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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Destination: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

With and overwhelming number of activities, a phenomenal view from any part of the long white sandy beaches, and a quiet aura Cabo San Lucas has become a popular wedding and event destination for many.

Only a short flight from the southwestern United States, Cabo San Lucas has lots to offer guests. From the more adventurous back road ATV tours, to delicious authentic cuisine, excellent snorkeling and diving, sunset cruises and the list goes on. Cabo is also known for vibrant nightlife for the younger wedding and event parties.


Also on a positive note, good travel deals can be found in the summer months, which is the slow season. Temperatures range from 75 degree lows to the high 90s, with little to no rain. If you can stand the heat, this is the best time to travel to Cabo…lighter crowds on the and activities and cheaper prices!

Medano Beach

The main beach in the heart of Cabo San Lucas is El Medano Beach (meaning The Dune) and has the best view of Land’s End, which Cabo is most famous for. At the end of the beach, you’ll find the main strip of restaurants, clubs and the marina.

From Top: Pueblo Bonito Rose, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Villa del Palmar Resort & Spa
For weddings and events, Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of high end resorts such as the Pueblo Bonito hotel chain and the Sol Melia hotels, as well as a number of luxurious private villas available for rent.

Villas for Rent by Cabo San Lucas Weddings

Cabo San Lucas Weddings (a GREAT resource for weddings!) has a complete listing of luxurious private villas available for rent for your wedding or event in Cabo with a variety of looks and features to compliment any desired feel; whether you’re going for quiet and quant or fabulously grand.

Other great resources:
· All About Cabo
· Los Cabos Guide
· Cabo San Lucas Insider
· Visit Cabo

Monday, April 21, 2008

What’s in a bag?

Welcome bags are among the top new favor items to give your guests at a destination wedding. Your guests have traveled a long distance to be a part of your special day and a welcome bag is a nice treat to offer them when they arrive. A pleasant surprise after a long day of traveling.

Have it ready in the hotel room. Stop by their room and personally deliver your gift.....But what to include in the bag?

Welcome bags can range from extravagant presents to more conservative treats. But the key to putting together a bag to remember is keeping it local. Your guests have traveled to your destination to enjoy themselves and experience the location.

Incorporate fun local items in the bag that they can enjoy on the trip or take back a piece of the trip with them. Think sample size treats, candies that are popular in your area of choice. For example Hawaii is best known for their macadamia nuts; find macadamia nut cookies. For winter retreats hot chocolate is a good starter. Bottled water, body lotions, coffee and tea are also handy.

Once you've got the contents, then it's time to pick out the package!

Mini Palm Handle Bags (made of natural-color palm leaves), like these from Bliss Weddings Market are a thoughtful local way to package your gift together.



Other great sources for thrifty bags:
Bagmasters

Oriental Trading Co.

For the more extravagant spenders, check out these creative welcome bags from the Today Throws a Wedding series.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Top Wedding Trends for 2008

According to this article featured on MSN by TheKnot.com, these are some of the popular wedding trends of 2008. Stay tuned....

Top Wedding Trends for 2008
What's hot now? This year, bigger is definitely better, from luxe place settings to statement-making gowns and hairstyles.

By Christa Vagnozzi

Is chocolate brown still the new black? Are brides really planning to wear two dresses? These are some of the many burning questions this year's brides and grooms are asking.

Trend 1: Making Split Decisions

Can't decide between a princess ball gown and a sexy mini? Wear both! In 2008, brides will make their guests do a double take by switching up their looks between the ceremony and reception with their gowns and hairstyles -- like an elegant updo for when you recite your vows and switching to natural cascading curls to party. And it's not just the bride that's getting a makeover between acts. Couples are also changing up their palettes with a progression of color throughout the day. Guests arrive to a clean, all-white ceremony, experience a hint of pale hues during the cocktail hour, and then step into an explosion of rich color for the reception.


Trend 2: The Gray Area

Steel gray will replace chocolate brown as the accent color. We absolutely love this soft yet deep hue teamed with butter yellow, bright aqua, rich eggplant, or pale pink. It's so versatile! Introduce the color in your stationery, either in the typeface or paper, and then gradually build it into your reception space by way of slate gray table accents and pewter-toned bridesmaid dresses with a contrasting sash.

Trend 3: A Return to White

In recent years, white has taken a backseat to bold hues like hot pink, orange, and purple. The classic color (or lack thereof) is poised to make a huge comeback in a fresh, modern way. Think tall, glistening glass vases overflowing with crisp arrangements of white phalaenopsis orchids and clouds of soft baby's breath. Also, picture sparkling white cakes covered from top to bottom in miniature fondant blossoms. Palette partner: Rose-colored metallics will add a big dose of sophisticated glamour.

Trend 4: Lush and Luxe

Size does matter. Event designers and brides alike are teaming up to create showstopping floral arrangements, such as those seen during the days of Marie Antoinette. This move toward French opulence means more petals, blossoms, candles -- even feathers! -- as centerpieces go from simple and low to towering and lush. Gilded place settings, brocade linens, and hand-painted invitations complete the elaborate look.

Trend 5: Sample Stations

Self-proclaimed foodies will love this trend: tasting bars for every whim. Sure to be popular, wine and cheese stations are not only delicious, they can be educational as well. We know one couple who hired a professional sommelier to provide pairing pointers. Our favorite is the champagne bar. Just pick your favorite bottles of bubbly and don't forget the mixers, such as Chambord, Midori, cranberry juice, and pineapple juice. Guests will have so much fun making their own signature cocktails.



Trend 6: Vintage Visions

From dresses to rings, brides are revisiting the past for style inspiration. For wedding gowns, that means delicate fabrics like chiffon and tiers of tulle, along with bygone embellishments such as beaded straps, keyhole halters, and lace sleeves. For rings, the hot style for '08 is something vintage. Whether it's simply an antique-style band or a real antique (think your great-grandmother's diamond), what's old is definitely new again.

Trend 7: Guests Make the Call

Need help picking that first dance song? Have your guests vote on it. With wedding websites adding more features like blogs, polls, and quizzes, it's easier than ever to involve your loved ones in the planning and decision making. Blogs are also great for reaching out to your bridesmaids and getting feedback on dress colors, flower options, and decor ideas. We love the idea of setting up wedding polls on your website and asking your guests to vote for their favorite cake flavor, entree choices, or dance music.

More Hot Trends

Green Weddings: Couples continue to be earth-conscious in 2008, from buying conflict-free diamond rings and recycled gold wedding bands to serving locally grown, free-range fare and donning bio-friendly wedding dresses made of 100 percent silk and cottons. They're also honeymooning at eco-resorts and gathering friends for charitable showers at soup kitchens and local park events.

Honeymoon Hopping: By now, it's no secret: Brides and grooms are going big this year for their weddings, and that includes the honeymoon too. Newlyweds are jetting off to not one, but two or three different destinations to celebrate their union. And they're traveling further than ever before. The hot spots: South Pacific jaunts to Tahiti and Bora Bora; Mediterranean getaways to Sicily and the Greek Isles; and African expeditions to Zambia, Botswana, and Johannesburg.

Home-Spun Weddings: For the utmost in personalization, couples are choosing to wed in their own or their parents' backyard. While it may be harder to plan than a ballroom wedding (you'll need to bring in your own caterer, tent, decor, etc.), your day will be truly one-of-a-kind.

Cover Bands: You heard it here first. Cover bands are in demand for 2008. From '80s cover bands to other genres such as classic rock, swing orchestras, or Latin ensembles, it's all about specialized live music to keep guests on their feet.

Photos from top: Mike Kehr Photography; Paul Sunday; Sorell Images; KingenSmith, photography by heather & rick; Bob Heimstra; Deanne Dunlop Photography; Tat Leong; Andrew McCaul