081029: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Offers Sustainable Weddings

Whether you're looking for carbon credits, locally-grown foods, or a responsible reception for your wedding, you'll find many green options at Hawaii's Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. The resort's new Sustainable Nuptials Package offers a special and memorable wedding ceremony that's also socially responsible.

Working with the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai wedding planner, couples customize the details of their package. To offset the carbon footprint of traveling to Hawai'i and staying at the resort, the package includes a carbon credit to one of several organizations in Sustainable Travel International or STI's carbon offset portfolio. (Carbon Offset Portfolio currently consists of myclimate™ (Verified Emission Reductions and Certified Emission Reductions); Bonneville Environmental Foundation or BEF (Green Tags); and Conservation Carbon from Conservation International.)

Price: The Sustainable Nuptials Package costs $10,050.

The Package: The Sustainable Nuptials Package includes:

- Wedding planner's eco-expertise
- Choice of outdoor wedding location (before sunset to save electricity)
- Carbon credit to offset wedding's carbon footprint (up to 25 guests)
- Teak chair set-up (for up to 25 wedding guests)
- Marriage license appointment (within walking distance!)
- Non-denominational officiant to perform ceremony
- Solo acoustic musician (guitar, 'ukulele, or violin) for one hour
- Consultation with florist (who will recommend the best locally-grown flowers)
- Bridal bouquet
- Groom's boutonniere
- 2,000 dendrobium orchids sprinkled at the wedding site
- Floral lei for up to 25 Guests
- Natural 'ohi'a wood or bamboo wedding arch
- Two-hour photography package
- Two-tier wedding cake with floral topper
- Bottle of champagne on wedding night
- Steam press wedding dress and groom's attire
- Ground transportation from/to the Kona International Airport
- 50-minute Couples Massage at The Hualalai Spa

All details of the ceremony and reception can involve the important concepts of recycle, re-use, and reduce ideas. The resort partners with local farmers and fisherman to create sustainable, regional, seasonal menus.

Outdoor weddings--with no air conditioning and/or electricity--are tops; you can also consider silk lanterns lit by compact florescent bulbs and clean-burning natural bees wax candles. For the reception, use biodegradable and sustainable bamboo plates, utensils as well as cocktail napkins and cups are used during the reception. The resort will donate your potted plants or flowers from local growers for centerpieces to local hospitals or elderly care establishments after your event.

"Since its introduction this month, our Sustainable Nuptials Wedding package has generated significant interest from brides and grooms to be," said Jennifer Gillis, wedding planner, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. "More and more couples are seeking custom, eco-conscious weddings."

For More Information:
• call 1 (808) 325-8000 or 1 (888) 340-5662

Labels: Green weddings, US and Canada Weddings

posted by Paris & John @ 9:40 AM 0 comments

10242008: Think Pink When Choosing A Bridal Bouquet

While traditional brides may prefer the pristine palette of white for the floral finery they carry when they file down the aisle, many modern day soon-to-be Mrs. think pink when choosing a wedding day bouquet. From just a hint of the hue to passionate hot pink petals, a burst of color can bring a bit of the bride's personality to the botanical beauty she holds on the day she vows to have and to hold, from this day forward.

According to Liza Roeser-Atwood, the founder and CEO of FiftyFlowers,com, "Colors show a bride's fun side while white flowers exude elegance and romance. But now they say pink could be the new white. It compliments all skin types and tones."

A bevy of blossoms are available in a variety of pink shades. Add a tropical tone to your ceremony with bright pink calla lilies or the fragile fuchsia forms of orchids, which are said to symbolize rare beauty. Magenta tones highlight the grandeur of hydrangea, while the blush of Gerber daisies or organic roses denotes innocent joy. Brides should also never underestimate the power of the petal to make a statement after the ceremony, as rose petals tinged with a pink tint blesses a couple's union as they rain down upon the newlyweds as they take their first steps together as husband and wife.

For more bridal bouquet options:

• visit www.FiftyFlowers.com

Photo courtesy PRWeb

Labels: Decorations and accessories

posted by Grace Sydney @ 11:16 AM 0 comments

1062008: Mexico's Hacienda Xcanatun Offers Wedding Package

If the two of you dream of a Mexican wedding in an authentic hacienda, here's a package for you. From May through September, Hacienda Xcanatun is offering 25 percent off "A Hacienda of Your Own Destination Wedding Package." This gives you the 18 rooms for you and your guests plus an experience you'll never forget.

Price: The cost is is $3,750 per night for full hacienda bookings of two or more nights. During other times of the year, the wedding rental price is $4,550 per night.

The Package: Included in the package are:

• 18 suites and superior rooms, accommodating 36 in all
• daily Xcanatun breakfast
• exclusive use of facilities, pools and gardens.
• on the wedding night, the bridal suite and a Maya Wedding Blessing ceremony are both complimentary.
  

Why It's Dreamy: Set on nine-acres of manicured gardens just outside of Merida, the historic and elegantly restored 18th century neo-classic hacienda blends the warmth of colonial Mexico with the luxury and comfort of the finest boutique hotels. Other facilities include an intimate spa where holistic Maya treatments are combined with beauty and wellness programs; a gourmet restaurant, two freshwater pools and a new Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course nearby.

Your Wedding: Wedding ceremonies can take place in the restored family chapel, the chapel terrace or on any of the lovely areas among the extensive grounds. Assistance ranges from finding a person to perform the ceremony to developing and executing a sumptuous wedding feast, designing the rehearsal dinner, champagne beach picnics, and/or archaeological excursions. Because of their extensive experience, the hacienda has access to the best musicians, florists and photographers. Any unusual requests are deftly handled by co-owner, Cristina Baker, an incurable romantic. She and her husband have unique entrée throughout the Yucatan and take pride in making the impossible possible for their guests.

Your Wedding Night: On your wedding night, the suite is bedecked with fresh flowers, candles and incense. Dona Carolina begins the Maya Blessing by asking the gods to bless the newly weds. She massages the couple with honey to moisten the skin and then places flower petals on them (“flor de mayo”, rose, or frangipani depending on the season). The petals are believed to cleanse and bring the soul into balance with the body while opening positive energy channels for the couple’s future life. After a soothing deep massage, she ends by singing ancient Maya hymns asking the gods to grant the newlyweds happiness and a long life and giving the couple of a cup of Xtabentun, the Yucatan’s herb and honey-based liquor. She departs after filling the tub with warm scented water and flowers.

For More Information:
• call 1-888-883-3633
• email direccion@xcanatun.com
• visit www.xcanatun.com

Photo courtesy Hacienda Xcanatun

Labels: Mexico weddings

posted by Paris & John @ 4:38 PM 0 comments

10052008: Wedding Cruises on Lake Tahoe

Cruising the open sapphire waters of Lake Tahoe, gazing into the eyes of the one you love and making a promise that will last a lifetime… what more could any couple want on their special day?

We've received word that Zephyr Cove Resort and Lake Tahoe Cruises has created two wedding packages that permit you to have your wedding on a romantic cruise right on Lake Tahoe.

Tahoe Paradise Wedding Package

Dates: This package is available Sunday-Friday anytime, Saturday until 3 p.m.

Price: The package starts at $2,200 June through August and $1,800 September through May.

The Package: This package includes:

· Exclusive use of the 2-story 82’ luxury yacht for your ceremony and reception
· 2-hour private charter, fuel, and crew (additional hours may be added)
· Non-Denominational Minister or Uniformed Captain to perform your ceremony
· Ceremony music played over house sound system (5 disc CD player, XM satellite radio or iPod adaptable)
· Traditional aisle set up, with standard chairs for the guests (maximum 90)
· Reception tables, chairs, ivory linen tablecloths and napkins
· Champagne Toast

Tahoe Princess Wedding Package

Dates: Available daily, anytime.

Price: $1,600 June through September

The Package: This package includes:

· Exclusive Use of the Tahoe Princess Floating Atrium for your Ceremony
· Two-Hour Private Charter, fuel, and crew (additional hours may be added)
· Non-Denominational Minister or Uniformed Captain to perform your ceremony
· Ceremony Music played over house sound system (CD player and iPod adaptable)
· Traditional aisle set up, with standard chairs for the guests (maximum 75)
· Reception tables, chairs, ivory linen tablecloths and napkins
· Champagne Toast

Why They're Dreamy: The Tahoe Queen, celebrating her 25th birthday this year, originates from the Mississippi River and is the only authentic paddle wheeler on the lake. The M.S. Dixie II, voted the “Best Boat Cruise at Tahoe,” resembles the traditional Southern style of steamboats that once cruised the Mississippi.

You can also opt for a land-based wedding at Zephyr Cove Resort, located on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Zephyr Cove’s wedding coordination group offers sites that can accommodate large or small weddings on the shoreline.

Lake Tahoe Cruises can also provide additional services including flowers, photography, cake, and entertainment. Full service catering and bar packages are also available.

You must have a California State Marriage License when you arrive for the ceremony. Call the El Dorado County clerks office at 530.573.3409.

Lake Tahoe Cruises also offers a selection of catered meals, including hors d’oeuvres packages, hors d’oeuvres a la carte, private charter menus for dinners and buffets, specialty menus, breakfast menus, beverages and desserts.

For more information:
• visit www.zephyrcove.com

Labels: US and Canada Weddings

posted by Paris & John @ 4:31 PM 0 comments