Will You Be My Bridesmaid?

There is something special about being asked to be part of a destination wedding party. Most friends and family members feel very honored to be considered for the role of bridesmaid, groomsmen or the VIP title of maid-of-honor or best man.

And as couples find themselves having to call or email to ask these dear loved ones to be a part of their big day - there is something much cooler they could be doing. They could be sending them cookie messages.

The Flour Pot "Will You be My" cookies ask the question with a little more care and thought than a simple call or email. They are only $10 (includes the cookie and adorable wrapping) so it won't cost you a fortune either.

Just think of what your bridal party is about to embark when being entrusted to your sacred society. The least you can do is ask them in a yummy and unforgettable way!

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/

Holiday Destination Weddings - Pros and Cons

Image by Damon Tucci Studios

It is very tempting to hold your destination wedding over a holiday weekend and considering we just came off a long weekend, I thought this post would be a timely one.

If you've considered this, your thought process is probably a good one, but you may want to think things through a little further.

The Pros

• People automatically have time off work - typically. This is usually the first thing couples think about and if you are planning a destination wedding, it is nice for your guests to already have paid time off.
• Your loved ones may feel more inclined to take additional time off since the office is notably slower during holiday weeks.
• Kids aren't in school, therefore it's easier for parents to bring kids with them.

The Cons

• Vacation destinations are much busier over the holidays. Three day weekends such as Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day are known to create additional traffic not to mention, busier restaurants and resorts.
• Travel tends to cost more over long weekends. Airlines and resorts are going to bump up their prices during these times because they know simple economics. Supply is usually less than demand.
• Your guests may already have their own plans. Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas can create big problems for your friends if you plan to have your special event during those times. Your own family might be able to make it since they plan to be together anyway, but your friends will likely already be committed to spending time with their families.

If you are considering doing a destination wedding over a holiday weekend, consult your guests and ask around. If people are open to it and they feel it is a good idea, go for it. But if you get mixed reactions and not many "yes" RSVP's, consider yourself warned!

If you had a great or not-so-great holiday destination wedding, share your story with us. Visit our web site at www.destinationidomag.com/contact and send me an email. I'd love to hear about it and share your advice with our readers!

Why You Should Skip Throwing the Garter & Bouquet

Image by Josh Andrus

Traditions are important. When it comes to wedding traditions, there are some which are more important than others. Stomping on the glass, cutting the cake, having your father walk you down the aisle - are all things that make us swoon as we get closer to the alter.

But there are some, and a few of you may not agree with me, that can be tossed (excuse the pun).

The bouquet and garter toss, are the ones I am referring to.

Now, 25 or 30 years ago, this was all the rage - but in today's wedding events - things have changed a little. Couples are waiting longer and longer to tie the knot, therefore the average age of a bride is 28 and the groom is 32. Along with 30-something couples, comes 30-something singles.

Not everyone in their 30's or 40's is interested in being pointed out as single. It may seem like fun to the bride and groom to pick a special song and whoop it up on the dance floor because it's considered "tradition," but all it does is make the single women in the group wish they were invisible and the men dart for the restroom.

When I have attended weddings in the past where this tradition is kept and there are a large amount of people between the ages of 10 and 25, it's a great deal of fun. So I'm not saying scrap this idea altogether, I'm simply saying - check your guest list. If you have only a handful of singles who are between 28-40, skip it. They will feel like fools and your idea of the large group shoving each other and laughing to catch the bouquet or garter is going to end up being a bust.

If you need an alternate idea because you are certain you need to give away your bouquet - do an anniversary dance. Request that your DJ or band ask all couples to get on the dance floor for a romantic song. They can begin eliminating couples depending on how long they've been together. The couple who has been together the longest, wins! Then hand over your bouquet and a bottle of champagne to the lucky couple. It's classy and it's a great way to get the older couples out on the dance floor. You won't embarrass anyone and your single friends will feel grateful you didn't make them a spectacle.

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.

NEW ON NEWSSTANDS

This issue is one of my favorites! First of all, we had an amazing photo shoot in New Orleans that showcases some show-stopping talent by the city's best (Josh Andrus - photography, Robye Ducote - hair, Brandy Gomez-Duplessis- makeup, Rubener Bautista - jewelry) not to mention one of my closest friends and amazing model Leah Notebaert graced the set at the W French Quarter (which is the hottest spot in NOLA). Our very own Sr. Editor and the original "Anti-Bride," Carolyn Gerin, was an integral part of the entire creative process, right down to our gorgeous cover. Not to mention, she got to interview the famous Austin Scarlett (who is the head designer for Kenneth Pool and was on Season 1 of Project Runway) in her article aptly named "Interview with a Glampire."

This issue showcases destinations that help you keep the luxe and lose the bucks since affordable luxury is all the rage. We feature places right here in the US so you don't have to travel far to say your destination i do's (think Florida, Cali, Vegas, Smokies, the Outer Banks and MANY more). Honeymoon hideaways in the BVI's, Fiji and Mexico are covered as well for the people who are interested in a little seclusion.

If you're interested in reading all about other brides who have done destination weddings, we have several real-life couples telling all. As far as celebrity wedding stories - Teresa Strasser (co-host of the Adam Corolla Show) and Amy and Marty Wolffe from the Biggest Loser both shared their experiences with us.

Trashing the dress, advice from travel agents, wedding planners and etiquette specialists are just a few of the things you're in store for. We've PACKED this issue with helpful editorial and great locations. It's available at Barnes & Noble, many Borders Books and other fine retailers throughout the country. You can also order copies on our web site by visiting www.destinationidomag.com/subscribe. ENJOY!

A Preemptive Thank You

A great way to let your guests know how much their traveling to your destination wedding means to you is by making small gestures to show them.

• Create a wedding web site where guests can log on and be informed. Make sure to include this web site in all your written correspondence including the formal wedding invitation. We love ewedding.com and if you use the promotion code DIDO, you'll get $10 off a one year package.


• Negotiate group discounts on travel and accommodations. Include links to these places on your wedding web site so that they can easily navigate to it. Make sure you explain how to do this thouroughly so that non-computer savvy people can understand it easily.


• Let them know that their presence is their present to you. If you already have all the things you need - and you don't have a ton of things to register - don't do it. Graciously let them know that you understand the expense of their traveling to the destination and explain that their being present is all the gift you need. Some people still may give you gifts, but the gesture will be recognized.


• Pay for as much as you can. If you have a bridal party - consider paying for their attire, if not their accommodations as well. If you don't have a budget for this, maybe just offer an additional meal - a farewell brunch or beach side barbeque is just one less meal they will have to pay for.


• When your guests arrive, make sure you have sent a welcome bag or basket filled with goodies to their hotel. This package should also include a thank you note with the itinerary, directions and any other info they may need. Just go to the reception desk, and drop it off for them. This will require you getting a list of where everyone is staying if not all in one place.