Destination Wedding – Tahiti

Tahiti is a dream destination for many couples. Turquoise-blue lagoons, overwater bungalows, scenic backdrops and colorful traditions are what make this destination paradise. No wonder Tahiti is many couples’ wedding dream destination.

Until just recently however, it was really hard to legally getting married in Tahiti. One of the requirements was for the couple to stay on the islands for at least 30 days prior to getting married which made a legal wedding nearly impossible.

However, the French Republic passed a new law in 2010 which allows non-residents to wed as early as the day they arrive in French Polynesia as long as they have submitted their paperwork to city hall 45 days before the ceremony. The legally binding wedding will take place at the city hall, and the wedding ceremony, typically held at a beachside resort, follows.

A good destination wedding planner can help you go through the necessary aplication steps which are not complicated, but time-consuming. In general, Tahiti is not the easiest travel destination in terms of planning. International flights, ground transfers, inter-island flights, excursions, accommodations and more make the help of a romance travel concierge invaluable.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aah-travel.com

Celebrity Honeymoon Destination Spotlight: Los Cabos, Mexico

Most recently Los Cabos was chosen by Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie as well as LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian for their honeymoon.

Hilary and Mike opted to stay in a private residence at El Dorado Golf and Beach Resort and shared their honeymoon pictures with OK magazine.

LeAnn & Eddie on the other hand chose the modern boutique resort Esperanza which is perched above the Sea of Cortez and boasts perfect ocean views. The resort is also known for its extensive collection of over 100 different tequilas. For more info on their honeymoon check out People magazine’s article.

At the tip of Baja California lie the twin cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo which each have their very distinctive charm.

Cabo San Lucas is a vibrant hideaway that offers some of the most thrilling water sports anywhere. From world-famous deep sea fishing to whale watching, Cabo offers great access to abundant marine life.

San Jose del Cabo on the other hand is a peaceful town of cobblestone alleys that meander past enchanting colonial achitecthure.

Los Cabos is home to lush golf courses, exciting resorts, and fine art galleries. After the sun sets it comes to life with refined dining and an exciting nightlife. From a vacation concierge standpoint I would recommend Los Cabos to anyone who loves walking in celebrities footsteps, dramatic scenery and breathtaking oceanviews. Los Cabos is where the desert meets the sea. Do not expect lush tropical vegetation or calm ocean waters.

Posted by: Stefanie Pichonnat can be reached at 812-917-2149 or stefanie@aah-travel.com

Honeymoon Planning – Questions you Should ask

A couple more hours before the new year! With the start of 2010 comes the beginning of the bridal season. Hundreds of brides will flock to wedding shows all over the world, shopping for wedding vendors, and also starting to think about their honeymoon.

Each wedding vendor has a certain set of questions a bride might want to ask before hiring them. Typically you might question a photographer about their package prices, how fast they will have your pictures available, how easy it will be for your guests to order from them, how much experience they have shooting weddings, and much more.

Whilst most every wedding vendor has a certain set of questions they will be asked, I oftentimes notice that brides do not qualify the honeymoon planner/travel consultant they want to work with. Here are a few ideas/tips/questions you might want to
use when selecting your honeymoon consultant.

  • If you have an idea on where you would like to go on your honeymoon, tell the consultant. Use this opportunity to test their reaction. Are they simply acknowledging your choice, or do they actually seem knowledgeable about the destination.
  • Who is going to do the work, you, or the consultant. By that I mean, does the consultant simply hand out brochures, or does the consultant setup an appointment with you first, in order to learn exactly what it is you are looking for?
  • What type of travel is the consultant’s specialty? Do they cater to anyone, including family & business travel, or do they specialize in the romance travel sector.
  • Does the consultant travel frequently and has first-hand experience in some of the most popular honeymoon destinations and resorts?
  • Is the honeymoon consultant going to be there for you, not only during the booking process, but also once you travel?
  • And, can you relate to the consultant. Do you feel this person will be able to understand what it is you are looking for.

 

Many of my All About Honeymoons colleagues will be represented at bridal shows nationwide. I encourage you to visit their booth (look for the logo), and submit them to the test.

Just like your wedding, your honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It should be the best vacation you ever take. You should feel special, you should know what to expect, and most of all, you should be able to treasure those memories forever.