destination weddings - mediaplanetdoc.mediaplanet.com/all_projects/4142.pdf · collection, “david...
TRANSCRIPT
Destination WeddingsOCTOBER 2009 YOuR guidE TO planning ThE pERfECT daY
TRUE LOVE Lasts Forever. THIS OFFER WON’T.
Unlimited-Luxury.®
ARR OBA INTERNATIONALA Creative and Marketing Communications ServiceTel: + 52 (998) 210 0181 [email protected]
Kelley Smythe, Print Media Coordinator [email protected] Sumner, Production [email protected]
AMResorts Secrets Wedding Ad TRIM 9.75x2”(09.15) USA Today Banner SE-wp 09-15-09
Peek at SecretsResorts.com or call 1 866 GOSECRETS.
BOOK YOUR FREE WEDDING NOW
AND ENJOY FREE NIGHTSTOWARD YOUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY STAY.
Peek at SecretsResorts.com or call 1 866 GOSECRETS.
SEC_BNsm-wp_USA Today Banner 09-15-09:AMR USA Today Banner SE-wp 091509 9/15/09 11:06 AM Page 1
destination weddings
2
CONTENTS 2 “MyFairWedding”
3 JettingOfftoYour
DestinationWedding
3 ThePerfectPlan
3 TheWeddingPlanner
4 InvitingYourGuestsinStyle
5 Do’sandDon’ts:Choosinga
RingforaLifetime
5 TyingtheKnotonKauai
7 Say“Si”toaDestination
WeddinginMexico
8 TheSecrettoanUnlimited
LuxuryWedding
9 JusttheTwoofUs
10 TrendsintheSunshineState
11 PanelofExperts
DESTINaTIONWEDDINGS
Publisher: Jen Culhane [email protected] 1 312 337 4281
Contributor: Leah Ingram
Design: Carrie Reagh [email protected]
Photos: ©iStockphoto.com
For more information about supplements in the daily press, please contact Allan Chiu, 1 312 337 4000 [email protected]
This section was written by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today News or Editorial Departments.
www.mediaplanet.com
a very special thanks to...
Iplanmanyoftheseeachyearfor
my own clients. The prevalence
of destination weddings is due
to the fact that they offer two key
benefitsforcouples;affordabilityand
completepersonalization.Intermsof
personalization, couples are able to
chooseacityoracountrythatreflects
their interests, personalities, their
heritagesortheirdreams.Bridesare
abletolookbeyondtheirlocalhouses
of worship and catering halls and
choosebackdropsthatrangefroma
trendycityspottoanendlessbeach
to the Fiji Islands! Destinations also
givecouplesalargerrangeofunique
group activities leading up the
weddingwhichhelpscreateamore
memorableexperienceoverall.Onthe
budget front, destination weddings
are often more wallet-friendly
because the need for travel will
dramatically reduce your guest list.
This,inturn,offerstheaddedbonus
ofmorequalitytimewithyourclos-
est circle of family and friends.The
smallerguestlistwillalsoreducethe
countofeveryotherelementneeded.
This means fewer invites, less floral,
less food and so on. Additionally,
couples can save on any packaged
deals offered by the more common
wedding destinations, which may
include personal florals, table décor
or party rentals. Additional perks of
the destination wedding include
beingeasiertoplaninmanyways,the
feelingofavacationthroughoutyour
entire wedding experience, and the
guarantee of a truly unique setting
foryourweddingalbum!
I actually dealt with destination
weddingsalittlebitInSeason2ofmy
show,“MyFairWedding”.Thepremise
oftheshowisnormallythatIstepin
three weeks before the big day to
take over the planning and design,
keepingtheirvisioninmind,butde-
livering the most polished versions
of that...right down to the wedding
dress! This season, I did have one
specialbridewhohadplannedtheir
destinationweddinginMexico.Tune
intoseewhatImean!
WatchthenewseasonofCelebrity
Wedding Planner David Tutera’s hit
show“My Fair Wedding” on WE TV
andforthedebutofhisbridalgown
collection,“DavidTuterabyFaviana,”
whichisinspiredbycelebrityredcar-
petfashionsthiswinter!
DAVIDTuTErAfromtheWENetwork’s“My Fair Wedding”
“My Fair Wedding”Destinationweddingshavebeengainingpopularityinrecentyearsandarestillastrongtrendnow.
3
destination weddings
Jetting Off to Your Destination Wedding
It’s not as crazy as it seems, when
you consider the alternative.
“When you fly commercial, you
have to think about your door-to-
door travel time, not just your time in
the air,” says Andrew Zarrow, CEO and
President of V1 Jets (www.jetcharter.
com), which offers worldwide private
jet charter flights. “A six-hour com-
mercial flight to an international
destination, for example, ends up
taking 12 to 15 hours, with ground
transport, security, customs and im-
migration, plus the flight. By flying
private, your door-to-door time gets
cut in half.”
The reason that a private jet charter
equals a shorter trip is simple: there
are no check-in lines or security
queues to wait on. You and your bags
are screened just as thoroughly as
they are when you fly a commercial
airliner, but the difference is you are
the only ones getting screened—
meaning you’re in, out and onboard
in no time.
Here are other reasons you might
want to consider chartering a private
jet for your event.
You charter a plane with the same
ease as buying tickets on a commer-
cial flight.
Though some charter jet compa-
nies require you to buy a “fractional”
ownership or book a large chunk of
flying time, with a company like V1
Jets you purchase the precise flight—
and only that flight—that you want
to charter. “It’s like when you take a
car service to the airport, you book a
car for that trip only—you don’t have
to buy 10 trips upfront,” says Zarrow
of his company’s user-friendly busi-
ness model.
You have multiple airport options.
With a private jet, suddenly you
have access to more than 5,000
small, medium and large airports
nationwide. Let’s say you’re flying
out of New York City. As a com-
mercial passenger your options are
likely limited to Kennedy, LaGuardia
and Newark. But if you charter a jet,
not only can you fly out of those big
three airports, you can also choose to
depart from smaller regional airports
in Westchester (NY), Long Island and
New Jersey. In addition, with a private
jet charter you are not limited to
predetermined flight routes; you can
pick your departure and arrival cities,
and be certain that you will always
have a non-stop flight.
A charter company usually has
a wide variety of plane “stock” to
choose from, so you can fly 50 of your
guests in a plane with all first-class
seats, or you can take over an entire
commercial airliner, with 300 seats
in coach configuration. Similarly, you
can choose a small plane for your
honeymoon getaway. In fact, Zarrow
thinks this is a great way to end your
special day. “Nothing can kill the buzz
of your wedding day,” he says, “like
getting stuck in a long security line at
the airport.”
So you’ve planned the perfect destination wedding, in a location you love. Only problem? The location is kind of out of the way. Or, your guests live in a place where non-stop service to your destination doesn’t exist. What’s a bride to do? How about chartering an airplane?
Like everyone else in this econ-
omy, brides and grooms are
looking for ways to cut costs
without sacrificing quality. Believe it or
not you can get the biggest bang for
your bridal buck by planning a desti-
nation wedding. Here are some of the
reasons why:
• Destination weddings tend to be
smaller overall since not everyone
you invite can travel to a wedding
far away. A smaller guest list means
a smaller wedding bill.
• Adestinationweddingisusuallyan
all-inclusive affair. When you book
a resort or hotel for a destination
wedding, the staff on site—whether
it is the wedding coordinator or the
director of catering—become your
de facto wedding planner. And they
do all of your legwork for free. In
addition, from on-site catering to a
ceremony space to rooms for your
guests, a resort can offer one-stop
shopping where the savings add up
big time.
• Many couples choose to honey-
moon at the same location as their
destination wedding. This saves
money because instead of flying to
your wedding, then flying to your
honeymoon then flying home, by
booking your honeymoon in the
same place, you travel there and
back, and that’s it. Couples can often
negotiate a discount for their hon-
eymoon if they’re staying on after
the wedding.
So let’s say that the cha-ching of a
destination wedding is music to your
ears. Some basics to keep in mind.
• Withtraditionalweddingsyousend
save-the-date cards six months in
advance and wedding invitations six
weeks in advance. When planning
a destination wedding, it’s better
to send save-the-date cards a year
ahead and invitations six months
before the big day. This gives your
guests plenty of time to make their
travel plans.
• Plan to arrive at your destination
wedding location at least a day or
two in advance to get your marriage
license. Some foreign countries
require you to establish “residency”
in advance so you may have to get
there even earlier; be sure to double
check those requirements. Arriving
early also allows you to get settled
in to your accommodations, and
meet with your wedding planner to
finalize your plans.
• Speaking of wedding planners,
don’t try to plan a wedding on
your own from afar. If your hotel or
resort doesn’t provide a planner,
find a professional with expertise in
your location. remember, you won’t
know anyone at the destination,
but your planner will—including
the vendors that are great to work
with and those you wouldn’t want
to touch with a ten-foot limbo pole.
First, it offers piece of mind.
If you’ve never been to the
location before, and have no
plans to go down for a site visit, it can
be challenging to sort through hotels,
vendors and all the other details that
bring a good party together. Hiring
a planner who has done it before
will offer you the confidence you
need to ensure a fabulous wedding.
remember, this is all we do!
Secondly, brides and grooms
should actually enjoy their entire
wedding day, rather than running
around to set up and worry about the
details. It’s worth having the morning
to relax with family and friends while
getting ready, maybe even get a
massage, and to just attend your own
event, rather than running it. I’ve seen
couples rushing around freaking out
on their wedding day only to regret
it later on. You deserve to be treated
like gold on this important day.
Also, we live in a very busy world,
and most of the brides we work with
don’t have time in their day to be
calling vendors, planning rehearsal
dinners and scheduling meetings.
They are smart, savvy individuals who
have a great sense of style and taste,
but they trust a professional to carry
through the planning so they can
continue their lives and look forward
to an amazing wedding.
For all your destination
wedding planning and travel coordination needs, visit:
www.luxedestinationweddings.com
The Wedding Planner: Your Best assetHiring a wedding planner, especially for a destina-tion wedding, is a good idea for so many reasons.
The Perfect Plan
BY: TArA SOLOWAY
destination weddings
4
You are cordially invited to the wedding of your dreams.
Boca Raton Resort | Boca Beach Club
Casa Marina Resort | Edgewater Beach Hotel
Naples Grande Beach Resort | The Reach Resort
Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Opening 10/01/09
WALDORFASTORIA.COM/WEDDINGS
1-800-WALDORF
LXR-2085 Waldorf weddings_v4:Layout 1 9/2/09 10:23 AM Page 1
Instead of just communicating the
time, date and place, you are in-
forming your guests of an entire
“mini vacation” you are planning for
them, says Lisa Hoffman, founder and
celebrity invitation designer of Ceci
New York (www.cecinewyork.com).
So how do you go about inviting
people to your destination wedding
in style? Here are Hoffman’s five tips:
1. Think about your timing
“Book your invitation designer as
soon as you book your venue and
wedding date,” says Hoffman. “A real
expert will assist and manage every
step of the way for your mailings,
and make it a stress-free, enjoyable
experience.”
2. Find inspiration in your chosen
destination
Look to the culture of the place,
the patterns of the local artwork, or
the history of your venue for ways to
bring your wedding to life, via your
invitations. “Think about what drew
you to that location,” Hoffman says,
“and make that the inspiration for
your design theme.”
3. Word your invitations clearly
Make sure you include all travel
details, recommended hotels and a
complete itinerary of your wedding
festivities in your save the dates so
guests will know when to book their
travel. reiterate that, along with any
new details, when you send your in-
vitations. “You don’t want your guests
taking the first flight home and miss-
ing your farewell brunch,” says Hoff-
man, “because you forgot to include
that information.”
4. Choose unique details for your
invitations
When Hoffman designs invita-
tions, they’re more than just words
on paper. “I love to create invitation
designs that incorporate multiple
printing techniques or unexpected
textured stocks, like handmade
bamboo woven paper,” she says. For
a resort-chic wedding in a tropical
destination, she might include a belly
band made of linen.
5. Create continuity in your
communications
“Consider your guests experience
of receiving a beautifully designed,
cohesive package all at one time,”
adds Hoffman. “I recommend think-
ing about your whole weekend line
up and sending out a exquisitely
designed set that informs guests of
all that they’re invited to do at your
destination wedding.”
Inviting Your Guests in Style BY: LEAH INGrAM
When you decide to plan a destination wedding, your invitations take on a whole new meaning.
“think about what drew you
to that location,” Hoffman says, “and make that the inspiration for your design
theme.”
5
destination weddings
“When it comes to
rings,” says Lisa Kri-
kawa of Krikawa
Jewelry Designs in Tucson, Arizona
(www.krikawa.com), “couples don’t
mind investing in something that will
be worn for a lifetime.”
So how do you go about picking a
piece of jewelry that you’ll love wear-
ing 24/7? Krikawa offers these dos
and don’ts:
DO
• Dogotothedesignconsultation
prepared. Krikawa likes it when her
clients arrive with notes, images
and research in hand. When work-
ing with long-distance customers,
Krikawa asks them to email ahead
any sketches or images that they
had in mind
• Dounderstandthecomplexityof
having a custom-designed band
created. “For any custom ring the
couple should allow two to four
months,” says Krikawa, who works
with most of her clients via email
and phone. “We start with the over-
all size and width, then proceed to
thickness, metal colors, precious
stone types, shapes and settings,
design and modifications.” Kri-
kawa’s rings also incorporate sym-
bols, phrases and engravings.
• Dorememberthatpreciousstones,
including diamonds, aren’t just for
engagement rings.
• Doconsidergoingwithbandsthat
don’t match exactly. You can ex-
press each person’s individual style
while still getting a wedding band
set that is clearly a set, she says.
DON’T
• Don’t rush into committing to a
certain design or ring designer.
Sleep on it before making your
decision. remember: this ring will
be on your hand for years to come.
• Don’t get your ring in a size too big;
always test the size with cold water
and soap; if it flies off, it is too loose!
Krikawa sends her sizing rings to
clients all over the world, just to en-
sure a perfect fit for the ring they’ve
commissioned from her.
• Don’tgetaweddingbandwitha
“top” and a taper, which will spin on
your finger, if you don’t want to be
fiddling with the ring all the time.
• Don’tbeafraidtotalktothejew-
eler about any issues or questions
you have after you receive your
rings. Adds Krikawa, “We honor
every opportunity to create the
most special and personal piece
of jewelry that represents the ulti-
mate human experience—love.”
Diana Gardner, vice president
of the Kauai Wedding Profes-
sionals Association (www.
kauaiwedpro.com), is one of many
KWPA member companies who spe-
cialize in planning weddings on
Kauai, and she offers these 4 tips for
tying the knot on Kauai.
1. Become husband and wife in
one of Kauai’s unique locales. From
beaches to tropical botanical gar-
dens, you can get married in a setting
right out of a movie. In fact, Kauai has
been the backdrop for films like “Six
Days, Seven Nights”, “A Perfect Get-
away”, and “Jurassic Park”.
2. Personalize your ceremony by
adding little touches of Hawaii. Gard-
ner suggests doing an exchange of
leis, along with an exchange of rings.
And instead of the traditional unity
candle, she encourages the bride and
groom to each fill a bottle with beach
sand, then pour that sand into one
container to represent their joining
together.
3. Consider a rented home or condo
for lodging. There are so many vaca-
tion homes on Kauai that renting a
three-bedroom home is often cheaper
than traditional hotels and can add a
familiar feel to your festivities.
4. Don’t stress about the weather—
chances are it will be sunny and
beautiful. “We never get all-day rain
on Kauai,” says Gardner. “A storm
system may come through and then
just keep on going.” While Gardner
always keeps umbrellas on hand, just
in case, she also reminds her couples
that in Hawaii, it is considered to be a
blessing to have a little rain on your
wedding day.
And when you consider that it’s 84
degrees every day (+/– 7 degrees), it’s
hard to think of a better destination
for your special day than the “Wed-
ding” Island of Kauai.
The Wedding Island Of Kauai
Kauai Wedding Professionals Association
www.kauaiwedpro.com
National Ad In Design.indd 1 9/10/09 12:18 AM
www.krikawa.com1.888.KRIKAWA | 520.322.6090
Do’s and Don’ts Choosing Rings for a LifetimeWhen you exchange your wedding vows, the words express your feelings. But when you exchange your rings, those rings show the world your love and commitment.
Tying the Knot on KauaiBrides and grooms looking to have a destination wedding on a tropical island need not travel to an-other country. Just gaze across the Pacific to Hawaii, the 50th uS state.
7
destination weddings
The trick to saying “Sí” to a des-
tination wedding in Mexico?
Working with professionals
who plan weddings for a living—like
Miguel Yapur, group sales manager
for Excellence Group Luxury resorts
(www.excellence-resorts.com). “We
typically guide brides and grooms
through the entire process, offering
different options for each moment of
their special day,” says Yapur.
Excellence has two destination
wedding-perfect places to tie the knot
in Mexico—Excellence Playa Mujeres
and Excellence riviera Cancun, both
with beachfronts. At each of these
locations couples can be married in a
custom-designed ceremony, which a
civil judge oversees. You can also plan
to have a religious ceremony, with a
priest, minister or rabbi present, but
going with a civil judge is your best
bet. Why? A Mexican wedding is con-
sidered to be legal by the united States
government only if a civil judge pre-
sided. A religious-only ceremony holds
no legal weight back in the States.
Here is a checklist of requirements
that couples need to keep in mind
when considering tying the knot in
Mexico. This information is courtesy of
Excellence resorts. Please remember
that all paperwork must be submitted
at least 30 days prior to your ceremony
date, adds Yapur:
• Certifiedcopyofbothbrideand
groom’s birth certificate
• Validpassportsforbothpeople
• Originalbloodtest
• Ifwidowed,acertifiedcopy
of former spouse’s death certificate
• Ifdivorced,acertifiedcopy
of divorce
• Touristcard(thisisprovidedbycus-
toms upon your arrival at Cancun’s
International Airport).
• Name, age, nationality, home
address, occupation, passport and
tourist cards of four witnesses.
Witnesses must arrive three business
days (Monday through Saturday)
prior to the ceremony. If witnesses
are not available, Excellence resorts
will provide them to its guests at no
additional cost.
• Thebrideandgroommustarrivein
Cancun at least three business days
(Monday through Saturday) prior
to the wedding ceremony to meet
with the wedding coordinator and
submit all documents. The bride and
groom must be at the resort by 12
noon or earlier in order to consider
day-of-arrival as the first day of the
required three-day period.
But there are many other ways to
involve kids, especially if you’re
planning a destination wedding.
The Arizona Biltmore (www.arizo-
nabiltmore.com) in Phoenix, known as
the Jewel of the Desert, has long been
a destination of choice for families
looking for amenities and services for
all ages. And given how the property
caters to families, it’s the perfect place
to hold a kid-friendly wedding.
In fact, if you’re thinking of planning
a wedding where the kids will have
as good a time as the adults, consider
these four tips from rulla Effa, Director
of Catering at the Arizona Biltmore, on
how to plan a kid-friendly destination
wedding:
1. Plan pre-wedding activities for the
kids when planning activities for the
adults.
Most destination weddings involve
an itinerary of things to do in the days
leading up to the event, such as a golf
outing for the guys or a spa day for the
gals. Think about what you can do to
keep the kids entertained, too, so their
parents can enjoy a mini vacation. “We
can plan dive-in movies, or S’Mores
marshmallow roasts,” says Effa, “or our
fully staffed recreation department can
take the kids out to the putting course,
for a swim in one of our eight pools or
for a trip down the 92-foot waterslide.”
2. Find creative ways to involve chil-
dren in the wedding ceremony.
If you’d like to move away from a
traditional flower girl lining your path
with flower petals, why not have a
handful of children (in festive clothing,
of course) blow soap bubbles as a fun
way to great your guests. Children can
also hand out programs or, in the case
of a Jewish wedding, yarmulkes. Here’s
something unique to the Arizona Bilt-
more for kids to do: they can arrange
for a special butterfly or dove release
that the children can be in charge of,
says Effa.
3. Create a kid-friendly menu to
avoid picky-eater problems at your
reception.
Ask your catering manager to keep
the kids in mind when making your
menu. Effa suggests including mini hot
dogs, sliders, fresh fruit salad, and veg-
etables and dip for the younger guests.
If you’re going to have teens in the
house, they’ll likely enjoy a risotto dish,
a meat or vegetable stir fry, and chicken
satay. Better yet make one of the kids’
pre-wedding activities a cooking class,
and have the kids prepare something
that will be on their menu at the recep-
tion. They’ll be sure to gobble that up.
4. Find fun things for the kids to do
during the reception.
A few spins around the dance
floor will make your younger guests
happy—for a little bit. But chances
are they will soon grow bored of the
grown-up party. That’s why you should
arrange child care with customized
activities to keep the kids entertained.
“We’ve brought in coloring books and
crayons, board games, even video
game consoles,” says Effa. “This can be
arranged in an adjacent ballroom so
parents can check in on the children.”
Not only will this keep the kids happy,
it will bring the parents some peace of
mind—and make your wedding enjoy-
able for all involved.
Say “Sí” to a Destination Wedding in MexicoAccording to the Mexico Tourism Board, one of the most popular places in Mexico to tie the knot is Cancun, on the Yucatan Peninsula. Not surprisingly many couples want to wed on the beach, of which Mexico—and Cancun specifically—has plenty.
Planning a Kid-Friendly WeddingKids and weddings have always made for a picture-perfect combination, especially when you’ve got a gorgeous flower girl or an adorable ring bearer.
destination weddings
8
You can find this kind of unlim-
ited-Luxury® when booking
your special day at one of the
three Secrets resorts & Spas (www.
secretsresorts.com) in Mexico—
Secrets Capri riviera Cancun, Secrets
Maroma Beach riviera Cancun, or
Secrets Silversands riviera Cancun
At a resort like this, you won’t
have to think about a thing from the
moment you arrive until the day you
leave. All of your meals and activities
are included, with no reservations
necessary at any of the restaurants,
you’ve got a 24-hour concierge,
and the staff can even prepare your
wedding gown for you in advance
of your walk down the aisle—all
included in a wedding package. Book
your wedding photographer through
the wedding coordinator? You’ll have
your wedding pictures back within
72 hours for you to review and remi-
nisce over.
A resort that focuses on romantic
vacations—whether you’re planning
a destination wedding, vow renewal,
anniversary trip or honeymoon—
can pull all of your wedding details
together for you.
For example, Secrets resorts &
Spas have an online wedding request
form that couples can use to email
their request for everything from a
wedding package (there are three
to choose from) to your ceremony
date, time and location. That form
goes directly to the resort’s wedding
coordinator to quickly and easily
begin planning your special day.
You just need to show up in time to
establish your Mexican “residency”
(four days in advance), with the
proper paperwork, and you’re on your
way to the most romantic destination
wedding possible.
The Secret to an Unlimited Luxury WeddingOne of the best things about vacationing at certain all-inclusive resorts is that they are adults only. This is perfect if you’re looking to have a destination wed-ding—and honeymoon—with an extra measure of romance and sensuality, and no children underfoot.
“We have a team here
that brings many
different cultural
points of view to the table,” says Jef-
frey Chirino, who oversees the cater-
ing department at the Fontainebleau
Miami Beach hotel (www.fontaine-
bleau.com). His staff hails from lo-
cations as diverse as Florence, Italy,
Latin America and, of course, the
united States, and they’ve created
weddings for brides from all kinds
of backgrounds. “We’ve done Indian
weddings, and these are week-long
celebrations,” Chirino explains. He’s
arranged for the traditional henna
tattooing of the bride to having an
elephant bring the bride into her
ceremony. “There are religious impli-
cations for everything you do, and
it’s good for the family to know that
they’ve working with a team that un-
derstands the service.”
Food is clearly a big part of any
heritage. So give your guests a taste
of various cultures by having them
dine around the world without leav-
ing the property. At Fontainebleau
Miami Beach, you can do just that.
One night eat Cantonese (Hakkasan
by Alan Yau), the next Italian (Scar-
petta by Scott Conant), and so on.
Many Miami weddings give a
nod to the city’s Cuban influence by
setting up a mojito bar during the
cocktail hour or bringing in a cigar
roller. Not a smoker? The cigar roll-
ers creates these concoctions from
chocolate ganache for nibbling.
Culture can be about the destina-
tion’s ancestry, too. For example, Fon-
tainebleau was the place to see and
be seen in the 1950s—the rat Pack
liked to hang out here—and many
of its landmarks, including its iconic
“staircase to nowhere,” can bring a
certain pop culture history to your
event.
Hot, Hot, Hot Culture!Bring an international flavor to your destination wedding without leaving the united States! Get married in a place known for multinational culture, like Miami, where you can borrow the city’s Latin culture for a Cuban-themed wedding or design your own dream wedding based on your own heritage.
©C
opy
righ
t Fo
ntai
neb
leau
Res
ort
s LL
C 2
009
...give your guests a taste of
various cultures by having them dine around the world
without leaving the property.
9
destination weddings
One of the best places to es-
cape for a wedding with just
the two of you is Fiji, says
renee Meyer, owner and founder of
unforgettable Honeymoons (www.
unforgettablehoneymoons.com), who
herself married in Fiji. “What was really
magical and romantic about it was
that I didn’t have to think about what
was going to happen,” says Meyer. “Ev-
erything just flowed so beautifully. It
was so perfect in every way.” Accord-
ing to Meyer, who was carried down
to her beach wedding by a group of
Fijian warriors, the only decision she
had to make when arriving for her
big day was the flavor of her wedding
cake. (She chose spice cake!)
These days Meyer has become
an ambassador for weddings in Fiji,
and helping couples plan destina-
tion weddings there is a big part of
her business, along with traditional
honeymoons, vow renewals and
anniversary vacations. So why does
Meyer keep sending couples to Fiji?
Here are what she believes are Fiji’s
three biggest selling points.
Fiji is Affordable
The current exchange rate is
uS$1=Fiji$2
There are deals to be had on wed-
ding packages. For example, the
Qamea resort and Spa, where Meyer
got married, is having a special star-
ing December 1, 2009 and running
through and April 2010. For $2,899
per person you get:
* roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles
* a six-night stay in a private, luxury
bungalow on the beach with air
conditioning
* all meals included, including pri-
vate dinners
* activities, like kayaking, hiking,
snorkeling and village visits
* a wedding on the beach
“ You’re not going to find anything
more amazing and affordable than
that,” says Meyer. “Trust me—I
search packages for people all day,
and I know what’s out there, and
to me Fiji is the best value for the
dollar.”
Fiji is Easy to Get To
It’s a 10-hour flight to Fiji, from Los
Angeles. Air Pacific flights depart at
11:30 p.m. and arrive in Fiji at 5:10
a.m. “It’s actually a shorter flight from
the West Coast than flying to the
Caribbean,” says Meyer. You can be
on the beach by 9 a.m. and married
by noon—you are allowed to marry
the day of arrival. There is no waiting
period or residency required.
Fiji is Unspoiled
The great thing about getting mar-
ried on Fiji is you won’t have to fight
the crowds to say “I do.” According to
Meyer only two couples are allowed
to marry each week on most island
resorts in Fiji. And considering there
are 330 islands comprising Fiji, well,
your ceremony is going to feel very
exclusive. (Weddings in Fiji are legal
back in the united States, too—good
to know.)
What sets Fiji apart from other
exotic locations is how untouched
and unspoiled it still is. “The people
are living in villages with no electric-
ity or TV, and they’re always smiling,”
says Meyer. “They’re living in a whole
different world so for Americans to
go there and meet those people, it’s
life changing.” In fact, Meyer says that
many of the couples she’s booked
for weddings in Fiji come back home
changed people—and for the good,
adding “They wanted to simplify their
lives, because of how happy they saw
the Fijian people were.”
Rates are per person, double occupancy, USD. Qamea Package available 12/1/09 – 4/30/10. Air sale travel dates 11/15/2009 – 5/31/10. Prices offers are subject to change. Tax included. Certain black out dates apply
Get married in paradise- Fiji weddings are legally recognized in the USA!
Unforgettable Honeymoons- We plan romantic getaways, honeymoons & destination weddings. Mention this ad for a special arrival gift in Fiji.
Call us Toll Free (888) 343-6413 Visit: www.UnforgettableHoneymoons.com
The Unspoiled South Paci� c Paradise
nforgettableoneymoonsUH
INTERCONTINENTAL FIJI GOLF RESORT & SPA
Resort design inspired by a ‘Fijian Island’ village
$1450 per person Includes: Flights to/from Fiji on Air Paci� c, 5 nights in Luxury Garden View room, hotel tax and breakfast. Zip lining tour, river rafting, village visits from $40pp
QAMEA RESORT & SPA
South Paci� c Luxury Island Hideaway (max. 17 couples)
$2899 per person Includes: Flights to/from Fiji on Air Paci� c, 6 nights in Private Beachfront Cottage, all meals, endless activities, free wedding or spa week (Voted top 10 Tropical Hideaway Resorts of the world)
Fly overnight non-stop to Fiji on Air Paci� c from Los Angeles. Enjoy private beach picnics, secluded beach bures, spectacular snorkeling, diving, zip lining and more! Fiji is now on sale with Air Paci� c & Unforgettable
Honeymoons, the Romantic Fiji Travel Specialists!
The Unspoiled South Paci� c Paradise
Fiji Islands
Just the Two of Us: getting Married in FijiFor couples who are stressed out by their wedding plans and just want to get away from it all to get married, guess what? You can get away from it all and get married, all in the same trip.
destination weddings
10
Steel Drum Music Sets the Tone
Brides and grooms tying the knot
in South Florida, specifically Key West,
tend to want to bring a Caribbean
feel to their festivities. That’s why they
usually hire a steel drum band to play
the wedding march or to entertain
guests at the reception.
Couples Like Cake and Pie
One of Florida’s best know baked
good is a key lime pie. So it never
surprises catering managers when
couples request to have key lime pie
at their reception—either in addition
to their wedding cake or completely
in place of it.
Annual Events Tie In to the
Celebration
Each year around Halloween, Key
West is overrun with folks partici-
pating in Fantasy Fest. Some like to
work Fantasy Fest into their wedding
plans, such as the couple last year
that was getting married at the Casa
Marina resort and decided to have
their rehearsal dinner be a costume
party. “Everyone got dressed up like
pirates and wenches, and they rented
a trolley to take them around down-
town during Fantasy Fest,” says Kevin
Speidel, general manager of Casa
Marina resort and The reach resort,
both in Key West. Casa Marina resort
has also been the headquarters for
the Parrot Head National Convention
for the past 18 years—Parrot Heads
are Jimmy Buffet fans, in case that
escaped you—so there are many
requests for Margaritaville-themed
weddings.
Candy Bars Are Big
Couples arrange for a colorful
display of candy for when guests ar-
rive at the reception. “It creates a real
‘wow’ factor,” says richard Hayduk,
Managing Director of the South Seas
Island resort (www.southseas.com)
on Captiva Island. But the candy isn’t
for decoration only. “Each guest re-
ceives a bag or basket, and they help
themselves.” Talk about a kid let loose
in the candy store!
Favors Reflect the Destination
One of the biggest draws in Key
West is the sunset. People quite liter-
ally stop each evening to watch the
sun slip below the horizon. Since
most weddings are timed to coincide
with sunset, guest’s favors might in-
clude pictures snapped at sunset or
some other souvenir that will remind
them of that magical time of day.
Footwear is Footloose and
Fancy Free
All three LXr resorts sit beachfront,
so when couples have a ceremony on
the beach, they tend to set up a flip-
flop station. “They gather flip-flops
in all different colors and sizes,” says
Speidel, “and they provide a place for
guests to sit down, take off their dress
shoes, slip on a pair of flip-flops, and
make their way onto the sand. After
the ceremony, the guests come back,
remove their flip-flops, wipe off their
feet, and put their regular shoes back
on.” Then, it’s time to party!
Picture Perfect Island Weddings & A Place Known For Fairytale Dreams.www.luxuryresorts.com/usatodayweddings
Captiva Island, FloridaOrlando, Florida
LXR-2084 9.75x3.25 BVP-SD-SSR_v4:Layout 1 9/1/09 3:57 PM Page 1
Trends in the Sunshine StateOne of the most popular places for a destination wedding these days is The Sunshine State. We asked the experts at LXr Luxury resorts and Hotels, which has many properties in Florida, to help uncover some of the top trends in Flor-ida destination weddings. Here’s what they had to say.
11
destination weddings
Intimacy and romance with sun-
kissed Atlantic shores on the Southern-
most point of Key West is complete
with “Toes-in-the-Sand” dinners at Strip
House, a private “Proposal Pier” provid-
ing a stunning engagement backdrop
and balconies on every room. Enjoy in-
timate breakfast overlooking turquoise
waters, walking distance from Duval
Street, an ideal location for guests to
retreat after a night on the town at
www.reachresort.com.
Off Florida’s Gulf coast, a sprawling,
village resort with romantic backdrop
of two-and-a-half miles of open shell-
laden beaches lapped by turquoise
tides. It’s home of some of the most
beautiful sunsets in the state. Sightsee
on dolphin and sunset cruises and
beyond. Spacious residential options,
hotel rooms and private beach homes
to charming Gulf cottages, all over-
looking the Gulf of Mexico, Pine Island
Sound or one of two marinas at www.
southseas.com.
At the very tip of Key West since
New Year’s Eve 1920, the legendary
resort was built by Henry Flagler as a
reflection of his passionate love affair
with Florida, as an ocean-edged retreat
ever since. After a recent $43 million
facelift, it’s been restored to its 1920’s
splendor: floor-to-ceiling arched win-
dows, original Florida pine floors and
a magnificent “Water Walk” leading
guests directly to the largest private
beach in the Conch republic at www.
casamarinaresort.com.
Q. How is V1 Private Jets different
than other charter companies?
A. unlike other charter brokers, who
will often quote a single price without
disclosing the many alternatives, we
pride ourselves on our transparent
bidding process. When you enter your
flight details on our website, your trip
is submitted for bidding by hundreds
of charter operators, ensuring that
you will receive the most competi-
tive quote available. responses to
your trip inquiry are made available
for your review, giving you complete
control over which bid you ultimately
choose. recognizing that inefficien-
cies within the jet charter industry
could be solved using the right tech-
nological approach, V1 JETS has cre-
ated a unique internet platform unri-
valed by any other charter company
in the business. Our patent pending,
proprietary technology platform cre-
ates our primary edge. Our systems
allow us to make the most efficient
use of aircraft in our industry, as well
as to pay unparalleled attention to
detail on each and every flight. We
have also have a team of well trained,
knowledgeable, and experienced
aviation professionals that are on de-
mand 24/7 to fulfill our clients every
need. Enjoy the convenience of trav-
eling when you want and where you
want. No lost luggage or long security
lines. With as little as five hours notice,
V1 JETS can have your fully equipped
private plane waiting for you on the
tarmac. Whether you are a seasoned
flier or a first timer, let V1 JETS charter
your next private flight.
Q. What is the level of expertise at
Krikawa?
A. Our expertise lays specifically in
designing, engineering and crafting
wedding and engagement rings, one
of a kind, one at a time. Our talented
team of professionals specialize in
the various aspects of custom rings,
including a designer with dozens of
awards, world-class gemologist, mas-
ter modeler, diamond pavé expert,
master goldsmiths and top of the line
customer service specialist.
Why should I choose Krikawa in-
stead of going with someone local?
The entire focus of our company is
the production of one-off rings, and
we have made an enormous number
of custom rings. With this experience
comes a phenomenal amount of
knowledge and expertise relating to
the design and structural integrity
of a piece of jewelry that is looked at
every day and takes a lot of beating
when worn. We have perfected the
method of designing and creating
custom wedding bands for a clien-
tele all over the world, and our col-
laborative and educational process
is rewarding for both parties. These
facts are backed up by our 100%
satisfaction guarantee policy and our
A+ ranking with the Better Business
Bureau, who also awarded us the
2009 Southern Arizona Ethics Award.
Q. How easy is it to get to Fiji ?
A. Very! Fly non-stop on my favorite
airline, Air Pacific. Depart Los Ange-
les late night (11:30pm) arrive early
morning (5:10am) on the beach by
noon, with easy add-ons to various
carriers from cities in the uS and
Canada. With new code-share partner,
Alaska Airlines, offering direct service
from Vancouver to Fiji via Los Angeles,
you can also earn and redeem Alaska
Frequent Flyer miles. Air Pacific coach
service pampers you with delicious
meals, world class wines & state of
the art entertainment system in every
seat. Tambua Class (business) offers
expedited check in and baggage
retrieval.
Q. Is it affordable to fly to Fiji?
A. right now with Air Pacific’s sale,
their base non-stop Fiji fares start at
$530 uSD round-trip.
Q. Can you visit Australia and New
Zealand on your way back from Fiji?
A. YES! Air Pacific allows a FrEE stop-
over in Fiji if you are traveling to Aus-
tralia, New Zealand, or exotic islands
such as Samoa, and more! Even non-
stop flights from Hawaii to Fiji.
Q. How do I begin to plan?
A. Our company, unforgettable Hon-
eymoons has been expertly planning
Fiji trips, honeymoons and weddings
since 1994, offering a full range of
travel services and assistance with
photography, guidance with paper-
work, and honeymoon registry.
Panel of Experts
Q. What’s the Secret to a Perfect un-
limited Luxury Wedding?
A. Beyond perfect warm weather,
striking blue waters and sugary
beaches, award-winning Secrets®
Resorts & Spas offers couples the per-
fect variety of awe-inspiring, romantic
beachfront locations in Mexico and
the Caribbean. Secrets Resorts & Spas
treats couples and their guests to
Unlimited-Luxury®, where everything
is included. Expect to be wowed by
the elegantly appointed rooms and
suites with 24-hour concierge and
room service, relaxing spa facilities,
countless daytime activities and
nighttime entertainment, an array
of gourmet dining options, exquisite
bars serving premium brands and
more! All visits feature special ameni-
ties exclusive to the bride and groom
and the chance to earn free nights
over a return stay for their first an-
niversary! The Secrets Resorts & Spas
bridal registry service also allows
the bride and groom to register their
honeymoon online. Wedding guests
can select from the couple’s choice of
tours and excursions, spa treatments,
private romantic dinners on the
beach, or even contribute towards
the cost of their honeymoon. Secrets
Resorts & Spas also treats newlyweds
to utmost romance with spa treat-
ments specially created for couples,
while beachside dinners for two are
sure to create the perfect romantic at-
mosphere. www.Secretsresorts.com
ANDrEW ZArrOW President and CEO
LISA KrIKAWA Krikawa Jewelry
rENEE MEYEr Owner/ Founderunforgettablehoneymoons.comAir Pacific/FIJI
SECrETS rESOrTS & SPAS
