Thursday, 25 November 2010

Do You Dream of Getting Married in a Castle?

The Fairmont Banff Springs in Banff, Alberta, Canada
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs
 Do you want to get married in a castle but are not sure if your guests will be willing to travel to Europe to attend your destination wedding? Instead, why don’t you consider the Fairmont Banff Springs, set amidst the backdrop of majestic mountains, in Banff, Alberta?  One of my favorite venues, this location is definitely the place where dreams are made.
Aerial  view of the Fairmont Banff Springs
Photo Courtesy of the Fairmont Banff Springs

This Scottish baronial castle provides the prefect atmosphere for a romantic, fairy-tale wedding.  Located an hour and 45 minute drive from the Calgary International Airport, the Fairmont Banff Springs is a blend of opulence and seclusion placed in a castle hideaway built in a spectacular mountain paradise. This is the perfect place to make every bride feel like a modern day princess. Move over Kate!
The Grand Lobby
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs

The 768 guestrooms offer superb appointments and world-class amenities in this world famous hotel.
 
Guest Room
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs

 It offers stunning vistas, a championship golf course, skiing in the snow-capped Canadian Rockies, and the Willow Stream Spa, a world-class European-style spa experience. The Fairmont Banff Spring’s talented chefs from across Canada and around the world have created both authentically local menus and classic cuisine. These culinary delights coupled with fine wines and attentive personalized service will ensure that your wedding is a lasting memory for both you and your guest.

The Willow Stream Spa
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs
First constructed in 1888, the hotel has a magnificent grandeur  to it  which makes it the perfect venue for your wedding  ceremony  with its many meeting rooms, halls, or ballroom, or even the picture perfect Bow Valley Terrace.
August Wedding held on the Outdoor Terrace
Photo courtesy by Muriel MacRae

Your wedding can be simple to elegant; an intimate get together for a small group to a large banquet of 200 plus guests, the choice is yours. You have a wide selection of banquet rooms to select from for your dream wedding. Ceremony locations range from the Strathcona Room with a maximum of ten people to Mt. Stephen Hall or the Alhambra Room with a maximum of 250 people. Reception rooms can accommodate from 12 to 700 guests. There are a wide variety of food selections where you have the choice of a breakfast, a brunch or a lunch function in addition to an evening Dinner , Dinner Buffet, or Themed Receptions.
Wedding in Mt. Stephen Hall
Photo Courtesy of Muriel MacRae

Three of the special venues for spectacular wedding locations are the Mt. Stephen Hall, the Cascade Ballroom, and the Ivor Petrak Room. The Mt. Stephen Hall truly represents the Fairmont Banff Spring’s position as “the Castle in the Rockies.” The high ceiling with oak beams, stone floor, and cathedral windows with stained-glass crests truly reflect the style of a baronial castle, while the soft amber lighting creates the perfect atmosphere in the evening. This room holds up to 100 guests  and can be configures in a variety of ways,  Mt. Stephen Hall is widely known as one of the most popular places to get married in Alberta.


Mount Stephen Hall can be used for either wedding  ceremonies or receptions.
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs 

The Fairmont Banff Spring’s original ballroom, which hosted such esteemed guests as Fred Astaire and Marilyn Monroe, has been renovated to bring back the glamour of the roaring 1920s. The ballroom, decorated in hues of blue, burgundy, and gold, features eight breathtaking crystal chandeliers and hardwood flooring. The Cascade Ballroom is located at the north end of the castle with a million-dollar panoramic view of the Bow Valley from the Conservatory.
Wedding reception in Cascade Ballroom
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs
The canvas of many beautiful ceremonies and receptions, the Ivor Petrak Room hosts up to a maximum of 80 guests and sets the scene for your special day with closest friends and family. Let the picturesque view of the sweeping Bow Valley amaze your guests while they dance the night away under the custom-built chandelier. The Ivor Petrak Room is sure to provide the setting for a lifetime of memories.

Having your dream wedding in this fairy-tale setting located in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, is definitely a dream come true. Call 403-619-0528 or email info@creativeweddings.com to plan your fairy-tale wedding today.

Fresh snowfall at the Fairmont Banff Springs
Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Banff Springs


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 Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

Hello, paradise! Beach weddings done right

Note: Written by Lindsey Hetrick and posted in the Philadelphia Bridal Fashion Examiner on July 1st, 2009 12:22 pm ET

Photo courtesy of Snippet and Ink
White sand between your toes, crystal clear water, a horizon dotted with palm trees, the warm sun against your skin...this may sound like something out of a movie or a celebrity-status vacation but the truth is, this vision is affordable and can be a great place for a summer-themed wedding.

If there's any season that's easier to plan a wedding around, it's summer. What's even easier? Having a breezy, casual destination wedding that enhances the theme even more.

Locales such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Jamaica and St. Lucia are the most popular choices for a dream destination wedding, while places like the Bahamas, Jamaica and Mexico give you the most bang for your buck. According to www.weddingsolutions.com, the average destination wedding costs around $17,000.00 for 100 guests while the average cost of a stay at home wedding is around $22,000.00. I bet you never thought you'd be saving money by going to an exotic location!

Starfish, sea shells, parasols and paper fans are all cheap and great ways to decorate the ceremony venue and can also double as favors for guests. Chiffon and raffia (as seen above) can be used to decorate chairs and a makeshift altar can be created with little effort using PVC pipes, paint and chiffon. During the cocktail hour, guests can be served an array of tropical drinks from piƱa coladas to margaritas and fruity-flavored mojitos. Munchies could include any local fare such as shrimp, lobster and clams. For the non-adventurous eaters, chips and salsa and other classic hors d' oeuvres can be served. The key to pulling this kind of wedding off is to remember that it's a casual fete and nothing too stuffy should be served, after all, you're on a beach!

Providing a basket full of  flip flops for your guest's "dancing shoes" is a cheap and creative way to make the guests feel special. The reception area can be adorned with paper lanterns, white starfish, cream-colored sea shells, sand dollars and assorted tea lights, making for an opulent feel without the big price tag. Instead of trying to find a DJ or band, loading your iPod with a pre-made play list of songs is a great personal touch. A fabulous idea for an after party could be a simple fire pit on the beach relaxing with loved ones and enjoying the atmosphere you always dreamed of.




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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

Tuesday, 23 November 2010

Choosing an All-Inclusive Resort for Your Honeymoon

Note: - Thanks to Ariana G. Stecker who wrote this article for her blog Iris Fields Guide to Wedding and Event Planning 
Azul Beach Hotel
 There are so many options when it comes to planning your honeymoon.  Aside from location and budget, there’s also the debate over whether to go all-inclusive or not.

RIU Vallarta
One of the biggest advantages of going all-inclusive is that once you get there, in theory, you shouldn’t have to open your wallet.  Drinks, food, fun are all at your fingertips for no extra charge.  But, sometimes you show up and things aren’t at all what you expected.  There are non-inclusive restaurants, kids are splashing you in the pool, and you can’t get a drink before 11 o’clock in the morning.  Let’s face it—the only kind of surprise you want while on your honeymoon is a complimentary bottle of champagne waiting in your room.  Forget about unexpected financial woes.

To help you plan properly, we’ve put together a list of general things to keep in mind when choosing an all-inclusive resort.  If you do your homework ahead of time, your honeymoon will be everything you dream of!

Transportation. Getting to and from your hotel can be stressful, and you’d hate to start your honeymoon on a sour note.  So check with your hotel to see if they offer an airport transfer, and if they don’t, if they have a taxi company that they recommend.  Knowing a reliable taxi company ahead of time could save you a huge headache.

Food. Obviously food is one of the main factors in choosing an all-inclusive resort, so it better be good and plentiful.  When narrowing down your choices, be sure to find out how many restaurants are on the property and if they are all included in your rate.  Find out the hours of each restaurant and which one is better for breakfast as opposed to lunch or dinner.  Is there a restaurant close to the beach or pool where you’ll be spending your time, or do you have to trek across the resort to eat?  Something you may not think of during the day is dress code—can you wear your bathing suit to grab a quick snack?  Trust us, it’s torture to show up at a restaurant completely ready to eat and then be told that you have to cover up, and your sundress is all the way back at your chaise lounge.   Lastly, if you get tired of the all-inclusive food, are there any nearby restaurants outside of the resort?

Activities. If you get bored lying on the beach for hours, soaking in the sun, you should take advantage of the activities offered by the resort and which ones are included.  Most resorts have an activity calendar filled with volleyball games, belly flop contests, and dance-offs, so be sure to find that each day of your stay—they’re a great way to have fun, unwind, and meet your fellow travelers.  Many times you have to pay separately for sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, and other water sports—but double check with your resort before you shell out any cash. Likewise, if your hotel as an on-site spa, are there any included services, or do you have to pay for every massage and facial?  Also, check with the front desk to see if they can arrange for any off-site excursions, perhaps to see some nearby ruins or to head over to a neighboring island.

Alcohol. Like with the restaurants, you should ask plenty of questions about what beverages are included in your package—alcoholic, non-alcoholic only, or both.  Find out where the bars are located and if there are any poolside, which are always fun.  Also make sure that you can take beverages around the property and don’t have to finish a drink in the place where it was served.  Find out bar hours and if there are any specialty cocktails.  Finally, see if the all-inclusive price covers glasses and bottles of wine and champagne, of if you have to purchase them separately.

Sandals Grande Ocho Rios
The Resort Itself. Check as many visitor-generated sites as possible to try to get a true sense of any resort on your list.  These are often the best way to make sure that the resort in the brochure measures up to the real thing.  Also, check for any special honeymoon deals or perks—perhaps there’s a honeymoon suite or a free bottle of champagne up for grabs.  Make sure that the resort clientele is what you want—namely, is it family friendly, geared toward partying singles, or great for couples.  If it does encourage families to visit, find out if there are any designated “adult only” zones or pools.  Resorts sometimes offer non-all-inclusive packages as well, so make sure that if you did get the all-inclusive deal that you have the proper wristband or other credential to show that you are entitled to all of the perks.

As with any vacation, sit back and think about your ideal trip and make a list of your top priorities and all of the activities you’d like to do.  Then, go through your hotel options and choose the one that fulfills the most points on your list.  After all, the more you can get for your dollar, the better!

Happy planning!



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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

Honeymoon at Sandals Resorts

Are you trying to decide where to go on your honeymoon? Does thinking of the Caribbean inspire thoughts of romance?  If you want easygoing days, sultry nights, and a sense of tranquility that fills your hearts, why not plan to go to one of Sandals 14 magnificent resorts.

Sandals is renowned for romance.  It has been voted World’s Best at the world travel awards and has been the recipient of many other awards, such as the World’s Leading All-inclusive Company and the World’s Most Romantic Resort.  Guests rave about the service and the way you are pampered at Sandals Resorts.

Don’t know which resort to pick! Here are some of the highlights of three of the resorts In Jamaica:

1) Sandals Montego Bay “The beach goes on and so does the party”

  • The first and true “original” Sandals – set on Jamaica’s long private white-sand beach.
  • Jamaica’s largest private white sand beach with “walk-out” rooms or suites with steps right from the sand!

  • On-resort wedding chapel
  • Gorgeous Bay Rock Estate Beach Villas

  • Full exchange privileges with two Sandals resorts nearby giving guests a choice of 14 restaurants with complementary transportation
  • What’s new: Cricketers Pint (English Pub) and the Red Dread Catamaran



2) Sandals Royal Caribbean: "From Britain to Bali, Experience Exotic Adventures with a British Accent”

 

  • Classic Georgian architecture welcomes you to a place reminiscent of the grandest British manor houses.
  • Caribbean charm with British traditions (authentic English Pub, High Tea in the afternoon)
  • Experience three different cultures on one magnificent resort, all wrapped up with warm island hospitality.
  • Beautiful private 0ff-shore island sanctuary with beach Cabanas
  • Exotic Thai Restaurant located on the off-shore island, Sandals Cay
  • Beautiful walk-out rooms just steps away from the Caribbean Sea
  • Gorgeous Swim-up Crystal Lagoon suits

  • Full exchange privileges with two Sandals resorts nearby giving guests 14 dining option including complementary shuttle service
  • What’s new?  Two new (additional) magnificent  River Suite Blocks, Private Island Enhancements (including the Irie Grill Restaurant for Lunch)

3) Sandals Carlyle “ A Charming Beachside Bed and Breakfast that’s Huge in Hospitality”

  • Charming and intimate, the 52-room Sandals Carlyle is a friendly tropical oasis where you’ll always feel at home.

  • Conveniently located in Montego Bay – minutes from fun, shops, and clubs
  • True “Jamaica Inn” experience
  • Small in size but big in value
  • Full exchange privileges with two nearby Sandals resorts giving  guest 14 Dining Options including complementary shuttle service


So come to Sandals and make your dreams come true and leave every worry at home. Call Muriel at 403-477-0643 to book you  romantic honeymoon.


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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.