This deal is too good not to share!  It’s ideal for a mini-honeymoon or fun, sun and relaxation.  Email us at travel [at] preciousnuptials [dot] com for details.

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa

5 Days/4 Nights for $355 per person

Book by: 8/31/10
Travel: 8/29-12/31/10

Hotel tax & service charges
Save 45%
$200 resort credit

We’re teaming up with MFL Photography to give you a personalized photo shoot styled just for you.  That’s right Precious Nuptials & Destinations will style your photo shoot backdrop and the talented Prashant of MFL Photography will document!  Three finalist will be featured here on our blog for our readers to decide on a winner.  With less than two weeks to go (deadline: midnight on August 31st), hurry here for all the details.

Copyright of Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival’s newest Fun Ship ™ is slated to move from it’s European sailings to Galveston, Texas in November of 2011!  You will have a Western Caribbean variety of six, seven, and eight day cruises to locations such as (in no specific order) Costa Maya, Cozumel, Belize, Montego Bay, Isla Roatan, Key West, Freeport and Nassau.  Destination weddings and honeymoons are sure to be a hit on board the new Carnival Magic. Starting a wedding group is fun and easy.   Ask us how!

Dionne is originally from Australia, but moved to Houston from California this past year.  She brings to the industry an awesome ability to create unbelievable designs from basic details to vintage eye catchers.  You will come to know Dionne as a must have in your wedding planning and design experience.  She’s original, fun and loves to make her mark on weddings!  With out further ado, I present to you Dionne Christiansen!  {Crowd Cheers}

1. What do you love most about weddings?
I could say that I love that it celebrates the joining of two people in love, and that they get to celebrate with all the special people in their lives – but that would only be half true.  The other half would be that it’s the most detailed, personal, lovely party you’ll ever have!

2. What inspires you?
Unusual color combinations – when I see colors put together that I normally wouldn’t see together, it gets my brain thinking about other possibilities.
My husband – Brian is completely humble and selfless, and the way he lives his life is such an inspiration to me.  It’s that humble spirit that drew me to him in the first place, and he is always inspiring me to be a better person.  It sounds cheesy, but it’s so true.
My mother – my mum is the best cook ever!  Everything she cooks turns to gold.  She is known in her town for being a great cook, and people are always hoping for an invitation to Connie’s house for a yummy meal.  She is definitely my Cooking Muse!
Children – their innocence and unbridled creativity really is a marvel.  The things they say and the things they dream really spur me to be broader and less inhibited in my own plans and dreams.  I don’t have children of my own yet, but when I do, I am sure I will be inspired by them on a daily basis.

I have a double Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design and Marketing.  I was a graphic designer for 5 years, and my favorite thing to design was always wedding invitations.  I am such a romantic at heart.

I love people and I love creativity, so entertaining, cooking and baking are big hobbies of mine because I get to combine these two loves.  I really enjoy photography too, and pretty much like anything that involves me creating something.  I also like making things out of paper, and collecting tea cups and pretty plates.

Creme Brûlée.  Hands down.  I love that combination of the silky custard and the hard crackle of the hardened sugar on top.

Cherish every moment, and soak it all in – because it flies by so quickly.  And one more tip (this isn’t the most important, but I found it pretty handy on my wedding day) – don’t wear your garter all day, especially if you’re getting married outdoors or on a hot day, because it could get all hot and sweaty for the poor guy that has to catch it later on that day.  Instead, put it on half an hour before the garter toss – no one will ever know, and it will still be fresh and lovely for the lucky guy who catches it!

Dionne will immediately making regular appearances on our blog, local events and through social media.  So when you see her, please be sure to say hello!  You can also email her direct at dionne {at} preciousnuptials {dot} com.

MONTEGO BAY, December 18, 2009 – Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa today reopened following four months of upgrades and renovations to the Luxury Included® resort, on pace with original estimates set in August 2009 by Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts.

“The resort looks fabulous and is in top-notch operating condition,” said Stewart.  “While we regret the inconvenience of the closing, the wait was worth it and we are thrilled to share the new and improved Sandals Whitehouse with our guests.”

As part of Sandals Resorts’ commitment to exceeding guests’ expectations, the renovations to the resort will further enhance the Luxury Included® experience for all resort travelers.  Following the project, changes to the resort property included upgrades to soft goods and furnishings throughout the expansive resort property and renovations to all resort restaurants, the main lobby area and treatment rooms at the resort’s exclusive Red Lane® Spa.  The top two categories of suites – the One Bedroom Penthouse Honeymoon Beachfront Suite and the One Bedroom Walkout Honeymoon Beachfront Suite – were completely refurbished, adding updated furniture, upgraded soft goods and new plasma TVs, offering an enhanced setting for resort guests.

In addition, debuting with today’s reopening, guests of Sandals Whitehouse will be the first to experience Neptune’s, a new Mediterranean-themed dining concept.  Created by Sandals Resorts International, Neptune’s offers classic Mediterranean cuisine, a growing favorite among diners worldwide not only for its contribution to healthy living, but for its robust flavor and emphasis on fresh seafood.  Diners will delight in Neptune’s’ casual European elegance while feasting on such dishes as a traditional Meze of marinated olives, feta lamb kebabs and tzatkiki to saffron-infused Bouillibasse.  Neptune’s will be located in the former Arizona Restaurant and there are plans to expand the concept to other Sandals Resorts in the New Year.

Recently named one of the top hotels in the Caribbean by Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, Sandals Whitehouse is beautifully set within a pristine 500-acre nature reserve on Jamaica’s undiscovered south coast.  The resort features three enticing seaside villages – French, Italian and Dutch – allowing guests to experience a true sense of Europe in the Caribbean, from enchanting piazzas and Mediterranean cuisine to quaint pastry shops and European-inspired architecture.   The 50-acre resort boasts 360 rooms and suites in nine categories – all of which have breathtaking beachfront views; eight restaurants and six bars; the largest freshwater pool in Jamaica; and a sophisticated and authentic European-style square complete with duty-free shops, formal gardens, a stunning piazza and romantic cafes.

As with all Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® vacations, a trip to Sandals Whitehouse includes: superb accommodations; exclusive butler service in select room categories; gourmet dining; unlimited premium brand wine and spirits; championship golf; and a wide array of watersports, including snorkeling and scuba diving.  Guest of Sandals Whitehouse can also experience the award-winning hotel at spectacular savings of up to 65 percent off rack rates through select dates in 2010 when they book a minimum three-night stay by January 7, 2010.

You may have noticed Martha Stewart’s first destination wedding magazine issue hit the news stands this month.  I’m sure it’s part of a grand plan to focus on the growing destination weddings movement.  If you’re familiar with the Sandals brand resort wedding selections, you will quickly notice the premier package designer name change.  That’s right!  As of January 1, 2010, all Sandals destination weddings switch from Preston Bailey designs to designs of Martha Stewart.

Complimentary offering with a six night (or longer) stay in a concierge level room.

What type of changes can you expect?

The designs are no longer referred to as “collections.” They are now referenced as “themes.”  These themes are certainly conducive to the keen design eye of Martha Stewart.  There’s a sense of the classic less is more with a special Martha spun emphasis on each design’s details.  You won’t be bound to a specific wedding cake (although they are gorgeous).  Instead, you will have the option to add petit fours or cup cakes with doily accents.  As a side note:  We always suggest adding personalized touches to make your resort packaged wedding your very own.

Flutter of Romance :: Investment begins at $1500 USD

What about the price point?

Did you say price?  Naughty you!  Remember, it’s not about the price.  It’s all about the investment.  You can expect your investment to be slightly less on average with these newly presented themes.

Vision in White :: Investment starts at $2500 USD

What should you expect if you currently have a Preston Bailey Collection wedding booked?

Worry not!  You will still enjoy the beautiful Preston Bailey Signature Collection Wedding you’ve planned as booked.

Seaside Serenade :: Investment starts at $3000 USD

What about weddings at Beaches (the family all inclusive luxury sister brand)?

We’ll keep you posted!  As of now, Preston Bailey’s Collection is the only premium offers listed.  However, since Martha announced craft camps for families at Beaches locations, we’re sure this will change at the turn of the new year as well.

Chic & Natural :: Investment starts at $3600 USD

What do you do if you need more information?

Contact us ::  Precious Nuptials & Destinations offers the best of both worlds (destination wedding and travel planning).  As a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS), and certified travel agents, we can offer your wedding group level customized service to tie the entire process together.  You can also benefit from securing one of our fabulous on location wedding coordinators to tie all the luscious details of your planning together.  More on this non-Sandals exclusive option to follow!

Island Paradise :: Investment starts at $6000 USD

Visit the Sandals website to get all the wonderful details.  The overview image clips from Sandals’ website are for your quick viewing pleasure.

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

**BIG TWEET**

Mozart to Madonna, Bach to the Beatles. Book a quartet by June 24 @ noon for your wedding/reception(4hrs) and save $250!

All summer long, Divisi Strings will be introducing Big Tweet specials. Big Tweets won’t last long. Act quickly if you’re looking to hire Divisi Strings for you up coming event.

Divisi performing with cellist Louis-Marie Fardet

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]