It's your honeymoon and you can go anywhere in the world! This is probably the only time where you have excused time from work up to two weeks back to back, and can do whatever you want. No one will blame you for not answering your cell and not bringing your tablet along to answer emails. So what are you going to do with this time?
Planning a wedding is an exhausting process. It's a full time job, and if you didn't have a planner, well...I'm sure you're about ready to relax! But where would be most relaxing? Sure many think that they haven't had a vacation unless they come back weary from all the explorations they did, but what if you just want to do nothing. What if you want to sit in paradise, far away from everything and just do...nothing? Why not make it special and do it on an island that won't be here forever?
Where is The Maldives? In the Indian Ocean about 250 miles southwest of India, this island chain sits waiting for your arrival. Of course you'll be pretty much level with the sea, which is why I would insist that you visit this paradise for your honeymoon instead of your 25th anniversary. Due to the low-lying nature of these islands, the sand is the softest sand you will ever feel and the isolation and privacy will be the perfect remedy to the hectic-ness that is wedding planning.
So where to stay when you're there? Allow us to recommend Taj Exotica! Enjoy your own private villa complete with a wooden ladder to bring you down to the water. Each villa is palm thatched, complete with private spa rooms and outdoor showers. Whether your style is the Presidential Suite, a Lagoon Suite, or a Beach Villa, there is something there for every couple.
If you're a foodie, you'll enjoy their amazing cuisine at Taj as you dine under a starry sky with a fine wine and your choice of cigars. No honeymoon is complete without a trip to the spa to fully relax together! Yoga, meditation and other therapeutic experiences await you and your spouse at this luxurious location.
Still in the first stages of planning your wedding? Well, if you were considering a destination wedding, Taj might just be the place for you to say "I do"! The possibilities are endless, and The Maldives will leave your guests in awe and talking about your wedding at every other wedding they attend.
Please visit this website: http://www.tajhotels.com/Luxury/Exotica-Resort-And-Spa/Taj-Exotica-Resort-And-Spa-Maldives/Overview.html to see everything this hotel has to offer. Let them know that Golden Wedding Planners sent you.
Have you ever been to The Maldives? Have pictures and experiences to share? Please let us know at danielle@goldenweddingplanners.com and you could be featured in our next blog!
Congratulations to Danielle and Jared! This gorgeous couple got married at the beautiful Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank, New Jersey and we were so happy to plan their special day! From the flowers, to the dress, everything was picture perfect and we wanted to share with all of you, some images from their day! If you like what you see, we would love to talk to you about planning your next big event! Just contact us at www.goldenweddingplanners.com and don't forget to check out our team members that all made this day as amazing as it was!
Venue: Oyster Point Hotel, www.theoysterpointhotel.com
Flowers: Boxwoods, www.boxwoodsnj.com
DJ: The Pros, www.thepros.com
Minister: Mitch The Minister, www.mitchtheminister.com
Photographer: Jason Rhee, www.jasonrhee.com
Hair and Make-Up: Hair and Company, www.hairandcompanyredbank.com
Cake: Carlo's, www.carlosbakery.com
Uplighting: Eggsotic Events, www.eggsoticevents.com
Linens: Cloth Connection, www.clothconnection.com
Full Coordination Planning: Golden Wedding Planners, www.goldenweddingplanners.com
The day started at 8am when the entire bridal party, plus a few other ladies prepared at the salon, getting their hair and make-up done. They enjoyed some light breakfast and were so excited to get the party started! Golden Wedding Planners was at The Oyster Point Hotel meeting with vendors and putting everything together. The cake arrived, then the flowers, and soon everyone else followed! For even more pictures, don't forget to check out: www.goldenweddingplanners.com.
Golden Wedding Planners is starting a new feature called "Danielle's Pick of the Week"! This will be a hot new trend that we love and want to share with our readers. To kick off this new feature, we introduce the mixing of long and round tables.
We recently had a venue visit with one of our September couples, and during the conversation the idea of adding long tables came up. At first, the idea might seem a little scary, especially to our more traditional couples, but we are officially married to the idea!
Adding long tables to your reception will give the room a different look and add some dimension. It will also create a family-like atmosphere for all of your guests since these long tables can seat between 20-40 people. If space is an issue, and your guest list is a little too high for the room, adding long tables can help the room stay big and not overcrowded.
There's also a major opportunity to mix up whatever it is you're putting on your tables. From flowers to candles, a long table will require something a little different than your round tables. You can even mix up the linens and add a runner on top of the table cloth.
Long tables aren't necessarily just for the casual bride either. They can be just as decked out and dressed up as their round and oval counterparts.
So go ahead and entertain the idea of entertaining your guests the long way! It's something a little different, and they'll be sure to remember it, and maybe even steal the brilliant idea. That's why long tables are Danielle's Pick of the Week!
The Ryland Inn was a landmark in New Jersey both as an amazing restaurant and a beautiful place to hold an event, especially a wedding. From the gorgeous scenary, to the incredible food, getting an invite to a wedding at The Ryland was something to be very excited about.
In 1991 Craig Shelton made news as the head chef at The Ryland, and suddenly, everyone was going there to dine. The restaurant took home the coveted James Beard Mid-Atlantic Region top prize and continued to please the patrons. Tragedy struck when a water main pipe burst in 2007 and shut down The Ryland. Now, almost everyone you talk to in New Jersey is grinning from ear to ear asking "Did you know The Ryland is re-opening?".
Re-opening it indeed is, this summer of 2012 with a complete makeover. Landmark Hospitality, which owns other beautiful properties such as Liberty House in Liberty State Park and Stone House in Warren. Owners Frank and Jeanne Cretella are highly regarded within the industry, and with over 20 years of experience and success, it is easy to see why. The make-over will include transforming the barns into ceremony spaces and conference rooms, and adding luxury spaces for both the bride and her party, as well as the groom and all of his groomsmen. Between the spas, the dressing rooms and the media room complete with billiards, couples can expect to have the time of their lives simply preparing for the wedding!
For the couple that places food as a high priority, The Ryland is a strong contender for a wedding venue. The dining experience also includes an extensive wine list, which is a must for any big celebration being held there. The executive chef who has been hired, is none other than Anthony Bucco who made headlines as the chef at Warren's Uproot and is currently working as a chef at Hamilton Farm Golf Club. Those who were lucky enough to dine at The Ryland before it closed will be happy to hear that the food will be staying the same as Bucco plans to build on the classic French service and style as in the past. The restaurant boasts a farm on the property, which only adds to the freshness of the food that is served there.
Of course, those that remember The Ryland, might also remember the price-tag that came with the experience. There doesn't seem to be any word on what the numbers on the menu will look like, but we're expecting that this venue will be the location for those with a larger budget. However, if you're looking to really make a splash, and marry at a venue that no one has seen in years (because it's been closed) then The Ryland is your best option. If you're looking for something different, and food is one of the top priorities, then consider this venue for your big day.
Also, if location and food are on the top of your list, a good planner will be able to work with the rest of your budget on items such as music, flowers, and photography. If you see the venue and your heart sings, don't let the price tag scare you away. There is always a way to make your dream location become the place you say "I do."
We cannot wait to start planning weddings at The Ryland, and will be there when they open their doors for dinner. Best of luck to The Ryland, Landmark, Bucco and all involved. We hope to see you soon!
