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Destination
Weddings On Idyllic Islands: It’s All In The Planning
(BNN) Whether
it’s a gentle tropical breeze and the swaying
of palm trees that provide the allure or just jetting away to
somewhere exotic, destination weddings have become the marriage
celebration of choice for many couples. Today, almost two in 10
weddings are destination events—with
Caribbean islands leading the list.
And it’s no
surprise why. Tropical destinations have increasingly attracted
celebrity couples—golf icon Tiger Woods and his bride Elin
Nordegren and Hollywood’s Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have
made Caribbean islands their wedding destinations. But island
nuptials are no longer just the domain of the rich and famous.
In fact,
thanks to package deals and seasoned wedding planners,
destination weddings are not only becoming more attainable for
many, they’re easier than ever to achieve.
To ensure a
perfect outcome with the desired personal touch, it is important
to find an experienced wedding guru who can, with an excellent
support staff, watch every detail and relieve the pressure, so
that the bride and groom can totally enjoy their dream wedding
ceremony.
Beverly King,
of Jolly Beach Resort on the Caribbean island of Antigua (An-TEE-ga),
has been planning island weddings for almost 20 years. She
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 instance, 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 guayabera for a true island feel.”
Brides and
grooms desiring a sun-kissed destination wedding shouldn’t have
trouble finding a wedding package to fit any budget. For
instance, Jolly Beach Resort’s Dream Wedding Package (www.jollybeachresort.com)
offers amenities and choices ranging from cake and champagne to
photos and bouquets, to fulfilling the legal requirements.
Moreover, engaged couples can choose to have their ceremony at
any location on the 40-acre property; which includes two wedding
gazebos—one located on the resort’s dazzling half-mile-long
beach.
With the aid
of an experienced wedding planning team, an altar-bound couple
can rest assured that their wedding day will be hassle-free. Ms.
King, for example, not only handles the details of the wedding
ceremony and reception, but she even personally schedules the
appointment to apply for the marriage license and she, 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 preparations completed and the license obtained, couples can
simply relax and be absolutely certain that they have chosen a
stunning backdrop for their celebration, guaranteeing a wedding
album full of joyous memories.
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