Are you searching for the perfect place to proposal this Valentine's Day? Hotelscombined.com, a hotel meta-search engine and online hotel rate aggregator, selects 10 of the world's most romantic locales and the luxury hotels and resorts that offer rooms with a view of your future together as husband and wife:
1. Vienna, Austria - The gentle clip clop of horses' hooves along Ringstrasse Boulevard likens to the patter of applause when couples become betrothed during a carriage ride by The Hotel de France.
2. Rotorua, New Zealand - A three-suite sanctuary, the Lake Okareka Lodge (seen in the photo to the right) is one of New Zealand's most breathtaking secluded retreats. Accessible by boat or plane, the lodge is booked to only one party at a time, making the romantic retreat the perfect sequestered spot for the most private of proposals.
3. Paris, France - A landmark to love, the Eiffel Tower-- which offers a picture perfect place to propose-- is framed in the windows of the Plaza Athenee Hotel, where twosomes can toast to their happiness over a candle-lit dinner.
4. Kauai, Hawaii - Couples staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa discover an oasis of natural wonders with freshwater pools, salt-water lagoons and white sand beaches that ensure an abundance of opportunities for the most picturesque of proposals.
5. Galaway, Ireland -The Claddagh ring, the traditional Irish symbol of love that originated in a medieval village located just outside of Galaway, inspires a mystical proposal at the legendary Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a representation of Ireland's historic charms.
6. Agra, India - Originally built by an emperor to display his devotion of love to his queen, the Taj Mahal is the ultimate monumental proposal site. Couples further enjoy the magic of their engagement on private Gateway Hotel balconies with views of this iconic architectural marvel.
7. Hershey, Pa. - Known as the "Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey is the ultimate destination for a chocolate lovers' decadent proposal. The Hotel Hershey celebrates "Chocolate-Covered February" with daily delightful treats to help plan a tantalizing engagement.
8. Venice, Italy - After a passionate proposal during a romantic gondolier ride, couples savor the moment in private, behind the Centurion Palace Hotel Venetian-style picture windows that provide stunning views of the Grand Canal.
9. Orlando, Fla. - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa works closely with the Magic Kingdom's wedding division to ensure that fairy-tale proposals in front of the enchanting Cinderella's Castle live up to Disney's magical mission to make dreams come true.
10. Sacramento, Calif. - The International World Peace Rose Garden offers a bouquet of betrothal site possibilities. After a proposal among the petals, couples can unwind at the La Rivage with complimentary champagne and roses.
Photo of the Lake Okareka Lodge courtesy Hotelscombined.com
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Launch Wedding Contest for Rock 'n' Roll Romantics
If a wedding with a rock and roll edge is music to your ears, enter for a chance to be joined in matrimony by hip hop pioneer Rev Run (Run-DMC) at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City. One lucky pair of rock 'n' roll romantics who send in the story of their romance will win Valentine's Day vows.
To enter:
In 2,000 characters or less, tell why yours is a love epic enough to win an "Ultimate Rock 'n' Roll Wedding." Entrants must be 21 years of age or older. Entries must be received by February 8, 2010. The winner will be notified on February 9, 2010.
Prizes
The groom can say so long to the single life with a bachelor party at MIXX nightclub.
The bride-to-be will say "bye bye" to her bachelorette status with a bash on February 13th at mur.mur, where up to 6 guests can groove to tunes spun by the nightclub's celebrity DJ Samantha Ronson and DJ MOS and DJ KISS of MIXX.
Overnight accommodations: a Classic room at Borgata for the bride and the groom, two Classic rooms for up to four guests (four Classic rooms at Borgata for a special rate of $199 per night)
On the day they pledge their love, the happy pair will be pampered at The Salon (hair and make-up for the bride) and The Barbershop (shave and haircut for the groom).
The couple can dance in the aisles before walking down the aisle with pre-wedding access for the twosome tying the knot and 12 of their friends to a Kid Rock concert at the Borgata Event Center.
The bride and groom and their guests will gather at the Borgata hotel Casino & Spa's Gypsy Bar for a late night ceremony with style, officiated by Rev Run. A personal photographer will capture all the emotion of the event for posterity, and Executive Chef Thaddeus Dubois will whip up a wedding cake.
The first moments of marriage will get off to a rocking start with post-wedding festivities at MIXX nightclub for the official Kid Rock concert after-party, featuring performances by DJ Ruckus and the minister who merged the couple's two lives together, Rev Run.
The honeymooners will spend their first night as Mr. and Mrs. in the Borgota's Piatto Suite, while two guests can stay in a Classic room.
PANTONE WEDDING Color Guide Offers A Spectrum of Shades For Brides
Searching for the perfect palette for your wedding? Rather than hint at the tint to your event planner or wedding vendor, brides can now easily convey their dream color scheme with the PANTONE WEDDING color guide, a handy hue reference tool which is the product of The Dessy Group and Pantone LLC.
A chromatically arranged fan deck, the guide is 4 1/2 inches wide, 1 1/2 inches high and 2 inches deep-- designed to be conveniently portable in a purse for shopping excursions. Featuring a spectrum of 194 shades in the spring 2010 collection (including the 2010 color of the year, 15-5519 Turquoise) each color comes with a corresponding number for easy reference.
The PANTONE WEDDING color guide is available for $35. Also available are PANTONE WEDDING individual paper swatches for $10 and individual fabric swatches which come in 6-by-6 inch or by the 1/2 yard at a cost ranging form $15 to $40.
Contest To Win A Wedding at The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa
For one lucky couple, The PGA TOUR Tournament Players Golf Club San Antonio golf course on the grounds of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa will be a fairway to heaven! Six couples will be chosen from entries received in The Perfect Match contest to tee off in a tournament to determine who wins a wedding at the luxury Lone Star sanctuary, courtesy of the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, in partnership with The Knot.
To enter:
Describe why you believe that you should win a $150,000 dream destination "I do" at the resort. Keep in mind that creativity counts! (Entries are displayed on The Knot's contest page.)
Send photos of yourself with your significant other.
Play the Par-tee game, a quick online quiz to test your knowledge of the game of golf.
Six couples with the most original and creative entries will be invited to gather on the green at the TPC San Antonio on March 4, 2010. Get ready to tee off for a tournament with lots of special twists!
The Prize:
The winners of the nine-hole scramble will receive a wedding to be held at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa during the weekend of May 21 - 23, 2010, which will include:
A wedding dress from Jim Hjelm
Bridesmaid dresses by Jim Hjelm Occasions
A custom couture flower girl dress from Johanna Grace
Groom and groomsman tuxedos from Al's Formal Wear
Rings from Timeless Designs by jacob & bryan
other wedding amenities, including a wedding cake and bridal and bridal party jewelry.
Following the nuptials, the newlyweds will enjoy a honeymoon getaway to the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
Contest entries will be accepted through January 31, 2010.
Landmark Tampa Restaurant Offers Open House for Couples Planning Weddings
Twosomes looking to tie the knot in Tampa are invited to The Rusty Pelican restaurant on January 16, 2010 for a free open house featuring all the wedding-related wonders that the waterfront facility has to offer future brides and grooms.
From 10 a.m. until 13:30 p.m., couples can sample the eatery's hors d'oeuvres, gain insight into the services and products provided by the venue's preferred photographers, florists, DJ's, etc, and walk among the various sites where ceremonies can take place, including:
The Grand Ballroom: the largest room, complete with a private entrance-- where up to 250 with dancing (350 without dancing) can gaze out on the bay.
The Coral Room: Features a built-in bar, a private entrance, and space for up to 100 people dancing (120 guests without dancing).
The Tampa Room: For intimate gatherings, up to 52 friends and family can be accommodated with dancing (80 without) in a room which features a private entrance and view of the bay.
The Pelican Room: Wall to floor ceiling windows frame a view of the garden and Tampa Bay-- a sight which can delight up to 110 guests with dancing (150 without dancing). This facility is adjacent to the Bay Room.
The Bay Room: Up to 60 guests can gather near the room's fireplace, which warms the body as rays of light through a stained glass window add a reverential tone to warm the soul. This room also offers a private entrance.
The Wedding Gazebo: Couples can let nature be their cathedral as they look out on Tampa Bay during a ceremony conducted in the garden.
Offering further incentive to say "I do" at The Rusty Pelican, the restaurant will waive the $650 gazebo charge for any wedding booked before January 31, 2010, so couples will only have to pay $100 for setup.
When: January 16, 2010 from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: The Rusty Pelican restaurant at 2425 North Rocky Point Drive in Tampa, Florida.
TLC Searching for Brides-To-Be for New Season of "Four Weddings"
If your dream "I do" involves exchanging vows in the presence of TV cameras, TLC may grant your wish! Searching for brides set to score the ceremonies of competing wedding-bound women and put their own ceremony up for scrutiny in the maritally-minded reality series Four Weddings, TLC is currently accepting entries from brides-to-be who are ready to walk down the aisle!
To be eligible, the wedding must take place between January 2010 and March 2010 in one of the following areas:
New York City (or within one hour of Manhattan)
New Jersey
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
To register, send and e-mail to tlcbrides@gmail.com with the following information:
The date of your wedding and the wedding location in the subject line.
a current photo of yourself with your prospective groom.
a daytime phone number where you can easily be reached.
Above: Photo of brides form the premiere episode of Four Weddings. Photo Credit: TLC
Every bride wants their wedding day to wow their guests, but the new TLC series Four Weddings takes the idea of impressive I do's one step further as four women ready to walk down the aisle score each other's ceremonies and receptions in the categories of venue, food, dress and overall experience in the hopes of winning a 5-star honeymoon.
Who comes out on top once they tie the knot? Tune in to a sneak peek of Four Weddings on TLC December 18th at 10pm ET, then watch the 10-part series when it debuts on January 30, 2010!
