Welcome Bags For Your Wedding Guests

Choosing to have a destination wedding means asking family and friends to travel great distances in order to join you on your special day. One way to show your appreciation is to provide a welcome gift that your guests will receive upon their arrival. A bag filled with an assortment of goodies that will hint at and prepare them for the fun that awaits is the perfect way to kick-off your wedding celebration and show your guests how excited you are that they have decided to join you.

As part of the package, you should include relevant information about the wedding and the location. Be sure to include the itinerary of planned events, maps and guides of the area, and perhaps information about activities that may interest them. Your guests will appreciate the gesture, especially if they accidentally left their invitations and itinerary at home.

Welcome To Our Wedding” tote is ideal for creating welcome bags for your guests. The best part is that they travel flat and can be packed once you arrive at your destination. Although great as they are, they can also be personalized if you wish. Click on the photo above for more information. – Photo courtesy of Kate Aspen Shops

Ideally, you want your gifts to be meaningful, maybe even giving a hint of some of the activities planned for the week. Keep in mind that the quality of items included is more important than the quantity. A couple of thoughtful items will mean more to your guests than a bunch of junky souvenirs. Here are some ideas of items that could be included:

• Custom-labelled bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• T-shirt
• Hats
• Luggage tags
• Local map of the area / guidebook
• Locally made rum (Jamaica) or tequila (Mexico)
• Macadamia nuts or cookies (Hawaii)
• Postcards
• Beach towel
• Spanish-English dictionary
• CD of local music
• Flip flops monogrammed with the couples’ names and wedding date

Keep in mind that the items you choose should be non-perishable and don’t require refrigeration, as hotel rooms can make it tricky to keep things cool. Also remember that guests have limited room in their suitcases, so items should be easy to pack and compact.

These flip flops with your initials are a fun gift for some of your guests. Click on the photo above for more information. – Photo courtesy of Kate Aspen Shops.

Although decorative baskets look nice, they are bulky and next to impossible to take home. Instead, choose something with a local flair, like a woven bag in bright colors from a Mexican market or a monogrammed beach bag. Other alternatives if you’re on a tight budget may include using cellophane and ribbon, or purchase simple gift bags from your local dollar store. Maybe even include tissue paper in the same shades as your wedding colors.

Think of how excited your guests will be to check into their hotel after a long flight and transfers from the airports and find your gift waiting for them. The excitement and energy your welcome bag will generate will immediately get everyone in the mood to enjoy the celebration, while also letting your guests know how much you appreciate them and the fact that they have chosen to join you for this special occasion.

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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 info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Ten Tips To Ensure Your Guests Have a Blast At Your Destination Wedding

[Editor's Note: Our guest e-zine author, Muriel MacRae, is the owner of Del Sol Travel as well as my business partner at Del Sol Destination Weddings. She has been helping couples plan and organize their dreams weddings throughout the world in exotic locations, such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Costa Rica. An expert in terms of dealing with some of the challenges of group travel, she is well versed in finding resorts that perfectly match the needs and wants of her clients. Furthermore, her expertise in wedding planning makes her more than just your regular travel agent.]

Every couple who is planning a destination wedding worries about getting their guests to attend their destination wedding. Will they like the location? Does it cost too much? Am I imposing on them to expect them to travel so far? Will they have a good time?

Here are ten ways to get you guests to not only attend your destination but to have a fantastic time while they are there:

1. Once you have decided on the location and the date of the wedding, send out a “Save the Date” e-mail or card. For best results, try and do this a minimum of 12 months prior to your wedding so guests can prepare and plan accordingly to attend. [Editor's note: The more time your guests have to plan ahead and save, the more likely they are to be able to join you for the celebration.]


2. In choosing a location, make sure that it is one that your guests will enjoy. Consider the cost, the travel time to get there, and the activities available for the guest once they do get there. You may enjoy the rustic Eco Lodge in the middle of nowhere but your guests might not. Try to plan a location where the travelling time is within three to eight hours and with a limited number of flight connections whenever possible. Many of your friends and family will not want to spend two out of seven days sitting on a plane or in airports waiting for flights. You might have always dreamed of staying at a certain five-star luxurious resort, but if the price is astronomical, a lot of your guests will not be pleased. Be sure to also check that a variety of activities will be offered at the resort or can at least be found in the nearby area. For example, if most of your female friends love shopping, and the closest shopping area is 75 miles away, some girls could go into withdrawal. Your golfing friends won't be happy either, if they have to go without a game for seven days.



3. Work with a travel agent who is familiar with destination weddings and planning travel associated with destination weddings. Such a person can arrange group rates for your entire party as well as give you valuable advice in making your special day fantastic. You may think that the resort you saw on the internet is a real find, only to find out when you get there that the service is terrible or the food is really bad! You can do it all yourself, but is it worth it? You have heard the horror stories where reservations were dropped by the hotel or passengers have missed flights because there wasn't enough time left for proper connections. You don’t want that to happen to you or any of your family members, especially at your destination wedding! Make sure there is someone who will be looking after you and each of your guests in case something goes wrong.


4. Think about saving money for your guests by choosing an All-Inclusive package which includes airfare and hotel accommodation as well as food and drinks. It is usually way cheaper than purchasing these items separately.


5. Try to choose a resort in the area that is more economical as some of your guests will not have the resources to stay at the pricey resort you have chosen for your wedding. They will appreciate the fact that you have given them an option. [Editor's Note: Although many of you want to keep costs down for your guests, you do have to remember that there is often a huge difference in resort ratings between here and in the Caribbean and Mexico. While a three-star resort in the United States or Canada might work perfectly well for that budget-conscious couple, few people would be satisfied with less than 4.5 stars in the Caribbean or Mexico.]
   
6. Keep your guests updated about your wedding. Send out frequent updates. You may even want to create a free wedding website complete with wedding details, personal stories, registry information, and a photo gallery. Use a free site such as the link for Honeymoon Wishes on either Del Sol Destination Weddings or Creative Weddings and Occasions websites, http://www.ewedding.com/ , http://www.momentville.com/, or The Knot Wedding website at http://www.theknot.com/. Another site for a small cost is http://www.weddingtracker.com/. As well, a lot of couples are using a Facebook Fan Page and finding that also works well.


7. Arrange to have the resort hand out an itinerary to your guests at check-in time or be hand delivered to each room by a member of your wedding party. It is also recommended that you hand out a special welcome bag as a special "thank you for coming” which can include such items as flip-flops, suntan lotion, mosquito repellent, bottles of water, candy, small mementos, fun items, or a local craft.


8. Plan activities which your guests will enjoy. You are asking your friends and family to spend a fair amount of money as well as giving up their vacation time to be with you so you want them to enjoy themselves. Create an itinerary that is suitable for all age groups. Make sure that the events you plan do not always start early in the morning as many of your “night hawk” friends will wants to catch some extra shut eye. Also make sure to give everyone some free time so they can do some things on their own.






9. Plan a welcome party with local food and music as a great way to get everybody to meet each other and begin the week in a fun-filled way.


10. Be a gracious and thoughtful host. Remember that the people you have invited to your wedding are your guests and it is your job to ensure that they enjoy themselves and have a good time. They have given of their vacation time and resources to be with you on your wedding day, and you want to make sure that they know how much you appreciate them for being there. Thank them for coming and tell them how much it means to you both. Don’t be resentful that you do not have of lot of private time as a couple. You have the rest of your life to spend together. Include a surprise during the week to add to the excitement.

Enjoy this special time in paradise sharing your vacation with your best friends and family. Remember to thank people for all of the things they have done for you. Make this event memorable and one that will be talked about for years when your guest tell others what a “blast” they had at your destination wedding.

If you want your guests to have a great time at your destination wedding and are not sure where to start, let us help you with your travel arrangements and planning by calling 403-477-0643 or e-mail Del Sol Destination Weddings to set up your FREE initial consultation.

If you wish further assistance in planning your wedding or decorating for you big day, please contact Cathy at cathy@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. 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 .

Welcome Bags For Your Wedding Guests

Choosing to have a destination wedding means asking family and friends to travel great distances in order to join you on your special day. One way to show your appreciation is to provide a welcome gift that your guests will receive upon their arrival. A bag filled with an assortment of goodies that will hint at and prepare them for the fun that awaits is the perfect way to kick-off your wedding celebration and show your guests how excited you are that they have decided to join you.

As part of the package, you should include relevant information about the wedding and the location. Be sure to include the itinerary of planned events, maps and guides of the area, and perhaps information about activities that may interest them. Your guests will appreciate the gesture, especially if they accidentally left their invitations and itinerary at home. Ideally, you want your gifts to be meaningful, maybe even giving a hint of some of the activities planned for the week. Keep in mind that the quality of items included is more important than the quantity. A couple of thoughtful items will mean more to your guests than a bunch of junky souvenirs.

Here are some ideas of items that could be included:

• Custom-labelled bottles of water
• Sunscreen
• T-shirt
• Hats
• Luggage tags
• Local map of the area / guidebook
• Locally made rum (Jamaica) or tequila (Mexico)
• Macademia nuts or cookies (Hawaii)
• Postcards
• Beach towel
• Spanish-English dictionary
• CD of local music
• Flip flops monogrammed with the couples’ names and wedding date

Keep in mind that the items you choose should be non-perishable and don’t require refrigeration, as hotel rooms can make it tricky to keep things cool. Also remember that guests have limited rooms in their suitcases, so items should be easy to pack and compact.

Although decorative baskets look nice, they are bulky and next to impossible to take home. Instead, choose something with a local flair, like a woven bag in bright colors from a Mexican market or a monogrammed beach bag. Other alternatives if you’re on a tight budget may include using cellophane and ribbon, or purchase simple gift bags from your local dollar store. Maybe even include tissue paper in the same shades as your wedding colors.

Think of how excited your guests will be to check into their hotel after a long flight and transfers from the airports and find your gift waiting for them. The excitement and energy your welcome bag will generate will immediately get everyone in the mood to enjoy the celebration, while also letting your guests know how much you appreciate them and the fact that they have chosen to join you for this special occasion.

--------------------------------------------------

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 info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.

Words From A Wedding Graduate

(Editor's Note: This is a fantastic blog by Meg, originally published at http://www.apracticalwedding.com/. It gives great ideas for brides-to-be on how to stay in control of their wedding and how to enjoy the experience.)

Before I start telling you small stories about our wedding, I wanted to give you my wedding graduate post. This is, simply, my best wedding advice. I'm sure I'll chatter about these subjects more at some point, but there is something to be said for boiling advice down to its essence.

These are the the tips I'd give any friend who asked. I hope it makes a few of you feel a little more free, or a little more sane:

• When people ask you if "you might regret such and such a choice..." say no. And move on. Because if you make a choice that is authentic to who you and your partner are, I can emphatically tell you that you won't regret it. Period.


• Gut-check. By the week before the wedding, I was making all my decisions by instantaneous gut-check, "What seems right for us? Ok, done," no second guessing. It's easy to loose track of this during the planning process, but if you're not sure about something, check your gut, and then go with it. I think your gut is where your heart lives.


• Keeping people on a need-to-know basis is fine sometimes. It's not just that it's easier to apologize than to ask permission, but that people will be so caught up in the joy of your wedding day that little things that might worry them before hand won't bother them at all on the day of.


• Learn how to kindly but firmly say no. If you know deep down that something is just not right for you, be kind but firm, it will save you endless heartache in the end. Maybe you learn this in wedding planning because its the single best preparation for adult life that there is.


• It's ok to cry. I wasn't always explicit about this on the blog, but I found wedding planning to be a difficult at times. It was also one of the great learning experiences of my life, but frankly, learning sort of blows sometimes. The thing about weddings is they are this complex mix of families, friendship, faith, values, aesthetics, cultural assumptions, other peoples expectations, and oh yeah, love. So while weddings often bring out the best in people, sometimes they bring out the worst. I can admit now that I spent more than one night in the planning process crying myself to sleep. And I wasn't crying because my flowers didn't match my linens, I was crying because of Big Life Issues the wedding brought up. So if Big Life Issues come up when your planning, let yourself cry and work through them. Its not silly, it means that you're grappling with important things in a major life transition.


• Share it with your partner. Saying, "It's your partner's day too," has become cliche in progressive wedding circles, but it's true. But let me say this: your partner might not care about or think about the wedding in the same way you do, and that's a good thing. This is probably one of the first really huge projects you take on with your partner, so work on modeling the same collaboration and respect that you'd like to see when you take on other projects together, like say, raising children or buying a house. And yes, if you are fiery like we are, you'll yell at each other a bit too, which is So. Normal.


• Find a way to keep yourself grounded. One of the things I wish I'd realized going into wedding weekend is that your wedding is not a totally free pass. Family tensions will still be family tensions, someone will get stressed and yell, and that person who always acts a little weird at parties may act a little weird. But the bottom line is, for one weekend none of it is your problem. Let it go, move on, stay grounded. For me this was one biggest challenges of the weekend, but also the most spiritually rewarding.


• Focus on the Ceremony. Sometimes the ceremony gets lost in the shuffle, because it's not pretty, or because it's emotionally complicated. But this is why everyone is there, this is how it all starts, and this is what changes you forever. No matter how traditional or non-traditional you want your ceremony to be, think about it, talk about it, and make sure it feels like it's yours. Make sure you both feel like you can live inside it, as your truest selves.


• Show Up. When the ceremony starts, you need to be THERE. Even if it makes you sob, even if it makes you laugh, even if someone just yelled at you, even if something major just went wrong. Be fully present, because you only get to live this once.


• Lead your guests by your example. (This is the single best piece of wedding advice I have): When you're planning, you spend a lot of time worrying about which choices will matter, and which choices will not. Well, it turns out that the thing that will shape your wedding day the most is free: your attitude. If you are joyful, present, and relaxed your guests will follow your lead.


• Get. A. Wedding. Stage Manager. You can't be in charge the day of the wedding, no, no, no. Get someone else to be in charge of the organizational details, even if they just take your cell phone from you as you walk up the courthouse steps. Lots of people will tell you that this means you need to hire someone to run the day of, but you don't. Having a friend manage our weekend made us able to bliss out, and it filled the day with a depth of care and joy that we could never have bought.


• Honeymoon (right after the wedding), if you can. By honeymoon, I mean find a way to get away from your regular life for a bit, which could mean a staycation or a big trip. I firmly believe that a inexpensive honeymoon right away is more important then saving for something lavish later. Honeymoons are magic things, and you have the rest of your lives for great vacations. Honeymoons give you and your partner some time to absorb the enormity of what happened, to replenish yourself, and to just be in a giddy bubble of joy together. And do what you want. We went on a big adventure, when everyone thought we should lie on the beach. Trust me, you'll be able to bliss out *anywhere* afterwards.
  


• And finally, remember the FUN. About 80% of wedding media, both online and in print focuses on aesthetics. And caring about aesthetics is great, up to a point. Make things authentic, make sure they feel like you... and then think about having fun. No one has ever left a wedding saying, "That party was so fun! Did you see the hand lettering on the favors??" No. At a great party, no one even notices the favors because they are so busy dancing/drinking/chatting/catching up/feeling overjoyed for the wedding couple/laughing/eating/telling stories/making memories. And remember, having fun isn't complicated (We're playing twister! We're doing a scavenger hunt!) It's easy. It's good people, good conversation, maybe some good food and wine, maybe some music, and two people who love each other joining their lives together. I know our wedding was successful because I keep accidentally referring to our reception as 'the party.' Remember when we danced to that song at the party? Remember that joke someone made at the party? And you know what? It was the best party I've ever been to.

And, finally, the one thing I can tell you from the other side: the party will be wonderful, it will be joyful, it will be what you need it to be. But the real secret? The other side is better. The other side is something you've never quite felt before. The other side is worth it.

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Special thanks to Meg from A Practical Wedding (http://www.apracticalwedding.com/) for being a guest blogger and sharing her words of wisdom with future brides.

How To Choose Your Perfect Destination Wedding Location

What happens after you decide to have a destination wedding? Most newly engaged couples are excited and absolutely thrilled about about the opportunity to get married abroad, but then hit a snag as they struggle how to proceed. With so many options, how do you even begin to choose the destination that is perfect for you?

The first thing to do is decide what type of wedding you’re planning have. That in turn will help pinpoint the geographical location that you want. For example, those considering a beach wedding are more likely to look at areas in Mexico, Central America, or areas of the Caribbean, while the person with their heart set on getting married in the mountains will look towards the majestic Rockies or the Appalachians.

Possible locations to have a wedding include:

• Beach Wedding: Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, and even parts of Florida
• Castle Wedding:Europe, Canada (Casa Loma in Toronto, Ontario), United States (Biltmore Castle in Asheville, North Carolina; Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California)
• Mountain Wedding:Numerous locations in Alberta (Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Jasper) and British Columbia (Fairmont, Golden, Revelstoke, Whistler, Vancouver’s Grouse Mountain); Colorado
• Winery Wedding:Napa Valley in California, United States; Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada
  

The next important step is to carefully consider what the majority of your guests, made up of close family members and friends, will be able to comfortably afford. Remember to include travel expenses, accommodation, and meals and drinks in your estimate. You don't want people to come to the wedding, but not be able to afford to eat or participate in other activities while there. All-inclusive resorts packages are extremely popular with those wishing to do a destination wedding for the simple reason that everything is included in the price. If the majority of your friends are still students or just starting out in their careers, they are likely to have little discretionary income, so choosing the best five-star resort in the area might make the trip out of their price range. In the same vein, if you decide to experience a rustic eco-lodge with no electricity or even a ceiling fan, a number of your guests will really struggle with the experience and end up having a terrible time which in turn will put a damper on your wedding experience. To best meet with success, most couples should aim for something that is rated a minimum of 4 or 4.5 stars. Cruising is another "inclusive" pricing option, in that it includes accommodation, all meals, activities and entertainment, although alcohol and air transportation is extra. Other options to consider may include renting private villas with kitchens to cook your own food, or some have staff that will prepare all of your meals if so desired.

When choosing a resort, you need to carefully consider its location, its amenities, and the crowd that it caters to. For example, if some of your guests have children, you will most likely want to stay away from the “adult only” resorts. Other important questions that you need to consider include:

• Are there choices for dining?
• Is there a pool and a beach for swimming?
• Is the resort completely isolated or near a town that is easy to get to?
• What types of activities are there to do? Is it easy to access local activities?
• Will guests need a vehicle for transportation or be able to survive without?
• Are there evening activities or a nightclub for the younger crowd?
• Is there an age limit for guests? Some possible restrictions include 13+, 16+, and 18+.
  

Probably the other most important piece of information you require is what types of weddings are offered at the resort or location of your choice. Most resorts offer specific wedding packages, beginning with a simple ceremony for two, all the way up to ones complete with receptions. It is important to check with the resort about what types of packages they offer and the costs associated with each. As well, I would encourage you to check if the resort has “a la carte” options, allowing you to upgrade and personalize your ceremony a little more. For example, many couples want a better photography package or wish to use a different photographer entirely. Some resorts will allow this if you buy a day pass for the photographer. Finally, you need to verify that the resort has an opening to perform your wedding at the time period you're looking for. There is no point booking your trip if the resort is unable to schedule your wedding.

A destination wedding is supposed to be easier to plan, but the stress can quickly escalate if you don't do your research in advance. Check with internet sites, such as http://www.tripadvisor.com/ to hear from actual people who have stayed at the resorts you're considering for "real" opinions, but read a number of them to get an overall impression from a number of guests. I would also encourage you to check with someone who specializes in destination wedding planning to advise you and help you find the destination best suited for you and your group. This person will also most likely be able to assist you in getting group pricing and better rates for you and your guests.

It's a big commitment, and can seem more than a little overwhelming, but I promise you that a destination wedding can be everything you dreamed of and more with the right research and preparation. Do your homework and you can find the perfect location for your dream wedding!

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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 info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Turning Your Dream Wedding Into A Reality

Whether it's dreams of castles and princesses or whimsical fairy tale fantasies, most brides have envisioned their wedding day right from an early age. They have such big hopes for their wedding day. However, as newly engaged couples start pricing out ballrooms and caterers, many of those dreams seem to come crashing down around them. Their once elegant plans dashed and the budget slashed as reality and the true cost of things comes brutally crashing down around them.

So often I talk with couples who want a beautiful wedding, but don't know how to go about it. They have sacrificed on the venue and cut down the guest list. The meal has been changed from five-courses to four. They have simplified as much as they can to the point that it seems like all of their wedding dreams have slipped away, leaving them with a big headache versus a unique and special celebration of their love. How then do you get the wedding that you want?

It is essential to start by making a list of what you envision your wedding to be. Write it down on paper. List what words you would use to describe your event. What would it look like if money wasn't an object? Where your wedding be? What would the venue look like? What would you look like? Be specific about as many items as possible - flowers, cake, food, centerpieces... What special touches do you envision? Look at "real weddings" in bridal magazines and wedding websites to get ideas that appeal to you. When making your list, don't worry about whether things are possible or not. Just focus on thinking big at this point as big ideas can inspire us. Your descriptive list will create a vision to work with, a starting place for go from. Just like building a house, your list will provide you with a foundation to build from.

During this process, I would strongly encourage you to work with a wedding coordinator that can also design and decorate for your wedding. Initially, it may seem like a big cost, but think about what you are getting out of it. A good decorator can take a basic, simple community hall room, and with the proper lighting and decor, transform the space into something else entirely, saving you big dollars on what you would have spent on a luxury hotel ballroom rental. She can take your vision and find affordable ways to incorporate your ideas. She may not be able to recreate your entire vision, but she can emphasize enough elements to create the ambiance that you're after. Often times, she can even suggest cost-effective special touches that you may not have even considered. She knows which venues will probably work best and knows the florist that can give you exactly what you're looking for. She may have ideas about rental props and decorating tips that you may not have even considered. The money you spend on the wedding planner/decorator will often end up stretching your dollar further than if you went out and contracted these services on your own, getting you more value for each dollar you spend. Furthermore, she also has the ideas and expertise to add the special little touches that will be able to transform your space into something spectacular.

Regardless of whether use a wedding coordinator/decorator or not, selecting a theme is essential as it pulls together all of the various elements of a wedding celebration. The theme can be subtle, such as simply choosing coordinating colours that will be used throughout, to completely over-the-top, where the theme is incorporated into every aspect of the wedding. It can be as simple as pinning paper butterflies on the back of chair covers to as grandiose as bringing in a literal forest of trees and fairy lights. The important things is that whatever theme you decide on, it should reflect you and ideas from the list that you originally came up with.

Always remember that your wedding has the potential to be great without costing an absolute fortune. With careful planning and consultation, you can create an event that your guests will still be talking about long after the wedding is over.

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Cathy MacRae is a certified wedding and event planner, and owner of Creative Weddings and Occasionsand 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. For more information about planning your own wedding or for advice from Cathy, please contact her at info@creativeweddingsandoccasions.com.

Villa Rentals - The New Destination Wedding Option

Heard the horror stories of drunk tourists crashing the wedding reception? What about the topless sunbather in the wedding photos or the couple that had their wedding reception amidst two other wedding parties in the same restaurant at the resort? The internet is full of brides and grooms with similar complaints about their destination wedding gone bad. Perhaps the more important question is how many sleepless nights have you had worrying that this could just as easily happen to you?

Your wedding day is too important to leave to chance! The resort wedding coordinators are excellent at handling the on-site details, but too often, the wedding ceremony and reception are all "cookie cutter" replicas of one another. To help create the unique wedding of your dreams, perhaps it is time to consider some different alternatives for your destination wedding, such as renting a luxury villa.

Rental villas are scattered through the world, with numerous options being available in the Caribbean. With as many as nine or ten bedrooms, villas can provide accomdations for up to 24 people. In many cases, some of the same amenities found in the upscale resorts are included in the villa price, such as tennis courts, games rooms, private bars, and a full-service staff to look after all of your needs. However, villas also offer the added bonus of a private pool, and in some cases, a secluded beach for your own personal pleasure. A number of villas also have an on-site chef that will look after all of your culinary needs during your stay for either a "per person per day" rate or for the cost of groceries. Whether you use the villa itself for your wedding, or an alternate location nearby, villas often provide the perfect PRIVATE setting that most couples are looking for.

Villas are perfect for small wedding parties of less than 20 guests, but what if your wedding group is a little larger, like 30 - 50 people? Alan at sunvillas.com was able to offer the perfect solution by suggesting a few neighbouring villas in the beautiful Montego Bay area. He was also able to recommend which villa was best to accommodate the couple's wedding, along with vendors that have been used in the past by other couples who married there. Using neighbouring villas allows everyone to stay in the same proximity of each other, but provides the opportunity for families to stay together, or maybe even accommodate wedding guests with different financial budgets.

Villas provide an intimate and romantic option not always available at some of the larger Caribbean resorts. They provide more versatility, allowing you to have the wedding you've always wanted. You won't be tied to the ceremony guidelines that the big resort set, and will be able to choose the vendors that will work best for you. Let your destination wedding specialist get started now in helping you find the perfect location for your special day and in making your wedding a dream come true!

For more information about villas rentals as a possible destination wedding location or travel destination, please contact us at www.creativeweddingsandoccasions.com .

Making Your Wedding Your Own

Weddings have been around for hundreds of years and are an important part of most cultures throughout the world. Countless traditions and customs have been established as part of this sacred celebration that occurs when two people make a commitment to love, cherish, and honour each other. As a result, when a couple gets newly engaged, almost everyone they know has an opinion on what the wedding should be like, and aren’t afraid to express it.

For many engaged couples, the planning can quickly become very overwhelming especially when there are family members to please. The best advice I can give you is to step back from it all and figure out what is most important to the two of you. After all, this is your special day!
Don’t get me wrong! Tradition and customs are important. They help connect us and bring some of the past to the present and the future. However, these traditions should be also be meaningful to the both of you if they are going to be included as part of your wedding celebration. This is especially true if you start examining the costs associated with some of these traditions.
One the of the best examples I’ve seen is with a couple I recently worked with. Mike and Melanie had definite idea for their wedding. They had sat down and figured out what was most important to them, and were able to stick to their plans. It helped that the two of them were paying for the wedding, so although family members had opinions, the couple was able to have the final say.

One of the big decisions came in the form that they chose not to have any attendants. They felt that they had so many good friends, how could they pick and choose? Instead, they opted to have both of sets of parents walk them down the aisle. As these were the most important people in each of their lives, they also had their mothers sign the wedding registry, while their fathers both performed separate reading during the ceremony. Many guests commented that it made the ceremony more intimate, and emphasized the close ties that this family shares.

This decision not to have attendants also impacted the reception in terms that there was no need for a head table. As an alternative, they arranged for a table for two to be set in the middle of the room, allowing them to share their first meal together as a newly married couple as just the two of them. Definitely a romantic touch!

Many wedding traditions, such as flowers, decorations, and wedding cake also come with big price tags. There are ways couple can look at reducing these expenses, by using alternate materials or eliminating them altogether. For example, Mike and Melanie didn’t really see the need for a wedding cake. As Mike said during the ceremony, “if you’re waiting for the cake, you’ll have to come back to another wedding next weekend.” The dessert they chose as a replacement was a scrumptious chocolate mousse, created and designed by the culinary staff at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce. As a personal touch, each dessert was monogrammed with two letter “M”s, one for the bride and one for the groom! I certainly didn’t see any guests mourn not having cake as they took their first bite of these mouth-watering morsels.

When planning a wedding in today’s modern society, there are so many details to consider. What you must remember is that this day should be about the two of you. There are legalities that must be incorporated, but in terms of the other decisions, you must make them based on what is most important to the two of you. Rules and traditions are changing. Opinions of family and friends should be considered, but you are ultimately responsible for the final decision. After all, this is your big day! Make it special and meaningful for you!

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