1/11/2017 3 Comments Planning a Destination Wedding: Your guide to locations, live wedding bands, flights, accommodation and invites!If you’re reading this, then you’ve already decided to have a destination wedding. That’s very exciting! However, to make it everything you dreamt of, you must plan it properly. There are a few extra things to think about when travelling abroad for your wedding. This would be the same for any wedding, so why not push it a bit further and go all out. Think about the general process of booking a wedding at home, and just imagine it abroad. For instance, you still need to think about the food, the invites and whether you want live wedding bands. The decisions are endless! So here are the top items for your to do list, for a destination wedding! DESTINATION? First, you’ve got to think about where you want to go. Probably the most fundamental element of a destination wedding. You can consider a wedding on a beach, in a busy city, at a resort, on a cruise… anywhere really! One of the biggest advantages of a destination wedding is that there are plenty of packages that you can find online! They offer everything you need to plan your big day, with loads of different options for venue, catering and ceremony, you can effective plan your wedding day with one company. Destination weddings are cheaper as you don’t usually have as many things to organise independently. Picking the right place is the hardest task because you’ve got the whole of the world! There’s so much choice! ENTERTAINMENT? It’s not just you and your guests over there! You’ve got to think about the entertainment for the wedding. This can be for any part of the day from the ceremony all the way to the evening party! Bands and acts are available in countless genres and shapes and sizes, meaning you should investigate your options first! If you’re having a beach wedding then maybe a rock band wouldn’t suit your theme so well, so go for an acoustic and romantic duo? The different genres and styles easily slide into place once you choose your wedding theme. If you’re looking to hire wedding bands UK based, then you would need to consider their travel costs also! You may need to have a look online and see if there are any bands you could hire that would be local to your destination wedding. A live band would be a beautiful and different addition to your wedding, no matter where it is! TIME OF YEAR? The time of year you get married will depend on your chosen location. Seasons aren’t the same around the world as they are at home. For instance, the UK’s summer season is during the same time as Thailand’s monsoon season… so make sure you check the seasoning for your wedding destination. As well as choosing the appropriate month for your wedding, you need to think about the date you’re considering. Due to the time of year it may be a national holiday, so you would need to consider additional costs for the whole wedding at this time of year. You may even want to think about the wedding being at the weekend or not, as local people would be around. Morning, afternoon or evening? So many things to consider. Timing is everything! VENUE? The reception after the ceremony is something you’ll always remember about your wedding. The people you’ve invited, the music you played and the place it was held. Depending on your destination, the variation of venues will change. Your venue could be anything from a beautiful Manor House, a gorgeous beach-side marquee, a luxury yacht, an elegant hotel or somewhere completely out in the open. As mentioned earlier, some destinations offer wedding packages, which include venues. One recommendation would be to visit the venue before the wedding day to discuss all the arrangements and you can physically see where you will be celebrating. It’s sometimes hard to visualise your special day, especially if you’ve never actually been to the location! FLIGHTS? One of the most important things to organise once you’re decided on a date. Book your flights as early as possible, especially if it’s during a holiday! From experience, purchasing flights quite far in advance means they will be a lot cheaper. Check all websites and flight companies to see if they fit your requirements (in terms of luggage and seating arrangements). There may be a possibility that the flights could be reduced if you book a large quantity at the same time, for instance booking guests flights as well. A lot of flight companies will have different arrangements available for newlyweds or bride/groom’s to be! Make sure you ask the question, or mention it on your flight…you might just get a complimentary glass of champagne! INVITES? Your guest list will typically be shorter than if you were planning a home wedding. This is due to flights mainly, as there are two options for the happy couple. They would either pay for the guest’s flights/or the direct families flights OR tell guests they will need to fund their own transport. This is obviously all dependent on their budget. If the bride and groom are paying for all flights, then there will be less attendees (usually). However, if the guests will pay for their own transport then more people can be invited and more people may come. When planning your wedding, you need to think about the number of people on your guest list and make sure the whole day caters for the number of people there. You don’t need to hire out a huge hall if there’s going to be a table for 12! FOOD? Again, the quantity of mouths to feed will affect the amount of food you will need to order for. A lot of venues will have a catering connection or a kitchen/restaurant to serve food, so this won’t have to be organised separately. The cuisine can range from traditional dishes (from your chosen destination) to homely food! Buffets are the popular choices for weddings, but with a small party of people it may be better to order a three-course menu. This is all preference for the couple, but don’t forget that destination wedding packages will offer food options. ACCOMMODATION? As you will be staying in your chosen location for a few nights at least, and longer if you are spending your honeymoon in the same place, you want the perfect accommodation. This could be in a local hotel or a special suite, specifically for newlyweds! Having a beautiful hotel is key to enjoying your stay! You want to make sure the place you stay in covers all your requirements and expectations as well as it being in a good location and having good reviews from previous guests. When you book your venue, they may offer rooms for the bride and groom. However, you need to think of your guests also. It’s probably best to find a hotel that can accommodate everyone! Alternatively, all guests could be in one accommodation and the bride and groom elsewhere! Either way, don’t just assume they will find their own rooms or hotels. Try and stick together. ow.ly/XF74308uhPJ
I hope this helps you when planning your dream destination wedding! Congratulations! References ow.ly/UGvy308uhxp http://ow.ly/XF74308uhPJ
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12/29/2016 0 Comments 20 Romantic Honeymoon ActivitiesIf you're thinking about what you're going to spend your honeymoon doing, then don't fret. Here's a helpful list of 20 really romantic and easy ideas for your honeymoon! 1. Pick the best room: Your honeymoon is meant to be the best of the best, drowned in lavish luxury. You can treat yourself to the best hotel and the best room! The honeymoon suite if you will. You need to feel like you’re living in the dream. This will make you feel happier and a lot more positive if you like the place you’re living in for the next week or two! If you don’t like the room, there’s every chance that you won’t enjoy the holiday, your room makes a big difference. Get a suite with a glorious bed, a lounging area, a brand new refurbished bathroom and soft soft towels! Make sure you don’t spend the whole honeymoon inside though!… 2. Surprises when you arrive: Surprises are the definition of romantic. Surprise your significant other with a bottle of bubbly when arriving to the accommodation and even some rose petals, chocolates… or if you’ve been on a long flight and car ride, have the hotel run the bath when you arrive! All these things can be arranged before hand and it’ll make all the difference when you both arrive. It’s no fun getting to your room and just unpacking your clothes! 3. Private picnic in the middle of nowhere: Time alone with your brand new husband/wife is the whole point of your honeymoon. Finding a romantic secluded spot on the beach or up a hill or in a hidden garden, would be the perfect spot for a picnic! It’s not difficult to whip up a quick picnic, but the sweet walk to the spot and sitting down for the picnic is beautiful. It’ll be a lunch date you wouldn’t forget in a hurry! 4. Sunset dinner Speaking of food, a picturesque view of the sunset whilst have a meal and a glass of wine creates the most wonderful atmosphere. Make sure you enjoy each others company as well as the meal and the view, but it’s the perfect time to reflect on your relationship, marriage and your day in general. Gaze into each others eyes as the sun goes down. 5. Be spontaneous Planning your holiday to the hour will make you feel like its less like a holiday and more like a chore. Leave yourself to be spontaneous! You will have certain things you want to visit or see on you honeymoon, however you can decide when you want to do it on the day. You don’t have to know exactly what’s happening every hour of the day. 6. Massage Anyone who says they don’t like massages has obviously never had a massage! It’s the ultimate relaxing activity, which you can share with your significant other. With the opportunity of shared treatments and various different pressures and types of products, there’s really something for everyone. You can sit back and relax as you get pampered with the love of your life and then spend the rest of the day relaxing even more. 7. Take lots of pictures You know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Behind every picture there will be a story or a funny anecdote and they will stay with you always. Buy yourself a really good camera from a shop like Jessops, and you can use if all the time! You can take pictures of the scenery and the attractions you see, but don’t be scared to ask people to take photos of you and your other half because they usually make the best photos. Maybe consider investing in a selfie stick?…You won’t regret it! 8. Try something neither of you have done before You want to create some brilliant memories as your start the rest of your life together. Why not try something you have never done before! Ever been skydiving? Or jet skiing? Or paragliding? All would be amazing for you to try and love with your partner. You can say then that you shared your first experience doing “insert activity here” on your honeymoon! 9. Keep a diary You want to remember everything that happened yes?… Keep a diary! You don’t have to religiously write in it, or feel like you have to set time aside to fill it in. You just need to make a note of what you’ve done that day, a few thoughts and ideas and you’re done. If you write it right, reading it back years later, you will end up remembering everything anyway! 10. Have a few hours me time You’re obviously on holiday to spend time with your best friend, but you’re still allowed your fair share of “Me Time”. There’s always going to be things that you want to do that they won’t want to do. Therefore, you can designate a morning or afternoon to do your own thing. It’ll be nice to come back and have something to talk about! 11. Go out on a boat I understand that this isn’t for everyone as not everyone would enjoy a boat ride, but if you do it will be amazing. If you’re on an island then it would be amazing to travel around it on a boat and take some fantastic photos and possibly see some wildlife! If not a relaxing evening boat trip would go down a treat with some wine and a nice meal. Always make sure you're safe on your boat rides though! 12. Head out and get lost Who needs a map? There’s something exciting and liberating about heading out in a foreign city or town and just getting lost in the winding roads. Go and see a performance, go out for lunch, travel to an unknown view point of the city! There’s so much to explore beyond the tourist attractions listed on every website. 13. Buy loads of souvenirs You want to bring back plenty of things to remember your honeymoon. Things you can put around your house to remind you of your happy memories, or even gifts to give to your loved ones when you get back home. Either way, you can buy some beautiful items from the various places you visit and things that will bring back the memories. 14. Wine tasting or mixology lesson Something to mix up your afternoon or evening! A wine tasting session is always a lovely experience, as you can try the different wines from the country you’re visiting or the multiple countries if you’re traveling to a few different places. A mixology class is also very fun, and you can show off what you have learnt once you arrive home! 15. Call room service Treat yourself! You’re allowed to sit back and relax for your honeymoon! You can stay in your room and chill out for the day and ring for room service. In a nice hotel resort you will be able to dine from the comfort of you bed and enjoy the view from a balcony. 16. Relax on the beach all day Sometimes, you just need those days to bask in the sun and get a glowing tan! Walks down the beach and across the coast are always romantic, especially if you spend all day enjoying each others company. A day at the beach makes you really feel like you are on holiday, and it’s what everyone looks forward to, especially on your honeymoon. 17. Try and learn the language together All languages are beautiful, and if you don’t know any other than your mother tongue, it’s really lovely to learn a few simple phrases whilst you’re away. Even if it means buying a small book with commonly used phrases or just picking it up from local businesses and local people, it’s an exciting thing to do. You and your new husband/wife will be able to remember these phrases forever and it may inspire you to learn a language fluently. 18. Buy each other an outfit for a date night When you go out for a date, usually you know where you are going to go and what you will wear. If you each buy an outfit for the other to wear for your date then it is really romantic. You will know what they would and wouldn’t wear so it should be easy to buy something for them. Even if you don’t want to do the full outfit, jewellery would also work. 19. Plan a day each and don’t tell them where
It’s nice to plan your days activities for a few key attractions you want to see but you should both plan something unexpected to surprise the other. It’ll be lovely to not know where you are going or what you’re doing and have your own personal tour guide to show you the attractions they have planned for your day together. 20. Enjoy being with each other It’s pretty simple really. You are now married and your life is beginning again. You can do whatever you want and be whoever you want to be with your new life partner. It’s a special feeling being with someone and enjoying every second with each other, and no matter where you go, you will enjoy being with each other. Welcome to the first ever post on Honeymoon Heaven! We love travel and we love being in love, so it was only logical we start writing this blog! We’re going to share tips on booking the perfect honeymoon, let you into some secrets that’ll save you some money and inspire you with quirky ideas for honeymoon destinations that are off the beaten track. What better way to start than by sharing our 20 favourite honeymoon destinations? In this collection you’ll find sun-soaked tropical escapes, life-affirming cultural epiphanies and bucket-list-ticking adventures of a lifetime. Whatever you’ve got in mind for your honeymoon, whether it’s lazing about and basking in the warmth of your new marriage or avoiding the tourist trap and seeking out undiscovered treasures, we hope you’re inspired by our favourite 20 honeymoon hotspots. Maldives, Indian OceanIce white sands, crystal clear shallows and an abundance of 5 star resorts make The Maldives the ultimate luxury tropical getaway. An archipelago comprising thousands of pristine coral islands, The Maldives is the perfect spot to lie back and sip cocktails with your new spouse. Sleep in one of the gorgeous beach-houses and step out onto sands warmed by the ever-shining sun each morning. Your most stressful decision is to decide whether to spend the day relaxing or doing something more energetic, like the huge variety of water-sports on offer or perhaps donning some scuba gear and enjoying a spectacular underwater safari around unspoilt coral reefs. Reykjavik, IcelandThe frigid air of Iceland may not seem the most hospitable of honeymoon destinations, but once you discover what natural wonders the tiny nation has to offer you’ll soon see why its capital, Reykjavik, makes our list. If you’re an up all night kind of couple, then the Reykjavik nightlife will be right up your street – bars are open until around 4.30am at the weekends, with the party often not kicking off until after midnight. As well drinking into the early hours you’ll want to go for a soak in the mineral-rich waters of the geothermally heated Blue Lagoon and keep your eyes peeled for the spectacular Aurora Borealis. Iceland is pricey, so if you’re on a budget, a lengthy stay isn’t advised. As well as being the main destination, many couples choose to use a short stay in Reykjavik as a pit stop on their journey from the UK to the USA. Buenos Aires, ArgentinaThe capital city of Argentina, Buenos Aires literally means “fair winds”, making it an auspicious destination to commence your journey into married life. A sensuous city with a sultry climate and birthplace of the Tango, Buenos Aires is intoxicatingly enticing. A singular city with a character all of its own, forged in the crucible of mass immigration from all over the world for the last 150 years, Buenos Aires is recognisably European and defiantly Latin American, yet distinct from either culture. Explore the beautiful architecture, heavily influenced by settlers from Italy, Germany and Spain, and feast upon the city’s trademark steaks and wines. You can even take a trip out of town to the plains of Patagonia and sample life as one of Argentina’s answers to the cowboy – the gaucho. Kauai, HawaiiNicknamed the “Garden Isle” thanks to the lush tropical rainforest that covers much of its surface, Kauai is a paradise isle with easy access to adventure. With a dramatic mountainous interior and imposing verdant seaside cliffs, Kauai is a photographer’s dream – little wonder then that the island has featured in over seventy films and TV shows. A brief filmography includes South Pacific, Tropic Thunder, Raiders of the Ark and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. As well as trekking through Kauai’s glorious tropical wilderness and taking in the awe-inspiring scenery, there’s an abundance of other activities to enjoy, including surfing, kayaking, snorkelling, fishing, treetop zip-lining, golf, or just kicking back with a delicious cocktail! Marrakesh, MoroccoMarrakesh is one of Morocco’s largest and most important cities. A city of vibrant colours, Marrakesh is a fascinating clash of African, Arabic and European, particularly French, cultures. The old town dates back many hundreds of years and is home to exquisite Arabesque architecture and many of Marrakesh’s traditional markets, known as souks. No trip to Morocco would be complete without a trip to a souk. These bustling hives of commerce offer a bewildering array of items, from nuts, seeds and spices to traditional Muslim attire, lanterns and ornate rugs. Make sure not to pay the asking price without question – haggling is expected! There’s so much to do in this magical city that it would be impossible to list it here – needless to say, we highly recommend a visit! The Great Ocean Road, AustraliaOne of the world’s great drives, the Great Ocean Road stretches for over 150 miles along the south-eastern coast of Australia. Take in dramatic scenery along the rugged coastline route, including the 12 Apostles sea stacks, the Gibson Steps and Australia’s very own London Bridge a natural sea arch that literally “fell down” in 1990. There are also opportunities to encounter some wildlife along the way with whale watching one of the big draws. During your road trip, you’ll pass through many lesser-visited, yet charming towns and cities, including the historic Warrnambool and the surfing mecca of Torquay, which is also the eastern limit of the Great Ocean Road. Melbourne is only an hour’s drive from Torquay if you fancy visiting one of Australia’s most cosmopolitan cities. Norwegian FjordsThe peace and tranquillity of the Norwegian fjords is like nowhere else on earth. These sublime waters are flanked on either side by looming snow-capped mountains that bristle with pines, meltwater falling in shrouds though channels in the rock. The best way of experiencing the fjords is by boat. Many cruise lines offer itineraries that traverse the fjords; luxurious ships ploughing a languid course through deceptively deep waters. When you take to the shore, you’re transported to a world of Vikings, trolls and grass-roofed dwellings. If you travel far enough north, and go at the right time of year, you might be lucky enough to glimpse the magical Northern Lights. Tokyo, JapanIf you think the serene isolation of the fjords would leave you cold, how about a trip to one of the most densely populated cities on the planet? When you arrive in Tokyo you’ll feel as though you’ve travelled a hundred years in time as well as a few thousand miles! From the neon-illuminated nightlife of Shinjuku to the speedy and always punctual bullet train, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped straight into the future. If the hustle and bustle of Tokyo all gets too much, hop on a bullet train and take in the ethereal majesty of Mount Fuji as you wander amongst the cherry blossoms. Cape Town, South AfricaCape Town is a city with everything: spectacular scenery, rich history, exciting nightlife and the opportunity to get close-up with wildlife from the penguins of the southern cape to the lions and rhinos and elephants of the savannah within a few hours’ drive of the city. Cape Town is situated under the constant gaze of the looming Table Mountain which offers breath-taking views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. While in Cape Town, make sure to visit Robben Island, which houses the penitentiary which Nelson Mandela was held for many years. The island is now a living museum memorialising the anti-Apartheid struggle and a UNESCO world heritage site. Dubai, UAEAnother city straight out of science-fiction, Dubai’s colossal towers spring from the desert sands like a concrete and steel oasis. Ultra-modern and home to some of the world’s finest restaurants, shops and hotels, Dubai is the ultimate luxury destination for a honeymoon of sheer opulence. If your idea of a perfect honeymoon is a decadent departure from everyday life where you’re treated like royalty, then Dubai is the destination for you. There’s no shortage of excitement either – for thrill-seekers there’s the chance to sand-board down Dubai’s largest sand dune, the humungous “Big Red”! Cancun, MexicoFamous as a destination for raucous spring-breakers suppressing their inhibitions, for the rest of the year Cancún is an exotic destination that’s supremely suited to couples on honeymoon. With its scorching weather, calm clear waters and pristine beaches, Cancún is the perfect spot for sun worshippers. If lazing around on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches day after day gets too repetitive, you can use Cancún as your base from which to explore the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá. These vine-ensnared stone ruins date back over a thousand years, with a huge, stepped pyramid the star attraction. Paris, FranceThis list wouldn’t have been complete without the inclusion of the city of love. One of the great capitals of the world, Paris has everything a honeymooning couple could want from a destination: deliciously indulgent cuisine, romantic strolls down leafy boulevards, late night carafes of wine outside suburban cafés, as well as all the famous art, architecture and culture. The Eiffel Tower is a must-see, as are the Louvre and the Arc De Triomphe. Admire the gothic splendour of Notre Dame’s exterior before being transported away from the soundscape of city noises into the sacrosanct silence of the cathedral. Paris is the ultimate location for lovers – you’ll want to return again and again. Istanbul, TurkeyThe city where Europe and Asia meld together, Istanbul is an ancient city peopled by some of the friendliest folks on the planet. With a foot in both Europe and Asia, and having been ruled by numerous empires during its tempestuous history, Istanbul is a diverse and unique honeymoon destination. Be sure to visit the Hagia Sofia, a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque due to the hand-painted blue tiles that cover its interior. Like the souks of Marrakesh, the bazaars of Istanbul are a maelstrom of sounds, scents and colours that are an integral part of the Istanbul experience. New Orleans, USAAnother melting pot of a city, the “Big Easy” is fighting back from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina and remains the favoured destination for lovers of all-night bourbon sessions, spicy creole seafood and whiskey-soaked live jazz and blues. The confluence of French, American and African cultures makes it a city unlike any other. Take a trip to the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter and, if you time it right, participate in the party to end all parties during the city’s legendary Mardi Gras celebrations. As well as enjoying the never-ending riot of drinking, dancing and feasting, you can escape to the Louisiana bayou and take a ride on an airboat, keeping an eye out for ‘gators! Borneo, Indian OceanSee the orang-utans while you still can! Borneo is one of the world’s largest islands, renowned for its rainforests, dwellers of which include the aforementioned ginger great ape and the elusive clouded leopard. Despite the efforts of conservationists, Borneo’s forests and their endangered inhabitants are at the mercy of the palm oil industry, with vast swathes being cleared each year. If you want to experience the wonder of the ancient rainforests of Borneo in their untouched state, go sooner rather than later! Rio de Janeiro, BrazilWhen you think of Rio, images of Christ the Redeemer spring to mind, his arms outstretched, protectively looking out over the crowded towers of the city below, a city nestled between peaks lush with vegetation, a city that teeters on the brink of the grinning curves of the coastline, thin strips of yellow that form the margin between the white of the city and the sapphire waters of the Guanabara Bay. The city possesses the world’s most famous beaches – Ipanema and the Copacabana, beaches so famous they’ve been immortalised in song. Time your trip to coincide with Carnaval and you’ll get to be part of the biggest party on earth. Rio is a vast city, a city of contradictions - vast wealth and crushing poverty coexist, but as long as you stay safe, it’s one of the world’s most vibrant cities to explore. Phuket, ThailandPhuket is a tropical island located off the south-west coast of Thailand. Covered in rainforest and fringed with white sandy beaches, the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea lapping at the shore, Phuket is one of Asia’s most popular beach holiday destinations. Scattered around the main island are hundreds of smaller islands which are readily accessible by boat. What could be more romantic than discovering your own private, sheltered cove? The island is so popular with tourists with good reason: the beaches are unsurpassed, the people friendly and the spicy Thai food truly addictive! The seas around Phuket are some of the best SCUBA diving spots on the planet. Bagan, MyanmarBordering mainland Thailand is the nation of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Myanmar is home to Bagan, the ancient remnants of the capital city of the Kingdom of Pagan, which ruled the area for over 250 years between the 9th and 13th centuries. Over 2,000 Buddhist temples have survived the ravages of time and remain as testament to a great civilisation most in the western world have never heard of. The spires and pagodas punctuate the sky above the vast, flat plains of Bagan, producing a sunset silhouette unmatched anywhere else in the world. For the most astounding views of the ruins, take a hot air balloon ride. Cruise the CarribeanWe knew we wanted to choose a Caribbean Island to be part of this list, but couldn’t decide upon just one. Our solution: go on a cruise! You get the opulence and attentiveness of the cruise-ship experience combined with a tour around the Caribbean’s gorgeous, sun-kissed islands. Take in the varied cultures and histories of each of the islands in turn. You’ll enjoy fabulous food, refreshing cocktails and the chilled-out charm of the locals. Some itineraries even voyage across to Central and South America and giving you a taste of the tropical rainforest. Thanks for reading!Thanks for reading, we hoped you enjoyed this whistle-stop tour around our favourite honeymoon destinations! It was nigh-on impossible to whittle this list down to just 20 destinations. If you feel like we’ve made any glaring omissions or you want to eulogise about any of the places on the list, then please do so in the comments!
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