Planning for a summer wedding dress is so much fun. Men and women love to shop in advance for garments and accessories for their special D-day. Apart from the wedding couple, wedding guests also love to shop for this lovely occasion.
Checkout the latest summer wedding fashion insights for men and women.
For Women
Brides can first check out SHOPBOP’s, BLUEFLY and ENDLESS for their wedding apparels. All these places are stacked with classically feminine wedding gowns, spectacular evening dresses for the party and classic accessories to match that perfect dress.
Another trendy place is ANN TAYLOR’s – which is famous for its fabulous collection of spring wedding guest dresses. Whether it’s the bride or the bridesmaid, DAVID’s bridal is the best place to give you the right looks for the right occasion. Their wedding gowns are a must-have for this summer wedding season.
For Men
Men aren’t left behind in this wedding shopping spree scene. EXPRESS is the best place to shop for their traditional suits. TOBI’s is a great place for smart wedding garments like vests and shirts. Customers can get best shopping deals from KENNETHCOLE, for their vast range of apparels, accessories and shoes. JOS A. BANK is another place that offers modern suits for the bridegroom’s wardrobe. Another good place to check out is PAULFREDRICKMENSTYLE. They are currently offering a huge clearance sale on men’s accessories like cufflinks, ties and hats.
Gift Ideas
Gifts are a way to express love and shower blessings on the newly weds. URBANOUTFITTERS is an ideal place to choose a cool decoration piece for the eclectic couple. SURLATABLE is another shopper’s paradise with sturdy kitchen accessories. Or, if you’re shopping online, browse through BEDBATHANDBEYOND for their personalized classic wedding gifts.
Whether it’s a wedding on the beach or at the garden, an important basic necessity that must be looked into is personal beauty care. Care must be taken to select quality skincare products that will give the needed glow for the wedding ceremony.
Get trendy this summer wedding season and Have Fun!
Want to get married in a unique venue that almost feels like you’re stepping back in time? Consider getting married or having your wedding reception aboard a train! Trains take us back to a romantic, slower-paced era, so it’s a perfect, yet unique venue for tying the knot.
Which trains might you consider for your wedding?
Skunk Train – Mendocino Coast, California
Traveling at 29 miles per hour, the Skunk Train takes you and your wedding guests on the same northern California coastal “Redwood Route” that it has traveled since 1885. Leaving from the train station at Fort Bragg or Willits, California, the train takes your wedding party to either the Camp Mendocino Dining Hall, or the Northspur outdoor reception site, a remote outdoor site set amongst the towering redwoods, for a truly unforgettable wedding adventure.
The Skunk Train staff works with many local entertainers, so you have the option of providing live entertainment for your guests while aboard the train. Local entertainment includes the Skunk Train’s famed “Trainsinger,” as well as jazz bands, big bands, and rock bands. And, for great wedding photos, nothing beats the open observation train cars. Of course, the train pulls covered cars as well.
For those unfamiliar with the Mendocino area, it is truly breathtaking, punctuated by meadows, towering redwood forests and rocky cliffs. For more information about weddings aboard the Skunk Train, call 530-666-6781.
Napa Valley Wine Train – Napa Valley, California
Napa Valley, California is known as a great wine producing region of California, so it’s only natural that any wedding taking place in the Napa Valley includes wine. If you’re a wine buff, gourmet diner and train enthusiast, you may want to consider a wedding or reception aboard The Napa Valley Wine Train, a three-hour round-trip rail and gourmet dining adventure from the town of Napa to St. Helena. While on board, your guests can be treated to views of vineyards and wineries from restored train cars dating back to 1915-1947. Wineries you will pass by include such fine labels as Trefethen, Clos du Val, Cardinale, Domaine Chandon, Neibaum/Coppola and Grgich Hills.
You have your choice of three dining car experiences: the Vista Dome is a glass-domed rail car which can seat groups up to 56; the Silverado Grill is a casual dining car with sliding windows, which can seat groups up to 54; one of the Gourmet Express Pullman dining cars from 1915 – 1917. If you have a large wedding party you can charter the Gourmet Express, Vista Dome and Silverado Grill for up to 370 people. For Group information, call 707-253-0920.
Roaring Camp Railroad – Felton, California
Yet one more California wedding rail adventure, the Roaring Camp Railroads operates out of Felton, California, which is just north of Santa Cruz. The Roaring Camp Railroad offers wedding events at their camp, as well as Cathedral Grove, located on Bear Mountain, which is accessible by a vintage steam train. While at the Cathedral Grove site, couples exchange their vows underneath ancient, towering redwoods. For more information regarding wedding parties, call 831-335-4484.
Sugar Cane Train – Maui
We’re leaving California now and heading to Maui, a favorite wedding spot for couples around the world. Maui, of course, is famous for its beaches. But, if you’re a train buff you’re also in luck, as Maui is also home to the Sugar Cane Train which can transport your wedding party along a six-mile scenic journey between Lahaina and Kaanapali. You can call toll free at 800-499-2307 for more information.
Spirit of Washington – Renton, Washington
The Spirit of Washington operates out of Renton, Washington, which is southeast of Seattle, and has the distinction of traveling over the historic Wilburton Trestle, which is the longest wooden trestle in the Northwest at 975 feet long and 102 feet high. Should you choose a wedding or reception on the Spirit of Washington, you will be treating yourself and your guests to great dining, as well as a scenic ride along Lake Washington, over the Wilburton Trestle, and into one of Washington’s best wine growing regions, with a winery stopover at Columbia Winery. Call 800-876-7245 for more information on wedding parties on the Spirit of Washington.
Grand Canyon Railway – Williams, Arizona
If you haven’t been to the Grand Canyon, you absolutely must. And if you’ve already been, go again, this time by train. You embark The Grand Canyon Railway at their depot in Williams, Arizona for the 2-hour, 15-minute train trip to the Grand Canyon, all the while being entertained by cowboy characters and strolling musicians. This unique wedding venue is definitely one to consider if you have children in your wedding party.
You have the option of chartering a car on the train for your wedding party, and have the choice of five classes of train service, rim tours, entertainment and food options. Prices start at $2,000 for seating of 88 people in coach class, and $7,500 for a seating of 65 people in luxury parlor car. Call 1-800-843-8723 for information on group seating.
If you want a unique wedding venue your guests will talk about for years to come, you definitely should consider train travel. It’s romantic, relaxing, and nostalgic, and suitable for guests of all ages.
True, planning a wedding is no easy feat. It entails a lot of patience, creativity, and time – not to mention money. Because of this, couples delegate a large portion of the wedding planning to the professionals. Tasks such as wedding favors and wedding decoration – Toronto or elsewhere – are taken off of the couple’s shoulders and given to wedding planners.
But as the ultimate approving body of your wedding, you need to have a hand on things. It is YOUR wedding, after all. It is just proper that you be given the full control on things.
This kind of control extends even to the minutest of details – such as wedding favors. But in a world full of ideas, how do you choose your wedding favors? Here are a few suggestions.
Theme It!
Most weddings have themes. So if yours is one that follows a theme, make sure that your favors, and even your wedding flower – Toronto or from other city – are in line with such a theme. A beach wedding, for example can have wedding favors that go from simple seashells to intricately designed memoirs.
By keeping your favors in line with the theme of your wedding, you are making sure that your whole ceremony speaks of only one story – and a coherent one at that. This makes it easier for your guests to remember this very important day.
Budget-Wise
Usually, low budget weddings require inexpensive favors. But sometimes, even if you have the money to spend on these wedding favors, it is way more reasonable and more practical to choose inexpensive ones.
If you and your groom have the time to create the favors yourselves, then do so. This way, you only get to pay for the materials. Moreover, your giveaways will be more meaningful – as they are hand-made by the couple.
Personalize
There’s nothing more special than personalized wedding favors. These favors are your way of etching your wedding details (your names, date and venue of your wedding) in the face of the Earth. You’re sure that you won’t be forgotten by your guests.
Try going for candies that can have your picture and wedding details printed on them. Today, there are a lot of candy manufacturers who accept this kind of order. Mind you, these personalized candies do not only serve as wedding favors, but as appetizers too! Talk about hitting two birds with one stone, huh?
Personalizing wedding favors could also go a different direction. If you are not short on cash, you can give out personalized bridesmaid gifts as well. For instance, you can give them personalized bridesmaid frames, engraved jewelry boxes and glass photo vases. Personalizing their gifts is your way of thanking your bridesmaids for the time and effort that they’ve showered on you and your whole wedding preparation.
There you have it, three things to keep in mind when choosing your wedding favors. These favors are not compulsory to a wedding. But if you have the time to plan for them and you have the money to buy them, why should you let the opportunity pass by? You will only have one wedding in your lifetime – hopefully – so you should make the most out of it.
Best for Bride – Wedding Dresses and Bridesmaid Dresses
I am trying to find a place to get married in south orange county…help!?
My fiance and I are trying to find a place to get married somewhere in south orange county, maybe laguna beach, newport beach, or dana point. We would really like to get married on the beach or close to it. We are working with a very small budget – we are thinking of having an hour of drinks and appetizers before the wedding, then taking our families out to dinner after the wedding. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
The Chart House Restaurant ( we got married there and had reception there too ) over looking Dana Point Harbor:
http://www.chart-house.com/
Contact Ken Rosnagle, the wedding consultant there:
( 949 ) 493-1183
Around the corner next to Cannons Restaurant is a gazebo overlooking the harbor where you can take tons of pictures.
Unique Wedding Style Ideas to Make Your Wedding Less Ordinary
Every bride would like for her wedding to be a day to remember, and with many wedding style ideas to choose from, your big day can match your unique style and personality. Whether you are aiming for black tie or simple and relaxed, take a look at these wedding style ideas – there is one to suit every bride.
- Classic elegance If your dream wedding is a traditional affair with a white gown, a beautiful ceremony and a dinner reception, there are many classic wedding style ideas to make your special day shine. This type of wedding traditionally includes a cocktail hour in between the ceremony and the reception and then a sit-down dinner at a hotel or restaurant banquet room, depending on the size of your party. Traditional wedding style ideas include guest’s efforts to keep the new couple kissing as well as dance floor antics to add fun to the evening. Top off the theme with elegant wedding favours that have been personalized with your names and the date of the wedding.
- Casual simplicity Of the many wedding style ideas available, several of the most popular ideas take a more casual approach. Simple but lovely events including brunch weddings, sunset beach weddings and afternoon affairs are all wedding style ideas that will make your big day as enjoyable for your guests as it is for you. Aside from a more relaxed event, this type of wedding is often more budget friendly too – and these wedding style ideas are perfect for a smaller wedding.
- Uniquely you If trendy wedding style ideas just don’t live up to what you are looking for on your big day, take a different approach by planning your wedding around your personal interests. Take inspiration from your favourite holiday or season, or take unique wedding style ideas from a beloved hobby. Your wedding day should be all about you and your groom, so plan a day that celebrates who you are; look to activities you enjoy together or places and themes that are important to your relationship for wedding style ideas that match the couple you have been in the past and hope to be for a long time!
- Contemporary twist If you are looking for wedding style ideas that add a contemporary twist to a traditional event, consider interesting contemporary venues, attire, and ceremony. Many contemporary brides prefer writing their own vows in lieu of using classic vows, and also forego the white ball gown in favour of a dress with clean, modern lines. Contemporary wedding style ideas don’t end there! Consider a venue with interesting architecture, and choose a caterer who will serve interesting new cuisine.
If you are sitting down to the task of planning your big day, there are many wedding style ideas to choose from, and it can all be a bit overwhelming. Narrow your choices down to a list of wedding style ideas that suit your budget, the size of your wedding, and your personal taste. Remember, wedding inspiration can come from many places, and there are always new and different wedding style ideas for every new and different bride!
About the Author
This article was submitted by Dean Webb – A Wedding Less Ordinary Unique Wedding Favours & Accessories. A Wedding Less Ordinary is the UK’s largest retailer of beautiful wedding favours and wedding accessories offering you unique, trendsetting and personal wedding favours & party gifts that will create lasting memories for your guests. Start browsing for your perfect favour in our online store: http://www.aweddinglessordinary.co.uk
Struggling to find pictures of My Wedding Brial Party Idea???
We are having a beach wedding and my birdesmany are wearing pale canary yellow. I want my fiance in white jacket,pants, and under shirt with a tropical flower, the groosmen are going to wear the same as my fiance but with a yellow undershirt as well as my dad. All without ties. This is what I am planning anyways, however I cannot find a picture even remotly close to how this is going to look. The groomsmen and my fiance and I are speard out among three states so I can’t really line them up together and get a good idea. Anyone had a beach wedding and really like their bridal party style in their pictures and couls help, or know of any place I could find pics of beach bridal parties??? The colors don’t have to be the same, but just the same idea would be nice. Thanks
On the David’s Bridal website they have a feature that you can actually create and dress your wedding party. I don’t know if you could get it to look exactly right but it would give you an idea!
Michael Cottam, one of the founders of TheBigDay, offers advice on how to go about choosing where to go on your honeymoon.
So you’re engaged…congratulations! One of the most fun parts about getting married is planning that honeymoon trip of a lifetime. And if you haven’t even narrowed it down to a country, much less an island or a resort, don’t worry-many (if not most!) honeymoon couples are in the same boat.
Some couples start by leafing through travel or bridal magazines and looking for pictures that are appealing and romantic-you can do this, but you’re more likely to settle on the best-MARKETED destination rather than the best destination for your wants, needs, and style.
The following are questions you should ask yourself-it’ll help you figure out what your options are, and help you ask better questions of your travel agent…which will help you plan that perfect honeymoon.
When are you going?
Every destination has its high and low seasons-and this is typically a combination of weather and the times of the year that their tourists typically take vacations. Some destinations, such as Hawaii, have very little variance in their weather year-round; others, like the Caribbean have a definite hurricane season. Yet it’s important to know that the Caribbean is a very big place-and different parts have different hurricane seasons, and some parts of the western Caribbean really aren’t hurricane prone at all. Other destinations–such as Central America and Southeast Asia-have rainy or monsoon seasons. You really need to know the specific destination in order to have a feel for whether or not their “green” season is too “green” (rainy!) for you.
Also, ask yourself if you’re willing to delay the start of your honeymoon a couple of weeks or months. Summer months are very popular for weddings, as it tends to be easier for family and friends to get to the wedding; plus, if you’re having an outdoor wedding, the odds of good weather are more in your favor. However, this also tends to be the expensive (and sometimes more crowded) season for many honeymoon destinations. Giving yourself a month off after the wedding before leaving on your honeymoon can give you time to relax and wind down from the wedding, write your thank-you notes, and take advantage of the lower prices of what’s known as the “shoulder season” (between high and low season).
Travel time/vacation time
How much time off work are you going to take? And how much of it are you willing to spend on an airplane?
If you’re going on an African safari, you’re going to consume about a day and a half traveling each way from the U.S. This is fine if you’re going to be there a couple of weeks, but if those days are coming off your total of 7 days on vacation, you might consider someplace closer. And distance isn’t the only factor: how many stopovers is it going to take to get where you’re going? If you’ve got to land on a main island, then wait around for 4 to 6 hours for the “island hopper” flight to take you out to your remote private island retreat, that’s going to consume your vacation time too.
A great option, if it’s available, is a red-eye flight, where you sleep on the plane and wake up at your destination, saving a day of vacation time.
Language
This is less of a problem than you might think. Unless you’re backpacking around some exotic country, you’re going to find people in restaurants, hotels, and the activity vendors all speak English. One bit of advice: try to learn a few words and phrases in the local language, as you’ll find you’re treated differently if you begin conversations with “hello” in their language, and show you’re willing to make the effort to get along in their country.
Cost
The big question! First, some statistics: the average U.S. couple spends about $3700 for their honeymoon package…and this doesn’t included expenditures once they’re at their destination. When considering a resort that’s NOT all-inclusive, take some time to research the area and find out what meals cost, what a snorkel trip costs, what taxis cost, etc. Tourist bureau sites are a good place to start.
Costs of excursions and meals can easily add up to much more than your airfare and hotel, and you need to be realistic and prepared for this. Consider staying at multiple hotels on your honeymoon-perhaps one or two nights at someplace really nice to start, then a more moderate property with perhaps less of a view for the remainder.
People, people, people
There are a number of important considerations here. First off, who else is going to be at your resort? Are most of the guests at the resort in your age group? Are they young and adventurous, or older and mostly interested in golf? Does the resort market to families-are you going to find a ton of kids splashing around in the pool when you’re trying to have a romantic, relaxing time? Is the bar going to be lively, with your kind of music? Are you going to feel right at home, or a bit out of place?
Next, let’s talk about density: do you prefer to be in the middle of the action, with lots of other happy honeymooners all around, or quieter and more secluded? Think about whether you want to be in a hotel with 400 rooms, or a resort with 40 private villas…the experience will be very different. And do you want to be waited on hand and foot, or left alone to explore by yourselves? Do you want to shop, maybe pick up souvenirs or local style clothes, or maybe some artwork? Maybe you want a mix: in Hawaii, popular combinations would include a few nights in the heart of Waikiki combined with a few nights on the North Shore…on Maui, perhaps a split between the Lahaina/Kaanapali area and the secluded Hana coast.
Finally, how much do you want to learn about the locals, their language, food, and culture? Generally, at the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find yourselves with other tourists, separated from the local style. If you want to immerse yourselves in the local environment, perhaps consider a smaller hotel, farther from the main tourist areas.
History and culture
Do you enjoy visiting ancient ruins…centuries-old cathedrals…seeing native villages? The beauty of the art, architecture, and history of Greece, Italy, Scotland and Ireland, or Mayan civilizations can make for a fabulous honeymoon experience.
Europe is an obvious destination, but think also about the Mayans and Aztecs in Latin America…Buddhist temples in Bali and Thailand… Angkor Wat in Cambodia…Buddhist and Hindu temples in India. China is becoming a much more popular destination as well: consider visiting the Great Wall and seeing the Terracotta Warriors.
Accommodations
How sensitive are you to humidity and temperature? This can determine not only the destination, but also the choice of resort, as not all A/C systems are created equal. How close do you want to be to nature? I’ve stayed at fabulous safari lodges in Africa that didn’t even have complete walls…just mosquito nets to protect you at night. For some, this is a dream come true-for others it might be a nightmare.
How important is your living space in your hotel room? Do you feel claustrophobic easily? Do you like to lounge around in the morning, have breakfast in bed, or do you like to get up and out there exploring the island? Is a spa on-property important to you? Is a view of the ocean from your room important to you…enough to justify the higher price?
Also think about how you typically spend your day on vacation. If you go back and forth from the room to the beach, the pool, the restaurant, you might want a place with ground-level villas rather than have to get on and off elevators all the time. If you’re going to spend most of your days out exploring the island, this might not matter so much.
Nightlife
Are you going to want to go out dancing/clubbing? Or maybe see some native dances or performances? If you’re going to Hawaii, and you ARE looking for nightlife, you’ll probably want to think about Oahu or maybe Maui.
For Mexico, you should be thinking about Cancun or Cabo, rather than some of the more isolated resort areas. If you’re considering the Caribbean, the answer to this question might affect the island or region you choose as well. Music: what do you want to hear on your honeymoon? Mariachi bands, steel drums, reggae, or Hawaiian hula…what appeals to you?
Food!
How adventurous of an eater are you? How about your fiancé? Do you like to try the local food, try many different restaurants? Often resorts will have very good American and European menus, but for authentic local cuisine you’ll have to venture outside the resort.
All-inclusives and cruises often make fabulous food very affordable; if you’re not at an all-inclusive resort, the on-property restaurants are often pretty pricey compared to outside restaurants, and tend to be less authentic with respect to local/native cuisine. If your chosen resort is in or near a reasonably large town or tourist area, you may have lots of choice for dinner; if you’re secluded and isolated, it’s possible that you have no choice but to dine at the resort (and pay their prices, if it’s not included!).
In areas like Fiji and Tahiti, you’ll often find that while the resort isn’t officially all-inclusive, they do have a “meal plan” which covers food and sometimes drinks. Sometimes these plans cover just breakfast and dinner, which leaves you the option of trying the local cuisine and eating relatively inexpensively for lunch.
Adventure!
How about a safari in Kenya or Botswana? Or hiking in the Andes…maybe a trip to Macchu Pichu? Or a week on a rented sailboat in the Caribbean? How about touring Australia on a Harley? Maybe trek through the jungles of Costa Rica, observing monkeys and exotic birds? If these appeal to you, first thing you need to do is make sure they also appeal to your spouse! These kinds of trips create memories of a lifetime, and can be very affordable as well. Often, couples will want to combine an “adventure” trip with a few days relaxing at a beach resort-these kinds of combination packages can be put together for you by a knowledgeable travel agent, and give you the best of both worlds.
Watersports
Do you and your fiancé scuba dive (or do you want to learn)? You’ll find that pretty much every tropical destination has diving and snorkeling available. Some will have scuba courses offered by the resorts, while other resorts will have partnered with local dive companies. If you love to snorkel, make sure your travel agent knows, so they can recommend resorts where the wave conditions tend to be good and there are good snorkeling reefs nearby so that there’s something besides just sand to look at. In general, a great surfing beach won’t be a great snorkeling beach!
Are you interested in going deep-sea fishing? It’s important to know what the fishing is like where you’re going. For instance, while you can take a guided fishing trip from any one of the Hawaiian islands, your chances of actually doing some CATCHING as well as fishing are substantially better on the Big Island!
Additionally, it’s important to talk to your travel agent about what kinds of watersports you want to enjoy. If you’re interested in jetskiing and parasailing, you’ll want to be in one place; if you want to kayak with the turtles, snorkel around the reef, you’ll want to be elsewhere. It’s also useful to know how far it is from your hotel to the best spots for your activities-you won’t want to spend two hours a day roundtripping from your hotel to your activities.
The destinations
Here’s a quick look at some of the more popular destinations, and what they’re known for.
Fiji- great scuba and snorkeling, very friendly people, mostly villa-style beach bungalow accommodations in widely-separated resorts. Moderately expensive to very expensive. About 9 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Hawaii- beautiful weather all year round, close to mainland U.S., amazing array of watersports and adventure activities. Not as much of a cultural transition for mainland Americans as many other destinations. Most hotels have 200-400 rooms; hotel density along beaches can be high. Excellent choice for a destination wedding, as prices are very reasonable for high quality and service. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Tahiti- great scuba and snorkeling, famous for overwater bungalows and phenomenal views. Resorts tend to be fairly far apart; very secluded and private. Expensive to very expensive; food, drinks, and activities can be very expensive as well. About 8 hours flying time from Los Angeles.
Mexico- Cancun/Cozumel nearly fully recovered from the past summer’s hurricanes, and much rebuilding has resulted in many upgraded resorts. High density of resorts on beaches in places like Cancun and Cabo. Great diving, watersports; some areas close to Mayan ruins. Recently, all-inclusive resorts have become common, and there are some terrific bargains to be had, especially at the moderate to more expensive resorts. A new trend we’re seeing is combining the traditional beach vacation with a few days inland at one of Mexico’s colonial cities, exploring the history and culture of old Mexico. Easy access from the U.S. Inexpensive to moderately expensive.
Caribbean- known for prevalence of all-inclusive resorts, especially in Jamaica. Huge range of cultures, styles, food, music. Great watersports and scenery, and not too long in the air from major U.S. cities. Cruises are a very popular way to explore multiple islands and countries in the Caribbean at a modest cost. Inexpensive to very expensive.
Europe – history, architecture, and great food and wine are big draws here. Airfare is less than you might expect, often sub-$500 per person roundtrip. Less of a beach resort destination, although areas of Italy, France, and Greece on the Mediterranean can provide the sun & surf element. Castles in Ireland and self-drive B&B vacations throughout the UK are popular, as are villa stays in France and Italy. In Greece, the Cyclades islands are very popular: Santorini with its submerged volcano, black sandy beach, and breathtaking sunsets…Mykonos with its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses and beaches…and Naxos, the largest island with golden sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters, and the medieval capital of Hora. Honeymooners often combine stays on these islands with a visit to Athens. Many cruise options are available, allowing easy exploration of a number of Mediterranean ports in one vacation. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
Costa Rica & Belize – becoming very popular as eco-tourism destinations, these countries offer terrific beach resorts, watersports, diving and snorkeling, combined with jungle exploration and eco-adventures. Treetop resorts becoming popular here as well; and like Mexico, there are a number of Mayan ruins accessible in Belize. Belize also is famous for its barrier reef, and the scuba diving hotspot known as The Blue Hole. Relatively short flight from mainland U.S., combined with great value for the dollar at many resorts makes these two countries very hot for honeymooners.
Australia & New Zealand – enormous variety of things to do for the adventurous types, from Ayers Rock to the Great Barrier reef, Sydney and its renowned Opera House, Surfers Paradise. New Zealand has everything from geysers in Rotorua to jet-boating; hiking and skiing amongst tremendous scenery, and of course the famous Maori hospitality. We often suggest combining a trip to either of these countries with a stopover in Fiji or Tahiti as well. Long flight times (15 hours+ from Los Angeles) mean you’ll probably want to stay 2 weeks at the very least. Moderately expensive to expensive.
The Seychelles, Maldives, and Mauritius are all fabulous honeymoon destinations, although because of the flying time from the U.S. (around 30 hours), they’re more commonly visited by Europeans. Truly spectacular diving and scenery, great food and culture, and very friendly people. Hotels are much more spread out than Hawaii or Mexico-more like Fiji or Tahiti. Private island resorts are common, as in Fiji and Tahiti. Seychelles and Mauritius trips are commonly combined with a week or so in Africa on safari. Expensive to very expensive, even without the airfare (roughly $1500 to $2000 per person roundtrip from the U.S.).
Southeast Asia – combines terrific beach resorts with extraordinary culture and historical sites to explore. A relatively long flight from the U.S. (up to 20 hours depending on routing), but a tremendous value once you’re there. Thailand, Bali, China, Vietnam and Cambodia are all becoming very popular. Very inexpensive without the airfare; inexpensive to moderate with airfare.
Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile are becoming more popular, and offer a great opportunity to experience culture, wilderness and traditional beach resorts all in one vacation. The Amazon is a huge draw, of course, but also the culture and experiences to be had in Rio and Buenos Aires make for a very memorable and exotic honeymoon. The Inca city of Machu Picchu is certainly one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world, perched in the Andes at over 9,000 feet in elevantion. Moderately expensive to very expensive.
About the Author
Michael Cottam is one of the founders of TheBigDay Travel. Michael’s role is a combination of technology and business development. He’s an avid traveler, and recently also became a Big Day customer as well, marrying Melinda in the summer of 2005. In his spare time, Michael enjoys photography, racing motorcycles, and working on interesting and unusual cars.
