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How to Plan an Exotic Beach Wedding

February 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Couple on the BeachIt has always been your dream to have a beach wedding. But over the years, you’ve seen a lot of brides walk down the sandy aisle. And you’re not that happy that the wedding of your dreams has become what others would call a cliché. That’s where they’re wrong. There’s nothing cliché about a beach wedding if you’re able to personalize it as your own. Having an exotic beach wedding is another great idea to ensure that yours is out of the ordinary. Here’s how to plan one.

Scout out for exotic beach locations

If you’re going to hold your wedding in a beach location that has been used many times before, you might as well drop the word “exotic” from your plans. What you should look for is a location that’s not been overly used yet. It should be secluded, peaceful, and beautiful. In short, it should be a paradise. The best options around the world include The Baths in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands; Flamenco Beach in Culebra Island, Puerto Rico; Flic en Flac in Mauritius; Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Playa Tamarindo in Tamarindo Bay, Costa Rica; North Playa del Carmen in Playa del Carmen, Mexico; and Paradise Beach in Mykonos, Greece.

Make some VERY detailed lists

Like a regular wedding back at home, you should also make several checklists for your exotic beach wedding. These checklists shouldn’t be generic but should be as specific and detailed as possible to ensure that every base is covered. First, make a checklist for all the tasks that need to be done. These would include shopping for wedding supplies, booking vendors and suppliers, inviting guests and arranging for travel needs. Next, write down a list of all the things that you need to buy not only for the wedding but also for the entire trip. The budget is another list to make. And lastly, don’t forget to jot down the names of the guests that you’re inviting.

Arrange for your travel

It’s also essential to start early with the travel preparation. Unless you already live in an exotic location like the Caribbean islands, you’d need to travel quite far to have your dream exotic beach wedding event. This makes it necessary for you to prepare your traveling documents including your visa, passport, insurance and many more. You must also organize the travel arrangements of your guests especially those whom you will be shouldering the travel expenses. Booking hotels and buying airplane tickets early and in bulk can save you a lot of money so be sure to check that out as well.

Contact local vendors and suppliers

While you’re all set on hiring your favorite caterer or photographer for your wedding, you should consider hiring local talents that will save you a great deal of money. Instead of paying for the travel expenses for the wedding supplier, you can use this money for other more important things and just hire local services instead.

Planning an exotic beach wedding is just as difficult as planning for a regular one. So be sure to start early and get everything in writing to ensure success.

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Honeymoon Ideas for the Adventurous Couple

January 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Adventurous Honeymoons

Adventurous Honeymoons

Who said a honeymoon should just be about relaxation and romance? For the adventurous couple, a honeymoon is also a great opportunity to try something new and different, something that would rush their adrenaline and give them the exhilarating feeling that they would not find elsewhere. Here are some great ideas that would satisfy your own cravings for an adventurous honeymoon that you would never forget.

Roadtrip!

Do you want something exciting for your honeymoon? Hop on to your car and rev the engine! If you want a spontaneous adventure, there is no better way to do it than to hit the road. Although a road trip sounds like something that only college people do to escape their parents or pressures from school, this kind of trip can also be a fantastic honeymoon getaway. You can plan to have a road trip to Madagascar for some nature adventure or see the most exquisite sights of the Himalayas by traveling from Lhasa, Tibet to Katmandu, Nepal.

Adventurous Trips

Adventurous Trips

The Sky is the Limit

For a couple who is always up for an adventure, a simple day at the beach can be turned into something more exciting by going for extreme water sports and activities such as parasailing, jet skiing, and wake boarding. You can also try out something more exhilarating like bungee jumping or sky diving. Remember, when adventure is in your blood, the sky is your only limit!

Surf’s Up

Taking surfing lessons can truly make your beach honeymoon exciting and wonderful. Learning how to surf is not that difficult if you have the knack for being one with the waves, if you have the determination, and if you have the guts to pull it off. Most private surfing lessons start at around $50.

Underwater Discovery

Another way to make your beach honeymoon stay more exciting is to dive into the clear waters of the sea. Yes, the clear turquoise seawater is already majestic but wait until you see the wondrous nature’s gifts underneath! Do some scuba diving in St. Croix so you can enjoy and explore the largest living coral reef located in the Caribbean. You can also do some unforgettable scuba diving activity in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, an underwater marine sanctuary in the Philippines and one of the best coral reefs in Asia.

Hike and Climb

Speaking of Asia, you can also make your way to the top of Mt. Fuji in Tokyo, which would give you a spectacular view of the sunrise and would let you peek into the interesting and colorful Japanese culture. You can also do a ruin hike in Angkor Wat, Cambodia so you can explore 12th century ruins of Hindu towers, sculptures, and temples.

Chillin’ Snow Sports

If you are having a winter wedding, then head off to the Swiss Alps so you can spend your honeymoon staring at the magnificent views of these hills. But of course, being the adventurous couple that you are, you probably will not be satisfied with simply staring. You can partake in some of the most thrilling snow sports such as ski boarding, skiing, and so many more.

Adventurous couples have so many choices on honeymoons that can surely appease their craving for adventure. These are great ideas that would certainly make your honeymoon something that you, your spouse, and all the people who would hear your story, would never forget!

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Must Have List for your Beach Wedding Ceremony

January 19, 2010 By 1 Comment

Flower Girl

Whenever you would attend beach weddings before, you cannot help but wish that it were you walking down the aisle barefoot on the sand, holding a bouquet of luscious summer blooms in your hands. Now that the time has come for you to tie the knot, you cannot be happier that you and your future spouse decided to hold this occasion at your favorite place. But before you go on with the planning and preparation, it would be great to get a hold of this handy checklist that you must have for your beach wedding ceremony.

Ceremony officiant

The first item in the checklist is the ceremony officiant. Finding a ceremony officiant is not that hard these days. However, you have to remember that you cannot have a Catholic wedding at any place other than a Catholic church so this means you cannot have a Catholic priest officiate for your beach wedding reception.

Altar and aisle decorations

These include pew bows, arches, candles, flowers, backdrop, and other items to enhance the appearance of the altar and the aisle. You can also line up the aisle with tea light candles and sprinkle petals of red roses in lieu of the red carpet.

Items for the ceremony

Depending on what type of ceremony you will be having, you will need various items for the ceremonial rites. This may include but are not limited to unity candles, candleholders, flower girl baskets, Christian bible, ring pillows, and so many more. Lighting candles can be tricky in windy conditions like that in the beach. Having a candle wind protector may be the solution to this.

Wedding Rings

Wedding rings

Of course, you cannot forget about the rings, which would be the symbol of your exchange of love and commitment to each other. Buying wedding rings are ideally done months before the wedding ceremony to ensure that you find the perfect bands that would forever be a representation of your endearing love.

Photographer and Videographer

The wedding ceremony is one of the most vital parts of the whole event that you should be able to capture in both film and still. Find a reliable wedding photojournalist who would be able to capture priceless moments when you take the vow and an expert videographer who can cover the whole event efficiently.

Entourage

The list of the entourage should be finalized months before the wedding day. There should also be a rehearsal for the processional so that the entourage would know what to do during the actual day.

Musicians

Music is an important ingredient in the wedding ceremony that creates mood and tone. This is why, it is essential that you find the right musician (band, choir, or singer) whose voice/s can move the guests and give romance to the event.

Bouquet

You cannot walk down the aisle without a bouquet, of course. For a beach wedding, summer flowers such as roses, gerber daisies, calla lilies, and orchids are very popular.

Beach wedding checklists are basically the same as those for general weddings but with a little twist in some aspects, since this is an outdoor event where there are more things to check and consider.

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Some of the Best Beach Wedding Locations in Florida

January 16, 2010 By 3 Comments

This place known as the “sunshine state” because of its generally warm climate has become a top beach wedding destination in the world. Florida, which is located in the southeastern region of the United States, boasts of its long stretches of beaches, spectacular coastlines, and great beach activities like surfing and boating. This state has always been a top tourist destination but over the years, couples have begun flocking to this place to exchange vows and tie the knot. If you are planning to hold your beach wedding here, here are some of the best beach wedding locations you can consider.

Captiva Island

Captiva Island can truly captivate anyone who visits this place. The soothing tropical atmosphere coupled with the crystal turquoise waters, you would love every bit and piece of thing that this island has to offer. It can be the best backdrop to your romantic Florida beach wedding.

Marco Island

Nestled at the northern tip of the Ten Thousand Island in the Gulf of Mexico, Marco Island is as romantic as romantic can get. The virgin white beaches, breathtaking sunset, and tranquil ambiance makes this a popular destination for couples who want nothing but the most romantic type of wedding.

Daytona Beach

Locals and tourists fondly call this beach, “the world’s most famous beach.” This is the beach you would want to go to if you want life and excitement for your wedding day. Daytona is always bustling with people, automobiles, activities, and many things to do. You can ride the waves, get a tan, or party with people before or after you exchange I do’s with your loved one.

Fort Walton Beach

If there is one thing that Fort Walton Beach would do to you, it is that it would enchant you with its sparkling gulf waters, wonderful warm breeze, and emerald green waters. It is not called the “Emerald Coast” of Florida for nothing. Having your wedding here would be like having a paradise wedding of the year.

Panama City

You will be allured with Panama City Beach’s sugary white coastline and emerald green water. This is another wonderful destination in Florida that would provide the perfect setting for your big day.

Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral

Pretty sandy beaches and a pier full of life with lots of activities such as fishing, dancing, dining, socializing, and so many more—these are what people love about Cocoa beach and Cape Canaveral. Cocoa beach is in fact dubbed as the “Jewel of the Space Coast” which would provide your wedding with a relaxed and romantic ambiance that would prepare you for your new life together as husband and wife.

Clearwater Florida

The vast array of beautiful white beaches all over Clearwater Florida make it a top wedding beach destination of all time. It is also a wonderful place to hold your wedding. Not to mention, there are plenty of choice when it comes to hotels so booking for yourselves or for guests will be a cinch.

These choices are only some of the best beaches in Florida. Explore your options and have fun on your wedding day! You would surely have a grand time.

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How to Find a Casual But Fancy Beach Wedding Dress on the Internet

January 15, 2010 By 1 Comment

Beach Wedding CoupleEven before you have met your special someone, you already had a penchant for beach weddings. In fact, the beach has always been your favorite place. When you feel stressed out with work, you go to the beach to relax and unwind. When you want to have fun, you meet with your friends at the beach to swim and get some tan. The beach has become your sanctuary.

You knew that when you get married, the only place you want to have your wedding is in this place. Lucky enough, you and your groom share the same fondness for beach weddings. Right now, you are preparing for the big day but there is still one thing missing, the beach wedding dress. To help you get started, here are some vital pointers for buying a beach wedding dress online.

Tip # 1 – Find a trustworthy and secure online store

In order to have a safe and fun online shopping activity, you must first find a reputable and secure online store that sells quality and sophisticated beach wedding dresses. Examining the store’s website would be a good way to start. The website is the forefront of online businesses. It should be clean, professional, and easy to use. If you do not like the design of the website, you probably would not like the designs of their dress. Also, you need to ensure that the store has a secure encryption system that would protect your credit card information from hackers during your purchase.

Tip # 2 – Contact past customers

Getting in touch with former clients would give you an idea how an online store works. You would find out if past customers were satisfied with the dresses they have bought and the services of the store.

Tip # 3 – Read and understand everything

Most online stores have terms and conditions as well as policies that you must first read and understand before purchasing. Never click the “I agree with your terms and conditions” without reading them first.

Tip # 4 – Don’t buy the first thing you see

Just because you have limited time does not mean that you should buy the first thing that you see on the online market. To ensure that you find the perfect dress, browse through different options until you can find the one that you really like.

Tip # 5 – Make sure the dress fits

Of course, you have to ensure that the dress you buy is something that would fit not only in terms of size but also your style, taste and preference. Make sure too that the wedding dress is something that you would be comfortable to wear. Check the fabric of the dress and see if it is something that could be worn in warm and sunny weather.

Finding a casual but fancy beach wedding dress is not at all difficult if you do it online. Even if you do not have so much time to go shopping, you can still be able to browse through a wide array of options.

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How to Hire a Truly Entertaining Live Band for your Wedding Reception

January 12, 2010 By 1 Comment

Live Music at Wedding Reception

Music is probably the only thing in weddings that you cannot see or touch and yet it can make such a powerful impact on the overall event. In fact, the right choice in music can spell the difference between one that guests would dismiss as “just another wedding reception” and one that would truly captivate their attention and make them remember the big day for a very long time. This is why, it is imperative that couples do take the time to look for and hire live music bands that truly know the words, “awesome” and “entertaining.”

Here are some tips on how to do just that.

  • Collect your options. Get recommendations from family and friends who have recently gotten married or attended weddings. Attend bridal shows where many wedding bands would showcase their musical talents. Try to remember the weddings you have attended before. If you remember any one in particular that had a musical band that you truly loved, contact the bride, and get the band’s contact details. Make a list and call up as many as you can.
  • Request audio or video samples from the bands you are considering to hire. Be sure to consider the band’s musical style, if this is something that both you and your spouse-to-be would like. Think about the event as well and make sure that their music suits this. This is a good way to narrow down the options.
  • Call up your top three choices and hear them play live. This is important as audio and video samples may differ from actual performances. This is also a good way to gauge the band’s personality and see if they are the type that would have rapport with the audience. As you know, a good musical band should be able to give life to the event. They should be fun and exciting to be able to draw the crowd into the cheerful celebration. You do not want to hire a band that would bore your guests.
  • Talk to the band manager. Discuss matters such as schedule, list of songs, and price. Make sure that the band you hire is very well in your budget range. Overspending is not a good idea, since there are many bands out there that can sing and play exceptionally for a lower cost. Before signing any contract, read and understand everything to avoid problems in the future.

More Tips

  • Check the reception venue to ensure that it can accommodate the band’s equipment.
  • Choose a band that has played in weddings before.
  • Make sure that the band would arrive at the reception venue on time.
  • Ask the band to dress up accordingly to the event.
  • Pick a band that would be open to suggestions.

A good musical band is one of those things that can make or break your wedding event. After all, these people would provide ambient music and entertainment throughout the reception. For this reason, it is a big must that you pay attention to all the tips mentioned above so you can ensure that you hire a truly entertaining band that would be worth your time and money.

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Unique Flowers For Your Orange Wedding

October 6, 2009 By 5 Comments
WEDDING FLOWERS

WEDDING FLOWERS

When the time comes that you are finally getting married, you may find that everything that you have planned in your mind several years back are not anymore applicable to your current style and taste. You may have always dreamed of having a pastel colored wedding but now, you are eying something more bold and daring such as orange perhaps.

An orange wedding is bright, beautiful, and elegant. It is the modern choice of contemporary brides. With the right flower decorations, you know your big day will be something that you, your partner, and all the people attending will cherish for a lifetime.

But then, you are somewhat worried because you have no idea what orange flowers to use for your wedding. Do not fret, this guide on unique orange flower arrangement will help you find the perfect adornment for your spectacular orange wedding.

Glowing Bouquet

Orange blooms create a dramatic and spirited atmosphere. The flowers’ striking contrast with the bride’s lovely white gown can produce a stunning effect. This makes them wonderful to use for the bride’s bouquet.

White, peach, and orange roses would probably be the top among the list of bouquet flowers for an orange wedding. But if you want something unique and exotic, there is a wide range of orange flowers to choose from.

ORANGE BELL-FLOWERS

ORANGE BELL-FLOWERS

For the bride’s bouquet, you can combine yellow and orange calla lilies with cherry red hypericum berries and orange roses. Arrange these flowers in a nice round bouquet. Add some greens to it. Tie it with a bright orange satin or organza ribbon.

Another option would be to have red dahlias, orange calla lilies, and golden black-eyed Susans arranged loosely on an autumn inspired bouquet. If you do not want the colors to be too intense, you can include some green hydrangea blossoms to even out the look. Design the bouquet using a white or yellow silk ribbon.

You can also make use of different orange shades of tulips and then mix them with some orange and yellow dahlias for an enthusiastic and colorful bouquet.

Exquisite Flower Decors

Orange flowers are also the perfect option for decoration as these vibrant blooms can surely liven up the ambiance and create a dramatic and charming backdrop for this exquisite occasion. Whether you are planning to have romantic atmosphere or a robust and fiery one, there are different types of orange flowers to suit your needs.

Dazzling blossoms of orange dahlias, orange montbretia, orange cockscomb, peach roses, and peach parrot tulips can create a glorious flower arrangement with a very cheerful color palette. Fresh green gladiolus can make the look a little subdued. You can use this arrangement for decorating the altar, the pews, or the reception area.

dreamstime_167583

Orange Roses

For the table centerpiece, you can make use of succulent blooms of orange calla lilies coupled with red, yellow, and white roses neatly arranged in a square glass vase. Place orange votive candles around the centerpiece for a more stunning effect.

Other unique orange flowers that you can mix and match into floral arrangements include orange long gloriosa lilies, orange dahlias, orange amaranthus, orange alstroemeria and orange Asiatic lilies, and buffalo orange vanda orchids.

White roses, red and gold saffron, geranium foliage, red dendrobium orchids, pale yellow tulips, and peach dahlias are just some of the add-ons you can put in to provide a more varied palette to the flower arrangements.

Orange is such a bright and festive color that many brides aspire to have an orange wedding. It is actually the perfect shade for couples who want to have a wedding that would stand out among the rest. Choose beautiful and stunning orange flowers to complete your special day.

Source: Nina Lampe

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Humorous Wedding Accessories that Make your Guests Laugh Out Loud

September 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Fun Bridal Accessories

Fun Bridal Accessories

Weddings can surely bring tears to people’s eyes. It is one moving and inspiring event that makes us want to cry. When we see the bride walking down the aisle, we cannot help but reach for our handkerchief and dab the tears welling up in the corner of our eyes. When the father of the bride and the bride dance together or when the mother of the groom makes a speech, any spectator can easily be touched.

But weddings are not all about weeping. Many modern couples want to incite laughter as well. This can be achieved with the use of humorous wedding accessories that can make your guests laugh out loud. Here are some examples of this kind of wedding accessory.

Funny Fashion Apparel

1. T-shirts – Make a statement with t-shirts with printed funny texts. These shirts are ideal to use during the engagement party, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or bachelor’s (or bachelorette’s) party. To have this kind of shirts, you can buy wedding transfer iron on sheets that are available in many online wedding apparel stores.

• “The Bride is Mine” t-shirt
• “I Survived my Stag” t-shirt
• “I Stand Up For Brides” t-shirt
• “It’s all about Me” t-shirt

2. Flipflops – The pair of black and white “Just Married” sandals is the perfect footwear for the couple getting married at the beach or those who have tropical or Hawaiian themed wedding. The nice thing about this pair of flip flops is that it leaves the words “Just Married” imprinted on the sand when you walk on it.

3. Hats – Couples can be playful with the choice of hats they use for the wedding day or any party or gathering relevant to this occasion. The Brushed Cotton Twill Crusher Hat, Wedding Party Denim Crusher Hats, Bride & Groom Cowboy Hats, and the “Bride” Angora Down Brim Hat are just few of the many funny options that the couple can use as head wear.

Comical Wedding Décor and Favors

Aside from personal accessories, decorative accessories and wedding favors that are funny in nature are also available to spur some laughter among the guests attending the wedding.

1. Table napkin – There are stylized personalized napkins available in various online wedding stores. You can have your initials printed on them or have a funny quote like “We are tying the knot (around our necks!)” or “Here comes the bridezilla, all dressed in white!” Of course, when choosing comical quips to put on the napkin, check with your partner if he or she is up to it, as you would not want to offend anyone with the text prints on the table napkin.

2. Cake toppers – In lieu of the tradition wedding cake topper, funny cake toppers are making their way to the hearts of many couples. Some of the funniest cake toppers we have seen include:

• “Princess Bride Kissing Frog Prince” cake topper
• “Cell Phone Fanatic Bride and Groom” cake topper
• “Golf Fanatic Groom Mix and Match” cake topper
• “Still Shopping Message Mix and Match” cake topper
• “Western Lasso Interchangeable” cake topper
• “Love Pinch Bridal Couple” cake topper

3. Wedding favors – Give away a memento that will not only serve as a souvenir for your wedding but also something that can elicit laughter from your guests.

• Novelty Popcorn Carton (with prints like “He popped the question” or “Topped with love”)
• “Sole mates” mini shoe polisher
• “We clicked” mouse pad
• “Love is cool” heart shaped mint candies

These humorous wedding accessories can surely turn your wedding day into a fun event that people will surely remember for a lifetime.

Source: Nina Lampe is a blogger for MyBeachFavors.com and she loves all things weddings, blogging, article writing, talking with brides and helping them prepare their wedding.

Filed Under: Bridal Accessories, Flip Flops and Sandals, Wedding Favors Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Uncomfortable Bridal Shoes Can Ruin Your Big Day

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

bridal-shoes

Some brides are not aware that there is a factor more important than style when it comes to choosing bridal shoes. They do not realize this until their big day comes and they can hardly walk because of the pain their uncomfortable shoes are giving them.

It is true that comfort is not something that many brides consider when shopping for a pair of bridal shoes but this is definitely important and should never be overlooked. After all, if a bride is going to wear a long gown, nobody will see how beautiful or stunning her shoes are but the comfort it will give her is priceless.

These bits and pieces of information will help you have a comfortable pair to wear during your special day.

Comfort is King.

Make sure you keep this in mind when shopping for shoes. This means that you should never buy shoes without fitting them. Try on different pairs and try walking while wearing each pair. If you feel a pair is making it hard for you to walk in a gracious manner, skip this, and go on to the next one. Never buy bridal shoes without fitting them even though the shoes are the same size as your feet.

To Heel or Not to Heel

When picking a heel height, choose the one that you typically wear on a daily basis. Going for a higher heel may mean discomfort during your special day. Now, if you are not a high heels girl, ditch the heels, go for flats or lower heels that can look just as elegant. You can also opt to wear shoes with wide, broad, or wedge heels that are more comfortable than stiletto heels. Just make sure that your wedding gown complements your choice of pair.

Comfort = Confidence

Being comfortable is also about being confident. If you are not confident about your shoe choice, you would probably not feel comfortable either. For example, if you dislike showing off your toes, then stay away from open-toe shoes.

High Quality: Always a Priority

If you are looking for comfort, your best bet is to rely on high quality brands made of top quality materials such as silk, satin, or leather which are usually easy on the feet. Just do not forget that the fabric and texture of your shoes should match or complement that of your wedding gown.

Shopping Online?

If you are going to shop online, fit the shoes as soon as they arrive. Order in advance, so you will have enough time for return and replacement.

Break them in!

No matter how busy you are, never wait until the big day before you wear the shoes. Wear them a couple of weeks before the wedding. Strut them around the house everyday for one to two hours to break them in.

If you want to ruin your big special day, the best way to do is to don a pair of uncomfortable bridal shoes that will give you sore toes, painful soles and make you unable to walk graciously down the aisle. Otherwise, make sure you exert extra time and effort in finding shoes that are not only beautiful and stylish but also comfortable.

Source: This article was submitted by Nina Lampe from Favors4DestinationWeddings.com. She loves to help brides and grooms plan their wedding and in particular giving them advice with beach wedding decor.

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A Beginner’s Guide to Caribbean Destination Weddings

August 22, 2009 By 1 Comment

wedding locationMany a happy couple dream of tying the knot in a far-away Caribbean destination; hence the reason for the term “Caribbean destination wedding” in the first place.  Just a decade or so ago, the practice of transporting an entire wedding to a location other than the local church was unheard of; but in today’s society of bigger and better, you can’t go wrong with such an exotic wedding day.

Planning any wedding can be a monumental task, let alone planning a wedding on a Caribbean island.  However, with a little research and a lot of organizing, the bride and groom can choose from a multitude of locations where the sand will be warm under their feet and the ocean breeze will caress their first kiss as husband and wife.

One of the first things to know about Caribbean destination weddings is that there are multiple locations to choose from.  The Caribbean consists of over a dozen islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea.  Choices for wedding locations abound with these numbers.  There is the island of Jamaica, which is a popular choice.  There is also the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and The Cayman Islands.

With so many choices, what might you want to consider when planning a Caribbean destination wedding?

  • Work with professionals.  Especially because your destination is far from home, working with a professional coordinator is an essential part of your wedding going off without a hitch.  Many Caribbean destination weddings are planned through knowledgeable coordinators associated with major resorts.  It takes only a bit of homework to find one you trust.
  • Send invites early.  Because of the travel involved, guests will need to take some time away from work, home and family responsibilities to attend your nuptials.  In order to ensure you’ve given enough time for your guests to plan, sending out a save the date card is recommended.  Typical invitations go out 4 to 6 weeks before the event; therefore, save the dates should go out well before then.
  • Consider the climate.  If you are planning a Caribbean destination wedding, it is wise to know the climate during the time of year, and time of day, you plan to wed.  In some areas, the sun can beat down quite hot; you wouldn’t want to be stuck without some shade for you and your guests if you plan a daytime wedding.
  • Decide what you will pay for.  Oftentimes, guests of a Caribbean destination wedding will cover their own travel fares.  However, it is a nice gesture on your part to make arrangements in terms of accommodations and flights to the extent of finding good packages.  Work with a hotel in your Caribbean location to set aside special rates for your guests, and include that information in your invitations.  Guests will appreciate it.
  • Make sure you know the marriage laws of the island you will be married on.  This is very important, as you don’t want to go through all that planning just to find out our marriage isn’t legal.  Working through a coordinator, you will likely be guided through the process well, but knowing that all islands do not have the same marriage laws will prompt you to be aware and to ask questions on this topic.

A Caribbean destination wedding can be an affair you will remember forever.  Getting through red tape is a cinch when you are prepared with the right questions and carry the right tools.  Enjoy!

Source: Nina Lampe is a blogger for MyBeachFavors.com and she loves all things weddings, blogging, article writing, talking with brides and helping them prepare their wedding.

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