Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Sometimes there are things that just can’t be put into words, even for a long-winded Bee like me.
So without further ado, here is a quickie photo tour of our wedding resort: the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana.
I wish I could share with you my own photos of the resort. But that would be impossible. Because, you see, I’ve never been to this resort… which means I’m…
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Once we had our destination of choice nailed, it was time to pick a resort.
As I flipped through one brochure after another, my eyes began to glaze over at the sight of the same images over and over: 1) photo of woman lounging by pool, 2) photo of woman on wide (and weirdly empty) white sand beach, 3) aerial photo of resort that is indiscernible…
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
Weighing all the options for wedding destinations can be, admittedly, enormously overwhelming.
We found that the best place to start after asking ourselves these questions was to talk to friends and family that had been to the various Caribbean destinations we wer\ sort-of considering.
This kind of candid feedback can sometimes be incredibly helpful since it’s honest and trustworthy. However, if you want some advice based on personal experience,…
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
I’m thinking that regular readers of Weddingbee, especially Mrs. Lovebird’s fans, will have no problem answering this question, but for those out there like me who were totally clueless (which, by the way, is one of the. best. movies. made. ev-ah) before diving into this whole wedding scene, let’s just take a moment to make sure we’re on the same page.
Mrs. Pinot Noir, New York/Napa ValleyAge and Occupation: 24, Health EducatorFiance's Age and Occupation: 31, Market ResearcherEngagement Date: November 10, 2007Wedding Date: October, 2008Blogging Since: June 25, 2008Venue: Auberge du SoleilAbout Me: I am a Minnesota raised, NYC transplant planning a destination wedding in Napa. I'm balancing my love for the environment and my hubby-to-be's love for tradition to create our "green wedding in disguise." Our wedding will include local food and wine, antique touches and lots of love and laughter. When wedding planning isn't taking up my free time (and money) I love to read, cook, workout, watch baseball and travel! Follow along in my adventure as I attempt to plan an eco-friendly and socially responsible wedding (with eco-oblivious Mr. Pinot Noir).
One of the biggest pieces of green wedding advice that I have read, is to reduce the amount of travel (especially air travel) due to its impact on the environment.
No Planes!
As you have probably figured out, this is a piece of green advice that we did not follow. We are having a destination wedding and 55 of the 60 guests will need to fly to…
Mrs. Sea Breeze, Vancouver/Dominican RepublicAge in 2008 and Occupation: 30, Communications ManagerFiance's Age in 2008 and Occupation: 29, Experiential Marketing DirectorEngagement Date: October 6, 2007Wedding Date: November, 2008Blogging Since: July 17, 2008Venue: Majestic Colonial Resort, Punta CanaAbout Me: Planning a destination wedding by the sea should be (oh no she di-in't…) a breeze (…*sigh* yep, she did) but when you've never been to the Caribbean, your powers of imagination are really put to the test. Luckily, I'm 90% resourceful, creative optimist (and kooky, neurotic practicalist-if-that's-a-word for the other ten). Other than writing about our week-long celebration of family, friends, laughter and love, I adore books, shoes and… you guessed it… long walks on the beach.
So you’ve decided to have a DW (destination wedding). Every night, images of sandy beaches, turquoise seas and hurricanes- no wait, that was just me- er…swaying palm trees fill your dreams.
With a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eye, you trip on into your local travel agent’s office where HORROR OF HORRORS, they weigh you down with 20 pounds of catalogues detailing…
Mrs. Lovebird, New York/CancunAge and Occupation: 25, AttorneyFiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Medical StudentEngagement Date: September 22, 2006Wedding Date: July, 2008Venue: Dreams Cancun Resort & SpaAbout Me: Born and raised New Yorker planning a destination wedding in Cancun, Mexico and a traditional Chinese banquet in New York City. Got proposed to in Cancun, so it’s only fitting we are going back to get married. I love trivia, board games, bargain shopping, asian dramas and eating yummy food!
Mr. Lovebird and I are getting legally married at City Hall in New York before our wedding in front of friends and family in Cancun. I think it was the lawyer side of me talking since I don’t want the hassle of having a Mexican marriage certificate, which I would have to get translated and Apostilled each time I would need it. But the…
Mrs. Tiramisu, Annapolis, MD/MaineAge and Occupation: 26, Eye DoctorFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Project Manager/Real Estate Management grad studentEngagement Date: May 15, 2007Wedding Date: July, 2008Blogging Since: March 4, 2008Venue: Oceanfront lawn and tentAbout Me: I was born and raised in Maine, now living in Annapolis, Maryland and planning a hometown wedding from afar. I’m nothing short of obsessed with wedding planning, and am loving the do-it-yourself madness that has now taken over my life! As for me, I’m a craft-loving, martini-drinking, girly-girl who loves traveling, photography, my schnauzer, and above all, spending time with Mr. Tiramisu.
It’s been a challenge trying to plan a wedding from 500 miles away. Each weekend trip back to Maine must be carefully planned for maximum vendor-visiting potential. (I believe it was Miss Lovebug who coined the appropriate term vendor bender.) I really wouldn’t have it any other way though- I can’t imagine getting married anywhere but my home state.
Mrs. Bee, New YorkAge and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee PublisherFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, InternetEngagement Date: May 7, 2004Wedding Date: March 5, 2005Venue: Westside Loft, New YorkAbout Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
The Department of Tourism invited me and a couple of other wedding magazine/website editors to come visit the Cayman Islands last weekend on a press trip. Not only was it a fantastic opportunity to mingle with some of the top people in the biz, we got to spend 4 days in the beautiful Cayman Islands! What an honor for weddingbee to be invited!
Mrs. Bee, New YorkAge and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee PublisherFiance's Age and Occupation: 33, InternetEngagement Date: May 7, 2004Wedding Date: March 5, 2005Venue: Westside Loft, New YorkAbout Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
I’ve been in the Cayman Islands since Thursday on a press trip. It’s absolutely gorgeous here! I’ll be back Sunday night with lots of information and of course pictures galore. If you’d like me to find out anything in particular about the Cayman Islands as a destination wedding/honeymoon location, leave a comment and I’ll try my best.
Mrs. Snow Pea, New YorkAge and Occupation: 26, Architectural Engineer and studentFiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Web DesignerEngagement Date: July 4, 2005Wedding Date: August 18, 2007About Me: I am a DIY gal. From cooking, home improvements to wedding. Mr. Snow Pea and I met in college, and since then we've been like peas and carrots! Love cooking, traveling, and fishing.
Destination weddings are so much fun and more affordable than you might think. Our best friend (and groomsman) was married last year on Holbox Island, Mexico and we all had a blast! The benefit of this kind of wedding was that we were all able to spend a few days together in a wonderful setting just spending time with one another. Weddings are normally so quick…
I have been searching for a wedding dress to wear to my destination wedding in August. Since we are getting married on the beach, I want an ivory, knee-length dress but I am having such a hard time finding a dress like that. The dresses that are short don’t seem fancy enough to make me feel like a bride. I know something must be…
Mrs. Apple, DallasAge and Occupation in '07: 28, EntrepreneurFiance's Age and Occupation: 32, Police OfficerEngagement Date: Easter Day 2006Wedding Date: May 27, 2007Blogging Since: September 28, 2006Venue: Marie Gabrielle Restaurant & GardensAbout Me: I'm in the midst of trying to plan a "perfectly beautiful" wedding and decorating my new home. It's been exhausting but totally worth every minute of it. Ironically, I was never the type of person to want to get married but now that I'm engaged, I get giddy over anything that is wedding related! I'll try my best to give you all unique and practical ideas.
Yesterday’s open question on destination weddings reminded me of my current situation. In a previous blog, I mentioned that I will be the matron of honor at a friend’s wedding in Germany. She asked me to be her MOH about 6-8 months ago, and I honestly didn’t think twice about it - I was just really honored that she asked me.
One of my girlfriends just got engaged and she’s looking into a destination wedding for this year, but she needs help on destinations. She looked into Key West (which will cost her guests about $800 including hotel and airfare for 3 nights). Is that too much? Her FI thinks it is, but the price is pretty decent?
St.Thomas, Bermuda, Paradise Island, and even Hawaii…