In the words of the legendary choreographer Martha Graham, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul," and couples speak volumes on the dance floor during their wedding reception. If you find yourself (or your guy) lacking the finesse of Fred and Ginger, you just might try a dance instruction DVD. Lovebirds looking to perfect their pivots and dips in the privacy of their own home can turn to a variety of lessons available on DVD, including those of instructor Shawn Trautman.
The couple's spotlight moment is covered in Slow Dancing for Beginners Volumes One and Two. Teaching the art of underarm turns, lunges, promenades and more, Shawn Trautman takes viewers on their first steps toward the perfect first dance by walking his DVD students through each move.
I am obsessed with planning my destination wedding in Feb-April of 09 and the more I research (8-9 hours a day) the more unsure of myself I am becoming.I LOVE Mexico and was sure I was going to plan a wedding there (adult resort). Was looking at *El Dorado Royale (Casita Suites category)*El Dorado Seaside Suites*Occidental Royal Hideaway (the Hideaway Suite)*Excellence Riviera Cancun (honeymoon suite ocean view Excellence Club)*Secrets Capri Riviera (either an Oceanfront Junior Suite or the upgrade to the Governor One Bedroom Suite)I then became aware of Jamaica. I have been looking at Couples Swept Away (Beachfront verandah suites) or Couples Negril. Then I wonder what is the difference between Couples and Sandals. Sandals looks great!I am driving myself crazy! I want a great grounds resort, awesome pools, swim up bars, great attitude, great food. --S.P.
Dear S.P.,
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Selecting your destination just might be the toughest part of the whole process!
Mexico is a very popular destination for weddings and the hotels you mentioned are good choices. Weddings in Mexico are required, by law, to be performed in Spanish although your wedding coordinator at the resort will act as your translator if the two of you don't speak Spanish. Also, you'll need to obtain blood tests when you arrive in Mexico but the wedding planner can help with those arrangements as well.
Jamaica's a great place for a wedding; regulations are simpler there (no blood tests!) We just returned from Couples last month; we stayed at Couples Swept Away and visited Couples Negril for the day. Both are excellent resorts. The difference between the two? Couples Swept Away is on the seven-mile stretch of beach in Negril so it's very easy to walk along the beach and go off property to local beach bars, nightclubs, etc. Couples Swept Away has a huge sports complex on property with tennis, squash, racquetball, a spa, and also has more healthy drink/food options (although plenty of decadent ones as well!) Couples Negril doesn't have the extensive sports options, is located on a great beach but not the main Negril Beach, and has a small clothing optional beach if that's of interest.
We interviewed the wedding planner at Couples Swept Away and she's a real pro; she can assist with any wedding plans you have. Also, each Couples resort offers several off-property excursions for no charge. We hopped a shuttle one evening to visit The Sands, a beach bar down on the cliffs of Negril; other excursions from Couples Swept Away take guests shopping or visit Margaritaville Negril.
Sandals properties are also very nice. One difference with the Sandals properties is that they offer transportation to other Sandals properties in the same town; for example, if you are staying at Sandals Montego Bay, you can hop the free shuttle and visit/play/dine at Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Inn, both also in Montego Bay.
Both Couples and Sandals are all-inclusive properties with a long list of included activities and amenities. It's a tough choice to make!
2008624: Elite Island Resorts Offers Kids-Included Honeymoons
With 43% of all US weddings being second marriages and about 65% of those marriages involving children, there are many brides and grooms looking for destination wedding venues that will welcome the whole family. We just received some news from Elite Island Resorts, the second largest independent hospitality group in the Caribbean, about its free family wedding package.
Couples who get married as part of their familymoon can enjoy a free Caribbean destination wedding package (which is regularly priced at $899). There are some provisions--you'll need to book an all-inclusive premium luxury category honeymoon stay of seven or ten nights (depending on the resort). Once there, everyone will have some privacy thanks to the villa accommodations and adjoining room arrangements. Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas offers on-site babysitters, and Elite Island Resorts' other child-friendly properties feature dedicated kids' clubs, babysitting and teen programs.
The Resorts: The resorts include:
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort. St. Lucia: Your new family can enjoy an on-site dive center, horseback riding on the beach, hiking the Pitons, exploring a still-steamy volcano, pirate and sunset sails.
Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas, Tortola: The whole family can do some island-hopping by yacht around the British Virgin Islands.
St. James's Club & Villas, Antigua: The new bride and groom and the kids can take off zip-lining through the rainforest, go deep-sea fishing, enjoy the Shirley Heights Sunday night family barbecue and more.
The Verandah Resort & Spa, Antigua: Located adjacent to Devil's Bridge National Park, families enjoy kayaking, hiking, zip-lining through the rainforest, sailing, diving and snorkeling.
What It Includes: Elite Island Resorts' all-inclusive vacations include meals (including child-friendly options), top-shelf liquor, non-motorized water sports (except Long Bay Beach Resort & Villas), entertainment and more.
2008617: The Hollywood Chapel Offers Special Same-Sex Wedding Package
As same-sex couples in California ushered in a new era on June 17, 2008, so The Hollywood Chapel wedding venue also marked the dawn of a new day as it officially opened its doors to all those in the Los Angeles County who want to say "I do."
In celebration of the Supreme Court's ruling to allow all California citizens who are in love to experience the joys of marriage, The Hollywood Chapel is offering a special "Wish Upon a Star" package for lovestruck same-sex partners. From now through August 31, 2008, pairs can pledge their devotion in a chapel setting with a love story ceremony after conveniently taking care of the marriage license, notary fee and registration at the venue. As a video records the vows for posterity, couples clutching complimentary rose bouquets or wearing complimentary rose boutonnieres are united in matrimony-- an event honored as the couple raise souvenir flutes filled with champagne or sparkling cider in a toast to their happiness, while a wedding cake that feeds four provides a sweet start to married life.
The West Hollywood venue offers a number of quick, no-fuss nuptial packages for both gay and straight romantics, ranging from the budget-friendly Tie The Knot, which provides an officiant, bouquet and 12 digital pictures on a CD, to the more elaborate Love Knot, which offers the same amenities as the previous package also with a unity candle or sand ceremony and a marriage license provided at the venue. For those in a hurry to get hitched, several elopement packages are available, including "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!"-- a speedy five minute civil ceremony which can be witnessed by two guests.
Lovebirds looking to create a little Tinseltown magic on their wedding day should visit The Hollywood Chapel web site for more information.
2008616: How to Lose Weight While Eating Like Royalty On a Cruise
You're watching your weight for the wedding or your second honeymoon. You've watched the pounds fall off and already shopped for a new wardrobe for your trip.
But how can you keep the weight off during the trip...especially if that trip's a cruise?! We all know the temptations of a cruise...the numerous onboard restaurants, the midnight buffet, the decadent desserts.
We just ran across a new book by Michael Webb (best known as The RoMANtic, a romance expert who has appeared on Oprah.) His new book is called “How To Lose Weight While Eating Like Royalty On a Cruise” and Michael shows that it can be easy to lose weight while being on a cruise is because you’re already doing plenty of fat-burning exercise every day. The two of you will be walking around the ship, shopping, swimming, rock climbing, snorkeling, scuba diving, dancing at midnight discos...the list goes on. The problem comes from making bad food choices too often and eating too much.
Michael’s book goes through all the necessary steps to ensure you don’t gain weight and might even lose weight while enjoying your vacation.
The first half of the book contains a mix of both basic and not-so-well-known tips to keep the weight off, while the second half suggests ways to add more activities and exercise to your cruise. Don't miss the tips in the exercise section on ways to AUTOMATICALLY exercise more by making some very smart choices early on.
2008614: New Wedding Packages Launched at Antigua's Jolly Beach Resort & Spa
In the Caribbean, the island of Antigua has long been a top destination wedding location thanks to its wedding-friendly rules: there's no residency requirement so you can fly in and say your I Do's with no waiting period.
Now Antigua's Jolly Beach Resort and Spa is offering two new destination wedding packages: the Silver Ribbon and Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Packages.
What They Include: Both the Gold and Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Packages include
the services of the resort's wedding coordinator and staff
the marriage license, certificate and legal fees
round-trip transportation to the Ministry of Justice for the license
the services of a marriage officer and witnesses if needed
a bridal bouquet with the choice of roses, lilies, anthuriums or orchids (subject to availability
and season) arranged in a Posy or Tear Drop
a boutonnière for the groom
a one-tier wedding cake with topper
a tray of hors d'oeuvres
fruit juice and a bottle of sparkling wine to toast the future
Brides and grooms will also receive a selection of resort gifts:
a $40 voucher for a Couples Massage at the Palms Wellness Centre Spa
a bottle of sparkling wine
an intimate dinner for two
Continental breakfast-in-bed
a $50 voucher per couple for a Wadadli Cats cruise
two souvenir mugs
"Just Married" shirts
the ability to send out ten e-mail wedding announcements
The Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package: The new Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package includes everything in the Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Package plus:
a four-hour wedding reception for between 26 and 40 people in the Hibiscus Banquet Room or the beachside Hammock Lounge decorated for the occasion. Hors d'oeuvres, a buffet dinner and drinks are served and a DJ will be on-hand to emcee the festivities and provide entertainment.
A special menu of services at the resort's new Palms Wellness Centre Spa. For the bride: bridal hair and makeup, manicure, pedicure, Palms Facial and Palms Massage. For the groom: a hair cut and a Palms Back Massage.
Wedding Venues: Couples can choose to have their ceremony at any location on the 40-acre property including two wedding gazebos -- one on a mile-long Caribbean beach, the other overlooking the resort's pool with views of the Sea.
The Price: The Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package is $2,044.00 and the Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Package is $699.00.
How to Make It a Free Wedding: The cost of the Silver Ribbon Dream Wedding Package is free if in addition to the bride and groom the wedding party books at least 5 rooms for a minimum stay of seven nights each. For couples booking the Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package with a wedding party booking the same, the cost of their Gold Ribbon Dream Wedding Package will be $1,345.00. Prices include 20.5% government tax and service charge.
Room Rates: All-inclusive rates start at $173.00 per person, per night based on double occupancy for a Standard Room through December 20, 2008. Children 3-16 stay for $54 per night when sharing a room with two adults through December 20, 2008, and kids under 3 years old stay free at Jolly Beach anytime.
For more information: • call 1-866-905-6559 • visit www.jollybeachresort.com • Call the wedding coordinator at 1-268-462-0061; or fill out the "Wedding Information Request Form" on the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa website.
Brides who walk down the aisle at CastelBrando follow in the footsteps of the countesses and queens who have visited the imposing structure during its long reign over the village of Cison di Valmarino, which lies less than an hour from Venice. In the following exclusive Lovetripper interview, the Executive Director of the castle explains how you can arrange your Italian "I do" at this portal to the past.
We're always on the lookout for free destination wedding packages and here's one that really caught our eye: Jamaica's Sunset Resorts is offering free weddings at two of its three resorts with a seven-night stay. All you'll pay are the government fees and marriage license fees!
We've stayed at both these properties and they both offer lots of fun and have a great setup for wedding parties with guests (including kids!)
The free offer includes weddings at the newly renovated, playful 430-room Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, located in Montego Bay, and the 730-room Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios.
The Free Package: “We Do” includes all the trimmings:
Service of a marriage officer to perform the ceremony
Services of our on-site wedding coordinator
Picturesque wedding area
Chilled bottle of sparkling wine
Single-tiered wedding cake (serves 4-6 people)
Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
Recorded music
Two “Just Got Married” t-shirts
Government Fees: A non-refundable administration, processing, government license and marriage certificate fee of $280 is required for wedding reservations (processing fee subject to change). This package is valid for new U.S. and Canadian reservations as of June 1, 2008. Processing fee is subject to change.
Add-Ons: For an additional cost, the ceremony and reception can be recorded; spa services and packages can be added; a private reception can be held; a live Jamaican Steel band or Reggae band will have the guests grooving; plus a wedding album, a private sunset cruise and much more. Larger weddings can be arranged. Renewal of vows and special honeymoon and anniversary extras are available.
Details: All packages are subject to availability and are based on double occupancy only. Reservation of an ocean view room category or higher for a minimum of seven nights stay is required.
Room Rates: Summer rates, valid for travel from now through December 22, 2008, range from $280 - $500 per room, per night, based on double occupancy at Sunset Beach Resort & Spa and from $325 - $575 per room, per night, based on double occupancy at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa.
Rates include accommodations with a private balcony, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, wine by the glass, non-motorized water sports, tennis, entertainment, taxes, and gratuity.
Want a celebrity style wedding...with a budget to match? Here's your chance: US Magazine is hosting a $100,000 wedding complete with a celeb stylist to help you select your dress, a trainer to get you buff for the paparazzi's photos, and more...and all of it will be profiled on the pages of US Magazine! The deadline for entering is June 12 so get busy!
It's time for a new Lovetripper contest! This contest is called our Bridal Budget Tip contest and the prize is celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss' brand new book called The Wedding Book: The Big Book for Your Big Day.
To enter the contest, just enter a tip for how brides can save money on a destination wedding. It can be any aspect of the wedding: the dress, accommodations, decorations, reception, you name it! You'll find an online form for submitting your entry on our contest page along with all the contest rules.
In the words of the legendary choreographer Martha Graham, "Dance is the hidden language of the soul," and couples speak volumes on the dance floor during their wedding reception. If you find yourself (or your guy) lacking the finesse of Fred and Ginger, you just might try a dance instruction DVD. Lovebirds looking to perfect their pivots and dips in the privacy of their own home can turn to a variety of lessons available on DVD, including those of instructor Shawn Trautman.
, one of four DVDs which make up Shawn Trautman's Wedding Starter Pack. Containing over two hours of instruction, the instructor and his partner demonstrates the elements of such diverse dances as the Cha-Cha, Waltz and the Hustle, while Party Line Dances (Shawn Trautman's Learn to Dance Series)
offers 80 minutes of such reception staples as the Electric Slide, the Tush Push, the Macarena and the Boot Scootin' Boogie.
