Planning Your Honeymoon - Checklist:

• Gather brochures, books and use the internet for information on the location you are considering to visit.  Read travel magazines and maps to get a better idea of the area.

• Contact a travel agent that specializes in your destination.  This is a great way to learn more and to gather other resources when planning.

• Check prices online and with your travel agent for comparison.  Verify if any hidden fees, rules and restrictions.

• If purchasing airlines tickets be sure to book at least 21 days advance. If you book less than 21 days the price goes up daily per ticket.

• Consider what each location needs when packing if you are thinking of flying since the price for bags are so high.

• Booking hotels, be sure you are aware of hotel policies and cancellation fees; be sure to inquire these when also booking with a travel agent or directly with the hotel. 

• Be sure to book you rental car in advance, prices increase typically closer to your arriving date.  Availability may not exist if a convention, sporting event, etc. are in town.  This will make prices also soar.

• If booking at a resort, check pricing for All-Inclusive verse paying for things separately to ensure best pricing.  Also verify what makes up the price when receiving a quote.  Often the price can include room rate, a menu you must choose from in advance, tickets, transfers or other passes.

• Each of you should write down things you like and dislike about the places you’re considering and then compare notes. Then it will be that dream honeymoon that the two of you have always imagined.

• Consider the cost of booking it yourself vs. with a travel agent.  If you have booked it yourself you will need to carry the contact numbers for each item you booked in case of a delayed flight, or another problem arises that you are unfamiliar with.  If you booked with a travel agent, you have the ability to call their emergency hotline to have a person assist you with the delayed flights, transfers or other unforeseen problems that you need an answer too so you can get back on track and enjoy your trip.

Happy Planning!

Do I need a travel agent for my honeymoon?

When you are busy planning, you always wonder do I really need this or that?  Well when it comes to a travel agent, it really depends if you truly know about the place you will be traveling to.  If you have been to the place a few times before, then you probably can handle it yourself if you made the arrangements before.  But if you are exploring some place new all together, it is best to find a travel agent.  Most travel agents have the resources to be able to inform their travelers about the location, best times to travel, and what to do when they get there or how to be safe.

How do I know if I have the right travel agent?

Most travel agents specialize in destinations, these are places that they have had additional education, or have personally traveled to. Some agents specialize only in Disney while others specialize on such places as visiting Italy, France or England.  Travel Agents are able to inform their clients about what each destination has to offer that they specialize in. If your agent does not specialize in the place you want to go, they will still be able to help; from getting information about your location or who you might be able to contact that would serve you better. Travel agents attend conferences, continuing education classes and more to keep up to date with popular destinations, and places.

 

But do I still need a travel agent?

Travel agents don’t just simply book your trip.  They will research a trip if needed for your destination for a fee; plan your itinerary if you want to book additional items such as show tickets.  They will work to make sure you have the best deal.  If you run into a problem, they have thought of that as well and have included some kind of emergency numbers or have their own toll free emergency number.  They maybe able to tell you what flights are available while you are standing in line at the airport because your flight was just canceled.

Where do I find a good travel agent?

Most travel agents still advertise in your local phone book.  You can also visit your local bridal magazine or the Knot, OneWed and GetMarried local sections to find a travel agent near you.  Keep an ear to the TV for commercials as some agents advertise special trips that you maybe able to take advantage of for your honeymoon. Some agents have websites listed that you can find out more information on the services they offer or where you can plan your trip directly from their site.

Things To Bring With You On Your Wedding Day

As a Bride you have so many things to do the day of your wedding so put your bridesmaids to work with this handy check list of items that a girl needs on her wedding day to help cover your bases.

Wedding Dress

Veil or Hairpiece

Shoes

Under Garments

Make-up

Curling Iron

Flat Iron

Contact Solution & Eye Drops

Contacts or Glasses

Get-a-way Clothes and Shoes

Bobbi Pins

Safety Pins

Needle & Thread that matches dresses and tux

Tide Stain Stick

Band aids

Aspirin

Sunblock

Umbrella

Pen & Paper

Cell Numbers of Wedding Party & Parents

Cell Numbers of Photographer, Videographer, DJ, Limo, Caterer & Cake

Photo List & Timeline Schedule (give a copy to the guys too!)

Have snacks and drinks around during getting ready to make sure your Bride & Groom have had something to eat

Now be sure that the all the guys have picked up their tuxedos.

Sunglasses if using them in pictures or any other props for pictures

Don't forget the Kleenex....

Getting Those Romantic Pictures For Your Wedding Album

You have seen your girlfriends wedding pictures, your sisters pictures and your moms pictures.  Wedding Photography has evolved over the years. Today's Bride wants Fun, Exciting, Romantic, Sexy, and much, much, much more out of their wedding photo session.  Here's some tips to get the most out of your Photographer to allow him or her enough time to capture those shots:

1) Look at their portfolio online and in person when meeting with your photographer.  Look at albums too, for options on how those photos are designed and displayed into the popular Storybook Albums as a finished product.

2)  You will need a basic time-line when meeting with the photographer the first time.  Most wedding photographers prefer for you to be flexible when meeting them if you want to capture a storybook image.  They only need to know the basics of ceremony start/end time, dinner time with flexibility on serving it.  The reason for this is due to everything that falls in between.  From you getting ready shots, the groom getting ready shots, and family formals.  If you are running late due to some unforeseen reason it will make you Rushed, Panic, and Stressed Out before your photographer has a chance to capture your beauty naturally.  The Ceremony may go longer for instants which pushes the family formals back and then you will be Rushed, Panic, and Stressed Out.  Your parents still want those particular shots, but the church has to setup for Mass, what to do?  This will create your photographer to be rushed.  They will push through, you will cut your photo list and you will be short on time for the one on one time with your new hubby that you so wanted in the first place for those romantic pics.  Then if you stay longer for those pics or are running far enough behind that those are cut short, your into the reception stating late etc.  The snowball effect takes place.  While no wedding runs exactly on time be sure that your pictures are usually the first to go.  Keep this in mind when working on your time-line.  Be sure that your vendors such as Caterer, Reception Hall and DJ are flexible with the final time-line for them to start and be sure they have a game plan if you are running late.  This will help so you don't feel Rushed, Panic, or Stressed Out.

You have spent money on the dress, flowers, ceremony, reception, decoration, DJ, etc  but if you don't spend the money on your photographer and allow them enough time to capture what made you booked them for in the first place you'll be disappointed because you won't have those pictures to remember your day long after it has passed and you're growing old together.

3) If formals aren't your thing, most parents still want them.  Get with each set of parents and get a list of groupings of who will be in the pictures.  Be sure to have that handy for your photographer so they can be sure to help you figure that into your time-line.  Typically it takes 2 to 3 minutes per picture if everyone is present this doesn't count the setup of each shot such as move one person from the front to the back or checking for blinks.  That only includes rounding everyone up and getting the up front and ready.  A photographer will take multiple shots of each group to be safe in case someone wasn't ready.

4) Map your driving time to estimate how long it will take from getting ready shots to ceremony then to romantic location and to reception site.  You will need to factor this in as well.

5) Your Alone Time with each other and if you want any fun shots with your bridal party will typically need to be 1 hour and 30 minutes. 30 minutes to get to point A to B with all of your bridal party and for those great fun shots.  1 hour for your romantic time to capture all those wonderful moments between each of you that will be the most treasured naturally.  This also allows that built in cushion if something has started late or ran to long.  Though your pictures maybe cut here you will still have enough time to get something memorable.  You can always show up early for to your reception if finished early and mingle with guest.

6) If you don't want to pay the photographer any longer than you need to.  Look at having your cake cutting right after dinner, so the cake can be distributed to guest.  If the older guests want to leave before the party gets into gear they can.  Also follow the cake cutting with the bouquet and garter toss, first dances, dollar dances and parents dances.  Then your photographer can stay for 30 minutes or so to get those fun and crazy dances that will finish your storybook.  If you booked a package with your wedding photographer that consist of a time package of 8 -10 hrs this tip will help you to not have to pay overtime unless you want it or have to go up to the next package because of time unless you want those upgrades.  You can focus your time with your photographer on the two of you.

7) Look at wedding photos and analyze the pose.  This will help you to naturally recreate something similar for your day.  You will be use to seeing and practicing the pose when trying on your dress.   This will also prepare you since you're not use to being a supermodel and this is your moment.  Most photographers capture the moment, so not many of them pose you.  This is due to the fact that posing makes you look rigid and the positions are usually not natural to create with your body unless you have played Twister a lot as a child.  Be sure if you're looking at photos for the poses that you share them with your man.  Make sure you have him practice that dip so you don't end up on the ground and the picture will look like your pros.

8) Remember that your photographers are human.  They are the only vendor that is with you from before the beginning to the end of your day.  They will still need the bathroom break as you will. They will also need to eat.  Be sure that they are the one vendor that eats the same time as the head table.  The last thing you want is for your photographer to leave the wedding to run and get something to eat or be served last, so by the time you have finished eating you're waiting on them.  So to fix this have them added into your guest count, be sure to let your caterer know where they are sitting (preferably close to you in line of sight so they can still capture those moments that may pop up. Most won't take pictures of you nor your guest eating.) so they are served at the same time as you and they can be ready to go when you are ready to mingle with guest.  Don't forget as you mingle with your guest this will allow your wedding day photographer the time to get the gift table, cake picture, and table details to add into your wedding album.

We hope that these inside tips will help you with getting the most out of your wedding photos, wedding photographer and help you prepare that timeline with your photographer and vendors. If you need help with your time-line your wedding day photographer is the best source to assisting you since they are with you from beginning to end.

Ideas For Your Hotel Favor Bags

You have the rooms blocked, the wedding day is fast approaching now your thinking a gift, favor or special thank you for your guest that have come into town for your special day.  We have some great tips and inexpensive ideas to help you.

In a bag - look no farther than Dreamland, we have some white miniature gift bags with strings of beads and hearts on clearance shop now

Want a bag that has a coordinating color to match your wedding theme?  Look at your local party or craft store to find the perfect color.  

Need to embellish your gift bags? Choose from tissue paper, ribbons, stamps, stickers, tags or note cards for that personal touch.

Things to include in your gift bags:

place the little soaps from the hotel room into the gift bag

water bottle

cookies

aspirin

candy

handmade chocolate only for them

$5.00 gift card or coupons

local information for things to do and see in the area

preferred restaurants with menus

and don't forget the special thank you message thanking your guest for coming.

You can always consult your local hotel for ideas and help with getting the gifts bags into each room.

The best part is your guest will be surprised and the possibilities of small things to put into the gift bag are endless.

Tips For Creating Your Wedding Day Timeline

Begin with the dates & times on your contracts from your vendors; such as caterers, photographers, DJ etc. List when they will be setting up and ending.  Leave plenty of space on your sheet.

Next add in the details such as when you will be getting your hair and make-up done, putting your wedding gown on, when your bridesmaids are showing up, the groom showing up, and when the groomsmen are showing up.

Add in the brides and grooms first meet if you will see each other before everyone else arrives.

Now add in if you will have formal pictures before or after the ceremony

Ceremony Start Time and End Time

Post ceremony pictures as husband and wife

Arrival time for reception hall and grand entrance time

Dinner start time

Add the DJ timeline of songs and announcements such as the garter toss, cake cutting, bouquet toss and any other special moments that the DJ or Photographer need to announce and capture for your day.

End time with grand exit.

Its easy to create this timeline, but with nerves and a ton of other things running through your head it can be overwhelming. We hope these tips will help you focus and make quick work of getting this prepared for your vendors so they maybe able to provide their best service for you on your beautiful wedding day.