Weddingbee Blog

Anguilla is famous for their low key Caribbean vibe and powder soft sandy beaches. It’s no wonder Jenn and Brad vacationed here last year, and Miss Butterfly is honeymooning here!

While Anguilla has many all star resorts like the famous Cap Juluca Miss Butterfly has blogged about, the new nearby resort Ku, offers a more affordable, unfussy alternative.

The entire hotel is done in white, lending a cool, casual, South Beach vibe to it.

With rooms starting at $295 in the winter and $160 in the summer, Ku is an excellent place to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Anguilla without the hefty price tag.

… from my wedding, from my honeymoon, from moving! No reviews or pro pictures yet, but I thought I would post a few from family and friends:

I loved my makeup artist so much, I invited her to the wedding!

Hair touch-up and final look:

My dad got a little hungry ;).

Getting Dressed:

A little moment of peace and a last-minute touch-up:

Here Comes the Groom:

The ring bearers take a wrong turn…

and the flower girl with her daddy:

Here Comes the Bride:

The Bride and Groom;

my sister and brother in law;

my cute grandparents:

First Dance (the lessons paid off!):

The Bride and Groom:

Chair-raising hora (the best part of the Jewish wedding!)

Bouquet and Garter Toss:

Let them eat cake!

My parents:

My uncle and cousin (I wish these good looks ran in the family!);

my cousin and me having fun with camera:

With my maid-of-honor Julia:

I guess when I put Mr. Butterfly in charge of the honeymoon, I should have expected multiple scenarios. Now that I’ve told the entire world we were going to Miami for a few days, then off to Grand Cayman Islands for the rest of the week, Mr. Butterfly thinks we should change the plan.

Don’t get me wrong - I like the new plan. I just wish I hadn’t told everyone first. Oh well.

So where are we going now, you ask?

We want to spend a few days in San Juan, Puerto Rico ‘cuz I loved PR and we get to gamble! But only for a few days, because I could potentially become a gambling addict. We would be staying at the Ritz Carlton San Juan.

Then we would fly off to Anguilla for another 4 nights. Now, here is the dilemma - do we stay at the CuisinArt resort or the Cap Juluca resort? My bosses have been to Cap Juluca, and I know they love it there so I’m leaning towards it. Has anyone been to CuisinArt in Anguilla?

This is CuisinArt:

This is Cap Juluca:

Where should we stay?

We finally booked our honeymoon! On a hungover Sunday afternoon, after a friend’s 30th birthday bash, we decided it was time to make our final decision about where we were going. With special thanks to everyone who gave some very helpful feedback a few weeks ago about where we should go, we decided that two trips would be our best option: a nice albeit shorter, beach trip now, and our regular explorer-type trip in the spring. Special shout out to Miss Daisy for this idea!

We were leaning towards going somewhere new to both of us rather than picking a place one of us had already visited, so we decided that our honeymoon destination is Kauai! We are heading to the Princeville Hotel, where I read you can put up a flag on your beach chair as a way to ask for a cool, frosty beverage. Yes, please! I think I could use one of these flags now.

When we were researching the honeymoon locations, I would check out photos of what other real people had posted on Flickr of these places, rather than relying on the hotels’ web site photos, which are generally not too accurate. Here are some pictures that convinced us:

From Wamzle: The Princeville Hotel pool:

From Chuck Cheeze: A Kauai cliff:

I know a lot of you are planning on going somewhere sunny and tropical for your honeymoon. Hawaii (If this is you, I hate you), Tahiti (If this is you I really, really hate you), Bora Bora (Same shit, hate you), Fiji (Can you stuff me in your suitcase?), etc…

The hubs and I have been talking about Costa Rica and Belize at the end of this year. Til then, as you know, we are taking a mini vacation in a few weeks to Puerto Rico (HO) which means bikini time! I love bikinis! Especially really cute ones! Every spring I search the web for new swimsuits. I have about 5 bikinis but I only wear 2 - one by J. Crew and another one by Onda de Mar (which is one of my FAVORITE swimsuit designers).

Ok so here are the 2 that I wear:

Here are the 3 that I don’t wear: (Citrus / Pursuit / Pan Dulce)

Here are 3 that Mr. Ladybug wears: (Abercrombie / Hollister / Ralph Lauren)

Hahaha ok I just threw Mr. Ladybug’s in cause I thought they were cute. The one at the bottom he bought on sale ALL BY HIMSELF. The reason I say ALL BY HIMSELF is because he picked out swimming trunks once ALL BY HIMSELF and they were ok. *coughfuglycough* Did I mention that I have a cold? That’s why I’m coughing. *coughitwashideouscough* Whoa nelly! Maybe I need some Robitussin?

Anyways it’s the beginning of a new summer which means I want a new swimsuit! La~ These are ones that I found that I thought were cute. I just ordered the 2nd one, Pretty Paisley. I’m still on the hunt for a great green print bikini so if you see one let me know! You know how I feel about GREEN!

Onda de Mar: Be Delicious
Aqua triangle top with white crochet overlay / Moderate coverage bikini bottom, rides low on hips

Onda de Mar: Pretty Paisley
Halter top is connected in the front w/ pearl style beads / Bikini bottom has moderate coverage

Onda de Mar: Lily Flowers
Asian inspired flower print with belted retro stripe bottom is sexy and sophisiticated.

Vitamin A: Cosmo
Triangle top w/little gold rings at the top of each triangle / Low cut bottom with signature ring, skimpy coverage

L*Space: Teal Wall Flower
Adjustable Slide Halter with rings on strap and removable pads / Open Side Sring Bottom with contrast strings

Roxy: U Spin Me
Adjustable halter, removable pads w/ gold beading on the cups / Moderate coverage, self-tying belt with beads on the end of it and gold beads all over the front of the bottom.

Sources:
Best Swimwear
Canyon Beachwear
Exquisite Swimwear
In Style Swimwear
Molly Brown Swimwear
Swimwear Boutique
Swimwear Express
Victoria’s Secret

Suite? Oceanfront? Continental Breakfast? What exactly do all these terms mean?! Here are definitions for some common hotel terminology you should know when booking your honeymoon hotel.

1) Standard Double Room - A room with a full, queen, or king-size bed; whatever is considered “standard” at the hotel.

2) Double-Double Room - A room with two beds (of any size).

3) Deluxe Room - A room with a king-size bed, but it could also be two beds of any size instead. There is also generally an amenity and service upgrade from the standard double room.

4) Junior Suite - A large room with a bed and a sitting area.

5) Suite - A room with at least one bedroom and a separate living room.

6) Oceanfront Room - A room with an unobstructed view of the ocean.

7) Ocean-View Room - A room where you can see the ocean, but you may have an obstructed view.

Garden-View Room - A room that faces the hotel’s courtyard, parking lot, or other view.

9) American Plan - A room rate that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

10) European Plan - A room rate that doesn’t include any meals.

11) Continental Breakfast - A meal that includes coffee, tea, juice, and light breakfast fare like muffins, bagels, or cereal.

(source: bridalguide)

For a comprehensive glossary of hotel speak, check out esavvysystems. Also this funny guide to hotel doublespeak is worth a read.

If you’re going on a long flight to your honeymoon, you might want to pick up one of these travel pillows from Skyrest. You’ll arrive well rested and ready to honeymoon!

(via dailycandy)

The Maroma Resort and Spa in the Mexican Riviera has long been considered one of the most romantic honeymoon spots in the world. It combines luxury and romance at a price that won’t break the bank - rooms start at $350 a night. With the Mayan ruins, lush jungles, gorgeous beaches, and top rate spa services, there’s a little something for everyone.

I would love to visit here someday.

A few years back, Mr. Butterfly and I took a mini trip to Miami for our annual summer vacation. We ate at the Blue Door restaurant in the Delano Hotel (a favorite of celebs) and hung out at the bar at the pool.

I fell in love with the Delano and its’ crisp white bungalows.

So for our honeymoon, we are thinking of going and staying at the Delano Hotel (not in the bungalows near the pool, cuz they run $10K a night or something equally ridiculous).

Then, after 3 nights in Miami, we will head over to the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman Islands!!

4 more nights here, then back to reality.

It sounds like a beautiful trip! We won’t be able to go first class all the way - but at least this way, we can get away for a week! I wonder if telling people that you are on your honeymoon will get you upgrades? I hear it all the time - does it work?

Mr. Grasshopper and I cannot decide where to go for our honeymoon. We’ve been doing research all weekend and just don’t know which is the best location for us. Before we look at one more villa or beach web site, I am reaching out to the weddingbee readers to ask, “Where do you think we should go for our honeymoon?”

We are looking to go right after the wedding for about 10 days in mid-September. Here is what I can tell you we are looking for:

• Sandy beaches to relax on after 11 months of planning this wedding
• Fun activities (surfing, kayaking, hiking, exploring, people watching, not clubbing)
• Culture
• Delicious food and drinks
• A location that does not take more than a day to get to (Australia and Fiji)
• A place that isn’t mired in rainy/hurricane season (Mexico and the Caribbean)

Here is what we have considered:

Hawaii (Kauai and Maui). What we like about Hawaii is the idea of sitting on a sandy beach and relaxing, but also having some activities to pursue, like kite surfing, kayaking, and hiking. And, maybe we will get picked to play extras on Lost!

The Amalfi Coast (Capri and Positano). The thought of going to the Italian Coast is appealing to us because we would be near a beach (though maybe too rocky?), we could enjoy delicious Italian cuisine (gelato!), and the old world culture would balance out the beach vacation with something interesting if we need a break from the waves.

So what do y’all think? Hawaii or Italy? Other suggestions?

Oliver Hudson recently had a destination wedding at the luxurious 5 star Palmilla Resort & Spa in Baja Mexico. It’s a favorite of celebrities like Ashton & Demi, Oprah, and John Travolta, who celebrated his 50th birthday here.

The Palmilla offers spa services galore, exercise classes, golf courses, top dining, and water sports. Sure there are rooms that go for over $2000 a night, but they also have rooms that start at $375/night for mere mortals like us - and each room has a terrace with an unobstructed view of the ocean.

What a gorgeous place for a destination wedding or honeymoon!

For more information and reviews about Palmilla,visit travelassist and about.com.

You know you gotta throw in that “Ho” after saying Puerto Rico. It’s a must really.

As you know me and my hubs, we is po folks now after the wedding so we wanted to financially recover before going on our honeymoon. I really don’t recommend this. If you can afford it, go on it asap! Otherwise you will suffer…like I am. The hubby noticed that I’ve been stressed so he planned a mini vacation to hold us over till the honeymoon. Sweet huh? That’s why you’re my numero uno!

So July 12-16! I can’t wait! I love the beach! I love the sun, and the salty air, and the warm sand in between your toes, and the smell of coconuts in your tanning lotion… We really needed this. Thanks babe! I love you.

I know. I’m still posting up wedding photos. That’s because I haven’t shown you everything yet. So don’t get your panties in a bunch. God, I cannot wait to go on our honeymoon at the end of this year. I do think we need a vacation now though. The negotiating for that didn’t go very well.

Mr. Ladybug: I think my honey is in need of vacation. What do you think?
Me: *sigh* I think yes.
Mr. Ladybug: Wanna go to Puerto Rico?
Me: Yes! How many vacation days will you give up?
Mr. Ladybug: 2
Me: Then how many days can we go on our honeymoon?
Mr. Ladybug: 8!
Me: No deal!
Mr. Ladybug: Why does it HAVE to be 10?!
Me: Ok hun, this is not like one of our regular vacations. This is our HONEYMOON! We should have it be 10 days and I’m thinkin that’s the minimum.
Mr. Ladybug: Ok fine.

Hahaha….yes, I do need a vacation but not if it means shortening our honeymoon time. Oh hells no! We can always have vacations but our honeymoon is a once in a lifetime trip. Don’t you think? So till then I am willing to suffer for however many months.

Moving right along…Here are some photos that we took behind the Philadelphia Art Museum.

June 10-17 is Caribbean Week in New York! The event celebrates the sights, sounds, cultures, and vacations of the colorful Caribbean.

On Tuesday June 13th, a Caribbean Fair will be held at the South Street Seaport from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. A Caribbean Vacation Mart will be there were you can meet with travel representatives and purchase vacation packages at discount prices. The US Postal Service will also be on hand from 10-2 accepting applications for US passports. Finally two weddings, sponsored by the Conde Nast Bridal Group, will take place on the stage at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.

If you’re planning on having a destination wedding or honeymooning in the Caribbean, this might be a great information gathering resource!