Destination Weddings Planning Options :: PART THREE

August 19, 2009 2 Comments

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As a continuation to Part One and Two of this series, here are two other destination wedding planning options to consider:

Local Destination Wedding Planner

Defined :: A local based wedding planner that specializes in destination weddings.  For example, if you are located in Houston, a Houston wedding planner that offers destination wedding services would be a local destination wedding planner.  The local destination wedding planner may work a specific region or they may market themselves globally.

Scene ::  Destination weddings of varying size that pose an elevated degree of complexity.  These weddings are generally totally customized or an upgraded personalized resort destination wedding.

Pros :: A destination wedding planner is very well versed in the details of wedding planning.  They are able to assist you with vendor scouting, budget tracking, etiquette guidance, design consultations, et cetera.  You will have the opportunity to bond and build trust with someone that you’re able to meet on more than a few occasions.

Cons :: A destination wedding planner my not be able to offer you travel specific assistance.  We suggest you steer away from planners that market themselves globally.  Just as the best travel agents are knowledgeable when dealing with specific regions, destination wedding planners are best are learning region specifics.  It’s never good to expect expert assistance on the entire world.  Using a firm of planners specializing various locations may assist with this hindrance.

Expectations :: Expect to receive customized assistance on the wedding planning portion of your destination wedding.  You will need to seek the assistance from a certified seller of travel when going this route.

Destination Local Wedding Planner

Defined ::  A wedding planner local to the destination in which you are planning your nuptials.  For example, if you are planning your destination wedding in St. Thomas.  A wedding planner located in St. Thomas would be a destination local wedding planner.

Scene :: Destination weddings of any degree of size and complexity

Pros :: A destination local wedding planner will be the expert on inner workings of your destination.  He/she will be able to offer tried and true options based on his/her local expert destination knowledge.

Cons :: You will not have the option of truly getting to know your wedding planner when using this option.  You will need to rely on referrals and what he/she has told you, as you may only meet this person upon pre-wedding arrival or twice at most.

Expectations ::  Expect heavy distance planning usage options.

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

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Destination Weddings Planning Options :: PART TWO

August 8, 2009 1 Comment

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Destination Wedding Specialist

Defined:: A certified specialist that has successfully completed destination wedding courses offered by leading continued education travel resources.  These studies cover the aspects of current travel trends, features, locations specifics, and meeting the needs of destination wedding clients.  This title is primarily seen with professionals authorized to sell travel arrangements.

Scene:: Any sized event seeking the knowledge of a certified Destination Wedding Specialist to coordinate the travel and events within the destination weddingmoon.

Pros:: Destination Wedding Specialist are very well versed in the complete demographics of location and property specifics.  As sellers of travel, they are able to lock in good rates and group amenities while offering best price guarantees.

Cons:: They are often not experienced or knowledgeable in the “wedding planning” aspects of the event. Although this is not always the case, often times it will be.

Expectations:: Expect to receive a customized level of service with travel, wedding planning and group communication.  Services typically will be like that of a travel agent with a specialized approach.

Destination Wedding Coordinator

Defined:: A professional, other than that of the on location coordinator,  that will travel with you to your destination to coordinate the wedding specific events.

Scene:: Midsized (40 guests) to larger (100 guests) attendance events, with increased financial parameters, that desire to have a professional on hand other than the resort’s/venue’s on site coordinator.

Pros:: You will appreciate the extra level of comfort when dealing with a group and event at a foreign location.  This person’s concierge level of wedding service in conjunction with the management/execution of your nuptials will add to and enhance the overall experience.

Cons:: As a coordinator of events, the Destination Wedding Coordinator will not be available to you the duration of the planning.  Equally so, this person will not be able to assist with inside travel aspects of your group.

Expectations:: Expect on location services such as that of a month of planner.  This person will typically begin working with you on your event six to eight weeks prior to departure.  This person will generally arrive prior to your arrival and leave the day after all events are complete.

Stay tuned tomorrow as we continue to review planning services for your destination wedding!

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

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Tale of Mystery Island :: No. Three

July 24, 2009 19 Comments
It’s time for another round of The Tale of Mystery Island!
Be the first to comment above with a CORRECT answer to our “Mystery Island” will win a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate!

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Clue No. 1 :: Adventurous Caribbean Hot Spot

Clue No. 2:: World’s Best Weddings and Honeymoon Destination

Clue No. 3 :: Home of the “Premiere Jazz Festival of the Caribbean”

Clue No. 4::  An up close view…

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[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

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Tale of Mystery Island :: No. Two

July 9, 2009 7 Comments
***WAITING ON A WINNER***
It’s time for another round of The Tale of Mystery Island!
Be the first to comment above with a CORRECT answer to our “Mystery Island” will win a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate!

tale-of-mystery-island-no-two

Clue No. 1 :: Caribbean West Indies

Clue No. 2 :: Part of Leeward Islands

Clue No. 3 :: Birth place of one of America founding fathers

What island am I???

Filed Under: Contests, Location, Mystery Island Tagged With: , ,

The Circle :: Love and Your Wedding

June 27, 2009 2 Comments

As a Houston, Texas based destination wedding planner, we often share world stories of traditions, customs and symbolism with our clients.  The circle is one of my favorites.

A cycle, completion, wholeness, unity, centering, unending…

These are some of the things that come to my mind in reference to the circle.  Isn’t it ironic that these may also be referenced to love and marriage?

The Circle…

circle

A closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x 2 + y2 = r2.

With this ring…

The wedding band is the most familiar circle symbol around.  The symbol of everlasting love.

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"From the earliest times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never ending circle symbolizes a commitment of love that is also never ending." --Michael Barlow-Sparkman

Family circle and circle of friends…

Your circle of family and friends will be your never ending support system as you begin the next chapter of your life.  JP Photography captures this symbolism beautifully in this image.  The Polish wedding unveiling ceremony offers a good example of incorporating this symbolism.

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Hawaii’s Circle of Flowers and Wedding Leis…

In Hawaii, the circle of flowers is also known as the circle of love and serves as the alter in which the couple is Maui’d.  Just kidding, married.  As with the traditional wedding band, it holds a symbol of everlasting love.  Your circle of family and friends my participate by adding single blooms to the circle shape arrangement.

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The couple’s exchange of wedding leis at the beginning of the ceremony symbolizes love, commitment and respect.

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The Wedding Lasso…

Made as two circles joined into a figure eight shape, the lasso is often seen in Catholic Spanish/Hispanic and Philippine (Cord and Veil Ceremony) wedding ceremonies.  My Spiritual Wedding offers the pictured example below.

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The Circle of Life…

Marriage is a natural part of life’s cycle.  Perhaps the biggest circle symbol, we know this cycle as the “circle of life.”  It most often happens  just past the life’s autumn and unselfish surface.  Adulthood enhances our ability to swim through our life’s growth processes.  This is our life’s full moon and our prime as our paths are ready to embrace marriage as a new chapter of our life’s cycle.

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From the Greek wedding tradition of the couple circling the alter to the Indian wedding tradition of  the couple’s exchange of garland, the circle is used in a variety of symbols, customs and beliefs.  Yet all carries a heavy foundation to begin a new chapter of life as husband and wife.  How can you be inspired by the circle?

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

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Photo Credits ::

Wedding Band :: Posh Woman

Bride with Bridal Party :: JP Photography

Leis and Circle of Flowers :: Maui-Angels.com

Wedding Lasso :: My Spiritual Wedding

Circle of Life :: Will return to update : Amended from original version

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Tale of Mystery Island :: No. One

June 24, 2009 10 Comments
Be the first to comment above with a CORRECT answer to our “Mystery Island” will win a $10.00 Amazon gift certificate!

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CLUE #1 :: South Pacific

CLUE #2 :: Private Island

CLUE #3 :: Brooke Shields  {correction}

CLUE #4 :: “Blue” waters…

[To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!]

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What exactly is a destination wedding?

May 21, 2009 2 Comments

A destination wedding is:

  • An international nuptial get away that can consist of both wedding and honeymoon (can also include multiple destinations)
  • A domestic location away from either the bride or groom’s hometown
  • A wedding that requires over fifty percent of the guest to travel to attend

When someone mentions the words destination wedding, in any combination, do you automatically picture a tropical beach outlined with blue waters and clear skies?  Does your mind wonder off the beaten path?  Do you envision the romance of Paris or maybe the exotic adventure of South Africa?  If you immediately thought of a beach picturesque location, you’re not alone.  Most destination wedding advertisements are geared towards luring you to a relaxing and romantic beach setting and seldom veer off the beaten path.  Allow me to shed a little light and elaborate on the parameters of a destination wedding.

Many popular destination weddings locations are typically tourist hot spots.  Often times, they’ve gained their notoriety through heavy advertising enlisted by hotels, resorts, air consortium and travel suppliers.  They will boast their unique features, all inclusiveness, spa credits, air credits and/or free wedding with couple upgrades (we’ll explore this sticky topic at a later date).  Although not a fit everyone, all of these are fabulous teasers and terrific options to consider.  This, along with the vivid images and our natural sense of imagination, will make many couples ponder the idea to pick up, wed away and leave the fuss of planning a local wedding behind.  However, couples and even local wedding professionals may fail to realize when they are in fact dealing with a destination wedding.

Did you know that a destination wedding is a wedding that will take place anywhere away from either the bride or groom’s hometown?  Therefore, if you are the bride from Florida marrying your groom in his hometown of New Orleans, you are in fact having a destination wedding and should adjust your wedding planning process accordingly.

Destination weddings require special attention to detail because  of the unfamiliarity factor of some or all of the decision makers.  For many, this element of the unknown adds to the ambiance.  While for others, it can be a hindrance.  The added weight on logistical factors always require additional TLC.  It is for this exact reason that the destination wedding specialist of Precious Nuptials & Destinations treat our clients with a final guest list of greater than forty percent whom require overnight travel as a destination wedding.

Are you a destination wedding couple?  It’s something to think about.  If you are, you may want to elvauate your plan to ensure for a smooth and fabulous event!

To your precious nuptial :: Cheers!

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Filed Under: Destination Spotlight, Destination Wedding, Need To Know Tagged With: ,

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