Destination Weddings…Hot Trends in Weddings Today

Found a great article below about destination wedding trends written by Linda Kevich, the creator and editor of SuperWeddings.com and the director of The International Institute of Weddings.

Destination Weddings...

Hot Trend in Weddings Today

by Linda Kevich

One of the most watched trends in weddings today is that of the "destination wedding". Today, destination weddings account for a whopping 10% of all weddings occurring among American or Canadian couples. This is pretty significant because just 10 years ago, the term 'destination wedding' was virtually unheard of. And there's no reason to expect a cooling down of this trend any time soon, in fact, it's just gaining speed.

The Destination Wedding: What is It?

Perhaps you've heard some buzz about destination weddings recently, but you're still not clear on the concept. Destination Wedding essentially means "eloping with a crowd". It's a modern version of eloping. When a couple eloped in the past, they ran off alone together. Now they may still run off to get married, but they take their closest family members and friends with them to share in the celebration.

Destination weddings are sometimes also referred to as "Honeymoon Weddings" because they combine a wedding and honeymoon all in one. "Familymoon" is another term we are starting to hear used interchangeably with the destination wedding because it is, in essence, a honeymoon that the whole family (and often close friends) goes along.

Courtesy of Eldorado Royale Resort

Why is it Hot?

It's hot because it appeals both to those who want to run away and get married somewhere exotic, as well as to couples who want to share a really memorable wedding experience with the people closest to them. Couples are grabbing hold of this idea because, instead of having just one day to celebrate their nuptials with their favourite people, they have several days of quality time together. Compare this with the traditional wedding, where often times the day speeds by in a whirlwind and the couple has only fleeting moments to spend with individual guests and you start to see the appeal of the destination wedding.

Another reason for the destination wedding trend is that re-marriages now account for 50% of marriages in the US and Canada. While a conventional or traditional wedding is perfectly acceptable for a remarriage today if that's what the couple wants, some couples just aren't comfortable with a lot of hoopla when it’s not their first trip to the altar. Some prefer something a little more low key or quiet, with just the people closest to them in attendance. The destination wedding is perfect for this.

The internet is also a huge facilitator where destination weddings are concerned. The internet makes the world a much smaller place. Through online research you can explore geographic locations, tour resorts and hotels, read menus, look at cakes, and view examples of a photographer's work or a hairstylist's up-do's. Planning a wedding from afar is no longer the scary and risky proposition it once was. You can make contact with resorts and vendors, including wedding coordinators, in the destination of choice via email, and have information, price lists, and contracts sent back to you in a matter of moments. It’s also much more affordable to enter into dialogue with service providers via email than it would be if you were racking up long distance bills along the way.

How Many Guests?

Curious about the number of guests typically attending these destination events? You may be surprised to hear that it is approaching 50. That's significant, because just 4 or 5 years ago the typical destination wedding had a guest list of just 10 - 20 people.

You can invite as many or as few people as you want to your destination wedding. Just keep one thing in mind: There are likely to be people on your guest list who will be unable to attend due to the expense involved or the logistics of arranging a jaunt away from home. People have limited vacation time, they may need significant lead time to book their vacations, or they may not be able to arrange to be away from home on the dates you've selected for a wide variety of other reasons. Also keep in mind that your idea of the dream destination may not match theirs, so if you are expecting them to pay their own way, they may not be willing to invest their limited vacation budget into the vacation of your choice. And that's perfectly valid and entirely understandable, so don't hold it against them or take offense.

Before you get too far down the road in planning your destination wedding, ask yourself if you are still going to be happy if some of the people on your guest list are unable to attend. What if none of them decided to come - would you still be happy if it was just you and your sweetie celebrating your marriage alone together in that exotic locale? Be prepared for these possibilities before proceeding.

Courtesy of Occidental Grand Papagayo, Costa Rica

Research Required

Before you get your heart set on any specific destination wedding plan, it’s super-important to do your research and determine whether what you have in mind is feasible. Not only do you need to investigate costs, but you will also need to carefully determine what the requirements and regulations are in regard to saying your "I do's" in the destination of your choice. Some countries only allow citizens to marry on their soil; others may have a residency requirement whereby you have to live in the country for 30 days, 6 months, or a year before you are eligible to marry there.

You'll also be required to provide various forms of documentation in order to marry in another country, and you need to know what specific documentation is required for the country in question. In some cases, the law of the land requires that you also have the documents translated at your own expense, in advance, into the official language of the country in question. These are merely examples of the types of red tape and hoops you may be required to jump through, so careful investigation is paramount.

Another important part of doing your research has to do with determining whether there are any travel advisories or weather concerns for the area you'd like to be wed in. Use the same precautions you would when planning any other vacation. Check weather conditions for the time of year (avoid planning your wedding in the middle of hurricane season, for example), check with US Department of State to ensure that there are no travel advisories for the area in question due to political upheaval, civil war, or terrorism.

Flexibility a MUST

It’s also really important that you be flexible when planning a destination wedding. You may have ideas in your head about what you would like your wedding to look like that simply aren't compatible with the destination you have chosen. For example, maybe you've been dreaming of a gown with layer upon layer of crunchy taffeta since you were a little girl, but if you wear that at an ocean side wedding in the tropics, you'll pass out from the humidity and heat exhaustion before you make it half way down the aisle. You've heard the expression "When in Rome do as the Romans do"? Nowhere is that more applicable than in the destination wedding scenario. Tailor the details of your wedding to the destination. Follow the recommendations and suggestions of the local pros - they know what's doable and appropriate in their local area. No point in swimming against the tide.

Control Freaks Beware

Some brides (or couples) like to personally oversee each and every little detail of their wedding plans, and have personal involvement at every juncture. If this is you, think carefully before proceeding with a destination wedding. Unless you plan to make one or more trips to the destination before the wedding for planning purposes, which can get quite costly, you are likely going to need to put a lot of the details in the hands of someone else - probably a resort event coordinator, wedding planner, or travel agent who specialized in destination weddings (or a combination of the above). The logistics simply don't allow for you to have close control. Make sure you are cool with that or you may be in for more stress than you bargained for.

Who Pays for Guests Accommodations and Travel?

This is the big question that everyone is asking. There is no rule of etiquette that requires the couple to pay for guests travel and accommodation expenses, however, it is certainly hospitable of you, and a real treat for your guests, if you can cover some of all of their costs. Some couples do this, others do not. If possible, you might consider covering a portion of your guest’s expenses, say, just their airfare or just their accommodations.

Obviously, if you are picking up some or the entire tab, you'll increase the likelihood that guests will be able and willing to attend.

Courtesy of Hilton Bora Bora

Paying for Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Expenses

The couple is, however, responsible for covering the accommodation expenses of their bridal attendants, in other words, the bridesmaids, groomsmen, and honour attendants. This rule of etiquette applies for all weddings, not just destination events, any time an attendant will have to travel to participate as a member of the wedding party. If your budget is tight, keep this in mind before selecting your attendants and perhaps limit yourself to just one honour attendant on each side.

Easy on the Expenses

Whether you have decided to foot the bill, or at least part of it, for your guests, or whether they'll have to pay their own way, try to reduce the costs as much as possible by looking into group rates on airfare and hotel rooms. American Airlines has a program whereby they will provide a group discount if 10 or more people are flying to attend the same event. It doesn't matter if the cities of origin are not the same, as long as everyone is headed for the same destination. Other airlines may be willing to discount tickets when a group is travelling as well, so try to negotiate the best rates possible for you and your guests. (It's possible to do this yourself, but a good travel agent or wedding coordinator will be skilled at getting the best rates for you.

Similarly, hotels or resorts will often discount room rates when you are booking multiple rooms at a time. Have the resort reserve a block of rooms for your party. When guests call in to make their reservation, they simply mention that they are part of your party, and they will qualify for the group rate. Make sure you tell the hotel or resort to keep all the rooms on the same floor - that way guests can be cozy and can interact with one another.

If you have chosen a particularly posh hotel or resort, you might also want to source out alternate accommodations that are close by but a little easier on the wallet so guests can have budget alternatives. Make guests aware of all of their accommodation options so that they can select that which best fits their budget.

Get Professional Help

If this is all sounding complex, overwhelming, and time consuming, truth be told, it can be. Some couples think that running away to get married will simplify their wedding plans, but depending on the destination you are running to, and the type of event you are planning, it may just introduce a different set of complexities.
To ensure that all goes smoothly when planning your destination event, its best to work with a travel agent or a professional wedding coordinator.

If using a travel agent, try to find one who specializes in destination weddings, if possible, as they'll have experience in arranging your air travel and accommodations, but also some of the other details and logistics. For instance, they'll know which resorts specialize in catering to destination weddings and which ones offer free wedding packages and the like.

If you are going to use a wedding planner, you can either select one based in your own home town, or find one who is located in your destination. In either case, once again, it’s best to look for someone who specializes in destination weddings. This is particularly true if the consultant is your own area and will be coordinating this event from afar.

Start Early

The key to success in planning a destination wedding is to start as early as possible. As mentioned before, you'll need time to do your research about what will be required to get married in the destination of your choice. You'll also need time to talk with the people you intend to invite to get a rough idea of what dates would work for them.

Once a firm date has been set, you need to get busy making decisions early on in the process. All the details, from the biggest the smallest, need to be considered and decided upon. This way you won't end up scrambling to make important decisions under the gun because time has run out -- that is the best way to make the worst decision.

Courtesy of Disney World

A Whole New Industry

The popularity of destination weddings has grown so rapidly that it has given rise to a whole new industry in and of itself. Today entrepreneurs and existing companies are spotting the enormous opportunity in this hot trend and are finding ways to cash in on it. More and more resorts are now specifically catering to the destination wedding crowd. Airlines and hotel chains are developing special programs specifically for the destination wedding market. Cruise lines are getting in on the action, as is one of the most successful companies in the world, the Walt Disney Company. With its destination wedding packages, Disney World has become the second most popular destination in the US for destination weddings (following Las Vegas). Even some entire cities, towns, and countries are discovering that they can profit substantially by making destination weddings their focus. The Caribbean islands, for instance, have in the last number of years further eased their requirements for non-residents to marry on their soil, in order to encourage the influx of destination wedding couples. Some cities and towns in the US and abroad are now putting effort and investment into marketing themselves as wedding destinations because they realize the powerful potential it will have on their economies. The websites of more and more Chambers of Commerce or Visitors and Tourists Bureaus are heavily focusing on the destination wedding aspect of their cities as a means of attracting more tourism.

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at muriel@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com or phone 403-477-0643.

Planning for Your Out of Town Wedding Guests

There are so many parts to planning a wedding that it can sometimes be overwhelming. One more thing that a bride has to think about is planning for the out of town wedding guests. Usually there are too many people to have them stay at your house so other arrangements have to be made. One of the things to consider is contacting a hotel in the area and getting a group rate for your guests who stay there. In fact, depending on the size of the wedding, you might want to contact two or three local hotels at different price ranges so that your guests have a choice of accommodation. For those brides with a wedding website, the different accommodations could be described on the website along with the nightly rate and a contact phone number.

Photo courtsey of Muriel MacRae

If there are a number of guests staying at a hotel without transportation, you might want to arrange for a bus to transport your guests from the hotel to and from the ceremony and wedding locations. This can be a tremendous benefit which your out of town guests will really appreciate.

For guests travelling a long distance to the wedding, you might want to contact a travel agent to arrange a group rate for air travel. Usually you need a minimum of ten people in the group in order to receive the group rate. West Jet allows brides to call them to receive a number which will allow any of their wedding guests flying anywhere in North America to receive a 10% discount off regular fares.

Photo courtesy of West Jet

Finally, you might want to plan some day trips before or after the wedding for those guests who would like to see the sights in your hometown. Many guests who are travelling to a location which they have not visited before will enjoy your thoughtfulness.

Sometimes, it does not take much to keep your out of town guests happy. Thinking of ways to make it easier for them to find accommodations and transportation is just one of them.

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 Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at muriel@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com or phone 403-477-0643.

How to Pack for Your Destination Wedding

Have you ever gone on a trip only to find that when you arrived you had forgotten to pack any number of important items? This can be a very frustrating experience at the best of times – but when you are packing for your destination wedding or honeymoon, it is even more important to consider what to pack and how to pack. Much will depend on where you are going and your own personal style.

If you are planning on getting married in a formal wedding dress and want to keep it close to you while you are travelling, it’s best to carry it with you on the plane. Don’t rely on putting it in your bag with the other checked luggage. Be sure to check with the airlines in advance and see if they will allow you to hang it in a garment bag in the plane’s coat closet. If you aren’t able to store it in the closet, be sure to store it on top of the other luggage in the overhead compartment to minimize wrinkles. However, some airlines may require you to check the dress. In that case, be sure to pack the dress in luggage that is sturdy and secure. It is also important to plan to arrive at your destination a few days early, so that if you do have a problem with your luggage, you have time to make the necessary adjustments.

Once you arrive at your destination, unpack and hang your dress immediately to avoid any unnecessary wrinkling. Often the humidity in tropical climates will relax the wrinkles but you may want to arrange to have your dress pressed as well.

Grooms should carry their wedding attire on board as well. In Mexico and the Caribbean, you will not find many tuxedo rental shops so it is easier to bring the clothes with you.

Make sure that you carry toiletries in your luggage in secure compartments. When packing your makeup, be sure to pack everything individually in secure, sealed bags, to prevent leakage. Always remember to pack light as toiletries can add a lot of extra weight to your suitcase. For your carry-on luggage, make sure that your liquids, including toothpaste, do not exceed three ounces and are placed in clear Ziploc one-quart bags. Place all sharp items such as scissors, nail trimmers, metal finger nail files etc. in your regular luggage so it will not be confiscated.

Other things to consider carrying in your carry-on luggage is your phone, keys, and a change of clothes just in case of a flight delay or delayed luggage arrival. I would suggest putting an extra outfit in you travelling partner’s bag just in case something happens to your luggage.

Your clothing is a very personal issue. Things to remember, include; bathing suits and wraps, sandals, shirts and t-shirts, shorts and casual wear and a folding beach bag. Don’t forget the sun tan lotion, bug repellent, sunglasses and a hat as they are often very pricey when purchased at the resorts. For a more formal evening, bring smart dresses, pants, tops and shoes.

For your wedding, don’t forget to pack:

• Wedding dress
• Special hosiery or undergarments
• Shoes
• Guest book
• Wedding rings (carry them with you - not in your luggage)
• Groom’s tux or suit
• Groom’s shoes
• Address book
• Thank you cards if you would like to write them on the way home
• Special decorations, favours, wedding music, etc

Hopefully, your wedding will go off without a hitch and you will have everything you need for your wedding away from home.

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at muriel@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com or phone 403-477-0643.

Candle At Your Wedding Reception

I absolutely love Karen Tran’s work and recently came across her daughter, Aileen Tran, showing some of her beautiful bouquets on her blog. While studying the floral decorations, I kept noticing the reception tables with the creative ideas that involved candles. As I looked through the photos of other wedding tablescapes, I just had to share a few of these simple, but lovely ideas with you.

Photo courtesy of Karen Tran Florals

Photo courtesy of Rob Holley Photography

Photo courtesy of Creative Weddings and Occasions

Photo courtesy of White Wedding Events

Photo courtesy of Karen Tran Florals

Photo courtesy of Creative Weddings and Occasions

Photo courtesy of Silverberry Occasions

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 Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at muriel@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com or phone 403-477-0643.

Having Fun With Your Wedding Using Twitter

Twitter is just one of the many forms of social media that you can use to share information about your wedding.

Nowadays, it seems as if our cell phones are permanently attached to our bodies. We definitely don’t leave home without it. Although we do talk to others on the phone, we’ve raised texting to an art form. It’s fast! It’s convenient! It’s easy to do! We spend lots of time on Facebook and constantly comment on friend’s status updates. More recently, with the advance of Twitter, we are able to follow anyone we want and keep appraised of what they’re up to. The fact that you can tie it in and link it to your Facebook account or vice versa is even better.

We use social media in our everyday lives. It only makes sense that we would use Twitter for your wedding as well!

With any form of social media, the trick is to figure how we can make it best work for us. With Twitter, the idea is that updates are short and must be less than 140 characters. It’s a quick way to share information with others. You follow people who are of interest to you. This could be friends, businesses, or even celebrities. You can follow anyone you want, and anyone can follow you.

A great way to get wedding ideas is to follow people in the wedding industry. These people are wonderful resources and full of ideas and inspirations. As a wedding professional, the Twitter community is absolutely invaluable in helping us find ideas to share with our clients. When you choose to follow someone, Twitter will alert you to any of their new postings. This can include when they write a new blog or post décor ideas or incredible photos. Not only can I share the ideas or photos that I have, but can “retweet” other posts that I think may be of interest and are worth sharing. Some of the more popular wedding personalities, bloggers, and magazines you may wish to follow include:

•    Wedding Wire (Twitter name: WeddingWire)
•    Brides Magazine (Twitter name: brides)
•    The Knot Magazine (Twitter name: theknot)
•    Wed Luxe Magazine (Twitter name: wedluxemagazine)
•    Sasha Souza (Twitter name: sparkliatti)
•    Wedding Planners Institute of Canada (Twitter name: WPIC)
•    David Tutera (Twitter name: davidtutera)
•    Bridal Guide Magazine (Twitter name: bridalguidemag)
•    Martha Stewart Weddings (Twitter name: marthaweddings)
•    Colin Cowie (Twitter name: colincowie)
•    Style Me Pretty (Twitter name: stylemepretty)
•    Preston Bailey (Twitter name: prestonrbailey)

The above are some of the bigger names to follow in the wedding industry, but it’s also a good idea to follow vendors in your own area as well. They may be tweeting ideas and information that will directly benefit you. You can search for them on Twitter or you can find Twitter accounts for vendors in your area and see who they are following. You can also use Twitter to search for a particular vendor. For example, you could tweet, “Anyone in #yyc know a great wedding photographer?” (#yyc is the hashtag for Calgary). Often, if we get the message, we’ll make suggestions, or better yet, a vendor may contact you directly.

While the other ideas are more useful in terms of finding wedding vendors, Twitter can also be used in a fun capacity for your wedding. The idea is to create a “hashtag” for your own wedding and tweet about it. A hashtag is like a search term. You include it right after a number sign (#), such as #n&awed or #dave&chelsea. The idea is whenever you tweet something about your wedding, you include the hashtag. It allows you and others to find Tweets specific to your wedding when they search the hashtag. Perhaps you include it on your wedding website and encourage guests to use it as well.

They could tweet that they’re going to be attending your wedding or that they’re on their way to the wedding shower. Maybe you tweet when you find the perfect dress or choose your reception venue. The really fun part can be at your actual wedding, when your guests can tweet back and forth about how much they love the ceremony and reception. For Example, “It’s official! Jessica is now Mrs. Jessica Robinson!!!” #d&jwed  or “Luv the reception décor!” #d&jwed, plus attaching a photo. Either include information in your wedding program or get your emcee to share at the reception. Later you can search the hashtag and print off the entire conversation, adding it to your wedding album as a record of the Twitter conversation on your special day.

We embrace social media in all the other areas of our life. It only seems right to make it part of a wedding celebration as well. With a little creativity, we can make it work to our advantage. Better yet, we can create something fun, interactive, and totally unique that guests can enjoy and participate in!
You can follow me on Twitter at CathyMacRae or follow us on Facebook at Creative Weddings and Occasions. Feel free to direct message us (D + space + our name) to ask questions on how to use Twitter for your own wedding or any other Twitter questions you have.

We look forward to having you join our Twitter family!

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Here Comes the Bride. Again.

Recently, many of the brides at our weddings change their dresses during their weddings. I found this article regarding this latest trend in the New York Times, August 22, 2010:

Gonzalo Villota/jvillota.com

For her April wedding in Delray Beach, Fla., Whitney Ranson wore this traditional sleeveless gown, which was designed by Monique Lhuillier.

By TATIANA BONCOMPAGNI

Published: August 20, 2010

SARAH LANDMAN wore an elaborate silk satin and tulle gown on June 12, befitting her traditional wedding to David Schwarz. But by the time a band started playing for their 350 guests on the grounds of the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Ms. Landman had ditched her Oscar de la Renta for a custom-made white cocktail frock embellished with sequins and ostrich feathers.

Gonzalo Villota/jvillota.com

At night’s end, Ms. Ranson switched to a short strapless dress from H & M before leaving with her husband, Alexander Ranson. Some brides change dresses earlier.

“I wanted to change into something I could jump around in,” said Ms. Landman, 27, a buyer for the designer Tory Burch.

Despite the sagging economy, more brides — and not just celebrities — are buying and wearing two dresses for their wedding day. Harriette Rose Katz, a wedding planner in New York, said the practice has become practically ubiquitous among her clientele. Jung Lee of Fête, an event planning company, estimated that about 70 percent of the brides she sees are changing into a second dress, a figure that’s been on the rise for the last three years.

In other parts of the world, the multi-dress wedding day is nothing new.

“It’s very common in Asia, between India, China and Korea, where there are actually many dress changes, not just one,” Ms. Lee said. “It’s been going on for hundreds of years.”

According to Ms. Lee, brides in this country — including Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Mena Suvari, who all wore two dresses at their weddings this summer — usually make the switch during the reception. They might change after cocktails and before cake-cutting or during a band-to-DJ transition (which is when Chelsea Clinton is said to have donned her second Vera Wang dress, a Grecian-inspired number, during her marriage to Marc Mezvinsky).

Why two dresses? Monique Lhuillier, a bridal designer, traces the trend in this country back 10 years, to when wedding dresses started becoming bigger and heavier, necessitating a second dress, usually a white, ivory or silver frock with a shorter hemline or slinkier silhouette.

“Brides who buy second dresses are usually women who want it all,” said Elizabeth Hui, a buyer for Bergdorf Goodman. “The traditional over-the-top princess gown for the wedding ceremony, and afterwards, for the reception, a fun, flirty party dress that is more comfortable.”

Amsale, the company that made Ms. Keys’s second dress, started a capsule collection of little white dresses, priced from $900 to $1,200, in 2008, while Badgley Mischka started selling dresses with detachable ball skirts, including a $3,950 gown from its Mark + James line.

In response to customer demand, Ms. Lhuillier, who designed two dresses for Ms. Underwood, has started putting more short dresses in her salons, and Michelle Smith, the designer of the Milly line, has partnered with Nordstrom to produce a line of short white dresses.

“Almost all the designers are now carrying a second-dress option,” said Karina Timmel, the executive editor of Get Married magazine, which featured a “Short and Sweet” fashion spread in this summer’s issue.

And for some brides, like Julia Hawkins, it’s not about one big dress and one small one, but two full-on fairy tale confections. For her wedding last September, Ms. Hawkins, fashion director for Women’s Wear Daily, bought a traditional cap-sleeve Monique Lhuillier dress and cathedral-length veil to walk the aisle of Trinity Wall Street in New York. She also bought a Carolina Herrera strapless gown cut from reverse embroidered lace for the dinner reception at Cipriani Wall Street. “It was just real hard to decide,” Ms. Hawkins said.

As Stacey Bendet, the Alice + Olivia designer who made two custom gowns for Ms. Suvari’s wedding, said, “From a fashion perspective there’s nothing like making a second entrance.”

Or a memorable exit. Whitney Ranson, 27, a merchandise planner, chose a sleeveless dress by Ms. Lhuillier for her April wedding at a country club in Delray Beach, Fla. But at the end of the night she changed into a short strapless cream dress, which she bought at H&M for $40.

“I wanted to switch it up for the exit,” said Ms. Ranson, who made her getaway in a golf cart as guests held sparklers overhead.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of the trend. Randy Fenoli, the fashion director of Kleinfeld Bridal in New York and the host of “Say Yes to the Dress,” a reality show on TLC, said he recently talked a bride from Houston out of buying three dresses, one of which cost $8,000.

“In my personal opinion you should get one really great dress,” he said. “Find a dress, the ultimate dress, because there’s always going to be one dress you like more than the others. It’s like getting married. There’s only one guy.”

It is advice Fiona Hagist de Sada, 28, probably wishes she had heard before her wedding three years ago in Monterrey, Mexico. She wore a lace and organza gown appropriate for the traditional ceremony (with 632 guests) at the private chapel on the estate her husband’s family owns. In time for dinner and dancing, however, Ms. Hagist de Sada abandoned the full-skirted Vera Wang in favor of a silver-beaded chiffon dress from the designer Reem Acra.

“I didn’t want to deal with having to tie up the train,” Ms. Hagist de Sada said.

But now?

“When I look back at the pictures, I wish I’d worn the first dress longer,” she said. “I’ll never get to wear it again. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at muriel@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com or phone 403-477-0643.

You Went to Bridal Expo – Now What?

Bridal Expo 2010 was held in Calgary today! It was a wonderful gathering of some of the more prominent wedding vendors from Calgary and surrounding areas all under one roof. There was much to see, many deals to be had, and tons of décor ideas. The brides came by the hundreds, many accompanied by grooms, mothers, and close friends. While it was great to see so many of you, I know a number of you mentioned feeling overwhelmed at times with such an overload of information. Here’s how to make the most effective use of your time at Bridal Expo:

1. You collected bags, brochures, and business cards by the armloads. Make a point of going through them during the next couple of days while things are still relatively fresh in your mind. Make notes and put ones you want to follow up with in one pile. Sort through the others and either discard or keep as a possibility to follow up with at a later time. The longer you put it off and avoid it, the more it will all blur together. Get it done sooner rather than later!



Creative Weddings and Occasions Booth Bridal Expo 2010 – Romantic Fantasy – Photo courtesy of M. MacRae

2. Figure out what your biggest priorities are and contact a vendor or two to move forward and set-up a follow-up appointment. Bridal Expo is great, but it was too crazy to have a clear conversation and get a firm idea about services and cost. Find a mutually convenient time to sit down with your chosen vendor and get the information you require. 
3. You saw how many people were at Bridal Expo. All of them are getting married and are looking for vendors too! The sooner you book an appointment, the better chance you have of finding a vendor available on your wedding date. (The longer you wait, the longer you may have to wait for an appointment time as vendors’ schedules fill up fast. After all, we’re still in wedding season!)



Creative Weddings and Occasions Booth Bridal Expo 2010 – Romantic Fantasy – Photo courtesy of M. MacRae

4. Make a note of any décor ideas that you liked. It might have been related to colors, objects, centerpieces, or even a place card. Try to remember who had what and make notes. When you meet with a decorator, a description of what you liked makes it much easier to help put all of your ideas together into develop them into one cohesive vision.
5. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help! As a wedding planner, I have the great opportunity to work with a variety of vendors in and around the Calgary area. I know many of the quality vendors and can point you in the right directions right away. Even if you don’t think you need a full wedding planner, an hour-long phone call or appointment might be exactly what you need to send you on your way.



Creative Weddings and Occasions Booth Bridal Expo 2010 – Romantic Fantasy – Photo courtesy of M. MacRae.

There was a lot of information for engaged couples to process at Bridal Expo. It was a fabulous opportunity for you to meet a wide variety of wedding vendors and get a feel for some of their work, but now it’s time for the follow up in order to make the best use of your time.

If you need help, don’t hesitate to call us at 403-619-0528 or e-mail info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

How to Make Your Honeymoon Sizzle!

The wedding is over, and the two of you are ready to escape all of the wedding chaos. It's time to relax and go on your honeymoon!

For many couples, this is the trip of a lifetime. As newlyweds, your honeymoon is the chance to travel somewhere you've never been before, and perhaps splurge a bit on your accommodations. Most importantly, it's an opportunity for the two of you to spend time together celebrating your new status as man and wife.

Why, then, do some couples come back with a bittersweet taste in their mouth? The fact is, great honeymoons just don't happen. They require some effort and pre-thought to make it a truly memorable occasion and a trip that you will cherish forever.

1. Choose to do something that both of you will enjoy. There is no point of backpacking across Europe if one of you prefers five-star accommodations and having a bell-boy look after all of the luggage. Some compromise may be involved, but try and make it a place that both of you can experience for the first time. Maybe this is your chance to go to Tahiti or explore the Greek Islands, but choose a place that appeals to both of you.  
2. Make it special. Splurge on your accommodation. Maybe it's that extra special room with the ocean view or perhaps one with a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi. Especially with honeymoon registries in existence, such as Honeymoon Wishes, that allow your wedding guests to contribute to this trip of a lifetime, this is your chance to enjoy things a little more and treat yourself a bit.
3. Experience your surroundings and explore the area.  One of the biggest mistakes honeymooners can make is to stay locked in their room the entire time. Get out and explore the area. Sign up for a sunset cruise, a snorkelling excursion, or a wine tour. Maybe you would prefer to rent water kayaks or go zip-lining. By forcing yourself to get out of your hotel room, and mix with other people, it will make the time you do have together more special.  
4. Plan some special activities for two.  Romance plays a huge role on any honeymoon. Make sure you plan a couple of activities that will bring romance to the forefront. This could be a private dinner for two on the beach; a couple’s massage, or even a gondola ride in Venice. Choose at least one activity that will help create the mood and ambiance you're after, and then you can take it from there.  
5. Lingerie, lotions, and more. Don't forget to pack that new negligee or perhaps the massage oils. After all, it is your honeymoon and a big part of that is spending time together enjoying yourself. Packing a few special surprises can help make your honeymoon more satisfying for both of you.

Photo courtesy of Grand Hyatt Kauai.

By implementing some of these ideas, your honeymoon will definitely be off the charts. More importantly, it will be something the two of you will be able to enjoy and fondly remember for years to come.

If you need help planning the honeymoon of your dreams, contact Muriel to begin your travel planning now at either 403-477-0643 orinfo@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com. 

Hints for Handling Bridal Expo 2010

Bridal Expo 2010 is coming! It’s the ideal place to check out what’s new and exciting in the world of weddings!

It’s a great opportunity for engaged couples to check out many of Calgary and other areas’ wedding vendors and learn more about the various products and services they offer. The show is this Sunday, September 12th at the Stampede's BMO Centre from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Runways shows occur at 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM showcasing the latest in bridal fashion for the bride and groom. Tickets will be available at the door, but can also be purchased ahead of time at any Bay or Home Outfitters location.

In order to make the most of your day, here are some strategies to help you:

1. Make a list of the specific vendors you're still looking for - musicians, photographers, florists,.... It will structure your day a bit more and make things a little less overwhelming if you have a plan in mind.
2. Wear comfortable shoes.
3. Bring a canvas bag or something for the numerous brochures, cards, and print materials that are distributed throughout the day.
4. Drink water and stay hydrated. Also keep a snack in your bag, like a granola bar or almonds, to help keep your energy levels up.
5. There are tons of contests and freebies to sign-up for. Print off a few sheets of labels with your contact information (name, phone number, e-mail, wedding date, ...) and this will save your hand from cramping up from filling out the entry forms individually.
6. Be cautious about buying your dress at the fair. Although there are some great deals offered, if the dress doesn't fit right you may end up spending more on alterations than you originally saved in the first place.
7. There will be some great deals offered at the fair. Don't be afraid of taking some time to carefully consider things before committing to a vendor. You don't want to get into a situation where you felt pressured to commit and then end up blowing a significant portion of your budget or signing a contract without doing some comparison shopping. Most quality vendors will be quite reasonable if you ask for some time to think, especially since they know that if they give you the time, there is a good chance you'll be back.
8. Speaking of specials, we'll have our own Bridal Expo Specials. More details will be available at the booth on Sunday, but the price specials will be available until October 15th, 2010.
9. Feel free to come by our booth and ask for advice about vendors. We can save you some time and help point you in the right direction of the person that might be exactly who you're looking for.
10. When you get home, sort through the collected material while the information is still fresh in your mind (within a day or two). Figure out what you want to keep, and what can go in the recycling bin.

We're in booth #56. We'd love to see you. We’re featuring some incredible table linens from Wildflower Linens as well as some fantastic floral ideas. Come on by for a “look-see” and also to let us know how your day is going! We’ll also have some new photo books showcasing some of our work from this past summer.

Most importantly, enjoy Bridal Expo 2010!

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.
 

Real Weddings – Mike and Melanie’s Vintage Valentine’s Day Wedding

Mike is a little bit country, while Melanie is more the sophisticated city girl. They started out as friends, and it blossomed into a wonderful love story. Ironically, they chose to get married on Valentine’s Day, but did not want their wedding filled with cutesy hearts and cupids. In fact, they had some very strong ideas to make their wedding uniquely their own in order to create a wonderful celebration that was a true representation of them!

Mike and Melanie wanted to make their wedding uniquely their own. – Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

Breaking with tradition, they chose to do their wedding pictures before the ceremony. By doing their photos ahead of time, both the bride and groom look fresh for their pictures. It also limited the time that guests will had to wait between the ceremony and reception. They were fortunate to work with Edward Ross of Edward Ross Photography. After taking some incredible photos at the Calgary’s Fairmont Palliser Hotel, he took them down Stephen Avenue Mall for some urban shots. It was a brisk -25°C, but the bride and groom held up well under the extreme temperatures and the pictures were absolutely stunning!
Ask your photographer for suggestions on where to get incredible photos. 

A great photographer will have a wealth of ideas that you have probably never even considered. – Photos courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

The ceremony started at 5:30 PM at Wild Rose United Church. This beautiful church is located just outside Calgary’s downtown core, with gorgeous stained glass windows and a majestic pipe organ that fills the front of the sanctuary. While some might see it as problematic, the couple took full advantage of the double aisle, deciding to have both sets of their parents precede each of them down the aisle. As they walked in together, the bride and groom only had eyes for each other. Reverend Linda Hunter performed a beautiful ceremony with many personal touches and heartfelt moments. Purposefully choosing not to have attendants, Mike and Melanie had their mothers sign the marriage certificate while their fathers performed readings, making their ceremony a real family affair!

The ceremony took place at Wild Rose United Church. – Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

Afterward, everyone immediately headed over to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce for the reception. The Enmax Ballroom was jaw-droppingly gorgeous in black and white with accents of red, thanks to Firefly Occasions. White ostrich plumes were used in the sconces of the perimeter of the art deco space, while alternating tall and short floral centerpieces decorated the tables. Elegant linens were brought in from California’s La Tavola Linens and were paired with beautiful black chair covers. Red satin napkins were used as an accent color, along with place-cards and table and menu cards printed by Glimpz Invitations.

Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

Instead of a traditional head table, the couple opted to have a sweetheart table for two, positioned right in the center of the room. What a great way for a couple to start their life together as husband and wife by sharing their first meal as just the two of them. Romantic, yet sweet at the same time!

One special touch that I really loved, and Mike and Melanie’s only nod to Valentine’s Day, was to name each table after a “great love in history”. Tables were named after fictional couples, such as Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and Lucy and Ricky Ricardo. Others were named after real loves in history, like George and Gracie Burns, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, and Napoleon and Josephine. Even the kids’ table were named quite appropriately, Mickey and Minnie, and Bart and Marge Simpson. We wrote each love story on the back of the table card, giving guests some light reading throughout the evening.

Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

Breaking with tradition, Mike and Melanie also decided to forgo having a wedding cake. The Calgary Chamber’s pastry chef instead prepared a decadent chocolate mousse treat, complete with the couples’ monogram to satisfy the wedding guests’ desire for something sweet. After only one bite, everyone raved about their choice.

It was a beautiful wedding! Mike and Melanie’s wedding was everything they imagined and more. It was a pleasure to work with this couple in making their wedding day a dream come true! Special thanks to the vendors that contributed and helped make this event possible, including Edward Ross Photography, Wild Rose United Church, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Glimpz Invitations, Firefly Occasions, and Grasmere Garden & Floral.

Congratulations to Mike and Melanie! Best wishes and happiness always! – Photo courtesy of Edward Ross Photography.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasions and Del Sol Destination Weddings. Located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she plans wedding for couples in and around the Calgary and Banff area, who want a wedding that is a unique and personal reflection of them. She is also a destination wedding specialist, working with couples who desire to wed in various picturesque dream locations throughout the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.