Sailing Holidays In The Caribbean
March 8, 2010 by Owen Jones
Filed under Caribbean Wedding
There are plenty of destinations for people interested in sailing and if you are tired of the Virgin Islands then try the rest of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean islands are part of an island chain stretching 2,500 miles. Given the enormous distance, it is no surprise that tourists spend weeks out there in order to enjoy the splendour that it has to offer.
Just like in the Virgin Islands, there are lots of charter firms you can go to. for a range of hobbies. These companies come in different sizes, but perhaps the best is the yacht charter.
When you charter a yacht, apart from the yacht, the other elements and benefits that come with it are meals, separate guest rooms, a galley, toilet and shower.
Since you are the paying guest aboard the boat, you can customize the menu by telling the cook before the trip what you want to eat. You can help out by buying the provisions yourself, having someone from the crew do it for an additional fee or select a set menu from one of their pre-composed packages.
Since most of the islands in the Caribbean are small and uninhabited, you are certain to explore places that not many have seen. But if you can’t afford to rent a chartered yacht, don’t worry because you can probably get one that will cost as little as $50 if you are able to book a pre-arranged trip with several other guests to split the cost.
One thing you have to be ready for during you sailing vacation is the likelihood of a storm. These generally happen during the months from June until November. If you are not sure that this is the best time, book the trip on another date.
But if you are adamant about going on your dates, there are some online tools you can utilize to check if the area you will be sailing in has ever been hit by a storm before.
The other option is to plan your itinerary to the Caribbean islands further south because they are less likely to be affected by a hurricane. I am talking about the islands of Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, Curacao, and Turks and Caicos.
If you like the idea of going sailing around the Caribbean there are ample opportunities. You could do far worse than start in St Croix in the US Virgin Islands and travel south or west. If you start in St Croix, which the pirates of old used to call Santa Cruz, you will not need a passpert and can take your pets with you, but you will need more ID if you call into foreign islands.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with St Croix Hotels. If you are interested in St Croix Vacation Rentals in the US Virgin Islands, please click through to our site.
The United States Virgin Islands
March 7, 2010 by Owen Jones
Filed under Caribbean Wedding
The US Virgin Islands came into America’s possession in 1917 after Denmark sold the Danish West Indies to it for $25m in gold. At the time, the USA was worried that the Germans would gain control of the islands and use them as a base from which to launch attacks on America.
The status of the US Virgin Islands is one of an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States. This means the residents of the US Virgin Islands are US citizens, but cannot vote in US presidential elections. Therefore, US citizens do not need a passport to visit the US Virgin Islands.
The US Virgin Islands are part virgin Islands archipelago and are located in the Leeward islands of the Lesser Antilles along with the British Virgin Islands. The three main islands of this American territory are called Saint Croix, Saint John and Saint Thomas. There is also a much smaller island called Water Island. All together, there are about 60 islands with a total surface area of 133.73 square miles, although most of the islands are uninhabited.
The four main islands of the US Virgin Islands are known to their residents by nicknames. These are ‘Twin City’ (St. Croix); ‘Rock City’ (St. Thomas); ‘Love City’ (St. John) and ‘Small City’ (Water Island) and their total population was 108,612 in the 2000 census.
Since the 1960’s, the islands turned their focus from agriculture to heavy industry and tourism and the US Virgin Islands are a very popular destination for American tourists and honeymooners. It is very easy for Americans to get there because a passport is not required, the islands are only 1,730 miles east south-east of Miami, the currency is the US dollar and everybody speaks English.
The islands enjoy an arid, pleasant climate. The average temperature in the capital, Charlotte Amelie, is 33c in the summer and 30c in the winter. September to November are the wettest months and February and March are the driest. The USVI are subject to hurricanes. Hurricane Hugo in 1989 was particularly devastating, but the islands were also hit in 1998, 1999 and 2008.
Tourism is the industry that most of the islanders are engaged in and about 2,000,000 people visit every year, many of them on cruise liners. St Thomas and St Croix are the best equipped to deal with tourists offering hotels and resorts along with lovely beaches and fine restaurants. Water sports are the main activity, although tourists can also hire horses or jeeps to discover the interior of the US Virgin Islands.
Owen Jones, the author of this piece, writes on many subjects, but is currently involved with St Croix Virgin Islands. If you are interested in St Croix Vacation Rentals in the US Virgin Islands, please click through to our site.
Plan a Bahamas Destination Wedding
August 21, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Bahamas Wedding, Destination Wedding
Bahamas Wedding Planner
So you have decided to make your dream come true and have a Destination Wedding? “Are you kidding??” says your Mother in disbelief. As her anxiety immediately intensifies, you can help her to relax. You have found a certified wedding planner “so Mom, all we have to do is tell them what we want and then show up and have a great time!”
There is no question that when planning a wedding, a planner is a valuable asset, no matter where how close it is to home. But when you have decided to do a Destination Wedding, your planner should allow you to really enjoy the planning process. Many brides think that with the help of the internet they can make all the plans themselves, and yes you probably can. But a good planner makes the process SOOO much easier. They carry the stress of dealing with the island approach which many brides can find too laid back and nonchalant.
It is important to do your homework and be sure to find someone reputable. Here in the Bahamas there are many planners and many new faces of planners. Most of course are serious and make all the necessary efforts to do things right – and as in all places, there are those individuals who think that the work of a planner is fun and glamorous like Jennifer Lopez might have appeared. But even Jennifer Lopez in the well known movie “The Wedding Planner” had moments when she really had to think on her feet.
So when you choose your wedding planner – try to find someone that you feel can actually plan – for the things you both know are needed, and for those that might just pop up on your wedding day.
Paulette Davis is the owner of Amour Affairs, a private Bahamas wedding planning company who has years of experience in weddings of all sizes and degrees of complexity. Paulette has been a member of the Bahamas Bridal Association and served as President and Past President. Her aim is create a service from start to finish that will create and leave a warm and positive feeling every time you think of the Bahamas and of us. Making it easy for you to say “I DO!” http://bahamasweddingplanner.com
Here are some great articles we found on Destination Weddings:
- San Diego Wedding Photography – Balboa Park – Kecia and Chris … – Award Winning Los Angeles Wedding Photography, Orange County Engagement Photographers, and Destination Wedding Photographer serving Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Irvine, Newport Beach, and other cities.
- :: vendor spotlight : Gourmet Invitations :: | Misha Media Wedding … – Posted in bride’s guide | Tags: chicago, chicago photographer, chicago photographers, Chicago wedding, chicago wedding invitations, Chicago Wedding Photographer, Chicago Wedding Photography, Chicago Weddings, destination wedding …
- Michigan Wedding Photographer » Destination Wedding Photographer … – Michigan wedding photographer, destination wedding photographer, Windsor wedding photographer.
- the passionate ailurophile Here comes the bride – I am a big fan of the destination wedding. This means that the couple travels to some place to get married. It can be an elopement, such as Mike and I had, or it can be a full-fledged wedding, with guests and all.
- for the bride that doesn’t play by the rules – you know what’s cooler than a non-sucky garter? a garter built to hold a flask, that’s what. juliette makes it easy for frazzled brides to get a quick nip in the dressing chamber, the church hallway, and on the way to the ceremony. …
Making It Legal
July 18, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Beach Wedding
Courtesy Luxe Destination Weddings
One of the first items on your ‘Destination Wedding Checklist’ should be ensuring that your wedding will be legally recognized both in your destination and back at home. Requirements vary from country to country, so be sure to do your homework carefully and ahead of time!
Hiring a wedding planner can give you peace of mind when it comes to meeting all legal requirements. A planner will do the research for you and inform you of the important documentation and procedures required for a legally recognized marriage. This element will be looked into early in the planning process, but because laws are frequently changing, it’s important to keep abreast of any changing regulations. One of the first items on your ‘Destination Wedding Checklist’ should be ensuring that your wedding will be legally recognized both in your destination and back at home. Requirements vary from country to country, so be sure to do your homework carefully and ahead of time!
Hiring a wedding planner can give you peace of mind when it comes to meeting all legal requirements. A planner will do the research for you and inform you of the important documentation and procedures required for a legally recognized marriage. This element will be looked into early in the planning process, but because laws are frequently changing, it’s important to keep abreast of any changing regulations.
The documents you will need to provide to obtain your marriage license will depend on your chosen destination, and typically includes birth certificates, passports, and proof of divorce or death of a previous spouse (if either has been married before). You may be required to send copies of these documents ahead of time so that they can be translated into the local language or be pre-registered at the local marriage office. Many locations, like Mexico for example, also require blood tests or medical tests. And some destinations require that you are in the country for a set duration prior to your ceremony, so be sure to check this out before making travel arrangements and reserving your wedding date. Again, the help of a wedding planner will ease such concerns.
If the procedures for a legal ceremony seem too daunting, you may opt to get hitched at city hall before you leave home and have a ‘symbolic’ ceremony at your destination. If you choose to be legally married in your hometown before embarking, your destination ceremony will not appear any differently to your guests – you can enjoy the same celebration with family and friends, minus the paperwork. If you decide to go this way, call your city hall to find out how far in advance you’ll need to get married before you take off to your destination. If you are having a religious wedding, your officiant may ask to see proof before performing the ceremony, so make sure there is time to process any paperwork you may need before you depart.
Whether you are preparing the legal components of your marriage alone or with the assistance of a wedding planner, remember to have fun with it – this step will help ensure you have the destination wedding celebration of your dreams!
Article by Bree Honey of LUXE Destination Weddings
(As Seen in the Isle Do Bride Guide 2008)
Get a Free Wedding Website – Photo by GaryJordan.com
July 17, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under SlideShow
Gary Jordan Photography
Honeymoons Coming Soon!
July 16, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Honeymoons
Antigua Wedding at Jolly Beach Resort
July 12, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Antigua Barbuda Wedding
Sun Kissed Weddings Antigua
Wedding at Jolly Beach Resort Antigua
Whether it’s a gentle tropical breeze and the swaying of palm trees that provide the allure or just jetting away to somewhere exotic, an Antigua wedding has become the marriage celebration of choice for many couples.
Today, almost two in ten weddings are destination events that have Caribbean islands leading the list. And it’s no surprise why. This trend has been encouraged, in major part, thanks to packages and seasoned wedding planners such as Beverly King at Jolly Beach Resort & Spa in Antigua (An-TEE-ga). Today, destination nuptials are not only affordable they’re easier than ever to arrange.
To ensure a personal touch, it is important to find someone experienced like King who has been planning Antigua weddings for almost 20 years. According to her, more and more people are considering getting married in exotic locales like Antigua, where the cost is usually much less, and there are people on staff who are dedicated to relieving the pressure, so the bride and groom can totally enjoy their dream wedding ceremony.
There are still a few things for the couple to consider for an Antigua wedding, and guru Beverly King offers these suggestions: Do your homework; it’s important to remember that marriage requirements vary among destinations. And if you have your heart set on a particular date, make arrangements well in advance if possible, as certain times of the year tend to book quickly. For example, we find that the peak months for weddings are February, April, May, June and November.
Couples who decide on a destination wedding might also want to break free from traditional wedding attire, adds King. I tell my brides and grooms to consider the climate and look for pieces that not only look great but travel well, like a cocktail dress in a light fabric and color. And while an island breeze helps set the tropical mood, it makes a veil difficult to control. As an alternative, I suggest wearing a small tiara or using fresh flowers as accents. Grooms should also dress with comfort in mind, say a light linen suit, or dress pants paired with a shirt and vest or a classic Guaybera for a true island feel.
With the aid of an experienced wedding planning team such as King and her support staff, an altar-bound couple can rest assured that their wedding day will be hassle-free. They not only handle the details of the wedding ceremony and reception, but personally schedule the appointment to apply for the marriage license and King, or a member of her team, escorts the couple to ensure that everything goes smoothly. There is no residency requirement to be married in Antigua, but we need couples to be here one working day prior to the ceremony to process the necessary documents.
With all of the planning done and the license obtained, couples can simply relax and enjoy their dream day. They are not only relieved of the pressure of attending to every detail, but–certainly in the storied Caribbean–have chosen a stunning backdrop for their celebration, guaranteeing a lifetime of joyful memories.
Article Courtesy
Beverly King
Beverly King
Antigua Wedding Coordinator
Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua
http://www.JollyBeachResort.com
Find a Trinidad Wedding Photographer
June 13, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Caribbean Wedding, Trinidad wedding
flowfoto.com
Don’t worry this article is not about losing your Trinidad wedding photographer on your wedding day (although that would be interesting to write about if it ever happened).
This article also does not talk about where to look to find a photographer because the fact that you found this article, means you can do that all by your lonesome. I’m actually writing this as a kind of unofficial guide to choosing the right Trinidad wedding photographer for your day and how to close the deal and make yourself a happy bride (or groom) to be.
1. Love their work.
This is generally the easy part. It doesn’t matter what style they do because you know what you like…well most times. If you look at a photographer’s previous weddings and you can’t see yourself in the pictures they took, then most likely you won’t see yourself in the ones they’ll take of you.
If the work makes you exclaim, cry, feel warm and fuzzy inside, smile, immediately call your best friend or fiancé or makes you say “This is the one!” then you’ve found the style you love.
Finding the style you love makes it easy to relax on you wedding day.
2. Things have to click.
Ok good…you like their style, it gives you goose bumps, so you set up a meeting and they arrive late with no explanation, then they plop down and begin to talk about how good they are and how much weddings they’ve done and how lucky you are, that your date is free for them and the fact they have the most expensive camera available on the market and that this meeting will have to be short because they have to meet another couple in 5 minutes, all the while not once asking about your day… and you are thinking “What a moron!”
My advice is look for the nearest exit.
You have to like your po-pho (potential photographer) and they have to like you. If you aren’t comfortable with them now, its almost guaranteed you won’t be on your wedding day.
Now I know some of you are saying, “I can’t possibly meet my po-pho in person, I live hundreds of miles away!” No need to panic, just give your po-pho a call and see how the convo goes. Are they shifty and sporadic or are they witty and clear? Do they try answer your questions or do they feed you whatever they want?
And as far as e-mail convos go, no need to be too professional because you won’t be in office gear on the day. Just be yourself and see how they respond. Note how well and how quickly questions are answered and you should be able get a sense of their personality in the way they write back.
3. Close The Deal
Ok, so you and your Trinidad wedding photographer hit it off. Conversation is flowing and you are talking about your wedding day like old school friends, delving into all the details of the grand time you’ll have.
Your po-pho is taking your suggestions and churning out a plethora of creative photo ideas just for your day… and you are thinking. “Wow…I like my po-pho more than their photography! Yup, this is the Trinidad wedding photographer I want” So you shake hands and tell them you’ll confirm soon.
Then for the next two months you do nothing.
I assure you that some other bride will snatch up your photog before you know it.
The good thing is, your po-pho knows things can get crazy when planning a wedding so they would normally give you deadlines, for getting all the boring payment and contract stuff done. They would even contact you if someone wants to have your date but if you want that photographer and by extension photographic assurance and peace of mind for your Trinidad wedding day, I suggest you close the deal A.S.A.P.
Other things to consider
Find out from people who know:
You can eliminate heartache, headache and unnecessary back and forth just by asking your po-pho’s past clients (if you can find them). In wedding photography, a ton of a photographer’s business comes by referral so it makes sense to talk to someone who knows.
The early-bride catches the photo
I know you have a long list of wedding to-dos and you may think you have tons of time but before you know it you’ll wake up married. Make contact early because the good ones go fast.
It pays to ask
So you’ve worked out your budget and you realize that you fall slightly short of the photography package you want, no need to be in a quandary, just let your po-pho know and see what they can do for you. Most photogs won’t split hairs over such matters, providing you were a picture perfect client in the first place.
If for some reason you can’t get the photog you want for your day, you can always do a TTD (Trash the Dress) Session or a post wedding shoot, like Joyce and Andreas here.
At the end of it all, it really all comes down to what you desire personally. If you are happy with your choice now, you will happy with your photos many years after your Trinidad wedding.
Juma Bannister
Trinidad Wedding Photographer
Flowfoto photography
The Diamond Ring
June 13, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Shannon Dunkley
Gold is still the most popular metal for engagement and rings, though students of precious metals realize that platinum is the finest quality metal and serves as a lasting set for fine stones. Buying platinum is now emerging as a fashion trend in some places; however it is a more expensive option. Any fancy ring is suitable for engagement purposes. The engaged wedding couple often chooses a birthstone or precious stone that carries special significance to them; the diamond still remaining by far the most popular.
Many young couples enjoy the idea of personal expression and choose to consult with a designer in creating their own personal message of love. Historically, the betrothal ring was a symbol of the bridegroom’s earnestness, a pledge of his good faith and evidence of his intention to marry. The ring that the bride received at the betrothal was generally used later at the wedding ceremony. After the Reformation, the betrothal was more formal and was often solemnized with the signing of the articles of marriage before a witness. The Romans were the first to present an engagement ring to the bride before the wedding ceremony, usually at the time the marriage contract was drawn up.
The Celts of ancient Britain developed a “love ring” that served as both wedding and betrothal ring. When a Celtic lad courted and won a girl he gave her a ring as a pledge of his protection. The old English word for pledge was ‘wed’, and this is how the name was given to wedding rings. Fascinating wedding rings have held the vogue throughout the years. In the sixteenth century the gimmel ring was popular. The word “gimmel” means “double ring”, and a gimmel ring was actually two separate rings that joined together to look like one. It was usual for the bride and groom to each wear half until, on the day of the wedding they were united as one upon the bride’s finger. Diamonds have long been accepted as the symbol of love and marriage. Somehow the glittering diamond and the blooming bride-to-be have always gone hand in hand. The diamond, the hardest substance in the world was traditionally used for the setting of the engagement ring. It is believed that the custom of wearing an engagement ring started as far back as 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria slipped a huge diamond on the finger of Mary of Burgundy to prevent her father from marrying her off to a wealthier suitor. The Romans also had their part to play, for they wore wedding rings on the third finger of their left hand in the belief that its vein led straight to the heart.
By Glen’s Jewellery Limited West Mall, Trinidad (868) 633-7829
A Caribbean Wedding
June 12, 2009 by Mala Webber
Filed under Caribbean Wedding
Comments Off
Photography by www.rysephoto.com
A Caribbean Wedding
Having a wedding in the Caribbean is truly a special experience. You should be thrilled to have your wedding on one of these beautiful islands as they are all unique and beautiful each in their own way.
The fantastic climate, vibrant mix of people, delicious food and beautiful backdrops make an ideal setting for a wedding.
You have scenic backgrounds to choose from such as lush forests, mountains, beautiful white sandy beaches, sailboats & yachts, palm or coconut trees, birds of all kinds and everything else that you can imagine a Caribbean wedding to have.
Each country has its own set of marital laws which should be considered carefully when planning a wedding in a country foreign to your own. However, if you are planning a wedding on your own island you need not worry, but still be sure to investigate and make sure that you have all of the proper requirements well before your big day.
The key to planning a successful wedding in the Caribbean is by understanding all aspects involved in a wedding including costs, weather, location and more. Be sure to use the features of this site to help in your planning. This will make it much easier and more organized during the entire process.
A Caribbean wedding can be frustrating to plan because things are not always clear and concise, nor does it happen fast. It can be much more time consuming than a wedding abroad so the challenge here is to be organized and get the ground work in place thereby leaving lots of room and time to spend on decorating and choosing musicians, caterers and the lot.
Here are some helpful tips for getting started:
1) Decide on a date and remember to consider the time of year and the weather during that season
2) Choose the location of your wedding
3) Decide on a budget
4) Find suitable venues to choose from and put a tentative booking down
5) Book a church, mosque or temple or officiate
Once these things are done then you can start working on the finer details.
Here are some interesting websites that have some great information on wedding favors:
- wedding » Blog Archive » Seashells Wedding Favors – Perfect … – The favorite among the beach wedding favor is the seashells wedding favors. There are a wide range of wedding favors made of seashells and each one is different than the other. The use of seashells as wedding favors will provide the …
- DIY Wedding Favors » Christmas Wedding Favor Ideas – Another easy Christmas Wedding Favor would be lovely warm, snug hot chocolate packets with the guests’ names and a message from the bride and groom. If you have access to a computer you can print off the messages and names and then glue …
- Knitted: Wedding Favor, Gift or Cake Topper : Our One Heart … – Regardless of what role you play in the upcoming wedding, these knitted bears fashioned into a bride and groom will certainly make a good idea for a wedding cake topper, wedding favor, or a wedding gift! …
