Sneak Peek - Great Gowns for your Destination Wedding

Finding the perfect gown is one of the highlights (and stresses) of any wedding. When it comes to a destination wedding, brides can be faced with additional headache because they need fabrics that are easy to travel with and are appropriate for their location.

On top of that, finding complementary gowns for your bridesmaids can be an even bigger chore. Deciding on the proper color and silhouette for girls who all have different "assets" is no easy fete.

Enter Bari Jay.

For over 30 years, Bari Jay has been dressing bridesmaids in the US and beyond with fashionable, easy to wear styles.

We've picked a few gowns from their upcoming Fall 2010 line and matched them with the destination they are fitting for.

The gown shown above is style number 131 and would look perfect for a big city chic wedding. Check out the pockets ladies!

With this rosy color and flowing long silhouette, this would be ideal for wine country. Style 105.

For a casual wedding with a little Hollywood glamor, style number 127 is the ticket. Oh-so fashion forward with the rosette embellished belt.

Style number 119 is flattering on so many body types, and with the rosette embellishment at the neckline, perfect for a garden gathering.

The light, flowing fabric paired with the one shoulder embellishment and sweetheart neckline makes this a perfect choice for a tropical beach destination wedding. Be it in Mexico, the Caribbean or an island off of the coast of Florida, style 102 is fresh and flirty!

Tuscan holiday anyone? Style 111 shows off another figure flattering design that would be perfect for a castle wedding, Italian wine-country wedding or even an event set in an English garden.

Style 103 is what we like to call "beach elegance." Find yourself at a upscale resort in Hawaii and this gown will not only photograph well, but would be a perfect fit to add some elegance and style.
Now on to Bari Jay's "White Collection. Any of these can be worn by the bride, and with such effortless style, the above gown (69925), could be worn just about anywhere.

We "love" the Greek Goddess look and Bari Jay has nailed it! Style 69908 is a perfect fit for a wedding in the Mediterranean.

Style 69934 says fiesta with the ruffle skirt and embellished neckline. Wear this to a wedding in Cabo or Riviera Maya and you'll be muy caliente!

We also love that on barijay.com you can see the gowns in several colors, and browse through hundreds of style options with ease.

To locate a store near you that carries Bari Jay gowns, click here.

Que Sera Syrah

Words by Autumn Millhouse

Summer is the time of the year that I usually switch from drinking reds to whites; or better yet, rosés. Not to be confused with white zinfindeal, rosés are made using a Syrah (or Shiraz) varietal, which is usually made to produce red wine but not in this case.

Syrah is a rising star when it comes to summer wines. It works perfectly because it pairs so well with many summer dishes, such as BBQ and spicy Mexican, and offers a refreshing vino tasting experience.

Recently, I had the pleasure to meet with Chris Phelps, winemaker of Swanson Vineyards, who describes the wine to me as “strawberry, watermelon and raspberry on the nose.” He also says “its pink, its fun and it gives the perception of sweetness without being too syrupy.” Phelps says that this wine “embodies the celebratory spirit” and suggests it as a brilliant wine for any wedding as well. Or just for a warm summer day.

About This Wine: Walking brilliantly between the crisp, aromatic world of white wine and the bold, complex world of red, you’ll find our dry, refreshing rosé. The 2007 Salon rosato offers everything you’d expect from the most celebrated lifestyle wine in the Old World: fresh, bright red fruit with delightful aromas of roses, ripe cherries and raspberries.

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About AutumnAutumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. To visit Autumn on facebook, click here.

Real Destination Wedding Wednesday - Maui, Hawaii

Words by Kate Darnell
Images by Joanna Tano

Having visited the island of Maui and SeaWatch Restaurant (now called Gannon's Restaurant), I know first hand the stunning views, delectable food and incredible ambiance the destination provides to couples. It's one of my favorite venues on the island! So when I found out that we had been sent a wedding that took place here, I begged to do the blog post! Plus, the couple, Katie and Ryan, are just too cute for words - so here's a little bit about their big day...

Katie and Ryan decided on a wedding away because they longed for an intimate experience. Coming from Arizona, the couple traveled to the island of Maui for their destination I do's. Wearing a simple sheath gown and a flower tucked behind her ear, Katie couldn't have looked more fresh or radiant on her wedding day.

The ceremony set up was simple and set up on the SeaWatch Restaurant's lower lawn.

With about 30 of their closest friends and family (complete with flower girl and ring bearer), the couple made their union official.

Their photographer, Joanna Tano actually learned a lot about the couple through their cyber meetings and correspondence through one of the most popular social media sites, "I knew Katie was so sweet from our phone conversation a couple of months back. I then got acquainted with her and Ryan on Facebook – what a wonderful way to get to know a bit about my clients!" said Joanna.

Under a canopy of stars, the couple enjoyed their dinner reception with their guests.

Joanna is certainly fond of the couple and enjoyed working with them. She had this to say about her lovely clients, "Katie and Ryan were so wonderful to work with! Their love for one another is so inspiring and beautiful! To top it off they look like models that should be on the cover of a magazine. I am so happy for the them and I wish them all the best in their new life together as husband and wife."

Here, here Joanna! We second that!

Travel Tuesday: Budget-Friendly Honeymoons in St. John

With wedding season in full bloom amidst the recession, The Westin St. John Resort and Villas is providing budget savvy couples the opportunity to have a dream honeymoon without breaking the bank.

Brides- and grooms-to-be are invited to earn bonus Starpoints redeemable for free honeymoon nights at more than 900 hotels and resorts nationwide when booking a Westin St. John destination wedding before Dec. 31, 2010 and referencing the free honeymoon offer. One Starpoint is earned for every $1 contracted for weddings, with a maximum of 100,000 points. Therefore, for each dollar that goes towards the intimate details of the grand ceremony, a Starpoint can be used towards the honeymoon. Newlyweds are also eligible to receive 5,000 points for every 10 room nights consumed as part of the wedding block. Starpoints are awarded at contract signing so that couples can instantly commence planning their honeymoon.

The offer is available for weddings booked now through Dec. 31, 2010 and is subject to availability. To book the Westin St. John honeymoon offer, visit http://www.westinresortstjohn.com/, call the resort at (340) 714-6070 or e-mail StJohnRomance.01098@westin.com.

Happy Honeymooning!

Shimmering Champagne Nails for Your Destination Wedding

Words by Celebrity Makeup Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

Here comes the bride, sashaying down the aisle with her shimmering champagne nails. A fabulous neutral undertone bridal nail color that I think looks great on any hand is "Hardy Water Lily" by Priti NYC, glamxurious color that will enhance the bling on your hand and compliment your wedding day accessories. This silver gold polish is a perfect spring color for runways, the fashion page, or white sandy beaches and Priti NYC offers a variety of luxurious shades for any destination wedding. Make sure you paint your hands with one of their luxurious colors on your special day.
Priti NYC is an eco-friendly non-toxic nail polish founded by Kim D'Amato in 2005 to change the world one manicure at a time. Their polishes are named after flowers and plants. They are fast drying, chip resistant, and have a high shine.

Connect with Brandy on Twitter for more great beauty tips, tricks and treasures, click here.

Say Yes To the Dress Giveaway!

TLC presents THE PERFECT DAY giveaway on the premiere of SAY YES TO THE DRESS! Watch tonight at 9/8c for your chance to win!

You've watched their dreams come true, now it's your turn! TLC invites viewers to watch the first four episodes of the new season of Say Yes to the Dress [Fridays at 9/8c] for a chance to win an all expense paid trip to Kleinfeld and the gown of your dreams!

Watch more about the giveaway here.

Get "Green" with Envy - 10 Tips to Make Your Wedding Eco-Friendly

Words by Autumn Millhouse
Image by Damion Hamilton

In honor of Earth Day, I’m sharing a recent article that was originally published in Napa Valley Life Magazine’s April/May 2010 Issue.

Did you know that wedding contribute to pollution? For example one rose has an estimated 127 different pesticides sprayed on it, polluting waterways and causing harmful working conditions during its harvest. Or that 75% of Brides never wear their wedding dress again; much less even remove it from the closet again. What a waste!

Offset your carbon footprint by being eco-conscious in your wedding planning efforts. There are many ways to accomplish this in order to lessen the effects on the environment and do your part to make this world a little better. Below are ten thought-provoking ideas to consider for your (hopefully green) wedding.

1. Go paperless. Use the internet to send your Save the Date & Wedding Invitations. Better yet create a free website on The Knot and send the link to your friends & family to keep them updated on the wedding details.

2. Carpool – Arrange group transportation options for your guests not only your bridal party. Designate a driver for groups of friends or rent a van and hire a driver for larger groups. Even consider utilizing an electric car.

3. Pour organic certified wine, sparkling wine or champagne. Ask if the winery belongs to the Napa Green Land Program.

4. Work with caterers who utilize local and agricultural sustainable food products in their menu. Consider eliminating meat from the menu unless you use grass-feed organic local meat like from Napa Valley’s Long Meadow Ranch.

5. Use cloth napkins and glass & plate dishware to eliminate unnecessary waste. If you need to use any paper products use Post-Consumer Waste products that are tree-free.

6. Inquire about the sustainable and eco-friendly approach that your reception site operates under. Are they energy efficient, do they recycle? Are they a certified green building?

7. Donate any leftover food or beverages to a local shelter or organization in need. Better yet, sponsor a family in need to receive any remanding unused food.

8. Check with all your vendors about their green-friendly practices they employ. Organic pesticide-free flowers?

9. Purchase clothing for the wedding that has been produced locally or in your country. Is your makeup cruelty-free?

10. Make sure that all your wedding and reception décor can be reused or donated to charity.

Green Wedding Experts Weigh In…. “Many people forget that being green is not just about the reduction of waste, but also about social justice. Couples can use their wedding as a mechanism for social change instead of buying wedding favors.”Katie Martin, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, Elegance & Simplicity, Inc.

“Green Weddings are important because of the multiple benefits they produce for us all. Environmentally, they reduce waste generation through recycling and reuse, and prevent pollution through carbon offsets and carpooling to venues; socially, they support green businesses in our community furthering the green economy and a healthy planet; and economically, they can save you money if you purchase local, seasonal, and reused– like one of my brides bought her wedding gown off of Craigslist.”Corina Ann Beczner, Owner & Green Wedding Consultant, Vibrant Events

“Many people ask how a photographer can go green. Our garden studio, which has been designed for photography is pesticide free. When families come to have their photography session they can rest assured knowing that their children are safe from pesticides. The same goes for our studio and office. We closed down our own wet lab. We no longer keep chemicals in the house. Digital photography has enabled us to reduce our shipping and transportation costs by close to 70%. We ask our lab to bundle orders rather than ship back jobs”.Lowell Downey, Green Wedding Photographer & Video Production Owner

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

About Autumn
Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called “Love Vines” published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples. To visit Autumn on facebook, click here.

Earth Day Wedding in D.C.

Words by Carolyn Gerin of Anti-Bride

Today is the big day for Virdina & Kevin’s wedding day on Earth Day! You can be there too! Check back here to watch their wedding live with the wonderful help from Marry Me Live!

Washington, DC – On Earth Day, one DC couple will express their love for each other and our planet during their walk down the aisle. Virdina Milfort & Kevin Gibb, winners of the DC Green Wedding Consortium’s $50, 000 Green Wedding Giveaway, are set to marry at the Stephen Decatur House on April 22, 2010. Following the ceremony, the newlyweds will celebrate with friends and family at an intimate reception, also hosted by the Stephen Decatur House.

Their big day will showcase eco couture elements from start to finish. The green vendor team producing the event has worked tirelessly since the DC Couture Bridal Show in January, at which the consortium announced the winning couple.

The following vendors participated in the Green Wedding Giveaway:

• Elegance & Simplicity
• Occasions Caterers
• Stephen Decatur House
• Polished Image & Style
• Table Manners
• Jim Burch
• Disc Jockeys on Call
• Ampa Events
• Elegant Hair by Giselle
• Jessica Pi Productions
• Carola Myers
• Cakes by Design
• Andrea Jacobsen Photography
• Ralph Alswang Photography

Katie Martin, of Elegance and Simplicity Wedding and Event Designers, Inc., will answer all press inquiries regarding the green wedding at greenconsortiums@gmail.com. Katie Martin is the director of the Washington DC Green Wedding Consortium.

About DC Green Wedding Consortium
The Washington DC Green Wedding Consortium (DCGWC) was founded by Katie L. Martin from the event design firm Elegance & Simplicity Wedding & Event Designers, Inc. The DCGWC has vendors that are hand-picked for their consistent excellent service as well as their innovations and creativity in regards to eco-friendly weddings and the way they do business! An invitation and membership in the consortium is a privilege and coveted among the Washington, DC wedding professional community. As an engaged couple – this is the website you want to guide you to the best green vendors in the Washington, DC area. For more information go to: http://www.greenweddingconsortium.com./

Real Destination Wedding Wednesday - Paradise in Puerto Rico

Words by Kate Darnell
Images by Chelsea Elizabeth Photography

It is evident while reading Jason & Barbara's questionnaire and personal wedding web site, that they truly have a love for life and even more so, a love for one another. Jason enjoys loud music, while Barbara enjoyed living her early years helping her dad catch "crawdads" and sea urchins on the island of Puerto Rico.

Since their families were scattered all over North America, the darling couple made the executive decision to do a destination wedding and return to Barbara's roots in Puerto Rico.

On December 5, 2009, they made it official with a gorgeous ceremony and brunch reception at the San Juan Ritz-Carlton Puerto Rico.

Barbara selected gowns from JCrew, jewelry from Anthropology and her flowers were a bright arrangement of gingers, orchids and heliconias created by Festivo.
One very special touch that the bride decided to add was in honor of her father, "In lieu of traditional favors we had charity favors-mini bags of Haribo Gummy Bears! My dad recently passed away and gummy bears were his favorite candy. He used to keep a bag hidden in the couch cushions so when he got home from work he could turn on the TV and pull out his secret stash. So, we made a donation in his memory to the American Heart Association and attached a note to the gummy bears for the guests."

Barbara's favorite moment of the day was walking down the aisle with her grandfather and making eye-contact with her soon-to-be husband. And as for future plans for the couple? They look forward to starting a family, and Barbara is working towards getting her PhD as they continue to travel and adventure together hand-in-hand.

How to Avoid Destination Wedding Travel Disasters

Words by Brett Snyder AKA Cranky Flier

It’s a timely topic, right? I mean, let’s say you were scheduled to get married this weekend and a volcano just happened to erupt, spewing ash all over a continent and messing up air travel. Then what? Lots of people are facing that prospect right now, and the moral of the story is . . . don’t get married in Europe. No, wait, that’s not right. I think the moral is to just have patience.
There’s not much you can do when something like this happens, unless you want to get really creative, so just chalk it up to being a great story you can tell the grandkids one day. But how do you make the best of a bad situation? Stay on top of things and you might get out sooner than others. We’ve sent Cranky Concierge clients through places like Israel and Iceland with much luck so far. Here are some tips:

First off, follow your airline and airport on Twitter. These guys have been pumping out information via Twitter like rock stars, keeping people up to date. For example, I just received a tweet that Icelandair was adding a few flights tonight to Scotland. If you catch it before others, you might be able to grab yourself a seat.

Another tip: go standby. Though flights are jammed full for the foreseeable future, that doesn’t mean all seats will be filled. Many people will opt not to travel and others will get stuck on connections. If you see that flights are starting to leave, it might be worth it to go standby and see if you can get on an earlier flight.

Lastly, just be creative. If you’re willing, there are ways to get to Europe. It may involve flying to Africa or the Middle East and backtracking. It may involve trains, buses, and cars. It may take a long time, but you’ll get there.

No matter what, having patience is the best suggestion. It will make things much better for you while you’re waiting this out. Your “perfect” destination wedding may not work out as planned, but man, it’ll make for a much better story.

Dressing up Your Destination Bridal Do

Words by Celebrity Make-up Artist Brandy Gomez-Duplessis

The most glamxurious hair accessories a bride can dream about has been seen gracing many Hollywood starlets on the red carpet. Jen and Jamie at ban.do, two eclectic stylists based out of Los Angeles create the most fancy hair accessories. Some of their pieces remind me of what Carrie Bradshaw would rock. If you wanna feel a little Carrie on your wedding day, I am sure you will find many fashionable couture vintage pieces that can be worn down the aisle.

BAN.DO - girls just wanna have fun!


No. 24 (pictured above) $165
A halo of white silk ribbon wrapped wire adorned with a large silk spider mum and a spray of white feathers.

No. 110 (pictured above) $165
We created this gorgeous crystal applique after finding a similar vintage brooch in jen's closet. The applique sits atop a satin headband.

No. 60 (pictured above) $95
For the greek goddess in you! Some call this spectacular beaded piece a feather and some call it a leaf . . . we call it AH-MAY-ZING! The piece sits atop a satin headband.

No. 115 (pictured above) $225
Can you say glam? Four unapologetically glamorous rows of Austrian crystal are finished with sparkly elastic to ensure a perfect fit. As Seen In la times beyond the veil.

No. 111 (pictured above) $130
A little corsage for your head. 3 darling off white silk flowers are hand sewn to a wire comb.

The Search Begins for the Most Romantic Marriage Proposal

Word by Carolyn Gerin, Anti-BrideThe Destination to “Pop The Question” Seeks Submissions for Best Proposal Stories at The Top of The Mark for a Chance to Win a Romantic Weekend for Two

San Francisco, CA (April 14, 2010) – Beginning on Thursday, April 15, the Top of the Mark at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins kicks off the search for the most romantic marriage proposal made at the legendary sky lounge. Since opening in 1939, hundreds of couples have proclaimed their love at this famed destination. Whether you were engaged as the sun set behind the city or popped the question over late night cocktails with the twinkling lights of San Francisco as the backdrop, the Top of the Mark wants to hear your story and see your photo.

Through June 15, 2010, couples from around the country are asked to share their fairytale proposal with the Top of the Mark. Selected stories will be playfully featured on the cocktail napkins at the lounge, inspiring romantic proposals for generations to come. The couple with the most remarkable story will receive a romantic weekend getaway for two at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins.

Perched on the 19th floor of the hotel, the world-renowned sky lounge affords a near 360-degree vista of San Francisco with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Marin Headlands. These views combined with evening entertainment, a menu of 100 martinis and light bites have made the Top of the Mark one of the most romantic destinations in the Bay Area and one of the top for popping the question to that special someone.

Submissions can be emailed to http://www.antibride.com/gail.gerber@ihg.com or mailed to the attention of Gail Gerber at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, One Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA 94108. All stories and photos become property of the InterContinental Mark Hopkins and materials will not be returned. Submissions must be received by June 15, 2010 for consideration and must contain proper contact information. For more information, please visit http://www.topofthemark.com./

About InterContinental Mark Hopkins
Located on the top of prestigious Nob Hill at the intersection of California and Mason Streets, the InterContinental Mark Hopkins, an historic landmark, is a regular stop on the California Street cable car line. Just minutes away from the financial and theatre districts as well as Union Square and Chinatown, this four-star, four-diamond hotel is also home to the Top of the Mark, the world-renowned 19th floor skylounge that offers panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information and to make reservations, contact the Mark Hopkins, Number One Nob Hill, San Francisco, Calif. 94108, at 415.392.3434 or 800.NOB HILL (662-4455), or by visiting http://www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com.

Pretty in Pink - Rosé is The Hip New Wine

Words by Autumn Millhouse

Drinking white zinfandel is still a faux pas. However, rosé is the hippest wedding wine because of the blushing pink color, and affordable price points. This uber-chic wine is known for its soft salmon color which is created by using mainly a syrah grape, delicate balance and dry yet fragrant taste. Rosé is also a heavenly warm-weather wine.

Last weekend at the San Francisco Vintners Market, I had the opportunity to taste some the latest rosé releases and found a few that left a lasting impression.
All are spectacular and available for sale, in limited quantities, online.

Clos Saron 2009 Tickled Pink
A dry rose made of 100% Syrah from the Sierra Foothills. Light, dry, very lively and refreshing with a slight fizz and a pure, delicately bitter finish. A must for anyone who believes that California cannot or does not produce any classic rosé. Price $18

Comartin Cellars Adelaide's Rose 2008
In honor of the winemaker’s daughter, Adelaide, they have introduced a rose to the Comartin Cellars line-up. Although Adelaide didn't make the rose herself, she did give the inspiration behind this special wine. She demanded something pink. Adelaide's namesake comes from the beautiful city of Adelaide in South Australia where we lived in 2005. The flavors are sweet yet a little sassy. Price: $16

Grey Stack Cellars 2009 Rose
This Rose has more structure and depth than most Rosés. Completely dry, with excellent acidity this rose has lovely elements of Watermelon and Strawberry along with a nice grip. The Viognier keeps the finish from being bitter or astringent. Price $18

For more on Autumn Millhouse and her book Romantic Napa Valley, An Insider’s Guide for Couples, click here.

Autumn Millhouse is an award-winning travel writer who specializes in wine, food and romantic getaways. She is also an international trekker who has wined and dined across the globe from Barcelona to Beijing . A self-proclaimed “hopeless-romantic” and author of Romantic Napa Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples, Autumn also has a bi-monthly column called "Love Vines" published in Napa Valley Life Magazine. She resides in Napa Valley where she cultivates her wine and food relationships with top chefs, winemakers and a slew of other foodies. Besides, sniffing, swirling and sipping wine daily, Autumn is currently working on her next travel book Romantic Sonoma Valley: An Insider’s Guide for Couples.

Real Destination Wedding - Cathy + Dan in Riviera Maya

Word by Kate Darnell
Photography by Jeremy Gilliam

Meet Cathy and Dan, a sweet couple who met like many do, while hanging out with friends at a restaurant/bar. They met five years ago, and last June, made their love and commitment for one another official with a destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

With 24 guests in attendance, Cathy and Dan got their dream come true with a small and intimate event.

Cathy was stunning in a gown by Maggie Sottero and the groom looked handsome in his Banana Republic suit.

“Choosing the destination was easy. Dan and I both love the beach and Mexico. We have many great memories traveling together. Our first trip together was to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Three years later Dan proposed on a trip to Playa Del Carmen for my Mother’s 60th birthday. Most of our family and friends are from Texas and Arkansas so Mexico was a convenient destination for our guests," recalls Cathy.

The beautiful pair exchanged vows on the beach with their supportive family and friends surrounding them.
Secret's Maroma Beach offered several convenient packages for the couple and their on-site wedding coordinator proved to be quite helpful to Cathy along with Best Destination Wedding Forum.

A "trash the dress" session was done two days after the wedding by destination wedding photographer Jeremy Gilliam.

Cathy had some favorite moments at her destination wedding, "exchanging vows with my future husband in front of my closest friends and family as witnesses and listening to my father’s toast at the reception."

We wish you the best of luck in your marriage and thank you for sharing your story with us!