Recommend June 2016 - (Page 24)

Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Delivers on Destination Weddings $3,300 for a group that size, but, adds Cooper, "Every wedding is completely bespoke." Wedding parties who stay at The Landings St. Lucia can enjoy one of the island's best beaches, watersports, and proximity to Pigeon Point. All units are family-friendly suites with full kitchens, yet a 1-bedroom starts at just $347, a 2-bedroom from $441, and a 3-bedroom, $631. talktous@awesomecaribbeanweddings. com; awesomecaribbeanweddings.com; and landingsstlucia.com Grand Cayman Island: Underwater Vows Sultry Sunset Collection wedding option at Palace Resorts. Last month I got a peek at Moon Palace Jamaica Grande's destination wedding venues, including the two gazebos, each on either side of the resort and ideal for weddings under 100 guests; the 200-guest Terrace; the 400-guest ballroom, and the setting most couples choose, beachside. Whichever venue your couple chooses, Palace Resorts (weddings.palaceresorts.com), which has been planning destination weddings at its Mexico resorts for some years now, can create a customized setting, with your help of course, that's just right for the bride and groom. You and the couple can work with a Palace Resorts wedding coordinator to choose just the right bridal bouquet, floral accents, custom wedding cakes, menu, and unique linens. Couples can also opt for a photo package, and the Palace Resorts team will help the couple design a personalized wedding website that features engagement pictures and favorite songs, as well as the registry that can include everything from flowers and wedding decor, to tours, golf and spa treatments. Additionally, Palace Resorts' 3-night complimentary Paradise Promotion allows couples to get a preview of Moon Palace Jamaica Grande's destination wedding offerings. Couples will receive three nights at a special rate, and once they confirm the wedding, the value of the three nights is credited to the account once on property to be used towards wedding enhancements. Keep in mind that in addition to planning the perfect day, what's key in planning a memorable destination wedding experience is giving the couple a unique vacation with loved ones. Recommend a catamaran excursion for the wedding party, breakfast in bed the day after the ceremony, a poolside cocktail party, in other words, additional experiences that happen throughout the resort stay. As one travel advisor told me recently, "Creating the 'wows' are the intangibles." -Paloma Villaverde de Rico 24 june 2016 Scuba divers can take the plunge, as it were, with Divetech's Aqua Vows underwater wedding. A divemaster puts the vows on large, laminated cards, and if friends/family join in on the ceremony, Divetech supplies underwater signs so they can follow along. The Cathy Church Photo Centre takes photographs and videos, and hotels or local wedding planners handle the reception and arrange for a wedding officer to legally seal the deal when the couple is back on land. If some invitees want to attend yet aren't certified divers, the Aqua Vows can take place at Stingray City, where people stand on the 4-ft.-deep sandy floor of the bay and just wear snorkeling masks. A half-day charter of the dive boat costs $1,200 and can accommodate up to 10. Equipment rentals are extra, as are decorations, food, or drinks the couple might want aboard the boat. With its prime position on Seven Mile Beach, stately white exterior, Heavenly beds, and skillful spa staff, the Westin Grand Cayman Resort and Spa is a personal favorite. Rooms start at $304 ($259 plus $45 resort charge). Contact emma@divetech.com and/or cathy@cathychurch.com; and visit westingrandcayman.com Vieques, Puerto Rico: LGBT Wedding For LGBT couples, finding the right wedding venue is not just a personal whim; it's a necessity, and that's where the W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island comes in. Puerto Rico is one of the only Caribbean islands that offers legally binding same-sex ceremonies, and the W works with the United States' top LGBT wedding planner, recommend.com http://www.awesomecaribbeanweddings.com http://www.landingsstlucia.com http://weddings.palaceresorts.com http://www.westingrandcayman.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend June 2016

Editor’s Notes
Romance Travel Forum: Where Education Prospers
Out-of-the-Box Weddings
Travel Advisor Corner: Weddings Away From Home
Honeymoon Adventures
Onsite Review: Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa: Weddings & Romance By the Sea
New Ways to Get Married
Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Delivers on Destination Weddings
4 Very Different Honeymoons
Onsite Review: CHIC Punta Cana & Club Med Zen Oasis
Wedded Bliss in Paradise
A Honeymoon for Every Taste
Adventure-Filled Honeymoons
Wildest Dreams
“I Do”– Today and Tomorrow
Iconic Islands = Idyllic Honeymoons
Eco-Friendly Honeymoons

Recommend June 2016