The Second Time - Another White Wedding?

That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white wedding dress, a beautiful church, luscious bridesmaids and the groom in tails. Plus all the trimmings and a heavenly reception and a great honeymoon.

Upsetting as it is, at least 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. But we don't give up do we? Some 80 percent of us marry again. Hopefully, we're a little wiser, a little more experienced and a little more sensible the second time. And a little more relaxed.

The formal, traditional white wedding is not only expensive, it can be incredibly stressful despite the power of our dreams and fantasies and the years we spent imagining just how it would be. For most, the second time isn't seen as particularly suitable for a traditional white wedding.

While many of us settle for a simple exchange of vows and a much less formal party for friends and relatives, you may want to consider a couple delightful alternatives.

Remember, a second wedding is still a wedding. You and your other are making a real and significant commitment to a life together. It deserves to be marked off from the more mundane events of everyday life.

Events that are significant markers in our lives are normally weighted with significance by traditions, unusual activities, special psychological and social meanings. This makes them stand out and marks transitions from one phase of our life to a new phase. Anthropologists call them rites of passage and weddings are a prime example.

One lovely new development has been the growth of both theme weddings and destination weddings. They can be especially well suited to the second wedding. Theme weddings can be nearly anything you can conceive of - from medieval with antique styled Gothic wedding dresses to the extremely casual styles associated with a beach wedding. You can truly let your imagination run riot. For you and your guests it can offer an absolutely unique experience that will be remembered forever.

Alternatively, destination weddings can be of any type. While the basic idea is that it takes place in some beautiful, exotic or historical setting, far from your day-to-day life, you can arrange for anything from a full-blown white wedding to a small cozy informal exchange of vows outdoors in a natural setting so lovely that no added frills are necessary.

Normally, a destination wedding combines the elements of the wedding and the honeymoon. You are already out of your daily existence. You've chosen a place you've always wanted to go. And you've shared it with those close to you. For your guests this is also an opportunity to enjoy a break from their day-to-day and combine the pleasure of being with you when you marry and a great vacation.

While I'm a great fan of the destination wedding, it can become complicated and you need to carefully check out all the details, from the local wedding laws to just who will marry you, where and how. Even within the US, laws vary significantly from state to state. For foreign destinations please don't jump into without doing your research.

You can find wedding planners, travel agents, resorts and hotels that can greatly ease the problems of organizing from a distance. Many resorts and hotels offer packages that include these services or can recommend local resources. Do not neglect checking references.

Obviously, economics play a significant role. You'll need to consider just what you can really afford and just what your guests can afford. Of course, it's always possible to make a destination wedding just the two of you. Sometimes an elopement is the best solution - and then the whole thing from beginning to end can be a dreamy honeymoon.

Whatever your dream, you don't need to feel limited any longer by outmoded traditions and ancient etiquette. There's a new freedom we are all reaching for and it includes the option of structuring the important events in our lives to be more personally relevant and meaningful. From the wedding itself to the type and style of wedding dress, alternatives have grown incredibly in this new age. Why not make your marriage an expression of your uniqueness?

Elena manages http://www.All-Wedding-Dresses.com with articles and resources about weddings and, particularly, all kinds of wedding dresses from traditional white wedding to maternity and theme wedding styles.

Destination Wedding Favor Ideas and Tips

Over the past several years, destination weddings have become increasingly popular for various reasons. Not only can you celebrate your wedding with family and close friends, but you can party for a few days with them, and spend your honeymoon in the same romantic place. Destination weddings also cut down on the traditional wedding costs in some instances, because you will still be able to invite those 250+ guests, but only a small percentage of those invited will actually be able to attend. Destination weddings also allow the bride and groom to choose the perfect setting for their event, whether it be a romantic seaside getaway, a cruise destination, or a fun filled Las Vegas trip, destination weddings are exciting for all who attend!

I have some personal experience in planning a destination wedding, as my wedding day was celebrated on a cruise ship headed for Mexico in 2003. We invited quite a large number of guests, more than we would have been able to if we had a traditional wedding, but only 40 guests were able to attend - which allowed us for a more intimate gathering. Having a destination wedding also allowed us to spend more time with each guest - something we could not have done if we had a wedding close to home. Everyone left with a long lasting memory of our event, and to this day our guests still talk about our wedding cruise!

When I was planning our wedding cruise in 2003, the wedding favor market had much to be desired. There was nothing that fit our day! Although this made it a bit difficult to plan, with a little imagination, I put together a wedding favor bag of goodies for our guests to take home. Thankfully, because of such an increase in destination weddings, wedding favor specialists have increased their lines of wedding favors, and there is now a large selection of destination themed favors available to suit every bride's taste and theme.

When planning a destination wedding, here are some"don'ts" when selecting your destination wedding favors:

• Candles, chocolates, and candy can melt. It does not matter if you are not traveling to a warm climate, if you plan on taking your favors on a plane, the cargo holding areas can be quite hot. You should eliminate these favor ideas from your list.
• Glass can break and anything you feel has the potential to be break - cross that off your list as well.
• Item weight. Let's face it - you will be traveling not only with all your normal vacation items, but also with all your bridal items as well. Carrying another 30 plus pounds is not something you, your groom, or your attendants want to do.
• Don't plan on having your favors shipped internationally. Not only is international shipping expensive, your favors could potentially get lost in customs, broken during handling, or heavily taxed by the government.

Here are some "do's" to think about when planning your destination wedding favors:

• Think lightweight. If you plan on traveling with your favors, try to select something lightweight and small. Remember your guests have to pack these to take home too!
• If you can't think of anything that will go with your destination theme, select something useful or practical - which has a special meaning to both of you.
• If you rather not take favors with you, you can send your favors direct to your guests homes with their thank you notes. A bit more expensive, but your guests will be quite surprised when they find a little thank you token with your note.

Now for some wonderful destination wedding favor ideas!

• Luggage tags: They're perfect for destination weddings, as most destination weddings require the guests to travel to a certain location. They more than likely will be used again - as many people simply use disposable tags or the tags that come pre-attached to luggage. With heart shape designs, to planes and cruise ships, luggage tags are perfect!
• Bookmarks: one of the most popular pastimes for vacationers is reading a good book. Give them something they can use both home and away - a bookmark! With numerous shapes on the market you're sure to find a bookmark that will match your event. Bookmarks are also lightweight, and travel well.
• For a more formal destination reception, place card holders also make a good choice. Usually lightweight and small, place card holders can double to hold seating assignments and then later on to hold photos, notes and recipe cards. Stay away from place card frames though, unless the front is made of pvc plastic. You do not want glass frames to break in transit.
• Wine charms or bottle stoppers. With an average weight of 1/4 pound or less and available in many styles - these make a lightweight, good choice if your having a small affair.
• Cocktail Mix Favors: when you think of laying on a warm sandy beach, many people also think of a nice tropical drink in hand. Give your guests a taste of the tropics with a cocktail mix favor in which they can relax and enjoy at home. Totally customizable these are lightweight, unbreakable and inexpensive!
• Travel related items: such as mini alarm clocks, manicure kits, mini travel soaps, or sewing kits.
• Think outside the box: shop party stores as well, for unique party favor items. For a beach theme wedding you can give a tropical luau bag filled with leis, sunglasses,beach hats, inflatable beach balls, etc... Think back to when you were a child and received goodie bags at birthday parties. Perhaps a bit silly, but I guarantee everyone will be sporting those beach hats and carrying those bags around your destination resort.
• Wedding Tees: A screen-printing shop can create a custom tee shirt design just for you! Reasonably priced when you are having a smaller affair, everyone will use your tee shirts, time and time again, even if it is "just around the house". People love shirts!
• Gift bags / Gift Baskets: when your guests arrive to their destination, a lovely (but sometimes expensive) option is having a small gift basket in their hotel room. Soaps, sewing kit, manicure kit, mini clock, bookmarks, a small bottle of champagne or wine, non-perishable food items (cookies, crackers, snacks, mints), etc...will be a generous gesture.

For our own wedding, we used a combination of the ideas above. I purchased from a discount party company tropical beach theme bags and stuffed them with a personalized tee shirt, cocktail mixes, wine stoppers, candy, a personalized cd I made with all the wedding songs we had at our reception, and some fun goodies such as leis, glow sticks, Hawaiian shirt key chains. Everyone carried around the tote bags with them during our cruise when they walked to the beach or pool, and everyone loved their little goodie bags! With so many options out there, there is something to please everyone and fit every budget. Keep our handy tips in mind when you are browsing for your destination wedding favors.

Erica Tevis is the owner of Little Things Wedding Favors which carries thousands of wedding favors and wedding accessories to suit every couple's style, theme and budget.

Destination Weddings, Honeymoons - St Barts

Destination Weddings are weddings that take place away from where the bride and groom live. They happen in some of the most exotic and wonderful places in the world. These types of non-traditional weddings provide the bride and groom with dreamy settings, while doubling as an opportunity for guests to experience a place they have never been before.

“Today’s couples are more educated, sophisticated, and better traveled than couples of past generations. More affluent than past marrying couples, 27% of these Generation Y couples ( children of the baby boomers and twice the numbers ) will pay for their entire wedding, and they want something different for themselves and their guests; they want to be pampered and taken seriously.

In the year 2006, nine percent of weddings in the United States were destination weddings, which is a 200% increase in the last ten years. Generation Y couples are tired of the “themed” weddings that became so prevalent and overused in the past. They want to experience different cultures and real settings rather than a “staged” wedding.” says Founder and President of June Wedding, Inc. ®, Robbi Ernst III and author of Great Wedding Tips From the Experts.

“Although women are still the primary decision makers of the wedding plans, men are more involved today than couples of the generation that preceded them, 83% of today’s couples are employed full time; they work hard (they are paying a mortgage and own one or two automobiles between them). Equally, they want to play hard; realizing that they are together rarely, they want to plan events that will bring them closer. As well, they want to create deep and meaningful memories for the family and friends. Since most couples are not getting married in the areas where they grew up, their time with family and friends is all the more precious and important to them. If they can do this in a unique or even an exotic setting, all the more enticing,” Ernst adds.

St Barthelemy, located in the French West Indies, is that exotic setting today’s bride is looking for. It is the Monte Carlo of the Caribbean, without the traffic jams but with the added advantage of flawless beaches. Shortened to Saint Barth in French and St Barts in English it is an exclusive eight square mile (21 sq km) embodiment of 24-carat French chic. It attracts millionaires on luxury yachts, movie stars and French expatriates fleeing the European winter. It is a Caribbean island where relaxation and Gallic style under a tropical sun have been refined to perfection.

Few islands worldwide, can match the unique blend of style, nature and history that is St. Barts. This tiny island has significant appeal where 'quality' is most certainly more important than 'quantity'... an island far away from the normality of life, making it the perfect wedding destination.

St. Barts is surrounded with turquoise waters, situated near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles group in the French West Indies. At a distance of 200 kms from the island of Guadeloupe and 25 kms from Saint-Martin. It is a mountainous island whose only flat area is occupied by the airport’s runway. As the climate is rather dry, agriculture has never been developed, thus throughout history few slaves had ever been employed. For the most part, St. Bartians are descendants of Breton and Norman fisher folk. Many are of French and Swedish ancestry, the latter evident in their fair skin, blond hair, and blue eyes.

St. Barts’ beaches are renowned for being some of the most beautiful and pristine in the world. Many are found in small coves, which have been protected from development by strict environmentally friendly zoning. Unlike many of its neighboring Caribbean islands, it has not been overrun with prefab condos and large chain hotels. There are six 4 star hotels all featuring romance packages for the wedding or honeymoon couple. All are of single story design, some as one building and others as separate single bedroom villas. Four are located on the beach (perfect for reading-of-the-vows ceremony) the other two are high on the hills with magnificent views of the island and setting sun. Each hotel has been uniquely designed, blending into the surrounding terrain. Luxury and elegance is felt in each environment.

St. Barts features some of the best cuisine in the Caribbean. The island has over eighty restaurants featuring culinary styles ranging from classic French to Asian to West Indian.

Many of the restaurants attract gourmet chefs trained in France to oversee their kitchens. These chefs can also be reserved to serve guests in the intimate privacy of their own villa for any special event or treasured evening. Villas on the island offer breath taking views and the perfect setting for your reception, especially with your own private French chef.

Nightlife of St. Barts is diverse as well. Visitors looking for late-night pleasures can listen to live jazz at a café or dance the night away at one of the local discos or after hours clubs.

St. Barts is also a duty-free port, rated as one of the premier shopping destinations in the Caribbean. The capital Gustavia is the principal shopping area of the island. There are boutiques and emporiums for the most sophisticated shoppers, featuring luxury brands such as Cartier, Hermes, Dior to name a few. The island hosts numerous health and beauty clinics and fitness centers catering to the island's upscale clientele.

It is important to realize that planning a wedding in a foreign country still has the usual concerns and worries of any home based event; there is the additional stress that something could go wrong in a different location. Aside from making travel reservations for the group, a couple needs to consider local legal issues. For instance, marriage in St Barts is not a legal ceremony, rather it is viewed as a spiritual ceremony. For this reason and others, travelers planning to marry in any foreign country should give serious consideration to hiring a local, home based Wedding Consultant for guidance and advice as well as an on-site Wedding Consultant at the particular destination. .The on-site Consultant will insure that the hosts of the event have all the required documentation, that every detail is planned long before arrival and that only the most competent, professional and expert wedding vendors with proper contracts will provide their services . These on-site Consultants can also provide any needed assistance if the couple chooses to bring along some of their own vendors (e.g. the photographer, floral designer, videographer, etc.). They will check that each client and guest is properly retrieved at the airport, that they are provided with the planned-for-accommodations, and that they are well rested from travel before beginning the schedule of any local tours and sightseeing prepared for in advance. Moreover, the on-site consultant can also suggest local customs that will make the wedding truly unique, one that family and friends alike will talk about for a very long time.

“Premium IV is truly one of the foremost on-site specialists. Located on St Barts they are members of AFWPI (Association for Wedding Professionals International) and JWI (June Wedding, Inc®). The management team of Premium IV is made up of three experts in service: a successful Canadian entrepreneur, an English expert in receptive tourism and a French restaurateur who have provided magnificent service in the best restaurants and hotels in France, the UK, USA, and St Barts. Additionally, the highly qualified and bilingual staff (French and English) have many years of experience in the island way of life.

They will provide the ultimate in V.I.P. services. Premium IV has brought together, under one umbrella, only the best that St Barts has to offer. With over 120 contracted partners providing approximately 450 products and services. There is virtually no request that Premium IV cannot arrange,” says International Travel Writer, Jesse Nash.

Any special event wedding, honeymoon or other special event that takes place on St. Barts is special and memorable simply due to the Island's own enchanted ambiance and unique hospitality. The St. Barts experience is all the more enhanced when it is under the direction of a competent Consultant and Director, at home and on the Island. A Consultant or Director who leaves nothing to chance, who sees to it that not only is the St. Barts experience itself magical, but also one that will be treasured forever in the hearts and memories of the travelers. The staff of Premium IV takes the added steps of communicating with the client and/or their home-based Consultant before arrival on St. Barts so that every detail is discussed and decisions are determined and firmed up in writing. From the moment the client and guests set foot on St. Barts, they enter into a well-scripted, stress-free atmosphere in which they will be completely at ease and confident that all the planning will play out like as closely as possible to their dreams.

John Day

Premium IV

Phone: 0590 290 007
From the US - 011 590 590 290 007
Fax : 011 590 590 290 008
Email: sales@premiumiv.com
Website: http://www.premiumiv.com

What To Wear To Destination Weddings

This is a million dollar question. Every bride-to-be will debate in her mind about what to wear to destination weddings. After all, a bride should be the one to be the best dressed at the ceremony and why not you deserve to look so. But do not brood over for long.

We have some good tips to brides to be on what to wear for a destination wedding!

Be clear on how you want yourself to look, a chic style or a formal conservative style whatever be clear. Now hunt for a good and a trustworthy designer who can give you a great design yet at your budget range. You can even go for the amateur designers and speak to them of the kind you are looking and surprisingly they would design one at very low charges. However, make sure they would not mess up at the last moment

Dish out your sister’s or mom’s wedding gear and you may think of some design changes to them and get done for your wedding wear. This ensures at least one thing no one can duplicate your design.

Accessorizing the wedding gear is an important thing to look at and you can pour in your creativity into it if you really are. Simple addition of beads or sequins or Swarovski crystals to your wedding wear, will give it a unique look. However, make sure that they are no pricking accessories. Augment the wedding gown with a stylishly designed hat and jewelry. See that these complement the wedding gown well. Also get your footwear designed and complementing your dress.

For a conventional formal wedding the best wear would be a floor-length gown with gloves and a shawl. Make it designed in a unique way and accessorize it.

However, for an informal wedding, the dress can be a long gown with chapel train or without a chapel train or even a two-piece dress in colors of white, silver or gold will be okay.

Whether it is a formal wedding or an informal wedding the bride deserves to look her very best. It is her destination wedding and she should be looking best on her day.

It is similar with the grooms. He can wish to be dressed either formal or informal, but certainly can look their very best with comfortable and breathing fabrics in elegant colors and good fitting designs. Accessories such as the bow, the shoes and the belt, watch should be complementing to the mood as well as the dress.

Are you looking for some destination wedding favors for you, your friends or family? If you are we got you covered.

We also sell many different bridesmaid gifts such as spa slippers, tote bags, cosmetic bags and much more.

So if you need favors, gifts, accessories, beach favors or anything wedding we got you covered.

We beat prices!

The Exotic Appeal Of Puerto Rico Destination Weddings

It is no wonder that Puerto Rico destination weddings are so incredibly popular these days, with both natives and non-natives alike.

After all, the island of Puerto Rico offers a rare combination of the most modern conveniences and a lush, untouched tropical beauty. In addition, there are many resort hotels on the island of Puerto Rico who specialize in producing some of the most magnificent of destination weddings.

The Increasing Popularity Of Puerto Rico Weddings

In addition, many people living in other parts of the world originally from Puerto Rico and the desire to get back to their roots have also contributed to the popularity of destination weddings in this tropical paradise.

Another reason for the increasing popularity of Puerto Rico destination weddings is the availability of comparatively affordable hotel rooms. Puerto Rico is home to a great many hotels and resorts, with more hotel rooms coming on the market every day.

This has made Puerto Rico destination weddings among the most affordable for many brides and grooms, as well as those in their wedding parties and their invited guests.

Planning The Perfect Wedding With A Wedding Planner

There are several options available when it comes to booking one of these great Puerto Rico destination weddings.

Perhaps the easiest way to bring such a wedding off without a hitch is to hire one of the many wedding consultants who work in Puerto Rico. Often these wedding consultants are working as employees of the resort, while at other times they may work independently.

Either way, there are a number of excellent wedding planners available to take charge of every aspect of planning the perfect wedding, from ordering the cake and catering the food, to taking care of the wedding videos and photographs.

Planning Your Puerto Rico Wedding On Your Own

Another option is to plan the Puerto Rico destination wedding on your own, and this is certainly possible, especially for those who have friends and family on the island.

Even for those without a local connection, the internet has made it easier than ever before to book hotel rooms, find scheduled flights, book resort hotels and do all the other things necessary to enjoy a great beach wedding in Puerto Rico.

Shaunta Pleasant is a professional writer and editor on wedding topics. Visit my site to learn more about planning the perfect wedding at http://www.best-wedding-plan.com/puerto_rico_destination_weddings.html

Top Destination Weddings - Awesome Wedding Locations

Choosing a wedding location is one of the most important decisions you will make for your destination wedding. This article will show you some of the top destination weddings in terms of location.

Jamaica is a location for some of the top destination weddings. With it's great scenery from beautiful mountains to sunny beaches, Jamaica has diverse wedding locations. Also, there are wedding planning companies that can help you plan a great wedding.

Don't forget Las Vegas. Vegas is perfect if you want to get married in a top quality city filled with many entertainment activities.

If you want to add some adventure to your destination wedding, consider having it at the Grand Canyon. There's not many things more exciting than heading to your wedding in a helicopter flying over the majestic view of the Grand Canyon.

For those of you with a classy taste, think about having your destination wedding in Rome. Rome is home of some of the top destination weddings. Rome is a hotbed of European fashion and class. There's many great buildings where you can have your wedding ceremony. Also, after your wedding, make sure to enjoy the great restaurants Rome has to offer.

You don't have to be bound to one of these destination locations. There are many other top wedding locations. All it takes is some research and creativity to find them. Much of the appeal of destination weddings is going to an interesting or exotic location, so good luck choosing a location that's just right for you. Who knows, you may find the next top destination wedding location!

Now that you know some of the top destination weddings, visit http://wedguide.info and learn where you can have an affordable destination wedding. Also, here's the top 5 reasons to choose a destination wedding package.

Creative Destination Wedding Planning For A Day To Remember

Good creative destination wedding planning can make the difference between an ordinary wedding and one that will remain in the memory of you and your new husband for ever.

If you have decided on a destination wedding, rather than being conventional and getting married in your home town or city, there is a lot that can go wrong and spoil the day. Not only that, but unless you are blessed with unlimited funds, it will be a wedding that is attended by relatively few guests and so a little creativity can go a long way towards making it a memorable occasion for them also.

Not everybody you would like to be there will be there, and creative planning is also necessary to handle that situation. Who do you invite, and not invite. If you invite everybody to that Paris wedding you have always promised yourself, you could be thought of as making invitations in order to receive gifts from as many as possible. If you fail to do so, then those not invited might feel slighted. This situation can be overcome diplomatically, but it takes creativity and good planning.

There are several steps involved in planning a destination wedding starting with that invitation list that is your first hurdle. You should inform everybody that you are planning a wedding outside your home town, whether it is in another county or state, depending on where you live, or even in another country. Popular destinations are the Paris previously mentioned, the Caribbean, several destinations in the USA, UK and Europe and cruise liners are becoming increasingly popular.

Some couples take the approach of asking friends and relatives if they would be able to attend such a wedding were it to be held, as a preliminary to drawing up a guest list. Others simply ask their parents, plus best friends as matron of honor or chief bridesmaid, and best man, and offer to pay their expenses if they are able to. You should never invite your friends to your wedding in an official capacity unless you know that money is not a problem to them, or you are able to offer to pay their costs. Many couples can pick up part of the tab, and provide their guests with a great few days, but for many more that is not possible.

Many couples have their dream wedding in the exotic location of their choice by themselves, and then have a blessing in their home church or chapel, followed by a full reception for their family and friends. That is creative destination wedding planning at its best for the ordinary couple that can afford their dream wedding and honeymoon, but are unable to pay the traveling and accommodation expenses of their guests. You should not deny yourself your dream just to keep others happy. A little imagination can formulate a way for you to have what you want and also provide your family and friends with what they want.

That is how your creativity can resolve one of the most difficult aspects of any destination wedding: how to keep everybody happy, including yourselves. The next planning stage is to get the actual venues booked. It is one thing deciding that you want married in a specific location, but another in organizing that. Creative planning will likely conclude that you need to hire somebody in the actual destination to handle the organizing at that end, although it is possible for you to handle it yourself.

For that you will need good communication with the local authorities of the town or city in which you intend to be married, so that you are aware of any legal restrictions such as whether or not you need a local marriage license, any local readings of Marriage Banns that vary throughout the Western world, any residential qualifications, blood tests and doctor’s certificates that might be required.

You will also need effective communication with the venues of your ceremony and reception, and also the accommodation of any guests. If you are planning to me married by yourselves, without guests until your reception back home, you will have to arrange a minister or judge for the ceremony, and probably the requisite number of witnesses. Many resorts or other destinations offer a complete package, including witnesses, a cake, photographer and champagne for the couple, including accommodation and even honeymoon facilities if needed.

That is why many opt to hire a wedding planner to look after all of this for them, so that you need only tend to your end of things. After all, there is little to plan once the invitations or home reception, destination venues and ceremony legalities, travel details and the honeymoon have been looked after.

Creative destination wedding planning can be used to give you the fabulous unforgettable wedding that you want, and also to keep all of your family and friends happy whether they can be with you or not. Forward planning is the crux, and whether or not you use the services of professionals to help with it is immaterial. It is the end result of your planning that counts. It is your wedding, and if you and your new husband are happy with your planning, then that is all that matters.

If you want to learn more about Destination Weddings, check out Dola's website here: destination wedding planning where he offers a free special Report on Unplanned Wedding Expenses that could lead to debt, and also offers advice on how to plan an unforgettable romantic wedding abroad. http://www.romanticweddingtips.com/2007/10/creative-destination-wedding-planning.html