Wedding Planning Tips

Wedding Locations

By Barbara Wade © 2011, All Rights Reserved

Nestled between the hills of America’s wine country and the stunning blue of the Pacific lies the city of San Jose, California. An easy drive from the world-famous Napa Valley, the rich history of San Francisco, and the famous beaches of Monterey Bay, this city is the perfect location for hosting a wedding to remember. You might expect that, with a nickname like “the Silicon Valley,” hotels and other accommodations would be strictly business. On the contrary; this high-tech hot spot offers countless ways to celebrate your love with a sophisticated touch.

Stress-Free Celebrations at All-Inclusive Hotels

For the ultimate in understated elegance, consider a San Jose luxury hotel for your big day. Better boutique hotels in the area offer spa packages, world-class catering, and special room rates for out-of-town guests, which makes planning your big day a breeze. Rather than juggling the timing, transportation, and guest accommodations, let the hotel see to the details so you can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event free from the stress of endless planning. Choose the right venue and even the rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch will be handled with style and grace, creating beautiful memories for everyone involved.

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By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved

You’ve finally met the man of your dreams. You’ve chosen the perfect dress, a stunning ring, and invited your friends and family to help you celebrate on this joyous occasion. All that remains is to select the ideal location. When it comes to gorgeous wedding venues, no other city can compare to Portland. Hotel suites cater to new brides and grooms – and their guests – and the gorgeous scenery in and around Portland makes the City of Roses a truly romantic destination.

Portland’s Natural Beauty is a Dazzling Backdrop for any Celebration

The International Rose Test Garden provides a stunning setting for those pre-wedding photographs. No flower says romance like the rose, and only in Portland will you find more than 7,000 plants all in one location. Wander hand in hand through the garden while the photographer captures magical candid shots, or pose for formal portraits with your wedding party. When you’ve finished, be sure to stop by the Rose Garden Shop to pick up rose-themed wedding favors such as confections shaped like this elegant flower. Your guests will love having these locally made delicacies to remind them of their visit to the City of Roses and of your special day.

For the wine-loving bride and groom, Portland offers some of the country’s best vintages. The Willamette Valley wine region is Oregon’s largest, home to 200 wineries and 12,000 acres of grapes. Dedicated to sustainable growing, the vineyards of Oregon take pride in their organic, biodynamic and salmon-safe farming practices. You’ll savor the richness of the wine even more when you know it was produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Not only that, but you’ll be able to choose local vintages to serve at your rehearsal dinner, reception, and with brunch the following day. And don’t forget to pick out a special bottle just for the two of you to share.
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Tuaca Apple Martini

You want your wedding reception to be a happy memory for your guests. Serving tasty food and unusual drinks is one way to make a positive lasting impression. Here’s a wonderful martini recipe to include in your beverage list that is sure to distinguish your wedding reception. The drink is a variation of the classic Washington Apple Martini only it uses Tuaca, a honey-sweet Italian liqueur made from brandy, orange and vanilla. This delightful concoction has a complex sweet, tart and full-bodied flavor your guests won’t forget. You’ll start a new wedding beverage tradition.

1 oz Tuaca
1 oz Sour Apple Pucker
1 oz Cranberry Juice

Mix and shake with crushed ice. Serve in a chilled glass rimmed with sugar and cinnamon.

This drink recipe is courtesy of the Eventi Hotel, a great location for New York wedding events.

By Barbara Wade © 2010, All Rights Reserved

You’ve dreamed about it for years. You’ve walked down the aisle hundreds of times, designed a thousand dresses in your mind and began envisioning your first kiss as man and wife the day you met. Now that the moment has arrived, you know that nothing less than an intimate Alexandria wedding will do. Old Town Alexandria’s rich history brings elegance and class to the most sacred of events and provides the perfect beginning to a long and happy married life.

History and Romance of the South

Alexandria is brimming with southern charm, making it the perfect backdrop for the most important day of your life. Step into the past on King Street, where historic buildings house world-class restaurants and boutique shops – just the place to find that special bridesmaid gift. Spend a leisurely afternoon strolling along tree-lined boulevards or sipping sweet tea at a sidewalk cafe. Before heading back to your hotel, hop aboard a trolley for a fun tour of Old Town Alexandria.

This charismatic city is close to the hustle and bustle of Washington DC, but miles away in lifestyle. The luxury hotels that line the historic avenues provide an atmosphere of romance you can’t find anywhere else on earth. The quaint neighborhoods and charming architecture are reminiscent of times past when southern belles walked these same streets, arm-in-arm with their beaus.

For you and your modern-day beau, an Alexandria wedding is a fantasy brought to life. From the rehearsal dinner to the honeymoon, every minute of your fairytale will be handled with class. Alexandria offers a variety of venues for your ceremony, from understated elegance to modern and unique. Choose the setting that brings out the princess in you.

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Though the difficult economic times of recent years have had a negative impact on virtually every industry, they have actually given rise to an increase in the number destination weddings. In fact, according to industry statistics, more couples than ever are choosing to exchange vows in ceremonies away from their home towns.

Why choose a destination wedding?

Most brides site control over the wedding day as one of the main reasons why they choose to have a destination wedding. Let’s face it, not every bride wants a large church wedding. These events can often become large, impersonal occasions that are as much for the wedding couples’ families as they are for the wedding couple.

Destination weddings give brides the opportunity to host a more intimate affair with just a few friends and family members present. While many “at home” weddings have guest lists that soar into the hundreds, the average number of attendees at a destination wedding is 45 – 50.

The couple also has more control over the ceremony itself. They can be more creative with the clothes that they wear, the style of the ceremony, and even the wedding officiants. While many brides to be choose an exotic or beach setting for their nuptials, others prefer a mountainous setting. With all that Branson, Missouri has to offer, it’s no wonder that more and more couples are choosing Branson as the place to exchange vows.

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farm wedding
By: Alexine

Deciding where to have your wedding ceremony and reception can be quite a headache. There are many places that advertise for weddings but most get booked up years in advance and cost an arm and a leg. While this is acceptable to some brides, most are in need of a more reasonable price. To help with the headache here are some venues where you might like to have your wedding ceremony or reception.

Country Club

If you or someone close to you is a member of a country club then this would be a great place to have your ceremony and your reception. Of course if you want to have you ceremony in a church that is fine too but the reception would be wonderful at a country club. Whether you are overlooking a golf course or an array of tennis courts and swimming pools, the scenery is usually very beautiful.
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purpleflowers1By Barbara Wade

When anything less than perfection simply won’t do, there’s no better place to host your wedding reception than at a luxury, boutique hotel in Dallas. Wedding receptions throughout Texas are known for their grandeur and flair. If you have visions of creating the most elaborate event ever seen in Dallas, look for a hotel that offers majestic ballrooms, elegant dining areas and an experienced staff ready to attend to your every need.

To ensure your wedding reception is everything you’ve dreamed of, take note of these tips for booking distinctive amenities and services that are unequaled elsewhere.
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Stunning scenery, abundant sunshine and an idyllic atmosphere are among a host of reasons couples choose to have a Colorado mountain wedding. But, with so many attractive locations and so many options available, choosing the perfect place to exchange vows can be a daunting task. There is, however, one Colorado mountain location that rises above the rest with all it has to offer.

Aspen Hotel - The Sky Hotel

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By: Alexine

One of the most desired locations for a wedding is on the beach. It’s beautiful and the sound of the ocean creates a romantic setting for the exchange of vows. Then in the evening you get to enjoy a beautiful sunset. Natural beauty will awe your guests and allow you to save on the decorations. No need to go overboard, the scenery says it all!

This beautiful beach setting comes at a pretty high price. Due to the pristine location you will most likely have to go with a resort or established function business on the beach. These places are typically all inclusive and do not allow you to supply your own food, decorations or music.
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Pick a Honeymoon Destination that will create a lifetime of memories.

Planning your wedding involves a great deal of decision making. There’s the ceremony and the dress. The attendants and guests. The music and the cake. Arggh! Suddenly you feel overwhelmed with questions and choices, and you still have one of the most important decisions to make… where to go on your honeymoon! How do you choose the perfect spot for you and your spouse to start your new life together?

Help is here! For the last 11 years, Modern Bride magazine has conducted a survey of 6,000 of the nation’s top travel agents. They were asked to pick their favorite honeymoon destinations based on such things as most luxurious hotels and resorts, romance, seclusion, affordability, adventure, nightlife, food and culture. Their top five picks are below.
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