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This Could Be You

This Could Be You (Photo from Earthkids.com)

I tend to be a pretty frugal gal at least as frugal as the next person if not more so.   Love creating gorgeous events.   Am an avid crafter have taken college level courses on color and design… and I am not  a huge fan of the DIY trend in weddings!   As I write this is know it is strange.. but true.. why?

Ask anyone who crafts for a living and they will more than likely tell you that you are getting a heck of a deal on their labor.. most times the crafts person artisan is actually supplying the labor.. some do not realize to the extent that their labor is a gift to the purchaser. 

Time is as valueable an asset as anyother, DIY projects are very labor intensive… I have never undertaken a project and said wow that did not take much time.. of course it does!

Real Cost of DIY Wedding Projects

Real Cost of DIY Wedding Projects (Bank available at bonjourbabygifts.com)

Things you really should factor in before you DIY it:

Cost of the materials (chances are you are not buying in bulk like someone who makes this project for their business, so prices are higher)

Cost of tools needed to execute the project

Cost of Additional Labor to get the project done, an example of that is if you need to have paper cut at a Copy Center

Cost of Time Do you have other projects work housework family etc.. projects are very time consuming

Cost of Clean-up.. nothing worse than ruining clothes and furniture creating your DIY wedding project

Why am I such a know it all.. Not only am I married and had my own DIY fiasco.. remind me to tell you about the votive candle holders that I made with silk rose petals can you say expensive fiasco.. I am a wedding coordinator and I hear the horror stories.. In the end you may not only attempt and a project with less than satisfactory results but may in the end have to buy the same thing you set out to make yourself.

Moral of the story do your homework and see if there is already someone doing what you are looking for and defer to their expertise and enjoy one of the best times of life!

Martha Stewart Destination Wedding at Sandals and Beaches Resorts

Martha Stewart Destination Wedding at Sandals and Beaches Resorts

Thinking about having a small intimate but beautiful destination wedding in the Caribbean.. it is a bit easier thanx to the new Beautiful Beginnings Package being offered at Sandals and Beaches Resorts.  When Sandals and Beaches Resorts partnered with Martha Stewart to offer stunnig weddings throughout the Caribbean at their all inclusive resorts.

Staying 6 nights or longer in an upgraded room category one offering Concierge service, and the Beautiful Beginnings package is included.

Concierge Suite Sandals Resort

Concierge Suite Sandals Resort

 

Martha Stewart Wedding Sandals and Beaches Resorts

Martha Stewart Wedding Sandals and Beaches Resorts

 

Stay 6 nights or longer  in a Concierge Suite and you receive the following items for your Beautiful Begininng wedding:

Personal wedding consultant

Marriage officiant

Certified copy of marriage license

Picturesque wedding location

One 5″x7″ wedding photograph

Wedding gift from resort

Bouquet and boutonniere

Beautiful reception setting

Hors d’oeuvres & sparkling wine*

Preparation of documentation

Caribbean Wedding Cake

Continental breakfast in bed

Government / Administrative fees**

Interested in learning how Martha Stewart partnered with Sandals and Beaches Resort see USA Today’s behind the scenes interview for all of the scoop http://content.usatoday.com/communities/hotelcheckin/post/2009/11/620000814/1

For more details of the Martha Stewart weddings offered http://destinationweddingstore.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/martha-stewart-unviels-destination-wedding-packages-at-sandals-resorts/

Pool Paradisus Playa Conchal

Pool Paradisus Playa Conchal

Nestled in the green forests of Costa Rica’s magnificent North-Pacific Riviera and framed by a 1.5 mile white sandy beach, the Paradisus Playa extends over 2,400 lush acres in an enchanted land where challenging golf meets thrilling eco- adventure.

Rock Climbing Wall Paradisus Playa Conchal

Rock Climbing Wall Paradisus Playa Conchal

 This all-suite member of Leading Hotels of the World boasts 406 oversized, elegantly decorated suites that open onto private terraces.

Suite Paradisus Playa Conchal

Suite Paradisus Playa Conchal

It boasts an 18-hole, par-71 Robert Trent Jones golf course, spectacular freshwater pool, luxury spa, well-equipped fitness center,4 lighted tennis courts, adventure center with full range of watersports and all-terrain tours, comprehensive kid’s club, life-enriching classes (including cooking, painting and dance), 8 restaurants, six bars, lively casino, and theater with live nightly entertainment.

Robert Trent Golf Course

Robert Trent Golf Course

The Paradisus Playa Conchal will delight not only you but your gusests as well.   Service is top priority here,  everyone will feel completely at ease ready to enjoy every minute of your  destianation wedding weekend.  

We would be delighted to work with you to to plan your wedding at this lovely resort.

Decal For Dance Floor

Decal For Dance Floor

Always an advocate of adding elegant touches to your destination ways especially in unexpected places.. just had to share these great decals by Ten23designs,  http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6167185

Decals Add Signature Style To You Wedding

Decals Add Signature Style To You Wedding

The decals are perfect for a destination wedding, they are lightweight easy to pack and can be added to a wall, glass doors, dance floors and more, make the resort look like you own it literally adding your monogram or signature touch everywhere and with prices starting at just $5.00 a wonderful way to add big impact with little stress to your budget you must be sure to visit at Ten23designs http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6167185 

Decals Perfect Way To Add Personal Element to Destination Wedding

Decals Perfect Way To Add Personal Element to Destination Wedding

The decals can be placed and removed and resused again a great way to bring elements of your wedding back into your home to remember your special day for years to come.

Inspiration for a October Destination Wedding with a Halloween Theme.   Though Halloween is the theme and inspiration it is done elegantly and subtly.  Enjoy and gather inspiraotion for your own destination wedding.

Destination Wedding Hairstyle Inspiration
These hairstyles are perfect for a destination wedding.   Love the carefree elegant look that they all share.    These hairstyles are for the bride who wants to enjoy her wedding I think most are especially perfect for a beach or warm weather destination but would work equally well with a colder destination if you were to swap out the tropical flowers for flowers more consistent with the climate where you will be getting married.
A post is planned with ideas for hair accessories suitable for your destination wedding, whatever the season or theme.
For now be inspired to try some of these on your own at home or go to your favorite salon to have them try it out, love what they do but don’t want to incur the expense of flying your local hairdresser in…  have a friend go with yout to the salon to take a picture of the hairstyle as the hairdresser is in the progress of doing your hair,  and to right down any tips they may pick up from the hairdresser it may make communicating the style easier with the help of the photos and will break down potential language barriers.
How will you be wearing your hair for your destination wedding?
This elegant couple needed to find a resort that was fun but able to deliver the upscale elegant look they desired for their destination wedding.   
Ritz Carlton Montego Bay is the Perfect Setting for this Elegant Couple

Ritz Carlton Montego Bay is the Perfect Setting for this Elegant Couple

Guests were treated to a party the night before at the Ritz Carlton Rose Halls White House Golf Club, guests were asked to dress to impress in all white it was a fabulous party that set the tone for the events of the wedding.  

Preparation Begins For the Reception On the Beach

Preparation Begins For the Reception On the Beach

The ceremony was filled with special romantic touches including a dove release.

Dove Release

Dove Release

Violinist Plays During the Ceremony

Violinist Plays During Ceremony

Violinist Plays During Ceremony

Guests had programs made of fans

Fans Double As Programs

Fans Double As Programs

Three Adorable Flower Girls

Adorable Flower Girls

Adorable Flower Girls

Tropical Flowers

Stunning Tropical Flowers In Vibrant Colors Were Used Everywhere

Stunning Tropical Flowers In Vibrant Colors Were Used Everywhere

Elegant Reception on the Beach

Lighting Plays Big Part In Reception Decor

Lighting Plays Big Part In Reception Decor

Cake is So Elegant in Its Simplicity

Simply Elegant

Simply Elegant

Ritz Carlton Beaver Creek

Ritz Carlton Beaver Creek

Ok.. inspiration for blogs comes in many forms. .today from really loving winter gear! 

If you follow my blog you know my preference for weddings is a tropical destination..

Why? Purely my love of warm tropical destinations.  Personally for me  I would rather be somewhere warm, but for a while I have been rethinking the beauty of winter weddings especially if you do not live in a cold climate as do I and really detest the cold and snow as do I … ok I know why am I here?? another day…

So for those of you like me not sure that you see yourself wanting to get married in a cold destination…. which I  may be changing your mind just by virtue of the image of the Ritz Carlton Beaver Creek in all of its glory above!  For those not sold by one image alone.. must see winter eye candy is below including some ideas for the bridal party etc..

Have had so much fun thinking about this I think I will devote another post to a cold destination resort tomorrow stay tuned, for now enjoy!

Ruffled Wool Scarf

Ruffled Wool Scarf

Trucks and Pearls Shop, sells this scarf we love it! The scarf is so cute for a winter destination wedding!   Think that it would look so cute with a wedding gown tres chic.   The ruffles really frame your face the long length well just imagine the photos ops!  Love the scarfs so much that I would also get them for all of the women in the bridal party.. if your budget allows why not give one to each female wedding guest?  Could give the guys something more befitting a guy like the hooded cowl neck scarf also at the Trucks and Pearls Shop.

Hooded Cowl Scarf

Hooded Cowl Scarf

These brownie pops are adorable and would look great left in a guests room as part of their welcome gift and also would look fab as part of the table decor for your rehersal dinner or even your reception.

Snow Flake Brownie Ball Pops

Snow Flake Brownie Ball Pops

In my opinion this last item is the best.. a snow ball maker for your guests.. if you have not lived in or visited a cold destination and had the chance to have a snow ball fight or make a snow man you can not imagine the fun you have missed… so I would be sure that each guest has their own snow ball maker… a great memory maker for your winter themed destination wedding.
Snow Ball Maker

Snow Ball Maker

Paradisus Playa Conchal

Paradisus Playa Conchal

So you have decided that you are going to have a destination wedding, Congratulations!   Most of my clients call me after having tried on their own to select the destination and resort for their destination wedding, unfortunatley I can not say that they call to tell me of their success and ask for a bit more help no they call me desparate for my expertise.   I will share with you one of the first things that I remind those in dispair about to give up on their dream of a destination wedding…. do not feel bad, I am a wedding coordinator, I am a travel agent… I am trained to know what you need and how to get it for you in the most expeditious manner… you (client, those reading this) have talents and training that I do not possess and spend your day cultivating those talents that you have… I was born to plan weddings.. don’t ask we will save that for another day another post….

Recently clients who called reffered by others who called after exhibiting the signs of complete frustrationwith destination wedding planning detailed above asked what I could do to get them going in the right direction to get the conversation going in a productive vain between themselves and then could convey the answers to me and I would convert the answers into a list of destinations and resorts that fit their criteriea…

This is where even as a wedding coordinator and travel agent I will spend endless hours agonizing (do not tell them that) on my clients behalf what resorts and destinations fit within their wish list.    I then prepare a detailed outline with everything from what each resort and destination offers to what a sample price could be for the guests stay, their stay and the wedding.    A full time job and then some for one trained and has years of background in not only travel and event planning,  a fashion background, color classes, floral design classes etc.. so stop worrying… look at the list let the conversation flow between you and your betrothed  and find someone that you feel confident has the experience and expertise that I have to help you to have the destination wedding of your dreams.  

Look forward to helping those of you who need help to plan your destination wedding.   Do you think that you will know the perfect place for your destination wedding before consulting with a destination wedding coordinator?  Are you open to new ideas suited to your guests comfort?

Couples Tower Isle

Couples Tower Isle

Things to Consider When Comparing Resorts for Your Destination Wedding

1.)    Less expensive all inclusive resorts tend to have more dining options which are buffet, the quality and preparation of the food is inferior to some of the more middle of the road and higher end resorts the cuisine is superior.

 2.)    When comparing all inclusive resorts it is important to note that not all resorts will offer the same inclusions, so it is good to compare the all inclusive from one to the other some of the more expensive resorts will include things like sightseeing and upgraded activities like golf

3.)    Less expensive resorts would have more restricted hours of service and you can notice subtle difference in things like how drinks are served… may be dispensed from a plastic drink machine vs. a bartender serving you in a glass

4.)    Try to know your guests and what will please them

5.)    If you and your guests like activity and like to be active you will want to find a resort that offers a lot of activities

6.)    If you have older or less active guests you will want a resort that will also offer them things to do while some are active

7.)    Is a spa important?

8.)    Do your guests have dietary needs i.e. things like Vegetarian, would want to work with a resort that offers flexibility to suit your groups dietary needs

9.)    Do you want a large or small resort?  Some find either one to be for them and others really do not have a preference.

10.)  Do you need to have something at the resort like the bride and groom who need a swim-up bar sounds funny but if you think is there anything we picture enjoying for our destination wedding that we need in a resort now is a good time to think about that.

11.)  Is it ok to have multiple wedding s  the same day as your own, if so do you have any number that would bother you or other criteria

12.)  If you know that you want to be married on the beach we will need to find a resort that has a beach which is substantial enough for the reception not all will accommodate a large beach reception

13.)  Do you need to find a resort which is child friendly

14.) If above is yes then do you want a property with children’s activity program?

15.)  Do you want to leave the resort in the evening if so do you want the ability to walk to nightlife etc?

16.)  What do you picture for your reception?  What things are a must have?

17.)  Are you willing to pay for events outside of your wedding?   If no do you want to have event outside of the wedding and reception?

18.) Maximum price you would be able to suggest to guests per night and feel comfortable… remember this number is inclusive of transportation from the airport to the resort and the resort back to the airport, resort accommodations, all food, drinks  most activities and all taxes

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