by richard harris on 08/22/11
Sand between your toes, the perfect sunset and glorious weather...all reasons to have a beach wedding. Discover how you can plan your wedding in the sun and side step any problems.
You might have the perfect beach in mind or perhaps you just want a beach wedding because you are guaranteed a longer honeymoon with sun, sea, sand and stunning sunsets; but whatever the reason beach weddings are incredibly romantic and can take you anywhere in the world. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the Mediterranean heat of Greece or you’d prefer tropical Tahiti or Mauritius there are plenty of beaches and ways to create the wedding of your dreams.
Location
When you’re trying to decided where best to go for your beach wedding first and foremost it has to be a beach you that has memories for you as a couple or alternatiely it is a beach that promises to delivered the wedding day of your dreams. If the location is familiar to you and it is a beach close to home it may be easier to have a hand in the preparation. Revisit the beach and look for places to have the reception; is there a beachside restaurant ideal for your reception or an area suitable for your marquee? If you would prefer a tropical beach far far away, make sure you do you research. If you don’t plan to visit before the big day, ensure you get a wedding organizer that you trust and ask them to send you photos if necessary.
Before you book
Create your own personal checklist. It’s an important thing to do for any wedding but even more important if you are planning from afar. How long will the service be? If you plan to say your vows on the sand as the sunsets is your beach in the correct position? Another important point to planning a beach wedding is ensuring you have the correct papers and permits in advance of the big day. After all your planning and preparation you don’t want to arrive in paradise to a headache of administration. Be sure to be clear in your expectations and list exactly what you want, then send it to the agents and get a confirmation before you book.
Ceremony
Whether you want to have a formal western ceremony or a service inspired by local traditions be prepared to have all sorts of options. It is worth remembering that your ceremony time will depend on the tides and avoiding the most intense heat of the day.
Sandals one of the most well known all inclusive beach wedding companies offers luxury beach weddings all over the world. You can expect a dedicated consultant in a number of picturesque locations, photos reception cake and licenses all taken care of.
Dress
Choose a dress that is suitable for your beach wedding is a little different to the traditional church gown. When you are shopping around look for light weight and non clingy fabrics that keep their shape, avoid making you sweat and can withstand creasing. Experiment with the length of your dress in an effort to keep cool and show off your tan and remember if you are standing close to the surf and on the sands longer dresses will undoubtedly get covered.
The Destination
Decide how big you intend your wedding to be and whether this suits the location. Also it is worth remembering that not everyone will be able or willing to travel to an exotic location. Also think of the practicalities of where you intend to have the wedding, are there toilets on your deserted paradise island?
The Weather
Having a beach wedding one of the major attractions has to be the sun. Do abit of research to find the best times for sun. It might be better to avoid the peak summer months so that you can enjoy the sun but not sweat it out. Your local wedding planner can also advise the best time of day to enjoy the best of everything. What‘s more it is worth considering having an indoor wedding venue option in case it should rain.
by richard harris on 08/22/11
Question: How many couples you teach are actually wedding couples?
Elizabeth: I have a lot of clients who are preparing for weddings. I would say that approximately 50% of my clients are actually serious about learning how to dance and the other 50% are couples preparing for their weddings.
Question: What dance would look good on wedding video and photos?
Elizabeth: Motion video and wedding photography are tricky; I find them to be not a very forgiving media. Practice your dancing, so you will look graceful in which ever dance style you choose that fits your (as a couple) personalities.
For wedding photographs especially, you may wish to arrange a consultation ahead of time with your wedding photographer. If you have access to the wedding hall, go with the photographer. Show him/her exactly where you’re going to be dancing. It is a very difficult process to make dance pictures look just right. Draw from my personal experience, I believe wedding photographer should take still photos of the couple posing as if they are dancing, if possible. I would say the dance portion of a wedding presents the most challenge to both the couple and the photographer.
Question: What should a person preparing for a wedding expect from classes?
Elizabeth: Well, before we start the classes, I consult with my clients. I need to have a sense of what kind of wedding they have in mind. Is it a very formal wedding? Is it a casual wedding? What kind of band are they going to have for the evening? A lot of times people may not realize what types of dancing, music, and atmosphere they have already created. These decisions are going to make a difference.
Question: By the time they come in you have a pretty good idea of what kind of wedding it is, what wedding dance song if any they have in mind?
Elizabeth: After I find out what type of wedding, band, and atmosphere they are planning, I ask if there is a song they have their heart set on. However, just about as often they’ll say that they haven’t got the slightest idea what song they want. I suggest some songs, and some of the more popular partner dances. I try to orient them to Foxtrot or Rumba which is a little bit more Latin, and slow dance which can be very romantic.
If they need any additional assistance, I can burn a CD for them to take home and then decide. In that case we can start the first lesson with some basic steps to the music they might like.
Question: Does it matter what kind of body type you have? Does your personality matter?
Elizabeth: I have to say yes and no. Everyone has a body type and a movement profile, so for every person out there, there are certain movements that feel more natural. It depends on who you are and your movement profile; some dances are going to be easier for you to learn.
Question: Does it depend more on what students already know and are comfortable with, rather than their body or personality type?
Elizabeth: I think those are linked. Take me for an example. I am an extroverted person; I tend to have a lot of energy. I like Swing, I like Lindy Hop, and I like other types of Ballroom dancing. These dances tend to fit my personality and my body type as well.
Let me dispel a myth at this point: A lot of people believe that they have no rhythm, and they are not able to walk on beat and perhaps for some it’s true at the outset. If students practice walking on the beat enough, they will learn.
Question: How many dance lessons do you need to prepare for the wedding day?
Elizabeth: The average person coming in will usually start with 3 lessons and then they will usually realize that they want 5 lessons. Of course if a student wants a more complicated dance, such as the Tango, it might take a bit longer. Usually it is 3 to 5 lessons. However, we will work with whatever time you decide to allocate.
There are a couple of things that will decrease the amount of lessons, and one is practice. You need remarkably little practice to reduce the number of classes. The average that will really help people do well in their next lesson is 10 minutes 3 times a week, and it doesn’t really have to be together.
Question: What’s the class structure? One class a week?
Elizabeth: Yes, usually it is, but sometimes you’ll get people calling and telling you that they are getting married next Saturday and they want to do 3 classes that one week. Some couples have more time. They have elaborate dance ideas. Maybe they want to do a lift or throw a couple of different dances into the same song. We have to work a lot more on that kind of thing. The average time that I get called is 3 months in advance. People usually look to learn how to social dance, and that’s about 3 to 5 lessons, depending on what they feel they need to do.
Question: Do you recommend group lessons for wedding couples?
Elizabeth: I highly recommend wedding couples enroll in private lessons. In a group class, students will be learning a different song every week. Private lessons allow wedding couples to save an enormous amount of time and money, because they are maximizing what they need to learn.
Question: What are some realistic goals people should set for themselves, what should you be able to do after you’re done with your classes?
Elizabeth: You should be able to socially dance the type of dance that you have chosen for yourself and maybe even another dance without stopping and feeling self conscious. You’ll be able to have a lot of fun. That’s a huge deal for a lot of people. Now they actually have something to do at a party, and they won’t be glued to the table.
Question: Do you think it would be smart for people to plan to change shoes at their wedding for their dance?
Elizabeth: I suggest wedding couples invest in a pair of ballroom shoes. They are very beautiful. You can purchase a pair in white, and you can wear these shoes the entire wedding. A lot of times people even wear a different dress for the dance, but it’s really up to the couple.
Question: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Elizabeth: Try not to be afraid. Dancing makes a lot of people extremely scared. People are not expected to be good dancers at their first class. I’m going to expect my teacher to assess my ability and know what to do. This is especially true for private classes.
About Elizabeth Miller
When I was eight years old in the 3rd grade, I was watching a dance competition on television. A couple was performing a Rumba. I never forgot watching that dance. While growing up, I watched Dance Fever a lot. You could say that television first sparked my interest in dancing.
In my early twenties I started doing Swing dancing, which was a really good foundation. Not Ballroom Swing, but Lindy Hop which is a very athletic, very physical type of dance. A few years ago I started to study Ballroom, Latin dance, Foxtrot, Cha Cha, Samba and other types of Swing. I trained in ballet dancing and of course in social dance.
I currently teach Ballroom classes at the Tony Williams Dance Center in Jamaica Plain, MA. You may also visit my personal dance web site and say hello!
by richard harris on 08/22/11
Wedding favors are small gifts you give to your guests as a memento of your special day. They say thank you for being here and it was lovely that you came. But best of all, they are a reflection of the friendships you hold dear and may grow in value as the years pass.
Wedding favors are available in thousands of styles. Like all products they vary in quality, price and size. It is up to you to select the wedding favors that are the most meaningful and appropriate for your wedding.
If the wedding is taking place on a beach at the ocean, or the bride and groom are enthusiasts of a beachy life style, ocean themed bridal favors would be the perfect gift. Such favors might include a dolphin bottle opener in a gift box; a silver-plated dolphin place card holder, an ocean inspired cookie cutter set, coasters with a sand and shell motif and even Caribbean-designed personalized mints.
Favors with a romance or love theme come in the way of heart shaped gifts. From measuring spoons to corkscrews, letter openers to coasters, sun catcher ornaments to luggage tags, hear shaped motifs are always in popular. When you give a heart shaped favor, you are saying I have love and I feel love for you too.
There are wedding favors designed for seasonal weddings too. Candles, soaps, photo frames, wine charms and more. They will often be used in the home and will probably become a pleasant reminder of the lovely wedding day.
Whimsical favors are popular and come in thousands of styles. “Tears of Joy” hankies, crystal Cinderella slippers, a bridal dress sachet or ornament. These are cuties that will bring a smile to your guests and surely some fond memories. Read this entire article at http://www.favorsbyserendipity.com/articles/favors-say.html
by richard harris on 08/22/11
by Paris Permenter and John Bigley
Destination Weddings
Would you like to get married on your honeymoon? Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular with couples who are eager to skip the fuss of a traditional wedding and jump right into the fun. Around the world, you'll find hotels and resorts that offer on-site help to plan your wedding, from details like the wedding license to extras such as music and photos. Whether the special day involves just the two of you or whether you'll be inviting friends and relatives to join in the occasion, a destination wedding can be a way to create wonderful memories.
But, first, the down side. Destination weddings aren't for everyone. If you're in love with the idea of a large wedding with all your friends and family, skip this idea. Even with a year of planning, it's just about impossible to get everyone's schedules coordinated for this kind of event.
But many couples are saying "I do" to the idea of destination weddings not only as a way to make the occasion more special, but also as a means of simplifying the whole process. "Just say the word, and we'll take care of everything," explains Ava Burke-Thompson, Director of Guest Services at the Sheraton Grand Resort Paradise Island, Bahamas. "We can arrange for the marriage license; minister, priest or rabbi; the florist and the photographer; the wedding cake and champagne; and the rehearsal dinner and wedding reception."
At resorts like the Sheraton Grand, on site wedding coordinators take care of every last detail, some with just a one day notice. "We do it all the time," says Burke-Thompson. "It's now legally possible to get married in the Bahamas with 24 hours' notice."
POPULARITY OF DESTINATION WEDDINGS
Destination weddings have caught on for several reasons. According to hotels and resorts around the world, they're especially popular with:
- couples on a budget who don't want the expense of an elaborate wedding.
- couples who don't want the fuss of a wedding and all that goes with it at home.
- couples on their second marriage looking for something a little different.
- those on their second marriage who'll need to bring along children on the honeymoon. The children's programs at many resorts offer privacy for the couple and a chance to enjoy a vacation with their new family.
- couples who are bringing a small wedding party. Sometimes the bride and groom stay at one resort and the wedding party at a neighboring resort, giving everyone privacy.
- couples who are bringing a sizable wedding party and would like to take over a resort.
Many small resorts like Florida's Little Palm Island offer groups the option of taking over the entire property. This type of stay must be arranged far in advance. The wedding party has the run of the resort for their stay, with plenty of room to party and play. "Little Palm Island is a really private, secluded getaway for wedding groups," explains Susan Belanski, Director of Sales. "We close off the entire island." When wedding parties take over an entire property like Little Palm Island, regular house rules, such as no guests under age 16, are suspended so wedding parties can invite anyone of their choice.
DETAILS, DETAILSBefore you say "I do," plan to do a little research into the "do"s --and "don't"s -- of the local marriage laws. Many countries have loosened their marriage regulations, making it easier for foreigners to tie the knot. Even so, you'll need to do some research.
"The reason some couples have problems with their overseas wedding is that they are unfamiliar with the marriage laws, rules and regulations of where they want to be wed," explains Ruth Keusch, co-owner of Ottley's Plantation Inn, located in Caribbean federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. In researching your destination wedding, Keusch recommends that couples make sure they learn:
- if their home country will recognize a wedding in the designated country as valid.
- the minimum residency period before the marriage can be performed.
- what paperwork you'll need to bring from your hometown house of worship if you're planning a religious ceremony
- what proof is required if you're divorced or widowed
- if blood tests are required and, if so, if you can bring them from your home doctor or if must they be performed locally
- if there will be English-speaking staff members available to assist you
- costs and fees
- typical weather during the month of your wedding
- special hotel rates for members of the wedding party
- what previous experience the hotel or resort has in planning foreign weddings
Destination weddings can also lead to another joyous celebration: destination anniversaries. Couples who wed on their honeymoon can revisit the very spot where they married and share the memories of that occasion.
Photo courtesy Sheraton Grand Paradise Island
Husband and wife team Paris Permenter and John Bigley have authored over 20 guidebooks and also edit the FREE
Lovetripper.com, a romantic travel magazine featuring worldwide destinations.
Copyright 2000 Paris Permenter and John Bigley
read the entire article at http://www.todays-weddings.com/articles/destination_weddings.php
Award winning photographer Richard Harris and owner of Millennium Photogaphy is stepping into the next chapter. Richard is proud to announce that Edwards Studio are the new proud owners of Millennium and plan to continue the growth and success that Richard has had for the past 10 years. Richard Harris Photography will be continuing the best customer service, fun and creative photography, and packages with great prices and tremendous value in his new location in Tarpon Springs. Focussing on destination and beach weddings is something Richard has dreamed about for years and now he is very excited to live the dream. His clients love his outgoing and fun personality and are always impressed with the organization and wedding experience he truly has. His work is second to none and he offers some of the highest quality albums and prints you can get.
