Author: Charlotte Cote

What You Need To Do To Set Up A Romantic Getaway

Did you know that 42% of travelers feel more romantic on vacation? Romantic hotels offer a variety of luxuries that can help make a romantic getaway with your partner as enjoyable as possible. Sometimes it can be challenging to put together a romantic trip. Here are some tips that will help you put together a romantic getaway with your partner.

Plan ahead of time

Planning ahead of time will allow you to make your time with your partner as special as possible. Determine how you and your spouse will want to spend time together at the hotel. Some couples want to spend time relaxing near a pool and going to a spa. Other couples would rather go enjoy the city they’re in and might be interested in a hotel that’s near some local activities. Deciding what you and your partner will enjoy most will help you narrow down the romantic hotels to choose from. Find one that has the amenities and activities that you desire.

Book at an opportune time

It’s best to avoid booking a hotel during Valentine’s Day, as most romantic hotels are usually busy during this time. It’s also helpful to avoid school holidays when families are likely to be booking up hotels for vacation. If any special anniversary between you and your partner is outside of these time periods, this would perhaps be the best time to schedule your romantic getaway. In addition, weekdays tend to be more available for hotel booking. Booking at a time that most people aren’t booking will mean you’ll deal with fewer crowds. In addition, book your room through the hotel rather than through a third-party booking site. If you tell them that it’s a special occasion, it’s possible they may even upgrade you to a nicer room. You can also potentially be able to request a room that’s away from elevators and other busy areas to ensure you and your partner have a quiet stay.

Consider romance packages

If you’re unsure what you and your partner would enjoy most, a romance package could put you in the right direction. Romantic hotels put together a full list of activities and special amenities that couples can enjoy in one package. As an example, some hotels may provide a discount on using their spa services. Other romantic hotels may provide transportation to activities such as wine-tastings, or overnight accommodations in their most luxurious rooms. Look through the packages to see what’s offered. Be in communication with the front desk concierge as well. They can help you decide on some unique ideas to really give you and your partner a special time together.

 

Following these tips will help you pick out a good romantic hotel, and set up an enjoyable romantic getaway. Be sure to look through reviews to see which hotels were given high ratings. Do this along with discussing with your partner what they would most. This will all be helpful to put together a successful romantic getaway.

Tips for Planning a Successful Bachelorette Party

You may have heard that planning a bachelorette party is hard. Yes, it can be, but not if you nail the planning and location. It doesn’t matter whether you are planning a weekend getaway or an east end winery tour. You can use this outline to organize an event the bride will love.

Be Careful with the Schedule and Timing

You need to set aside time for all the planning before the bachelorette party. You can nail it if you take the time to pick her brain to get a feel of what she likes. Some brides love to party, while others want to give their bridal party a chance to celebrate before the wedding.

Six to eight weeks before the celebrations should be enough time to consult the bride and the rest of the group. You will first come up with an overall initial plan before you can zero in on the details. Here are some questions to guide you:

· What theme would she prefer? Perhaps she wants a party on the beach, or would she rather a bachelorette wine tour? Think about the mood you want to set, while keeping the bride’s inclinations in mind.

· Would the group love a bachelorette party that lasts the whole weekend, or would they want one night out? If the plan involves traveling out of town, you may want to consider an event that lasts for more than a day or two.

· Would it be better to hold the event in a spa, or would a resort be ideal, especially for weekend getaways? You need to factor in the travel logistics and budget for the event. How convenient would it be for attendees to get to the venue?

Honing In the Details

Now you can start compiling your list of attendees. You’ll need them to make clear judgments about the venue and the timing. Sit down with the bride and take a list of people she would want at the event. Remember to note the invitees that she considers VIP. That way, you’ll be in a better position to prioritize invitation and make better decisions when focusing on the details.

Remember to take in all the particulars when you confer with the bride on invitees. You should have the full names, email addresses, and phone numbers of all the people who will attend the event.

Keep updating everyone in the group about your plans. You want to give the girls time to clear their schedule and also give you their feedback for the bachelorette party on time.

Decide how you’ll send the invites. Will you use a glossy paper card that is in line with your theme? Or will online invitations be more convenient? You may want to consider digital versions; they are often the most accessible and effective option.

Don’t forget to organize transportation to the party. You have many options a limousine, party bus, or even carpooling. Perhaps for a wedding in a mansion or a resort venue, you may choose a luxury car service. Don’t rule out sharing a vehicle with the rest of the group. Not only to reduce your carbon footprint but also to set the mood for a fun and upbeat event.

Planning the Bachelorette Party Celebrations

As the planner, you should have fun too for getting this far. Arrive early at the venue with someone to assist you. The earlier you get there, the more tasks you’ll move out of the way so that you have time to enjoy with the rest of the group.

Before the merrymaking is in full swing, find out if the bride is comfortable with sharing pictures and videos on social media. You should convey the information to the rest of the group, especially if there is concern about oversharing.

So you have taken your time to painstakingly plan the bachelorette party. Now it’s time to let go and have fun. Don’t stress over minor hiccups along the way. Remain attentive as the celebrations build up to a climax, but let loose and rock on.

You can avoid the stresses of planning by anticipating and avoiding some common missteps that happen during planning. Use the steps outlined as a framework, choose a unique venue, and enjoy the celebrations you’ve taken time to plan.

Here Comes the Budget: How to Get the Most For Your Money When Planning Your Wedding

wedding budget

For many couples, getting married is a lifelong dream. But while planning a wedding can be exciting, it can also be incredibly expensive. In fact, The Knot found that the average cost of a wedding in 2018 was $33,931 — and that doesn’t even include the honeymoon! 

That means that you’re likely going to have to save up (and maybe even rely on the generosity of loved ones) if you plan to have the dream wedding you’ve always wanted. Even so, you’ll want to make smart spending decisions. Otherwise, you could end up going over-budget or running out of resources before you ever even say “I do.” 

While it might seem like spending a small fortune on your wedding is a foregone conclusion, there are actually a number of ways to save and to get the most for your money. Here are just a few ways to keep costs low and stretch your budget for your big day.

wedding budget

Decide on Non-Negotiables

Before you ever book the venue or decide on the date, you’ll need to make a list of your priorities. What are the aspects you aren’t willing to compromise on? And which components are you fine with letting go of? Once you know what your non-negotiables are, you can make sure to prioritize them in your budget and make appropriate cuts to accommodate them. If you know your fiancee has strong feelings about the food but doesn’t care about the music, you can make better financial decisions that reflect what you want most. That way, the aspects you do spend a little bit more on will really be worth it.

Limit Your Guest Count

Most people realize that the bigger the wedding, the bigger the costs. You might feel forced to invite lots of family members or old friends to the reception to keep up appearances, but you should resist the urge to give in to social pressures. If you can whittle down your guest list to the must-invites, you’ll have a much easier time crunching the numbers. Don’t feel obligated to invite people you don’t know well or to even out the number of attendees from each side. Having a more intimate celebration will allow you to save money on catering, alcohol, linen rentals, flowers, and the venue. If you feel guilty about leaving people out, compromise by having a get-together sometime before or after the wedding at your home. That way, your friends and relatives can still take part in the festivities without adding any financial pressure.

Put a Twist on Tradition

Sticking with tradition can come with a price. If you feel like it’s necessary to be married on a weekend or at a conventional wedding venue, you’re going to pay more for the privilege. If you want to get more for your money, try picking a less desirable date and time for your nuptials. Sundays and weeknights tend to come with less expensive fees and greater vendor or venue availability. Getting married outside of the June-to-October busy season can also allow you to save some money and may ensure your guests can attend. Opting for a less traditional venue space can also put your money to better use. Don’t be afraid to explore unique options like parks, libraries, museums, breweries, or botanical gardens to see what they might have to offer. In many cases, you’ll benefit from a picturesque and private setting without having to pay a premium.

wedding budget

Make It All-Inclusive

That said, you don’t have to give up on the idea of a fancier wedding venue just to stretch your budget. You’ll just need to find a venue that’s all-inclusive. Many hotels will offer all-inclusive packages for weddings and events that make costs more manageable and operations more central. In other words, your guests can stay overnight at the location where your wedding will take place. Even more importantly, the venue will often offer on-site catering or have a list of preferred vendors prepared for couples to make things even easier (and less expensive, in some cases). Since you won’t have to cobble together a plan using a bunch of outside vendors, you can be assured you’re getting a great price without the headache. You may not even need to enlist the help of a wedding planner. Some hotels that offer these packages will also have spa services or other special offerings that can make your celebrations all the sweeter.

With these budget-friendly tips in mind, you’ll be able to create a wedding that perfectly captures your unique partnership — all without going into debt.