Our friend Jodi Smith, renowned etiquette expert, helps clarify the rules for including registry information in invitations and announcements.

Congrats to Moray and David who were married this month in the Riviera Maya Mexico!  Moray took some time to tell us about her thoughts of the Aventura Spa Palace resort (thanks for the photos Moray!)

1.  The resort is GORGEOUS!!  The rooms, spa, pools, and beaches are really top notch.  All of our thirty six guests are still raving about it.

2.  The staff is amazing...every single person we encountered was warm, friendly, and professional.

3.  The weddings department is incredible, and the weddings seem to run like clockwork (ours really surpassed any of my expectations).

4.  The food at all of the restaurants is fantastic--not at all what you'd expect from an all-inclusive resort.

5.  It is truly an "all-inclusive" resort---24 hour room service, bottles of wine, etc. are free of charge, and they are even running a current special with unlimited free phone calls to the US and Mexico from the rooms.  This was awesome for us, as we were able to easily keep in touch with friends and family the week before the wedding.  It was so nice not to have to worry about any restrictions or hidden charges while we were there.

Renowned etiquette expert Jodi Smith answers your questions on your Destination Wedding.  If you would like to ask another question please post a comment to any one of the etiquette posts and we will send them over to Jodi.

Question:

How do introduce the idea of a wedding party for those guests who are not able to make it to your wedding? When do you send out invites to that party in relation to your wedding invitation? How long should you wait before having a party at home? What kinds of things do people do at that party? ie. Do they show a video of their wedding and does the bride wear her dress again?

For a destination bride, to consider a celebration at home is a wonderful way to have all of those who are special to you included in your wedding.  There are as many ways to handle this as there are brides.  Each bride must factor into the planning the number of guests who will not be able to attend the actual wedding, the time of year of the wedding, the preferred time of year for the hometown celebration, and the level of formality desired.  The invitations to the hometown party should be sent 4 to 6 weeks prior to the actual event.  For most affairs, this means sending the invitations after you have arrived home from your wedding trip to avoid any confusion.  The hometown celebration can occur any time within the first year.  Of course, the sooner the better.  The activities during the hometown celebration depend on the couple and the type of event.  Typically the bride will wear her gown again, if the groom has his wedding attire, he will wear them again, they will perform their wedding dance, show the wedding video and there will be toasting.  It is recommended the bride and groom toast their guests and thank their parents.

Jodi R. R. Smith is a nationally known etiquette expert and author.  To email your etiquette emergency, visit http://www.mannersmith.com.  Copyright © 1996-2008 Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright and full information about contacting the author is attached.

Destination Wedding Specialist Camille Hutchison tells us why she loves putting together Destination Wedding packages at the Occidental Grand Xcaret, Mexico

1. Beautiful resort with a resort theme - River of Life.  It has a river that runs through the core of the resort and out to the ocean.

2. Well groomed gardens & animal life

3. Natural sea water pool with ancient ruins in them

4. Free Xcaret day park pass for each guest

5. Three types of rooms with upgraded room amenities that can be added on.  This is good for a wide range of guests- from budget minded to luxury-seeking

6. They have a childrens club that is off in its own location at the resort.  It is separate from guests that want a more "Adult Only" feel in the Royal Club location, but good for wedding guests that might have families and want to attend the wedding

7. Many different types of weddings and locations- they are very flexible.  They have a beautiful wedding gazebo that over looks the ocean.  Also can get married in the gardens, on a cliff over looking the ocean (without the gazebo), or even get married by ancient ruins that are supposed to bring good luck to the marriage.

-Camille

Destination Wedding Specialist Kimberly O'Flaherty tells us why she loves putting together Destination Wedding packages at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica

1.  Only 1 wedding per day -- makes couple feel special

2.  Wedding locations available on terrace overlooking ocean OR on beach.  Also on gazebo at end of pier, but only for very small weddings.

3.  "Tried and true" system of organizing weddings -- makes things very easy for bride.  Coordinator simply sends a questionnaire within last 60 days for bride to fill out

4.  Resort is also willing to go "outside the box" and accommodate special requests from couple

5.  Reasonably priced rooms

6.  Good quality food in restaurants, even though only 3 a la cartes + buffet

7.  Part of a larger complex, with the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites & Iberostar Grande available for guests who prefer a more upscale resort

8.  "Fun" resort - very conducive for a group of people staying together.  Guests ALWAYS have fun!

9.  Close to airport (20 mins)

10.  Close to golf and other activities

11.  Will accommodate "rehearsal dinner" requests for guests to all be seated together in a la carte restaurant

12.  Will privatize reception for $700 if there are 40 or more guests

Destination Wedding Specialist Kimberly O'Flaherty tells us why she loves putting together Destination Wedding Packages at the Aventura Spa Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Destination Wedding Specialist Kimberly tells us why she loves putting together Destination Wedding packages at the Paradisus Palma Real, Dominican Republic:

*distance from the airport

*beach area is breathtaking

*quality of food and beverage

*ease of planning with wedding coordinator

*range of room types and levels

*many different areas to choose from for the wedding ceremony and reception, including:

Naos Beach
Up to 200 seated guests & 300 for cocktails, large sandy area, creative setting... round tables of 6, 8 or 10 guests or long imperial style seating... dance floor  or bar area can also be placed

Gabi Club & Beach (hired privately)
Up to 80 seated & 100 for cocktails Seating is available in the center of the restaurant underneath the "palapas" or on the outer terrace overlooking the beach- funky, modern, casual & beach feel

Olympus Terrace
Up to 50 seated & 80 for cocktails Overlooking the main pool off of the main "Colonial Plaza"- striking colors of blue & aqua against the contrasting off-white colonial style arches of the Paradisus Palma Real architecture

*wedding packages are very reasonable

*hotel is more modern in decor and therefore feels more upscale

*the Dominican people are fabulous

After we started getting posts from our Destination Wedding Specialists about their favorite resorts for Destination Wedding packages, I figured I'd do up a post for Breezes Bahamas where I had my DW this past May.  Here are the top reasons why we loved Breezes:

1.  Price of accomodations.  It's a nice budget-binded all-inclusive resort.

2.  All-inclusive.  Yes, I mentioned it in #1, but it was a great fit for the party guests that we had coming to the wedding.

3.  Nice layout of the resort.  The resort is in a U-shape (see photo below), and everyone gathers at the pool in the center and the beach behind it, so it was easy to find our guests and we ended up taking over a section everyday.

4.  The ceremony location.  We loved the gazebo, because it was on the beach, but not in the sand.  This way we weren't walking in the sand during the ceremony, but could go out to the beach for photos afterwards.

5.  The wedding ceremony package.  The baseline package that they offer fit about 95% of what we wanted for a simple beach wedding.  We only had to add on a better photo package.

6.  The beach.  One of the better beaches I've been to on Nassau/Paradise Island.  Very clean and great sand/water.

7. Dining options.  Although not 5-star cuisine, we love it.  Breakfast buffet had a lot of options, and they did have some romantic options for couples at night, like the side-by-side booths below.

8.  Very fun resort.  They have a rock-climbing wall, and a flying trapeze with instructors, which are a lot of fun.  There are always contests or activities in the pool area, which were a lot of fun for a group of wedding "party-goers"

Top reasons why we love creating Destination Wedding Packages at the Sandals Grande St. Lucia

1.The beach is beautiful, the ocean is very calm

2.So much to do in activities ie: snorkling, sailing, Horseback riding

3.Wedding locations are good especially with the steel band playing

4.Staff is very friendly

5. Resort is clean with well manicured gardens

6.The laid back feeling really helps relieve stress

7. Great Spa

8.Tours are available every day for those who are adventurous

9. Rooms are clean and have good amenities

10. Beautiful sunsets

Destination Wedding Specialist Sheila tells us the top reasons why she loves setting up Destination Wedding packages at the Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay Jamaica

-- Choice of European Plan (no meals/drinks included) or all-inclusive (all food and drinks included)

-- Everything right at resort, swim with dolphins, golf course, equestrian center

-- Wedding coordinators are very responsive

-- Gorgeous ceremony venues

-- Very upscale; not your ordinary wedding

-- Kid friendly, but yet elegant

-- Ease of getting to Jamaica from most cities

-- Only positive feedback from brides and grooms

-Sheila

Destination Wedding Specialist Sheila gives us her top reasons why she likes putting together Destination Wedding packages at the Paradisus Riviera Maya resort in Mexico.

-- Price is great for 4-1/2 star resort

-- Wedding coordinators are normally very responsive

-- Great wedding packages at reasonable prices

-- Have only received positive feedback from brides and grooms

-- Have had guests return, which is always greatest compliment

-- Kid friendly, but yet still sophisticated and elegant

-- Ease of getting to Cancun from most cities in U.S.

-- Ease of getting to resort from Cancun Airport

-- Close to Playa del Carmen for great shopping

Destination Wedding Specialist Juliet Vercelli tell us the top reasons why she loves putting together Destination Wedding packages to the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas

-RIU is a newer property, opened 2007

-Stress free wedding, once booked there really isn't anything to worry about

-Wedding Packages and pricing is upfront

-Beautiful wedding site locations

-Affordable, quality all-inclusive resort

-Family oriented resort

Destination Wedding Specialist Amarjit tells us the top 9 reasons why she loves putting together Destination Wedding packages at the Magestic Colonial Punta Cana.

1. Very nicely laid out resort.

2. Gorgeous gazebo

3.The wedding coordinators speak wonderful english and so communication is a great asset.

4.Elegant and clean

5. Rooms are spacious and nicely furnished.

6.Food is delicious

7.Well lit grounds and plenty to do at night.

8. Beach wedding area is beautiful

9.Wedding Packages are great and afordable.

Destination Wedding Specialists Chris and Karin Patrick tell us the top 10 reasons why they love Destination Wedding packages at the Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands

1. Leading water sports resorts in the Caribbean with sailing, power boating, diving  gives guests lots of options.

2. Beautiful Beach area

3. Great Spa

4. All accommodations have incredible ocean views.

5. Blue Water day trips by boat to surrounding islands

6. Mary Jo the resident manager is the Wedding Coordinator and she has worked there for more than 15 years. 

7. Multiple on site wedding locations - on the beach, dock, and point.

8. Only accessible by boat which makes for an adventure.

9. BVI is not over developed-much more secluded.

10. Extremely romantic setting surrounded by hilly islands.

-Chris and Karin

Destination Wedding Specialists Amarjit Keshav and Kimberly O'Flaherty give us their top 10 reasons why they love Destination Wedding packages at the Paradisus Punta Cana

We love the Paradisus Punta Cana. Having visited it a short time ago here are our reasons for choosing it:

1.Beautiful property, very clean and well laid out.

2. Wedding locations are more private.

• Beach Site
  The beach site is located on a more secluded area in front of the Villas.
  Location: Outdoor, open-air (optional tent rental- $)
  Capacity: Seated 250, Theatre Style
• Conventions Terrace
  This site is located in a very secluded area exiting the lobby bar behind the Theatre- surrounded by gardens & beautiful tall ceilings
  Location: Covered outdoor
  Capacity: Seated 150, Theatre style
• The Lobby Balcony
  The beautiful balcony is located just off of the Lobby area... surrounded by water & a view of the gardens
  Location: Covered- outdoors
  Capacity: 15 person, seated Theatre Style
• The Lobby Tents
  2 White Classical Tents surrounded by Paradisus Punta Cana greenery, just off of the lobby.
  Location: Outdoors, semi-covered
  Capacity: 40 persons, Seated Theatre Style

3.Wedding coordinators are very helpful and always willing to help.

4. Rooms are quite spacious and the bathrooms are wonderful.

5.Location is on a very nice stretch of beach.

6.Food is delicious and there are many restaurants to choose from.

7. Family friendly resort

8.Customer Service is unparalled

9.Great areas to hold a reception.

10.The wedding Package has a lot included in it. 

-Amarjit and Kimberly