Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Mostly Sunny tomorrow!



With a high of 37F and a low of 26F.

In a Year of Abrupt Transitions, a Trip to Tahiti. And Calgary.


https://ift.tt/36bnk4F

Exploring Spectacular Caves in a Quiet Corner of Vietnam


https://ift.tt/2ZBoh3W

How to Travel With Medical Marijuana


https://ift.tt/36caDa1

10 Tips to Plan a Bachelorette Party

The bachelorette party, what is a bride's dream can be a huge stress for bridesmaids. The concept has to be unique, affordable, suit a dozen different tastes, and of course, make the bride feel like a star. It is a growing trend now that many bachelorette parties take place abroad but don’t feel like that is a necessity (especially because the wedding is a destination event) – your planned party needs to get everyone together to celebrate the lifetime of happiness the bride is about to enter into. Well, thank us later, dear bridesmaids, because you can be the girl that takes the cake and throws the best bachelorette party of all time. The experts at Nude Life (a company based in the UK) have shared their ten bachelorette party tips that every great bridesmaid needs to know, and they don’t hold back.

       

1) Pick a date, and pick it fast.

Give guests the opportunity to plan ahead by sending out invites four weeks before the party. There is nothing worse than half of the planned party not being available because you didn’t give them enough notice.

2) Know your audience.

Unfortunately, not every bachelorette party can be filled with bad choices. Get together with the bride and do a quick run over on who is being invited. Are all of the guests drinkers? If not, be prepared to offer activities that involve everyone so no one feels excluded from the team.

3) Create a small buffet.

Let’s be real. Women like food. Women love food. Make sure that throughout the party there are snacks readily available between meals and that you have a clear schedule of when guests can expect to eat.

4) Teamwork makes the dream work.

This is a big task, no one said it would be easy. That’s why it’s definitely okay to call on the other bridesmaids for help. Create a group chat to make communication easy and to make sure no one feels left out. Designate roles so that everyone feels responsible and can be held accountable – you would be surprised how effective brainstorming sessions are.

5) Consider breaking up your day up with an interesting activity.

Remember to know your audience before choosing this activity. If, they are a crowd open to different experiences, life drawing is a unique activity that can get everyone involved. It’s spicy and hot, but more importantly, it breaks up the day and slows down the pace. It gives a chance to sit back, laugh and bond with the other women all while getting your creative side on. 

6) Think of the theme.

Decide early if your bride is a theme girl. Does she appreciate a perfectly matched table setting? Themes can be great at creating a unified weekend, but they can also be limiting and sometimes cringeworthy. It is best to consult the bride on this one.

7) Get dancing, of course!

Nothing is worse than an awkward silence. Have music readily available at all times with a bachelorette party playlist. Ask guests to RSVP with their favorite song and include it on the playlist so that all tastes are covered.

8) Create a signature cocktail with the bride's name.

This is a fun way to make the bride feel special and set the mood early. Greet guests with the special drink as soon as they walk in the door. “Can I have a Jessica please?” The bride will feel extra special hearing her name all night long, and if the drink is tasty, she may recreate it for years to come.

9) Recreate a popular game.

Rather than play some boring, "guess who bought these panties" game, spice up the party by firing up your guest’s competitive side. How about some bachelorette party Jeopardy, boozy Twister, a scavenger hunt or the ever so dirty, Cards Against Humanity. These are great ways to break the ice!

10) Give a treat to take home.

We made it! While everyone was happy to celebrate the bride-to-be, they probably don’t want to leave empty-handed. Especially if the bachelorette party was a bit pricey. Make your guests feel appreciated by offering a small goody bag or token. From hangover kits to personalized coffee mugs, something small will go a long way!

Photos courtesy of the following Unsplash contributors (in order of appearance): Amy Shamblen (1st); Zoriana Stakhniv (2nd); Jennifer Pallian (3rd)

Monday, December 30, 2019

Sunny tomorrow!



With a high of 42F and a low of 26F.

tk


https://ift.tt/39pBNvZ

The Most Epic Movie Proposals

We've compiled a list of the most epic movie proposals so you can use your favourite on-screen romances as real-life inspiration!

The post The Most Epic Movie Proposals appeared first on Modern Wedding.



from Modern Wedding https://ift.tt/2MFlPE4

Greeting the New Year In Earth’s Northernmost Settlement


https://ift.tt/35aQcZs

Mountaintop Real Wedding

Waiting is hard. But to wait for the love of your life to show up, especially when you’re a professional wedding photographer for over 15 years, now that is hard. What got Melissa through it? Her faith in God and an unrelenting trust that someone like Bruce would eventually come into her life.

Online dating hadn’t really worked, meeting friends-of-friends turned out to be a bust and being an entrepreneur doesn’t exactly produce a huge work place dating pool. So, when she took a leap of faith and got on Christian Mingle, it turned out to be a game changer. To say their love was fast and furious is an understatement. Bruce had written a letter to his future wife on his online profile, drawing interest from Melissa immediately. A few bits of correspondence sparked “a two-and-a-half week marathon of phone calls and video exchanges,” until he flew out to Phoenix to meet her in person.

“We planned to spend three days together and I cleared my calendar, despite it being the middle of busy season,” recalls Melissa. That three-day trip was stretched out to a week, then another and then another! “Those three weeks were amazing and helpful to me in discovering his heart and what he is about.”

Several months later, Bruce, with the help of friends and family, staged an elaborate scavenger hunt proposal and popped the question.

The couple resided in two different states and Melissa’s busy season for her business is during the nicest weather in Arizona, so a summer wedding in Colorado fit the bill perfectly.

Every year, Melissa attends an event with Forge Ministry called Deep Camp in Colorado, so the couple made sure to schedule the wedding around the event. In part, to make sure their ministry friends could attend and also so some of their guests could attend the camp with them post W-day. “Yep, we spent our first week of married life at a camp with our family and friends! It was an incredible way to get extra quality time with loved ones,” recalls Melissa.

Via chairlift, 120 guests traveled to Granby Ranch in Colorado to witness a touching, personal vow exchange, officiated by friend and Forge founder, Dwight Robertson. “During the ceremony, our bridal party and immediate families prayed over us. I just loved that moment,” says Melissa.

After the tear-jerking ceremony, guests headed back down the mountain to a dinner under the open sky. During the reception, a few sprinkles and a sudden storm rolled in. It lasted only a few minutes, but resulted in a gorgeous, full rainbow.

Isn’t that just a perfect metaphor for marriage and life? Without the storms, we wouldn’t have the rainbows.

Vendor List: Wedding Planner: Kayla with Some Like It Classic; Venue: Granby Ranch; Photographer: Daniel Kim; Florist/Decor: Sarah's Garden; Bridal Dress & Veil Boutique: Emma and Grace Bridal; Bridesmaids Dress Designer: Jenny Yoo; Bridesmaid Dress Shop: Bella Bridesmaids Scottsdale; Hair: Emily Hughes; Makeup: Arielle Rondeau; Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar; Groom's Suit: Magro Clothing; Groomsmen Suits: The Black Tux; Ties: vKnit; Stationery: Electric Dreams, Design & Roots and Rain Creative; Musicians: Mountain City Music; Officiant: Dwight Robertson with Forge; Vow Booklets: Art + Alexander; Rentals & Lighting: Event Rents; Linens: La Tavola; Cake: Megan Joy Cakes; S'mores: Ruze Cake House; Videographer: Sula Studios; Photo Booth: Rendezbooth; Ribbons: FrouFrou Chic

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Partly Cloudy tomorrow!



With a high of 43F and a low of 33F.

Nova Scotia Styled Shoot

This stunning coastal French Chateau “Harbour Mist” on the maritime province of Nova Scotia, Canada was the inspiration for this wedding design with pretty French details and colors that mimicked the estate's architecture. The home's gray cedar shingles, the coastline's bluish-grey stone that has been smoothed by years of the tide washing over it, and mussel and clam shells found along the shoreline, all determined the color palette for this wedding.

To complement the smoky blues and grays, the bride wore an appliquéd blush Monique Lhuillier wedding gown and blush Jimmy Choo heels. Her art deco diamond ring from Walton’s Antique Jewelry looked lovely placed in a vintage ring box with gold fleur de lis on the lid. Bridesmaids wore a smokey blue Watters dress with a blush underlay. Long flowing strands of a hand-dyed ribbon by Cocoon Silk Ribbon were tied around the bouquets to catch the ocean breezes.

Weathered wood guest tables sprinkled the plush green lawn and boasted gathered floral centerpieces by Thorne & Thistle, including native blooms, such as white lilac and Canada Mayflower, along with blush pink peonies, roses and foraged greenery. Guests were mesmerized with 180-degree views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and a view of the estate, orchard and hillside on the other.

Calligraphy place cards by Gracefully Made Art were tucked into blue mussel shells at each guest’s seat. The custom wedding invitation, calligraphy and illustration of the estate were all created by Anna Lora Whitley of Silt & Pine. The Bride and Groom chose to handwrite their vows in a gray velvet Vow book by Elmo Paper Stories.

Maple syrup in a bottle shaped like the maple leaf, also seen on the Canadian flag, were parting gifts for guests and used the next morning at a brunch given by the groom’s family for out-of-town guests. It was the loveliest of days.

Vendors: Photographer & Creative Direction: Heather Durham; Floral & Event Design: Lisa Smith Thorne; Local Flower Farmer + Floral Design Assistant: Denise Stockdale; Rentals + Props + Styling: Joanna with Staged for Upsell; Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Ivory & White Boutique; Bridesmaids Dress: Amsale from Bella Bridesmaids (Nashville); Hair + Makeup: Kerri Bunn; Talent: City Models; Models: Maggie Sutherland & Kyle Hynick; Venue Location: Harbour Mist in Nova Scotia, Canada; Venue Inquiries: Stay Over Sea; Estate Rings: Walton's Jewelry; Custom Invitation + Calligraphy: Silt & Pine; Vow Book: Elmo Paperstories; Calligraphy on Labels: Gracefully Made Art; Silk Ribbon: Cocoon Silk Ribbon

Saturday, December 28, 2019

Sunny tomorrow!



With a high of 36F and a low of 27F.

5 New Standout Safari Camps


https://ift.tt/2tRB3iO

4 Ways to Travel Better in 2020


https://ift.tt/39mIleE

Christmas-inspired Wedding Spots

With holiday engagements at an all-time high, and exactly one year until Christmas 2020, we’ve scouted out some of the best destinations for a Christmas-inspired wedding. Most of these romantic retreats for nuptials come with a generous helping of snow. So if your wedding crowd is a collection of snow bunnies and keen on chilly temps, we’ve got you covered.

      

Claridge’s (London)

From the talk-of-the-town tree to the breath-taking decorations, Claridge’s is synonymous with Christmas. From its legendary Christmas tree taking center stage in the lobby, to the stockings and mince pies, every little detail captures the magic of this special time and serves as an ideal backdrop for a Christmas wedding. Every year Claridge’s works with a partner to bring an incredible Christmas tree to the hotel – recent collaborations include Diane von Furstenberg, Karl Lagerfeld, Sir Jony Ive & Marc Newson and Christopher Bailey for Burberry. Festive menus are also available throughout the property. Known for gorgeous and elegant weddings, the hotel’s team can help create the ultimate Christmas wedding, from a personalized waltz choreographed for you by the hotel’s choreographer-in-residence to a special menu of holiday delights sure to wow your guests, this posh British spot has you covered.

    

Blantyre (Berkshires)

As one of only 12 remaining Gilded Age mansions in the Berkshires constructed at the turn of the 20th century, Blantyre is set on 110 acres of lush lawns and woodlands. Blantyre’s reimagined experience delights wedding guests on property from the public spaces to the Manor House, Carriage House and private Cottages. Throughout the sprawling estate, indoor and outdoor spaces compliment the natural surroundings and scenic landscape, so weddings inside or outside are equally beautiful. The estate can accommodate an entire wedding party, with 24 rooms, which are spread throughout the property. The original architectural and design provides the backdrop for the charming winter wedding that truly looks as if it was plucked from the pages of a storybook.

     

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch (Colorado)

Colorado is a no-brainer for beautiful winter weddings. A blanket of fresh snow is almost guaranteed in the Christmas season. And, it has plenty of activities to keep out-of-town guests entertained with outdoor pursuits. One of Colorado’s wedding venue gems is the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch. Known for its champagne apres and cocktails on the terrace in front of the roaring fireplace, this spot offers coziness and majestic views, all in one.

    

The St. Regis Washington D.C.

The St. Regis in Washington D.C. is home to many Christmas season weddings. For 2019, they hosted a wedding every weekend in December, and have in years past. One of the most popular parts of the hotels that brides love to transform into a winter wonderland is the outdoor Astor Terrace in the Winter Pavilion. The custom tent is made exclusively for the hotel’s wedding couples using the finest materials and furnishings.

      

Congress Hall (Cape May)

Congress Hall, America’s oldest seaside resort, is the scene for a picturesque Hallmark Christmas movie. Think small Victorian town charm meets luxury and historic resort accommodations, wood-burning fireplaces and exquisite holiday decor. The newlyweds and wedding guests can enjoy the resort’s acclaimed Winter Wonderland experiences and enjoy a sweet carousel ride, walk around the resort’s shopping village while sipping hot chocolate, and take in the sight of the larger than life Christmas tree. In Cape May town, they can take a horse drawn buggy tour of the Victorian homes all decorated with Christmas lights, enjoy a cozy and bundled up walk on the award-winning beach and enjoy amazing farm-to-table dining. The resort even offers a spiked hot chocolate station, which is a popular request for winter weddings.

    

Ballygally Castle (Larne, United Kingdom)

The unique and stunning Ballygally Castle, on the Antrim Coast Road, has announced plans for a new wedding pavilion set within the castle gardens. This new Belvedere Suite is a separate garden structure that serves as the prime winter garden backdrop for that special day. The new Belvedere garden suite will be able to accommodate up to 120 guests and will enable the venue to meet the growing demand for outside ceremonies, without having to worry about the weather.

      

Snake River Sporting Club (Jackson Hole)

Situated on 800-acres of verdant topography with nearly seven miles of private access to the famed Snake River, the private club and residential community offers true outdoor-lovers an authentic and romantic Western setting for your wedding day. In winter, the Club’s championship golf course morphs into a Nordic skier’s playground. Ten miles of groomed trails invite skate and classic style cross-country skiers to glide over the snow-covered tracks and through scenic woodlands. Many who choose to wed at the resort opt for an outdoor ceremony, with the acre after acre of snow-covered beauty.

Photos courtesy of their respective properties listed below each image row.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Sunny tomorrow!



With a high of 35F and a low of 23F.

Our Favourite Moments Of Love From 2019

Through it all, this year seemed to be a year of love, happiness and joy. Here are some of our favourite moments of love from 2019!

The post Our Favourite Moments Of Love From 2019 appeared first on Modern Wedding.



from Modern Wedding https://ift.tt/39kHGub

Hitting the Road (or Trail) on a Guided Hotel Run


https://ift.tt/2SxnQ95

Adventure Lovers' Honeymoon

The perfect honeymoon should include two things: romance and adventure. It’s the opportunity to break out of the mundane, start building your life as newlyweds and create memories that will last a lifetime. For the outdoor-loving couple, southern Utah is just the place. World-class hiking, awe-inspiring views and a laid-back attitude make this the vacation you’ll tell your kids about someday. If hiking in Utah is on your bucket list, honeymooning at Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah offers the best of both worlds. See all the property has to offer below!

   

Outdoor Adventure

For the couple who loves to hike, we have you covered. Our expert guides lead daily hikes to some of the area’s hidden gems, inviting guests to feel like they’re in on the secret. Discover the vibrant oranges and reds of Candy Cliffs, the rolling lava flows of Snow Canyon State Park and the lush forests of Dixie National Forest that most visitors miss. For thrill-seekers, excursions like Sunset Rappelling pairs a picturesque, romantic backdrop with a heart-pounding experience.

We also offer full-day excursions to the area’s best national parks, leading hikes through Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos and along Zion’s famous river walk, the Narrows, to name a few. This is the best way to experience the beauty of the parks without waiting in line for shuttles and gear or guessing which trails to take. Let us do the planning so you can focus on each other.

   

Relax

After a morning on the trail, an afternoon at the award-winning Sagestone Spa and Salon can be just the thing to recover and get you back on your feet. For the athletic couple, the Red Rock Hiker’s massage is a must as the marine mud pack improves circulation and draws out toxins, replenishing the legs for another day of adventure. The spa also offers couples massage, perfect for lovebirds.

For a laid-back afternoon focused on quality time with one another, lounging by the indoor or outdoor pools, or snuggling in a hammock, offers a perfectly relaxing way to enjoy the outdoors. 

Casual Gourmet Dining

The starry sky makes outdoor dining a magical experience here at the resort, or, cozy up next to the double-sided fireplace on chilly nights. Whether you dine in the restaurant or enjoy room service, our chef has designed a diverse menu for any diet and preference. Pair a juicy steak, fresh seafood, grilled free-range chicken, or a selection from our extensive vegetarian/vegan menu with a bottle of wine for a heavenly evening.

    

Packages

What makes this trip truly over-the-top, are our all-inclusive retreat packages. Honeymooners can take full advantage of the resort’s offerings on the Ultimate Essential Retreat. Including daily guided hikes, three healthy and delicious meals a day, a $150 credit per person, per night of stay to be used on additional excursions or spa treatments, a huge variety of fitness, wellness and personal development classes and access to the resort’s many amenities, the couple will have everything they could ever need at their fingertips.

This all-inclusive package is also perfect for the couple looking to elope. The resort offers expert staff who are ready to help make the big day special and can help the newlyweds save on travel costs, as they can honeymoon right here at the resort.