Summer of 2013 Part 1

Hi guys...ok for a few weeks you had predone blogs..nothing that I like but thats gone now..
So here we go reviewing my summer for all of you out there.
June 12..Hedy and I headed off to Jamaica for an adventure that would last 17 days. 
Arriving at the airport in Montego Bay, I met up with Hedy my CFO and best friend for 17 days of work, more work and relaxation.
First stop...off to Beaches Negril for a fabulous destination wedding of Deandra and John.
Having people staying at Grand Pineapple Beach, Beaches Negril and Sandals Negril was a bit trying.
We first met up with the Hotel mgr at Grand Pineapple..Alexander Pike. He is new to his position but let me tell you...he is simply amazing. We arranged all 45 guests at this lovely small and intimate resort to check in and just get used to their new home away from home.
The rooms are simply lovely..redone...and the beach..what can I say...its 7 mile beach.
I met up with my bride and groom at Beaches Negril and arranged for them to go to Pineapple to see their guests.
The next night Mr Pike arranged a private cocktail party by the pool for all the people in the wedding party, complete with open bar and karaoke. I heard they had such a good time that swimming in your clothes was the theme of the night. 
Next..Wedding day at Beaches Negril..Unfortunatly the rain started falling just before my bride was going to walk down the aisle. The Beaches staff moved to get all of the furniture out of the main entrance to make it usable for the wedding. ...Two hours later and many many drinks later...when the bride finally walked down the aisle, people were standing on chairs just cheering the bride and groom....
It was quite a sight.
They had a wonderful sit down dinner complete with dancing and the guests ate,drank and partied all night.
udos to Adrian Whitehead and staff....Bravo..

So leg two of the journey..Leave Beaches Negril and go directly to Sandals Royal Caribbean. It is a lovely small resort and sort of my home away from home..Can always depend on Ellis the butler.
Did a site inspection of Secrets resorts and I have to give it a good 5 stars...Beach, rooms, ambience...great.
I highly recommend this resort.

4 days go by and off to the Jewel Resort Runaway Bay. Formerly Breezes Runaway Bay. Although this resort is not a 5 star...I think its well on it's way. Turning into a family resort, this resort is a pleaser to families who want to keep their kids occupied and a price thats pretty good. Scott Robbins, the GM has done a great job turning this resort around in the short time it has been the jewel.

Here we go...dinner one night at the fabulous Jamaica Inn...who is run by Kyle  Mais...a former Sandals GM but although this resort is EP...it is EVERYTHING you could want in a true Jamaican getaway. Food..the best ever.

So you see a pattern developing...eating our way thru Jamaica..

Off to Sandals Riviera for a wedding moon fam. Thats where the illustrious Marsha Ann Brown..queen of all things romance gave a seminar to become certified wedding specialists for Sandals and Beaches.

Two days in Ocho Rios and we were ready to come home..So we paid a visit to the flagship of Sandals..Sandals Montego Bay..Two days of eating, drinking, sun and fun.

Thank you Hedy and Thank you Jamaica

How to Handle Gifts at Your Destination Wedding

A destination wedding can be the perfect gift to yourself, but your guests will still want to give you something to celebrate the start of your married life. When you’re far from home, though, the idea of packing a lovely crystal punch bowl from your aunt might not be the most pleasant part of your wedding.

Just as with weddings closer to home, registering for gifts can be a great option for your destination wedding. Most stores will let you specify a delivery date for your gifts, meaning you can have them all dropped off at your home when you’re back from your destination wedding.

Registries will also allow guests to give you a gift without having to carry it with them as they travel. This is especially important considering the baggage allowance limits set by many airlines.

If your guests aren’t comfortable ordering from a registry, or want to see the look on your face when you open their gift, consider having a small, informal reception when you return from your destination wedding. This can also be a chance for those who couldn’t travel to take part in the celebrations.

Whatever you decide about your wedding gifts, it’s never a reason to decide against a fabulous destination wedding! For more destination wedding planning advice, or to book your big day, give us a call!

When to Go On Your Honeymoon

You’ve set your wedding date, but do you know when to set your honeymoon date? There are conflicting opinions on when the best time to go on a honeymoon is, and it really does become a matter of which you prefer.

• Immediately after the wedding: This is probably the most traditional choice. In this, the newlyweds are swept away from the reception and straight to the airport. This can make your honeymoon really feel like part of your wedding day, but can leave you feeling like you’ve missed out on part of the reception. It can also leave you exhausted!
• The next day/a few days later: This is becoming one of the more popular choices. Here, you have the wedding, and give yourself time to have a brunch the next day, and even another day to recover from the celebrations. Before heading back to work, though, you head off on your honeymoon. It allows you to have a longer wedding celebration and enjoy your honeymoon as part of this.
• Delayed by months: While this separates the honeymoon and the wedding, it can be a more convenient choice for many couples. If your work schedules aren’t going to allow you to jet off right after your wedding, you can plan a honeymoon for a later date. This can also be a great option if your honeymoon destination isn’t in a great season around your wedding.
• All in one: Another choice is to do the wedding and honeymoon all in one with a destination wedding. This allows you to celebrate your wedding in your honeymoon location. Your guests join you for the wedding, and you stay a bit longer to enjoy some time as newlyweds.

Whatever your preference, you’ll want to book your honeymoon with an experienced travel agent. To find out about great honeymoon destinations at fantastic prices, giveus a call today!

Why Use a Destination Wedding Planner Instead of Doing It Yourself

Many couples decide on a destination wedding and think they can save money by doing it all themselves. After all, they’ve booked vacations online, planned flights and hotels on their own, and know what they want. They think that a destination wedding planner is an expense they just don’t need. Unfortunately for them, they are very wrong and can end up facing huge amounts of stress and extra costs!

A destination wedding planner can get you great discounts and bonuses. Whether you’re looking at an all-inclusive resort or not, a destination wedding planner will have an existing relationship with the venue. This means they get better deals than you can find online, and know how to get the extras that will make your day fabulous.

A destination wedding planner saves you from hidden fees. Online booking can often end in you getting charged hidden fees. A destination wedding planner will give you an upfront price with no hidden fees, which can save you lots of money.

A destination wedding planner saves you headaches. Planning any wedding is a big job, and planning one remotely is an even more daunting task. You have plenty to do in the lead-up to your wedding, from finding the perfect dress to going to your normal job. Planning a destination wedding on your own can leave you with no time and lots of stress. Working with a destination wedding planner can allow you to enjoy your engagement while knowing that you’ll be having the wedding of your dreams.

To find out more about how a destination wedding planner can help create your perfect wedding day, get in touch today!

Sandals Wedding Moon Specials...from your weddingmoon certified specialist

How to make planning a wedding fun with a destination wedding

When some women think about their wedding they often dream of being surrounded by a big group of family and friends, a crowd meeting them at the church, a big sit down dinner and a busy reception in the evening with music and laughter.  For some however, this is what they have nightmares about!  Getting married is mainly about choosing who to spend the rest of your life with, but once you start trying to plan a wedding with that in mind, you will find yourself inundated with people suggesting caterers they are friends with, introducing their neighbor who makes cakes, inviting you over to hear their son’s band or worse yet, deciding on what the bridesmaid (the one you weren’t planning on asking to be a bridesmaid) should wear to give her the best chance of meeting the man of her dreams at your wedding.

Before you jump in the car and head towards Las Vegas, why not consider a destination wedding?  It is as fun as planning a holiday but you get a life partner at the end of it instead of a souvenir t-shirt.  There are a number of options to look into; the Caribbean being a favorite.  The best part of a destination wedding is that instead of trying to pretend you like your friend’s caterer’s food, reassure an amateur cake maker that you wanted a sunken wedding cake, trying to explain that a Metallica tribute band wasn’t what you had in mind and watching the bridesmaid you never wanted try on dresses that you hate, you can concentrate on what matters; you. 

For more information on destination weddings visit my website on getting married away from it all.

Where to begin its been so long

I am going to begin this blog with travels from a while back. I know I have neglected speaking to you. I have been so many places ...so much to tell.
Let's start with the grand reopening of Moon Palace in Riviera Maya. Still part of the Palace resorts, its a very large resort divided into several sections that caters to everyone. Customers young and old seems to love it. For me ..its too large. But that's for me. The beach is not very usable. Plenty of seaweed around so most of the guests seem to dominate the pools.
I must say the food was very good. The brazilian steakhouse stands out as one of the best steakhouses that I have found in an all inclusive resort.

The staff there is wonderful and the rooms are great. I would recommend families and destination weddings but look out for the time share people.

Just say NO..

Remember that there is an $1800 (taxable) bonus that you can use for almost anything including excursions..and the resort is still affiliated with Sun/Beach/Playacar/Cozumel Palace.

Back in a flash with more..and I won't let so much time pass between my blogs.

www.atimetotravel.net
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