Honeymoon Dexox Anyone? Unlimited Spa Treatments at Secrets Resorts, Mexico

Wedding planning is exhausting! What could be better than a pampering all-inclusive honeymoon with unlimited spa treatments???

To celebrate the opening of its new spa, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, the adults-only, all-inclusive, honeymoon haven in Mexico, is offering the Unlimited Spa Package for guests visiting now through December 23rd. Yeah, there's fine print (four 25-minute treatments per day per person) but still, this is an awesome deal. You'll choose from an array of specialty massages and hydrotherapy treatments at the brand new Secrets Spa by Pevonia. If your guy isn't the pampering type, just grab your bridesmaids and make it a bachelorette getaway.

Still looking for the perfect bathing suit? One-piece or bikinis, check out these sexy styles...

I think all brides look great with a sun-kissed tan. If you're lucky enough to enjoy some beach or pool time this summer, make sure you've got a fabulous swimsuit. I love these Cala Ossidiana picks. Stock up now at 30% off thanks to Daily Candy (enter DAILYCANDY at checkout). They just scream tropical honeymoon to me...

Welcome to Groom's Week! Why should brides have all the fun?

Since most of you fabulous readers are female, I thought I'd spend this week highlighting some great items to share with your grooms. I'm sure you've heard that Real Housewives of New Jersey line "Happy Wife, Happy Life" but I say a "Happy Groom will Make You Swoon." Ok, so that's a little cheesy. Maybe the pregnancy hormones have kicked in?

First up is this fabulous "Here Comes the Groomed Kit" from Anthony Logistics For Men:

Priced at $50, this kit contains glycolic facial cleanser, facial scrub, pre-shave oil, shaving cream, after shave balm, sea salt body scrub, and glycerin hand/body lotion in a lightweight travel case (perfect for taking on the honeymoon...). It's a great way to get your groom's face camera ready for the big wedding day and honeymoon close ups.

When I showed the Globetrotting Groom the potions and instruction card he balked, "I don't need a routine," but when he tried all the products, he changed his mind. Suddenly Mr. Doom and Gloom was all, "Hey, feel how soft my skin feels!" True story ladies!

I think this would be a great engagement gift, nice Jack and Jill shower present or groomsmen gift. Or maybe you just want to surprise him with a "just because" (your face is like sandpaper) present.

Recessionista Summer Getaway! Life's a Beach Jet Blue Sale!

If I have a choice, I'll always pick a Jet Blue flight. I love that they feed me snacks and entertain me with TV and movies making even a long trip seem quick. (Note: We flew to St. Martin last week and I was disappointed to learn that only the movies work once you get an hour away from JFK. What's up with that Jet Blue???)


Jet Blue is known for their amazing sales and they've got a great Life's a Beach Sale going on now that is offering up some great fares ($29 - $139 each way!) to Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. There are some amazing hotel deals right now so be sure to book a summer getaway if you haven't already.

Need a bachelor or bachelorette trip, mini-moon or honeymoon? Hurry up, you have to book by Friday and travel between July 14 and October 6.

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.

Free honeymoon anyone???? And yes, you choose the location!!!

A free honeymoon where you pick the destination! What's better than that?? PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com is running a contest for all you recessionistas out there.

One lucky winner will get a $2,000 Marriott Honeymoon TravelCard redeemable at any Marriott hotel, anywhere in the world! The TravelCard can be used for everything including room nights, spa treatments, golf, and even breakfast in bed!

Contest ends June 30th and you can enter once per email address per day using the contest entry form. That means go back every day to increase your odds! Hey, you gotta be in it to win it.

And if you're still looking for your dream wedding gown, check out the great deals on PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com. Half price Vera Wang, anyone??

How to Pack for Your Honeymoon from Jet Set Girls

Happy Labor Day! I'm taking the day off to relax but I'll leave you with this great post from Jet Set Girls, one of my favorite websites for planning girlfriend getaways.


How to Pack For Your Honeymoon

Enjoy!

A bridesmaid gift she'll really wear again and again.

I saw these chunky rainbow bangles on Style School and they made me say "WOW" out loud.


Stackable bracelets are in vogue and I love the idea of giving your bridesmaids a gift they'll really wear again and again. Roberta Chiarella Sparkle 24/7 Bangles are available in 15 colors and two finishes (gold and platinum) so you'll surely find something to please every gal in your group. And, at $48 each you can give your girls a small stack.

You may just want to get some to match your honeymoon outfits too...

To see more of Roberta Chiarella’s gorgeous jewels,visit robertachiarella.com.

Globetrotting Bride Wins Best Honeymoon Blog Award!

Here's some happy Friday news...

Globetrotting Bride was named Best Honeymoon Blog by the Wedding Blog Awards! Click here to read the story. And, if you have any great blogs you'd like to nominate, email them at weddingblogawards@gmail.com.

And a special thank you shout out goes to Amy at ABCD Design for teaching me how to make a screen shot!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Sedona, AZ: A great warm weather destination wedding and honeymoon hotspot awaits.....

If you're looking for a scenic, easy to reach, warm-weather locale with friendly locals, Southwest charm, hotels galore and great food, look no further than Sedona, Arizona. In addition to offering up red mountain views at every turn, Sedona has an array of sights and attractions sure to please every wedding guest or honeymooner.

The Globetrotting Groom and I visited last month and had a fabulous trip! Sedona is about 90 minutes north of Phoenix and yes, Jet Blue's TV's made our 5 hour flight from NYC a breeze. You'll know you're close when the views suddenly turn from dusty desert to technicolor reds and pinks. It reminds me of the Wizard of Oz when it goes from black and white to color. It's really amazing.

I'll be writing more about hotspots for destination weddings but here are some things you'll want to check out if you're planning a Sedona honeymoon, girl's getaway or destination wedding.

- Sedona is super easy to get around and there are free shuttles if you don't want to rent a car. Get your bearings on a Sedona Trolly tour or if you're feeling more adventurous, try one of the many Pink Jeep Tours.

- Get out and explore Red Rock Country's state parks, hidden canyons, red rock trails and famed vortexes. Hikers, mountain bikers, campers will be in heaven but for those who want a relaxing vacation (like me) there are plenty of scenic drives, sunsets, star gazing shows and activities like exploring Indian ruins and petroglyphs at Palatki (this was seriously cool).


- You're on vacation so kick back with some great food and drinks! For Mexican, we loved the Elote Cafe and Javelina Cantina. For a gorgeous creekside backdrop with top-notch food and service, visit L'Auberge de Sedona. For mountain backdrops and fine dining, try Hundred Rox at Amara. For Italian bistro dining, check out Joey Bistro. For contemporary fare and happy hour action, visit Reds at Sedona Rouge. There are also local ice cream parlors and wineries so be sure to explore.

- No vacation is complete without shopping and Sedona shopping packs a punch. There are so many art galleries and shops where you'll find everything from jewelry, glass sculptures, pottery, photography, artwork, textiles, home decor, clothing and gifts galore. The Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, Hillside Sedona and "Uptown" boutiques were my favorites.

Of course, you'll also find great spas, golf, kid-friendly spots and nearby Grand Canyon activities making it a sure to please spot for all. Travel promotions abound so be sure to check out the latest travel deals and discounts.

And, stay tuned for the scoop on Sedona destination weddings...

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.

London Calling? Paris too!?! Free Videography Giveaway

Get your passports ready ladies and gents, Renaissance Studios Films is going to Paris and London later this month and they are giving away 2 rolls of vintage Super 8 film coverage to one lucky couple - no strings attached!


It can be a wedding, honeymoon or proposal so if you're heading across the pond, this could be your lucky chance to score a fantastic documentary of your very own. The dates are May 22-26 for London and May 27- June 1 for Paris. And, if you just happen to live in France or the UK, you can enter too!

How to Enter:

Send an email by MAY 15 to info@renaissancestudiosfilms.com with the following information:
Bride’s Name, Groom’s Name, Wedding Location, Wedding Date & a Photo.

If you are not familiar with Super 8 film or Renaissance Studios beautiful art films, check out the amazing Super 8 film stills above of Colin and Yvette’s gorgeous vintage Hollywood wedding. This lovely professional dancer and her handsome “prince” were married on a perfect day at a stunning private home overlooking Lake Hollywood in a wedding full of old Hollywood glamour. You can see their wedding film on the Renaissance Studios blog. Super 8 film has a timeless beauty that artistically captures warmth and emotion, unlike video which can be flat and harsh. Renaissance Studios Films is an Emmy-Winning team of filmmakers who create beautiful hand-crafted super 8 and 16mm wedding films. Every film is a lovingly documented, gorgeous moving portrait reflecting you and your very unique day.

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.

Looking to make an Escape??

There's a new e-Zine (eco-friendly, all-digital magazine) in town called Hip Compass Escapes.

The spring issue has launched and its chock-full of travel tips, deals and great stories on romantic escapes, girl's getaways, adventure trips (volcano climbing anyone?) and much, much more.


Best of all, I'm a contributor so you can read all about my latest journeys. Thinking about a Mexican honeymoon? Scroll to page 49 to see my Romance in Mexico's Riviera story.

Bon voyage!

Wedding Correspondence - Send it by E-Mail? Snail Mail?...TELEGRAM!

One of my good friends has an old telegram message framed in her apartment. Its a message sent to her dad announcing that she was born (he was in the Army or something like that at the time). It's faded and full of typos but it always catches my eye.

If you're looking for a cool way to include some retro correspondence into your wedding plans, check out Telegram Stop.


You fill out the telegram information online and for just $4.70 it gets sent to the recipient anywhere in the world as an old-school telegram! I think it would be a fun way to ask "Will you be my bridesmaid?," or to say "Happy Anniversary," or maybe even just to wish the wedding couple a Bon Voyage on their honeymoon.

If you're the DIY type, click here to download your own Western Telegram template - this would be so cute for Save The Dates!

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 #8 - Recession friendly travel kits

Some favorite beauty on the go options for your carry on....

Option 1:

Boots Botanics Face Pamper Kit ($10.99)
Boots Botanics is one of my favorite brands at Target and this kit has everything you need to keep your face happy on the road: Quenching Face Mask, Day Moisture Lotion, Skin Brightening Deep Clean Gel, Skin Brightening Toner and Night Moisture Cream.

Option 2:

Bliss Sinkside Six-Pack ($25)
Who doesn't love a little Bliss in their life? If you've ever stayed at a W hotel, you know these Lemon + Sage goodies: Lemon + Sage Soapy Sap, Foaming Face Wash, Supershine Shampoo, Conditioning Rinse, Soap Slab, Body Butter and a clear, reusable tote.