded bliss.

There is much to recommend Mexico as a honeymoon destination. The weather for one is warm here. It is sunny most of the time but do note that Mexico is subject to hurricanes. Hurricane season officially begins in June and ends in October - which understandably is why this is the low season for tourism in Mexico. It mainly affects the Southern peninsula and the Yucatan Peninsula. If you are not inclined to face such inclement weather, plan to have your wedding for the months of December to April.

If you are expecting nothing but desert you may have been watching too many cartoons or movies. There is more to mexico than the dry sands of their northern region. In fact, you might want to spend your honeymoon on the Mexican Caribbean.

Most honeymooners prefer to celebrate their honeymoon near water and Mexico can easily oblige. After all, they have some of the best beaches in the world. Some places that you may want to stay at if you choose Mexico for your honeymoon:

Cancun - This is the most popular resort in Mexico. It was located in the first area designated and developed for tourism in Mexico, we are forever grateful they chose to develop this place. Cancun boasts of sand so fine it is like talcum powder. You can spend time sunning, swimming or enjoying the many water sports available here. If you get tired of the beach, the island is connected to the mainland and you can easily go sightseeing. You are a but a short distance away from some of the most amazing archeological structures in the world.
Playa del Carmen used to be a mere fishing town until it was discovered by some visitors to Cancun. The advantage of going here is that your holiday won’t be as commercialized as the experience you’d get if you chose to go to Cancun. You’ll also find some cool craft shops just in case you’d like to take home souvenirs. If you want a simpler honeymoon, try Playa del Carmen.
If you are thinking Caribbean, you might have Cozumel in mind. It is the original Mexican Caribbean Island and a very popular stop with the cruise ships. In spite of its popularity, the place is surprisingly laid back. The pace is faster while cruise ships are at port but as night falls, once the cruise ships leave, the atmosphere changes dramatically. You may want to take the cruise then stay over til the next one comes by.

More places to go in Mexico coming up.

Technorati Tags: Honeymoon, Mexico, Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cancun, cruise

Honeymoon Adventures

Lesley-Ann — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 11:49:50 +0000

Honeymoons are very special times. They are precious because they cannot be repeated. It is the first time that you go on a trip together as husband and wife. It may be one of the few times that you will truly be alone together - especially if this is a second marriage for one or both of you.

Many a couple wonders, what can we do during our honeymoon? Are we really expected to do nothing but gaze into each other’s eyes all day and all night for the week we are gone? That’s fun but rather boring for some.

Actually, you aren’t expected to spend all your time “shacked up” so to speak. If you go to a place you’ve never been, it is expected that you will probably want to take time and go explore the scenery. Though you can bet that the best parts of your honeymoon are more likely to be about the time you didn’t leave your room.

This is the time to be your boldest. Really get to know each other, be a little adventurous and try things you haven’t done before. Wear the clothes and lingerie you chose specially for each other.

Keep in mind that love and romance is the key to a great honeymoon. If you decide that your honeymoon must be spent actively taking part in all the activities that the resort or country has to offer, then make sure that you do it together. For example, if you have your heart set on doing some extreme sports, choose extreme sports that you will do together. There are places where you can bungee jump as a pair, skydive together and parasail together. You can rent a catamaran, jet ski, canoe, raft or any other ride and enjoy them as a couple. The true spirit of the adventure is that you experience it as a pair.

Adventures don’t have to be so crazy. You can choose to have a gastronomical adventure instead. Sample the verious offerings wherever you choose to go. Discover the local favorites and specialties. Try eating the various exotic dishes, the one’s whose names you can’t pronounce. You probably won’t get another chance to taste them again unless you plan another trip here so make the most of it.

Adventure can be something as simple as finding an island cove to yourselves and pretending you are castaways. Having a picnic lunch or dinner and sun bathing and relaxing beside each other can be just as much fun as exploring the caves or trails of an island.

The best way to have a great honeymoon adventure - talk about what you would both like to do and choose a place that will allow you to do most of the activities you like together. There is no sense choosing to go climb Mt. Everest simply because your fiance is sure to enjoy it when you absolutely hate hiking. That’s no way to start a marriage. Remember love and romance, not just compromise.

Technorati Tags: wedding planning, honeymoon, adventure, activities

Honeymoon Destination: Ibiza

Lesley-Ann — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 22:10:23 +0000

Honeymoons are different for each couple. Some may prefer to be isolated from the rest of the world, never going out during their stay in which case a room in any hotel, resort or bed and breakfast would be good.

On the other hand, there are those who want their honeymoon to be very much a celebration of life. They want to party from sunset to sunrise and laze on the beach during the day. If this sounds like you, Ibiza is the place for you to go.

Ibiza is an island in the Mediterranean. If your idea of a Spanish island is that of a sleepy town then Ibiza will surprise you. It is best known as a party place where the parties run til the morning comes. You can dance the night away together at some of the best clubs in the world.

After partying all night, you will probably want to just rest and spend some time together. You can just hang out in your room or you can laze on the beach and soak up some sun. The weather in Ibiza is warm which is very relaxing. If you prefer to stay away from the salt water, most good hotels and resorts have pools for your use.

Where you stay in Ibiza will depend on your preference in activities. If you are looking for a peaceful honeymoon walking along together and enjoying the beach, San Eulalia is the best place for you to stay in. This is the perfect area for those who really do just want to each other’s company. As a bonus, you’ll have the advantage of being in the center of gastronomy and culture in Ibiza.

If you want to be near the best clubs, you’ll want to stay in Playa D’en Bossa. This is where the superclub space is located, as well as the Borabora bar.

You definitely won’t get bored in Ibiza. There are all sorts of water sports to suit your need for thrills. You can go jet skiing, water skiing, parasailing, wind surfing and even sailing on a catamaran.

If you’d rather get away from the water and keep your feet dry, why not explore the islands historical treasure located right in the middle of the island. D’Alt Vila is a UNESCO world heritage site and it is no ghost town or ruins. It is in fact the oldest part of the island with a thriving community within its walls. It’s a bit of a hike but it is worth it. You must make time to have dinner here under the stars. After all it isn’t everyday that one gets to eat dinner in a medieval castle.

Don’t forget that you are not limited to staying in a hotel. There are many great hostels, bed and breakfast, resorts and villas just waiting for you to decide to call them home for a while. An apartment or villa may in fact be perfect so that the two of you can practice being alone together all the time - not a bad thing at all during a honeymoon.

Technorati Tags: honeymoon, vacation, Ibiza

Discover the Maldives

Lesley-Ann — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 04:17:37 +0000

If you are looking for a place to have your honeymoon, the Maldives is a good choice to make. This long hidden treasure in the Indian ocean is a perfect gem for honeymooners. This is a place where time feels like it has slowed down and you will feel like you have discovered heaven.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls and over a thousand islands south of Sri Lanka. You and your loved one will wake up to the delicious sea breeze and luxuriate in the beauty of living, at least for a few days, on a tropical paradise. You can swim in the sea and work up an appetite.

You can have fun together, with the variety of water sports or you can simply cuddle up and get really cozy like the honeymooners you are. If you prefer water sports, there’s swimming, water skiing, diving, parasailing, wind surfing, snorkeling and even fishing. If you want to get out of the water for a bit, you can go play tennis or beach volleyball; maybe even play some boardgames or go karaoke.

The sky is one of the most romantic things about the Maldives. There is nothing like a spectacular sunrise or sunset; and this is the case everyday in this beautiful place. You should choose a room that matches which aspect of the sun you prefer. The advantage of choosing sunset is that you can watch the stars come out once the sun sets, and if you’ve lived all your life in a city, this will be a real treat. The sky is clear and bright and you’ll be amazed at how beautiful the stars are.

One of the best resorts to stay in at the Maldives is the Soneva Gili Resort and Spa. The resort is a ten minute boat ride out of Male, the capital of Maldives. You will find that the accommodations are all on stilts, so you are literally sleeping over the ocean. They are made from local materials and each features your own over water sun deck and roof top. If you want even more privacy, choose one of the seven Robinson Crusoe residences. These can only be accessed by personal boat so you truly will be alone at last.

If you are looking more for an island getaway, the Banyan Tree Maldives Vabbinfaru may suit you more. The shell shaped villas are hidden by lush gardens to give you privacy. Each villa faces the beach so that you get the wonderful sea breezes. They even have four poster king beds for those who want a wide mattress to sleep on at night.

A third place that you may want to consider is the Sun Island resort. It is the biggest resort in the Maldives. You get deluxe room accomodations on the southern Ari Atoll with beautiful white sand beaches, coconut trees and the crystal clear waters of the island. This is perfect for those who like looking at the beach but not swimming it. They have a large swimming pool that you can enjoy during your stay.

No matter which resort you stay in, make sure to try out the available massages. They are absolutely heavenly! They are a great way to relax even further on your honeymoon.

Technorati Tags: Maldives, honeymoon, resorts, privacy

Getting Married in Antigua

Lesley-Ann — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:15:23 +0000

Are you dreaming of an island getaway but can’t decide where to go? Don’t worry, you are not the only one. With so many beautiful countries, each with their own wonderful people and gorgeous beaches it can be very hard to choose.

Why not consider having your destination wedding in Antigua? Destination weddings are the best! You get to celebrate your wedding in a beautiful place you’ve always wanted to go and your specially selected guests get to have a vacation as well, not necessarily at your expense.

For the last two years, Antigua has been chosen as the best wedding island. It really isn’t surprising because the place truly is beautiful and the people are amazing. They do love weddings and go that extra mile to make sure that every wedding held there is perfect for their clients: the bride and groom.

One of the best reasons to get married in Antigua is that the process is very easy. There isn’t that much of a waiting period, nor are there residency issues. Your marriage here is quick, valid and legal without most of the fuss that surrounds most bureaus.

You can apply for your special license as soon as you get to Antigua but to make the process go a little faster, prepare as much of the paperwork as you can before you leave. The application form for the marriage license is available online. You can download it from here.

You will also need to have your passports ready. These serve as your valid ID. If you have been married previously, you will need to bring the original divorce decree or original marriage and death certificates, whichever is applicable to your case.

In order to get married in Antigua, you must be at least over 15. If you are below 18 you will need parental consent. Your parent or guardian must give written permission to your marriage in order for your marriage to be valid.

If you plan to get marriage in church, you will need consent from the local parish priest. You may want to make arrangements through your local parish priest before you leave home. It will go easier if you are getting married in a church of the same order. Expect that you may be required to undergo some marriage seminars since the church does not take the sacrament likely and want you to be sure that you too take it very seriously.

Generally, here’s what you will pay for the license:

Registration fee of about GBP20.29 (US$40)
Application fee for a special marriage license of GBP76.06 (US$150)
Marriage officer’s fee of GBP25.35 (US$50)

The rest of your money will go as you choose. When you are in paradise, you don’t really need a lot to make the backdrop for your wedding beautiful, but there are definitly a lot of people willing to help you make everything just as you want it.

Sensibly though, spend the money on your honeymoon. Spend on each other, doing things that you will both enjoy. Make the most of being on vacation and in each other’s company. There truly is nothing more wonderful than being alone together in a place as beautiful and romantic than this Caribbean island.

Technorati Tags: wedding, destination wedding, honeymoon, antigua, paradise, caribbean

Write It Down

Lesley-Ann — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 18:31:33 +0000

Weddings are days of happiness and joy. You bring together the people you love, the people who are about to become part of your family and some of the things you enjoy together under one roof. You create a memory for everyone.

For many couples, it is hard work to put together their wedding. Most don’t know where to start to get the ball rolling. Everyone relies on memories of previous weddings they’ve attended, magazines, books and the experience and stories of family and friends who have themselves gotten married.

So, how to get started? Take a pen and paper and write things down. It might seem corny but you’ll be amazed at how much clarity and direction you can get from simply putting pen to paper.

What do you write down? Even before you start meeting up with any wedding professional, you have some ideas of what you’d like your wedding to be like. Write down those ideas. Separate them into categories. You might want to categorize them as ideas for the ceremony or reception. You can even have sub categories such as flowers, food, wedding favors, photographers and so on.

No idea is too big or too small for you to write down. As you visualize or think of anything you’d like to have for your wedding, list them down. For example, if you feel that it is important to choose a venue that is comfortable for the elderly because you want your grandparents to have an easy time moving around, note it down. That will remind you to keep an eye out for ramps and elevators rather than long flights of steps.

Even if you feel that your idea is too vague, write it down anyway. If all you can think of is that you don’t want white or cream to be used for the invitations and decors, that is still an excellent suggestion. That will rule out two colors not to use for your wedding theme.

Keep a special category open for honeymoon. Though this is generally the groom’s province it never hurts to give hints of what you hope for. Go ahead and list places you’d like to see together or activities you would like to do with him. Your groom may be just like you - trying to figure out the perfect honeymoon - and since the perfect honeymoon is one that makes you both happy, go ahead and let him know what you like.

It also helps if you try to visualize your wedding day and get the images you see down on paper. Go ahead and be as specific as you like. That will be a big tool to creating a wedding as close to your dream as possible.

You and your fiance can do this together or separately as you prefer. If you work separately you can just discuss your ideas after. Exchange what you wrote then figure out how to put them together. This allows both of you to have a say in what your wedding will be like and it helps you get to know each other a little better.

Working With Hotels and Travel Agents

Lesley-Ann — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 16:21:08 +0000

Among the many companies that make money from weddings, hotels and travel agencies are not at the top of the list. Yet they are some of the most consistent and long lived of the wedding professionals that you will encounter. If you have not finalized your wedding or honeymoon plans yet, add them to the list of things that you should check out.

The main business of hotels is rooms. They make money from providing people with the perfect room for your needs. They can serve as your dressing room as you and your entourage get all dolled up before walking down the aisle. They are meant to be comfortable so you need not worry about sweating and melting while getting dressed. Power outages will mean nothing since these establishments are normally equipped with generators.

In fact, if you chose a luxury hotel they usually have wonderful bathrooms. You may want to arrive early so that you’ll have time to take a full bath and luxuriate in the bubbles before it’s time to primp.

Most hotels have more than one function room. You can usually choose the room whose size and appearance matches your dream wedding. The hotel’s management team will normally work with you to create your wedding look though you may still want to bring in some help to decorate if you want to make it really elaborate. The function room will probably cost you a minimal amount, if not be given to you for free, as long as you choose the hotel’s kitchen staff to provide you with your wedding meal.

The hotel is also bound to give you a discount if you book many rooms. It makes sense to have all your guests from out of town stay where the party will be. This will be more convenient for them as well.

Most hotels also have a honeymoon suite that is excellent for your first night. They might even throw in a bottle of champagne on ice and some chocolates or strawberries and cream.

If you choose a hotel that is part of a chain they might even give you discounts for choosing to stay in another branch of their hotel. Usually, these hotels have the same standards no matter which branch you stay in. This means you’ll have all the comforts of home in a brand new location which can be quite comforting when you’re in a totally unfamiliar place.

You can make all your honeymoon arrangements yourself or you can work with a travel agent. Airlines, Cruise Lines and hotels often give travel agencies discounts to book clients for them. This can translate into a lot of savings for you. They can also help you find interesting places to visit while you’re on your honeymoon if you don’t just want to hibernate together. You can have some interesting adventures, exploring a new city while savoring each other’s company.

Your travel agent can make it very easy for you to temporarily reside in an unfamiliar place. They’ll arrange for transportation and lodging for you. They can even provide you with guides, books and maps to point you to the best places to eat and have fun.