Nope - nothing bad here. Just talk of travel, and more specifically, honeymoons!

When planning your wedding, you spend so much time perfecting every detail of that one day (OK, maybe two or three for some of you...) that once you depart for the long-awaited honeymoon, all you want is to relax and enjoy. Using a professional travel agent, such as l'Evento Member Melisa Keiser of Carmel Travel Company, can really help you make all the right choices. However, here are some additional tips to help make your trip wonderful.

Before You Go: First, consider what sort of honeymoon you'd like to have. Restful? Active? Filled with excursions? Shopping? Make sure your destination is a good fit for the type of activity (or lack thereof) you prefer.

Do a little research on the sights and activities around your destination. If you're staying at a resort, find out what is included, and what else is available. Are you the adventurous sort? Investigate what can be found in the area.

Upon Arrival: Talk with your hotel or resort's concierge. He or she can guide you to the best options for your interests. Be upfront with your budget and specific about your preferences. If you'd like to dine at a great sea-side restaurant, but dislike fish, your concierge will be able to recommend a spot that offers an excellent steak.

But, be careful. Some "concierges" posted at popular vacation destinations are actually sales reps for vacation companies. Don't get sucked into a presentation (unless timeshare ownership really interests you.) You can also check out the brochure stands usually found near the front desk, ask the desk staff, or even other guests!

Back At Home: Try to plan an extra day off before you have to return to work. Even if this means making your honeymoon one day shorter, the “buffer day” will prove invaluable. This day will allow you time to readjust to your home time zone (if you honeymooned in a different one), unpack, and just decompress.

Finally, make sure you continue to enjoy each other once you return as if it were your honeymoon each and every day.

Cheers!
Heather

Last night I finally watched the first Sex and the City movie. (I know, under what rock have I been hiding, right?) Anyway... I realized there are several lessons you can take away from it. Now, I'm not trying to turn a fun-loving movie into something deep and educational, but it does have a message. There are the obvious ones: forgiveness, friendship, true love... but the one I found most interesting was about weddings. (Imagine that.)

Carrie realizes part of the downfall of her wedding was the wedding itself. Sure, Miranda's comment to Mr. Big didn't help, but it wouldn't have had such a major impact on him if he weren't already so close to the edge. I mean, how many couples get heckled at least a little about "giving up their freedom" or some other such nonsense. Actually, that's what bachelor and bachelorette parties are all about - the "last hurrah."

Ladies (and some guys, too), don't forget the central reason for having a wedding - and it's not the party. A wedding is about two people publicly celebrating the fact that they have decided to join their lives. Don't let the planning and the flowers and the linens and the lighting and the music and the dress and all the rest of it come between the two of you as a couple. Keep communicating; keep the marriage and the fact that there is a deeply profound reason for the wedding celebration at the forefront of your minds always. And then, plan a fabulous wedding that truly celebrates the two of you as a couple!

Cheers!
Heather