The Happy Wedding

The honeymoon is your time to relax and recuperate from frantic wedding preparations. And picking a place that both of you will enjoy is a must. Fortunately, the world presents countless honeymoon ideas that have something for both of you. Here are some of the more popular honeymoon destinations for couples of all types.

For the Couple on a Budget

The newest trend in honeymoon ideas this year is staying at home. In the U.S., for instance, couples are forgoing the expensive costs of acquiring passports, tickets, hotels, rental cars, and food – opting instead to save a few bucks, choose popular honeymoon destinations at home, and remain in their own backyards (so to speak).

St. Augustine, Florida, in particular, is one of the more popular honeymoon destinations that continue to attract visitors due to its year round temperate climate, proximity to beaches, quaint restaurants, and great shopping. Called the Oldest City in America, it was founded in 1565, and is the home of the Fountain of Youth, where visitors can drink its restoring waters. Other highlights of the town are Castillo de San Marcos, Fort Matanzas, and the Lightner Museum, all accessible by foot. Cozy honeymoon ideas are horse and carriage rides, theater shows, fishing, and parks, and there are romantic bed and breakfasts aplenty.

Out on the West Coast, there’s another hidden gem – Seattle, Washington. Mild in the summer, but a little chilly in the winter, this city is perfect for couples who are full of fun honeymoon ideas but don’t want to break the bank. There’s the Fish Market, where you can get a delicious meal, and the famous Space Needle. Even if these two honeymoon ideas don’t interest you, there are thousands of popular honeymoon destinations that offer unique experiences. But if you really want to go out of country, consider the benefits of staying at a youth hostel or monastery, which offer comfortable places to sleep at bargain-basement prices.

For the Outdoorsy Types

For the true outdoors couple, even simple honeymoon ideas like hiking or staying in a romantic cabin would be welcome. Odds are that you and your loved one like to travel without all the comforts of home. One of the more popular honeymoon destinations for outdoor lovers is a tour of the Amazon River. Visitors to the region will enjoy strolling along the Rainforest Canopy Walkway, a man-made bridge of wooden slats and ropes which overlooks the forest below, camping along the banks of the Amazon, allowing you to get up close and personal with the native animals and local flora and fauna, and exploring expansive wildlife parks. Should you book as part of a package, a number of hotel options are available, including forest lodges and other rustic accommodations

Another of the more popular honeymoon destinations for couples who enjoy travelling off the beaten track is an African safari, where locals take visitors out to the more remote areas in order to witness ‘the circle of life’ in action. You’ll see lions, tigers, cheetahs, zebras, and hyenas up close and in their natural habitat. Beautiful, pastoral African lodges add to the charm of the trip; at night, you and your sweetie can sip wine by African moonlight and talk the night away.

For the Thrill Seekers

These honeymoon ideas are not for the faint of heart. For couples who love an edge to their vacations, the following honeymoon ideas are meant just for you. One way to feel the rush is cage-diving with Great Whites off the coast of South Africa. On Seal Island, visitors get to experience the Great White shark in its natural element and watch it hunt the seals that inhabit the island. You’ll be able to dive into the blue Atlantic waters with a professional guide and interact with the sharks up close (protected by a sturdy steel cage of course).

One of the more thrilling, popular honeymoon destinations is Ireland; many companies offer motorcycle tours so you and your loved one can experience the beauty of the ‘Emerald Isle’ in a very unusual way. You’ll accelerate along the craggy cliffs, zigzagging on lonely roads, taking in the fresh Irish air. You’ll stop each night at a cozy B and B for some rest and start again the next day, averaging about five hours of riding time each day.

For the Laid-Back Lovers

Imagine lounging in a comfortable chair with a cold drink in your hand underneath a palm tree. Yes, for you laid-back lovers, your preferred honeymoon ideas center around the beach where you can sample delicious, homemade seafood platters and drink ice-cold tropical drinks while watching sail boats pass by. Though many islands in the Caribbean have resort rooms that are rather expensive, these popular honeymoon destinations are usually more well traveled than the rest.

To ensure that you and your loved one get some alone time, consider travelling to Turks and Caicos, Antigua, or St. Maarten, which are, on average, much more affordable honeymoon ideas and not as touristy. St. Maarten, in particular, is just one side of a dually governed island. It still retains much of its quaint Dutch charm and also features a butterfly farm, excellent hiking opportunities, and a long boardwalk. Many resorts and hotels offer special deals to honeymooners, so you can truly get a package deal at a great price.

For the History Buffs

Some of the more popular honeymoon destinations have become a little too frequently traveled for the serious history buffs. Couples who have a specific time period or country in mind should do a little research before putting their honeymoon ideas into action.

There are a few exciting, recently popular honeymoon destinations however, including the charming Eastern European city of Budapest, which has a number of honeymoon ideas and attractions right in town, such as the remarkable City Park which houses a restaurant, one of the oldest zoos in the world, a circus, an amusement park, swimming pools and medicinal baths, a castle, two museums, the Palace of Art, and Heroes’ Square, a well-known World Heritage Site. About an hour outside of the city is the start of the two centuries old Villany-Siklos wine route, which snakes around the countryside, allowing visitors to sample some of the best red wines in the world.

Another one of the more popular honeymoon destinations is a little closer to home – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With all the attractions close together, you’ll be able to tour the city on foot, getting some great exercise while learning about America’s history. About two and a half hours away is Gettysburg, home to the famed battlefield and the site of Lincoln’s address to the nation. With a number of small hotels in the area, you may want to consider booking a package deal beforehand, so by the time you arrive, the concierge or housekeeper has set the scene with candles, champagne, flowers, and chocolates or other personalized honeymoon ideas.

Make It the Trip of a Lifetime

No matter which popular honeymoon destinations you choose, it should be the trip of a lifetime. It’s one of the most special events you’ll share with your loved one, so take lots of pictures, purchase a memorable souvenir to hang in your new home, and splurge on a leisurely dinner at a great restaurant. The hardest part is coming up with honeymoon ideas and choosing where you want to go; after that, it’s time to enjoy some quality time with your sweetie!

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Wedding Solutions’ Favorite Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding

By Alex A. Lluch

www.weddingsolutions.com

www.wspublishing.com

Many couple’s top concern when planning their wedding is how to save money while still have a beautiful, memorable day. Here are Wedding Solutions’ top tips for having an amazing wedding day, without breaking the bank.

First of all, identify what is important to you. Especially if price is a concern, you have to prioritize. Is the dress the most important item for you? Is it the flowers? A specific photographer? If you have to have a particular item or vendor, you need to identify this right away.

Second, make sure whomever you hire as your wedding vendors connect with you, no matter what price you are paying. Hire someone you trust and who makes you laugh and relax, who puts you at ease. If you don’t connect with your vendors, don’t hire them because YOU can’t be uptight on your big day.

Third, make sure the vendors you connect with are the ones who will be actually handling your event. (Have specific name(s) listed in the contract.)

Fourth, although vendors generally get booked at 9 months out, if you can wait, most vendors are more willing to negotiate closer to the wedding day. While we don’t recommend waiting until the last minute, the closer you are to your wedding date, the higher your chance of being able to negotiate with the vendor.

There are a few specific places in the wedding-planning process where you can save money.  Here are Wedding Solutions’ favorite picks for money-saving tips:

5. Whether 9 months out or 3 months out, negotiate for a better deal: The following are just some of the ways you can work with vendors to make sure you are getting the most for your wedding dollar. Either more time, or a percentage discount or a free engagement portrait, etc.

–Percentage Discount -

example: If I hire you for the wedding and reception, can I get a 10% discount?

–Free Sitting Included with Package -

example: If I hire you to photograph the wedding and reception, would you throw in a free engagement sitting?

–Free Photo Album

example: If I hire you to shoot my wedding and reception will you include a free photo album with the package. (Be sure to get at least 20 pictures included.)

Another option is to hire a professional for 2 hours, then hire a less expensive photographer for less-important shots, or ask your friends to email you the best of the pictures they took on their digital cameras.

The point is, always ask, “How can we work together to make this happen?”

4. Choose the right day. If want to save money, Friday and Sunday mornings are the best days to get married. Even consider Sunday brunch. Saturday is the most popular day – and thus, the worst day – to get married. A Sunday brunch is a great idea and will definitely save you money, both on the location and the food and bar tab. People eat and drink less during the day than at night.

3. Refreshments: Offer only beer and wine, or have an open bar for just an hour, offer only then beer and when. Save money by serving champagne only for the toast. Place buckets filled with water bottles about the reception area. People will want a drink, and many will be happy with the water rather than taking time to go to the bar.

2. Flowers:

One of the easiest ways to save money is by choosing flowers that are locally grown and in-season. Skipping the exotic options can cut costs by 1/3.  Expensive and fragile blooms include stephanotis, orchids, and gardenias. A less expensive option might include Gerber daisies. They’re hardy and available year round. Carnations are also very inexpensive, come in many colors, and are available year round.

Another tip for saving money is to use greenery or ivy in your trellis and bouquet. Greenery is substantially cheaper than cut flowers.

1. Attire: Dress and Tuxedo

The Tuxedo: Generally, the groom’s tux is free if groom’s men rent tux from store. Always ask for a free tux.

The Dress:

-If you’re planning far enough out from wedding, pick stores you like with great selections and call to find out when their sales are.

- Ask for free veil if buy a gown.

-If the dress isn’t the most important part to you, you can rent an inexpensive gown, or you might get a secondhand dress. Secondhand stores or eBay have a big selection. Have the dress tailored to fit your body.

-J. Crew is another great option; they offer a new line of wedding and bridesmaids gowns, many under $300. Another inexpensive option you might not have considered – Target.com has a line of wedding dresses, all about $100.

A final thought on flowers: It will cost much, much more to get your dress tailored at a bridal store. Find a small tailor and save big bucks.

Lastly, while it’s not thought of as money-saving technique, hiring a good wedding planner can save you money. Wedding planners have special relationships with vendors and can get you great deals. Planner can also save you stress, put on fires on your wedding day, and generally give you peace of mind. You can hire them for a day, for 10 hours, or for the whole event. They can negotiate contracts, keep you on task, and help you know what to ask when speaking to vendors.

And finally, two places not to try and save money in wedding planning: your photographer, and your DJ or band. When it comes to photos, never ask a friend or hire an amateur. People seldom remember what flowers are at the wedding, but the pictures last forever. You want to hire a professional who will do a great job. And the DJ or band is what keeps the party lively after the reception. Guests will remember dancing and having a great time. Never skimp on the musical entertainment.

Happy wedding planning from Wedding Solutions!

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