Fun and Fabulous Friday - Music

What's more fun and fabulous than Van Halen?

What a beautiful first dance song! I just love it.

Tantalizing Thursday - Arrange your Great Escape

As you plan your honeymoon, take advantage of the awesome deals!

Royal Caribbean - Dollars Off and Spa Treatment
Sailing Window: Jan. 5th, 2010 - Dec. 31, 2010
Booking Deadline: Jan. 31, 2010
Up to $200 off and a Complimentary Spa Treatment


Carnival Cruise Line - Book a Cruise and receive a FREE Coupon Booklet!
Sailing Window: Jan. 15, 2010 - Dec. 31, 2010
Booking Deadline: Jan. 22, 2010
This booklet is filled with tremendous savings on on-board restaurant discounts, spa treatment, excursions, etc.
Booklet is valid until 4/20/2010


Celebrity Cruise Line - Up to $100 savings on Celebrity Cruise Line
Sailing Window: Jan. 15, 2010 - Dec. 31. 2010
Booking Deadline: Feb. 28, 2010


Norwegian Cruise Line - NCL: Upgrades, Onboard Credits, Reduced Deposits & Coupon Booklets
Sailing Window: Dec 28, 2009 - Dec 31, 2010
Booking Deadline: Mar 14 2010, 11:59PM
Note: Book select cruises between 12/13/2009 - 3/14/2010 and receive up to a 6 category upgrade, reduced deposit or up to $300.00 on-board credit and a coupon booklet!


Classic Vacations - European Adventure
Sailing Window: Dec 28, 2009 - Apr 30, 2010
Booking Deadline: Apr 27 2010, 10:59PM

Save between $125.00 and $500.00 or more on your European adventure when visiting any participating property. *

Call Loren Adams at Destinations Reached for more information.

Bon Voyage - and enjoy the savings!

So Happy it's Hump Day - Luscious Libations

Cote du-Rhone-Villages A work horse appellation of southern Rhone. Many wines can be gotten for under $25-30. Most are meant to be drunk between 2-3 years after bottling.

Cote du Rhone- The main work horse of Southern Rhone. Many bottles can be gotten for less than $20. A true value.

Hermitage is the undisputed king of northern Rhone, producing big, lush tannic reds from primarily Syrah grapes. Hermitage wines are capable of aging well and can be quite pricey.


From Top to bottom Right...

Alain Vogue Dotes du Rhone Les Peyrouses - 100% Syrah grapes from the northern Rhone region. This wine is purple in color and has an intense flavor of ripe cherries. This wine is great paired with grilled meat and veal. Less than $20.00

Feraud-Brunel Cotes du Rhone Villages - Medium bodied from the south. It has an exotic mix of crushed blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry fruits. Great with heartier dishes like grilled steak and roast pork. Less than $20.00

Delas Crozes-Hermitage Les Launes - From the north, this wine has a deep garnet red color. Made from a region with a lot of Syrah grapes, that are aromatic, rich and full bodied, this wine is best paired with game, grilled meats and rich foods. 2007 between $20-30.00

Domaine de Mourchon Cotes du Rhone-Villages - From the south, this wine is a deep dark wine with rich and concentrated notes of raspberry and blackberry fruits on a spicy background. This wine is wonderfully paired with red meat, game and cheese. Less than $20.00

Information from The Wine Examiner

Happy planning!

Stylish tuesday - It's a Winter Wonderland

I love intimate winter weddings. There is something special about getting married when it's cold - and when nobody else is getting married - that's so romantic! A ceremony by the fireplace is incredibly appealing to me.

To all of the wonderful winter brides out there, here is some cold weather color inspiration.

Enjoy!

RED - Red/Black, Red/Gold, Red/WhiteInvitations from Majestic Invitations
Red and white table from Getmarried.com
Black and Red inspiration from Brides.com
Red and white dresses photography by staceyreeves.com
Red and Gold table by Agapeweddings.com


Black and White


Simply elegant black and white cake from realsimple.com
Beautiful black and white dress from weddingflowersandreceptions.com
The very clean plate, napkin and spoon arrangement from weddingflowersandreceptions.com
The crisp and clean letterpress lovely from smockpaper.com


Eggplant
That calla lily bouquet is really stunning!

The beautifully simple calla bouquet from renaesbouquets.com
The eggplant and gold folio is from the always stunning Lela of New York
Place card arrangement from atimelesscelebration.blogspot.com
Eggplant dresses from brides.com


Happy planning!

A Special Monday - Thank you!

Today is a special day, because it's in celebration of a man who fought and died, with countless others - so that I could be and do what I'm doing today!

To those people, I say Thank You!

Whether you recognize his fight or not - it can be applied to everyone because persecution is the common thread that bonds us all together. In his speech - he says that we all must walk together and no man can stand on his own. No-one exists in a vacuum. One fight is everyone's fight.

I don't care whether you are black or white, Jewish or Catholic, straight or gay - there is someone, somewhere - in all of us - who fought, suffered, and died so that we are able to live. There are also people out there today who are still fighting - and dying.

So, it's to all those people - past, present and future - that I say Thank You!

Also, to a single man, who had the courage and fortitude - with his words - to not only inspire a people, but also a nation - and a world.

I say - Thank You! From the bottom of my heart.

In dedication to you and the countless others...

Free at last - free at last - thank God Almighty! We're free at last!

Premier Video Blog Post - Simply elegant Unity Candle

Lisa Nelson explains how to make a Simply Elegant Unity Candle.

Enjoy!

Fun and Fabulous Friday - Words from a Travel Agent

Our resident travel agent stopped in to answer our questions.

Enjoy!


When I was in college, I used a travel agent once to book my flight home. I know you book hotels, but what else do you do?

In addition to booking hotels, I sell the following:

-All-inclusive packages

-Bed and Breakfast

-Cruises

-Car rentals

-Tours/excursions

-Convention space

-Reserve/block rooms for destination weddings/renewals/anniversaries/reunions, etc.

Why should we use a travel agent, when we can book our honeymoon on Travelocity or another online source? Money is pretty important to us. What if the online source is cheaper?

It also goes by the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” On-line travel engines do not sell the product, they sell the price. And, there’s nothing worse than entering your honeymoon suite with roaches and stained linen on your beds due to booking a hotel based on the price and not on what was recommended. You can never be too sure in trusting on-line reviews.

Travel engines are not always cheaper either. As travel agents, we are well connected. And by working with an agent that’s in good standing with many vendors, they are most likely to offer you a better deal with better perks. Remember, price does not always outweigh value, especially not on your honeymoon.

How much do you cost?

I do not charge a service fee for trips that are paid in full. If a payment plan is arranged or assistance is needed with booking air or car rentals, then a $15 service fee is implemented.

Can you get me any deals? Better than what I can find online?

Yes, I receive promotions daily. Another good thing about working with an agent is that sometimes promotions are only offered to agents working with honeymooners. They are not always released to the public in order to reserve space for those celebrating special occasions.

Do you have an office? Frankly, I’ve traveled all over the tri-state area looking for wedding vendors. I’m tired.

Clients are welcome to my home office anytime located in Baltimore County (Windsor Mills, MD). Or, I am available to meet with couples within a reasonable radius.

I’m not really sure what I’m doing. Right now, I am just looking online. Can I meet with you anyway?

Sure, it’s my job to guide couples in the right direction. Prior to meeting, I suggest couples calling me first to make sure we both at least have an idea as to where they would like to travel.

I am having budget concerns. The wedding has gone over budget and I don’t have a lot of money to spend on a honeymoon. Can you help?

Most certainly. I not only assist couples in planning honeymoons based on interests, but based on budgets that are fitting to each individual couple, also.

Do you specialize in any particular destinations? What if I decide to go to a location where you do not specialize?

Yes, my agency specializes in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the U.S. Although, one of the great things about working with a certified agent is knowing that they are well-connected and knowledgeable about the world, even though they don’t specialize in that particular destination. I am still able to tell you several do’s and don’ts about certain destinations. I also network with a number of agents and vendors. I can assure you that I would not send a couple on their honeymoon without knowing that it is securely planned and reserved through credible service providers.

What if something happens on the honeymoon – like I get mugged? What do I do? Do you offer travel insurance (or work with a company that does).

This is a good point. I strongly encourage you to read my blog, “When Tragedy Strikes: How to Safely Plan Your Dream Honeymoon”. Safety is key and knowing what to do and what not to do is even more important. I always review and discuss the latest events taking place at couples’ desired destination prior to making reservations and departure. This is why it’s important to purchase travel insurance in case of emergencies.

In extreme emergencies, remain calm as much as possible. Locate a local emergency official as soon as possible. Afterwards, notify your hotel’s security, and then contact your agent to assist in contacting emergency contacts, such as insurance carriers, medical providers, even family members. Travelocity and Expedia can’t do that for you.

I spent thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars to make sure that I had a “green wedding”. It is really important to us. I want to make sure that our honeymoon is also “green”. We want places which offer organic food. We want to stay in sustainable locations powered by wind or solar. We want a really natural experience. Can you help?

Sure. Eco-friendly or “green” honeymoons are all the rave right now, and many hotels and resorts are on board. Selecting a location that concerves energy via solar power and uses organic linen is not such a hard task anymore. Check out the following “green” locations that made Island magazine’s top list for 2009:

• Deer Run Bed & Breakfast, Big Pine Key
• Milia Mountain Retreat, Crete
• Turtle Island Resort, Fiji
• Paradise Bay Eco Escape, South Long Island, Australia
• Ibo Island Lodge, Mozambique

Thanks to Loren Adams of Destinations Reached Travel Consulting Service.

Bon Voyage!