Romantic Island Weddings: 2009

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Taking Your Destination Wedding From Cookie Cutter To Unique

More and more couples are choosing to marry abroad at the destination of their dreams. They envision getting married in a picture perfect setting surrounded by breathtaking arrangements of tropical flowers and with an incredible sunset in the background. They look forward to having every detail looked after by the onsite resort wedding planner, and being able to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the entire experience. Unfortunately, the picture in their mind doesn't always match the actual experience without a lot of upgrades and additional expenses.

The first thing that each couple should realize is that while most resorts offer a variety of wedding packages it is essential to read the fineprint and know exactly what you're getting for your money. Does the price include the cost of your officiant who will be performing the ceremony? Will the ceremony decor look like the pictures you've seen on their website or does it just include a basic signing table, white tablecloth, and simple floral arrangement? Is the ceremony and reception limited to a specific number of guests, and if so, what are the additional costs per person if you add to that number? These are just some of the basic questions you need to know before you sign on the dotted line of your contract.

Don't get me wrong! There are some fabulous opportunities for couples to have a beautiful destination wedding. Couples just have to be willing to do their homework ahead of time to ensure that they are not disappointed or end up paying for significant upgrades in the days before their wedidng. Here are some tips to make sure your wedding is exactly what you want it to be:

In your initial conversations with the resort's on-site wedding coordinator, check if you will be able to make selections such as choosing your flowers or cake ahead of time. This is easy to do through e-mailing digital photos, but some resorts prefer you to wait and plan your wedding with them in the days before you get married. Unfortunately, if you wait that long, you may end up having to settle on some of your decisions as it will be too late to make alternative arrangements or else be prepared to pay significant dollars for upgrades.
Ensure that the resort offers a bad weather alternative and know what exactly that entails. We hope for the best, but smart couples plan for the worst.
Collect pictures from magazines or wedding websites of bouquets, centerpieces and wedding cakes that appeal to you. Scan them into your computer and it will make it much easier to communicate ideas back and forth about what you want. Many resorts offer an upgrade for flowers, musicians, cake, and decor. You mine as well get what you would like than just accept what is offered. Once again, do this early in the game to ensure that you have enough lead time to get what you want.
Make sure you compare the package to the "a la carte" options of building your wedding yourself. It may end up more cost-effective to choose a less expensive package and personalize it yourself.
Check online with other couples who have gotten married at your chosen resort. How was their experience? What concerns did they have? What advice could they offer? Learn from those who have married before you!
Meet with the onsite coordinator in the early part of your trip to review the details of your wedding. The earlier you make this meeting the better chance you have of being able to make any necessary changes or improvements that need to happen.
Most importantly, make sure you get any additions or deletions to your wedding contract in writing. Always note the time and date it was discussed, as well as who you were speaking with. In addition, bring your file with all of your notes, e-mails, and amendments with your on your trip in case you need to refer back to them.
Don't be afraid to ask for help. Get a wedding planner in your area who has experience with destination weddings. She will have your specific needs in mind and can negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get the wedding that you want. It is up to you on whether you want them to travel with you for the ceremony itself, but recognize that having them there can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders, allowing you to truly relax and enjoy the entire experience.

Destination weddings can be beautiful and magical with the proper planning and attention to detail ahead of time.Destination weddings can be a beautiful and magical experience. You just have to remember that although this will be one of the most important days of your lives, for the resort, this is just part of their regular business. They prefer to keep things simple because it makes their lives easier. A smart resort, however, recognizes the significance of your wedding to the two of you and will want to work with you to make it everything you dreamed of. (Happy customers will be repeat customers.) Work with your resort wedding planner to communicate your ideas and make many of the necessary decisions ahead of time. With the proper planning and attention to detail, your destination wedding can be everything you ever dreamed about and more.

If you wish further assistance, or advice on your own destination wedding, 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 info@delsoldestinationweddings.com.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Invitation Etiquette

As your wedding date draws nearer, it is time to send out your wedding invitations. With so many options available, it is important for you and your guests to understand the etiquette involved.

Each invitation should be specifically addressed to the guests that are being invited. For example, if you address the invitation to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Smith and Family, you are inviting Carl, his wife, and their children. If you only address the invite to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Smith, the intention is to only invite Carl and his wife. However, please note that although you may be aware of invitation etiquette, your guests may not. The response card may be returned with more guests than you you intended. If this happens, it is up to you to decide on how to respond. You may have to call them and politely explain that the invitation was really intended for only the adults. If this is an uncomfortable conversation, then you may just have to be ready to add to your guest list.

If you are inviting a couple who live together, but who are not married, then you specifically address the invitation to both of them, such as Mr. Carl Smith and Ms. Anna Roberts.

In the past, when single friends have been invited it has been customary to address the invite as Mr. Thomas Anderson and Guest, giving them the choice of whether to bring someone or not. More recently, with the high costs associated with weddings, some couples are choosing to limit their guest list, especially if they have a number of single friends who already normally hang out together. Once again, if you receive the response card and the number is two instead of one, then be prepared to make a phone call to clarify the situation right away or accept an increase in your guest numbers. However, please note that if a single friend has been seeing someone for three months or more, you should include "and Guest" on the wedding invitation, allowing them to bring a date.

RSVP cards should already be stamped and ready to be mailed back. It may seem like a little thing, but it is considered bad form to make your guests pay for their own postage.

Information in regards to where you've registered for gifts should not be included in your wedding invitation. Instead, create a wedding website that not only includes maps and updates about your wedding, but a specific section of links to places you've registered. Now days it is considered quite acceptable to include the website address in your wedding invitation to point guests in the right direction.

Wedding invitations are normally mailed out three to six months prior to the wedding. Although e-mails work for Save The Dates, invitations should still be "hard copy".

For additional assistance on how to properly word wedding invitations or help with any of your other wedding stationary questions, please contact us at info@delsoldestinationweddings.com.

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Friday, September 18, 2009

Tips For Getting Great Wedding Pictures

Wedding photography is one of those things that should not be left to chance. The pictures taken that day will last a lifetime, being seen by your children, your grandchildren, and even future generations. They are special moments in time that you will look back on fondly in the years to come. As a result, you will want to make sure that you hire the right person to take your wedding photographs.

The following are some tips to consider when looking at finding the perfect photographer for your wedding:

Tip #1:
Research your wedding photographer ahead of time. Get references, check their portfolio, and ask to see a complete example of a wedding he or she covered. A number of couples have a destination wedding believe that they have to use the "resort photographer" that is included as part of the wedding package. Don't be afraid to look elsewhere!

Tip #2:
Look at wedding photos of friends and acquaintances. When you see ones you like, ask for the photographer's contact information.

Tip #3:
Make sure that you meet with the photographer who will be covering your wedding. You want to ensure that there is a good connection there as you will spend a lot of time with this person on your wedding day. This is a little harder to do for a destination wedding, but check out their portfolios online and trust your gut instinct when you speak to the photographer.

Tip #4:
Sit down as a couple ahead of time and decide what photograph shots are important to the two of you. Your photographer may have some ideas of their own that you may want to consider. Create a list and include the list as part of your contract.

Tip #5:
Make sure you know ahead of time what is included in the photographer's package. It would be criminal to pay to get the photos taken, but not have the funds to get them developed or placed in an album.

Tip #6:
Particularly if you're doing a destination wedding on the beach and choose to use the resort photographer that is included as part of the wedding package, take a quick surveillance of the beach to ensure that there aren't any unwanted guests who may appear as part of your wedding photos.

Tip #7:
Be sure to include your photographer (and their assistant) in the total number of guests that you give to your reception venue. After all, they deserve a meal too after their hard work throughout the day.

Tip #8:
When you receive the DVD with your digital prints, make a copy and leave it with a close relative or friend. In case of flood or fire, you will at least be comforted by the fact that your wedding photos haven't been lost completely.

There are a lot of details to consider when planning a wedding. Start working on finding your photographer shortly after finalizing your date and venues. The effort you put into finding the right person to take your wedding photos will be worth every minute you invest. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words. A great photo is worth much more!

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Friday, September 4, 2009

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.

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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.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Tips To Ensure Your Destination Wedding Goes Smoothly

Ahh, paradise! The waves gently wash up on the sugary white sand. The sun is just starting to set slowly over the horizon, creating a magnificent sunset backdrop for the ceremony. Your closest family and friends have travelled from near and far to join you on this special day. It’s your wedding, and everything is going perfectly according to plan, or is it?

Destination weddings, just like regular weddings, are prone to obstacles. One of the problems that occurs is due to the distance involved, many destination couples hope for the best and assume everything will go perfectly in paradise. The challenge lies in making sure you’ve got all of the details covered, just like planning for a regular wedding. Furthermore, you want to ensure that you are prepared to handle any possible situation that may arise. After all, avoiding any unnecessary surprises is half the battle!

Lost Luggage
You’re travelling to a destination which often involves suitcases and airplanes. Anyone who has lost their luggage will tell you what a terrible experience it is. There is a limited amount you can do to avoid this from happening, but there are some steps you can take to make things easier if it does occur.

First of all, ensure that all bags that you’re travelling with are clearly labelled with your name and contact information. If possible, put a second tag on it as well. Also check the luggage tags yourselves to ensure they are properly checked through with the correct airport codes. If your luggage does get lost, taking these simple precautions will make it easier to be identified.

Secondly, put some of your clothes in his bags, and vice versa. This way, if one of you does lose your luggage, you still have some items to work with in the meantime.

Third, if you plan on carrying your wedding dress onboard, check with the airlines in advance about making arrangements to do so. Most brides have no idea that these arrangements often need to be made ahead of time, sometimes risking huge fees at the airport at the last minute in order to bring their wedding attire along on the flight.

Proper Paperwork Filed
What could be worse than getting ready for your wedding only to learn that the proper paperwork wasn’t filed on time, and therefore, your ceremony won’t be legal? Try and keep smiling with that going on in the back of your mind!

To start with, I recommend that you check with your resort wedding coordinator for the requirements of a legal ceremony in your destination location, but I wouldn’t stop there. I would also encourage you to check out other websites, including government ones for the most up-to-date regulations and requirements. Also check with your own government if a wedding from your destination country is considered legal and if there is any special paperwork that may be required. Especially when the legality of your wedding is at stake, it is better to be safe than sorry.

In addition, make sure you note any important dates and set yourself a deadline well ahead of the final cut-off. For example, a number of countries require the paperwork to be registered 30 days prior to the ceremony. With that in mind, I would aim for getting it there two months ahead of time, giving yourself extra days to allow for transportation of documents, and possible any translations that may have to occur.

Officiant Hired and Confirmed
Most often, the onsite wedding coordinator will book your officiant. To safeguard yourself, I would ask for the contact information and confirm it myself just to be safe. I heard of one couple whose wedding ended up being delayed for three hours waiting for a back-up officiant to arrive because the onsite coordinator had made a mistake and forgot to book one.

Secondly, make sure that you clearly understand what the ceremony will be like. In many Hispanic countries, the language spoken throughout the ceremony will be in Spanish, although it can be arranged for a translator to be present at the ceremony.

It is also important to find out if you are able to have some personal touches in the ceremony. Are you allowed to have other friends or family perform readings? Are you able to have a sand ceremony or a candle ceremony (harder to do if you’re outside in the breeze)? Your onsite wedding coordinator can probably answer some of these questions for you, but you may want to take the initiative and either ask her to confirm the details on your behalf or speak with the officiant yourself.

Poor Weather Alternative
As much as us hope for perfect weather on our wedding day, we can’t always get what we want. My motto is to prepare for the worst, and that includes bad weather. When you are booking your wedding, make sure you know what the contingency plans in case of poor weather. Don't just let the onsite coordinator tell you it is covered. Ask her for specific details. If you’re moving to an indoor location, what will happen in terms of décor, etc? Who makes the final decision about whether it is outside or inside? When is the latest that decision can be made? You will want to ensure that the alternate location is suitable for the size of your wedding and that it can be quickly adapted into a nice location.

If a poor weather alternative is not provided, then I would seriously consider another resort or get the coordinator to come up with a suitable plan of action before you commit to anything. If the plan is in place and you don’t need it, great! If the worst happens and there is a torrential downpour, the wedding can still continue and everyone will stay dry and happy!

Heat and Humidity
Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles couples aren’t prepared for is the difference in the heat and humidity that they face compared to the climate they’re used to at home. If possible, book your wedding ceremony for either early or late in the day to avoid some of the extreme temperatures that are experienced from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM or so.

Encourage your guests to dress in clothes more suitable to the climate. At a recent wedding in Costa Rica, the couple asked everyone to dress in white (color reflects the sun) and to choose clothing in fabrics of cotton or linen that are cooler and breathe easier. Of course, these were only suggestions that were made, but gave guests permission to dress more casually and make suitable choices for the climate and location.

As a bride, you will want to make sure you have your make-up bag on hand as you may have to freshen up often to avoid looking wilted. Dry powder will help keep you looking fresh, but you may have to take a few moments to remove some of the old make-up and reapply so you avoid the look of having it caked on. Anything that is “oilfree” may also help reduce the amount of shine that can come with perspiration.

For the groom, you may want to make sure you have an extra shirt or two, or even a second pair of pants. At a recent wedding in Costa Rica, the groom perspired through three shirts. (He brought five so that wasn’t a problem.) But he never anticipated that he would sweat through his pants as well. Thank goodness one of his shirts was a little longer and covered the “wet spots” on the back of his pants!

Finally, this may seem like common sense, but make sure that you drink lots of water to stay hydrated and possible even avoid long sessions in the sun on the day of your ceremony. You certainly don’t want to get heat exhaustion on your wedding day!

Wedding Coordinator
I always advice couples to have someone on hand to handle and coordinate all of the details of a wedding. The last person who should have to be dealing with these things is the bride herself. The bride and groom should be able to enjoy their wedding day without people constantly asking them if they should start serving the tapas or dealing with the musicians that have not yet arrived.

Many of the resorts have a onsite wedding coordinator. This person is usually designated to looking after the weddings that happen on the resort property, but while many of them are quite good, you often don’t know the experience of this person. Check websites, such as http://www.bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/ to get current and updated information about other couples who have gotten married at the same resort. These people can be a source of great information and insight. Also good information source is Google to check out what other people have said. Now, you do have to edit and filter the information that is out there, but it should give you an idea fairly quickly of whether people are pleased with the services they received or not.
Even if everything has been arranged ahead of time, make sure you book an appointment with your wedding coordinator early in your trip to review the details and ensure that everything is as you requested and pictured. It's just one more step to confirm and review the details to make sure your wedding is what you planned and envisioned it to be. You certainly don’t want any surprises!

If your wedding site location does not have a coordinator, it would be in your best interest to either hire one from the location or bring one from home experienced in destination weddings. Having someone who can confirm and own all of the possible challenges that may arise will be worth every cent that you end up paying, as the other option is that you end up doing it all yourself.

My philosophy has always been that if you have a back-up plan, you won’t need it. Planning a destination weddings has just as much potential for problems as planning a regular wedding, if not more as so many of the details are looked after long-distance. The key to making sure things go smoothly is to get the details looked after and confirmed ahead of time, and have alternative solutions to some of the more possible problems. This care and attention to detail ahead of time will ensure that your wedding celebration goes off without a hitch!

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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 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@delsoldestinationweddings.com.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Make Your Reception Rock!

Great receptions don't just happen. And it's certainly something you don't want to leave to chance. A great reception is planned well ahead of time and is full of ideas to increase the fun factor and guest involvement. After all, the wedding is over and your reception is the opportunity to kick back and celebrate!

One of the first things you want to consider is the appropriateness of the venue. Does it provide the type of atmosphere you’re looking for? There is a lot you can do with décor and lighting to completely transform the venue and create the ambiance you're after. You may even want to assign a theme. What about recreating the glamour of a classic Hollywood movie premier, or perhaps you want more of the party atmosphere associated with Mardi Gras. Think, you could decorate the room in colors of purple, green, and gold and have masks available for your guests to help get them in the spirit!

Choosing your source of music is equally important. Personally, I've always been partial to a live band, but a great DJ can be equally as effective. Whoever you hire, you want to be assured that they are able to read and react to your guests. In particular, you want to make sure that they have a playlist guaranteed to get your guests in mood. It is important to think of what types of music your guests are going to enjoy and respond to. Take the time at least a month ahead of time to work with your band or DJ to create a playlist that will match the mood and ambiance you desire for your wedding reception.

The other essential element is to come up with ideas that will encourage guests to become more involved. For example, at the recent wedding reception we did in Costa Rica, a Tequila Shooter table was set up in the middle of the dance floor as the band started their third set of music. In addition, members of the wedding party (arranged ahead of time) started handing out props, such as Hawaiian leis, straw hats, and maracas engraved with the newlyweds’ names. Combining the party props, the tequila, and pre-arranging with the live Salsa band to kick the music into high gear, allowed the partyto takeon new life and become totally reenergized.

Finally, you may want to make some plans with your wedding party ahead of time. Get your groomsmen and bridesmaids to start conga lines and keep the dancing going. Maybe even be more direct with your attendants by asking them to invite “wallflowers” to dance, giving everyone a chance to get more involved and have some fun.

Your reception should be a festive occasion and something that everyone can enjoy. It will take careful planning, but with the right attention, it can be the culmination of a great day and a fantastic celebration that you and all of your guests will remember fondly for years to come!

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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 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@delsoldestinationweddings.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

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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Monday, July 20, 2009

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.