Planning Your Dream Honeymoon

Groom … tick. Celebrant … tick. Photographer … tick. Now where to go on your honeymoon? Planning your dream honeymoon is too important to be left to the last minute, so here are some tips to help you create the perfect honeymoon to complement your perfect day.

1. What type of honeymoon do you want? Many honeymoon couples dream of lazing on a warm white sandy beach, with the only decision being which cocktail to order while you watch the sunset. But, increasingly couples are opting to combine their honeymoon with an all-inclusive touring holiday for a hassle free escape, while others prefer a cruising honeymoon on one of the luxury cruise liners or sailing the Greek Isles on a yacht. Other honeymooners are opting for adrenalin-filled adventure while still others are combining their honeymoon with volunteer work.

Honeymoons are everything from pure luxury in a 5-star resort, dreamy relaxation in an overwater bungalow, snuggling in a cosy B&B, living a fantasy in a romantic castle, or getting back to nature in a tent under the stars.

You also need to decide if you want a single plane flight and simple cab transfer to reach your destination, or if you prefer the adventure of different planes and boats before finally reaching your honeymoon home.

Honeymoons are now more a reflection of the couple’s interests and personalities, than in our parent’s generation. The key is as a couple you need to decide whether you are looking for simple relaxation or something more active. Choose the destination that matches most of your shared need.

2. How long do you plan to escape? Honeymoons can be as little as one night or stretch to a few months. How long do you intend to be away? Many couples underestimate the stress they had been under during the lead up to the wedding, and find they are quite exhausted when they finally reach their honeymoon destination. Wherever possible add in extra time to your honeymoon so you can spend time together reconnecting after the hectic previous weeks.

3. Check the weather Your preferred honeymoon destination may be perfect only during certain months of the year. At other times it may be rainy, foggy, humid, or just plain uncomfortable. Check the expected weather conditions for the time of year you will be travelling before you book your honeymoon.

4. Plan for memorable moments It pays to take the time to plan for romantic memorable moments on your honeymoon. If your room has a spa or Jacuzzi in it, pack some scented bubble bath and tea light candles to create the perfect mood. Find out where you can watch the sunrise together, or where you can walk under the light of the moon while you talk about your dreams for the future. Book a picnic for two in a secluded cove, or take a horse drawn cab through the city.

This is a once in a lifetime event, so splurge a little on a helicopter ride over the reef or a stretch limo tour around the town. It is the memories of these romantic moments that you will bring back with you, and these are the memories that will last a lifetime.

5. Remember the details It is very easy to get caught up with the plans for the wedding and forget to organise the appropriate passports, visas and vaccinations for the places you intend to visit.

Make sure you allow plenty of time to organise these essentials as well as your travel and accommodation bookings, and then double check all of the tickets and details to make sure everything has been correctly booked.

Take copies of all your booking details with you when you travel, as proof of your bookings and payments.

You also need to plan for worst-case scenarios – in case your luggage is lost or stolen, if you fall ill or injure yourself, or if something happens and your destination is no longer available. Good quality travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you financially in case the worst happens.

A good travel agent can help make this side of your honeymoon easier, acting as a single point of contact and a source of great information.

The most important detail is to of course relax, enjoy each other’s company and to have fun on your honeymoon.

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Planning a Hawaii Wedding

beach-weddingFor many people, Hawaii weddings are the ultimate way to tie the knot, and the Pacific Ocean is the perfect location for a wedding. The obvious reasons are indeed obvious – the fabulous climate, the great beaches, the exotic setting and the unbeatable Hawaiian welcome. Then there is the fabulous food, the entertainment and simply the fact that you are in Hawaii. Most of all, however, there is the romance. Nevertheless, the best way to organize a wedding in Hawaii is to seek the services of a professional.

Any destination wedding takes a lot of planning and Hawaiian weddings are no different. Simply getting everybody there on time is hard enough, but then you have the catering, the dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses and even the priest to get organized. And don’t forget the reception venue and the photographer and … miss out even one of these, and you will be left looking a bit embarrassed. Luckily the internet can help you.

There are also the flowers, the favors and the guest book! Arranging the transportation for your family friends between the church or site for the ceremony and the reception venue isn’t as easy as most think it to be when you are being wed on an island. There is a lot more to do, and eventually all of that can get to be a bit too much.

You have no time to relax or do anything but make sure that the wedding dresses and those for the bridesmaids are delivered on time to the right place. If you have page boys or flower girls then their clothes also have to be selected and their delivery assured. You could save a lot of that by purchasing an ‘off the peg’ dress, but why do that if you want your dress designed as you want it? In any case, it might not fit you when arrive to collect it.

If you decide to mail your wedding dress to Hawaii, along with any other outfits needed such as the bridesmaids’ dresses, then make sure they are dispatched well before your big day. A week before is the minimum, but it can easily be before that. These are the essentials with which you don’t want to take chances. Make sure the packages or boxes are marked as fragile, and when they arrive open them immediately for inspection and pressing.

When planning Hawaiian weddings, it is advisable to speak to the staff of the hotel where you are holding your reception. If you are staying there overnight you should speak to them and get to know them. They will then be more amenable to helping you out when you have a problem, such as the best local wedding planner (the hotel/villa can also likely help) or any other issue you have with your wedding.

Don’t forget the photographer. Your photographer is very important and will be providing the permanent record of your Hawaii wedding. The start of your marriage is very important and it should be recorded professionally. Make sure that you won’t have to rely on friends or relatives by booking your wedding photographer well in advance.ax

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Planning your Bahamas Beach Wedding

Does your fantasy wedding take place on a powdery white beach with a backdrop of crystal clear water and blue sky? The Bahamas provides not only picturesque scenery, but also an average year-round tropical climate of 83 degrees F/28.5 degrees C. Romance is inherent in this magnificent exotic location. A wedding ceremony at sunset is the most popular time of day for a beach wedding.

The Beach Wedding

Remember it is your memorable day and, as the bride and groom, it can be whatever you envision it to be. So be creative and inspire your family and friends to do the same. Whether you choose to say “I do” in your bathing suits or in the traditional wedding attire, your beach wedding should implant a memory that will last a lifetime.

Legal Requirements

In order to have your wedding in the Bahamas, you must register for a marriage license after a 24-hour residency period. The cost is approximately $100 and the marriage license is valid for 90 days. Both parties must go together to the place of registry to apply.

Necessary Documents

  • Photo ID (driver’s license)
  • Valid passports
  • Divorce decree (if re-marrying)
  • Death certificate (if widowed)
  • Proof of arrival in the Bahamas (plane ticket stub)
  • Written parental consent for parties under 18 years of age

Food and Entertainment

Bahamian cuisine, influenced by the American South, presents a great variety of traditional dishes such as curried goat, rock lobster, fried plantains, conch fritters, grouper fingers, and souse (a soup unique to the Caribbean). When it comes to the wedding cake, a delicious West Indian rum cake will delight your guests.

Bahamian steel drums will have you and your guests dancing all night under the stars. Hiring a Junkanoo band, (native music by Bahamians) would be a great addition to the line up of entertainment at your beach wedding.

Wedding Package

Because the Bahamas is the marriage capital of the world, companies will compete for your business by offering all types of wedding and honeymoon vacation packages. Shop around until you find something that suits your specific needs and those of your guests. Whatever your budget, you will find suitable accommodations. Whether you stay at a luxury villa or choose the comfort of a cozy inn, the exotic ocean scenery is still the same.

A typical wedding package offers the following:

  • Accommodations
  • Photography and/or videographer
  • Food catering
  • Ceremony and reception facilities
  • Flowers
  • Minister
  • Wedding Consultant

Wedding Budget

If your budget can afford it, hire a wedding consultant to handle the details of your beach wedding. This will allow the bride and groom to thoroughly enjoy the wedding worry-free. A local consultant would be your best bet as they specialize in Bahamas weddings. If you choose to deal with the preparations yourself, keep it simple so that you can stay in the moment without being overwhelmed, and enjoy the beach wedding of your dreams!

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