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Hot Spots for Destination Weddings

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America the beautiful is home to a dazzling array of historic wonders, natural beauties, cultural sights, and more. For a couple looking to plan a wedding that is a little bit non-traditional, there are limitless options for locales. Here are eight amazing spots for destination weddings your guests will never forget.

1. Miami, Florida

With all of the warmth and beauty of a tropical destination with a much lighter pricetag, Florida offers a practical yet beautiful option for beach wedding lovers. Many spots in Florida offer great locations for a wedding, but Miami is also able to serve up the international flavor and exotic appeal that many U.S. spots are missing. Check out Delano Hotel for beautiful features such as a pool with underwater music and all-white decor perfect for wedding accommodations.

2. Walt Disney World

For a couple who are children at heart, there’s no better location for a wedding than the place where dreams come true. Walt Disney World does more than offer a cliche fairy tale wedding, their staff can help you to create the theme you’ve always dreamed of. Old Hollywood glamour abounds at Disney Hollywood Studios, or sophisticated international cuisine can be incorporated in Epcot park. Disney is sure to entertain your guests and create the experience you are looking for.

3. Savannah, Georgia

If a dream wedding includes feeling like the ultimate Southern belle, there’s no place like Savannah for a wedding. The juxtaposition of tradition and modernity creates a unique environment for your special day, and Southern hospitality makes planning your wedding at one of Savannah’s venues a true team effort. Check out one of Savannah’s many beautiful bed and breakfasts, such as Presidents’ Quarters Inn, for a quaint setting that gives all the best of this beautiful Southern city.

4.  Niagara Falls, NY

Well known as a popular honeymoon spot, this majestic waterfall also has many venues equipped to perform a beautiful wedding ceremony for you and your guests. The backdrop of the falls is perfect for gorgeous photo opportunities, and the surrounding tourist town is sure to entertain your guests. You can even tie the knot on the famous Maid of the Mist tour boat as travels through the falls.

5. Redwood Forests, CA

Northern California is home to romantic countrysides spotted with vineyards, culinary delicacies, and more. One of the most romantic sites to tie the knot for nature lovers is the Redwood Forest, where you can say “I do” among the majestic redwood trees. The natural setting is understated and elegant, and makes the perfect backdrop to a romantic wedding where all eyes are on you.

6. The Art Institute of Chicago

Second in size only to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, this art museum provides weddings for the most cultured of couples. Offering spaces ranging in artistic style to suit anyone’s needs, this is a perfect location for a very unique ceremony. Chicago is also the perfect city for entertaining all the guests who make the trek to your destination wedding.

7. Juneau, Alaska

While it may seem questionable to place Juneau on a list of “hot” spots for weddings, it is a beautiful and unique location to tie the knot. Here, you can actually get married on the face of a glacier. Or, trek to a slightly warmer spot where you can hold the ceremony with beautiful mountains in the background while your guests keep an eye out for whale and sea otter sightings.

8. Luray, Virginia

The Shenandoah valley offers picturesque views of the Blue Mountains, but that isn’t what makes this a unique spot for a wedding. Here, you can actually go exploring through limestone caverns and select one to get married in. Caves may not sound romantic, but with beautiful flowstone formations and cave pools, you can find an ideal wedding venue underneath the surface.


Why You Should Stay at The Emory Conference Center Hotel

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Atlanta is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, bringing in over 35 million tourists a year. It is the birthplace of Coca-Cola and The Varsity, a historical burger joint, as well as home to dozens of celebrities including Elton John, Usher and Spike Lee. It is a hub for businesses with many Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies having headquarters or offices in the metropolitan area. This is a hot city – literally – where you will find plenty of personality in the downtown area!

Whether you are visiting for business or pleasure, there are many hotels to choose from. But if you are looking to take the city by day and relax in the evening, the Emory Conference Center Hotel is just the place. Offering a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of downtown, the hotel is located on the Emory University campus surrounded by 26 acres of forest preserve. Only 6 miles from downtown and 15 miles from Hartsfield International Airport, this green hotel is perfect for any and all travelers! Let’s take a look at what the Emory Conference Center Hotel has to offer.

Business

The Emory Conference Center Hotel is the leading hotel location for upscale meetings and is the main Executive Conference Center in the city. It has 26 meeting rooms that can hold 10 to 650 people, with whiteboards and tack-able wall surfaces in the rooms, two amphitheaters with seating for 74 or 240 patrons, and high speed wireless internet access. This is an ideal place to hold meetings and conferences of all sizes.

Weddings

The gorgeous scenery and beautiful forestry creates a perfect venue for a wedding. There are a number of indoor and outdoor venues that the Emory Conference Center Hotel offers for your ceremony and reception, including a courtyard, the Garden Overlook, the Great Hearth Room, or the Houston Mill House, accommodating 25 to 500 guests. Providing the wedding arch, chairs, and rose petals to line the aisle, the hotel will do everything they can to make sure your special day is the best it can be!

Family

This is also a great place to stay with your family while traveling! The Emory Conference Center Hotel offers a variety of entertainment options that will keep the fun coming even after you’ve left the busy city! Take a dive in the outdoor pool during the day to catch some rays then stroll over to the indoor pool at night to lounge and unwind. You can rent bicycles from the concierge and go for a spin around Emory University’s campus and if you are feeling really outdoorsy, there is a 1.5 mile trail you can explore and see the spectacular forest. The new Wisteria Lanes Bowling Alley provides endless entertainment for all ages. There are six state-of-the-art bowling lanes, top-of-the-line bowling equipment, as well as cosmic bowling! You will have just as much fun as the kids enjoying all the amenities that the Emory Conference Center Hotel has to offer!

Rustic Honeymoon Locations

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Do you and your new spouse want to find an adventurous spot to relax and share your love together? Do you want to stay away from the cliché honeymoon destinations? Do you want a rustic, heartwarming, and adventurous place to celebrate your wedding? Well here are a selection of the top rustic honeymoon destinations.

Acadia National Park:

On Mt Desert Island on the coast of Maine lies the beautiful Acadia National Park. Rent a log cabin for the week with a wood heater, wool blankets, and porch with a lake view. Take day hikes across the national forest seeing the lakes, tall pines, and ocean cliffs. Wake up early and grab the fishing pole or canoe across the glass-like lakes. If you get tired of the nature then visit one of the quaint harbor down towns to shop, dine, drink, and explore.

Northwest Michigan:

Drive up 131 North to one of the most beautiful parts of Midwest America. Northwest Michigan offers quaint lakeside towns with plenty of natural beauty. The Sleeping Bear Dunes State Park is one of the top natural beauty destinations in the world that would be a romantic place to see on a honeymoon. Traverse City is known for some of the best shopping, wineries, breweries and lake views in Michigan. Explore through the small inland lakes throughout the region to find your perfect place to stay within the dense northern Michigan forests. If you’re truly looking for a rustic honeymoon in a regional area, Northwest Michigan is the perfect place to explore and enjoy.

Hocking Hills:

Subtle and off the beaten path, Hocking Hills is a nature area in southeast Ohio that is home to cliffs, gorges, rivers, and forests. The natural beauty of Hocking Hills is a perfect place to stay for a week at an affordable price. Hocking Hills has two state parks, three nature preserves, a state forest, and national forest. Stay at Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls for a relaxing and soothing honeymoon in the heart of the Hocking Hills forests.

Why You Should Have a B&B Wedding

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Venues have a lot to offer for a wedding reception and ceremony, and some might have better accomodations or deals than others. When researching a venue for your wedding, there are a few factors to take into consideration:

What’s the price and what does it include?
Does the venue allow you to cater your own food?
How many guests can it accomodate?
Does the venue have wedding planning in place?

While there are several other questions to ask when choosing the right venue for your wedding, these are the primary quesitons you should first research to decide if the place is right for you.

Many brides and grooms are turning to one type of venue that often times includes wedding packages and all-inclusive accomodations for the family and guests. Bed and Breakfasts are among some of the most popular wedding venue choices as they cater the food directly from the venue, offer entertainment, and even provide lodging for you and your guests. Here are some top reasons to consider a B&B for a wedding venue:

The grounds of a bed and breakfast are beautiful. A key feature in B&Bs is the beautiful backdrop they provide. Innkeepers already work hard to keep the grounds taken care of. Gardens are especially a major backdrop in bed and breakfasts.

They provide small, intimate settings for weddings or large family weddings. The wedding party size is ultimately up to you (and, of course the size of the B&B). Most bed and breakfasts pride themselves in offering small, casual, yet elegant weddings, while others are large and can house up to 100 guests or more. However you want it, it’s nice to know you have the option of hosting a small, private wedding party.

They can be rented out entirely. Similar to the last reason, bed and breakfasts usually offer the bride and groom the option of renting out the entire B&B for the wedding and their guests to lodge in the rooms. Wedding parties can reserve inns for a couple nights to fully celebrate such a wonderful memory.

Many provide and cater food. Bed and breakfasts are known for their cooking. Typically included in the price, bed and breakfasts provide food to wedding parties.

Whatever you choose, a bed and breakfast is an intimate place to share memories with family and friends.

About the Author: Monica is a guest contributor from Presidents’ Quarters Inn, a bed and breakfast located in Savannah, Georgia, offering wedding packages and plenty of amenities for its guests.

5 Things No One Tells You About Wedding Planning

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The wedding is the one of the biggest days of your life. You’ve waited for this forever, for your entire life, and now that it’s finally here–what should you expect? It’s likely that no one has told you exactly what it’s like to plan a wedding, all the pitfalls that may come with it. Though weddings come with some stressful times, the result is always worth it.

1. There’s no easy way to plan a wedding, no matter the size.
If you’re planning on having a casual wedding, something intimate and quiet simply because it might be less work in the long run, think again. There is no wedding that is easy to plan. Regardless, the same amount of decisions will need to be made, from napkin colors to invitation prints. You can solve this simply by allowing yourself plenty of planning time, no matter the size of the wedding. Less stress makes for a happy bride.

2. Choosing tablecloths will be harder than you think… even make you cry.
But don’t worry. These small decisions add up–there will be stress, but make sure to keep your friends and family close and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. You will stress-cry, it’s happened to every bride. Cry and then let it go–realize that maybe what you need is a little break from planning.

Tip: Get a designated wedding planner to keep all your notes, budget materials, and ideas in.

3. Unexpected expenses will arise.
So you think you’ve got it all planned out, and then, out of nowhere, you find your bank account takes an unexpected hit. It may happen, and it likely will. Wedding planning can be costly. It will happen from things you cannot control, like the weather or a ruined dress, but to solve this, have a little wiggle room with your budget. Don’t over spend at the very beginning–plan and save for these unexpected occurances, even if you’re one of the lucky ones to escape bank account unharmed.

4. The groom won’t care about the same things you do.
Face it, the groom-to-be will likely avoid and have no understanding of the things you care about in the wedding. He won’t care about the color of things as much, the menu plan, or the reception music. Be sure to include him in these decisions though, and ask him questions, even if he may not show the same amount of excitement as you (because he’s still just as excited). A wedding is something a woman looks forward to her entire life, and, though a man may not have the same wedding aspirations, he’s also thought long and hard about life after the wedding, and spending the rest of his life with you.

5. Everyone has an opinion, even if you don’t want to hear it.
Everyone (yes, everyone), will have an opinion or thought or outburst about your wedding. Whether it’s the decision of the dress, to the color of the flowers, to the choice of entertainment, everyone will be a critic, from your mom to your old high school friend. Take it like a champ and remember that this is your wedding. Your groom’s wedding. And no one else’s. Their opinions shouldn’t affect you, even if you have to hear them.

About the Author: Jill is a guest contributor from Prospect Hill Plantation Inn, a Virgina bed and breakfast with comfortable cottages and rooms, offering several special packages and wedding events.

A Wedding Without Cake: What Are the Alternatives?

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There are a lot of traditions that go into planning the perfect wedding, from planning a bridal shower, to choosing the right food for your guests, getting alterations in dresses, and lastly, test-tasting a variety of wedding cakes. The wedding cake is a tradition that not many pass up, but there are not a lot of rules when it comes to planning a wedding, and the same goes for choosing a cake.

Rarely do we see weddings without a wedding cake, but when we do, sometimes those are the most memorable (and the most delicious). If you’re considering going against the stacked-high, over-the-top, decadent wedding cake tradition, fear not, because there are a lot of other alternatives out there for the perfect wedding dessert on your special wedding day.

Cupcake Tower

Easily one of the more “non-traditional traditions,” the cupcake tower is one that many brides and grooms choose over a traditional wedding cake. Usually a few tiers high or sometimes more, the cupcake tower is perfect for individualizing cakes for your guests. Most wedding cakes are white cake, but with a cupcake tower, each individual cake can be a different flavor of icing or flavor of cake.

Most cupcake towers conform to one flavor, but at least the option is there if you need it. Lastly, no messy cutting needed!

Tiered Tower of Donuts

This alternative wedding cake has been rising in popularity over the past couple years. Like the cupcake tower, donuts can be individualized, giving your guests the option to choose a donut of their liking–glaze, chocolate-covered, pink frosting, sprinkles. Also a great option for weddings with a lot of children–kids will love a “donut wedding cake.”

Rice Krispy Wedding Cake

The rice krispy cake is one for the books. It’s not only unusual, but people will still love it. And, it’s something you can easily make yourself at home. If you’re on a tight budget, a rice krispy cake with a bit of chocolate (or white chocoate) drizzel will do the trick.

Assortment of Pies

Who doesn’t love pie? A nice display of pies is a great alternative. This, too, allows you to be a little more creative with your choices of flavors. Pie is also a great fall “wedding cake” option. Even better, pies can be homemade, making for an especially memorable wedding dessert at your reception.

Tiered Macaron Stand

If you’ve never had macarons, you’re missing out. They’re essentially a French sweet meringue-based confection cake made out of egg white, icing sugar, grandulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring to give them a bit of character. The small little candy cakes would make a wonderfully elegant cake, decorated with pastel colors and flowers.

About the Author: Jen is a guest contributor from www.theperfectcardbox.com, offering wedding card boxes to keep wedding gifts safe and secure, as well as a place to display your memories in photos.

The Best Wedding Venues in Walla Walla, Washington

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Whether a Washington native, or seeking a beautiful backdrop to your dream wedding, look no further than Walla Walla, where the weather is above par, and the wedding venues are world class.
Walla Walla offers better than average weather and couples will find the climate is almost too-good-to-be-true with sunny days for half the year, rainfall at less than 50% of the national average, and a comfort index of 67 out of 100 versus the US average of 44. Besides the piece of mind regarding the atmosphere, Walla Walla is peppered with awe-inspiring wedding venues to suit every taste and budget. Here are some of the standouts, to name a few:

Basel Cellars Estate Winery
Voted “Best Destination Winery” by Seattle Magazine, Basel Cellars is suitable for large weddings up to 300 guests. Couples can rent out the entire estate, complete with food-friendly wines and waterfalls.

Green Gables Inn
Small scale weddings have earned their rightful place amidst the big contenders where these celebrations promise charm and intimacy and this historic inn delivers. Green Gables can accommodate up to 35 guests on location and now offers off-site catering for up to 200 guests

Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center
This hotel is marked by its historic presence, central location and remarkable staff service. Award winning dining, including “Marc Restaurant”, is a special treat for on-site events for up to 450 guests, making this a terrific site for large weddings. The luxurious hotel boasts 133 rooms for those lucky enough to make the guest list.

Cameo Heights Mansion Bed and Breakfast
Voted #1 in Bed and Breakfasts and Inns in Touchet, Washington, Cameo Heights is a five star retreat with incomparable views from the secluded hilltop and impeccable service from its staff. As if resounding reviews of this venue were not enough, this elegant mansion, for which rooms are designed and aptly named after European countries, it is evident that management takes their status seriously and aims not only to please their current guests, but the Mansion undergoes seemingly constant renovation and upgrades to maintain its charm and appeal.

Walla Walla, Washington offers a unique blend of history, world-class dining, renowned wineries, and weather to suit any affair.

This is a guest post contributed by Cameo Heights Mansion, a Walla Walla bed and breakfast.

Planning Your Wedding in Gulfport, Florida

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There is a lot that goes into planning a wedding. The venue, the caterer, the flowers, the music–all for one glorious day that will be remembered forever. While it is good to be flexible if plans change or go wrong, there are things you can do to make sure that the day goes as perfectly as possible.

Here are a few tips for planning your dream wedding in Gulfport, Florida.

1. Research First
Consider what you want your day to look like. Do you want an intimate setting or a large crowd? Do you want a beachfront wedding or some indoor seating? The Wedding Mapper can be a great start to give you some ideas about venues and arrangements.

2. Consider the Venue
Sunny Florida can be a beautiful place for a beachfront wedding. But, consider a backup venue in case of wind or rain. There are many beachfront wedding packages you can look into. Alternatively, if you prefer a wedding off the sand, you can look into a wedding at one of the beautiful Gulfport parks-Clam Bayou Nature Park, Clymer Park, Wood Ibis Park, and Veteran’s Park. Or, Sea Breeze Manor offers a tropical garden wedding package.

3. Organize. Organize. Organize.
Put together a binder with a list of venues, officiants, and ceremony details. Often, the ceremony details such as flowers, officiant, or food can be part of a package. However, if you need flowers in addition to the package, you can look into Gulfport Florist or Wendy’s Wedding Service offers officiating services.

4. Decide Whether or Not to Serve Dinner
Do you want a venue that offers a banquet facility? If so, consider the Gulfport Casino Ballroom Gulfport Casinowhich has a dining capacity of 400. There is also Scout Hall, the Catherine Hickman Theater, or the Gulfport Beach Pavilion.

Keeping these tips in mind can help you plan and organize your wedding day. Gulfport, Florida is a gorgeous and romantic place to tie the knot. Wherever you choose to say “I do,” in Gulfport, remember to be flexible if plans or weather change, and have fun dreaming and planning your perfect day.


Why You Should Have Your Maine Coast Wedding at an Inn

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The Maine Coast provides a beautiful backdrop for a wedding with its beaches and rock formations that line the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Its gorgeous sunsets scream romance and will be sure to enchant your guests. One of the best ways to take full advantage of all the beauty the coast has to offer is to have your Maine Coast wedding at an inn; here are some of the reasons why:

Everything is All in One Place

When you have your Maine Coast wedding at an inn, you can have your entire wedding all in one place. In the days leading up to the event, the whole wedding party can stay at the inn. Plan some fun activities that everyone can do together before the big day. Tour some of the lighthouses that are scattered along the coast and go for a romantic walk along the beach with your spouse-to-be.

Having your wedding at an inn means you can transition between your ceremony, cocktail hour and reception seamlessly without having to go anywhere else. Your guests can simply go to one location for the entire event which is especially helpful for out of town guests or any non-Mainers who may not know the area well. The fewer places your guests need to go, the less likely they are to get lost. This will help lessen any emergency phone calls that you and the wedding party could get on the big day. Without the stress of those last-minute calls, you can feel free to relax and enjoy getting ready with your family and closest friends. You can focus on creating memories rather than trying to follow a strict schedule. Instead of rushing from venue to venue, you will be able to spend the whole day right along the coast.

Convenience

One of the best reasons to have your Maine Coast wedding at an inn is the convenience. Whether your wedding is big or small, there are multiple options for any size wedding. Because many inns are located right along the beach of the Maine Coast, you can have your ceremony on the beach or in and around the inn and have spectacular views of the coast. The staff can help you plan a small, intimate soiree or a bigger celebration.

Catering is available at many inns and they will have their own rentals, this way you don’t need to go through as many companies. The fewer phone numbers and contacts you need to keep track of the better. While you’re planning, it can be a one-stop shop. Pick out your entire menu, create some specialty cocktails and design the spaces you will be using during the same appointment. They will also be able to help you throughout the entire day. They can give directions to any third-party company and help your guests. If you need something in your room, you can just walk back and get it. No need to freak out if you forgot something in the midst of getting ready. As the night comes to a close, you can take a moment to look at the stars and get a look at the coast at night before the quick walk back to your suite.

 

 





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