Wedding Planning – It IS What you Know!

It IS What you Know!

Today I arrived in Indianapolis to attend my first Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Fall Conference.  My seat mate on the plane was a very nice man who is an education consultant to school districts throughout the US who have more students that are failing then are passing.  His career includes 22 years as a classroom teacher and he told me that he stills reads and studies constantly. "Every good teacher " he told me "is always learning." After observing in the classrooms, he works out a plan that is specific to each district, then he guides the team of teachers and administrators through the implementation process for his action plan.  In one of his districts the 7th graders went from having the lowest math scores in the district to among the highest.

As we were getting off the plane I realized that our work processes are very similar. Granted, I'm not raising the education level of our nation's youth, however, guiding clients through the process of planning their wedding is truly a milestone in their lives. After a consultation with my clients I put my education and 25+ years of experience to work. An action plan is formulated which is then implemented by guiding my clients and their family and friends through the process.

I still get a thrill when I learn something new. That will never get old. I'm looking forward to taking advantage of all this conference has to offer and to participating in other conferences, classes, and networking opportunities as they become available throughout my career as an event planner.  The more I can bring to the table for my clients, the better!!

November 8, 2009

Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort

I have been a Certified Sandals Specialist since 2005, however, I had never actually been to a Sandals property.  When the offer came to update my certification at the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort I jumped at the chance.  Three days in the Caribbean at an all-inclusive resort - count me in!

My previous vacation trips to the Bahamas had been "OK" experiences so I was prepared for this trip to be just OK as well.  Having been a traveler when I had a corporate job and having been on my share of vacations I know not to get too excited before I reach my destination as you never know what you're going to find at a place you've never been.

Let me tell you why this trip to Sandals Royal Bahamian was more than just OK and why I'll be renewing my Sandals certification at a different resort each year!

Upon arrival at the airport you'll go through Immigration (the flight attendants will give you a form) then pick up your bags before going through customs.  From there proceed to the Sandals desk on the baggage claim level (HINT:  keep the page they give you in a safe place - there's a safe in your room - you'll need it when you leave). At the desk they'll tag and take your luggage (you won't see it again until you get to your room) and point you towards the shuttle to the resort. They drive on the opposite side in the Bahamas so don't freak out during the 15 minute ride! Shuttle drivers are not Sandals employees so please consider tipping them.

When we got to the resort we were greeted by a bell captain who took our names and indicted where each of us should go for registration (there might be a colored dot on your luggage tag to help with that process). Once on site you don't touch your luggage - it will be brought to your room once it's ready.  (HINT:  Bring a carry on with your bathing suits, hats, and suntan products <3 oz or smaller> or get them out of your suitcase before you go to registration - if your room is not ready they have places to get changed so you can relax while you're waiting). A lovely woman offering a glasses of champagne or rum punch came around seconds later.  About the same time

we arrived a Rolls Royce pulled up with newlyweds who were smiling from ear to ear!  The Mercedes and its well dressed driver were just sitting there waiting to run to the airport. (HINT:  The Rolls Royce and Mercedes are available to Butler Service level guests. This level of service comes with lots of perks including your own private butler, dinners at Gordon's on the Pier, and 24 hour room service).

While at the airport I was VERY fortunate to meet Kay - a Sandals booking agent based in Miami.  She couldn't have been nicer and gave me a complete run down of the property before we arrived. I followed her like a puppy!

She took me to lunch while we waited for our rooms to be ready (check in is usually at 3:00pm and we arrived at about 12:30pm). She asked me where I'd like to eat as there are several choices. I chose the Cassanova Buffet Restaurant over the Bella Napoli Pizzeria (where you can make your own pizza and eat it overlooking the beach) or the Royal Cafe (where you can get salads or grilled items). Cassanova offered a wide variety of foods including a made to order pasta station and lots of fresh fruit. Wait staff brings your beverages.

After lunch we went back to registration and our rooms were ready! As we walked over to The Windsor Building (vs The Manor Building or The Villas)  Kay started to explain to me about all the different types of rooms and I can tell you that you want a Club level or higher room.  Club rooms come with a full bar (at no extra charge), room service, and beautiful views.  My  suite on the 5th floor was very spacious with a soaking tub in the bathroom, separate seating area, armoire with TV (most channels are based out of Miami) and great views of the pool and the ocean.  We were left on our own until our first group meeting at dinner in the Crystal Room later that evening.  Since I had a 6:00am flight out of Newark I was tired (and full) and took a nap!

We were a diverse group of ABC members from NJ, TN, LA, IN, FL and 3

wedding planners from the Bahamas.  A nicer group of people you'll never meet.  Dinner was delicious - the menu had been chosen for us and it did not disappoint. Crab claws, shrimp, conch and oysters for an appetizer; steak and lobster tail for dinner; and bananas foster for dessert. Wine service was continuous and I understand the Goombay Smash was a refreshing drink. Our wait staff was very attentive and we could see that the dining room was full of happy couples. (HINT:  Long pants and collared shirts are required for the men in some restaurants.  Ladies are expected to dress accordingly. Always bring a sweater or shawl - the AC does get cranked up at times).

The next day started with breakfast back at Cassanova's before our training session - it's my opinion that this resort has the best breakfast of all the Sandals resorts.  A fresh omelet/eggs to order station AND a French toast station along with the standards. I was thrilled to find bagels (along with a toaster) and lox - one of my breakfast favorites to go along with my egg white and spinach omelet!

After training we took  a walking tour of the venue.

While the Royal Bahamian Resort is a large property it doesn't take long to walk to anywhere you need to go.  The gardens are lush and the main pool is huge with a swim up bar. Comfortable lounge chairs are available as are beach sized towels. Some of the activities that are included: tennis, volleyball, a gym, snorkeling, day time scuba diving, kayaks, Hobie Cat or Sunfish sailing, and aqua-trykes. The beach has recently been made larger (in response to guest input) and also has lounge chairs and umbrellas.

From the pier you can take a shuttle boat to Sandals Cay a private island that offers beaches on either side of the island, a restaurant (open several evenings for dining), and a zen garden and spa.

Speaking of food - there are 10 different places to eat at the resort including an authentic English Pub and Kimonos - a sushi and tepanyaki style Asian restaurant.

Still need to ease the stress of your wedding away?  Try any of many services offered at the on-site Red Lane spa including free use of their steam room and spa pool.

Dinner for our group that evening was served out on the patio overlooking the ocean. Again the menu was chosen for us but I'm not complaining! Zucchini risotto with seared scallop, green salad with crumbled cheese and caramelized walnuts, champagne sorbet, rack of lamb and red snapper for the main course ending with fruited pound cake & wedding cake!

Check out and return to the airport was as stress free as my arrival (HINT: Put your suitcases in the hall the night before you leave if you have an early morning flight to avoid the 5:00am knock at the door). My bag and the shuttle were waiting for me when I got to the entrance and it was an easy ride back to the airport for check in. You'll go through Immigration again and then US customs before you leave the Bahamas so you don't have to go through customs when you get home.

While on site I was surprised to see couples of all ages. While there were many shiny new wedding rings there were also couples of varying ages such as a couple from Spain celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary with friends from England.

WeddingMoon destination weddings at a Sandals (or Beaches, or Grand Pineapple) resort are easy to plan YOUR way. Each resort has an on-site wedding coordinator.

If you're interested in booking your honeymoon at any Sandals resort you can do so on your own through the ATB website or call me!  I'll ask you some questions and then hook you up! If you're the parents of the bride or groom don't you think you deserve a vacation after all the wedding hoopla is over??  Or how about a girls trip - there are BFF trips  or I can help you plan your own! (HINT: You need to be 18 or older to stay at any Sandals property.  The Beaches resorts  are for families with children).

Having been to the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort for a very short time I can still truly say - "It IS better in the Bahamas!"

October 5, 2009

Destination Weddings – Part I

My husband and I have just returned from a wonderful week in Aruba. Warm (ok sometimes hot) weather, soft sand, and beautiful blue water. We stayed in the high rise section and the hotel was packed. If you weren't at the pool at 7:30am you weren't getting a chair. It was a little easier at the beach but then we weren't there during the weeks of Christmas and New Year's where we heard that there were fist fights on the beach over chairs......

I've been to Aruba the "happy island" before. We went with friends in September 2004. We specifically picked Aruba because it's not in the hurricane zone. We landed the day after the worst storm the island had seen in 50 years. It got hit by the tail end of Hurricane Ivan. A 20 minute ride from the airport to the hotel took 2 1/2 hours. The island was a mess the entire week we were there. Some roads were so flooded that people were walking up to their shoulders in water. Inland homes looked like lakefront property.  Some hotels and restaurants were closed for months afterwards as they struggled to rebuild.

We've all seen the ads in the travel sections of the local papers advertising the different hotels and prices. How do you know, if you've never been to a location, which hotel is the best one for you?

I've seen the shows on TV that show couples taking off for destination weddings at locations where they've never been before and I wonder "if you wouldn't think of booking a reception site here in the US without visiting it first and tasting their food why on earth would you pick a destination site for your wedding without visiting it first???"

I guess the reply to that is "because it's an added expense" and destination weddings can expensive depending on the location. On Aruba (or any island), everything has to be brought in by airplane or ship. Food is expensive especially at the bigger hotels and the nicer restaurants. To give you an example - my husband and I went to Hooters for lunch one day (trust me Hooters was not my choice) and it cost $50.00. That's right - $50.00 for a hamburger, fries, buffalo wings, two beers, tax & tip.  Dinner each night for the two of us averaged $100 (and I don't drink) and I would only go back to one of the restaurants. We did find a lovely restaurant downtown right on the water for lunch as we were driving to the airport to go home that had good food at reasonable prices. Who do you rely on if you've never been there before?? Trip Advisor? Yelp?

If you come to All the Best Weddings & Celebrations for help with a destination wedding, and I've not been to the location before, we're taking a short trip so we can see the location, taste the food, and choose your vendors.  If I've never been there and you can convince me that you know the location like the back of your hand I might reconsider.

Things to keep in mind include bringing your own vendor (like a photographer) if you can't find one at your destination that you like. Also, some islands have their own "time" which means that they operate "close" to the designated time but not necessarily "on" the designated time (Hawaii comes to mind). While this should not be a problem at a name hotel it might be at a smaller property. Also regardless of the size of the property if you're there during a holiday (ours or theirs) you can expect things to be even slower and perhaps more expensive. Cell phone and internet service (or lack thereof) could also be an issue.

If you think the details of a wedding at home are stressful think about doing that same thing at a location far, far away. There are a lot of logistics involved but the payoff could be the wedding of your dreams in warm soft sand at the edge of a turquoise ocean during a sunset that will blow you away.....

January 14, 2008