Hunt for the Perfect Honeymoon!

Hello Everyone! It's Hannah writing today!

In the spirit of Memorial Day Weekend and the official start of summer, I thought I would take the time to research some fantastic honeymoon or just-for-fun getaway destinations. I must say that researching this topic has really made me want to pack a bag and head out for the weekend to some exotic location! Here are some of my favorite spots I visited on my cyber-holiday...enjoy!

Conrad by Hilton Maldieves Rangali Island

How could you not think this place is paradise? Aside from the crystal clear water and white sand, there is a restaurant UNDER WATER! You can eat your fish, while you watch fish swim all around you...kind of like a reverse aquarium. This place is the ultimate luxury honeymoon destination! It might take a while to get there by plane, but it looks like it would be well worth the trip! If any of you blog followers end up going here, can I please sneak into your bag?

Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii

I actually had the opportunity to visit this beautiful island on a family vacation a few years ago and it is absolutely amazing! Kalapaki Bay, where the Marriott is located, is calm and serene. Ask my sister and her husband about getting a massage on the beach - I was jealous! The grounds are lush and beautiful; you feel like you are walking through a tropical rain forest. If you visit Kauai, I recommend taking a door less helicopter ride with Jack Harter Helicopters, going on a zip-line tour with Kauai Backcountry Adventures (ask for Pono to be your tourguide!), and taking a day trip up to where the Napali Coast begins...making sure to stop at Bubba Burgers for what is sure to be the best hamburger you will have - ever!

Jade Mountain St. Lucia

Ok, I admit it, I still watch The Bachelor! I first saw this exquisite resort on the season finale of The Bachelor when Jake passed over sweet Tenley for the less-than-classy Vienna. The views from the rooms are amazing! I am totally impressed by all the bridges that connect various rooms and dining areas. This is what paradise is all about!

San Antonio Resort Imerovigli, Greece

Nothing says romance like an infinity pool! Greece is beautiful, romantic, and full of history and culture. Whether you want to go relax in the lap of luxury, or watch your new hubby channel his inner Russell Crowe in Gladiator, you will certainly never have a dull moment!

Sea Island Georgia

Jessica and her hubby had the wonderful opportunity to spend a long weekend here last month and she raved about it! If you are the type of person who enjoys being waited on hand and foot (really, who doesn't?), then this is the spot for you! According to Jessica, as soon as they arrived the staff knew their names! How crazy is that?! She also loved the food, southern hospitality, and beautiful surroundings. Sea Island also offers a plethora of activities to keep you busy, or you can relax in their amazing spa. Plus, it's so close you can drive there and save the money you would have spent on airfare for some shopping in their adorable boutiques!

Cheeca Lodge and Spa Islamorada, Florida Keys

If you have never had the opportunity to visit the Florida Keys, I highly suggest you go! You will have a hard time believing you are still in the United States! Islamorada is in the middle of the Keys, and you can easily access it from the Key West or Miami airports. You can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the resort and island, or hope over to Key West for a night out on Duval Street while you celebrate your marriage Jimmy Buffet style!

Some other locations to check out:

- Couples Swept Away Negril, Jamaica

- Turtle Bay Resort Ohau, Hawaii

- Grace Bay Club Turks and Caicos

- Esperanza Resort Cabo San Lucas

REMEMBER! You can register your honeymoon! This is a great way to get the trip of your dreams, especially if you already have all the pots, pans, and plates your heart could desire! Check out http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/ or http://www.honeyfund.com/ to start your free registry!

Happy Monday and Happy Travels! Be safe this holiday weekend!

Hannah

Tip of The Week - Attendant Gifts

Happy Monday again to each of you! Many of our brides are quickly approaching their wedding dates and one question we are frequently asked is, "What should we get for our bridesmaids and groomsmen?" This is such a toughie, because you want your gift to be memorable, but also something your guys and girls will actually use. So, Hannah took to the Internet to come up with some cool gifts that are not the typical necklace for the maids and flask for the fellas. Hope you enjoy what we found!

For the Bridesmaids:

Consider taking your girls for a special treat on the day before the wedding. Odds are they will want their fingers and toes looking nice for your big day (and you'll want them looking good, too!) so take them to a salon where you can sit together while being pampered. For an added touch, give each girl a bottle of OPI nail polish with a fun name that suits her personality. For a salon we love the ladies at Bangz Salon and Spa on 43rd Street! Just be sure to book at least a month in advance!

Coach Wristlets: $48 http://www.coach.com/ These are great if you have girls who enjoy going out on the town!

Rainbow Sandals: $44.99 http://www.rainbowsandals.com/ These iconic southern beach shoes now come in a variety of colors. Why not treat your maids to a pair in your wedding colors that they can slip on during the reception? Their feet will appreciate it!

Starfish Necklace: $108 http://www.whitehouseblackmarket/ LOVE this necklace! If you are having a beach wedding and want to treat your girls to a beautiful statement necklace that will always remind them of your big day - This. Is. It.

Taste Test Recipe Book: $28 http://www.anthropologie.com/ This recipe book is vintage chic and practical at the same time. It's divided into sections (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for you to write in, and has pockets for your favorite recipes from Mom and Nana. As a special touch, add your favorite recipes in for your bridesmaids. Each time they cook, they will think of you!

For the Grooms-Guys:

If the girls can go have a ladies day at the spa, then the guys can be treated to a fun day with the fellas! Arrange for a round of golf with the boys the day before the wedding, or take everyone to a local baseball park. If you can swing it (no pun intended), spring for a box at the ballpark. It will come complete with food and beverages for everyone to enjoy!

Collegiate Tervis Tumblers: $33 for 24oz. 2 pack tumbler http://www.tervis.com/ Order a tumbler from your groomsman's Alma Mater. He will love how cool it keeps his beverage, and the lady in his life will love that the cup didn't actually come from a drink purchase at a football game :-)

Stub Hub Gift Certificate: $25-$500 Your guys will love these gift certificates! They can use them to purchase tickets to different collegiate and pro sporting events, or concerts.

iTunes Gift Certificate: $15-$100 Along the same lines, this gift card allows your techie fellas to download their favorite tunes and movies.

Happy shopping everyone! If you have a cool gift you don't see listed on here, please add it to the comments section or send us a wall post on Facebook!

Tip Of The Week: Warm Weather Weddings

Happy Hot Monday Everyone!

It seems like April left and summer arrived! Such is often the case in Wilmington! We will have one or two days of beautiful 70 degree temps and low humidity, and then BOOM, we are socked with big hair and high temps! Nevertheless, the summer months in the south are some of the most popular for weddings. If you are planning to wed this time of year, you need to be aware of some challenges that may come your way. Here are some tips we have generated from our experience as planners and guests at summer weddings:

1.) If you are having an outdoor wedding, have a backup plan. This is a must, especially in the summer. Around here it can be beautiful one minute and raining cats and dogs the next. It will cost extra to book a second location, but the peace of mind you will have knowing you won't get drenched a la "Jason and Molly's Bachelor Wedding Nightmare" will be priceless! We love the Kenan Chapel at Landfall for this purpose. Their price is incredibly reasonable, there's a bride's room for you to get ready in, AND it's cute as a button!

Keenan Chapel at Landfall

2.) Start on time! Again, this is especially true for outdoor weddings. There is nothing more unattractive to your guests than watching the water stains grow on the sweaty uncle in front of them. You really don't want that in your pictures! Also, in lieu of the traditional program which your guests will bend into fans, why not get one step ahead of them and give them a fan-program? These programs from Etsy are super-cute and island feeling!

Etsy Programs: $3 each for 96 or more - http://www.etsy.com/

3.) Pick the right flowers. Certain flowers are more heat-hardy than others. For example, hydrangea are beautiful, but once cut can get kind of wimpy in the heat. If you want to use these beautiful buds, just remember to keep them inside and cool until the last minute. Always consult with your florist about what blooms will be best suited for your event.

4.) Go for fondant. Yes, it tastes like paste, we know. Jessica and Hannah are big cake fans - suffice to say it might be their favorite part of this job! However, a butter cream cake in a 105 degree July heat index that is sweating and leaning is stressful! To compromise on taste and beauty, we suggest asking for butter cream frosting that is covered in a layer of fondant. This will preserve the integrity of the cake, and if you hate the fondant, it peels right off of your slice!

5.) Beauty-Proof Yourself. Your wedding day is the one day of your life you really should invest in good hair and make-up products, and hopefully a professional to apply them for you. These days, more and more girls steer clear from liquid foundations and gravitate towards a mineral. For an everyday look this is great, but in summer heat, it doesn't stand a chance. Go for an oil-free long wearing liquid foundation. If it has some SPF in it, even better! Also, think about wearing your hair up. Hot temps and humidity make for big hair or flat hair - neither or which is a good thing! Have a run through with your stylist to play with some cute up-dos that you won't have to worry about all night! Keep a bottle of Sebastian Shaper Plus hairspray handy to decrease frizz and keep your locks in place.

Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation: $45 http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/

Sebastian Shaper Plus Hairspray: $14.99 - www. ulta.com

6.) SUNSCREEN! Nothing is worse than starting your honeymoon already burnt! Make sure to put sunscreen (at least SPF 30) on your face and body. We love Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock for your face and Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist for your body.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 30: $9.99 at Target

Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock SPF 45: $11.99 at Target