Australian Destination Wedding Paradise

Introducing Villa Botanica. Located on the edge of the Coral Sea, overlooking Airlie Beach and Hayman Island, this secluded paradise has rarely been open to the public except for very exclusive destination weddings.

As part of the Australian Open Garden Scheme, the property will be open to the public the weekend of October 31st-November 1st.

Owners, Ralph and Janet Hogan were driven by a desire to create something significant and inspirational. Ralph Hogan says, “I am influenced by the turn of the century when people created lasting beautiful spaces. Our newest addition to the garden is a Cactarium, which I like to imagine pays homage to the Art Nouveau hothouses of Europe.”

Janet Hogan says, “what visitors love most is the integration of buildings and gardens, the slightly manic obsession with detail and the way plants create the connective tissue for all our architecture. It’s a very beautiful, magical location and one we have the great fortune to be custodians of. It’s a privilege we love sharing with others”.

With its unique Balinese ambiance and spectacular setting, Villa Botanica is rapidly developing a reputation as Australia’s most beautiful wedding venue.

To learn more about Villa Botanica, click here. Honeymoon, elopement and destination wedding packages available.

Rehearsal Dinners and Destination Weddings

When you are doing a destination wedding, there is always the question of who should be invited. Since everyone is from out of town, it's tempting to include all your guests. The rule of thumb is to invite your bridal party and their significant others, grandparents and immediate family members as well as your officiant.

But, if you are financially able, it is very considerate to be able to include your entire guest list. You may opt for a cocktail and heavy appetizer setup or ask for a very limited menu from your venue if you want to include everyone but need to keep costs down.

Recently, I visited my own backyard (Scottsdale, AZ) in search of some cool places to host a rehearsal dinner and found several! One of my favorites was Olive & Ivy. The ambiance gave an upscale casual feeling with modern contemporary and transitional design elements.

They have a few different options to choose from in regards of where you can host your gathering. Their Stamp Room seats about 30 people and overlooks their uber-hip Mediterranean style patio.

On the menu, you'll find fabulous combinations such as their savory Bacon Wrapped Medjoul Dates or their Heirloom Beet Salad topped with locally grown pistachios and goat cheese dressing. I died and went to carbohydrate heaven when we tried the Strawberry Rhubarb Fritters (it's like a french beignet and strawberry rhubarb pie had a baby and sprinkled cinnamon and sugar all over it!). You must order those when you go.

For a round-table experience with an intimate group of 12, their White Room is a gorgeous and dramatic choice. The room is perfect for a bachelorette party or bridal luncheon and has a small minimum, so it' won't break the bank.

They also have a gorgeous outdoor patio which backs up to the posh Scottsdale Waterfront which can seat up to 150 guests if you do need space for a larger party. Allison Black, Private Event Specialist, admitted that she absolutely loves having wedding parties on the patio. "We can do all kinds of private party functions - even receptions!"

The next time someone asks me where to have their special event in Scottsdale, Olive & Ivy is going to be at the top of my list, and it should be on yours too. I'll post more hot spots this summer - because hot and Scottsdale go hand in hand this time of year!

Check em' out: http://www.foxrc.com/

What Kind of Destination Wedding is Right for You?

For the "History Lovers": The Inn at Perry Cabin, a colonial mansion steeped in history and located in charming St. Michaels, Maryland provides the perfect backdrop to run away and get married. Their “Elopement Package” includes a ceremony in a choice of locations including the waterfront gazebo or their private English garden, one night accommodation in a luxurious master suite offering verandas perfect for newlyweds to take advantage of the views of St. Michaels harbor, a three-course VIP dinner for two in the inn’s premier restaurant, Sherwood’s Landing, Champagne, chocolate covered strawberries at turndown and breakfast for two. www.perrycabin.com

For "Wine Lovers": La Samanna in St. Martin, French West Indies provides the perfect setting for a dream wine lovers destination wedding. Recognized as one of the best wine cellars in the Caribbean, La Cave serves as a unique and luxurious scene for a romantic dinner. With over 14,000 bottles from 11 different countries, this underground oasis of wine features heirloom cobblestone floors from France dating back over 200 years, arched portals, and wrought iron accents. Couples can take their vows in a special spot created exclusively for weddings in a clearing surrounded by lush foliage and a striking Caribbean beach front view. The Restaurant at La Samanna provides a perfect reception venue with an opulent dining room offering panoramic ocean views adding to the enjoyment of the delicious meal - complete, of course, with the perfect wine pairing. www.lasamanna.com

For the "Culinary" couple: Casa de Sierra Nevada, a luxury boutique hotel and cooking school in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, caters to the most tasteful world traveler. Couples and their guests can take classes at Sazón, the hotel’s highly regarded cooking school, offering the finest instruction in traditional Mexican cooking, peruse one of the town’s countless art galleries or enjoy San Miguel’s 400 year-old history, exquisite Spanish Colonial architecture, fountains and hidden courtyards combined with true Mexican traditions. Relax after an eventful day with a couple’s natural herbal massage in the hotel’s new Laja Spa www.casadesierranevada.com

For the "Mountain loving/Adventure-Seeking" couple: A luxury boutique hotel of grand style, Keswick Hall offers the ultimate in seclusion located at the foot of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains making the perfect backdrop for the big day. Before vows are swapped, the couple’s last few single nights require some serious celebrating with friends and family. For the bride and her “besties”, Keswick Hall offers a Martini Madness & Movie Night and a Pampering Pajama Spa Party. For the groom and his entourage, a golf tournament on Keswick’s 6,506 yard Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, a morning of fly fishing and clay shooting are an absolute must, followed by cocktails and cigars on the terrace and few rounds of Texas Hold’em. Keswick Hall also offers unique activities for all to take part in throughout their stay including Croquet and Wine Tasting, a Champagne Putting Contest, dessert and late night munchies after the rehearsal dinner and a Virginian Barbeque and Blue Grass poolside celebration. www.keswick.com

For the “Southern Belle and Gentleman” couple: Charleston Place, one of the finest hotels in Charleston, South Carolina is the perfect venue for a couple seeking a unique, timeless elegance with the essential southern charm and hospitality. The ceremony can be performed in the beautiful Palmetto Courtyard or on the hotel’s new intimate yacht, the Innisfail. What would a southern wedding be without a reception in the grand ballroom? Elegantly appointed with recessed crystal chandeliers and 16-foot ceilings, the ballroom can host up to 1,500 attendees in over 14,000 square feet. Finish the majestic day with a night in the Presidential Suite – with a full living room, wet bar, dining table, pantry, entertainment armoire, an Orient Express signature walk-in closet, full bath and a full king-size bed….to rest your head, of course. www.charlestonplace.com

For the “Foodie” couple: The Windsor Court Hotel located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, a city renowned for spectacular food, marks the perfect spot for gourmet lovers to tie the knot. The hotel’s newly refurbished and famed Grill Room provides and upscale dining experience, offering guests innovative “Contemporary American” cuisine with Southern influences and local ingredients against a backdrop of jazz, New Orleans blues and instrumentals inspired by the great crooners. The newly married duo can begin the honeymoon in the exquisite Penthouse Suite. Offering complete privacy as well as secluded terraces overlooking the city skyline and the Mississippi River, original museum-quality artwork, Italian marble floors, a library, a full kitchen and a baby grand piano, couples will fall in love (again) with Windsor Court. www.windsorcourthotel.com

For the “Type A’s-Who-Need-to-Slow-Down” couple: Bora Bora Lagoon Resort and Spa located in dazzling slow-paced French Polynesia, allows fast-paced couples the opportunity to slow down, relax and take in the magical moments of their special day. Otemanu, the resort’s premier restaurant - known for its breathtaking views of Mount Otemanu and the Bora Bora lagoon, offers the perfect atmosphere for a rehearsal dinner. Exchange vows on the gorgeous main beach and celebrate on a sunset cruise. Couples can book one of the romantic Overwater End of Pontoon Bungalows which are carefully oriented to views and sunlight with privacy as a key consideration. www.boraboralagoon.com

Portable Play Lists for Your Destination Wedding

Many brides are considering skipping the DJ or band altogether and hooking their iPod up to a sound system at their reception. This is a great way to save money, but there are several things you should keep in mind.

• You will still need a person to keep the flow of the event going like an emcee or a wedding planner. For example, when it's time for toasts or to cut the cake - make sure you have a way to grab every one's attention so that the important parts of the reception don't get missed. Don't take on this task as you will find yourself being pulled in many directions.


• Make sure that your iPod or mp3 player is properly charged and that your songs are organized into play lists for easy use.


• Create different play lists depending on where you are at in the evening. For example, during dinner you may want to have a slower, more mellow music playing versus later in the night when the party is in full swing and you want people on their feet dancing.


• Don't man the iPod yourself! Give someone that task and make sure you've done a run through so they know what needs to play and when. You'll also want to make sure your designated person knows how to work the device.


• Double check the connections and ensure that your music player will work with the reception's sound system - or figure out if you can bring your own. Test it to make sure the music will be loud enough for the space you're reception will be held.


• If you're opting for a music player for your ceremony, make sure to include the person who will be operating the mp3 player/iPod in your rehearsal and do a full run through. Trust me, I've seen this go awry and it's not pretty!

For some non-traditional destination wedding play lists including first dance songs, reception music ideas and ceremony tunes depending on your location, click here.

Adventure Rehearsal Dinner in Costa Rica

By Guest Blogger: Samantha Kohn, Events & Weddings Costa Rica

Rehearsal dinners are generally the time for out-of-town guests and family to mingle and give toasts about the bride and the groom. My version of the ‘adventure’ rehearsal dinner is a little bit different. But then again, so is getting married in the tropical paradise known as Costa Rica. This is the time to let loose, bring in the mariachis, ‘gallo pinto’ (rice and beans) and swing through the jungle! The afternoon can start off with a casual walk through the rainforest, where snakes (in cages), birds, butterflies and a wide variety of tropical flowers can be found. Then the fun starts – the canopy tour, which has put Costa Rica on the map as an adventure spot.

For those guests who do not want to swing through the jungle like Tarzan, they can still enjoy the view of the tropical jungle via an aerial tram.

Sightings of exotic birds and monkeys are not uncommon. After the adrenaline wears off, guests can munch on typical food to the beat of the marimba group playing in the background. Perhaps dancers will come to show some local traditions, or a mariachi band will perform at the end of the night, a tradition in Costa Rica. ‘Adventure’ rehearsal dinners are not only casual and fun but also enable guests to have a taste of the local music, food, culture and of course, adventure.

For more information on Events & Weddings Costa Rica or to book an experience like the one described, visit http://www.eventscr.com/