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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.
How many of you are dreaming of a tropical Hawaiian wedding or honeymoon? This post if for you!
Hawaii is stunning and the Four Seasons knows pampering. What more do you need for an amazing wedding, honeymoon or both? Here's the scoop on the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai:
* Who: Couples who want eco-friendly wedding and ultra luxurious honeymoon. Think tropical, romantic and pampering with a "love butler" at your beck and call to arrange anything you desire.
* What: Eco-conscious couples will love the Sustainable Nuptials Package which includes everything from a wedding planer, ceremony set up, officiant, music, florist, and photographer to wedding cake, champagne and a 50-minute couples massage. Best of all, the package includes a carbon credit to offset the wedding's carbon footprint (up to 25 guests)!
* When: Hawaii offers sun-filled days year-round. High season (crowds and high prices) is mid-December through April.
* Where: Located on the exclusive Kona-Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii. A six hour flight from Los Angeles.
* Don't Miss: The resort's Bungalow 33 - a premium ocean view suite that sits at the edge of a natural fishpond offers super seclusion. You might need to save up for this $3,800 per night splurge.
* Stay for the honeymoon? Yes. The resort's new Lava Love Nest romance package is perfect for newlyweds. You'll be greeted with a fragrant lei and taken to a luxurious ocean view room where a love basket awaits full of snacks, wine, candles and map of romantic spots to stargaze. You'll also receive breakfast daily, a 50-minute couples massage, a dark lava chocolate cake and bottle of red wine and a digital photo frame. Package rates start at $825 per night. Want to kick things up a notch, just ask the "love butler" to arrange a little something special like a beachside dinner with hula dancer, hundreds of orchids scattered in your room, romantic picnics and other surprises.
* Booking: To plan a wedding or honeymoon, call 888-340-5662 or visit online. For more information on visiting Hawaii, click here.
