Image Courtesy of www.Michigan.Org

When two people choose to get married, it can be a very big decision. There is a great deal of planning that goes into many different kinds of weddings and choosing the right kind of venue for your ceremony can be a bit of challenge. There are so many different options that convey different emotions and contain different atmospheres that can help enhance the ceremony itself and provide a comfortable place for both family, friends and those who are undergoing the ceremony.  Here are some ideas for romantic venues for weddings – in honor of the most romantic day of the year!

Heaven Event Center, Orlando, Florida

One of the most important aspects of any ceremony is having everything perfect and exactly the way that you want. In order to make this happen, many people choose to hold their ceremonies in venues that they can decorate themselves such as the Heaven Event Center in Orlando, Florida. These give those, who are looking to undergo the ceremony, the ability to create a loving and romantic atmosphere that accurately reflects the love that the two people have for each other. Customizable venues can portray a loving, vital and vibrant reflection of the relationship between the two who are willing to tie the knot together.

The Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

One of the most important parts of ceremonies is making them memorable. Having your ceremony at the top of a building like the The Grand Hotel and seeing all of the surrounding area below can create a very memorable experience. Your events can be held in two locations, on the balcony or in the garden. Not only do you have everything (I repeat – EVERYTHING!) you may need on location – salon, hotel rooms, activities for your guests (golf, tennis, swimming, etc.), the beautiful scenery will create an even more memorable experience for all involved.

English Gardens, Winter Park, Florida

A garden, such as the English Gardens located in Winter Park, Florida, is a fantastic place to hold a wedding ceremony because of the natural beauty that the foliage and flora provide. It helps to give people fresh air and is a stark contrast from a stuffy, traditional church. What makes a garden so great is the fact that people can enjoy nice weather outside in a relaxing atmosphere and go right to the reception which can be held near the ceremony itself.

Any Cathedral or Chateau in France

Everybody dreams of having a traditional wedding where the bride and groom romantically exchange vows in a traditional church. This is how marriages have been done for quite a while and is the stand-by for those who wish to hold ceremonies. But, some people strive for something a little larger than a regular church.  Cathedrals like the gorgeous Chartres Cathedral (used as an example just to place an image!) in France offer a towering, grandiose and beautiful alternative to regular churches as they seem to mirror the importance and majesty of the occasion. Cathedrals, and Chateaus, are perfect for people who love the idea of marking an important time in their lives with a grand statement. These types of venues not only provide you with an incredible destination wedding, you and your loved one are also able to be married in one of the most romantic countries in the world!

Paradise Cove, Orlando, Florida

Many people who choose to have a less traditional wedding often opt for a ceremony by an ocean, such as Paradise Cove in Orlando, Florida. This can be extremely romantic for the same reason above (Mackinac Island) but because it is near the ocean and it adds a bit of fun to the mix. People can enjoy the sand and the sun as well as the water while they watch two people join together in holy matrimony.

All of these options present beautiful ways to get married to the person you love. One can be sure that picking a venue that is romantic and beautiful is exactly what is needed can bring lasting happiness to any relationship and marriage.

Image Courtesy of HighMountainWeddings.com

There is no more beautiful setting for a wedding to take place than at Lake Tahoe. It is an opportunity for photographs and videos that will complement your wedding with memories to last forever. During the winter months you have the glistening snow as a backdrop for all of those photographs and memories to treasure. First is deciding which of the many wonderful venues to use for your momentous occasion. Ceremony sites can be from going to the chapel to a mountain top experience.

Lake Tahoe offers a chapel that will take you right to the water’s edge; as well as many other chapels that have beautiful views of the lake and the mountains. Your wedding can be inspired by the panoramic view of the area. A chapel would offer you a venue inside from the cold winter weather found in Lake Tahoe. The setting would still be as beautiful as if you were outdoors in the middle of the snow.

If you prefer to have an outdoor wedding in the middle of winter, then you might check out some places that offer weddings in their garden gazebo. Some offers heating in the form of heat lamps to keep you warm during your ceremony. This type of ceremony will be lovely with the stars shining down at night on you while you exchange your vows. Add some soft romantic music and lights; and your wedding can be the dream wedding you have always wanted. These venues make an outdoor wedding in the middle of winter in Lake Tahoe possible.

Then, after your beautiful winter wedding at Lake Tahoe, you will be ready to have a reception to celebrate the joining together of two loves. Some of the reception rooms available will offer you the same great views of the mountains and the lake that inspired your wedding ceremony. Some of the venues will offer to do everything for you. They will provide the cake and the champagne as well as the other foods. You can choose a full buffet or just appetizers. Some venues will offer live music with a real DJ as well as ample room for dancing. What could be better than a romantic wedding ceremony at Lake Tahoe followed by an exciting and well organized reception?

Before or after the ceremony, you and your guest might enjoy working off some steam at a local ski resort. Winter in Lake Tahoe offers some of the best skiing. These resorts get plenty of snow, so you are sure to find a way to play while you are waiting for the big event. They have sledding and tubing and even ice skating for those who dare. But if you want to be a little bit safer and relaxed, you can always take a romantic sleigh ride through the snow. Or, why not stick around after the ceremony for a few days and enjoy a honeymoon at one of the local ski resorts. That way you can take part in all of these activities together as a married couple.

Whichever unique venue you choose to have for your wedding at Lake Tahoe, it is sure to be remembered by all that attends. With the beautiful lake and the magnificent mountains, there is no way to go wrong with a wedding at Lake Tahoe. So grab a few friends or even a lot of friends and family, and come to Lake Tahoe and celebrate with a gorgeous wedding and fun reception. And don’t forget to enjoy the slopes while you are there, or maybe the fabulous sleigh ride through the falling snow.

Image Courtesy of Hotel Kakslauttanen

Many people choose to stay in romantic tropical locations for their honeymoon. However, others like to make their honeymoon one they will never forget. Choosing a unique place to stay for your honeymoon provides you and your new spouse the opportunity to spend the night in a place that you would never think possible.
Under the Sea

Some people may have heard of Atlantis, the mystical city that disappeared beneath the ocean. The Poseidon Underwater Resort, located somewhere off the coast of Fiji, provides guests with a unique one-week experience. This hotel’s rooms are actually located 40 feet below the surface of the ocean. Guests descend to the rooms via elevator. Each room provides panoramic views of the ocean floor and the sea life that resides there. Space is extremely limited, and you must stay for one week.

An Icy Stay

Spending the night in an arctic location may not seem like a pleasant experience for newlyweds. However, there are a couple of ice hotels available where you can stay in comfort within the arctic circle for your honeymoon. ICEHOTEL, in Sweden, is rebuilt each winter to create a new experience for each guest. The hotel is only open between the months of December and April. After April, the walls begin to melt, making the hotel unsafe.

Another ice hotel option is Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland. At this hotel, newlyweds can choose to stay in a log cabin or the special honeymoon turf chamber. If a couple seeks a different experience, they can choose to spend their time at the hotel in an igloo. The igloo provides guests with an AMAZING view of the Northern Lights.  For Destination Weddings, they have options for both summer and winter weddings.  They also have two options for chapels – including one completely sculpted out of ice and snow.

Turkish Caves

If Turkey is the honeymoon destination, the Gamirasu Cave Hotel provides a unique experience. This hotel was built in the same way the traditional cave dwellings in the area were built. In fact, it is actually a remodeled Byzantine monastic retreat. However, the remodel kept the hotel looking much as it originally had so it still fits in with the surrounding landscape. The hotel provides honeymooning couples with several packages that are tailored specifically for a newlywed couple.  If you click on the wedding section of their site, you can read about previous weddings at the caves.

Royal Accommodations

Those who travel to Scotland or Ireland for their honeymoon can take advantage of the royal treatment. Both countries offer the opportunity for newlywed couples to spend their honeymoon inside one of the many castles located throughout the area. These historic castles have been transformed into hotel accommodations for visitors to enjoy. A newlywed couple can relax away from their normal lives and pretend they are king and queen for the endurance of their honeymoon.

Scottish Honeymoons

In addition to staying in one of the castles in Scotland, honeymooners can choose from one of the other unique experiences available. A newlywed couple can choose to spend three or six days on a cruise, which uses an old wooden ship. This unique experience gives couples a taste of what it was like before the time of iron steamers. Other options in Scotland include staying in a lighthouse, at a secluded island hideaway or in an 18th century farmhouse.

Choosing a unique honeymoon destination gives you and your new spouse a chance to make memories that will last a life time. Everyone remembers their honeymoon, but many choose a destination that they have visited before or will visit again. Making your honeymoon a unique experience ensures that you will always remember this special time following your very special day.

Image Courtesy of The Daily Mail UK

The bride and groom wore green. No, that’s not right. The bride and groom were green. In 2009, a couple from Devon, England made news around the world with their Shrek themed wedding. Guests got in on the act as well, dressing as characters from the popular animated film series. It truly was a wedding to remember.

Elegant white weddings are no longer the standard. Couples all over the world have chosen to break with tradition and made their special day unique. From pirate themed nuptials complete with peg legs and eye patches, to Nascar themed extravaganzas held on the start-finish line of an actual racetrack, today’s wedding is limited only by the combined imaginations of the bride and groom.

Zombies are all the rage in America lately, and an undead wedding is the perfect way to say “’Til death do us part.” A backyard venue can easily be turned into a graveyard, resplendent with Styrofoam tombstones readily available at any Halloween supply shop. The bride and groom can dress in wedding finery, artfully torn and stained with dirt and grass. Guests can feast on such delicacies as blood punch, lady fingers, and brain cake filled with strawberry jam.

Love Harry Potter? Wizard themed weddings have grown tremendously in popularity since the release of the Harry Potter books and subsequent movie franchise. Dress robes are the order of the day, and tall pointy hats are a must. The wedding venue can be transformed into the Great Hall at Hogwarts for the special occasion, and guests can be served delectable treats from the series, including treacle tart, peppermint humbugs, and, of course, pumpkin juice. For those not inclined to align themselves with Harry and his quest for good, a Death Eater wedding is also a possibility.

The Twilight franchise has awakened a lust for blood in all of us, and a vampire themed wedding is the perfect way to declare allegiance to Team Edward. Modern vampire or Dracula aficionado, a vampire theme is both original and somehow romantic. Flickering candlelight, Victorian-era clothing, and lots of deep red colors create the atmosphere, while blood red wine and rare steaks complete the dinner menu. Wedding favors can include plastic fangs and “blood” filled bonbons.

A Disney wedding is popular with brides who fancy themselves a princess. Disneyland and Disneyworld both have amazing wedding packages that include transportation in a glass carriage pulled by white horses, but if budget is a concern, the effect can be mimicked with little difficulty. Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and the Handsome Prince, or even Jasmine and Aladdin, a Disney themed wedding can be based on any story, and the rest all but plans itself. Music, decorations and food ideas are limitless. For a variation, mix it up a bit. Sleeping Beauty could marry Hercules, or Tarzan could exchange vows with Snow White. A Disney wedding is a playful way to declare your originality, and a way to ensure a life full of happily ever after.

A wedding no longer needs to include the traditional white gown, black tux and sit-down dinner. Wild, weird and wacky weddings are growing more common. Your wedding will truly be something to remember, and guests will appreciate being spared a long and boring ceremony in favor of a fun-filled romp through the imagination of the bride and groom.

If you want to go the more traditional route for your wedding, keeping your wedding colors orange and black can help keep your guests from feeling like they have walked into a crypt. Brides can wear traditional white wedding dresses and grooms can still wear black tuxedos while bridesmaids and groomsmen wear orange accents. White wedding dresses are not the only colors that are available to brides these days, there are actually black and even red wedding dresses that beautifully gothic. Bouquets and boutonnières can be fall or Halloween colors as well, decorations like pumpkins can also be a great addition to a Halloween themed wedding and the wedding cake can have elements of Halloween added to it as well, like a Frankenstein and bride of Frankenstein wedding cake topper.

For the bridal party that wants to go with a scary theme, costumes are not completely out of the question and asking guests to come dressed in their favorite costume is a great way to make sure that everyone gets in on the fun. When looking for flowers for the wedding, black roses are beautifully cryptic, if you cannot find black roses ask your florist if there is any way that your flowers can take a darker tone either through paint or dye. The wedding reception can allow you to go wild with your theme; everything from dry ice to fog machines can be made for a scary entrance for the wedding party. If you are going to have a DJ at the party ask them to play Halloween related songs such as the Monster Mash or even the theme from the movie Halloween. You can easily rename some of your wedding receptions food, if you are going to have chicken fingers, call them witches fingers; Buffalo wings can become bat wings. The wedding cake can have a Halloween theme all of its own as well. Gothic candelabras would be both scary and beautiful on the tables and even carved jack o’lanterns can help guide guests to their tables.

When planning a Halloween themed wedding the sky is the limit, there is nothing that you cannot do, you can make it as dark or as light hearted as you want it to be, it is after all your special day!

For more ideas, check out our previous posts!

Having a great wedding especially in another location will give a sense of spice and a sense of fantasy to your wedding. However, it’s very important to stay on top of things when going overseas. Here are some basic things to look at when you are planning your destination wedding abroad:

The first and most important thing to look at is cost. What type of season are you going to have your wedding? Taking oversea flights to different places in certain seasons may cost less or more. It’s always good to be on the look for deals regarding flights and packages. Make sure to save up money to pay for the flights and weddings there. Although a church might be free to get married, a specific location will definitely cost. Also, how many of your family is going there, and for how long. It’s important to plan on what type of hotel you are staying at and if you can get any discounted rates or specials because of the volume of people you bring. These are just a few of the major costs to consider when traveling abroad.

Another thing is the location of the wedding. This is very important because certain countries might have their own set of laws regarding marriage. Not only does the concern of what you have to do to get your marriage legal come into play in that said country, but will the marriage be legal in your home country. It’s best to check out the legalities before hand, so that your marriage is by law. This makes things a lot less complicated and less problematic in the long run before you take that flight.

The wedding date is the next thing that’s important. If you’re getting married in the Caribbean, don’t set a date for the hurricane/rainy season. This type of weather will create a lot of discomfort and you may not be able to fly there just because of flights being canceled to the destination. If you’re getting married on a cruise, make sure it’s during a time that’s not too strenuous for you and your loved ones. For more popular places like Paris, London and more in Europe, it’s best to plan a time where there are no major festivals or events. Finding a room as well as a place to get married will be doubly hard. It’s always best to plan before or after these major events.

Make sure to plan your date ahead of time to let people know what’s going on with the wedding. If you are planning wedding for an expensive destination, it’s good to let people know six months to a year ahead of time. This will give you time to make your planning much easier as well as give them a heads up in case anything changes. Also, this will be good consideration for your friends and family to save money up to a year in advance so there are no major financial issues.

Lastly, make sure you know the size of the wedding. Having different things like the wedding being catered, a fully stocked bar with bartender, and servers for the wedding reception all has a cost to pay. In certain countries, the fee may be significantly lower or higher depending on the amount of people and where the wedding takes place. Make sure you plan whether you want it to be a more inclusive wedding that only caters to your family and closest friends or more open. These are a few of the major things you want to figure out ahead of time.

All About Dessert Tables

The dessert table could be put in place of a cake or you could have it as a part of your wedding décor. You will be surprised how well placed food could make for a great wedding accent.  A dessert table is one of the wedding accents that draw people in right away. Pretty colors, decadent sweets and a beautiful layout are sure to catch the eyes of your guest.

A few things to keep in mind before you set up your fabulous dessert table for your outdoor ceremony.

• Make sure you keep in mind of the outside temperature so you can take the appropriate measures to keep your sweet treats from melting.
• If you are having kids at or in your wedding, you may want to have someone keep an eye out for the dessert table. We wouldn’t want to little to make a mess.
• If you or your groom want to taste a certain dessert and you have more than enough to display for your guest, feel free to take one sweet treat aside and hide it. If not, the night will come and go and you wouldn’t have gotten a taste of your dessert.

Couples are becoming more and more creative when it comes to incorporating their hobbies and personal interests into their wedding ceremony. Traditional weddings are becoming a thing of the past, and if you are looking for a unique place to say “I do”, here are five inspiring ideas for your outdoor wedding ceremony:

1. In a Garden – I can’t think of a more elegant, eco-friendly, and affordable location to host your outdoor wedding!  You may even have a backyard garden that— with a little pruning— could be a beautiful backdrop for your special ceremony.
   • Make it even more unique by adding an arbor, gazebo, or canopy—and utilize archways, flowerbeds, and green space to enhance your wedding setting!
2. In a Tree House – If you are looking to take the cake with the most memorable location for your wedding ceremony, have you considered a tree house? Yes, I am serious!
   • For all you tree huggers out there, take a look at this amazing little tree-house located in Washington, designed by Seattle-based tree-house building specialist, Pete Nelson.
3. On a Bridge – Whether above or below, a covered bridge is a beautiful spot to host your wedding ceremony.  If you are in an area threatened by inclement weather, arrange to have your ceremony below the arch which would create a stunning setting for your wedding photos.
4. At the ZOO – Are you an animal lover who wants to offer your guests an exceptionally memorable experience?  Consider having your ceremony at your local zoo!
   • As an added bonus, you will increase your guest list instantaneously at no additional cost! Lions, tigers, and bears…Oh my!
5. On a Cliff – Imagine looking off into the distance at an endless ocean with a magnificent skyline, while listening to the sound of waves crashing onto the coastal cliff.  Cliffside weddings are becoming more popular for destination brides, especially for the breathtaking views and virtually no décor necessary!

Now if you are ultra-adventurous, you can always opt to get married 30 feet under water off the coast of Hawaii, or while sky diving in Atlanta from 14,000 feet in the air, or consider taking the plunge by exchanging “I Do’s” while bungee jumping from a sky-high tower in Las Vegas!

Talk about taking a leap of faith into your new life together…!

If you’re going on vacation with your boyfriend or girlfriend and the Grand Canyon will be part of your trip, there is no better way to add a little spice and memory to your vacation. Though you could technically propose any time and place, you want to make this moment one of the most special moments of your life. If you’re a boyfriend proposing to your girlfriend, you want to make this an unforgettable memory. Women think about their proposal starting at a very young age.

When someone proposes to the love of their life, they often take photos to help them remember what they were feeling, what the atmosphere was like and to have a memory to hold on to. If you plan on proposing at the skywalk, you will be able to create amazing photographs. As if the photos of the Grand Canyon aren’t special enough, you can make them even better by adding photos of your engagement.

Since a person only plans on proposing once in their lifetime, they want to make sure they do it right the first time and that it’s as special as possible. When you compare something simple like asking someone to marry you at home while eating a dinner, compared to asking someone to marry you while at the Grand Canyon, there is a big difference. Though it may be the same question, the way you go about doing it is so important.
You want to be able to blow your future spouse away. When you consider something special like the skywalk at the Grand Canyon, you’re boyfriend or girlfriend will be able to see that you took a lot of thought into proposing and didn’t take the easy way out. All this thought put into a proposal not only makes the moment more special, but it also creates even more love and excitement for the one proposing.

As you can see, there are some great reasons to consider proposing at the Grand Canyon skywalk. Not only is it a beautiful place to check out in general, but it’s one of the best ways you can pop the question! So, if you’ve been trying to figure out the best place to propose, one of them is definitely at the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Can you imagine being all dolled up in your wedding dress and taking a plunge for love? Some may say it’s a romantic gesture, while others may say that is absolutely ludicrous! I personally, think it is daring, fun and if both parties are okay with it—then hey, go for it! But I would suggest, don’t spend a fortunate on your wedding dress, just to dive underwater to swap your vows.

Despite the some critics, people come out in droves to celebrate romance and enjoy the unique festivities. Along with the underwater ceremonies, the people of Trang put together a lavish parade, along with tons of Thai dishes and have a large wedding party for the Valentine’s Day Weekend.  I am sure that it would be just a sight to see, so if you ever in Trang, Thailand for a Valentine’s Day vacation check out one of the most largest underwater wedding ceremonies in the world! I am sure it will be a treat!