It wasn't long ago that attending a friend's wedding meant spending a Saturday night eating prime rib and dancing to cover versions of “Louie Louie” and “Brown Eyed Girl.”
Now, it might involve three days in Mexico or a long weekend in Maine. There could be scuba diving, cruises, square dancing or a marshmallow roast at a national park.
With a growing number of couples opting to exchange vows far from where they and most of their guests live, saying “yes” to an invite has taken on a whole new meaning.
“Destination weddings” can be fun. And time-consuming. And terribly expensive. Those most likely to be invited to a lot of weddings - people in their 20s, say - also tend to have the least seniority at work and the least disposable income.
Some guests, of course, are happy to pack their bags.
“I love the opportunity to travel and go somewhere I wouldn't have gone, or just to have an excuse to go somewhere that I like,” says Tamar Kummel, a massage therapist from New York City. She plans to attend a friend's wedding in California and another on Cape Cod later this year.
“If you didn't have this invitation, you'd never go,” she says.
But there's a downside. Kummel's boyfriend, Sean Harris, who works at an investment banking company, has a limited number of vacation days and sees a three-day wedding extravaganza as a drain on his time.
“He finds it really inconsiderate of people,” Kummel says.
What's a modern wedding guest to do? A primer:
-- Do you have to attend?
“People who are having a destination wedding absolutely expect certain people can't attend the wedding for financial or schedule reasons,” says Carley Roney, co-founder of the wedding planning Web site TheKnot.com. But she advises against mentioning your finances when you decline. “It's such a guilt-tripping kind of thing,” she says. “Come up with a very appropriate reason, even if it has to be a white lie.”
Joanna Hanak of Broomfield, Colo., knew that some invited guests wouldn't attend her wedding last fall in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. “We told people that we didn't expect them to come, but wanted them to know they were welcome,” she says.
Hopefully, guests will get plenty of warning.
“Couples should give their guests at least three or four months to plan by sending out detailed Save-the-Date cards,” says Lei Lydle, founder of the Atlanta-based WeddingBasics.com, which publishes bridal Web sites in several U.S. cities.
That's especially important if the wedding falls on a holiday weekend, when travel can be difficult and expensive.
-- Must you stay where the bride and groom suggest?
The couple will likely offer information on a range of accommodations, and they may have blocked rooms at several locations.
“In a situation where the bride and groom have not been so thoughtful,” says etiquette expert Samantha von Sperling, founder and director of Polished Social Image Consultants in New York, “go online and book your own accommodations and then you can call them and say, ‘I'm sorry but I couldn't afford the place you picked, so I've found something else just down the road. But I promise I'll be there and be on time.'"
-- Do you have to attend every planned event?
Destination weddings often involve a raft of events, including a cocktail party to welcome guests and a brunch the morning after the ceremony. If three solid days of bonding with relatives, co-workers or strangers doesn't appeal to you, Roney says it's fine to opt out of a few daytime events. But if you're skipping something, let someone in the bridal party know so that no one waits or searches for you.
-- What if you've got kids?
If children are invited (with destination weddings, they often are), your hosts may have some childcare planned. Ask whether kids are welcome at all the weekend's events, then ask if baby-sitting is available during any that are grown-ups only. If nothing has been arranged, you might contact the hotel where the wedding is happening or where you're staying and inquire about baby-sitting services.
Some guests, like New Yorkers Michele Clarke-Ceres and her husband, Rudy Ceres, see destination weddings as an opportunity for a private getaway sans kids.
“We take advantage of taking time away to just spend time alone,” she says.
-- Do you have to bring a gift?
“You can definitely scale back,” says Roney. “But unless they specifically say, 'the present is your presence,' you should buy a gift, even if it's a $30 something off their registry. People who are in that age range where they are going to a wedding every weekend can chip in with a group of people and do a group gift.”
http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=61551§ion=Features
Saturday, December 29, 2007
New Business Offers Full-Service Destination Weddings in Barbados for a Stress-Free Option
Couples wishing to make public declarations of life-long devotion to one another can now do so without the added anxiety so common in planning marriages today; if they choose a Caribbean beach wedding in Barbados (http://www.asu-wish.com/weddings-in-barbados.aspx). Launched in September 2007, Asuwish offers holiday and lifestyle concierge services with a focus on fulfilling every destination wedding (http://www.asu-wish.com/barbados-marriage-requirements.aspx) desire to create an unforgettable, carefree experience in a romantic island setting.
The company's mission is to chart a new course in customer service and lead the industry towards a dynamic model of limitless and immaculate service. This ideology has shaped operations and a Barbados wedding and honeymoon (http://www.asu-wish.com/default.aspx) with Asuwish promises a worry-free experience. From a warm welcome at the island airport to the farewell, and every minute aspect in between including transportation, accommodations, wedding and reception plans, as well as the honeymoon, is anticipated and efficiently dealt with in order to create a rare and remarkable wedding day.
The Asuwish team of professionals has collectively planned over 500 weddings and events (including vow renewals (http://www.asu-wish.com/weddings-renewal-of-vows.aspx)) for local and international clients over the past 20 years. Asuwish is a trusted source that takes pride in making the impossible possible with dedicated, impeccable and extraordinary service. Offering unlimited consultation with the bride and groom, Asuwish promises to take care of the details of the ceremony so the couple can attend to the real reason for their commitment. A full-service Barbados wedding (http://www.asu-wish.com/about-us-your-barbados-tour-guide.aspx) is sure to etch the experience on the minds of the couple and everyone attending.
"We excel at taking care of those tedious but absolutely necessary details that tend to rattle the calm of the bride and groom and distract them from the true meaning of marriage," says Derrick Springer, co-founder of Asuwish. "It's our passion to serve and our goal to create a wedding experience where the couple and their guests wish the day will never end."
About Asuwish:
Asuwish is a full-service Barbados holiday and lifestyle concierge service provider for visitors and Barbados residents. With a collective experience of over 20 years in Barbados hotel and tourism, their mission is to chart a new course in customer service and lead the industry towards a dynamic model of limitless and immaculate service. The management team includes Mary Brewster, Director of Sales and Customer Service, and Deborah Catlyn, Operations Manager.
http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27127&Itemid=54
The company's mission is to chart a new course in customer service and lead the industry towards a dynamic model of limitless and immaculate service. This ideology has shaped operations and a Barbados wedding and honeymoon (http://www.asu-wish.com/default.aspx) with Asuwish promises a worry-free experience. From a warm welcome at the island airport to the farewell, and every minute aspect in between including transportation, accommodations, wedding and reception plans, as well as the honeymoon, is anticipated and efficiently dealt with in order to create a rare and remarkable wedding day.
The Asuwish team of professionals has collectively planned over 500 weddings and events (including vow renewals (http://www.asu-wish.com/weddings-renewal-of-vows.aspx)) for local and international clients over the past 20 years. Asuwish is a trusted source that takes pride in making the impossible possible with dedicated, impeccable and extraordinary service. Offering unlimited consultation with the bride and groom, Asuwish promises to take care of the details of the ceremony so the couple can attend to the real reason for their commitment. A full-service Barbados wedding (http://www.asu-wish.com/about-us-your-barbados-tour-guide.aspx) is sure to etch the experience on the minds of the couple and everyone attending.
"We excel at taking care of those tedious but absolutely necessary details that tend to rattle the calm of the bride and groom and distract them from the true meaning of marriage," says Derrick Springer, co-founder of Asuwish. "It's our passion to serve and our goal to create a wedding experience where the couple and their guests wish the day will never end."
About Asuwish:
Asuwish is a full-service Barbados holiday and lifestyle concierge service provider for visitors and Barbados residents. With a collective experience of over 20 years in Barbados hotel and tourism, their mission is to chart a new course in customer service and lead the industry towards a dynamic model of limitless and immaculate service. The management team includes Mary Brewster, Director of Sales and Customer Service, and Deborah Catlyn, Operations Manager.
http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27127&Itemid=54
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Destination Weddings for Dummies
I found another video on YouTube (originally from Brideorama). This one features Susan Breslow, author of Destination Weddings for Dummies.
She offers three tips for people planning destination weddings:
* Find out the local marriage laws ? residency requirements vary by country (for example, France is 40 days)
* Prepare for the weather ? Breslow says, hope for sun, but be prepared with a backup venue inside
* Have a fun party at home ? We agree on this front. See our previous entry Advanced Topics ? The Welcome Back Reception.
http://wedding.blogdig.net/archives/articles/December2007/10/Destination_Weddings_for_Dummies.html
She offers three tips for people planning destination weddings:
* Find out the local marriage laws ? residency requirements vary by country (for example, France is 40 days)
* Prepare for the weather ? Breslow says, hope for sun, but be prepared with a backup venue inside
* Have a fun party at home ? We agree on this front. See our previous entry Advanced Topics ? The Welcome Back Reception.
http://wedding.blogdig.net/archives/articles/December2007/10/Destination_Weddings_for_Dummies.html
Destination Weddings Myths And Facts
Discover more about destination weddings and how having a wedding at destination of your dreams can happen
One of the new trends at the minute are destination weddings. You may want to know what exactly a destination weOne Touch Article Submission - Long Lasting Exposure Makes You a Recognized Expertdding is?
As time has passed more and more brides and grooms have decided that the traditional ways of having a wedding in a large church closely followed by spending the day at a reception hall are long gone. Instead they are choosing to enjoy the lavish ways of visiting luxurious locations to have there big day. Hence the reason why it called a destination wedding.
If you are one of the people who tired of the same old thing then this could just be the way for you to spend your big day as well.
A destination wedding is exactly as it sounds... you will spend your big day at a destination of your choice. Some of the more popular choices are those that include the tropics or even someplace that is totally remote. Yet there are some who are enjoying hosting there wedding in Alaska or across European destinations.
It may seem like a dream to have a wedding in a far of luxurious location, but now days it can very easily become a reality.
It can be a daunting thought of trying to plan for a wedding that will be held many miles away but it is in fact not that difficult at all. More and more people are enjoying getting married in this way, that resorts are now making weddings part of there packages.
They even goes as far to helping you put together each and every aspect of your wedding without you having to travel all the way to your chosen destination to do so.
It that's not good enough they can even have vendors on hand who will provide for every aspect of the wedding. This can help in reducing the costs greatly.
If there is anywhere in the world that you have always dreamed about travelling to then why not host your wedding there? Who invite is up to you, whether it is all your family or just close relatives
If you want the best of both worlds you can always have the church wedding and reception when you get back. Or maybe just the one.
A wedding day is one of the most special moments in a persons life, so why not have it were you wish, don't let countries be a barrier in planning for your wedding day.
There is always the money factor and many brides and grooms may not be capable of spending a large sum of money but don't let this put you of. There are always ways in which you will be able to lower your costs, guest who attend could pay towards the trip to your destination.
They may even treat it as a holiday where they will get to see there family or friend get married. That would be one to remember.
Destination weddings are a lot of fun, and if this is the way you choose to spend you wedding day then don't let anything stop you. There are more and more locations ready and waiting to help make the wedding of your dreams become a reality.
http://information-galaxy.com/article.detail.php/23458/249/Weddings/Relationships/49/Destination_Weddings_Myths_And_Facts
One of the new trends at the minute are destination weddings. You may want to know what exactly a destination weOne Touch Article Submission - Long Lasting Exposure Makes You a Recognized Expertdding is?
As time has passed more and more brides and grooms have decided that the traditional ways of having a wedding in a large church closely followed by spending the day at a reception hall are long gone. Instead they are choosing to enjoy the lavish ways of visiting luxurious locations to have there big day. Hence the reason why it called a destination wedding.
If you are one of the people who tired of the same old thing then this could just be the way for you to spend your big day as well.
A destination wedding is exactly as it sounds... you will spend your big day at a destination of your choice. Some of the more popular choices are those that include the tropics or even someplace that is totally remote. Yet there are some who are enjoying hosting there wedding in Alaska or across European destinations.
It may seem like a dream to have a wedding in a far of luxurious location, but now days it can very easily become a reality.
It can be a daunting thought of trying to plan for a wedding that will be held many miles away but it is in fact not that difficult at all. More and more people are enjoying getting married in this way, that resorts are now making weddings part of there packages.
They even goes as far to helping you put together each and every aspect of your wedding without you having to travel all the way to your chosen destination to do so.
It that's not good enough they can even have vendors on hand who will provide for every aspect of the wedding. This can help in reducing the costs greatly.
If there is anywhere in the world that you have always dreamed about travelling to then why not host your wedding there? Who invite is up to you, whether it is all your family or just close relatives
If you want the best of both worlds you can always have the church wedding and reception when you get back. Or maybe just the one.
A wedding day is one of the most special moments in a persons life, so why not have it were you wish, don't let countries be a barrier in planning for your wedding day.
There is always the money factor and many brides and grooms may not be capable of spending a large sum of money but don't let this put you of. There are always ways in which you will be able to lower your costs, guest who attend could pay towards the trip to your destination.
They may even treat it as a holiday where they will get to see there family or friend get married. That would be one to remember.
Destination weddings are a lot of fun, and if this is the way you choose to spend you wedding day then don't let anything stop you. There are more and more locations ready and waiting to help make the wedding of your dreams become a reality.
http://information-galaxy.com/article.detail.php/23458/249/Weddings/Relationships/49/Destination_Weddings_Myths_And_Facts
Archive for the 'Destination Weddings' Category
We are glad to inform you the birth of Mediterranean Dream Weddings which organizes customized wedding events across the Mediterranean area.
Whether it be a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony, wedding vows renewal or planning a honeymoon trip our Personal Wedding Planners will help during the entire process assuring constant professional assistance with necessary paperwork, selecting the restaurant or catering service as well as the menu, organizing transportation, and other services, such as the photographer, videographer, flower arrangements, and musical selections.
Our locations are: Firenze (Florence) where our head office is, furthermore Anghiari, Barcelona, Catania, Mallorca, Nice, Rome, Monaco, San Gimignano, Siena and Venice.
http://www.bestweddingsites.com/weddingnews/?cat=10
Whether it be a civil, religious or symbolic ceremony, wedding vows renewal or planning a honeymoon trip our Personal Wedding Planners will help during the entire process assuring constant professional assistance with necessary paperwork, selecting the restaurant or catering service as well as the menu, organizing transportation, and other services, such as the photographer, videographer, flower arrangements, and musical selections.
Our locations are: Firenze (Florence) where our head office is, furthermore Anghiari, Barcelona, Catania, Mallorca, Nice, Rome, Monaco, San Gimignano, Siena and Venice.
http://www.bestweddingsites.com/weddingnews/?cat=10
Couples say 'I do, I do' to destination weddings; Florida is among
When Karen Matuszewski and Louis Glaza of Chicago were planning their wedding about this time last year, they decided they wanted a location that was warm and out of the norm.
So the couple researched various wedding destinations and decided to opt for Playa Paraiso, a private beachfront resort area near Cancun, Mexico.
Fifteen family members and friends joined the couple at adjacent all-inclusive Iberostar resorts for the April beachfront wedding and reception.
"I can't imagine a more romantic location than a gorgeous beach for a wedding. I'm on top of the world," Karen Glaza said just after her wedding.
Her father also was thrilled with the wedding location choice because it offered the family a great excuse to take a much-needed vacation.
"It's been fantastic to get away. We're thinking of coming back next year," Bill Matuszewski said.
Destination weddings are becoming the rage as couples discover the advantages of traveling to host their wedding in a glamorous location.
Popular destinations include St. Augustine, Fla., the Florida Keys, the Caribbean islands and Cancun, Mexico.
A destination wedding solves the dilemma of whether to hold
the nuptials in the couple's hometown or where they now live. The option is ideal for couples who have family and friends living in far-flung locations.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20071028/ai_n21075124
So the couple researched various wedding destinations and decided to opt for Playa Paraiso, a private beachfront resort area near Cancun, Mexico.
Fifteen family members and friends joined the couple at adjacent all-inclusive Iberostar resorts for the April beachfront wedding and reception.
"I can't imagine a more romantic location than a gorgeous beach for a wedding. I'm on top of the world," Karen Glaza said just after her wedding.
Her father also was thrilled with the wedding location choice because it offered the family a great excuse to take a much-needed vacation.
"It's been fantastic to get away. We're thinking of coming back next year," Bill Matuszewski said.
Destination weddings are becoming the rage as couples discover the advantages of traveling to host their wedding in a glamorous location.
Popular destinations include St. Augustine, Fla., the Florida Keys, the Caribbean islands and Cancun, Mexico.
A destination wedding solves the dilemma of whether to hold
the nuptials in the couple's hometown or where they now live. The option is ideal for couples who have family and friends living in far-flung locations.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20071028/ai_n21075124
Mexico Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, & Romantic Getaways
Mexico is an easy destination for couples to love thanks to warm sunshine, warm smiles, and lots of cool romantic options. Whether the two of you are in the mood for a fiesta or a siesta, you'll find it here. Opt to chill out in the shade along a palm-fringed beach, explore mountain villages and historic sites, or try your bargaining skills in the mercados.
Where should you go? The answer depends on several factors:
• where are you located and how many days do you have to spend?
• what is your idea of a romantic destination: the beach, the mountains, a quiet village, a bustling city?
Have a look at a map of Mexico for an idea of what destinations are closest to your gateway city, especially if you only have a few days or one week for your honeymoon. From there, explore our pages dedicated to each region of Mexico for in-depth romantic travel articles:
http://www.lovetripper.com/search-mexico.html
Where should you go? The answer depends on several factors:
• where are you located and how many days do you have to spend?
• what is your idea of a romantic destination: the beach, the mountains, a quiet village, a bustling city?
Have a look at a map of Mexico for an idea of what destinations are closest to your gateway city, especially if you only have a few days or one week for your honeymoon. From there, explore our pages dedicated to each region of Mexico for in-depth romantic travel articles:
http://www.lovetripper.com/search-mexico.html
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)