Perfect Your Destination Proposal

There is no time like the present to begin dreaming of popping the question. How you're going to do it, where you're going to do it and when are all top of the list. If you were planning to do a destination proposal, currently your plans may need to be reimagined. But if you were planning for later this year, keep on dreaming of the where. While you figure out the best road forward, here are some ideas and tips for you to navigate the journey to "I do."  

With endless options available for your proposal, it can seem hard to land on an idea that is unique, yet still very personal to you and your significant other. The way you propose will also depend greatly on you and your partners personalities. An intimate, at-home proposal is very different from an extravagant, public one -- ultimately it really just boils down to personal preference.

But, no matter the type of proposal, popping the question at a fun destination not only adds another element of surprise, but sets you up for post-proposal celebrations! But, before you go throwing a dart at a map, make sure you have these three things covered.

1. Secure the ring

Before anything else, you want to make sure you have the engagement ring in-hand. This might seem like a silly first step, but the last thing you want is to plan and pay for an entire proposal trip just to find out that the ring couldn’t get to you on-time.

If you’re buying a ring online, like so many people are these days, it’s important to look into their shipping, return, and resizing policies. That way, there are no surprises with the length of delivery time, if you have to return or exchange it, or if you missed the mark on the ring size. On average, you’ll likely want to allot a few weeks from the time you place your order to when you should expect to receive the ring in the mail. However, things happen and sometimes it’s out of our control. Which is why we suggest having the ring with you before spending any money on a trip. 

Pro tip: when buying a ring, consider a lab-grown diamond engagement ring. They’re identical to mined diamonds but can be up to 40% less expensive. This could save you a great deal of money that you can then spend on your destination proposal!

2. Insure the ring

When you purchase your engagement ring, it will likely come with a manufacturer’s warranty, but not everyday insurance. However, there are three easy ways to insure this expensive and important piece of jewelry.

Jewelry insurance: Some companies strictly insure jewelry, such as diamond engagement rings, and might end up being the most affordable option.

Homeowners insurance: If you’re already covered by a homeowners policy, check with your agent to see if your jewelry is, as well.

Renters insurance: Similar to homeowners insurance, you might be covered if you have a renters policy.

No matter how you insure the ring, the important part is that it’s covered. Engagement rings are small, yet very valuable and extremely sentimental. Not to mention, if you’re taking the ring on a destination trip, you definitely want to feel safe and secure about carrying it with you. 

3. Tour the ring

So you’ve purchased and insured the ring and now it’s time to start planning. This is the fun part and probably our best tip of all: tell everyone you talk to that this is a destination proposal. 

Why? Because people love, love! And oftentimes businesses will go out of their way to make a special trip even more incredible if they know about something like a proposal, wedding, or anniversary. 

Booking an Airbnb? Mention in the notes that it is for a proposal. Scheduling a dinner? You could end up with a free bottle of champagne if you keep them in the loop. This will simply make the weekend that much more memorable and romantic.

Destination proposals are a fun way to put a unique twist on your typical engagement. Not to mention, it gives you a chance to get away, spend time with the one you love, and celebrate properly after you propose! But, it’s important to be prepared! Follow these three tips to ensure the perfect destination proposal.



Sponsored Content

Mostly Sunny tomorrow!

With a high of 61F and a low of 36F.

Wedding Tasks You Can Do From Home

Being stuck at home doesn't mean you can't still check things off your wedding to-do list! Get onto these wedding tasks that you can do from home!

The post Wedding Tasks You Can Do From Home appeared first on Modern Wedding.

from Modern Wedding https://ift.tt/2yoF4xv

Destination-Inspired Cocktail Ideas

Finding the perfect cocktail for your destination wedding seems like a simple task, but hop on Pinterest and you'll likely find yourself overwhelmed with options. The good thing is, you don't always have to be the one to make the decision. In fact, Be Inspired PR spoke with two cocktail enthusiasts and a Hawaiian resort - all who will inspire you to choose your destination wedding's cocktail with confidence.

Sarah Kuhlberg is the Creative Director of Colette's Catering located in Orange County, California. Kuhlberg says, “Trying new food and cocktails is a must when traveling! When picking a cocktail, gravitate towards what the locals are drinking, whatever the native spirit is, ask for fresh or bright juices and look around for some great insta-worthy moments. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask the bartender to make their specialty drink, chances are they will create something unique.” A few drinks Colette's Catering offers that nod to the bright, floral essence of Orange County are:

La Brunch Bellini 
Ingredients: Sparkling Rose Wine, Pear, Pomegranate Juice PINK

Citrus Sparkler 
Ingredients: Strawberry Vodka, Pink Lemonade, Moscato Float

Figtini
Ingredients: Vanilla Vodka, Fig Jam, Orange Liqueur  

Our second cocktail connoisseur is Hodde Bros Beverage Co. The founder, Darci Kendall, shares a cocktail creation story from one of their real wedding experiences. "One of our couples had their heart set on getting married in Cuba," Kendall says. "The new travel restrictions made it difficult for their guests to easily join them, so they decided to bring the flavors and hospitality of Havana to their Cabo wedding. We were inspired by the vibrant colors, flowers and native spirits of the island, ultimately landing on three specialty cocktails for the menu that we think should be certified Cuban classics:

Hibiscus Tequila Sour
Ingredients: Blanco Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Egg Whites, Dried Hibiscus Flowers

"The first was a Hibiscus Tequila Sour, served tableside in a pour-over style. The tequila is filtered through dried hibiscus flowers (which can be found all over the island) creating a vibrant pink color, then shaken with fresh lime juice, simple syrup and egg whites.  The final product is a silky, frothy cocktail with beautifully balanced elements of sweet and tart...just like love!"

Chi Chi Lina
Ingredients: Vodka, Fresh Pineapple Juice, Cream of Coconut, Spirulina. Mango Cocktail Pearls, Dried Pineapple, Bougainvillea

"Our next cocktail, the Chi Chi Lina, is one of our favorites.  It brings in tropical fruit flavors found on the island -- including pineapple, coconut and mango -- into a fun frozen adult slushie.  Built off of the traditional Tiki Chi Chi recipe, this variation includes fresh pineapple juice, cream of coconut, a pinch of spirulina (a known superfood) for that Havana teal color, plus mango cocktail pearls for a boba-esk punch of flavor.  When drinking this cocktail, it's appropriate to cheers to the couple's health!"

Clarified Milk Punch
Ingredients: Cuban Rum, Overproof Rum, Bourbon, Cognac, Black Tea, Bitters, Lemon, Pineapple, Cinnamon, Clove, Star Anise, Milk, Bougainvillea Ice Sphere]

"The final cocktail was a Clarified Milk Punch, with a Cuban rum base instead of the traditional brandy or bourbon.  This delicious drink requires intense passion, dedication and about 48 hours to create. But it's time well spent when you taste this boozy libation that goes down easy and packs a punch.  Here's the best part!  Because of the chemical process, this cocktail goes through, it can be saved for over a year in the fridge. So, forget about freezing your wedding cake.  Save a bottle and open it on the first anniversary instead!"

And last, but certainly not least is the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, putting their own Hawaiian spin on a classic tropical cocktail. They’ve completely elevated the classic Mai Tai experience to create...

The Sandbar – a unique spin on the classic “Mai Tai”
Ingredients: fresh-squeezed orange and pineapple juice, macadamia nut syrup, Kohana white rum, a float of Diplomatico dark rum, lime, and a boozy chocolate dipped pineapple garnish!

The moral of the story is, don't worry about being the perfect mixologist. Consider asking your caterer to either pair their existing cocktails with your destination appropriately or request that they curate a custom cocktail just for your wedding. Once that's done, we highly recommend kicking off your shoes and grabbing a drink!

Photos courtesy of (in order of appearance): Jillian Rose Photography (1st & 3rd); Julieta Amezcua (2nd) & Sheraton Mau Resort & Spa (4th)

The 18 Best TV Shows for Vicarious Travel Thrills

https://ift.tt/2UBE2Hj