Thursday, October 28, 2010

Save on Your Honeymoon

I came across this article listed under travel tips in the Wedding Bells website (www.weddingbells.ca) written by Leeann Yee. It has some really good hints on keeping the costs down for your honeymoon. Wedding Bells magazine and website has some great ideas and tools for couple planning their wedding. You will want to check it out!

How to make sure your honeymoon doesn’t break the bank. By Leeann Yee
Photography courtesy Viceroy Bali Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

It may be one of the biggest (or most extravagant) trips you’ll take in your lifetime, but there’s no reason you need to go over budget to do it. Plus, it may be one of the only vacations you’ll take where you’ll be guaranteed special treatment, so live it up! Read on to find out how to make the most of your honeymoon dollars.

Shop for Honeymoon Packages

1. Tons of resorts offer honeymoon packages, which often include little extras like champagne in your room, candlelight dinner or even couples’ massages. You’ll often get more than the average client because yes, it is your honeymoon and you deserve to get pampered! Sandals is a great example of an all-inclusive resort that offers fantastic value for your honeymoon budget.

2. If you’ve always wanted to stay at a certain hotel (like the Ashford Castle in Ireland or The New York Palace), go directly to their website or call them up and ask about honeymoon package deals. Tell them you’re newlyweds and during your special stay you might even get a bonus not advertised online, like a room upgrade, discount on an extra night or even complimentary champagne.

Ask your Friends!

3. Your friends were there for you on your big day, so why not ask them for advice on honeymoon locations? This way not only will you get a first-hand, intimate account of a destination, but you may come across a place you’ve never heard of! Plus, you’ll probably get insider tips on where to find the best cocktails and spectacular waterfalls!

Research, Research, Research

4. Just like getting your friends to give you first-hand advice, researching your honeymoon will save you time and hassles. Knowing about the destination you’re off to will help you avoid costly tourist traps, overpriced attractions and overrated accommodations.

Register for your Honeymoon

5. Nowadays you can register for just about anything and that includes your honeymoon. A honeymoon registry, whether at a specific destination, like Disney, or a registry website, like thebigday.com, it’s a great option for your guests who will love knowing they’re contributing to that trip of a lifetime. Just remember to read everything the registry has to offer, including the fine print!

Do you have a Points Card?

6. Now’s the time to put your travel card to good use. If you don’t have one, consider signing up for a credit card with points that are accumulated with every purchase and put everything wedding-related on it (and watch your points rack up!). Then use those points towards your honeymoon. Just be sure to pay that monthly statement off to avoid costly interest.
7. Are you or your husband a member of any hotels? Frequent travellers often get deals when they accumulate points from staying at the same chain, like Starwood or Marriott. When it comes time for your honeymoon, you’ll find that membership will give you even more privileges and deals.

Go During the Off-season

8. Certain months are prime for travelling, such as the summer months and anytime around the holidays. One way to save on your honeymoon is to go during the off-season. Shop around. You could pay $400 for a stay that may cost $700 during the high season. Of course don’t ignore the warnings of monsoon season, but if you time your honeymoon right, you may get all that you wanted for a fraction of the price, and maybe some additional goodies, too!

Have a Stay-cation

9. Not everyone wants to travel the world for their honeymoon, or perhaps neither of you can get time off work. If that’s the case, why not opt for a long weekend vacation close to home, like a boutique hotel you’ve always wanted to stay at or a local bed and breakfast? You’ll still have a romantic, relaxing interlude while saving for that bigger trip down the road.

Pack your Essentials!

10. This applies after you’ve decided where to go of course, but forgetting essentials may be costly. Your honeymoon destination may not have the moisturizing lotion you so love or a reasonably-priced swimsuit. Even if you’re lucky enough to find it, your must-have item may come at a hefty price. Just remember some of our handy packing tips and you’ll be all set!

Enter a Contest

11. As with all contests, winning is slim, but you were lucky in love by finding your dream man, so why not try your luck at scoring that dream honeymoon? Enter online, or through a draw or magazine. It’s fun, easy and you might just be the lucky girl who wins!


This article was taken from Wedding Bells at www.weddingbells.ca.

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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.

Save on Your Honeymoon

I came across this article listed under travel tips in the Wedding Bells website (www.weddingbells.ca) written by Leeann Yee. It has some really good hints on keeping the costs down for your honeymoon. Wedding Bells magazine and website has some great ideas and tools for couple planning their wedding. You will want to check it out!

How to make sure your honeymoon doesn’t break the bank. By Leeann Yee


Photography courtesy Viceroy Bali - Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
It may be one of the biggest (or most extravagant) trips you’ll take in your lifetime, but there’s no reason you need to go over budget to do it. Plus, it may be one of the only vacations you’ll take where you’ll be guaranteed special treatment, so live it up! Read on to find out how to make the most of your honeymoon dollars.

Shop for Honeymoon Packages

1. Tons of resorts offer honeymoon packages, which often include little extras like champagne in your room, candlelight dinner or even couples’ massages. You’ll often get more than the average client because yes, it is your honeymoon and you deserve to get pampered! Sandals is a great example of an all-inclusive resort that offers fantastic value for your honeymoon budget.

2. If you’ve always wanted to stay at a certain hotel (like the Ashford Castle in Ireland or The New York Palace), go directly to their website or call them up and ask about honeymoon package deals. Tell them you’re newlyweds and during your special stay you might even get a bonus not advertised online, like a room upgrade, discount on an extra night or even complimentary champagne.

Ask your Friends!

3. Your friends were there for you on your big day, so why not ask them for advice on honeymoon locations? This way not only will you get a first-hand, intimate account of a destination, but you may come across a place you’ve never heard of! Plus, you’ll probably get insider tips on where to find the best cocktails and spectacular waterfalls!

Research, Research, Research

4. Just like getting your friends to give you first-hand advice, researching your honeymoon will save you time and hassles. Knowing about the destination you’re off to will help you avoid costly tourist traps, overpriced attractions and overrated accommodations.

Register for your Honeymoon

5. Nowadays you can register for just about anything and that includes your honeymoon. A honeymoon registry, whether at a specific destination, like Disney, or a registry website, like thebigday.com, it’s a great option for your guests who will love knowing they’re contributing to that trip of a lifetime. Just remember to read everything the registry has to offer, including the fine print!

Do you have a Points Card?

6. Now’s the time to put your travel card to good use. If you don’t have one, consider signing up for a credit card with points that are accumulated with every purchase and put everything wedding-related on it (and watch your points rack up!). Then use those points towards your honeymoon. Just be sure to pay that monthly statement off to avoid costly interest.

7. Are you or your husband a member of any hotels? Frequent travellers often get deals when they accumulate points from staying at the same chain, like Starwood or Marriott. When it comes time for your honeymoon, you’ll find that membership will give you even more privileges and deals.

Go During the Off-season

8. Certain months are prime for travelling, such as the summer months and anytime around the holidays. One way to save on your honeymoon is to go during the off-season. Shop around. You could pay $400 for a stay that may cost $700 during the high season. Of course don’t ignore the warnings of monsoon season, but if you time your honeymoon right, you may get all that you wanted for a fraction of the price, and maybe some additional goodies, too!

Have a Stay-cation

9. Not everyone wants to travel the world for their honeymoon, or perhaps neither of you can get time off work. If that’s the case, why not opt for a long weekend vacation close to home, like a boutique hotel you’ve always wanted to stay at or a local bed and breakfast? You’ll still have a romantic, relaxing interlude while saving for that bigger trip down the road.

Pack your Essentials!

10. This applies after you’ve decided where to go of course, but forgetting essentials may be costly. Your honeymoon destination may not have the moisturizing lotion you so love or a reasonably-priced swimsuit. Even if you’re lucky enough to find it, your must-have item may come at a hefty price. Just remember some of our handy packing tips and you’ll be all set!

Enter a Contest

11. As with all contests, winning is slim, but you were lucky in love by finding your dream man, so why not try your luck at scoring that dream honeymoon? Enter online, or through a draw or magazine. It’s fun, easy and you might just be the lucky girl who wins!


This article was taken from Wedding Bells at www.weddingbells.ca.


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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.

Monday, October 18, 2010

The Destination Wedding Cake

Thank you to Islandbrides.com for this informative article about having a wedding cake at your destination wedding.
Photo Courtesy of Islandbrides.com


Destination Weddings, just like weddings at home, include the traditional cutting of the cake and feeding of the cake to each of the couple. This symbolizes that the couples will feed and nourish each other throughout their union.

Many resorts in The Caribbean and wedding planners will include a traditional pound cake with frosting as your wedding cake, however, if you are left to deliberate the issue of the cake on your own, consider the following tips from the islandbrides.com team:

Choosing a Baker in a foreign land

Rely on word of mouth advice from the resort you are marrying at, or your wedding planner to find the right bakery for your wedding cake. Make contact with the baker well before your wedding day and discuss your options by telephone and ask them about their experience. It helps if the baker has a website and can show you some of their past cakes. Ask them to send you a contract which would include price, size, flavour, topping, presentation, and whether they will deliver and set the cake up at your venue. Once you have arrived on island, it’s wise to meet with the baker and finalize details.

Consider the weather

If your cake is to stay on display for any length of time, and your wedding is outdoors, then the hotter temperatures of the Caribbean will have an obvious effect on your choices. Try to stay away from whipped cream, buttercream and meringue and opt for more heat durable frostings like fondant or butter-based buttercream that will protect your cake from the sun. For those of you with British heritage and wanting the traditional “royal” icing on your cake, check with local bakers to see if they even do this in the Caribbean. it is not a local custom and the humidity in the islands makes it difficult to get royal icing to set to its crisp, hard texture like back home.
Photo by Dominican-caribbean-wedding.com
Cutting Costs

If you insist on bringing your own cake to your reception, despite the offer of a free cake included in your package, beware of cake cutting fees that could hike the price of your “do”. Typically priced at $1 per slice, this fee should be negotiated at the time of booking.

Local traditions

Have you fallen in love with your chosen destination and want to include it in the wedding décor and flavour? Think about incorporating local customs into your wedding cake. In Bermuda brides use a small cedar sapling as a cake topper to symbolise the growth of the love between bride and groom. In the West Indies a rich fruit cake laced with heavy rum is covered with fondant icing. On a more simplistic note you flavour your cake in rum or pina colada for an extra hint of the tropical.
Photo by Dominican-caribbean-wedding.com
Photo Courtesy: Islandbrides.com
Taking your cake home?

Etiquette of past tells us that the top tier of the wedding cake is to be served upon the couple’s first anniversary or at the christening of the first child. If your hell bent on sticking to tradition, have your baker wrap your cake in an airtight baggie and wrap it to protect it from sunlight. Ask your resort if they will freeze your cake for you and hold it in their freezers until it’s time to go home. Have a mini sized cooler on hand to transport your cake home packed with ice bags. You will need to check on the importation restrictions of your home town before you plan on doing this though.
Photo  by BethHelmstetter.com
Savings

Save money by making sure the size cake you choose will serve the amount of folks you have at your wedding. You could also reduce this by a quarter and serve mini portions alongside another desert option. Incorporate fresh fruit instead of a cake topper or fresh flowers and you could save on money and hassle. Alternatively you could take a tip from brides in china who present an imposter cake to their guests often made of Styrofoam or rubber and then serve sheets of flavoured cake from the kitchen as a desert



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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.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Table Linens That Will Make Your Guests Say WOW!!!

Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen
“Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen”

Photo courtesy of Michael and Anna Costa Photography
A wedding is a wonderful celebration! It’s an opportunity for friends and family to come together to share in a festive occasion. The ceremony is about two people committing their lives to one another, but the reception afterwards is a chance for everyone to relax and enjoy.

“Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen”
Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen

However, when it comes to the reception, more and more brides are looking for ways to make their wedding stand out from their friends. They want it to reflect their personalities, and at the same time, show off a bit of their creativity. People don’t want just the basic white linens. They want color, texture, and something that will amaze their guests and leave them talking long after the wedding is over.
“Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen”

Over the past few years, one company has moved into the forefront of table linen décor. Wildflower Linens was started by Youngsong Martin. As part of the fashion industry, she had attended numerous events, and found it ironic that for an industry so focused on textiles, there really wasn’t a lot that was being done in the room beyond basic decor. Knowing it could be different she poured her heart and soul into her designs and began creating table and chair linens that went from ordinary to extraordinary.

Over the past few years, Wildflower Linens has taken the world by storm. Table décor has been taken to an entirely new level as Wildflower has become the leaders in specialty linens. They have the color, the texture, and the style that brides are looking for. If you want unique, they are definitely the place to go! If you are looking for something that no one has seen before, and will leave your guests totally speechless, then Wildflower Linens is the answer!
Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen
Photo courtesy of Wildflower Linen

There is a price tag attached to bringing Wildflower Linens in from the United States, but it will be worth every penny when you see the results. Your wedding reception will definitely stand out from the rest and your reception will have the WOW you’re looking for!

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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.

Friday, October 8, 2010

"Money-Saving" Ideas That Will Cost You Your Dignity

[Editor’s Note: Every couple we work with has a budget for their wedding. There is no question that each bride and groom want their wedding to be nice, but every single couple is looking for ways to save money. Some ideas are practical, realistic, and easy to accommodate. Others are downright scary, such as the couple who asked us if we could charge each of their destination wedding guests an additional $100 to pay for their wedding. April is right on the money that you have to make smart decisions about what is most important to you. I also like the way that she recognizes what is important to one person may not be important to another. Read on and enjoy!]

By April Winchell

Years ago, I went to France for the first time. And while I was there, I visited the Palace at Versailles.
It was incredible. Room after room of the most mind-blowing opulence you can imagine. I was absolutely spellbound.

For about an hour.

Then I hit my saturation point and stopped being impressed, or even caring at all. I found myself shuffling from room to room, walking over priceless mosaic floors just looking for the gift shop. And I suddenly realized the original occupants must have felt the same burnout. That's why each room was more over-the-top than the last—it was the only way they'd feel anything at all.

That's the downside of luxury: At some point you reach a plateau, and it's all the same. There might be a difference between 900- and 1,000- thread-count sheets, but who can feel it?

I think this is a very real trap people fall into when they plan a wedding. You can only have so many flowers. The steak can only be so big. The linens can only be so fine. You hit a wall after a certain point, so the spending itself becomes the gesture. And ultimately, it's meaningless.

Of course, there are people on the opposite side of the spectrum. A friend of mine recently told me about a wedding invitation she'd received that said guests were welcome, but they'd have to pay $20 at the door. They were also asked to bring cash for their own food, and cash for the couple, to help fund their trip to Burning Man (naturally, family and special friends were given wristbands allowing them "access to a VIP area with seating").

Like most of you, I'm somewhere in the middle. I'm not going to fly everyone to Tahiti, but I'm also not going to make them sit at card tables and eat Hot Pockets. It's all very nice to be a bride, but to have a great wedding you also have to be a gracious host and a relaxed guest. And that's all about attitude—not a mile-long list of things you have to have.

Here's my wedding wish list:

1. A nice dress
2. A picturesque location
3. A good meal

That's it. No attendants, no separate gown for the reception, no unicorn. Just a nice, middle-of-the-road event for about 100 people. So imagine my surprise when the hotel cheerfully quoted me $600 per person.

I don't know about you, but I've never eaten a $600 meal. The most I ever paid was around $1,000, and that was for five people. With drinks. A lot of drinks.

But let's just say, for argument's sake, that the hotel can reasonably charge $200 a plate. In fact, let's say they can get it up to $300 by putting pearl earrings in the mashed potatoes. Every guest would still have to drink $300 worth of alcohol. I don't even think that's scientifically possible. In fact, I don't think you could get up to $600 apiece if you catered the whole thing out of the mini bar.

And this is when the hotel explained that the price they'd quoted didn't really reflect the food or drink as much as it did the day of the week. This same wedding on a Friday would be $20,000 less. And there's your plateau: The extra $200 per person doesn't get you anything except the privilege of writing a bigger check on a Saturday.

My search for cost-cutting ideas also turned up another surprise: Saving money is as subjective as spending it. My reasonable expense might be your ridiculous extravagance. Your sensible cost-cutter might give me a headache from rolling my eyes. For example:

"Fake your cake with an icing-covered foam cake rental. You'll get the look you want, and you can purchase a sheet cake from a bakery that can be cut up in the kitchen."

This is insanity. It's like that Twilight Zone episode where Carol Lynley and her husband wake up after a party and find themselves in an alien child's dollhouse [spoiler alert].

To me, the tiered wedding cake is nonnegotiable. You have to keep the top so you can eat it on your first anniversary, or your husband will leave you for a massage therapist. Or something like that. I'm not clear on the subtleties.

"Toast with white wine instead of Champagne: Champagne can get expensive, and not everyone likes the carbonation."

I'm sure lots of people will strenuously object to toasting your marriage with Champagne. "How was the wedding?" "It was okay, except for the carbonation. That was a downer."

You know, some people don't like dressing up, either. Maybe you should ask everyone to come in sweatpants, and you can all eat pizza over the sink.

"Do you have a friend who brews their own beer? Ask them to provide beer for your wedding at cost!"

Fantastic. You can get your uncle to make up a batch in his bathroom, and when people start complaining of lead poisoning and blindness, you can blame it on the foam-rubber cake.

"Better yet, do away with alcohol altogether and have a coffee bar! Guests can get cappuccinos, espressos, or even decaf."

Sheet cake and decaf! It's like Saturday night at the nursing home, only not as fun.

And now that you've ruined dinner, how about saving the planet?

"Instead of wasting paper, send your announcement via email!"

Your wedding invitation is a waste of paper. It's perfectly okay for the Thai restaurant down the street to shove menus in your mailbox every day, but those wedding invitations of yours are going to turn this planet into a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

Okay, maybe the five cards with two envelopes is a bit much, and I can do without that weird, arcane piece of blotting paper that looks like you're supposed to roll your own cigarette with it. But the wedding invitation is a wonderful keepsake for some people—what are they supposed to do, print it out at Kinko's? Oh wait, that would be a waste of paper. Well, maybe you can just send it to their iPhone and they can look at it while they're on the bus.

"Don't pay your florist big bucks to put together your centerpieces. Make your own with supplies from the dollar store and a little ingenuity."

Finally, a sensible idea! After all, they have so many high-quality materials at the dollar store. How about a car-deodorizer centerpiece for the bride's table? And with "a little ingenuity" I'm sure you could work in a few pencils and a bottle of discontinued shampoo.

"Share decorating costs: Find out if another bride books your venue for the same weekend, split costs on shared flowers, décor and other expenses."

I love the idea of another woman's used, wilted flowers at my wedding. But why stop there? Use her bridesmaids and none of your friends will have to buy dresses. Serve leftover Champagne from her reception—it'll be flat, so that'll please the carbonation haters. What the hell, why not marry the same guy? You can all chip in on a family compound and lower your mortgage.

"Consider an intimate destination wedding: You'll be able to slash the guest list and combine it with your honeymoon."

Combine your wedding with your honeymoon, so everyone you know will be there the whole time. Won't that be fun? You and your husband can have a romantic dinner while your entire family sits at the table behind you. Then you can all go back to your room and watch Grown Ups on pay-per-view. Better yet, get some roll-away beds and your parents can split the room with you.

To be fair, I did learn something from these horrible ideas: It all comes down to what you can live with. It's the same strategy I use when I vote: I choose the candidate who's the closest to my way of thinking on things that really matter to me, then just try to let the other stuff go.
Revised wedding wish list:

1. A nice dress
2. A picturesque location
3. A good meal
4. Paper invitations
5. Real cake
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April Winchell has been a talk radio host, a sitcom writer, an advertising executive and the voice of hundreds of animated Disney characters. In October of 2009, she created the hit website Regretsy.com , which led to the publication of "Regretsy: Where DIY meets WTF" in April of 2010. Even though she has been writing professionally since 1989, she still finds talking about herself in the third person really uncomfortable.

This article was originally published on www.brides.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.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

The New Trend in Wedding Favours

We’re coming out of a difficult period of tough economic times. With so many of us watching the few dollars we have, it’s really forced people to look closely at how they spend their money. The same could be said for anyone planning a wedding. Couples are looking at what things cost and asking tough questions. How important is it? Do they really need it? Is it worth it?

One of the areas hardest hit areas has been wedding favours. Traditionally, guests have been presented with a small token to show the couples’ appreciation for attending the wedding. We’ve all received our fair share of candies and knick-knacks. There are some great ideas out there now for wedding favours, but more and more couples are looking at the costs involved and deciding that they would rather give the money to a charity or a worthy cause that they support.

There are more and more programs out there that allow you to make donations in lieu of wedding favours. For example, when you make a donation to the Alzheimer Society’s “Forget-Me-Not” Wedding Program , they will give you either place cards or Forget-Me-Not seeds to give your guests in lieu of wedding favours. The Canadian Cancer Society offers a similar program and will give you gift cards, place cards, or reception certificates for your donation.
Charitable organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Society will provide you with “Forget-Me-Not” seeds to present to your guests when you make a donation in lieu of wedding favours. 

The IDo Foundation, although based out of the United States, has a large collection of charities they’ve gathered together to make it easy for couples to donate money to. It allows you to register and donate to one or more charities of your choice. Just some of the organizations they work with include:
  • Amnesty International
  • Doctors Without Borders
  • Global AIDS Alliance
  • Rainforest Alliance
  • National Wildlife Foundation
  • Habitat For Humanity International
  • Save The Children
  • Global Fund For Women
There are so many choices out there, and so many ways that the two of you can help. It’s an opportunity for you to give back and spend the money on something that really will make a difference. You can click on the links above to find out more information about any of these charity organizations and their wedding donation programs or check with your own favourite charity to see if they offer something similar.

Just remember that you do need to be sure that you let your guests know what you’ve done and that a donation has been made on their behalf. The best way to do it is by putting donation favour cards on each table. Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Society and the Canadian Cancer Society have their own favour cards (or seed packets), but if you choose a different charity, you can arrange to get your own donation favour cards through The Knot’s Wedding Shop.


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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, helping all of their wedding dreams come true. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise locations all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Choosing A Wedding Dress for Your Destination Wedding

Planning for your destination wedding at a resort in a warm and sunny tropical location comes with its own unique set of challenges. Not only do you need to find a destination wedding gown that suits your own personal style, but you also need to find one that travels well, and works with the climate and the setting of the wedding. You will want to start shopping for your wedding dress right away, but before buying a gown for a destination wedding, you might want to consider the following:

Don’t be rushed in choosing your gown: Grab your maid of honor, your sister, or your mother and start shopping. Look for a destination wedding dress in bridal shops and online retailers, such as BeachComberBride.com and eDressMe.com. Resorts such as Sandals Resorts also offer a full line of dresses for the bride, bridesmaids, and the flower girl with all of the accessories. Some of the designers who specialize in destination wedding gowns include Jessical McClintock, Rina di Montella, Mon Cheri, The Dressy Gup, Alfred Angelo, and Sophia Tolli.


While shopping try on lots of dresses and take the time to make a decision. Ensure that the dress you choose makes you feel spectacular and beautiful. If not, leave it for someone else! You have dreamed about your wedding dress since you were a little girl. Be sure to choose one which lives up to your dreams and is best for you. You want the dress you choose to have the “wow” factor!

Pick the location first. Your dress should blend harmoniously with the location. Destination wedding gowns can range from a very traditional full length wedding dress to a casual sarong. Destination wedding attire tends to be more casual and generally is much less formal and fussy than what you would wear to a traditional church wedding. A ballroom gown would not work on the beach, and wearing flip-flops would strike a wrong note if you get married in a castle. The setting, whether it is on the beach or in a beautiful garden, is lovely enough that you don’t have to detract from it by wearing heavy fabrics or lots of jewelry. If you are getting married on the beach, remember that the ocean breezes can cause a long cathedral veil to become unruly, and a long train will drag in the sand.

Destination wedding dresses are usually made of simple construction with basic lines, avoiding the lace, satin, and pearl creations of the top wedding designers. Stick with informal destination wedding gown styles that feel tropical or beachy such as a lightweight, flowing dress, slip-dresses, mermaid shapes, or even layers of wild ruffles. Wedding gowns include spaghetti straps, capped sleeves, or a romantic and sexy off-the-shoulder look. If you are the traditional type of bride, you might want to wear the sleeveless gown with the floor-length skirt – just remember the hem is going to get dirty. Also remember that a dress right to the ground will not allow the air to flow under it which could make the dress very hot in a humid climate!

Choosing fabrics for a destination beach wedding dress. When choosing a beach wedding dress, opt for something that is lightweight and that flows with the island breezes. Those of us who live in cold-weather climates tend to forget in January or February how hot and humid the Caribbean and Mexican climates can be. As a bride, you want to select a fabric so that you will be comfortable in your destination climate. If you are going to a steamy, tropical paradise, choose lightweight materials like airy silks that breathe, chiffon, organza, charmeuse, or crepe, and avoid heavy fabrics such as satin and brocade. Choose a dress that is cool and comfortable with fabrics that are light and wrinkle-resistant so that it is easy to pack for travelling. Try to find a fabric that is washable so there is no worry about sand and water affecting the look of the dress.
Fabrics to avoid in a destination wedding dress would be anything that stains easily or tends to be too heavy. Fabrics that wrinkle or pucker are also poor choices if it’s humid, as is heavy beading, which weighs a dress down. While a crinoline is pretty, it probably won’t travel well, nor feel good on your skin while standing in the warm Caribbean sun.

Cotton is cool and lightweight but is not generally used in traditional wedding dresses. However, it is used for embroidered, Mexican wedding dresses and tropical print sarongs and pareos.

If you want to do a “trash the dress” photo shoot, pick a dress that is light and flowy.

Will it travel? Before you buy your wedding gown, consider how you will get it to your destination and how well the fabric will bear up under travel. The longer the train, the more difficult it will be for transporting the dress. Carry your dress with you on the plane rather than checking it in your luggage. I suggest using a lightweight carry on bag that will hang in the first class garment bin. If this is not an option, place it close to you in the overhead carrier bin.

Be sure to check with the airline ahead of time to inform them that you will be carrying on your wedding attire. This notice is especially important if your dress is oversize. There may be an extra fee but you will be expecting it. Once you are on board the plane, ask the flight attendant to place your outfits in the closet in the first –class section. Some airlines will insist that you put your dress in your luggage. Some fabrics such as linen, satin, and organza wrinkle severely when packed. Call the hotel ahead of time and ask if they can press your gown on the morning of the wedding. Most hotels offer this service
In addition to packing the dress and accessories, it is also important to carry a small sewing kit for loose beads and buttons. A portable steamer can help remove wrinkles that developed during packing and traveling.


Select a style of dress that flatters your body. While there are no set rules for what to wear at your destination wedding, a few styles are common. Regardless of what destination you choose, you need to select a style that flatters your figure. Dresses may be long or short, depending on your taste. Experiment with different hemlines. Cocktail-length gowns to skirts that are shorter in front and longer in back are popular choices that work beautifully when a wedding location is less formal.

Like the traditional wedding dresses, the most popular colours for destination weddings are light colours such as white, or off-white. For the bride who prefers colour, champagne, rose, or light slate gray are all nice, non-traditional choices suitable for a destination wedding.

Popular destination wedding dress designs include long, halter style dresses, the classic strapless gown, and those with low, cut-out backs. Make sure that the style you choose, whether it is a sheath, A-line, or an empire waist, plays up your assets and makes you feel gorgeous. The dress should be soft and fluid, not clingy, as well as lightweight, and easy to pack. You are best with a dress made of fabric that fits and moves with your body. If you do select a strapless dress, buy yourself a strapless bathing suit to avoid tan lines.

What about footwear? When choosing your wedding footwear, there are a number of ideas for beautiful but suitable footwear to wear with your island wedding dress. The traditional satin, three inch pumps sink in the sand, making them impossible to wear throughout the beach ceremony. Lose the pantyhose. You could opt to go barefoot for your beach wedding but be sure to have a pedicure the day before the wedding. You could also choose simple, flat, one-strapped sandals, or dyed to match your dress flip-flops embellished with jewels or flower designs.

Comfort is the number one consideration when choosing your destination wedding dress. You want to look beautiful and appear “cool” as opposed to being red-faced from the heat on your wedding day! Considering practicality, style and reality before buying your destination wedding dress can help you succeed in having an enjoyable day and creating the wedding of your dreams!

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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. She is also a destination wedding and honeymoon travel specialist helping couples plan their weddings in paradise all around the world. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com

Monday, October 4, 2010

Real Wedding – Eric & Diana’s Orchid Oasis (Part One)

This past weekend we had the great fortune to work with a wonderful young couple – Diana and Eric! Their October wedding was held at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel  in the CPR Pavilion. It was an incredible celebration, shared with close friends and family right in downtown urban Calgary!


Originally, when I first met with Diana and Eric, they were looking for something slightly different in a venue. They knew they didn’t want the typical hotel ballroom, but wanted incredible food. They considered a few restaurants, looking for something that would be both trendy, yet offer them the privacy they desired, but were having trouble finding something that fit their guest list (larger than 50, but smaller than 75). However, one look at the CPR Pavilion, and it was love at first sight! This incredible venue is actually owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and is a unique venue in its own right. The glass and steel beam structure are actually a “plus 15” overpass in downtown Calgary, connecting the Palliser Hotel to the Canada Pacific Railway Building. Designed to look like a turn-of-the-century European train station, this building actually houses the luxury passenger trains that travel from Calgary to Vancouver through the magnificent Rockies. It has this incredible glass dome right in the center of the room that allows natural sunlight to spill into the room and inspired me the second I saw it!
The glass dome needed something special so we came up with the idea of hanging an “orchid chandelier” which was the centerpiece of the room for both the ceremony and the reception held later in the same venue. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
With the venue selected, then it was on to the other items. Diana’s white, strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline was found on a trip to China, along with her Chinese dress that she would change into later in the evening. We also started on the décor ideas, including choosing flowers that would make their wedding vision come to life.

The CPR Pavilion dome was the perfect wedding feature. It seemed only natural for the couple to get married in the “round” underneath the center of the dome, with their guests seated in a circle around them. Aisle-ways were left for guests to find their seats, and white aisle runners crossed in the center. What made it even more magical was the decision to hang strings of orchids and LED lights from the dome in a cascading orchid “chandelier” – our new signature piece! 

Diana looked absolutely radiant on the arm of her father as she made her way towards her groom. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
With a harpist playing their wedding music, Diana walked down the orchid-strewn aisle towards her handsome groom. While the round setting suited the venue perfectly, guests later commented how it seemed so much more intimate, and allowed them to really feel part of the wedding celebration.

Her bouquet, made by Mandala Floral  was made of dark purple orchids, and calla lilies, peacock feathers and ti leaves. It was wrapped in red satin ribbon, as red is an important color in the Chinese culture representing prosperity and good luck.
The bouquet featured more orchids in rich shades of purple along with jeweled tone peacock feathers. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae.
After the ceremony, the wedding party left with the photographer for photos while the room underwent a major transformation. Pewter silver floor length table linens were used with white organza delicately stitched overlays. Metallic ice Chivari chairs were used with an amethyst satin chair sash to add a splash of color, along with matching amethyst napkins. As orchids were the featured flower of the day, they were used throughout the rest of the room décor, including table centerpieces, other floral arrangements, and even on the menu cards. Flowers add such a special touch to celebrations. We wanted guests to have a sense of stepping into an “orchid oasis”.
These “Metallic Ice” Chivari chairs really complemented the steel beams and glass in the venue room. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
Mandala Floral created these table centerpieces with river rocks and stems of purple mokara orchids. – Photo courtesy of Cathy MacRae
A single white cymbidium orchid was placed on each menu card adding that special touch of elegance. – Photo courtesy of Cathy MacRae
The cake was designed by the Fairmont Pallier’s own pastry chef. It was a tasty chocolate concoction featuring hand-painted cherry blossoms made of gum paste! - Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
After a delicious mouth-watering dinner served by the Palliser staff, the DJ got the real party started with guests on the dance floor right until the end. A fun time seemed to be had by everyone, and guests were able to help themselves to a sweet treat on their way out with Diana and Eric’s “purple” candy bar, including gummi bears, salt water taffy, liquorice laces, Ghiradelli chocolate squares, sour balls, and more.
 A candy bar was set-up as wedding favours for the guest in different shades of purple. – Photo courtesy of Muriel MacRae
Special thanks to the incredible staff at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel , marriage commissioner Carollyne Rayner, Photographers Robert Ryan and René Michaud, florist Mandala Floral, DJ Music By Starlite, and harpist, Tisha Murville. Each of these vendors played a critical role in the day’s events. It was such a privilege to work with each and everyone of them in making Diana and Eric’s wedding a wonderful and magical celebration!

Stay tuned for more magical moments in the weeks to come…

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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 cathy@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.