New trend in destination weddings for bridesmaids

Sorry it has been a while since last post!
A new trend has emerged with bridesmaids for destination weddings.  It's not a lot of fun lugging around gowns with you while traveling as there is always the worry of wrinkling, rips or stains.  The Limited clothing store now offers (online only) a selection of trendy BM dresses which you actually will want to wear again.  These gowns are affordable for the bride on a budget and allows you to put that additional money into the destination wedding activities.  For BM's, it is less to carry and can fit easily in a hanging luggage/garment bag.  Here's a link for you to check out.
http://www.thelimited.com/category/apparel/weddings-events

Booking Specials

Now is the time to start booking your late fall/winter destinations.  Many airlines are offering specials for warmer climate locations during the fall months to encourage traveling during peak winter times.  Be on the look out for Feb and March 2011 dates as many colleges are on spring break.  That may grant you even more travel deals, you can expect greater crowds and parties.  It is best to price compare and sometimes even calling the airline to ask about specials will open up additional options for you.  Remember busiest travel times are during the winter holiday season.

Great tips from The Knot.com on Destinations!!

Destination Wedding Basics: Top 13 Destination Wedding Tips

Get Help

If you've signed up for a wedding package, the services of a planner are probably included. If not, try to earmark part of your budget (about 10 percent of the total) for a wedding planner. He can shoulder the burden of researching, auditioning, and securing local vendors -- especially valuable if said vendors speak English only as a second language. She is also the behind-the-scenes queen, creating gift bags for guests, greeting everyone at the airport, keeping people busy with fun activities once there, vetting special requests (babysitters, dry cleaners, and so on), and getting everyone where they need to be on time.

Schedule a Test Drive

Remember, unlike a wedding in your hometown, guests are dependent on you once they reach the destination. Make sure you provide transportation to and from the airport, as well as to all the events of the weekend. Insist that bus drivers do a dry run of the route so they don't get lost between the ceremony and reception.

Take a Trip

You'll need to scout and secure your key venues -- church, reception, hotels for guests, rehearsal dinner venue -- and local suppliers such as caterers, florists, and photographers. Next -- or during a second trip -- you'll need to schedule "tastings" with your caterer, see sample bouquets from the florist, plan a hair and makeup session with a salon, and organize activities (golf, tennis, walking tours, museums) for everyone.

Vendor Checkups

If you must hire your vendors sight unseen, ask for a portfolio of pictures and at least three references. Be sure the references are people for whom the vendor did an event similar to yours. For example, a recommendation from a couple who had 10 guests doesn't help if you're inviting 100. Also ask for the names of other vendors who worked those events and use them as further references regarding the company in question.

Be Gracious

A good way to make nice with the local vendors is to send handwritten thank-you notes and even little gifts when you book their services. (Remember that they can literally make or break your wedding, and a little goes a long way toward getting them on your side.) During the event itself, it's wise to have plenty of small bills on hand for palm-greasing, especially in foreign countries and resorts.

B.Y.O.P.

Bring your own pros. Don't hesitate to fly in talent you trust from home for critical aspects such as the wedding photography, hair and makeup, and decor design (lighting, flowers). These vendors can work with local vendors in a supervisory capacity to avoid any communication mishaps.

Forewarn Your Friends

Tell your bridal party about the destination before you ask them to stand by your side so that they can gracefully decline if finances are tight.

Get a Grip

Don't be upset if some of your closest friends or relatives don't attend. While you are, in a sense, footing some of the food bills, their fees for travel, hotel, and car rental can really add up, especially for a family. And while your wedding is a mini-vacation for you, it may not be the one they want to take!

Mind Mother Nature

Don't forget to consider the climate when choosing your wedding dress. You'll be swimming in sweat if you pair your fairy-tale satin ball gown with tropical humidity. Whether your dream location is specifically a beach or simply outdoors, dress for no stress.

Be a Zen Bride

Don't keep a constant eye on the time. Remember that many tropical islands run on "island time" -- things happen when they happen -- and keep an open mind. Minor mishaps can sometimes make for the best memories.

Pack Right

Whatever you bring with you, you'll have to lug along for the trip. And don't forget to allow ample room for your gown.

Call On a Courier

Make a plan for wedding presents. If you've got a ton of wedding gifts to take home, ask if someone who lives in your city can take them back and keep them for you until after the honeymoon -- or even drop them at your home for you. Or, pack an extra duffle bag to bring them home yourselves. Figure this out before the wedding so you'll have a plan of action if you need it.

Welcome Your Guests

Be sure to place a gift basket in each room full of essentials for the trip (suntan lotion, bug spray) and goodies that will remind them of the setting -- calypso tapes, cookbooks, samples of native food, or crafts from local artisans are all good options.

-- The Knot

Tipe for traveling with your gown

When flying, make sure your gown is in a clean and completely enclosed garment bag.  This will prevent any dirt or dust from getting on the dress.

If flying, let the airline know ahead of time that you are traveling with a gown.  You can do this when you check in with your ticket.  The flight attendants that greet you at the door, will then stow your gown up front with their belongings either in the crew closet or up with the first class compartment.  If possible, try and get them to hang your gown...if that is not an option, lightly roll your gown to avoid wrinkling the fabric.

If driving, the best option is to lay your gown out completely on or over seats.  If this is not an option, then again, lightly roll the gown into a large roll and place on top of other belongings

If traveling by train, follow tips for driving.

If traveling by boat, follow tips for flying-but definitely make sure the garment bag is waterproof.

As soon as you arrive at your destination, hang your gown (and veil if you have one) to get any kinks out.  If the location you are at has a steamer, that is best, but in a pinch, hang your gown in the bathroom and let the shower run on hot and naturally steam the dress.

Dream Destination Wedding Locations

Where would you like to get married?  What if you could do it all over again? If you could travel to any place in the world and have your wedding, where would it be?  A recent polling of women aged 18-80 (single, married, divorced) revealed interesting responses.  Here are the results so far:

Top locations are:
The Islands of Hawaii
Italy-various cities
Santorini Greece
Bahamas/Carribean
Ireland
India
Vegas
France/South of France-various cities
Argentina-various cities

Some of the more unique responses I got included:
Austria
Aoraki Mant Cook, New Zealand
Alaska
Minnesota
Audria Doria Castle
Mauritius Islands
Great Wall of China
The Maldives
and
any central location for my family

Thanks for all of your great feedback ladies!

Who We Are

A little background on Smart and Chic Bride-we offer affordable on-site Hair and Make-up for weddings and special events.  We have studio locations in Minneapolis (home office), Tennessee, New York and LA. and are excited to now offer destination services!!  Each member of our team is a licensed cosmetologist and has an affinity for helping you choose the best styles and colors to match your personality, theme of the event, and overall look.  Our styles range from classic to contemporary, retro to av ant guard.   For more about us, check out www.smartandchicbride.com,  http://smartandchicbride.blogspot.com, Wedding Wire, the Knot (among others) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. 

This blog will be showcasing our Destination Weddings! Please contact me (Annie) at annie.smartandchicbrde@gmail.com for information and quotes and hear about discounted services and fun free giveaways!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Smart and Chic Bride Destination Weddings blog.