Still Traveling

By Newly Wed

June 1, 2006 2:47 PM | Link to this

My husband and I had a Destination Wedding in Ocho Rios, Jamaica at a Sandals Resort (Adults Only/All-Inclusive). If you are planning a small wedding and if you have family and friends that are willing to travel (and have no problems paying for their own vacation), I would highly recommend going this route. It’s kind of a 2-in-1 thing: Wedding and Honeymoon. Our guest arrived two days before the wedding and left the next day. And yes, we saved money. Everything is paid in advance, no outstanding debt lingering afterwards!

The most important thing about this though is to find a good travel agent; one who is familiar with the island and the resort itself. They plan everything for you… from dealing directly with the resort and your options of rooms, reception food, pictures, flowers, etc. to dealing with your guests and payments. The resort’s Wedding Coordinator was very accomodating as well and very knowledgeable (typically you don’t interact with them until you arrive unless you have an extremely big party).

Research, research, research AND compare! Don’t try to please everyone, it’s not going to happen! Just make sure you are comfortable with the price and all you are getting.

http://www.escapes-unlimited.com/

By Yvette

June 1, 2006 2:54 PM | Link to this

We got married on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. It was easy - they arranged everything and fulfilled all of my special requests. It was affordable - For 10K my parents paid for the entire wedding and our cruise tab, their cruise tab and both my brothers cruise tab. It was memorable - I remember every minute from the moment we stepped onto the ship until the moment we docked back in Miami. It was fun - We got on the ship, got married in the beautiful chapel and partied the rest of the week with 18 of our friends and family members. It was perfect and I wouldn’t have done it any other way!

By Alex

June 1, 2006 3:10 PM | Link to this

I went to a destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica a few years back. We had a ball! The resort was all inclusive, no kids, all you can eat and all the alcohol your body can stand; multiple restaurants, pool side grill and swim up bar. Go to the beach, swim in the pool, 80-90 degree weather… what more can you ask for?

Oh yeah, about the wedding. They did it on the beach. Good move if you don’t have a formal dress. I saw couples get married on the property under a gazebo. Absolutely beautiful… either way.

When I get married, this is the way to do it.

By Kelli Keelan

June 1, 2006 3:16 PM | Link to this

More and more brides are selecting historic town squares as venues for saying, ‘I do.’� Historic charm, coupled with proximity to services and reception venues make revitalized small-town squares ideal venues for the perfect wedding day.

One example of this kind of small town square is Lawrenceville, Georgia. Lawrenceville is the perfect destination for brides to be who desire a location that is charming, quaint and friendly. Developer Emory Morsberger, founder and CEO of Morsberger Group is in the process of revitalizing the historic downtown square. Already, many of the spaces that were vacant have been occupied by original restaurants, a bridal boutique, and a shop that specializes in wedding cakes. The Morsberger Group is trying to attract other wedding related vendors, including a tuxedo store, gift stores that would specialize in bridal items and a possible Bed and Breakfast. This classic, historic setting is an ideal venue for weddings, receptions, showers and rehearsal dinners. Not to mention, Lawrenceville’s newly renovated historic courthouse that also lends itself to be the perfect ceremony site. Lawrenceville’s proximity to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is about an hour away which also makes travel easier for the wedding party and guests.

I would reccomend Lawrenceville to any bride to be to not only shop for her special day but consider the venues Lawrenceville has to offer as the wedding site.

By jamie

June 1, 2006 3:29 PM | Link to this

My husband and I were married on the beach in Negril, Jamaica last november. We dressed formally and had beautiful pictures taken at sunset. We did invite friends and family, knowing that most would have to refuse (it was the week of thanksgiving) which was fine with us. It gave us plenty of romantic alone time before we headed back to the kids. Saved us a bundle of money too. We decided to throw a big party/reception when we got back so people would not feel left out. We stayed at Couples Negril and it was soooo much better than some of the other AI resorts. ALL activities are included, including scuba diving, and the staff treat you like royalty!

By J

June 2, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

This is why marriage fails. It’s not a destination, marriage is, it’s a sacrament shared between a man and a woman. A single day and it location isn’t the focus of a wedding. This just bugs me to think that we would tally up the best locations to “tie the knot”. If it were up to me, the only place to “tie the knot” would be in a Church, Synagog, Temple, or where ever it is the bride worships. That’s the best destination. Now if you’re talking the honeymoon…now that’s a topic to talk about.

By Amanda Miller

June 2, 2006 3:41 PM | Link to this

Hi J

You certainly have a point, but I think you can have as sacred a ceremony on a beach as in a church, and many ministers of many faiths are willing to perform the ceremony for a committed couple. It is the commitment that’s most important, though, not the location — I agree with you completely on that. We were married, by the way, in the gazebo on the Marietta Square — the church option was too expensive.

Amanda