Bridesmaids are having so much fun coming up with creative themes for bridal showers. In particular, movie-inspired get-togethers are especially trendy.
As the owner of a luxury travel company, I’m often asked about the most popular destinations. For honeymooners, there are countries that become trendy for a few years and eventually fade away, and then there are perennial favorites. At Absolute Travel, the top three most popular destinations for newlyweds of all time are:
1. South Africa: There is no denying that there is something for everyone in South Africa: the winding roads of the Garden Route, cosmopolitan Cape Town, the Winelands region and, of course, safaris. The finest lodges pamper honeymooners while also indulging their appetite for adventure. We recommend several days in Cape Town to enjoy the restaurants and do some touring, a few nights in the Winelands region to sample the excellent local cuisine and wine, and then heading out on safari, preferably at two different lodges to see a variety of landscapes and animals. For the ultimate experience, conclude the trip with several days enjoying the beaches of Mauritius or Mozambique.
Searching for vendors whose work you love and taste you trust can be an overwhelming time suck — add creating a registry to your to-do list and the options seem endless! That's where 1-800-Registry comes in: this online wedding advisory service syncs up your vendor searches and registry, so that you can access both in one convenient profile. The website launches TODAY, so create your free profile to start browsing for customized vendors and compile a registry where guests can contribute towards that once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon or your starter home with the hubs. If you upgrade to the Gold Service ($19.95/month), you'll earn up to 10% back for every vendor that you book through the site, which goes towards your registry fund. If you're a Platinum bride ($39.95/month), you'll have access to the Wedding Concierge Service and the 1-800-Registry Wedding Planner. Dubious about enlisting the help of an online wedding specialist? Not to worry: They are all pre-screened and highly recommended by real-life brides.
For more information, visit 1800registry.com or call 1-888-734-4787.
— Emily Gardner
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True story: My first flight out of JFK as a New Yorker was blessed by a famous face. It wasn’t the quintessential sighting of Robert De Niro, Woody Allen or even a top model. Nope, instead I was stuck with none other than '80s fitness phenom Richard Simmons. He was dressed in all of his workout garb—short shorts, tank-type top and a sweatband across his hair. Did I mention that it was the middle of February in New York? Pre-boarding, he came down to the gate area and led the entire flight in exercises to “combat all the lethargic movement of being in flight.” And yes, that is a direct quote. A lot of the passengers were into it, although the ground crew tried to convince him that he’d be more comfortable in the first class lounge. It looks like that airline is alone in their thinking, because today I stumbled upon the new air safety vid. Mr. Simmons taped for Air New Zealand:
— Jenna Mahoney
Can't get enough of the Royal Wedding Madness? Neither can we! Despite all of the far-fetched memorabilia — we love Kate and Wills, but that doesn't mean we're going to install a fridge plastered with their likeness in the BG kitchen — it's been riveting to see Ms. Middleton step into the role we've all secretly (or not so secretly) dreamed about since we were little girls. Prepare for the epic event (which will take place on April 29th, only about a month away!) by tuning into "William & Kate: Inside the Royal Wedding," a one-hour special that airs on TLC this Sunday, March 27th at 10/9c. The special gives viewers an exclusive look at all of the deets we've been speculating about for months now, including what Kate's wedding dress will look like and what Buckingham Palace's menu will include.
— Stefania Sainato
Do you ever fantasize about skipping town and sailing away to a private tropical island, where every magical detail of your "I Do" has already been planned for you? Now's your chance: You can "Run to the Altar" with 20 of your closest friends, off the coast of Antigua at Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort. The local government has updated their marriage policies, so in as little as 24 hours on the island, you can get hitched — Caribbean blue has never looked so inviting!
"Run to the Altar" includes a stunning ceremony in a private setting (Jumby Bay is only accessible by boat), a Guest Services Manager to help you execute your vision, a marriage license and officer fees, champagne on the beach and dinner at the Estate House, a wedding cake for you and your guests, and music to dance the night away to, as well as a bridal bouquet and boutonniere...and that’s just for the wedding!
Worried that your friends and family won't be able to attend? The package comes with a three-night stay for up to 20 people in 10 beachside Courtyard suites, as well as round-trip airport transfers and a White Night Party welcome and rehearsal dinner.
At the end of the night, you and hubby can retire to an upgraded Pool Suite and celebrate with a massage at SENSE, a Rosewood Spa. Jumby Bay will also provide a romantic wedding night turndown service for the bride and groom.
It may be my job, my title and my duty to travel, but even I have daydreams about actually taking a fabulous vacation. Don’t tell my boss, but I often sit here at my desk Googling fantasies of kicking back on some remote beach and not having to write about it (wink). I also imagine myself wandering through quaint undiscovered villages, when suddenly I decide to stay for a month or longer! I learn the language, I become a regular at the corner café…okay, now I’m getting a bit carried away. But one globetrotting fantasy of mine that may become your honeymoon reality is a romantic sail aboard a chartered boat. I recently met with the folks from YCO, a Monaco-based yacht charter company that has a fleet of vessel options all over the world. Personally, I dream about cruising around some islands of the Mediterranean on a masted sailboat. The company also hosts boats—all of which come equipped with a full-service crew—in the far-flung South Seas, nearby Caribbean and anywhere else your heart desires (hola, South America! G-day, Aussieland). For more information, go to ycoyacht.com.
— Jenna Mahoney
Recently I attended a wine tasting at the Riedel showroom in New York City. Riedel has been creating fine crystal and glassware for 300 years (!) and none other than 11th-generation family member, Maximilian Riedel (pictured below), conducted this very informative session.
If you think that a classic, balloon-shaped glass is fine for all white wines and a taller, narrower wine glass is standard for all reds, then think again. Under Maximilian’s guidance, we discovered that when a wine is served in the incorrect glass shape it loses its aroma and taste significantly. I couldn’t get over how different a Riesling tasted in a Chardonnay glass. It was less fruity and much more acidic. The same was true for reds: A Pinot Noir lost its bouquet and rich cherry, plum taste when served in a Cabernet glass. Pure alcohol was the primary scent and it tasted dry and bitter. Not the way to enjoy a glass of wine!
You can bet that I am now a devotee of serving wine in its correct glass. Brides-to-be, what better time to stock up on the right glasses than now? Add them to your registry and also be sure to include a decanter on your list. According to Maximilan—who has designed some fantastic Riedel decanters—decanters allow wine to aerate, which provides a much richer, truer taste.
Here are the glass shapes to look for:
My darling honeymooners:
I’m honored with a capital H to introduce a new series to our Traveler’s Tale blog. Our new guest blogger is Ken Fish, president and owner of the uber-chic, super fancy Absolute Travel, an outfitter that organizes honeymoons and other travel experiences from soup to nuts. The team specializes in off-the-beaten-path adventures with a luxurious touch (which, as you dedicated readers know, is so my style.) Without further ado, I present a letter of introduction from Mr. Fish:
Having been in the travel business for more than 22 years, I like to think that I’ve learned a few things that less seasoned travelers might find helpful. I am the president and owner of Absolute Travel, a luxury tour operator that has been designing customized itineraries for honeymooners since 1989. My travel experts are passionate about travel and dedicated to creating unforgettable honeymoons for our clients, and as a blogger for Bridal Guide, I look forward to sharing some of our hard-earned wisdom with you.
While all journeys are special, a honeymoon is in a class of its own. Many newlyweds anxiously view this first trip together as a married couple as a symbol of how their union will fare, so we do everything in our power to ensure that the trip is flawless and filled with unexpected moments of joy. Simply put, our job is to make sure that your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that starts your marriage off on the best foot possible!
Don’t let that $200 gravy boat on the bride and groom’s registry scare you. It is possible to give fabulous gifts on a budget!
Featured: Dreams Sapphire
