McAlester News-Capital, McAlester, OK

Features

January 13, 2007

Where to go on your honeymoon made easy

By Joy Crutchfield

I have a very dear friend who has been planning her daughters’ upcoming nuptials for over a year. It will be the wedding every young woman always dreamed of. There’s a beautiful chapel, an elegant reception, followed by the honeymoon of a lifetime.

There’s only one problem, it may take my very dear friend another year to get over it. It has been an endless nightmare of questions and decisions and choices and details. And oh my gosh — the money!

I have a way to make all of those issues disappear for the happy couple, and the family and friends of the happy couple. It is called Destination Weddings, and it is a dream come true.

I speak from experience because I personally was married at a “Destination Wedding.” We were married on Kauai, and it was beautiful and stress-free and $600. The warmth of the sand and the surf at our feet, the breathtaking view of the Napali Coast behind the pastor, and a Hawaiian musician singing a native wedding song under a palm tree. We went snorkeling on a catamaran for the reception. It was everything I ever wanted.

Destination Weddings has become a huge industry because it’s:

Easy — most resorts have full time wedding planners, arranging every aspect of your special day and leaving you nothing to do but relax.

Memorable — having your family and friends around you in a beautiful destination will create a celebration you will never forget.

Money Saving — destination weddings are often less expensive than traditional weddings due to their smaller size. In addition, you’re already in the location where you plan to spend your honeymoon and many resorts offer special complimentary weddings or affordable wedding packages.

Obviously some destination wedding locations are less expensive than others.

Las Vegas weddings can be very formal and elegant, and yet a mere fraction of the cost of a more exotic location. And they can be downright cheap and fun for couples who want a more relaxed event. Think Elvis.

Mexico and Jamaica offer fantastic resorts with fabulous views and very affordable accommodations for the entire wedding party. Many times I book the wedding couple at the resort that will perform the ceremony, and book the remaining guests at an alternative resort. A little privacy please.

Greece, France, Fiji — there are locations for every lifestyle and budget.

Palace Resorts, Sandos Resorts, Sandals Resorts, Karisma Resorts, Riu Resorts, Real Resorts, Barcelo Resorts, Secrets and Dreams, Ritz and even Disney, the list goes on and on when you are trying to find that perfect location. Each country and each resort has something unique to offer. And the legal requirements vary, so it is important to have a professional handle the details.

I have taken care of the honeymoon for my friend’s daughter, and it will be exotic and fabulous. And I am very happy for her that she is having the fairy tale wedding she always dreamed of here at home surrounded by her friends and loved ones.

But if you are undecided about what you want in a wedding/honeymoon, or perhaps it is your second wedding (you’ve already had the big church wedding), then Destination Weddings can be an answered prayer; not everyone’s prayer, but many people’s prayer.

You are cordially invited to the Bridal Fair of Muskogee, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 21, at the Civic Center. I hope to see you there.

Joy Crutchfield operates The Joy of Travel, 129 Selmon Road, Eufaula, OK 74432. Call her at (918) 618-4041 or visit her online at www.joyoftravelok.com.

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