Put a ring on it! Take three - Caribbean style...

Here's the latest series of my traveling ring shots! This time we're in Anguilla (more about that later!). If you missed the others, click here for Mexico and here for Arizona. And, check out the Tips from the Pros: How to take amazing engagement and wedding ring photos too.

White sand beaches, tourquoise water and sailing galore! Sounds like a honeymoon to me.

Looking for a pampering, close to home, beachy honeymoon that won't break the bank? Here's a great week-long option that can be had for less than $2,500 per person.


The Westin St. John has a new Caribbean Honeymoon package that includes seven nights of deluxe accommodations, full daily breakfast for two and the following:


* Bottle of champagne upon arrival
* Sunset cruise with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres
* Thirty minute couple's massage
* Picnic basket lunch for a special island adventure
* Romantic dinner for two with a bottle of house wine at the oceanfront Beach Café
* Unlimited use of non-motorized water sports
* Round trip airport transfers
* All room tax and resort service charges

Bon voyage!

Thinking about a Caribbean wedding? Head to the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and your wedding is free!!!

Pack your little white dress and leave the wedding planning to the experts! Now through December 19, couples who book a seven-night stay at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort will receive a complimentary wedding package!


This is a really great deal to combine with the hotel's Super Escape Inclusive Package starting as low as $299 per night -- do the math and you get a free wedding and all-inclusive week-long honeymoon for just over $2,000!!!!!

The complimentary wedding package includes:

• Professional wedding consultant
• Picturesque ceremony location: beach, lawn, gazebo or garden
• Ceremony (religious or non-denominational): includes set-up of chairs, table for signing the marriage license, basic décor and officiant
  
• Wedding License, Including document preparation
• One Bottle of Celebratory Champagne
• Accommodation upgrade for bride and groom (based on availability)

The resort can arrange for extras like flowers, music and photographers as well.

The St. Kitts Marriott Resort offers over 450 guest rooms and luxurious suites, a championship golf course, the largest Vegas-style casino in the Caribbean, a revitalizing spa, the Pirates of St. Kitts Kids Club program, eight restaurants and two lounges so your wedding guests will have plenty to keep them busy.

I love the Caribbean so if you run out of guests to invite, feel free to invite me : ).

Have you scanned any travel experiences on your bridal registry lately?

Here's a great bridal registry idea for Globetrotting Brides and Grooms!

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts has launched the Hyatt Gift Registry, where couples can register online for a host of amenities, services and accommodations at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide - think tropical honeymoon, destination wedding, spa treatments, scuba diving, golf lessons, romantic dinners, wine tasting, etc. Much more exciting than toasters or china if you ask me.


Guests make a contribution towards Hyatt Gift Cards (redeemable at Hyatts in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean) or Hyatt Check Certificates™ (redeemable at Hyatts worldwide). Best of all, there are no expiration dates or blackout dates so any extra honeymoon credits can go towards future vacations - think anniversary trips, romantic weekends, babymoons, etc.


Just like traditional registries, you can sneak a peek as the gifts arrive and you'll also get an email notification so you can confirm your honeymoon activities. It's an ideal option for any couple and I can guarantee your groom's eyes won't glaze over when you're selecting spa treatments.


And if you're planning a destination wedding, couples who wed at a participating Hyatt property (in the U.S., Canada, Cancun, Mexico or Aruba) by June 30, 2010 will receive up to five complimentary nights towards their honeymoon.

Celebrate Romance - Trends for Destination Weddings & Honeymoons

Yesterday I went to a fabulous Celebrate Romance event sponsored by Destination Wedding & Honeymoons. It was at New York's Plaza Hotel (yes, its just like in Bride Wars) and there were dozens of representatives from luxury hotels and tropical destinations showing off their honeymoon and destination wedding offerings.

Randy from Say Yes to the Dress, Darcy from Martha Stewart Weddings and celebrity wedding cake designer Ron Ben-Israel were all in the house. Here's Ron about to cut one of his colorful creations with Susan Moynihan, editor in chief of Destination Weddings & Honeymoons.


After lunch, there was a "State of Romance Market" panel discussion where I learned about the latest trends in destination weddings and honeymoons. Here are some interesting findings from the Destination Weddings & Honeymoons reader survey:

- Despite the recession, destination wedding budgets are on the rise (up from $19,800 in 2006 to $20,600 in 2009).

- Destination couples marry sooner! Average engagement is 10.8 months vs. 14 months.

-Warm-weather locales top the list of wedding and honeymoon destinations. For international weddings, the Caribbean (51%) and Mexico (21%) are most popular while Florida (17%), Las Vegas (11%), Hawaii (9%) lead domestically.

- The average number of guests at a destination wedding is 48.

- More than half of destination couples pay for their own weddings.

- The average total honeymoon cost for destination couples is $8,200 vs $6,124 for traditional wedding couples.

- Honeymooners consider location (hello beachfront room!) and weather most important.

Stay tuned for some tropical destination wedding and honeymoon suggestions over the coming weeks...and be sure to visit Destination Weddings & Honeymoons for planning tips and ideas.

Honeymoon packing tip #9 - Be sure your swimwear matches your destination!

This Goddess Strapless Bra and Goddess Strapless Bottom is perfect for a Greek Islands cruise.


If you're Ibiza bound, be sure to pack a party all night number like this gold Jason Mio number.


Are you honeymooning in the Seychelle Islands? This zebra patterned C MIO would look great around the watering hole.


Heading to St. Tropez? Forget the polka dot bikini and bring along this polka dot Eric Mio.


Off to the Caribbean? This white ruffle bra and ruffle bottom duo screams here comes the bride.

Bon voyage!!!

Honeymoon season is coming! Recessionista beach inspired sandals and totes...

If you love Miss Trish of Capri sandals but don't want to pay expensive department store prices, you'll be happy to hear that Target has come to your rescue!

Check out these fun, ocean-inspired designs. Best of all, they're just $29.99. Just perfect for a honeymoon trip, Caribbean getaway or nautical-inspired party.


And, if you're looking for a fun beachy tote, I'm loving this one from Felix Ray for Target.

After the Honeymoon comes Babymoon Bingo!

I know you're familiar with the terms mini-moon and honeymoon but do you know about babymoons? Well, don't think the vacations end after you're married, your next big adventure might just be the trip before you have a baby, AKA the babymoon!

I've brought in my favorite babymoon expert, Kristy Hall of Two and a Half Travelers, to give some inspiring babymoon ideas as well as things to consider when traveling during pregnancy.


Here's Kristy...

There are countless things people with kids don't tell you before you have a baby. (I think this realization comes to most new mom’s about five minutes after the epidural wears off.)

I personally find it challenging to put into words just how a couple’s relationship changes (for better and worse) after a baby arrives. I’m no relationship expert but as a mom, a wife and a travel professional, I feel qualified to offer one little tidbit of advice to expecting parents -- make time to get away and connect before your baby arrives.

A pre-baby vacation (or babymoon) doesn’t have to be expensive or exotic but it should be romantic and it should be carefully planned to consider:

1) Timing - Since travel is generally discouraged after 32 weeks and many expecting Mom’s feel a little woozy in their first trimester, timing a babymoon is critical. Many women report a little kick of energy in their second trimesters which can translate into a perfect opportunity to take that last vacation before baby arrives. In short, you gotta go, when you gotta go regardless of the season.

2) Travel Style - Balance your normal pregnancy style with your pregnancy travel style. For example, if you normally take independent adventure vacations, you might want to consider a relaxing spa-like destination in a more exotic locale where you could do ½ day trips from the resort.

3) Health - The most important thing about your babymoon is that you feel comfortable with the decisions you've made about travel. Traveling while you are expecting really comes down to common sense. Do your research (or work with someone who can do it for you), talk to your doctor and pay attention to your body and your instincts to ensure that you're comfortable with your decision to travel.

The following handy reference table shows some potential babymoon destinations as determined by common pregnancy travel styles and seasons of the year. Enjoy!


About Us:
Two and a Half Travelers offers ideas, observations and travel booking services related to pre and post baby travel. Kristy, the Mom behind Two and a Half Travelers, lives in Jersey City, NJ with her two-year-old son and her husband.

Honeymoon packing tip #7 - Bold and beautiful bikinis

Heading off on a tropical honeymoon? Check out some of my favorite bikinis from J.Crew's spring/summer line up. I especially love how you can order different sizes for the tops and bottoms. Hello Caribbean, Costa Rica, Florida, Greece, Fiji, Australia...the options are endless.

Jersey Lomellina bandeau halter top and foldover wide-band hipster.

Solid twist-front bandeau top and solid twist-front bikini.

Jersey Lomellina ruched halter and hipster with flowers.


Solid underwire top with tie and solid retro hipster.

Celebrity Stunner Wedding Gown

Did you see Eva Mendes at the Golden Globe Awards?

She had on a really great white silk Dior gown with a taffeta bustier and an eye catching turquoise and diamond necklace from Van Cleef & Arpels. Don't you think this look could double as a great wedding dress for a destination wedding in Greece or Mexico or the Caribbean? I sure do.

Click here to see more images.

(source)

And, while we're talking about red carpet style, didn't Michelle Obama's inaugural gown remind you of these Greek inspired wedding dresses?

Destination wedding hotspot - Occidental Hotels & Resorts

There is nothing easier and more relaxing than a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort. If you're the type of bride who wants to bring the dress and leave the stress, Occidental Hotels & Resorts should be on your radar. Here's the scoop:

* Who: Couples who want an affordable, everything-included wedding. If you've dreamed of a ceremony in an authentic Mayan ruin or on a beach with 360° Caribbean views, you will not be disappointed. Your stay includes unlimited meals and drinks, activities galore, entertainment and all taxes and gratuities.

* What: Choose a resort, date and package online and a wedding coordinator will plan everything to suit your style and budget. From a beach vow renewal for 10 to an elaborate 200 person affair, several wedding packages are offered including everything you need (cake, champagne toast, judge, documents, decor, and flowers). Ask about free weddings and complimentary honeymoon packages.

* When: Most of these properties are ideal year-round destinations. I would avoid Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and the Dominican Republic during hurricane season (late summer - fall).

* Where: Properties are located in Mexico, Costa Rica, Aruba and the Dominican Republic.

* Don't Miss: Explore Chichen Itza, Xcaret, Xel-Ha and Tulum in Mexico. In Aruba, go horseback riding and take a Jeep tour.

* Stay for the honeymoon? Yes. Newlyweds staying three nights or more get extra perks like room upgrades, resort discounts, congratulatory in-room items, continental breakfast in bed and more. You can upgrade to a premium honeymoon ($250+ more) to add on extra amenities like a couples massage, candlelit dinner on the beach, etc.

* Booking: To plan a wedding or honeymoon, call 800-858-2258 or visit Occidental Weddings.