Sweepstakes Alert: Hawaiian Dream Wedding Giveaway!
Stop the presses! Today we’re bringing you a match made in matrimonial heaven – Maui’s Grand Wailea Resort is teaming up with Marchesa (yes – the Marchesa that outfitted Blake Lively and other fashion-conscious celebs) and Lenox to offer a Dream Wedding Giveaway! Could we be more excited? We’ll get to the juicy details in a moment, but first – some eye candy. Behold:
Do we have your attention? OK then, here’s what you need to know:
One lucky couple will celebrate their nuptials with an intimate ceremony at Grand Wailea’s non-denominational Seaside Chapel, which features 17th century chandeliers and stained-glass windows.
Grand Wailea Resort “Lei Aloha Celebration Wedding” Package
o Ceremony at the Seaside Chapel and reception for up to twenty guests at the property’s signature Humu restaurant, including non-alcoholic beverages and three-course pre fixe menu to be planned by the restaurant
o Additional elements include: traditional wedding leis or floral bouquets, solo guitarist or organist for ceremony, photography for two hours, two-tiered wedding cake and a bottle of champagne, commemorative Grand Wailea Resort marriage certificate, assistance from a wedding specialist.
o One standard double occupancy hotel room for Grand Prize winner and his/her fiancée for ten days/nine nights. Two round-trip, coach-class tickets for flights on Hawaiian Airlines for Grand Prize winner and his/her fiancée (select airports)
o Ten standard double occupancy hotel rooms for reception guests for four days/three nights
One Marchesa Gown and one Marchesa handbag
Marchesa has dressed everyone from Sandra Bullock and Halle Berry to Kate Hudson and Jennifer Lopez, and was the bridal gown designer of choice for recent newlywed Blake Lively.
Lenox China
o Eight, five-piece flatware settings (knife, fork, salad fork, spoon and teaspoon)
o Eight-piece set of goblets, red wine glasses, white wine glasses, or flutes
o Eight, five-piece fine china place settings (dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, saucer and cup) or eight, four-piece china place settings (dinner plate, accent plate, all-purpose bowl and mug)
You can sign up for the sweepstakes here!
Love is in the Air at L’Auberge Del Mar
Hey, SoCal brides! Looking for the perfect location for an ocean-front wedding or reception? L’Auberge Del Mar is a historic seaside hotel with gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean and a top-notch team of professionals who are dedicated to making your wedding dreams a reality. They even have an on-site Director of Romance!
With three new wedding planning packages to choose from, the wedding team at L’Auberge Del Mar will help oversee a variety of details, from coordinating your ceremony to communicating with vendors, or even running errands the week of the wedding.
L’Auberge Del Mar offers a variety of ceremony and reception venues to choose from, as well as private cabanas for rehearsal dinners and a charming spa for some pre-wedding pampering. Ready to dive in? (We certainly are!) You can read more about planning your wedding at this lovely seaside hotel here.
Pamper Your Gals on Your Wedding Day – Tips from the Peabody Orlando’s Spa Director
Bridesmaids— the wonderful women who waited patiently as you tried on every wedding dress, had a fresh cosmo ready before you finished the one in your hand at your bachelorette party, and who will stand by your side on your wedding day. As your truest of friends, these gals deserve pampering too. Hotel spas & salons such as The Spa at the Peabody in Orlando, Fla. are offering customizable packages guaranteeing relaxation and rejuvenation.
“It’s all about creating an enjoyable environment where the bride and her bridesmaids can relax and have fun before getting dressed up for the ceremony,” explains Bill Toth, spa director at The Spa at the Peabody.
Toth recommends asking spas about customizable packages to match your wedding’s unique look and style. For the more traditional brides and bridal party, The Spa’s Bridal Beauty package includes event hairstyle, makeup application, classic manicure and pedicure – covering all the essentials.
One of The Spa’s new packages adds a little something different to the mix. “We see many brides who want to work out their nervous energy, so we offer mix-and-match services that include everything from Pilates to pedicures,” said Toth.
“One of the biggest advantages to utilizing the hotel spa for your pre-wedding preparation is the convenient location,” adds Toth. “Instead of hurrying around town from one beauty stop to the next, you could be having a glass of champagne in the relaxation lounge and all beauty treatments in one place. Whether you smudged your nail polish or have stressed shoulders in need of a Tension Tamer massage, quick fixes are a breeze when you are already on-site.”
You can even cross bridesmaids’ gifts off your to-do list at hotel spas. Expert associates at The Spa can create unique and memorable gifts with products from your visit together, as there’s nothing better than giving the gift of looking and feeling fabulous!
However, you decide to spend the day before your “I Do’s,” remember to treasure each bridesmaid in a special way, as they’ll be by your side at the altar treasuring you, on your special day.
The Peabody Orlando is recognized as a premier Central Florida venue on The Knot’s Best of Weddings 2013 and honored with the 2013 Bride’s Choice Award from Wedding Wire. The Peabody Orlando is the nation’s largest Forbes Travel Guide Four Star and AAA Four Diamond rated non-gaming resort with a 22,000-square-foot full-service spa, salon and fitness center. To learn more about Weddings at The Peabody Orlando, please visit their website.
NY Plaza Hotel’s First Gay Wedding
We all like to shed a tear of joy once in awhile and we have your tear fix this morning with the most touching wedding video ever. The love between Jay & Tony and their children moves the heart. Not only does their love touch us, but damn…they also know how to throw a party! We can’t stop staring at the ballroom of The Plaza with the most stunning centerpieces and decor! Hit play and we promise you’ll laugh, smile and cry with joy!
Hotel – The Plaza / Video – NY Film Works / Source – HotelChatter
Nontraditional Local Destination Wedding at Shade Hotel, CA
Hotel – Shade Hotel Manhattan Beach / Wedding Planner – JoLise Vought, Shade Hotel / Florist – Growing Wild / Band – City Connection Entertainment “Into the Night” / Photographer – Kim Fox Photography / Videographer – Modern 8 Films / Cake – Lido Bakery / Dress – Winnie Couture Beverly Hills
So after reading about Shade Hotel we’re sure that you’re wondering what it’s like to have your wedding there. We’ve got you covered. Mike and Audra were kind enough to share their wedding in September 2012 at Shade Hotel and it’s stunning!!
Audra and Mike met in 2003 first at work, then again when he almost hit her with his car. Audra demanded a coffee as any women who was almost hit by a good looking man would do. Well, Mike being a gentleman wouldn’t settle for just coffee and up’d the ante taking her to lunch. That day they sealed their love and the beginning of their relationship with a ‘high five.’
With Audra being Jewish and Mike raised Mormon this nontraditional couple embraced each of their traditions on their wedding day. They were married under a Chuppah by Jewish Judge in the Courtyard, but offered fun non alcoholic drinks and said a Mormon prayer before breaking bread for dinner.
Shade Hotel offered a unique destination for their family and friends enabling everyone to be in one remote place yet close to home. The hotel offered complimentary Beach Cruisers as well as tons of restaurants walking distance for guests to enjoy throughout the day.
Perfect memories were made on Audra and Mike’s wedding day. From Mike’s sisters giving a surprise performance of ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ to a romantic walk on the beach post-ceremony. Shade Hotel offered a location where guests could run upstairs to change shoes or clothes throughout the evening and allowed for party goers to have 3am races in the sand. The hotel and staff ”killed it from every aspect with over the top service and their special touches,” says Audra.
And the inspiration for the wedding came a la Mike’s most romantic proposal ever in Thailand! Ladies, just imagine Mr. Perfect, Thailand, candles, private beach dinner, flowers, petals and a man down on one knee. Swoon! Mike you’re raising the bar for men across the world! So to share the night of their engagement with family and friends, the couple used Thai inspired wooden lanterns, flowers and decor throughout their wedding.
Our thoughts overall, a definite home run!
