Honeymoon Destination - Costa Rica
Costa Rica - Romance & Adventure for your HoneymoonBordered by both the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise where misty mountains give way to dense rainforests teeming with wildlife and vibrant vegetation. Here the diverse flora and fauna make way for endless excitement and adventure. 
The rain forests contain countless lifeforms; Manuel Antonio National Park is renowned for its white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, turtles, iguanas, and hundreds of species of birds. Cloud forests such as the Monteverde Reserve and Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Biological Reserveforests house unique creatures like hummingbirds, giant Morpho Blue butterflies, and the Resplendent Quetzal. The Costa Rican night sky is lit by volcanic lava; in fact Arenal Volcano is continuously erupting! This exhilarating landscape provides eco-adventures like zip-lining, canopy tours, sport fishing, scuba diving, and whitewater rafting,
just to name a few.
Recreation & Relaxation: 9-Day Sample Itinerary San Jose: 3 Days
Arenal Volcano: 2 Days
Northern Pacific Beach: 4 Days
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Green Wedding Tips
We had posted an article about Green weddings back in 2007, and it remains even more important today: Here are some tips when planning an eco-friendly green wedding, which incorporates ecologically and socially responsible products and services. • Location: The first element to set the tone is the location. Environmentally aware pairs are opting for botanical gardens over ballrooms. Many couples are having their nuptials on untouched terrain, for example nature preserves, the beach, parks or their own backyards. • Keep it local: Whenever possible, use local resources for your wedding. In addition to saving on transportation, you’ll be supporting small businesses and your local economy. • Bridal gowns: Wear natural fibers like organically grown cotton, silk and hemp, which are becoming increasingly popular. If you are having a dress designed, make sure that it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials or chemical dyes. Many brides to be are also turning to vintage dresses or pre-worn wedding gowns from their family members which also adds a hint of nostalgia. • Invitations: Use recycled or tree free paper for your invitations. • Catering: When choosing your caterer, find one who specializes in organic ingredients. Vegetarian and vegan diets are popular for many reasons including health, ethical and environmental concerns. Speak to your caterer to discuss and create an interesting and delicious menu sans meat, dairy and processed sugars. For example, an interesting and delectable entrée would be herb-roasted seitan with grilled artichokes, Mediterranean grilled vegetables with balsamic glaze and wasabi mashed potatoes. Support local farms orchards and vineyards by buying your produce and wine there. The demand for ecologically responsible and healthy food is a growing trend overall in the catering field. Choose organic wine which is made from grapes and grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or other chemicals which damage soil and water. There are many organic wine vineyards to choose from. • Wedding cake: Find a baker that will make a cake with organic, natural and fair trade ingredients. Be sure to serve fair trade coffee! • Transportation: Show up in style, Get chauffeured in eco-chic hybrid limousines or opt for the old fashioned horse and buggy. • After the ceremony: Have guests toss freeze dried flower petals or ecofetti (biodegradable confetti). Eco friendly Birdseed or biodegradable rice is also popular. • Flowers: Find a local florist who recycles everything they use from the flowers and foliage. Use potted living plants as centerpieces for the tables instead of cut floral arrangements. Select arrangements that can be replanted, and invite your guests to take them home to replant. • Favors: Organic chocolates make great gifts with a personalized note printed on recycled paper. Jars filled with organic jams, jellies or honey. Handmade soaps or candles are a nice touch as well. • Candles: Use soy candles, its romantic and energy efficient. They are cleaner and longer burning than regular candles. • Photography: When choosing a photographer, make sure you chose a photographer that works in digital format. Digital photos are easier to share and much more environmentally friendly. No harmful chemicals, film or wasted paper. If you are set on film photography, there are less toxic developing methods, discuss this option with your photographer. • Honeymoon: When planning your honeymoon, consider the rainforest in Costa Rica or an amazing adventurous escape at an eco friendly holistic luxurious spa in Africa or Fiji. By Kristin Ciccolella, WedAlert Labels: eco-friendly, environmentally, green wedding, wedding, wedding planning
6 Tips for Formal Accessorizing
Some people would argue, but I believe there are actually 4 main, visible areas to accessorize: neck, wrists, shoulders, and the waist. Think about all 4 areas while you contemplate your bridesmaid dress, evening gown, prom dress, or other special occasion outfit. - Theoretically, you can accessorize one or all of these areas, if you do it properly. Do not forget to continue through all the accessorizing tips, to make sure you don’t overdo it. Decide if your dress or outfit of choice is simple, elegant, fancy, flirtatious, embellished? Is it monochromatic or which colors make up your outfit? Where are you going? Take all of these mental notes to make sure you not only choose trendy accessories, but also appropriate accessories. - Remember, even though feathers may be trendy, they may not be appropriate with your graduation dress. Less is More. -Once you have put on your matching tennis bracelet, your faux pearl necklace, your costume jewelry or faux gems, take a second and third overall look at your outfit and remember “Less is More”. If you’re not a seasoned accessory-user, you can be certain that removing one item will be beneficial to your overall look. - I always like to look at myself in the mirror as if I am a stranger and I ask myself “what would I think of that person?” It takes practice, but it works! If you are done with your bracelets, necklaces, and rings, you can move on to your shoes. Shoes should always be comfortable and they should always look elegant. Please leave your clear plastic platforms in the closet! -If you are wearing stockings, choose neutral or skin-tones for a formal affair. They should be subtle- no fishnets! -If you need an extra something, you can always create or buy some shoe clips. They are a cheaper alternative to buying new shoes, and really revamp your look. Now we’re ready for a wrap or jacket. This is usually the hardest part for people to get right. If you purchase a bridesmaid dress with exposed shoulders, look for a company that offers a matching shawl. Shawls and wraps are my favorite because they are the most inexpensive and easiest to store. I tend to keep too many shawls because they don’t take up much room in my closet. Just make sure whatever you are using as a cover up, that it matches in texture and color. For example, if you are wearing a light, airy gown, you do not want to wear a leather or heavy satin jacket. Carry a purse or small evening bag. This bag can be matching fabric or beaded and can be used to add a lot of interest to your overall look. Your purse or evening bag should be large enough to hold your keys, lip gloss, cash, and other small personals. by Lizzette Brodsky http://www.dresscodeformal.comLabels: beauty tips, bridal fashion, bridal jewelry, bridal shoes, wedding accesories
Honeymoon Destination - Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino
Planning a Memorable Wedding Ceremony
Congratulations! You and your beloved have decided to get married. Romance and excitement fills the air as you think about what you will wear, what your bouquet will look like, who will be invited, and where the wedding reception will take place. But don’t forget the wedding ceremony. These days there’s so much emphasis on planning the "fun" parts of a wedding (reception, music, food, gown, etc.) the ceremony itself can easily become nothing but an afterthought. So what is a wedding ceremony? It is a rite of passage in the form of a public exchange of vows. Note the keyword here - "public." Two people state their vows in the presence of their guests, who are active witnesses, and an officiant. It is interesting to note that the officiant (minister, pastor, judge) doesn’t actually marry the couple, instead they marry each other, by means of stating their intent, reciting their vows, and the other formalities customary to the wedding ceremony. The officiant is merely the formal representative of your witnesses. Your officiant can also lead you through the customs and rituals associated with the ceremony. Does this mean that you have to have hundreds of "witnesses?" Of course not. You may have your heart set on inviting hundreds of friends and family members to celebrates, and have a maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen, jr. bridesmaids and groomsmen, ring bearers and flower girls. Then again, you may prefer to have a simple ceremony in front of your immediate families with only have a maid of honor and best man. Some areas only require your officiant to be the official witness. Be sure to inquire at your marriage license bureau to see what local rules apply. Sit down with your fiancé and decide what style of ceremony will be the most appropriate for both of you. Do the two of you prefer a religious, non-denominational, or perhaps civil ceremony? Do you want readings, and if so, would you prefer them to be from scripture, literature or from another source? Are there any cultural or ethnic customs you want incorporated into your ceremony? How many guests do you want? Don’t forget to think about your parents, and the expectations, if any, they may have for your wedding day. Adding personalized touches to your ceremony is fun, and can make for a much more meaningful event, not only for your friends and family, but for you and your fiancé. Personalization can make the difference between a cookie cutter wedding and one that is charming and expressive. The variety of ways to add personalization is easy and abundant. You can include a special reading or prayer. A special hymn or song can be played. You may choose to compose all of your vows, or just a portion. The observance of ethnic or family customs is a nice touch. Perhaps you can carry a handkerchief or pin that was carried by your grandmother or mother when she got married or incorporate a flower that was in your sister’s bouquet into your own . . . Be sure to inform your guests as to the meaning behind any unusual or particularly special personalization, or cultural rituals. Keeping your guests informed during your wedding ceremony, and allowing them to understand and appreciate the events happening before them will make your event more meaningful and memorable for everyone. One of the easiest, and inexpensive, ways to provide this information is by using a program, which also makes a lovely keepsake of your special day. With the use of a home computer, a color printer, and some pretty paper from your local craft store, you can easily design and create a unique program for your wedding. But regardless of how simple or how elaborate your wedding ceremony will be, please give it some serious thought while planning your wedding. After all, your ceremony is the reason for the day, and the celebration that follows, isn’t it? By Jean Neuhart, Professional Bridal Consultant Weddings From The HeartLabels: ceremony, wedding, wedding ceremony, wedding etiquette
BBB Advice on Purchasing Wedding Insurance; Avoid Being Jilted at the Altar by Bankrupt Vendors
Some good advice from the Better Business Bureau about Wedding Insurance. With the number of commercial bankruptcies on the rise, some brides and grooms are getting burned by bankrupt vendors. Because of the weak economy, couples might want to consider wedding insurance and Better Business Bureau is offering advice on purchasing coverage for the big day. The number of businesses filing for bankruptcy was up 47 percent in February over the previous year. While more well-known company filings like Ritz Camera make the headlines, many smaller, independent businesses are also struggling in the current economy. And BBB has certainly had complaints filed about bridal boutiques and venues that suddenly closed up shop leaving engaged couples in a bind. According to Travelers Insurance, more than 40 percent of all Travelers' wedding insurance claims filed during the past two years involved unforeseen problems with vendors and venues, some of which went bankrupt in the worsening economy. “Considering that the average wedding costs more than $28,000, soon-to-be newlyweds have a significant amount of money on the line and a vendor’s ‘Going out of Business’ sign can be far worse than rain on their wedding day,” said Steve Cox, BBB spokesperson. “Wedding insurance can provide peace of mind for a couple that their money will be recovered if a vendor or venue falls through at the last minute.” To illustrate the seriousness of the situation, last summer, the BBB serving Charlotte received a flood of complaints from desperate brides about a local bridal shop, La Bella Sposa, which recently filed bankruptcy after deceiving many of its customers. According to complaints filed by brides, the shop took their money, ordered the dresses, but did not pay the designers, so the dresses never arrived. La Bella Sposa was allegedly taking orders for new dresses, but passed off the floor samples as original dresses. One jilted bride paid the shop more than $10,000 for a gown and 13 bridesmaid dresses, but the shop closed its doors taking her money with it two weeks before her wedding. Another bride was devastated to learn four days before her wedding that, while she thought her dress was undergoing final alterations, the bridal shop had allegedly sold the dress to another bride. Aside from the gown, wedding insurance can provide a variety of coverage for many mishaps that might affect a wedding including vendor no-shows, foul weather, military deployment, and health issues affecting key participants. Most insurance won’t cover cold feet, however. BBB offers the following advice on purchasing wedding insurance: • Always research insurance companies first with BBB by reviewing BBB Reliability Reports free of charge online at www.bbb.org • Shop for wedding insurance before paying deposits on any wedding services to make sure all expenses are covered. • Comparison shop and pay close attention to the fine print. According to the Insurance Information Institute, insurance will cost between $125 to $400 depending on the amount of coverage. Like any insurance plan, there are limits on claims and deductibles that must be met. • Avoid purchasing overlapping coverage. Some vendors might already be insured or coverage might be provided by the credit card company. • Keep good records and all receipts for the insurance company in order to justify any reimbursements. For more advice on planning a consumer-savvy wedding, go to www.bbb.org. Labels: wedding insurance
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