Beach Wedding | Destinations | Locations | Ideas

Tomorrow everyone can get married in Florida, Gay or Straight!

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 15:31:00 +0000

Over the years we've planned commitment ceremonies and weddings for gay couples and I could not be happier that beginning January 6th we can make same sex marriages legal!

For couples who would like to explore getting married in SW Florida, here are the links to the local clerk of courts in Lee County and Collier County. If you are a RESIDENT of Florida, there is a 3 day waiting period. Which is just fine because that will give you enough time to call me and get started planning your celebration! Oh yes, we can make this happen this week. If you are flying in from another state and eloping or would like to plan a destination wedding, you are lucky - no waiting period!

A secret I held with the mother of the bride

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 10:01:00 +0000

My text to iHeart

Actually, we held a few secrets. However this was the biggest. Today we know it was 100% the best secret ever kept. You see, this bride didn't want video. Her mom & I kept the secret that we had hired iheart until the day of the wedding. Today, we saw the video trailer (below) and this was my response to the videographers (iHeart Films) and Emilys response (bride) and her moms response to me.

The mother of the bride's email to me.

Bride's email to her mom & I

South Seas Island Resort Wedding - Emily + Clark from iheART Films on Vimeo.

PS, we totally got rained inside for this wedding. Torrential rains. Kind of great proof for how a great back up plan (or in case plan D) can still be amazing. I am so in love with the draping, lighting and church pews. Oh, and the church pews were another one of the secrets we kept.

Untraditional music for your wedding ceremony

Kelly McWilliams — Thu, 14 Aug 2014 10:48:00 +0000

Looking for some inspiration for music during your wedding ceremony or for the dinner portion of your reception? Many of our clients have turned to us trying to figure out the best way to keep the traditional feeling of a wedding, but bring it up to date. Two things you can try. Check out Pandora's Classical Goes Pop station. It's amazing how much is out there! Your string ensemble may be able to pull off some of these covers.

Want bigger? Consider having a pianist perform. Bring in the baby grand and WOW, you have a sound that can not be replicated. If you've never seen a pianist playing classical...find one. Its just sublime. If you like the idea of totally unique sound and a performance, try an electric violin duo or ensemble.

Love the sound of voices? Want to see pure shock and awe on guests faces? Have a choir or barbershop quartet greet guests.

Trying to think of a great way to give the band a break, but don't want that lull that always comes with it? Check out Drumadics : Y'all they are insane I tell you.

See your wedding venue all dressed up! Are you following me on Instagram?

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 07 Apr 2014 11:21:00 +0000

It can be really hard to imagine what your potential wedding venue looks like when its "dressed" for a wedding. Even though your wedding will certainly look different from what we have done, its nice to see that there really can be transformation!

Captiva Ballroom at South Seas, Vanderbilt Ballroom at LaPlaya,
Sunset Cove at South Seas & Kings Crown Lawn at South Seas

So with that said, follow me on instagram. I often post photos from behind the scenes and right from our weddings and wedding events (welcome receptions, luncheons, rehearsal dinners cabana parties and farewell brunches). Along with my wedding photos you'll see some real life photos of our studio happenings and my family & friends.

Your dance floor could be "Legend"ary

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 16:35:00 +0000

In case you missed it, John Legend married Chrissy Teigen. No doubt, that was an epic wedding and celebration!

First of all, they got married in Italy (Lake Como). That is code for utterly romantic. The large lush ceremony arrangements and its backdrop are breathtaking. I'm headed to Greece next month and I'm now looking at this wedding and thinking, "maybe I can add a couple days for Italy..."
Can we talk about these dresses for a minute? Love.them.all. Vera Wang, you never fail us do you?

I'm sure we can all agree, their playlist must have been something else. Two really good things. One, you can get all the details on the wedding in the current issue of Martha Stewart Weddings. Its 8 pages to drool over. Secondly, Martha Stewart sent over their playlist! hello Easy, its nice to meet you:

How to have the greatest destination wedding in Naples, Florida

Kelly McWilliams — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 12:27:00 +0000

Do this:
Hire Liz Banfield to capture every last detail so that you can soak up the weekend in real life.
Then...

1. Invite a couple hundred of your favorite people to Florida

2. Give them awesome sea inspired welcome bags

3. A couple days before the big wedding, have a small private ceremony with only your most immediate family and then have a nice "just married" lunch

4. Take some incredible photos around town and at the Naples Pier. Then head over to your Parisian rehearsal dinner at Le Lafayette

5. Invite all the over ladies for a retro and vintage inspired bridal luncheon, complete with a silhouette artist and glass bottle cokes

6. Welcome everyone to Florida and set the tone for the weekend with a Tommy Bahama style sunset bash at The Naples Beach Hotel

7. Before the big wedding, remind everyone how much fun the beach is with a beach bbq complete with all the beach games

8. Get pretty with all your besties, take your bridal portrait and then meet your groom for some pre-wedding photos before going over to Port Royal to have your big ceremony under the shade of a pretty sailcloth tent

9. Have cocktail hour in the sand, and have a bagpiper signal the sunset and the call for dinner & dancing

10. Get a big incredible high energy you-just-cant-sit-down wedding band

11. Do a dine-around so that if anyone can break away from the dance floor they can eat at any time, and almost any kind of food. Have a gigantic Ice Sculpture between the Beer & Bourbon bar and the late night DJ

12. Make sure your cakes fit the mood...by the sea inspired for you and Masters blazer for him

13. Have more fun than you could have ever imagined because this is the best night ever

Making it happen: Dr Dan Lamey, Kakes by Karen, St Ann's, Botanicals on the Gulf, Le Lafayette, Jim Hjelm, Monique Lhuillier, Salon Tease, Liz Banfield, A Bryan Photo (video), Garden District (Bridal Luncheon Floral & Saturday wedding), Silhouettes by Kathryn, Naples Beach Hotel, Port Royal Club, Sperry Tents, Party Time Rentals, Aria Dresses, J Crew, Taylor Rental Naples, Jim McWilliams, Island Events Rentals, Talent Entertainment, Elan Artists, Stereophonic DJs, Weddings by Socialites

You can see more images in the inaugrual issue of Coastal Living Weddings, currently on newsstands.

Fun Joyous Celebratory Destination Wedding on Captiva Island

Kelly McWilliams — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:50:00 +0000

There are so many reasons why people choose to have destination weddings. Some want to keep it small, some want to do something different, and then there are those who just want to have the BEST TIME EVER.

This is one of those weddings. It was a spectacular summer wedding that I will never forget. I adore Michelle and Luke. So much so that I have yet to return this to them (sign on left). I just can't. I have no use for it. But if I return it, it would mean the wedding is over for real. And as far as I am concerned, there is no reason for the celebrating to end. All this being said, watch this awesome video by iheart films. Its one of the cutest videos ever and totally shows what a fun wedding weekend should feel like. So fun. So so fun.

South Seas Resort Wedding - Michelle and Luke from iheART Films on Vimeo.

7 least favorite and the 7 most popular cocktail hour hors d'oeuvres for your wedding

Kelly McWilliams — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 08:50:00 +0000

I was shocked to get these results for the survey I held on cocktail hour. The survey was open to anyone, anywhere, because really, when it comes to destination weddings, every guest is coming from anywhere and going to anywhere!

Found on Colin Cowie Weddings via Pinterest

Here are the top 5 favorite butler passed hors d'oeurves according to 130 "wedding guests" (aka survey takers). Each guest was allowed to choose four favorites that they would never turn away if offered and 4 that they would never take if offered. By the way, 130 guests was the average guest count at our destination weddings in 2013:

Crab Cakes (29% of guests)
Stuffed Mushrooms (27% of guests)
Brie & Raspberry Tartlet (22% of guests)
Macaroni & Cheese Bite (22% of guests)
Bacon Wrapped Scallop (21% of guests)

Honorable Mentions: Ahi Tuna on Wonton Crisp (19% of guests) & Bruschetta (17% of guests)

The least favorites were not as much of a surprise, except that notice two of the least favorites are also on the most favorite list!

Bleu Cheese Stuffed Olives (38% of guests)
Stuffed Mushrooms (21% of guests)
Smoked Salmon Canapes (21% of guests)
Fish Ceviche (19% of guests)
Gazpacho Shooter (17% of guests)

Honorable Mentions (hmmm, that might be a contradiction): Ahi Tuna on Wonton Crisp (16% of guests) and Olive Tapenade on Toast Point (16% of guests)

So what to do about this? Here are a couple tips:

When planning your menu you want to consider the rest of your dinner first. This way you don't overlap between cocktail hour and dinner.
Make sure that you have a variety of foods available: cold & hot, fried & fresh, protein based & vegetarian friendly (and seafood when possible).
If you do go with a selection of "please the masses", make sure the presentation is incredible - it makes all the difference. There isn't anything thrilling about an ugly mushroom.
Consider choosing safe items (anything in this favorite list will work), and more of them. Then, add a couple items that are less conservative and more exciting. After all, you do want your wedding to be unique right?

On the survey, we also asked about why they may avoid certain presentations and here are the results:

Anything that requires a fork & knife (61% of guests)
Anything that will crumble or fall apart (43% of guests)
Anything that I can't figure out what it is (41% of guests)
Anything greasy (21% of guests)
Anything with a sauce (15% of guests)
Anything that requires more than 1 bite (11% of guests)
Anything on a stick (6% of guests)
Anything fried (6% of guests)

Ever wonder about what your guests prefer to sit (or stand about) while at your cocktail hour?:

Hi-boys or tall cocktail tables (57% of guests)
Furniture, conversation areas (23% of guests)
cocktail tables with seats (16% of guests)
communal tables (3% of guests)
"I never sit or use a table" (1% of guests)

Want to go to a Martha Stewart Wedding Party on Sunday?

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:08:00 +0000

Of course you. Who wouldn't? The editors of Martha Stewart weddings reached out to us this week so that we could share the details on this party of all wedding planning parties! Read through to the bottom to find a surprise. Need a few reasons to go?

· The event is being produced by Claudia Hanlin’s Wedding Library, and will be held this year at Gotham Hall from 10am-3pm, this Sunday, January 26^th

· This 5-hour long event will feature over 100 premier wedding vendors showcasing bridal and bridesmaid fashion, entertainment, floral designers, photographers, gourmet wedding cakes and more, along with expert writers and bloggers.

· Exhibitors will include Bloomingdale’s, Amsale Bridesmaids, Lenox, Suzanne Kalan, Ron Ben-Israel Cakes and more!

· A can’t-miss celebrity speaker panel will feature Martha Stewart Weddings’ Darcy Miller with Amsale, Preston Bailey, Marcy Blum, Sylvia Weinstock, Peter Callahan and Lover.ly.

· Learn about honeymoon destinations including Nantucket, the Caribbean, Napa Valley, Thailand and beyond.

· Peruse dresses from designers like Monique Lhuillier, Lela Rose and Milly for your bridesmaids.

Guess what? I have 2 pairs of tickets to give away! Its so easy to win, simply comment with your name below and we'll draw 2 names on Wednesday evening. The winners will be announced on instagram, facebook and twitter, so make sure you follow me for the announcement. Just in case you don't win, or you can't stand the thought of having to wait until tomorrow evening... You can get your tickets here.

A Twirling Bride Under Cafe Lights and a Clear Tent

Kelly McWilliams — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 18:12:00 +0000

At the kiss...he lifts her and she kicks her feet!

She dances down the aisle!

TWIRLING. There is twirling!

Who doesn't want to twirl in their wedding dress?

Yes, you should twirl. The one day where you really should take full advantage of twirling. Everything about this destination wedding at South Seas makes me smile. Aly, the bride was even more joyous than you could possibly imagine a bride could be. On her seaglass & Beatles inspired wedding day she danced and sang Beatles songs the whole day in her oh so sweet gown of petals. This is one of those weddings that makes video so awesome - it captures the cheerful spirit of this wedding so well. And with the teals, aquas, turquoise, sand and white as her color story...love. just love.

Thank you so much iheART films for sharing this! I'd love for you to see more of this wedding story in photos, click here. Trust me- you want to see more.

Floral: Floral Artistry Sanibel
Officiant: Tom Funk
Band: None Other
Cake: Kakes by Karen
Venue: Sunset Cove and Kings Crown Lawn at South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida

A Black Tie Wedding Affair in Naples, Florida

Kelly McWilliams — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 11:58:00 +0000

Some weddings are just grander than others in the most wonderful ways. Not that any wedding is better than the next of course! The aesthetic at this wedding was simply STUNNING. Lori & her mom wanted a beautiful blush pink sophisticated, elegant and wow wedding ceremony and reception, and that's what they got.

Lori and Jason's letterpress wedding invitations, with lavender accents. Can't help but love the rings too.

All of the out of town guests were given welcome bags with letter-pressed welcome tags

Lori hung her breathtaking wedding dress on her personalized hanger for this bridal gown portrait.

Lace, lace, and more lace! The bride wore a bright white dress with a strapless sweetheart neckline for her big day. We love that Aaron took this traditional pre-ceremony portrait of Lori with her bouquet.

The gorgeous bridal bouquet was blush pink peonies with crystal accents.

At a Jewish wedding, the bride and groom sip from the wedding Kiddush cup of wine.

This sanctifies the joy and abundance of the Jewish wedding ceremony.

The Ketubah is a special type of prenuptial agreement. It is considered a integral part of any traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. This beauty is laser cut and one of the most beautiful and delicate I have ever seen.

Jason, you may kiss your bride! The draped chuppah above the bride, groom and their parents was covered with white hydrangea flowers.

The cold sea food display table had a beautiful monogrammed iced carving. As usual, it was devoured in minutes. Everyone loves a great seafood display with shrimp, crab, oysters and lobster.

Each place setting included a dinner menu tucked into the napkin atop of the gold beaded charger and a monogrammed chocolate confection.

The head table was covered in lush centerpieces of peonies, roses, hydrangea, calla lilies and vibernum with rose petals.

Gorgeous blush roses in between each of the 5 tiers of this incredible wedding cake.

This masterpiece is the work of none other than the fabulous Kakes by Karen!

These photos symbolize the four generations of Lori and Jason's families, which was displayed at the wedding reception in honor of their parents, grandparents, and great grandparents!

Hello gorgeous! This reception decor is perfect for a black tie wedding.

The design included gold chivari chairs with gold satin pads, sheer blush chair jackets & twirl ruffle sashes!

You can see the happiness in the room during this traditional Jewish dance, the Hora, which was captured beautifully by Aaron Lockwood! Aaron did such a great job photographing this wedding, that you can see more of this wedding over at Weddings Illustrated.

Hemingway Inspired Destination Wedding

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 14:59:00 +0000

Today I was reminded of one of my favorite weddings on Captiva, Florida at South Seas Island Resort.

Jen and Des designed some their own decorations for this very Hemingway themed wedding.

Des, the groom, wore a personalized tie clip. I love his style!

Jen and Des on the boardwalk to Captiva beach, behind Chapel by the Sea.

The Muller's captured this traditional wedding photo on the sand dunes making it a little less traditional!

Chapel by the Sea is known for their traditional sea glass blue pews.

Just married!

The bridesmaids wore sophisticated, but beach perfect, strapless, knee length, turquoise dresses.

Instead of a typical guestbook the bride and groom used a Hemingway coffee table book and asked guests to leave notes under the images.

The vintage labels above the card box and guest book were collected by the bride during the months we were planning her wedding.

For seating, the groom used titles of Hemingway's manuscripts & made an authentic looking covers.

Each title was actually the name of a guest dining table.

Under each title he put the guest's names.

The bride and groom collected several

antique, Hemingway themed items to display at their wedding for decoration.

Des designed all the paper details including the table name, menu cards, and place cards.

To make the reception feel a little less traditional-been there-done that, we used longer rectangular Kings tables that sat 8-12 guests each. These are great for low and long centerpieces like these.

The bouquets included roses, succulents, and green viburnum.

We love what Floral Artistry created for the table centerpieces.

Including the fruits made it very island authentic.

For more images from this wedding, check out our real wedding pinterest board

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Married in a Synagogue)

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 30 Dec 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Just because you're planning a destination wedding, it doesn't mean that you can't still have the traditional wedding ceremony that you've always dreamed of. The US Virgin Islands have some of the oldest and most incredibly beautiful synagogues and churches that I have ever seen. All are rich in history and grandeur in the most feel good ways. Seriously - you just feel good in these places.
In St Thomas I visited St Thomas Synagogue(Charlotte Amalie St). This synagogue is the oldest in the contiguous United States! When marrying at the synagogue, the signing of the ketubah and the bedekken are also included in the services.

Aren't the dark mahogany woods and blue cushions on the benches perfect for a Caribbean wedding? What makes it even more island...the sand floors! You can read more about the theories of the sand floors here.

As you know, wedding ceremonies can't take place until after sunset on Saturdays. All the more reason to have a chandelier lit ceremony. The center chandelier uses REAL candles.

For information on getting married at this hystoric synagogue, email mina.synagogue{at}gmail.com
For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Caneel Bay, St John)

Kelly McWilliams — Sun, 29 Dec 2013 10:00:00 +0000

If you're looking for a destination venue that offers everything that you would have in a luxury resort and at the same time the the most relaxed, unplugged and "away" you've ever felt; The resort at Caneel Bay is a place that I would highly recommend that you check out.

Located on the island of St John, this resort boasts so many of these to die for views

The cottages are so un-hotel. Love this about Caneel bay.

Beach front cottage? Yes please. Imagine waking up here and taking the 6 steps down to ...

THIS. Actually, this is the ceremony location. Not that its any less disappointing.

At the top of the hill near the ruins (yes, real ruins) there is the estate house.

Courtyard of the estate house

Dinner in the ruins?

Or a tented reception?

Maybe move inside...just for dinner.

For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.

A wedding in the US Virgin Islands (Ritz Carlton, St Thomas)

Kelly McWilliams — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 16:31:00 +0000

This past summer I had the pleasure of touring the US Virgin Islands to scout for a few great wedding venues and fun destination wedding excursions & activities. Boy did I ever hit the jackpot! Here is my first post in the series, highlighting The Ritz Carlton on the island of St Thomas.

The Ritz Carlton St Thomas is spectacular. There are several outdoor and indoor waterfront locations to choose from for all your weekend events. I especially loved the wedding gazebo that seemed to hang over the super blue waters of the Caribbean. The resort is also an easy drive in and out of town (shopping & restaurants) and to/from the airport.

One of the many outdoor dining areas overlooking the waters and surrounding islands.

Perfect for a welcome reception, wedding reception or farewell brunch.

The courtyard of the lobby building. Whats cool about it - there aren't any interior walls! Everything is open air. So beautiful.
For great information on the US Virgin Islands, go to VisitUSVI.com. Its a great resource for gathering information on having a destination wedding on St Thomas or St John.

From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Oh, and get ready for the questions.

Kelly McWilliams — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 18:21:00 +0000

This is my family: Kelly, Emily, Madeline and I. Krista over at Impressions Photography took this photo for us a few weeks ago. I am thankful for her years of friendship and professional expertise. I am thankful for this amazing family that I have. I.love.them. Sometimes Kelly helps with weddings. Mostly when I forget something at the studio and he has to drive it out to me last minute. Madeline has assisted at nearly a dozen weddings now. She's grown up with it...she already knows so much. But it still amazes me how proactive she is on wedding days. Emily keeps our family in check, I don't know how we'd get through the wedding weeks sometimes- she always has a plan for everything (and a grocery list texted to us when the pantry is empty and nobody noticed).

So it's the start of the holiday season. Over the next 6 weeks you will see so many of your close family and friends and they will all have 2 common things for you: Questions and opinions. Your wedding will without doubt be the topic of the season. To prepare, decide in advance what you're willing to talk about, and what you want to keep a surprise. The best thing you can do is to speak about your excitement but not give away to many details. Especially because the more you give the more "advice" you're given and will be expected to take! It can be overwhelming, but be "Thankful" for this great period that you are celebrating your engagement.

Please oh please, send him to the tailor

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:48:00 +0000

Lindsey by Impressions Photography

Ladies, some of you will have 3-4 alteration appointments to ensure that your dress fits like a glove. Why? So that you can not only look your absolute best, but so that you will feel your absolute best.

However, our grooms, for some reason they tend to fall through the cracks. Some of you will stand next to your groom and pose for photos while he is wearing the most ill fitting suit or tuxedo because the same thought was not put into how well his attire looks. Can we just stop this madness?

Alright, maybe its not madness, but it is important. He will thank you. Your photographer will thank you. Please send your groom to the tailor. Have him properly measured and his suit or tuxedo fit to a T. Please trust me when I say that you will be so glad that you did

Lindsey & Derek by Impressions Photography

Fall Bridal Market 2013

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 11:42:00 +0000

Pnina Tornai at Kleinfeld NY Bridal Market

We're looking forward to another amazing International Bridal Market in New York later this month! Be sure to follow me once again via my instagram & twitter feeds live from the runways and wedding industry events. ----> @weddingtidbits

From the Anne Barge Runway to the Pnina Tornai show at Kleinfeld Bridal to the Martha Stewart Weddings Market Party and the ISS Magazine Soiree we'll make sure that you get a view of all the gorgeous new collections, wedding fashion and industry trends!

Are there any designers you'd love us to cover? Let me know, and we'll do our best to get there.

A $400 reason for wedding professionals to read this blog post.

Kelly McWilliams — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 12:38:00 +0000

$400 is a pretty good sum of money. It's even better when you're given the opportunity to earn that much & ten-fold (and quite possibly far more) because you:

Learned something new...
Were introduced to a new way of accomplishing ...
Because you were introduced to someone who taught you how to think differently about your business...
Found an amazing resource you didn't even realize was out there...
Were reminded of why you're in this business and inspired to do it-live it-make it better...

-----> And that is where Inspire Smart Success comes in. Here is your opportunity. The door is open...walk in. Oh wait! Let me make it easier for you to get there: Here's a link to register as one of my guests at $400 off the regular registration rate (this is for new registrants only and you'll need to register as alumni) and then type Weddings by Socialites as the "WHO CAN WE THANK FOR REFERRING YOU TO ATTEND ISSE PALM BEACH?"

I'll be speaking at this outstanding conference with 20 incredible wedding business and motivational speakers. It is a great opportunity and I really hope that I will see you there. I truly mean it; I want to see you there! Tweet me @weddingtidbits to let me know you registered!

Really now? Imagine being surrounded by all of these people? How could you not walk away with fantastic insight and a greater knowledge of this incredible business that we are in?

Art Deco inspired wedding in Florida? Sure why not.

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 16:01:00 +0000

I had so much fun designing this wedding. When Jessica called me and said, "Old Hollywood, Glamour, Grandiose, Black, Silver..." I went ballistic with excitement! We had so much fun pulling this one together and I think this video shows it perfectly.

Bonita Bay Country Club Wedding - Jessica + Keith from iheART Films on Vimeo.
My favorite part of watching this video? It reminded me of everything. Right down to our original image it all started with:

I originally found this image on Pinterest, and I believe the photographer is Becker

It really was the most perfect Bonita Springs day.

Vintaged church pews & moss filled Oak trees; My first Florida "Southern" wedding

Kelly McWilliams — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:17:00 +0000

Vintage styled church pews and benches, moss filled Oak trees, a peach wing backed chair, honey candy filled mason jars, Amaranthus, white hydrangea and peach garden roses, white panel sheers and pool blue linens, 3 wedding cakes (one with red velvet), a lantern lit path to dinner, a flower girl with loads of tulle, a bride and groom so full of love. This is the perfect southern wedding and I adore it.
The wedding planning and design that went into this day was an experience that I am so grateful to have had and I am so happy to share this iheart film with you.

Southern Waters Wedding - Sarah + Brett from iheART Films on Vimeo.

Our creative talent:
Signature Florals, Hope Artistry & Yum Yum Cakes

And the team who made the day a true celebration:
Stereophonic DJs, Jamie Lee Photography, Ellas Vintage Rentals, Pastor Tom Funk
Venue: Southern Waters

If you're looking for where to rent vintage styled furniture for your wedding, here are 2 resources that we recommend. Please keep in mind that most of these boutique rental companies rent direct only to industry professionals on behalf of brides. Keep in mind that each company is going to have completely different and unique collections:
Ellas Vintage Rentals
All Things Vintage

The difference between Vintage, Retro and Antique

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 28 May 2013 22:36:00 +0000

The truth is I never felt completely comfortable using the word Vintage because I wasn't truly certain what made something vintage. I still used the word, but to do this day I am waiting to get called out on it. Today after a little bit of research, I *think* I've got it somewhat narrowed down for all of us. Let me start by saying this though - there doesn't seem to be a very strict rule book on these words. Although I am certain an antique connoisseur would completely disagree with me on this. However, I'm going to go with the following from now on when it comes to all things weddings and social events:

Retro doesn't necessarily have to be an old item. Its just something that looks like its from a different time period. Basically, if it isn't something created with todays themes/styles...its retro. So if you had those cute little glass bottle cokes at your wedding- those are retro because they're new. Well, at least I hope they aren't from the 1970's! Also, I noticed that when using the word Retro, you should include the decade you're establishing, "1950s Retro"

Vintage can be narrowed down to anything 50-100 years old. But I did come across some sites that mentioned "New Vintage". These seemed to be in the 20-50 year old range. No matter what though, it seems the easiest way to make sure that you aren't breaking any rules is to just say "vintage inspired" when you're trying to evoke the feeling of an item from a era gone by.
Antique is 100 years old or older. This is the one that seemed to be the most well defined.

Wedding vendors can't act

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 27 May 2013 21:41:00 +0000

Here's the thing, wedding vendors can't act. It's true. I'm about to prove it to you. However all the best wedding vendors LOVE weddings. It's actually really great for you that we can't act. {This unless you count purposely being cheesy as acting} Because if we could, we would not be good at bringing you the most incredible celebration of your life.
You see, it takes a special person to be a wedding vendor. To be in this industry you really have to have the heart and love for weddings because we are counted on making your most important date the best it possibly can be in some of the most difficult situations and we only get 1 shot to get it right.
And now I present to you, the proof that we can't act. Prepare to laugh at pure bad acting cheesiness from some of my favorite people who adore weddings. Oh, and this video production was not professionally produced or edited (I haven't got a clue how I even got this loaded and the volume is terrible at best).

Special thanks to all the bad actors and FANTASTIC wedding professionals who dared to make this possible:
AMC Video; Wiley Entertainment; Tie the Knot Bridal; Matt Steeves Photography; Ashley Brockinton Photography; Impressions Photo; Hope Artistry; Botanicals on the Gulf; Audrey Snow Photography; Signature Florals;

Destination Wedding Straw Clutches

Kelly McWilliams — Mon, 27 May 2013 11:33:00 +0000

I came across these clutches while I was doing some scouting in Key West this weekend.

How perfect are these for your pre and post parties? Besides being the perfectly sized, you can't beat the great prices!

Really, with the prices ranging from $23-$37 you could get one for your rehearsal dinner outfit, one to match your welcome reception attire, and another for your farewell brunch. Guess what? They have matching medallion cuffs too.

These would also make fantastic bridesmaids and house party gifts.

Where to find these mud pie clutches? Www.mud-pie.com

A photo begging for a great caption

Kelly McWilliams — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 22:06:00 +0000

This is the bride, groom, pastor and makeup artist; in the ladies room.

Boy did I get a giggle when I walked into this!

What would your caption be?

Win A Couples Getaway To Riviera Maya!

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:39:00 +0000

Destination Weddings and Honeymoons are giving away a couples romantic getaway to Hacienda Tresrios on Riviera Maya. The lucky couple will win 5 nights all inclusive accommodations...that means food, too! You'll also receive a couples spa treatment, a bottle of wine and a dinner at the chef's table.

The resort is totally sweet, it even boasts a nature park! Enter to win your getaway here!

Beach Wedding Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:36:00 +0000

Really amazing beach invitations are hard to find! Here are a few that we found from Wedding Paper Divas. Love that name, love this company. This company has super high quality products with contemporary to traditional invitations. There is always a savings coupon on the front page of their website.
Grab the coupon and save some money on some amazing beach wedding invitations!!

Our Wedding On the Beach!

Love this invitation, this just screams beach wedding, sun, sand, surf and love!

Coastal Sky: Paradise

Palm Trees: Coffee

Nassau Chic

PopShops™ affiliate stores

Amazing Tropical Beach Destination Wedding Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:37:00 +0000

Congratulations, you are getting married in a tropical paradise on a beach at sunset!
Finding the right wedding invitation or announcement has been a long fruitless search. The flowers and doves just don't fit your wedding and the plain invitations just aren't you. Our search has turned up these awesome invites that convey tropical paradise and can do double duty as an invitation or announcement. Love them! Click on the invitation for more information.

Destination Beach Wedding Dresses

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:14:00 +0000

You've set the date, you've picked the location, now you need to find THE perfect wedding dress. A destination or beach wedding dress needs to be easy to pack and transport. It needs to be lightweight if the weather is hot. Your dress needs to look like a wedding dress, but not over the top. Destination dresses are considered more of an informal wedding dress. Your dress needs to be easy to wear and comfortable at the wedding. And finally you will need to be able to navigate the terrain, like sand at the beach, in the dress without stumbling, tripping and dragging around a heavy dress.

Consider light weight fabrics like chiffon, taffeta, natural silk (which actually breathes)and light weight satin or natural fabrics like bamboo. Make sure if you are getting married in the sunlight that the dress doesn't shadow, it must be lined well enough so that nothing shows through.

What do do? We've got some suggestions of sizzling, beach worthy, easy to pack destination wedding dresses. Oh, yes, and the prices are right!

4030 Wedding Gown - $ 179.00

ED-1187 Eden Wedding Gown - $ 403.00

ED-1357 Eden Wedding Gown - $ 337.00

Sexy back of the dress above...LOVE IT!

FV-6120 Dress - $ 268.00
Check out the back below!!

OMG, what an amazing back!!

PInk Sad Resort

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:31:00 +0000

The perfect pairing of chic elegance and romance with its idyllic environment and impeccable services, Pink Sands takes the guesswork out of ceremony planning and makes honeymooning unforgettable. From intimate nuptials for digit to noble concern for the whole family, our entire team ensures the ingredients for a charming occurrence are unseamed and memorable.
Wedding Package

The ceremony package at Pink Sands includes:

* On-site ceremony consultant
* Picturesque ceremony location
* Assistance with preparation of ceremony documents
* Marriage license
* Marriage officiant
* Small ceremony cake for the bride and groom
* Bridal bouquet and boutonniere
* Bottle of champagne

Wedding Package at Pink Sands

Photo Credit - Zorn Photography.
Obtaining a Marriage License

The bride and the groom staleness apply in person for a Bahamian marriage license at least digit business days preceding to their ceremony (except holidays). We module take care of environment up your designation with the Commissioner preceding to your arrival. Applicants staleness present the mass substantiation to the Commissioner - every documents staleness be originals (or certified copies) and in English.

* Passport
* Divorce decree (if applicable)
* Death certificate of former SPOUSE (if applicable)
* Proof if your name has been changed by accomplishment poll

Wedding Receptions & Rehearsal Dinners

Wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners at Pink Sands crapper be held at either the Blue Bar or Garden Terrace. All functions are restricted to quaternary hours and there is a location fee associated with use of either venue.

The Blue Bar is settled directly on the threesome knot stretch of pink sand beach and crapper hold up to 80 people. This scene is restricted to buffet dining only.

The Garden Terrace, settled just soured of our newly renovated lobby, provides a humanities environment amongst lush, equatorial foliage. Dining options at the Garden Terrace include buffet and seated dinners. Maximum power is 100 persons.
Minimum Room Requirement

Based on your estimated sort of guests, you staleness guarantee a minimum sort of rooms at Pink Sands. Our income department module be happy to handle this with you in boost detail.

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:45:00 +0000

When selecting your start or getting site, conceive about who you are as a pair and what makes the two of you unique. Your selection module be influenced by the formality of your wedding, the season of the year, the sort of guests expected and your religious affiliation. Consider issues much as parking availability, handicapped accessibility, instance constraints etc.

Some favourite locations for ceremonies are churches, cathedrals, chapels, temples, synagogues, private homes, gardens, hotels, clubs, halls, sport courses, parks, wineries, beaches, etc. Consider having your start at the aforementioned facility as your getting to save a ordinal property fee

It's a good idea to plan for your start and getting well in advance, as some places fill up early, particularly during favourite ceremony months. We suggest selecting and reserving your getting and start place at small figure months prior to your wedding. Banquet halls depart a great care in quality, facilities and policies, so attain your choice carefully. Good nutrition facilities are in unceasing use, so aggregation early, a year ahead is not an unusual length of time. Take your instance and compare every the halls before you decide to book.

When comparing the outlay of different locations, consider the property fee, food, beverages, parking, gratuity, set-up charges and the outlay of equipment much as tables, chairs, canopies, and so forth. If you are thinking an outdoor wedding, be trusty to hit a patronage place in housing of rain.

If your getting is feat to be in a hotel, restaurant or a nutrition hall, you module requirement to superior a nutrition to serve your guests. Most of the places module hit a predetermined menu from which to superior your meal. If your getting is feat to be in a facility that does not provide food, you module requirement to hire an right catering company. The caterer module be responsible for preparing, cooking, decorating and serving the food.

Wedding Party

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:38:00 +0000

Wedding Party

In the primeval summer, a new clean and meliorate ceremony party is doubtless the best covering choice with this season. How to achieve the desired effect of your ceremony party? Take the elements of ice into the ceremony ceremony are of course a beatific way, but it cannot provide a significance of gorgeous to the marriage, and it is difficult to organisation innovative. Our professed ceremony plan team will take the luxury elements - Crystal and floral, palm combination for you to create a clean and holy example stone ceremony party.
Theme Color:
Blue and albescent are the most favourite colouration of ceremony in this season, the foppish albescent and new blue exactly crapper well bring discover the gorgeous and glittering of crystal, in the summer midnight, which will bring the guests a firm visual enjoyment. Floral materials mainly ingest hydrangea and albescent roses, the dark and alter of the blue colouration exclusive crapper avoid a dull significance of exclusive digit blue color.
Recommendations from the professed team
Details planning: stone element crapper be practical in a difference of ceremony decorations, and even the organisation of a ceremony invitation which crapper also reflexion the theme. The cover of the invitation makes up with broken stone pattern, same a gift to be dispatched to the guests, foppish and very innovative.
Floral Design: primeval summer have many patterned materials, such as the hydrangea, peony, rose, butterfly orchids, which are meliorate choices to create the stone wedding; to note that the stone itself is a straight texture, so do not ingest the bright colouration patterned materials, and utilize thin silver accommodate to meliorate highlight the reddened of crystal.
Wedding dress: To reflexion the thought of the stone ceremony party the bride should opt a soft chiffon or cloth fabric with a stone decoration. Long-tailed, fish tail or a short style ceremony dress have always been the highlights of the wedding. Taking into statement of the stone ceremony theme, the dishes should be reddened colors and the choices of too thick ingredients are not so good.

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:23:00 +0000

If you�re fresh engaged and starting to plan the perfect ceremony and honeymoon, don�t overlook digit of the most important ceremony considerations � location! Having your ceremony in an exotic romantic positioning crapper make it even more memorable.

If you poverty a tropical, ceremony positioning with sandy beaches and swaying region trees, then the sea is the instruction to consider. It�s close, there�s lots of direct flights, the weather is warm year round and it lends itself to a relaxed, chivvy liberated wedding.

Choosing to get mated in the sea has become a popular ceremony choice. Top sea ceremony destinations allow Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and St. Thomas. Especially for Americans, the logical sea choice is island of St. saint in the U. S. Virgin Islands. As a U.S. Territory, St. saint operates under the laws of the United States Government, so your ceremony module be as hassle-free as a ceremony anywhere in the mainland U.S.

Getting mated in St. saint is easy, the documentation is just $100. ($50. covering gift & $50. license fee). The paper work crapper be finished in front with a downloadable Marriage License covering form, then mailed to the Superior Court in St. Thomas, together with a $100. Certified Check or money order.

An plus of a sea island ceremony positioning is the option of dealing a private pass villa in St. saint to enjoy the ultimate, romantic and luxurious ceremony and honeymoon setting. Private villa rentals substance many advantages over hotel accommodation: firstly, it�s a luxurious private residence, so you crapper have the space and concealment that no hotel crapper offer. Villa rentals are usually large with individual bedrooms and private swimming pools, etc. so

For example, the Sand Dollar Estate villa, the ultimate luxury pass villa property in St. Thomas, has 8 bedrooms plus a separate 2,000 sq. ft. humanities guest cottage - the amend honeymoon accommodation. It�s all set on an surpassing 2.5 acre realty with its own clannish white sand beach on Magen�s Bay. In total, the villa realty can alter 22 people, making it both the amend Caribbean ceremony positioning and honeymoon destination.

Picture locution your ceremony vows on a clannish white sand beach against the backdrop of a spectacular villa correct out of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. No requirement to worry about ceremony decorations, ceremony cake, and flowers � everything can be condemned care of by our experienced ceremony individual to make your ceremony as simple or as elaborate as you desire.

Get relaxed before the big day in the clannish swimming pool or with a luxurious massage from our staff therapist or an invigorating workout with our trainer or instructor, it is not only rewarding but therapeutic. Invite members of the ceremony band to eat and unwind.

Combining a ceremony and honeymoon in a tropical positioning is a band that makes for unforgettable, humanities memories. Your honeymoon starts immediately after the ceremony and ceremony toasts, not after a tiring day of airport security, airport transfers, and connecting flights. What a quiet and no-stress way to move a marriage!

Sand Dollar is the amend positioning for a Destination Wedding in the Caribbean. Contact us to handle how you can hit the amend ceremony in the amend location.

Top Five Destination Wedding Locations Worldwide

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:01:00 +0000

Planning a ceremony is hornlike enough in your own home town, but actuation soured an event discover of municipality is a genuine challenge. You just know your own artefact around, and now you hit dozens if not hundreds of people to account for. But the perks of a destination ceremony (and planning one) genuinely outweigh the negative elements – you undergo the romance and mystique of added positioning while having a wedding/honeymoon/getaway all at the same time.
Many couples choose certain locales because they cater specifically to destination weddings and hosting numerous guests; they are the places that everyone on your itemize wants to go to and may not hit had a quantity before, but now hit an iron-clad reason to make the trek. Here are the most favorite symptom for destination weddings – as well as what you can do while you’re there.

Destination Weddings: a Break from the Norm

Many couples think instruction wedding thinking is an outrageous expenditure. While this belief is true in whatever instances, you’re actually action yourself from many hassles. Wherever you choose to have your ceremony and reception, you’ll be matched with circumstance planners complete at making trusty that the tiniest aspects of instruction weddings line smoothly. And, you’ll also have your honeymoon shapely in to the cost. The prizewinning part you ask?…experiencing a brand new place with your family, friends, and loved ones.

ITALY There’s nothing more romantic than European instruction weddings. Rome, Florence, Venice, and city – you name it; this is the eventual getaway for some couples and their families. But going overseas also has a aggregation of challenges. As part of your instruction ceremony planning, you’ll hit to ensure that every guests hit or take a passport well in advance, and you’ll be responsible for finding suitable accommodations and installation to and from the events. Your guests module want to do a little sightseeing while in town, so creating a list of places to meet and how to intend there is a must. Fortunately, there are some instruction ceremony thinking specialists who cater to foreign couples, so use their abilities fully. And the genuine recover of instruction weddings: you can honeymoon right where you got married!

HAWAII This equatorial island is a mecca for couples who want a easygoing beach ceremony with little fuss. And hundreds of thousands of couples flock here to celebrate their nuptials Hawaiian-style. Many airports in the U.S. hit direct flights to Honolulu, but if you decide to intend mated on another island, your guests can easily catch a flight the same or next day, giving them time to explore. And whether you opt to hit an impromptu, informal affair or a giant, equatorial bash, there are some knowledgeable instruction ceremony thinking companies that can help you decide where to hit your event, what to serve, where to pay your honeymoon, and much more.

Destination Weddings in The Bahamas

THE BAHAMAS One of the top instruction ceremony locations, the Bahamas truly evokes the Caribbean spirit inmore ways than one. If every of your guests are U.S. citizens, then you’re in the clear (though, supported on recent legislation, you are required to hit a valid passport to enter). Citizens of other countries are wise to check entry requirements before booking tickets, and you can attain it easier on your guests if they are flying from another country by verifying the requirements beforehand. Many couples opt to hit their instruction weddings take locate among the centuries-old cathedrals or fortresses or at the famed city nurse in Nassau. And erst the ceremony is over, you and your guests can undergo the prizewinning seafood, golfing, shopping, and casinos available!

NAPA VALLEY For couples who love intoxicant and/or the idea of getting mated in a vineyard, Napa Valley is a great pick for instruction weddings. Proximity to the bounteous city – San Francisco and every of its unique sights – and the pastoral beauty of
Destination Weddings in the Napa Valley

Destination Weddings in the Napa Valley

countless vineyards lure thousands of couples here each year to tie the knot with the help of a instruction ceremony thinking specialist. From Spring to Winter, the modify in seasons provides a newborn and different look to the Napa Valley countryside. Some wineries even patron on site and hit event planners at your disposal who specialize in instruction weddings. And what would be more fun than touring the Wine Country on The Napa Valley Wine Train for your honeymoon?

LAKE TAHOE For some years, the scenic charms of Lake Tahoe hit routinely been voted one of the top spots for instruction weddings. And it’s no wonder this vibrant city appeals to so some different people. There’s biking, hiking, boating, camping, fishing, golfing, and skiing, every right there for you and your guests to enjoy. If you opt a ceremony resort, which not only takes care of the accommodations for you and your guests, you’ll be provided with a dedicated instruction ceremony thinking guide who module see to every of the details.

Destination Weddings: a Break from the Norm

Many couples think instruction ceremony thinking is an outrageous expenditure. While this belief is genuine in some instances, you’re actually saving yourself from some hassles. Wherever you opt to hit your ceremony and reception, you’ll be matched with event planners complete at making trusty that the tiniest aspects of instruction weddings flow smoothly. And, you’ll also hit your honeymoon shapely in to the cost. The prizewinning part you ask?…experiencing a brand newborn locate with your family, friends, and loved ones.

Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:21:00 +0000

Outdoor Wedding Locations
With nearly 76,000 conservativist feet of open-air space and pristine weather conditions, weddings and special events are limited only by your imagination. Explore The Fairmont Orchid, island on the Kohala Coast where the example of island beckons your love.

Outdoor Locations

Turtle Pointe
Along the peppered shoreline of black and albescent coral, this broad place of the ocean, resort and summits of the Kohala Mountains, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from an fresh broad lawn Atlantic is a humanities favorite.

The Coconut Grove
A sandy region woods with towering palms disbursement settled conterminous to the ancient Keanapou fish pond, this place offers a wedding on the beach with swaying palms and luminous tiki torches.

The Courtyard island
On the garden take beneath the Lobby, this curtilage features sculpted tile and railings and overlooks an unstoppered lawn, the 10,000 sf pool and the ocean beyond.

The Ballroom Courtyard
Sheltered on quaternary sides but unstoppered to the sky, the resort's classically elegant curtilage has a large centered classically elegant fountain, stairstepped levels and cushy access to the porte cochere for incoming guests.

The settlement Estate
Stately palms enclose this perpendicular lawn Atlantic with a view of the 9th and 10th fairways of the Francis H. I'i emancipationist northerly sport instruction and the ocean beyond. A raised natural initiate is amend for the head plateau or adornment with privacy yet a brief achievement from the lobby Atlantic and conterminous to the Tennis Pavilion. Champion figure skater Kristy Yamaguchi said 'I Do' to hockey contestant economise Brett Hedican here -- now it's your invoke to physique on the romance.

Wailana Gardens/Wailele Falls
Both locations are intimate, peaceful settings incoming to flowing waterfalls, lush gardens and grown region trees with plenty of shack for a strike and tables near the South Tower.

Kilohana

Offering sweeping sunset views of the resort, this indoor/outdoor function space is the ideal location for your reception. Shuttered doors unstoppered to a private lanai and grassy Atlantic surrounded by tiki torches, amend for cocktails before agitated exclusive to your wedding dinner. With a built in wooden dance story and seating for up to 80, this beautiful shack is settled just steps from the lobby.

Wedding Venues

noreply@blogger.com (mayuri) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:16:00 +0000

Luxury Wedding Venues
These are hotels & venues which make the perfect Luxury Wedding Venue for your wedding day. There is no meliorate than weddings held in a clannish and inner use hotel scene and modify clannish dining restaurants, with their modern call decor, make a great alternative. The serenity, is magical and romantic. Whatever the size of wedding, there is the saint scene to be found. Private Venues also offer a fantastic choice for your honeymoon, ensuring you both enjoy and have an unforgettable start to rest of your chronicle together.

Exclusive Luxury Hotels
Private Venues offer a assemblage of stunning individualist wealth hotels & properties that crapper be hired for your own clannish & inner use or are small enough to provide an intimate and discreet destinations for a more easygoing and everyday business meeting, wedding or peaceful inner holiday.

These wealth hotels and venues are mostly acquirable for Corporate Events, Weddings, Honeymoons, Exclusive Holidays, Corporate Golf Days/Events, Exclusive Golf Holidays, or Private Dinners & Celebrations.

Luxury Spa Hotels & Retreats
Enjoy an inner wealth pass or break at a wealth spa hotel or retreat. Experience our assemblage of inner spa hotels and venues and enjoy a chronicle enriching healthy pass by staying at one of our wealth hotels or retreats.

Exclusive Holidays & Hideaways
These are venues that crapper be for inner use and have the additional bonus, that you crapper relax, eat, sleep and modify hold a dinner party without having to do all the preparation. It could modify be that your a celebrity looking for a pass area to get away from it all (and belike the press!!). Whatever your needs, Private Venues ever assure you wealth and tranquility.

Meetings & Corporate Events
Private Venues are discreet for any corporate event, and offers a professed contact combined with the necessary facilities. Events crapper be accommodate made to suit your exact requirements, whether it be for a meeting, conference, reception, feeding & clannish dining, product launch, or modify for a corporate golf day.

All Inclusive Destination Weddings

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:52:00 +0000

An all inclusive wedding is a wedding where
everything is included. Your wedding site,the officiant,ceremony, flowers, cake, reception,travel, room, food, alcohol, entertainment,tips, taxes and transfers from the airport to the hotel. You also have the services of a wedding coordinator to make the wedding flawless.

You need only to make the decisions regarding the destination site, set the date, get a passport if traveling outside of the USA, apply for the marriage license, pack and travel. And they can help all your guests get there and arrange their accommodations. They'll even steam or press your wedding dress when you arrive.

Most all inclusive wedding sites are in Mexico, Hawaii and in the Caribbean.

The benefits are that everything is done for you. You don't have the stress of planning a wedding. The next big plus: after the ceremony, you are on your honeymoon. No need to repack andtravel, the honeymoon starts instantly.

Since everything is paid as a package, there are no additional expenses. You can dine at any of the restaurants on the property or other resorts that have exchange privileges. Or you can stay in your room and dine on room service. You can dance the night away, watch the nightly entertainment or relax in your room. You can lounge at the pool or at the beach. You can golf, take part in beach activities, games and barbeques, or do nothing at all but chill. All alcohol is included, some resorts will even supply cigarettes.

The all inclusive resorts are popular as destination wedding spots and also for honeymoons. Many couples return on their anniversary for a vacation. Your guests have so many activities to enjoy, they won't bother you and most resorts will place you away from your guests so you get the privacy you want when you want. Your wedding party and guests will probably only stay for the weekend.

Dream Honeymoons; Destination Weddings at Sandals Resorts!

All-Inclusive Caribbean Vacations

How easy is it to have all the details taken care of for you? No stress, little fuss, all fun! Our brides have raved about the all inclusive resorts of Sandals and the Riu resorts in Mexico. Happy planning!

Get Married In The Serenity of Gatlinburg, TN

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:47:00 +0000

I was surprised to find out that Gatlinburg
Tennessee was such a hot spot for destination
weddings. Mountain lovers choose it for its
location in the Smoky Mountains. Cool mountain
air, quiet serenity, mountain streams make it
the perfect location to have your wedding.
Not everyone is a beach person, but if you
want to marry next to a bubbling stream,
Gatlinburg can make it happen.

You can rent hotels, chalets or cabins.
The cabins aren't what you are thinking,
while they may have rustic cabin look on the
outside, the insides are amazing.
They are modern, comfortable and quite
plush. They sport hot tubs, game rooms
and pool tables. Renting a chalet for your
wedding is a great way for a family
get together and celebration. You can
even get married in the chalet and have
your reception there.

You can get married in your cabin, chalet,
chapel, church or outdoors. Weddings start
at the budget price of $90, not including
your marriage license.

You are near Dollywood, great shopping,
quaint shops and great food. You can
hike or fish or sit in your private hot tub.
In the winter you can ski and warm up
in front of the fireplace in your chalet.
You can relax or take part in the local action.
And there are plenty of activities for your
guests to enjoy.

Want more info on Gatlinburg weddings? Click here.

Or contact the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce for
information on lodging, chalets and things to do.

Just Married Flip Flops on Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 05 May 2009 15:56:00 +0000

On Sale at The Knot Wedding Shop

I came across these cute just married flip
flops on sale for an outrageous $2.99 a pair
at the Knot. These are so cute for beach
weddings. Many couples slip them on after
the ceremony to leave a trail if "just married"
on the sand and have the photographer
take pics of their vows on the sand.

They can be worn on the honeymoon and
you can gift your wedding party with these
to wear during the beach ceremony.
They are fun, cute and the perfect touch
for a beach wedding. Not long ago, these
same flip flops were nearly twenty dollars
in bridal boutiques. This is a real
deal! Are you frugal brides listening?
Your guy will love them, too.
Everyone can use another
pair of flip flops, go for it!

Destination Weddings & Honeymoons On A Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Sat, 02 May 2009 16:16:00 +0000

Yes, you CAN have a destination wedding
on a budget. Travel bargains abound right now,
the airlines are slashing air fare, the resorts
and cruise lines are enticing you with specials
to get you to travel. They'd rather have their
rooms full and their staff working than have
empty rooms. There has never been a better
time to travel and combine your wedding
and honeymoon.

Here are some specials that we just came
across:
Get on board for a cruise ship wedding.
The prices are UNBELIEVABLE. Your
food is all included, your room and your
entertainment. Just sign up on the website.
The deals are so good right now that I'm
booking my own trip. I've been on a few
of these ships and had a wonderful time,
and paid close to a thousand dollars a person
for the same itinerary. Sign up for Carnival's
newsletters and get the deals!
3,4 and 5 day Carnival Cruises from $249
This is a bargain!

Beaches Resorts is having a special but you
have to book by May 28, 2009.
Get 1 Night Free plus save up to 60%
at Beaches Sandy Bay until May 28th, 2009
Sandy Beach is a 7 mile beach of pure white
sugar sand located in Negril, Jamaica. Beaches
is a Sandals Resort, known for their all inclusive
pampering treatment. Everything is included.
You can leave your wallet at home. Just make
sure you take your ID so you can travel!

Vegas is dirt cheap right now, that is, if you can
stay out of the casinos! We've found the Flamingo
hotel for $40 a night and the Bellagio which is one
of THE top hotels in the world $ 139 a night.
Both hotels are top rated, in excellent
strip locations and there are more deals here:
Top Hotel Deals in Las Vegas

We also found some great deals on hotel
rooms in Las Vegas here:
Las Vegas Hotels from $29!
and here:Las Vegas Hotels

And you can always get a great deal on
Las Vegas here: Las Vegas - 5-star -
from $79 per night from Hotwire.com!

Las Vegas is trying to keep the action rolling
and you get the deals! I just got back from there myself
and the room rates are rock bottom but not likely
to remain there forever. I scored Wynn's for
$129 a night and the Venetian for $79 a night by
using the links above. Woo Hoo, I love to travel
first class on a beer budget. And the beds at
Wynns are the most comfortable bed you'll ever
find. I want one!

The top hotels In Las Vegas are Wynn's, the Venetian
and the Bellagio, but other great hotels include
the Flamingo, the Luxor, Monte Carlo, Treasure
Island, the Mirage, MGM Grand, Harrah's,
Golden Nugget, The Palms, Rio, Hard Rock
and more. If you tell them you are there
to get married, you may get a room upgrade and
a bottle of champagne!

We found amazing airfare deals to Las Vegas here:
$36 & up -- Fly Throughout the U.S. & Canada
into June --As seen on Travelzoo's Top 20

If you are ready to tie the knot in May, check
this out:
VEGAS: May Weekend Flight Deals on Orbitz!

Looking for a great wedding chapel in Las Vegas?
We love the Little Chapel of the Flowers.
We've had family marry here and the service was excellent
and the prices are affordable.

Punta Cana in the Caribbean is a new hot spot that
is still affordable and has 4 and 5 star resorts
and wedding packages. The beaches are gorgeous,
and our brides have raved about the service and
the food. Go the all inclusive route and save a lot
of money. Once this area is hit heavy by
tourists, the prices will increase. Enjoy
paradise NOW while its affordable.
Dominican Republic - Punta Cana Vacations

If you are looking for a flight and don't want
to wade through tons of sights looking for the
best travel deal, this site will do it all for you.
Find Cheap Flights from 100+ Sites with One Click.

If you want a destination wedding, plan it while
the prices are down and start packing.

For all the legalities, go to Beach Bride To Be
and have a happy wedding!

Destination Wedding Announcement & Invitations

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:37:00 +0000

Destination brides have been searching for
a destination wedding announcement or
invitation that is made SPECIFICALLY for a
destination wedding. Most traditional wedding
invitations and announcements are too
uber traditional and don't convey the
spirit, excitement and adventure of
a destination wedding. We just came
across these invitations and had to share them
with you! Click on the pic for more info.

The perfect wedding announcement of your
destination wedding and invitation to a post
wedding party. Everyone wants to see the bride
and groom dresses up for their wedding.

This invitation is called Tropical Tryst.
Isn't that a great name? Or a great destination
wedding theme?

Here is the perfect invitation for a beach wedding.
It features the sand dollar which also has
religious significance. And its pretty, modern
and simple, everything a beach wedding should be!

The card below can easily be adapted into a wedding
invitation, save the date card or wedding
announcement. The palm trees against the
Caribbean blue remind me of a tropical paradise.
And yes, the Caribbean seas are really this color!

Getting married in Hawaii? Hawaii is synonymous with
Hibiscus flowers and bushes.

Natural coral and the beach is a no brainer.
Love the simplicity of this invitation.

Weddings in sunny Mexico are a reason for a fiesta!
This can be adapted into an announcement, wedding
invitation or a fiesta at home after the wedding.
This just makes me want to celebrate!

Reasons Couples Choose A Destination Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Couples used to elope to get secretly
married. Couples headed to Las Vegas
or Niagara Falls. It evolved into a full blown
destination wedding when couples decided
to go away and have their dream wedding
away from home.

We asked a lot of couples why they
decided on a destination wedding and
here's what they said.

We've always dreamed of getting married
at a beach. We're beach people.

We got engaged on a vacation to Cabo.
It seemed like a natural place for
our wedding.

It was a second wedding for both of us.
We didn't want a large church wedding since
we'd both been there and done that. We
wanted something meaningful and less showy.

Our family was driving us nuts. Both moms
wanted what THEY wanted. The stress was killing
us and we got tired of this not being about
our wedding. So we planned a destination wedding
and it was amazing.

We have a big blended family and they don't
get along. We didn't want to deal with doing
seating charts to keep them apart. You can
choose your friends, but you can't choose
your relatives.

My husbands father is an alcoholic and we could
either have a reception with no alcohol or
have someone watch him all day long so he
doesn't create an incident. My husband had a
hard life because of his dad's drinking and even
though he loves him dearly, it wasn't fair
to my husband to worry about his dad on our
wedding day. We decided a destination wedding
was the way to go.

We went to a friends wedding in the Bahamas. It was
beautiful. We enjoyed it so much that we decided
when we got married, that we wanted a destination
wedding at sunset on a beach.

We come from different religious backgrounds. It
isn't a problem for us, but it IS a problem for
our parents. So, we decided on a nondenominational
chapel wedding to avoid the religion argument.

We wanted a vacation and we wanted to get married.
Killed two birds with one stone..LOL.

A destination wedding was less expensive and fit
into our budget. I thought I wanted the big
fairy tale wedding, but the economy made me realize
that we shouldn't be spending that money for a huge
wedding. So we decided on to upgrade on a destination
wedding and we are so glad we did!

Keeping Your Destination Wedding Guests in the Loop

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:35:00 +0000

A destination wedding means you have to
keep the information flowing to the
guests who are traveling to your wedding.
They need to know of any change of plans
that will affect their travel plans.

Save the date cards should be sent out
as far in advance as possible. Your guests will
need time to arrange their finances, save for
the trip and get the time off work so they can
attend your wedding. You should include a link to
a personal wedding web site where you can
keep current information.
wedsimple.com - View our beautiful website designs

Post on the site special information for your
guests such as travel agents or sites you
are working with to help them make their
travel arrangements. Post discounted hotel
options for the guests. Most resorts or hotels
will discount a block of hotel rooms for your
guests. You, as the bride, need to arrange
this either by negotiation or by using a
wedding planner in your location.

You might want to include a schedule of the wedding
events as well as local things for them to see
or do. Include information on local weather and
transportation. Ask yourself: If I were a guest,
what would I want or need to know so I can attend
this wedding. Then answer them on your personal
web site.

The more information you give to your guests, the
easier it will be for everyone to attend the
wedding and have a blast! Remember, your guests
are spending a lot of money to travel to the wedding
and this is also a vacation for them. Give them
free time to enjoy themselves and take in some of
the local color, lounge by the pool or beach or
just chill.

Destination Weddings and Dealing With the Humidity

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:48:00 +0000

Tropical climate equals humidity. Lets say
you are getting married in Florida, and yes,
Florida does have tropical weather and the
humidity is off the charts. Normal Florida
weather, so to speak. Its humid and you
are in a wedding dress for a beach wedding.
How do you stay picture perfect and look fresh?

My nephew had an awesome beach wedding in Florida.
Everything was perfect, except for the humidity.
It was so humid in the evening that my teeth were
sweating. We'd been rocking out on the dance floor
that was on a huge deck surrounding the hotel.
There were fans, but no ocean breeze and the
brides makeup looked fresher than a daisy.
Mandy, the bride, asked me to help her remove
her crinoline. No one could figure out how to
peel it off her because of the corset back but
me. So while I was helping her cool off,
she told me she had on makeup primer.
Head smack! Why hadn't I thought of that?

Rule number one: Wear makeup primer. It
will keep your makeup on through the
most wicked humidity.

Carry some makeup blotters that blot your
skin and remove the oils and leave the
makeup intact.

Rule number two: Don't wear a heavy crinoline
if you are having a beach wedding. Most
dresses already have a built in crinoline
and you don't need more fullness and added
fabric to make you warmer.

Rule number three: If you are having
an outdoor or beach wedding with an
outdoor reception, keep the cold drinks
flowing. Limit your alcohol intake, it
will make you warmer. Drink ice water, ice
tea and lemonade to rehydrate.

Rule number four: Let your groomsmen take
off their ties and jacket after the ceremony
and the pictures. Tuxes are hot, in both
senses of the word. ;)

Rule number five: Enjoy yourself, a cool
shower when you get home and you'll feel
great!

We've Relaunched Our Destination Web Site!

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

After months, our revamped website is
finally online for all of our destination
brides! Beach Bride To Be
has been expanded with new destinations, more wedding
planning tips and more ideas. Our old web host had
change their platform, and made it nearly impossible
for us to update the site. So, after months of
hard work, we rebuilt the site from the bottom up.

Our revamped site is a work in progress, we will
be adding more destinations, more advice and more
comments from real life destination brides who
have been there and done that and give their
honest impressions.

If you have destination wedding questions, we
have answers. Comment on the blog or
email through our FAQ page and we'll find
the answer for you!

Flying To Your Destination Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:02:00 +0000

Most destination weddings involve the bride
and groom or wedding guests flying to the
destination. Flying is becoming a pain in the
rear with all the new rules and regulations implemented
by the airlines. Educate yourself BEFORE you leave
so that you don't end up paying excess baggage fees or
repacking your bags at the check in counter.

I recently was in line to check in at a Delta counter.
Most of the people in line didn't know that there
were weight limits to their suitcase and ended up
repacking their bags at the counter. No one wanted
to pay the additional $25.00 for a few extra pounds.
I didn't blame them, but the line didn't move for one
solid hour and tempers were short.

The airlines are changing their baggage rules
by the second. US Airways, American and United
are charging $15.00 to check ONE bag. Only
Southwest isn't charging a bag check fee unless
you have a third bag. The second bag price varies,
but that is the latest gotcha to get you to part with
your money. Some are charging for seat selection!
US Airways is even charging for soft drinks.
How long will it be until they figure out
how to charge for a seatbelt?

Pack your own snacks to eat on the plane. Easy to bring
along snacks are grapes, crackers, cookies, trail mix,
granola bars, etc. You'll save a bundle, but remember,
you can't bring any beverages from home. You'll have to
buy them at the airport at an inflated price.

Learn to pack lighter to avoid a lot of pitfalls
at the check in counter.

Know the latest rules and regulations by
going to RickSeaney.com.
He is updating his chart to reflect the latest
airline fees so there isn't any unpleasant surprise
on the way to your destination wedding!

Weddings In Sedona Arizona, Scenery, Spirituality and Serenity

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Sat, 17 May 2008 14:30:00 +0000

Today is my birthday, and if things go according to
plan, I will be celebrating in Sedona, Arizona, my favorite
spot on earth. (Fingers tightly crossed!)

Sedona is becoming a destination wedding spot for
those who admire the red rocks and gorgeous juniper
forests. It is one of the most beautiful spots on earth.
Its probably the most beautiful backdrop in the southwest.
Sedona is known as Red Rock Country, and every evening
the sun sets into an amazing array of purples and orange
lights on the canyon walls.

Many people feel that Sedona is very spiritual because of
the vortexes in the earth. They feel that the energy emitted
by the earth is spiritual and healing.

Sedona can acommodate your any wish from a chapel wedding,
resort wedding, outside wedding or a shaman wedding
performed by a Native American officiant. How cool is that?
We actually witnessed one a few years back. They played a
haunting flute melody and the backdrop was the mountains.
It was breathtaking and so unique! For more information
Click Here. Weddings In Sedona

Don't forget that Sedona is a romantic honeymoon
destination! The bed and breakfasts in Sedona are
just amazing and romantic.

Orbitz Helps You Pick Your Perfect Beach!

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:02:00 +0000

This is so cool. Orbitz came up with a tool to help
you pick the beach that is perfect for you. The tool
is more like playing a game. The sound of the sea
lapping on the shore sets the background for the questions.
Answer the questions, the tool will help you
find your perfect beach.

You first select who will be traveling:
Honeymooners, couples, families, etc.
Then you pick your interests and this page
is so cool. Up on the beach floats a shopping bag,
a scuba mask, disco ball, a shrimp on a fork and more.
The next step is hotel options and on the beach floats
cucumbers for the spa, a do not disturb sign and more.
This is just FUN.

My best beaches are in Punta Cana, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
I thought no beach could top St. Marteen, but I guess I'll
have to give the other spots a whirl.

Cruise Ship Wedding, Great Food, Exotic Ports, Total Relaxation!

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:36:00 +0000

Cruise ship weddings combine the best
of the best for destination weddings.
Carnival offers wedding packages to
fit every budget.

You have your wedding on board the ship
before you sail or at an exotic port
of call. All the details are handled
for you by the cruise lines. Make the
arrangements with the cruise line,
get your passport and pack! All you
have to do is arrive in advance for
your marriage license, which gives you
time to relax and explore the port city.

Cruise ships are your floating hotel.
Your hotel will transport you to tropical
islands, you'll feel the trade winds blowing
and you can sip a fruity drink as you
lounge on the deck and watch the clouds
float by. Heavenly AND relaxing.

You have unlimited food and dining options
as well as room service. Eat on the Lido
deck or the dining room. Cruise lines
are introducing special dining rooms where
you can dine by romantic candlelight at a
table for two by reservation.

All your entertainment is on board. You
can dance the night away in the disco,
try your luck in the casino or attend
Broadway shows or Las Vegas style shows
in the showrooms. Look for comics doing
late shows at midnight, have a drink at
a quiet bar later.

You can join in the activities on
board the ship or you can do your
own thing. Every ship has the newlywed
game and they are hysterical. Some also
have parties for the newlyweds so you
can dish about your wedding to others
on the ship. Or you can meet other newlyweds
to go ashore and with them.

Cruise lines include your food, entertainment,
room and taxes in the cost of the cruise.
Special dining rooms may have a surcharge.
You'll need money for tips which you pay
at the end of the cruise and are done
on a per person per day basis. For the
level of service you get on cruise ships,
its a bona fide bargain. Alcoholic drinks
are extra, but you'll find free drinks
flowing freely at the captain's cocktail
party. Shore excursions are extra as is
the money you spend in the casino.

The cruise lines will help you with your onboard
wedding. You'll have to arrive a day or so before
sailing to get your marriage license. Their wedding
coordinator will handle all the details for you. Their
package deals cover the entire cost. And, you are
automatically on your honeymoon!
Ship board weddings take place in port on board the
ship or in the exotic locales when the ship docks.
Enjoy the romance of the high seas!

Top 10 All-Inclusive Resorts!

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Top 10 All-Inclusive Resorts!

Do something you’ll never forget - book an all-inclusive resort vacation. The advantages to staying at an all-inclusive resort are seemingly endless. Most include meals, beverages, tips, entertainment and activities in the price of the room - allowing you more time to actually relax on vacation and less time figuring the bill.
Not only are these resorts perfect for a destination wedding,
but think HONEYMOON!

Moon Palace Golf & Spa All Inclusive Resort

1. Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX

Prime yourself for luxury at the Moon Palace Gold and Spa Resort in Cancun. Guests enjoy gourmet meals, beverages, tours, entertainment, and both land and sea activities. The resort also boasts a signature golf course by Jack Nicklaus and full spa facilities.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #1. Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX

2. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa - Providenciales, TC

Touting itself as a multi-faceted fantasy world where private bungalows, pools and 12 miles of white sand overlook turquoise water, this resort features fine cuisine, land and sea sports, spa, nightly entertainment and a kid’s club - Pirate Island.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #2. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa - Providenciales, TC

3. Barcelo Bavaro Beach Hotel All Inclusive - Punta Cana, DO

Escape from the busy world at Barcelo Bavaro Beach Hotel in Punta Cana. This breathtaking hotel’s all-inclusive package offers admission to nightly entertainment, three meals daily at eight of the hotel’s 14 restaurants, complimentary transportation between five of the Bavaro brand hotels and complimentary local beverage and snack service.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #3. Barcelo Bavaro Beach Hotel All Inclusive - Punta Cana, DO

4. Paradisus Palma Real All Inclusive - Higuey, DO

Combining world-class facilities with a Caribbean setting, the Paradisus Palma Real features luxury suites, spa facilities, health center, sea-front pool, a casino, nightly entertainment and remarkable dining. Unlimited green fees and nightly entertainment are included in the all-inclusive package.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #4. Paradisus Palma Real All Inclusive - Higuey, DO

5. Le Blanc Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX

Upon arrival at the Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, guests are greeted with a cool drink and washcloth. This adults-only haven allows guests to immerse themselves in the luxury of 24-hour room service, butler service, entertainment, premium drinks, haute cuisine and non-motorized water sports. All taxes and gratuities are included.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #5. Le Blanc Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX

6. Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Nuevo Vallarta, MX

Let your worries float away as you indulge at the Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Luxurious all-inclusive services include gourmet dining, Pilates, yoga and meditation programs, Aqua bar, tennis and spa services.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #6. Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Nuevo Vallarta, MX

7. The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT All Inclusvie - Cap Estate, LC

Pamper yourself at The BodyHoliday at LeSport in St. Lucia this winter: all-inclusive amenities include dining at hotspots like Tao, fitness classes, Body Treats from the Oasis Spa, and land sports and water sports.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #7. The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT All Inclusvie - Cap Estate, LC

8. Barcelo Langosta Beach All Inclusive - Tamarindo, CR

Relax and rejuvenate by the crystal waters of Playa Langosta at the Barcelo Langosta Beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, where long stretches of white sand beckon. Activities and classes, land sports, unlimited local beverages and buffet-style meals are all part of the resort's all-inclusive program.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #8. Barcelo Langosta Beach All Inclusive - Tamarindo, CR

9. Akumal Beach Resort All Inclusive - Riviera Maya, MX

Enjoy daily beachside activities, a welcome cocktail, all meals and local beverages, scuba clinics and more at the beautiful Akumal Beach Resort, located on a one-mile stretch of beachfront in the Riviera Maya.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #9. Akumal Beach Resort All Inclusive - Riviera Maya, MX

10. Jolly Beach Resort All Inclusive - St. Johns, AG

Lazy days await at Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua, where you can take advantage of their all-inclusive amenities, including meals and drinks at five restaurants and bars, children's activities, tennis, nightly entertainment, daily activities and non-motorized water sports.
Top All Inclusive Resorts: #10. Jolly Beach Resort All Inclusive - St. Johns, AG

Getting Married In Mexico

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:04:00 +0000

Sunny Mexico, smiling people, swaying palm trees, white sandy beaches, the perfect destination wedding getaway! Mexico is fast becoming a top destination wedding spot. Why? Mexico has premiere beach resorts that are catering to destination weddings. Mexican weddings are affordable. Mexico is a beautiful country with both "jungles" and beaches so you have a choice of wedding locales. And who doesn't love Mexican food?

Its not difficult to marry in Mexico, but there are guidelines that need to be followed. Mexico has different states and different marriage requirements. If you book your wedding at a resort, take advantage of their wedding coordinator to help you through the legal requirements. Although you can do it all yourself, its advisable to hire a wedding coordinator if you are coming in from the US to make the wedding flow seamlessly. The legalities can be confusing, but a wedding planner can help you save time and stress.

You will need to plan in advance and assemble paperwork to have a legal wedding in Mexico. You are required to have a passport and tourist visa. If you arrive by plane, the airline will give you a tourist visa. If driving, you will get it at the border. Make copies, because they will keep them. Some of the documents will need to be translated into Spanish. You need a CERTIFIED copy of your birth certificate and you should have it translated into Spanish. DO NOT bring the original, because they keep it.
For more information, click here.

The Hochstadt.com Party Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:49:00 +0000

← Alexa Changed Its Ranking Algorithm

The Alexa Dance →

It’s The Hochstadt.com Party Contest!

Apr 17 by Marcus Hochstadt | Posted in Contests, Traffic Generation

It’s The Hochstadt.com Party Contest!

Yesterday shall have been the day for my blog to break Alexa’s Top 50,000 rank, if… yeah, if Alexa wouldn’t have changed its ranking algorithm! LOL

While I was eagerly checking and waiting for my blog to break Alexa’s 50,000 mark (so I can celebrate this with you,) I found out Alexa just changed its Ranking algorithm (04/16/2008)…

http://www.alexa.com/site/company/announcement

My blog’s Alexa Rank now dropped from 51,059 down to 174,666!

That means, NO ranking report, NO “showing off” of Alexa’s formerly sky-rocking hochstadt.com ranking graph, NO big numbers—nada of these—and therefore NO “Alexa Top 50,000 In 107 Days” title – BUT…

We will simply change the tag and party anyway! :-D

(Business Lesson: Never ever be dependent on any 3rd party resource!)

You probably remember the astonishing party I held when my blog broke Alexa’s old 100,000 mark? OK, as a reminder…

http://www.hochstadt.com/alexa-top-100000-in-66-days

Now, because of the Alexa thing, now it is…

The Hochstadt.com Party Contest!

I invited a select few Top Entrecarders and Internet Entrepreneurs to join our one-of-a-kind Hochstadt.com Party Contest and celebrate together that it is indeed possible to catapult from no man’s land to popularity in 107 days!

Without further ado, let’s get to the “Party Contest Meat”—or in other words, what YOU can WIN at this Hochstadt.com Party Contest!

NOTE: This is none of those Internet Marketing niche contests… The Hochstadt.com Party Contest features prizes from a broad range of industries and categories. Meaning, there is something for EVERYONE:

Men’s Interest, Women’s Interest, Sports, Internet Marketing, Make Money Online, Technology, Hobbies, Marketing, Self Improvement, Computers and Internet, Art, Environment, Finance and Investing, Web Development, News and Media, Entertainment, Graphic Design, Religion and Spirituality, Blogging Resources, Parenting and Family, Technology, Mixed Bag, Home and Garden, Health and Medicine, Trends, Personal Diary, and Writing and Literature!

Now, take a look at these amazing and unbelievable contributions… the Who’s Who of Entrecard and other friends of mine:

Consultations, Products & Services

Max from SiteHoppin gives 10 Beer Stock Pages worth $20-$100 each = $200-$1,000 PLUS 50 One Buck Wiki pages worth $20 each = $1,000, altogether making it to a whopping $2,000!
Martin Russell from Word of Mouth Marketing gives 50 (!) accounts of 10 cards each at SendOutCards.com worth $25 each = $1,250!
Gary Evans from Law of Attraction Secrets gives 10 (!) of his Manifest A Miracle systems worth $97 each = $970!
Marcus Hochstadt from Internet Business Guide For First Class Progress gives respectively 1 of each of his 4 DVD products worth $100 each = $400 PLUS one 2-hour Multimedia Coaching Session worth $300, altogether making it to a $700!
Debbie Lane from Wisdom Hypnosis gives 7 of her Living The Lucky Life! audio CDs worth $23.77 each = $166.39 PLUS a personal 1.5 hour Hypnosis Session by phone worth $250, making it a total of $416.39!
Pat King from FitnessLifeClub gives 1 month of his Premier Health Coaching Package worth $357.98!
Keith Goodrum from On Becoming a 2%er gives 2 of his DVDs 10 Minute Blog Post worth $100 each = $200!
Andreas from XavierMedia.com gives 5 one-year VIP memberships to CreateBanner.com worth $35 each = $175!
Larry Brauner from Online Social Networking gives a personal 1 hour consultation worth $150!
Jason from The University Kid gives two 60 minute Blogging Consultations worth $60 each = $120!
Leisa Watkins from Dream Act Plan Believe gives 3 Robert G. Allan books that are personally signed by Robert (!), as well as 3 Richard Paul Evans books, also personally signed by Richard himself!
Karl Gechlik from Ask The Admin gives a professional technical e-mail support session worth $50!
Wayne from Ez DIY Electricity gives $50 in hard earned PayPal cash!
Borzack from Making Myself Extra Money gives 5 of his Page Peel Ads scripts worth $8 each = $40!
Stephan Miller from Stephan Miller gives one copy of Confessions of a Lazy Super-Affiliate worth $29.95 PLUS a Special Report he wrote specifically for the person who wins this e-book!
Crystal from Ubiquitous gives a Site Review worth $20 PLUS a link on her Blogroll for one month worth $10, making it a total of $30!
Sam Freedom from Internet Marketing Controversy Blog gives a 2-month membership to a large Private Label Rights (”PLR”) membership site worth $30!
Kelly Naylor from Aerten Art gives one of her unique art work Acid Rain, an original water color painting worth $25!
Dwayne from Pro Blog Reviews gives a Blog Review worth $25!
Frank from Technology Blog and more gives a StumbleUpon advertisement campaign worth $20 (400 targeted visitors)!
Kacie from Sense to Save gives a StumbleUpon advertisement campaign worth $10 (200 targeted visitors)!
The Fool from Foolsville 2.0 gives $10 in hard earned PayPal cash!
Lightening from Lightening’s Blogworld gives 2 Blog Reviews worth $5 each = $10!
Constantin Codreanu from INconstantIN gives a one year .com domain registration worth $10!
Iris from thebuzz gives a link on her Blogroll for one month worth $10!
Layne from Reward Rebel gives 1 copy of Reward Rebel LOOT worth $7!
Fitz Villafuerte from Ready To Be Rich gives 2 stumbles & diggs per week for one month!
Theda K. Rogers from Crayon Writer gives a full-blown site review on her blog which will certainly increase the buzz for her winner’s blog!
Mert Erkal from Search For Blogging gives an Invitation to the May issue of www.bloghology.org, which has more than 3,000+ subscribers!
Alexys Fairfield from Soul Meets World offers to interview her winner (about his/her product, service, Web site, life, etc) PLUS providing a link from her site to his’/hers! (She used to interview celebrities, so this one is PRICELESS!)

Ad Space

KiwiPulse from KiwiPulse gives 3 x 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $15 each = $45
Deimos Tel´Arin from ahkong.net gives a 468×60 top ad banner box for one month worth $36
Anna from My Cornerstone Trio gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $35
Turnip from Turnip of Power gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $35
Wayne from Ez DIY Electricity gives a top ad space (125×125 or 468×60) for one month worth up to $30
Caleb Hartley from environmentastic! gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $25
Kathleen from Entrepreneurs Only gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $25
Marty from Money Maker Times gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $25
Constantin Codreanu from INconstantIN gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $15
Mirjam from Me Myself and I gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $10
Lee Doyle from Lee Doyle - Contains Nuts gives a 125×125 top ad space for one month worth $10

Entrecard Credits

Marcus Hochstadt from Internet Business Guide For First Class Progress gives 12,966ec
Layne from Reward Rebel gives 5,000ec
Caleb Hartley from environmentastic! gives 3,000ec
Constantine Balbozar from Ideas and Money gives 3,000ec
Kacie from Sense to Save gives 3,000ec
Larry Brauner from Online Social Networking gives 2,500ec
Joan Joyce from Joan Joyce Dot Com gives 2,000ec
Tim from Yimto Affiliate Marketing Blog gives 2,000ec
Crystal from Ubiquitous gives 2,000ec
Lee Doyle from Lee Doyle - Contains Nuts gives 2,000ec
Art from Article Specialist gives 2,000ec
Jonathan from Archon Digital gives 2,000ec
Jonathon from Tech News Source gives 1,500ec
Gary Evans from Law of Attraction Secrets gives 1,000ec
Suzanne from Dot Com Mogul gives 1,000ec
Dwayne from Pro Blog Reviews gives 1,000ec
Michael Aulia from Michael Aulia’s Tech Blog gives 1,000ec
Stephan Miller from Stephan Miller gives 1,000ec
Dave from Is A Man’s World gives 1,000ec
Scott Main from Scott’s Space gives 1,000ec
Kumo from Toast & Egg & Me… gives 1,000ec
Mirjam from Me Myself and I gives 1,000ec
Jasmine from Pixelated Thoughts gives 1,000ec
Lincoln from Canucklehead gives 1,000ec
KiwiPulse from KiwiPulse gives 1,000ec
Lightening from Lightening gives 1,000ec
Wangbu from Hulag gives 1,000ec
Juliana from Juliana’s World gives 1,000ec
Juliana from Juliana’s Lair gives 1,000ec
Juliana from My Library gives 1,000ec
Iris from thebuzz gives 1,000ec
Anna from My Cornerstone Trio gives 1,000ec
Wayne from Ez DIY Electricity gives 1,000ec
Collin LaHay from Mixed Market Arts gives 600ec
Shelia from Black Tennis Pros gives 500ec
David Thorne from Media Morgue gives 500ec
Stan from Fantasy Baseball gives 500ec
Borzack from Making Myself Extra Money gives 500ec
The Fool from Foolsville 2.0 gives 500ec
Marty from Money Maker Times gives 300ec
Fitz Villafuerte from Ready To Be Rich gives 300ec

Destination Wedding Favors

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 02:06:00 +0000

Just came across some very cool
beach wedding favors, perfect for
your destination wedding or your
wedding shower.

Destination Weddings, Best Times and Dates

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:51:00 +0000

I came across a posting on About.com
giving advice on the best places to go
for a destination wedding or honeymoon according to
the time of year. Very informative and really
important when planning your destination
wedding. Read it here.

If you are honeymooning in the summer months,
stay away from Disney or you'll be in long lines
of children. Go in the winter months, excluding
spring break and holidays, and you'll miss the long
lines of children. Your wait time in line is minimal and
Disney is awesome any time of the year.

If you are cruising, you might want to miss the
hurricane months of June 1 to November 30
even though the most active time is considered
August 15 to October 25. You are safe on a cruise
ship, the cruise line isn't going to sail a kabillion
dollar ship into a storm. They are going to circumvent
the storm. I was on a ship sailing through a tropical
depression. It was rough sailing and windy, but it only
lasted about 8 hours and didn't really affect anything
on board the ship. You couldn't go outside, but inside
it was business as usual. We sailed out of the storm into
calm waters and we didn't even know it was a hurricane
developing until we got home.

One thing to note: cruise sailings are less money during
the fall months. I've also sailed during the active time and
didn't have any rough weather. For information on getting
married on a cruise ship, click here.

Las Vegas is perfect year round. Avoid going during a major
convention. Las Vegas has conventions year round, there are
some huge ones that will book up hotel rooms and
escalate the room prices.
Check the Las Vegas convention calender to check your dates.

Why Have a Destination Wedding?

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:39:00 +0000

Why NOT have a destination wedding?

Destination weddings are romantic. You are
"eloping" to a different area and coming home
married. Plus, you are automatically on
your honeymoon. No stress about traveling
after the wedding. Say "I Do", celebrate
at your reception or wedding dinner and start
relaxing on your honeymoon.

Destination weddings take away a lot of family
and wedding planning stress. There are so many
blended families today with divorce, children and
other factors that cause familial stress. It makes having
a big blow out wedding difficult. Step mother and mother
can't get along. Mom's boyfriend hates dad. You get the
picture, adults behaving badly and can't get along for
one day. Its your day, its supposed to be fun, joyful and
happy. Cut out the stress, cut out the family discord.

Destination weddings can be more cost effective and less
expensive. The average cost of a wedding is $28,000
in the USA. Here's a link to tell you the cost in your city.
You can have your wedding in the Caribbean at one of the
Sandals resorts with the wedding ceremony, airfare and
lodging from $3,000 to $6,000 depending on your choice
or resorts or lodging. And Sandals will do it all for you!
Book your airfare, coordinate all the details of the ceremony,
your marriage license advice, the wedding, and your
lodging in a luxe room in paradise!
Dream Honeymoons; Destination Weddings at Sandals!
I've had a lot of customers and family "do Sandals" and
they all rave about the resorts. I know that Sandals has it
right and has it down to a science. I've been in the
wedding biz a loooooong time and I know that Sandals
is the primo resort for destination weddings.

You can do a simple ceremony in Las Vegas at numerous
wedding chapels for under $200, add $55 for the marriage
license. Many hotels will coordinate all the details for you
if you marry in their chapel. For info on Las Vegas weddings,
click here. For information on Las Vegas honeymoons, click here.

Win a 7 day, 6 night all-inclusive vacation at a Sandals or Beaches
Resort of your choice , no purchase necessary!

How abut winning your wedding? Win a 7 day, 6 night all-inclusive vacation at a Sandals or Beaches Resort of your choice (no purchase necessary) !

How Do I Pick My Destination Wedding Location?

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:57:00 +0000

Choosing a destination wedding location is
may be confusing because there are so many
choices. You can marry anyplace from a mountain
cabin, Caribbean resort, Las Vegas, cruise ship,
villa in Italy, bed and breakfast, Hawaiian beach
or your state park. The list is endless and there
will be someone who will marry you in your
choice of location IF you plan ahead.

Is there a place that has a special meaning
to you as a couple?

Is there a spot growing up that holds a
special memory to either of you?

Do you have a favorite beach?

Have you traveled to a spot and thought
that it would make a great place for a wedding?

Do you both love hot or cold weather? If you hate
hot weather, then nix the beach and head for the
mountains. Let the weather be a factor in
your choices.

Close your eyes, how do you picture
your wedding? On a windswept beach?
On a mountaintop at sunrise? In the glitter
of Las Vegas? On a covered bridge on a
country road? Visualize, visualize and
visualize some more and you'll have
your answer!

Work it out as a couple. Its HIS wedding, too!

If we are inviting guests, is there affordable
lodging available?

Is there an nearby airport with easy connections,
not just for your guests, but for you as a couple?
Nothing is worse than having problems traveling!
(Tip: Arrive a day or two early so you have time
to relax and unwind and get last minute wedding
arrangements handled.)

Talk to a travel agent. They have ideas and
suggestions that will help guide you and special
package deals that you may not be able to
find on the net.

Cruise the net. There are so many ideas and
locations. Note what looks interesting and follow
up. Great weddings don't just happen, they
are well planned!

New Years Resolutions for the Destination Bride

noreply@blogger.com (Rose Giffen WEDDINGZILLA) — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:22:00 +0000

If you are planning a destination wedding,
its time to get your resolutions made and
get planning.

Get organized! Get or download a planner
and keep it up to date. Very important
since the wedding is out of town to keep phone
numbers and email addresses where they
can be easily accessed.

Get your passport if you are getting married
out of the USA. You now need a passport to
get married in the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada.
Cross the border, you need a passport.
DO NOT WAIT! Since the new rule went into
effect, the wait time is longer since everyone
puts it off. To see what you need to get your
passport, click here.

Make travel and lodging arrangements in
advance. Last minute travel will cost
you more money.

Send save the date cards with travel information
to the guests you are inviting. They need time
to save up the money to travel and take
vacation time from work.

Keep your guests in the loop by creating
a wedding web site that you update
regularly.

Make lists of what you will need to
travel and the clothes you will need
for the location. Start filling in your
wardrobe with things you need for
the wedding and honeymoon.

Make a list and assemble the
documents you both need to get your
marriage license.

Confirm all of your wedding arrangements
BEFORE you travel.

Confirm your travel reservations BEFORE
you travel.

Don't forget to pack your sunscreen if
you are heading to a beach location!