Vegas Wedding

Getting married in Las Vegas is fun, exciting, and can fit into even the tightest of wedding budgets.  Weddings in Vegas can be cozy and intimate or wild and themed.  If you want to get married by Elvis, that’s a possibility.  That’s the great thing about Las Vegas, anything goes!

Getting Married in Vegas – Pros and Cons
A major perk of getting married in Vegas is that weddings can be put together with little to no notice, and there will always be a place available no matter the time or date.  There are hundreds of churches and chapels in Vegas, but those aren’t your only options.  Hotels, tourist attractions, and public areas can also make elegant wedding locations.

Cons of getting married in Vegas include tacky decorations of some locations and the stigma of having a quickie wedding in Sin City.  If your dream is to have your wedding in Vegas and you are afraid of tacky décor, just request photos of the location before you book it.  Your Vegas wedding is really all about you and your fiancé, and if having a fantastic time is your main goal, then burgundy carpet shouldn’t be a deal breaker.  If it is, there are hundreds more places to choose from in every budget imaginable.

What’s Different in Vegas Weddings?
Las Vegas offers twenty-four hour entertainment, shows, fine dining, and more!  You and your guests will never get bored and your wedding trip will be like one big party.  Wedding packages even start under $50 for the bride on a shoestring budget, but can range up in the thousands for the bride who wants a more elaborate reception.  If you shop around and plan ahead it’s possible to find wedding packages under $500 including limousine services, chapel rental, reception area, a minister, witnesses, and more.  Some companies even throw in generic rental flowers and cakes.  Anything is possible in Las Vegas and if you go with the right company you can get a fantastic wedding at a great price!

Fairytale Wedding in France

Have you ever dreamed of getting married in a French castle – a fairy tale and destination wedding folded into one – but assumed that this is only for the rich and famous? It is not as far-fetch as you might think. With over thirty thousand castles in France, you are bound to find one that fits your budget and fulfills your dream. Yes, there are a lot of legal and documentation hoops to go through, but they are not insurmountable. And, there are ways to get around them without getting into legal trouble. Prepare to learn how to have a stress-free romantic fairy tale-destination wedding in France…

Firstly, let us look at the “hoops”:

• Religious ceremonies are not recognized under French law. Although religious ceremonies are very common in France, priest, rabbi or ministers may only perform a marriage ceremony after the couple’s civil wedding ceremony. The civil ceremony must be performed by a French civil authority. It cannot be performed at an Embassy or a Consular office. All marriages must be performed at a French city hall; no buts, no exceptions.
• There are strict residency requirements in France prior to the civil ceremony. At least one of the marrying couple must reside in the town where the marriage ceremony will take place for thirty days prior to the marriage. French law also requires the publication of the marriage banns at City Hall for ten days, which makes a total residency requirement of 40 days before the ceremony can be scheduled to take place at City Hall
• There are a number of documents required for the civil ceremony:
  • All foreign documents must be legalized before presenting them to the French authorities. Legalization is done by an Apostille obtained through the office of the Secretary of State of where the document was issued.
  • All documents must be translated into French for presentation to French officials. Translation can be done in the US by a Translating Agency or by a certified translator in France. If the translation is done in the US, both the translation and original document must be presented to the French Consulate General for verification.
  1. an official birth certificate from the couple’s government bureau, i.e, not from the hospital
  2. a notarized “Affidavit of Law” drawn in the State of residence of the betrothed couple stating that the persons are free to marry, that the marriage to be performed in France will be recognized as valid in their home country, and the publication of marriage banns is not required in their home country, neither under States nor Federal law.
  3. In case of previous marriages, a a certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased spouse or a certified copy of the final divorce decree must be produced.
  4. a prenuptial certificate of health issued not more than two months prior to the date of the marriage by a medical doctor that includes: serological tests for syphilis, blood types and possibly the presence of irregular anti-bodies. Females also need serological test for rubella and toxoplasma.

  It is possible to have all these tests done in France.

  As legal requirements may change, it is recommended that you contact the Marriage Bureau of City hall upon arrival in France as extra documents may be required, such as a residence affidavit as mentioned earlier.

Now, now, before you start shaking your head thinking this is way too complex for you, let us talk about how to go around the “hoops” without the stress – have a legal wedding in the United States. The choice is yours. It could be a small religious wedding or a civil ceremony prior to your destination-fairytale wedding in France. This way you can enjoy spending time with your guests at your reception without worrying about all the legalities and paperwork. In addition, since you are not concerned about the legality of your French wedding, you can choose to have a romantic religious ceremony held in one of French’s beautiful chateau. Honeymoon is just a couple of stair steps away…

Photo and Video Credits: Chateau de Guerinet Loire Valley, France

A bedroom at Jules' Underwater Lodge

You  will have exclusive use of the lodge for your destination wedding and honeymoon.  This unique underwater hotel is about 2 miles from the Miami Airport, but the hotel itself is 21 feet beneath the surface of the sea.  Wedding ceremonies are held in the lodge, which consists of a wet room entrance area, two bedrooms and a common room, which is a combination kitchen, dining and living room area.  Both bedrooms and the common room have each a 42″ window that allows you to watch the fish pass by your window while enjoying the privacy of the lodge.

You and your groom will have to scuba dive to the hotel and enter through an opening at the bottom of the lodge – the hotel’s wet room.  You will be greeted with romantic music and fresh flowers in every room.  Your wedding clothes will be brought to you just like a regular “bell boy” by one Jules’ scuba divers.  Once you are changed into your wedding clothes, your wedding ceremony will be conducted by a notary public, who will dive down for the service.  After the ceremony, comes the toast, the cutting of the cake and the reception dinner.  The dinner is  consists of caviar appetizers and choice of two entrees, either lobster or steak and a hearts of palm salad and dessert.  A chef who also scuba dives to the lodge will prepare your meal in your kitchen.  The chef will also scuba dive to the lodge the following morning and prepare your breakfast.  How cool is that?

The cost for the Jules’ Undersea Lodge is $1,495 plus tax. If you have any extra guests attending the wedding you will be charged an additional $60 per guest. Call (305) 451-2353 for more information.

Maui Destination Wedding

Looking for a warm, tropical location lush with palm trees and colorful flowers for your wedding venue?  Maui may be your ideal location.  Planning a wedding here may seem like a daunting task, but with careful preparation you can have the Hawaiian wedding of your dreams.

Step 1 – Visit the location
When planning a destination wedding, one of the first things you will want to do is visit the location.  Make a list of places that you want to see and vendors that you want to meet and make appointments with as many of them as possible.  This trip to Maui may be more work than vacation, but the fun part will be coming after the wedding.

Step 2 – Think of where to hold the ceremony
The first consideration on your list is probably the ceremony location.  Many Maui hotels offer wedding services.  If you book your ceremony at a hotel, you may also be able to have your reception there, and book a block of rooms for your guests.  This will solve three big decisions at one.  Often, these hotels are located on the ocean so you can have your ceremony on their private beach.

Maui Destination Wedding - Grand Wailea Hotel Resort and Spa

The Grand Wailea Hotel Resort and Spa offers a seaside chapel, gazebo, or beach wedding.  The resort also offers various options on their property for a reception and has caterers to provide everything from dinner to the cake.

Maui Destination Wedding - Aloha Cottage

For a more private setting, look into smaller wedding companies such as the Aloha Cottage. This beautiful and secluded location offers a variety of ceremony options as well as a location for your reception.  When deciding on a location, you should keep in mind that the beaches in Maui are public.  Therefore, a wedding on the beach will not be a very private event.  In peak seasons, there may be more than one wedding happening along the beach at once.

Step 3 – Determine if reception can be held in the same location
If your reception will not be held in the same venue as the ceremony, you will need to look into additional locations and caterers.  One easy option may be to hold the reception at a nearby restaurant.  Maui has a variety of locations to meet your needs.  Consider ahead of time what kind of meal you want to serve.  For a Maui destination wedding, you can easily go along with the Hawaiian theme and serve mahi mahi, roasted pig, or poi.

Step 4 – Choose the right wedding attire and accessories

Beach Destination Wedding Gowns

Once you have your locations booked, it’s time to get down to the details. Selecting your attire may be next on the list. When selecting your wedding gown, it’s important to keep location in mind.

Barefoot Sandals

If you are getting married on the beach, you will want a light and flowing material and although shoes are optional, wearing  barefoot sandals will add beach elegance to your wedding.  For other locations, you may opt for a more formal dress.  If you will be outside at all, keep in mind that the weather will probably be sunny and warm, so you won’t want long sleeves or very heavy material.  For a Hawaiian wedding such as this, the groom and groomsmen have several options.  While you can go with the traditional tuxes, you can also have them wear khakis and colored shirts, casual suites, or a number of other options.

Step 5 – Don’t forget the marriage license

Last but not least is your marriage license.  In the state of Hawaii, you must be present to obtain your marriage license.  It’s good to plan several days ahead for this to avoid any complications.  Contact officials in the state of Hawaii several months before your wedding to double check on their current laws and regulations regarding the marriage license as these may change.

Photo Credits: Maui Destination Wedding Photo from Maui Wedding Photos Gallery;  Left Wedding Gown from The Dessy Group ; Right wedding gown from Claire Pettibone; Barefoot Sandals from Bridal ‘N Beauty

"Un-traditional Wedding"

Choosing to elope is a very personal decision. Eloping means that you and your fiancé decide to get married alone with no traditional wedding ceremony or reception. It is usually done in secret. Deciding to elope is often a very spontaneous decision, and something that a couple doesn’t plan very far ahead of time. Some people also consider a destination wedding to be an elopement, but this is not a true interpretation of the term. Since a destination wedding or even a small at-home wedding still involves guests, invitations, and a reception, these are not “real” elopements in the traditional way.

The Upside of Elopement
One of the biggest pros to eloping is the money that you will save. Many couples prefer to skip the expensive ceremony and reception and opt for an elopement that may be a few hundred dollars at most. Another reason that couples chose to elope is to forgo lengthy legal requirements in their home state. Some locations require a blood test or other waiting period before the wedding, so a couple may decide to elope in another state where they can get married immediately (think Las Vegas). Many couples who elope will also take their honeymoon in the same locale where they got married. Instead of spending their money on a big ceremony, they may opt to spend it on their dream vacation together.

The Downside of Elopement
If you elope on the spur of the moment, the biggest problem you will probably run into will be the reactions of family and friends. Close family may be especially insulted that they were not there at your wedding. If this is your first marriage, you should take time to consider if you really want to give up the once in a lifetime chance for a wedding. If you are simply looking to avoid a big event, consider opting for a small wedding instead of an elopement.

There are a few more modern options for eloping that do allow the couple to plan ahead. Many cruise lines offer private beach weddings, with only the bride and groom. These packages usually include a special suite for the bride and groom after the ceremony, champagne and strawberries in the room, photos of the event, and a special wedding certificate. The marriage is usually performed at the first stop of the cruise so that the couple can enjoy the rest of the trip as their honeymoon. Though this is technically considered an elopement, because only the bride and groom are present, this is an option that allows for a little more planning and advance notice.

However you choose to elope, you should note that wedding gifts are usually forfeit. If you elope, it is considered rude to still register for gifts. In most cases, you won’t even need to send announcements, unless you feel that your friends and relatives would like to know about your recent marriage. Word of mouth should suffice for the occasion. Some close friends and family may choose to send a card or small gift, but you shouldn’t expect the kind of windfall that many couples receive when they hold a traditional wedding.

Is Elopement Right For You?
In the end, choosing to elope is a decision that can only be made by the bride and groom. This special, private ceremony will be an intimate memory for you and your fiancé and may be just the thing for a spontaneous couple. However, it is important to consider your family, especially parents, when making this decision, and choose the type of marriage that will be the best for everyone.

Photo Credits:  Elope Today Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

Clearwater Beach, Florida Wedding

Destination weddings are a growing trend and can provide a very exotic and romantic experience if planned correctly.  The key to putting together a successful destination wedding is often in the details.  If you want to be able to plan a destination wedding on a budget, you can save money and time by choosing a destination in the United States.  For a warm, tropical atmosphere, one popular location is the sunny state of Florida. With a plethora of beach locations, Florida is a perfect choice for an affordable and beautiful ceremony.  The beaches along Clearwater Beach offer several options in a variety of price ranges.

Choose a location
The first and most important choice is where your wedding will be. Variables to take into consideration are weather, price, packages available, and ease of travel.  The farther south you go, the hotter it will be. Beaches on the Gulf coast often experience calmer weather.

There are many wedding companies that will assist you in planning a beach wedding in Florida. There are no private beaches in this area, so there may be other people on the beach.  However, if you plan your wedding in the evening, beach traffic has generally cleared out.  Many hotels offer wedding packages and allow you to have your ceremony on the beach located directly behind the hotel.  Another great beach location is Sand Key Park, which is a small stretch of beach located in Clearwater Beach.  Many wedding planners cater exclusively to ceremonies on this beach.

Take care of the Legalities
Before you get too far into your planning, make sure you know the requirements for obtaining a marriage license in your chosen locale.

• To get married in Florida, you may obtain a marriage license at any Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. It does not need to be obtained in the same county in which you will be getting married.
• No blood test is required.
• For Florida residents, there will be a three day waiting period.
• For non-Florida residents, your marriage license is valid immediately.
• Witnesses are not required to get married in Florida

Make hotel and travel arrangements
It is often a good idea to look for a packaged deal with hotel and airfare.  When planning a destination wedding it’s important to consider all of your guests’ needs.

• Choose a hotel and book a block of rooms at a discounted rate.  Since your guests will be traveling to attend the event, you can eliminate their need to rent a car by planning your reception, or even your ceremony, at the same hotel your guests will be staying in.
• Many hotels also have beach front access and provide wedding planning services.
• The nearest airport to Clearwater Beach is Tampa.  Don’t forget to include this information in your invitations.

Arrange for meals
When you have a destination wedding, guests may expect more than just the reception dinner.  The most common meal that is expected as part of a destination wedding is a breakfast to be served the morning after the wedding.  Other meals you may plan before the wedding are a luncheon the day before the event for bride and bridesmaids and a similar event for the grooms and groomsmen, and a rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding for close family and friends.  The day of the wedding, you may chose to plan separate breakfasts for the bride and groom with their family and attendants (be sure to plan these events at separate locations if you do not want to see each other before the wedding).

Plan events
Remember a destination wedding is a vacation not only for you and your spouse-to-be, but for your guests as well.  Take time to research local areas of interest.  If you don’t want to plan specific events for everyone, consider putting together a small handout of options for them, or post this information on a wedding web page.

• Clearwater Beach is a great spot for dolphin watching cruises.
• There are lots of great gift shops and restaurants located along the beach.
• For a wonderful evening event, don’t miss Sunsets at Pier 60.
• Each evening around sunset, the pier comes alive with performers, vendors, and live music.

Give your guests a warm welcome
A wonderful way to welcome your guests to your destination wedding is to provide small welcome baskets for them in their hotel rooms when they check in. You can include things like local maps and brochures, travel sized soaps and lotions (in your wedding colors, and with custom labels if you like!), monogrammed candles, and candies or snacks.

Find the perfect dress
Many bridal shops now have a special section dedicated to dresses for destination weddings.  Things to keep in mind for a destination wedding gown are the weather and type of ground you will be walking on. Florida is generally hot and humid unless you plan a wedding during the winter months.

• You will probably want a lighter, more flowing material.
• Trains are optional for gowns of this style. If you will be walking through sand, keep in mind that the longer the train, the more sand you will be pulling behind you. Don’t let the fear of a dirty dress stop you from choosing a dress with a train, though! Sand doesn’t stain like dirt, and for a dress you only wear once, you shouldn’t worry about a little sand.
• Remember that it is always breezy on the beach and therefore you should NOT wear a veil regardless of length, or wear your hair down or with bangs or hair stings off the side of your face.  You will end up trying to fix or keep them in place instead or looking radiant during the ceremony.

Choose your flowers
Flowers can be a very tricky thing when planning a beach wedding.  It is often very windy, and the heat and humidity will cause your flowers to quickly wilt.  The best solution is to use silk flowers.  You can order silk bouquets online, or go to craft shops and put together the bouquets yourself.

The most important thing to keep in mind when planning a destination wedding is to have fun! Non-traditional weddings provide you with lots of freedom to design a ceremony that will truly reflect you as a couple and the new life you are entering together.

Photo Source: earthone flicker photo

1. Find out in well in advance the marriage legal requirements of your chosen wedding destination.  Some require waiting periods from one day to at least a month residency .  A good starting point would be to visit the tourism website of the island or country you are interested in.
2. When selecting a hotel or resort for your destination wedding, be sure to read and understand the fine print. Find out what is included in the price. Many of the inexpensive wedding packages are for a ceremony with only the bride and the groom plus witnesses in attendance.  The price does not include food, drink or any guests.  It also does not include air travel and lodging. If you are planning to have your family and friends join you, ask for how much will be the per-head additional cost.  Once you have this information, you can figure out if this is within your budget.
3. Since this is going to be wedding planning the long distance way, consider hiring a bridal consultant from the locale you chose.  Often  times the resort can provide names of local consultants.  The local consultant can make bring local colors, foods and festivities to your wedding. 
4. Allow enough time for your guests to plan for a destination wedding so they can plan months in advance. Encourage your invited guests to book together to get better price for the location. 

Whatever destination you choose, just be sure to do your homework and enjoy!