If you're traveling from North America to Europe this summer for any length of time, you're probably considering a rail pass. They're not cheap but they are a great value if you'll be traveling by train multiple days. (On some railpasses, your travel days must be taken over the period of so many days; other flexipasses allow you to use your designated days of train travel over a longer period.) The train system is a delight; it's such a joy to get away from the airports...plus no early check-in time. You'll arrive right in the heart of the city at most destinations, another budget saver. Here's a video we shot between Vienna and Prague about traveling by rail pass:
This interview with an Edinburgh jeweler covers some very good points. What ring styles are most flattering for crooked fingers? Should you choose platinum or white gold? And guys, how do you guess the size of her ring finger?
Although this video from Madeline Merced is aimed at spring break travelers headed abroad, you'll find some good travel tips (and good money saving tips) in this short video. Look for tips ranging from making extra copies of your passport (very important, trust us) to using ATMs internationally.
Prince Joachim of Denmark's Wedding to Marie Cavallier
Four years after receiving a diamond-encrusted, white gold wedding band from her true love Crown Prince Frederik, Princess Mary looked on as another bride became a part of the Danish royal family as French-born Marie Cavallier exchanged vows with Crown Prince Frederik's younger brother, Prince Joachim. Standing at the altar of Møgeltønder Church with his two young sons, the groom could scarcely contain his emotions as he waited for his bride to walk down the aisle in her Arasa Morelli wedding gown. The following clip captures a few of the touching moments:
Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly's Wedding at St. George's Chapel
Inside St. George's Chapel, happy memories of her own 2005 wedding day surely came to The Duchess of Cornwall's mind as she watched Autumn Kelly slip a five millimeter platinum band from Midas Jewellers in Northern Ireland on to the hand of Princess Anne's son, Peter Phillips. The following ITN News clip offers highlights of the special day, from the Vera Wang bridesmaids dresses to the horse-drawn carriage that whisked the newlyweds to their reception at Frogmore House.
Bob Marley remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Jamaica. His birthplace and final resting place is located out in the countryside in a community named Nine Mile, a day trip for Ocho Rios visitors. Last summer, we took the Chukka Caribbean tour from Ocho Rios to Nine Mile and shot this video which includes a look at the simple home where Bob Marley was born. Our tour guide was "Captain Crazy." You'll see him singing at the start of this video, accompanied by Bob Marley's uncle, the man who gave the reggae star his first guitar:
Symbolizing the fulfillment of a dream, many brides opt to walk down the aisle in a silhouette imbued with an heirloom quality-- a garment for generations to come. Although her designs range from flirtatious mini-frocks for a casual destination "I do" to fairy tale ballgowns fashioned with cascading trains, each couture creation from designer Romona Keveza offers elegance for the ages.
In the following Brides.com clip, the Canadian-born designer debuts her spring 2009 bridal collection. From this runway production, it is easy to see why so many stars, including Desperate Housewives' Dana Delany, country crooner Sara Evans, supermodel Iman and Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart have all conquered the red carpet is gowns tagged with the Romona Keveza label.
Countless couples consider the upbeat romantic hit "All For You" by Sister Hazel "their song." In the following clip, the band's lead singer Ryan Newell reminisces about his seaside wedding ceremony and the tune that played as he and his bride, the hostess of getmarried.com, enjoyed their first dance together as husband and wife:
Even though the Bacara Resort and Spa is known as a venue for elegant celebrity ceremonies (past paparazzi magnets who began their marriages at the Santa Barbara sanctuary include Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler, Rules of Engagement's Bianca Kajlich and L.A. Galaxy soccer star Landon Donovan and 7th Heaven's Sarah Thompson) small, personal touches, including the starfish and sand dollars which dangled from the arch which framed the couple during their seaside ceremony to the Red Sox groom's cake served at the reception, made former Seinfeld cast member John O'Hurley and his bride Lisa Mesloh's I do's an intimate occasion.
In the following clip from GetMarried.com, the winner of Dancing with the Stars' season one dance off against General Hospital's Kelly Monaco recalls his wedding day-- when he danced on a cloud:
A blind date in 2003 opened the eyes of NASCAR champion Kurt Busch and Eva Bryan to the possibility of true love, and in July 2006 the race car driver said "I do" to his bride in a fairytale ceremony. From the moment the horse-drawn carriage bearing the bride arrived to their first dance as husband and wife beneath a sparkling chandelier, the winner of the 2007 3M Performance 400 relives the highlights of his Virginia vows in the following GetMarried.com clip:
Lela Rose Unveils Designs for Jenna Bush Wedding Party
A painting and sculpting major at the University of Colorado before turning her sights toward the Parsons School of Design and a career in fashion, Dallas, Texas native Lela Rose brings an artist's eye to her creations. In the following interview, the designer gives insight into the making of the dresses worn by Jenna Bush's bridesmaids at Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas on May 10, 2008:
The rustle of a trumpet skirt heralds the bride who walks down the aisle in an Alvina Valenta wedding dress. A trademark of the bridal attire brand's designer Victoria McMillan, the couturier's body-conscious creations for the spring 2009 season have blossomed with the addition of a new silhouette-- the soft-curved A. In the following Brides.com clip, the designer who fashioned reality TV star Adrianne Curry's wedding day frock shows off "I do" garments with a sense of grandeur:
Brides wishing to transform their tresses for a trip down the aisle can turn to the master of the mane, Ken Paves. Known for creating crowning glories for such stars as Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion and Eva Longoria, the celebrity stylist partnered with paparazzi magnet and frequent client Jessica Simpson to launch a line of clip-in hair extensions, which are sold on HSN. In the following video, the king of the coif shows a bride-to-be how human hair extensions can create a new style for her ceremony in seconds.
This video, shot in Thailand by FordModels.tv, takes a look at the best travel cosmetics...ones small enough to meet carry-on restrictions! The video covers cosmetics, hair products and body products in just a few minutes.
We've toured Jamaica's Rose Hall (located just east of Montego Bay) many times and never seen a ghost...but the historic greathouse does give you the creeps just a little! There's a portrait in one downstairs room (detail, left) of several children who have never been identified although many psychics believe the girl in red is Annie Palmer, former mistress of the house. It's said that no matter where you stand in the room, her eyes will follow you...
Any why is Annie Palmer scary? The legend goes that Annie came to Jamaica after living in Haiti with her parents and voodoo-practicing nurse who taught Annie voodoo skills. After her parents died, the story says Annie moved to Jamaica, married the owner of Rose Hall, and murdered several husbands as well as slave lovers in this very home.
From cupcakes to multi-tiered masterpieces, couples today have a wide range of confectionary creations from which to choose for their post-"I do" parties. In the following GetMarried.com video, celebrity cake designers Sylvia Weinstock, Ron Ben-Israel, Mark Lotti and more give advice on making the right wedding cake decisions.
Romantics headed to San Antonio, Texas find plenty of good options along the River Walk. This video takes a look at The Watermark Hotel, an upscale getaway on a quiet section of the River Walk. Along with fine dining at the hotel's Pesca seafood restaurant, located at River Walk level, the hotel has an excellent spa with couples' massages that we recommend!
This video from Bridesmagazine.co.uk is an excellent six-minute look at bridal make-up with tips that are perfect even for destination brides. From foundation (a slightly matte look so you won't look shiny in photos) to blush (just a little since you'll be blushing with excitement) to lipstick (no lip gloss if you're wearing a veil!), this is an excellent video to help you select and apply make-up on your most special day.
What's Hot for Brides-to-Be?