Weddings in Samoa

Weddings in Samoa are wonderfully romantic and Samoa is a Pacific destination that more than live up to the photographs – white sand beaches, warm turquoise waters, and lush tropical rainforests. Couples can choose to marry in a church, on a beach or beside a waterfall in a stress-free atmosphere that is part of fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way).

Catholic, other denominational weddings and civil ceremonies can be arranged. We only recommend properties that we have personally experienced and wedding packages range from around $1000 to around $2500, depending on the location and the inclusions (some samples below). Following is an overview of some of the wedding locations.

SHERATON SAMOA AGGIE GREY’S RESORT

Aggie’s is a terrific choice for couples who invite guests who have children (has a good Kids Club and lots of activities) and for those who would like a Catholic wedding as the 100-year-old chapel is now consecrated as a church (only Catholic weddings are allowed in the chapel).

There are other lovely wedding locations by the water or in the stunning rainforest Day Spa. There are 140 air-conditioned rooms looking out across the water to Savai’i island. The resort is five minutes from the International Airport and about half an hour from Apia.

Couples can choose to marry at sunrise or sunset and celebrate with a romantic dinner or party with guests under the stars. As well as a range of ceremony locations there are a number of celebration/reception options. Just email for more details.

SINALEI REEF RESORT & SPA

Having undergone major renovations and refurbishment following the September 2009 tsunami, Sinalei is now even more ‘special’. The ‘catch phrase’ used by the resort is “Simply Sinalei” and Sinalei is simply stunning. Set in 33 acres of lush gardens on the south coast of Upolo (45 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from Apia) there are just 27 fales with two restaurants, swimming pool, golf course, tennis and watersports (swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing and diving). The beachfront fales are superb with an enclosed atrium with outdoor shower and large deck looking out to the ocean. Both the resort and manager, Sose Alexander, exude casual elegance. There are various wedding options to choose from – from a church wedding to canoe wedding to a sunset beach ceremony. Sinalei makes weddings special for couples by themselves or those who invite guests (adults only).

COCONUTS BEACH CLUB

Coconuts Beach Club is located not far from Sinalei on the south coast of Upolu. Unlike Sinalei, it allows children but it also has Samoa’s only overwater fales (bungalows). There are also villas, suites and beach fales.

Coconuts is owned by Americans and prices wedding packages in US dollars. Wedding packages start at $1500 and you can step up to a package that includes photography and a Samoan string band to a package that includes spa pampering and a romantic dinner to the full-on ‘Samoan Experience’. Email us for more details. Religious ceremonies can also be arranged.

There is a minimum five-night stay at the resort for couples wanting to marry at Coconuts.

SEABREEZE RESORT

Seabreeze is along the coast from Sinalei and Coconuts, is owned by Wendy and Chris Booth who left Australia in 2005 to embark on the adventure of a lifetime and they are still living that adventure.

Seabreeze is adults only and all villas have ocean, lagoon or reef views. The Honeymoon Point House is particularly special.

A minimum five-night stay applies for Seabreeze wedding packages and ceremonies can be religious or non-religious. The packages can include a a champagne breakfast to start the day, a beach ceremony, local warrior escort and a local string band to serenade. At certain time of the year the resort may offer a free wedding (subject to seven nights accommodation being booked.

SALETOGA SANDS RESORT

Saletoga Sands is also on the south coast of Upolu. Owned by Kiwis Lou and Gavin Brightwell the resort is a result of them following a dream to build a contemporary but casual tropical resort in a stunning location. Right on the beach with a swimming pool and a range of accommodation options to suit couples and families, Saletoga is ideal for wedding with family and friends attending.

There is a well-priced tropical wedding package for two, a deluxe package that includes a traditional Samoan Warrior escort and the Le Tiamane all-inclusive package that includes four nights’ accommodation for the couple, the ceremony, three course reception and three-hour beverage package for 20 guests for just NZD$6280.

LE LAGOTO RESORT

Some visitors to Samoa only go to the main island of Upolu, but there are lots of rewards not far away on the northern island of Savai’i. It’s a 10 minute flight or a 90 minute ferry ride. It is scenically beautiful and, believe it or not, it is even more laid back than Upolu! Le Lagoto is a lovely resort and, not surprisingly, Le Lagoto in Samoan means ‘sunset’ – it is a lovely spot for a wedding!

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And finally, for now…

SAMPLE WEDDING PACKAGES

SINALEI REEF RESORT & SPA CANOE WEDDING

Inclusions

• Decoration of Canoes
• Registration
• Celebrant/Minister
• Photographer
• Brides Bouquet
• Brides Head-dress (Pale)
• Ula (Floral necklace – Groom)
• Village Serenaders
• Champagne Meal for two

Optional Extras

• Wedding Cake
• CD ROM (photography/compilation)
• Video Taping

AGGIE GREY’S LAGOON BEACH RESORT & SPA WEDDING PACKAGE

Inclusions

• Personal Wedding Coordinator
• String Band Greeting on arrival with leis at the Resort
• Private Return Airport Transfers
• VIP Express Check In at the Resort
• Champagne and Fresh Fruits in your Deluxe Ocean View Room on arrival
• Traditional Samoan Kava Ceremony on your Chosen day

Ceremonial Arrangements

• Traditional Samoan Garments for Bride and Groom
• Fresh Leis for Bride and Groom
• Tropical Flower gown for the Bride and Groom
• Flame Torches for Sunset or Sunrise Wedding
• A beautiful archway of flowers
• Sarong for Bride and Groom
• Planting of tree of love or Niu on the Romantic Island getaway
• Photographer with 40 photos in a beautiful tapa cloth wedding album
• Champagne Breakfast for Sunrise Wedding or Champagne Dinner for Sunset Wedding by the beach
• Marriage Celebrant or Pastor

LE LAGOTO WEDDING PACKAGE

Inclusions

• Special ceremony venue with floral arch
• Pastor or Celebrant to conduct the ceremony
• All marriage licence and registration requirements
• Bouquet for bride & 1 bridesmaid (if any)
• Buttonhole for groom & best man (if any)
• Ulas- floral necklaces for bride & groom
• 2 witnesses
• Special setting for dinner
• Romantic dinner for 2 – from A la carte menu ( entrée, main course & dessert each)
• Wedding coordination
• 1 Bottle champagne

There are special packages for couples inviting guests.

The Honeymoon

Tips to Plan Honeymoon Travel

Tahiti. Italy. Mexico. The Bahamas. After your wedding, it’s time to enjoy all the luxuries of the perfect honeymoon. Whether you are planning a getaway to enjoy white sand beaches and sun or tour ancient ruins and learn about a different culture, make heed some of these important honeymoon travel tips that may make planning and enjoying your trip a bit easier.

• Honeymoon Registry
  Have you heard of the latest craze? Have your wedding guests pay for all or part of, or your honeymoon. Honeymoon registries allow wedding guests to contribute funds to your special trip and even sponsor specific activities you wish to enjoy while you are there!
• Say “I do” to your differences
  Do you like adventure travel while your significant other would much rather be sunbathing on a beach all day? So that you don’t create riffs in planning your trip of a lifetime, make sure you communicate before you begin to plan so that both of you can get maximum enjoyment out of your vacation
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• Honeymoon, under wraps
  When you plan your trip, refrain from sharing that you are planning a honeymoon. Some entities will charge you extra because they know that couples are willing to splurge on their special getaway. However, after your travel planning is complete, when making your reservations, it may pay to share that you’re arriving for your honeymoon – some places will give you free upgrades or complimentary items.
• Details, details…
  Planning a honeymoon is planning an excursion like no other. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pull out all the stops, upgrade from average to amazing, and enjoy special splurges. Some ideas? How about planning a private helicopter tour or a luxury spa together? Have a chef prepare a custom meal just for you, or arrange to take a private tour of the nearest escape.
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• Refrain from over planning
• While you want your honeymoon to be perfect, heed wise advice and don’t overdo it with the planning. Cut down on the stress and enjoy yourself, by limiting the amount of physical activity you will participate in each day. Or, allow a specific amount of time between activities on your itinerary so you are not rushing from one thing to another.
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• Copies of Documentation
  After you’ve created your itinerary be sure to make copies of it to share with family and friends. Keep an additional copy for yourself. That way, your family will know where you are in case problems arise back home, and you will have an extra copy in case you lose the original. Additionally, you may want to register your travel plan with the U.S. State Department. Registration allows the Department of State to assist you and contact family or friends in case of an emergency. 
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• Get access to 24/7 concierge services
  Be sure you have 24/7 access to travel assistance services. Many travel insurance plans include 24/7 concierge services to assist you with spur of the moment planning to like restaurant referrals and reservations, floral services, private charter assistance, find, wrap and deliver one-of-a-kind gifts and local and event ticketing. Keep the assistance hotline number with you at all times to reach trained travel counselors that can help you in almost any emergency situation and also help rebook hotels and flights, coordinate medical emergencies.

Planning your honeymoon

Eight Months to One Year Before

• Make a budget.
  Determine how much money you can spend on the honeymoon. This will help you narrow down your choices.
• Decide whether to use a travel agent.
  Travel specialists can take the planning off your plate and do all the legwork. (Some charge very reasonable fees.) Find one at the American Society of Travel Agents’ website, travelsense.org.
• Decide where you’re going.
  No brainer, right? As soon as you get engaged, you should start thinking about where you want to honeymoon. At the beach? Europe, perhaps? Consider the time of year, and what the weather will be like.
• Buy plane tickets.
  If you are using frequent flier miles, you’ll have a much better chance of getting the flights you want if you book well in advance. Most airlines release frequent flier seats around 11 months ahead of time. Booking early will also help you get a nonstop flight. Missing a connection and spending the night in an airport hotel? Not so romantic.
• Book your hotel.
  Nail down your accommodations early, so you can focus on the more minor details. Hotels in Europe tend to be small, so good ones fill up. Have a few options before you start contacting hotels.

Six Months Before

• Do any of the above if you haven’t already.
  So you aren’t having a long engagement. Don’t worry! Get started now, and take care of your plane tickets and hotel as soon as possible.
• Schedule any transportation.
  Once you know your itinerary, buy train tickets or look into a rental car, if any of that is needed. Even if you are heading to an all-inclusive beach resort you never plan to leave, you’ll need transportation to and from the airport. Make sure it’s taken care of now. Note: Eurail, the major train network across Europe, may not have updated schedules until 60 days before your trip. Go ahead and buy your overall pass, then schedule seats closer to the date.
• Make the impossible-to-get dinner reservation.
  If you’re dying to go to a Michelin-starred restaurant that’s booked months in advance, now is the time to secure a reservation.
• Get or renew your passport.
  The turnaround for getting or renewing a passport can be as quick as a month, but it’s better to have this squared away. If your passport is current, make sure it will be for at least six months after you return home. That is a requirement for some countries.
• Apply for any visas or other documentation.
  Know what the country you’re visiting requires, and take care of it.
• Purchase travel insurance.
  It may seem unnecessary (you can estimate it will run about 5 percent of your total cost), but when you are spending a lot of money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, having it canceled because of Hurricane Joey is much more costly than a few hundred dollars. Travel insurance plans can cover everything from illness to acts of God.
• Get vaccinations.
  If you’re going to Africa, Southeast Asia (hello, Thailand!), or other exotic destinations, you may need immunizations. And some are given in stages that take time. Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, cdc.gov, for information.

Three Months Before

• Plan your activities.
  You don’t want to plan too much, and you may just want to sleep on the beach. But if you are going on a more cultural trip, go ahead and buy tickets to museums, or book a trip to a nearby architectural site. You won’t waste time waiting in lines or figuring out details once you’re there.
• Make a quick mental packing list.
  Need new luggage? Or a camera? If you determine in advance that you need expensive items, you might ask for them as wedding gifts. Or you may just realize you need to go bikini shopping.

One Month Before

• Finalize transportation.
  Reserve seats on trains if you’re going to be moving around a country. Finalize your itinerary or confirm your car rental. If you are driving in a foreign country, get an international driving permit (available at AAA offices).
• Book spa appointments or other activities.
  If you’re heading to a mega, all-inclusive resort, you may want to prebook spa treatments and special activities, like sailing trips or other excursions, that might fill up. Call and ask the resort concierge for advice.
• Fill prescriptions.
  Make sure you have full bottles of any medications you take regularly.
• Shop.
  Now’s the time to shop for clothes—not the week before the wedding. Don’t forget things like voltage converters or specific garments (like a head covering for a place of worship) you’ll need for some countries.

Two Weeks Before

• Confirm everything.
  Call the hotel and any restaurants to confirm your reservations.
• Make copies of your documents.
  Have copies of your passport, visa, credit cards, driver’s license, and any other important documents in case something is lost or stolen. Leave a set with someone at home and pack one in your suitcase.
• Write down important phone numbers.
  If you are visiting a foreign country, know the location of the closest U.S. embassy. Also, have the phone numbers of your credit card companies so you can quickly call if there are any problems.
• Get some local currency.
  You can easily get cash from an ATM in any country, but having a little bit of money on hand (about the equivalent of $200) is a good idea—even if it’s just to take a cab to the hotel without having to stop at an ATM in the airport.
• Pack.
  Don’t wait until the week before the wedding, when you’ll be extremely busy. Pack what you can ahead of time. You can throw in toiletries at the last minute.
  Related: Honeymoon Packing Checklist

One or Two Days Before

• Confirm the hotel. Again.
  It can’t hurt. Just to give you peace of mind.
• Check the weather.
  If your destination is having an unseasonably cold week, you may want to throw in another sweater.
• Pack a carry-on for the flight.
  Have essentials, like your passport, cell phone charger, and anything else you tend to forget, ready to go.

Honey moon destination..

HONEY MOON DESTINATION


Choosing your honeymoon trip can
be quite confusing as nowadays there are so many destinations to choose from. You could go on a romantic cruise or choose one of the old favourites like Hawaii, the Caribbean or Mexico. You might consider a trip to Europe to see some of the capital cities or even head for Japan to visit some of its temples. The choices are endless and there are no hard and fast rules about where you should spend your honeymoon - it depends entirely on your taste and preference.
If you enjoy dining, the arts and shopping you can't go far wrong with a city break. This has the added advantage that there is something to be enjoyed in any season. Make sure you book early if you want tickets for the theatre or special art exhibitions. Popular restaurants also get booked up and it would be a good idea to book ahead in order to avoid disappointment. Buy a good guidebook or check out the information online.

What could be more romantic than a honeymoon is Paris? Be aware, however, that it is not one of the cheaper places, as indeed many European cities are quite expensive. You might consider Chicago or New York, both have some wonderful architecture to explore as well as parks and open spaces. You might try Santa Fe, where you can get fabulous food and experience a great native American feel. If your budget is large you might consider Cape Town in South Africa with its warm climate and fine wines.
Remember to pack some comfortable shoes for a city break, as you will do a lot of walking, but also take some smart clothes for restaurants and theatre visits. Remember that cities are quite often cheaper in the off-season and you'll also encounter fewer tourists and shorter queues.
If you want to spend your honeymoon in the great outdoors you need to consider the seasons carefully. You might want to visit one of the American National Parks, just remember that national park lodges get booked out months in advance, so you need to book early. If you have your heart set on a Grand Canyon mule ride, it is essential to book six to eight months in advance. If you are getting married in the winter you could stay in one of the quiet, romantic inns in the Canadian Rockies. If you love the great outdoors, but still want a bit of pampering, look for destinations near luxury hotels, where you can get spa treatments and candlelit dinners.
For those who enjoy a beach holiday, remember that many of the Caribbean islands are known for their all inclusive honeymoon resorts. Food, drinks and sports are all included in the price and this makes it easy to budget. The downside is that it keeps you tied to one particular beach resort. It depends entirely on your tastes as to what type of resort you choose. Key West, Florida has small hotels and B&Bs together with a lively nightlife while North Carolina's Outer Banks combine history, nature and sea activities. For something really memorable, try a beach on an exotic island like the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, where you will experience true luxury.
A cruise has always been popular for honeymoons and some of the new mega-vessels offer everything you would get on land. You could also try a Mediterranean cruise on one of the smaller vessels. You should check up what life on board might be like: will there be late night parties and are you required to dress for dinner? You also need to check on incidental expenses, such as land excursions and tips for staff.
Just remember that this is your honeymoon and the first few days you will be spending together as husband and wife. Choose something you both enjoy and don't be tied down by convention.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/908572

Plan your wedding...

13 Step Guide 

Sitting down and planning and coordinating your wedding can be both stressful and fun for you and your partner, which is why hitched.com.au is here to help you through every step. Our step-by step guide has been designed in a way to make the planning part both fun and easy. We wish you all the best for your forth coming marriage.

1. Step 1: Plan Your Budget

   If your current budget doesn’t quite add up you may want to consider speaking to one of the high street banks or the parents? However small or large your budget, you can be sure that there are services available that can fit within you budget and suit your needs. Visit our wedding diary planneron the hitched.com.au website for budget planning tips plus advice on how to allocate your spending.

2. Step 2: Find Your Venue

   Firstly we assume that you have a rough idea of the date you would like to get married. Choosing the perfect venue will almost dictate the actual date of the big day, unless you plan the date years in advance. Choosing the most suitable venue will take most of your time, but with our useful venue finder on the hitched.com.au website. There are hundreds of venues to browse through and we are sure you’ll find your perfect location for your wedding day. Once the venue and the ceremony have been arranged, the rest of the day planning will fall into place. One other important factor to consider when looking at venues is where you will spend your first night together as a married couple, as not all reception venues can act as a hotel, so it best to plan consider when viewing venues.

3. Step 3: Get Some Insurance

   An Insurance policy may not be the first thing on your mind when planning your wedding, however with the average wedding costing $30,000, it is important to consider the unfortunate mishaps that could cost you dearly? For instance, the venue could be cancelled at the last minute or poor health could mean you have to postpone. If you have purchased wedding insurance you can relax knowing full well for the sake of $200-$500 you do not have to worry about these situations. A complete list of insurance detailscan be reviewed on hitched.com.au.

4. Step 4: Select Your Rings

   Once you have purchased insurance and have the date locked in you can really start to spend. We all marry because we are in love, but aren’t we just as excited about the beautiful piece of jewellery on our finger? The traditions of a wedding are reported to come from the fact that a vein runs directly from your wedding finger to your heart, connecting the two continually. When selecting your ringyou are taking a step towards bonding yourselves together forever.

5. Step 5: Your Guest List

   Here comes the fun bit! Where do you begin with your guest list? The fact is that you have probably already had some thoughts about it. When you planned step 1 of our guide on your budget you presumably now have a budget decided and so it is safe to assume an idea of the size of your wedding party. To begin with our advice is always to keep it simple and start with the people closest to you, the family members, best man, bridesmaids, etc. Get the key players down on a large piece of paper and at the top write your names and in a sort of friends and family tree style work downwards in rows starting with the most important people and working until you have included everyone you can think of. This maybe a fairly long list, but don’t worry about the total number of guests you have written down, but think more about not overlooking anyone. Once you are sure you have everyone included, you can start discussing with you partner about grouping them into daytime, evening or crossing people off. Remember that it is after all your very special day so if there is somebody there will make it special for you, stand firm!

6. Step 6: Choosing The Dress

   Choosing the dress is traditionally one of the most fun and exciting parts of the wedding preparation process. On hitched.com.au there is huge number of dresses to be found in the bridal wear section, and many accessories to complete the fairy princess look. The Grooms wear, ushers, bridesmaids, pageboys and every other member of the wedding party also needed to be thought through to make sure that all key roles of the wedding party are coordinated.

7. Step 7: Order The Stationery

   Many of your close friends and family will be aware of your up and coming special day; it is now time to make it official. The invitations must be sent out well in advance so, while it may still be a little early, it is important to at least begin investigating designs and colours. If you want to ensure your guests save the date in their diaries send out some card now just to say when the day is. The stationery order can be themed by the colours in the rest of the day and is customarily sent out by the bride’s parents. The complete stationery order can include everything from order of service cards, save the date cards, place cards and invitations. Placing your order with one single supplier may save you some money and get a common theme throughout. The hitched.com.au website contains many stationery suppliers to get the ideal set for your special day.

8. Step 8: The Honeymoon

   After dealing with months of planning and trying to make the most important day of your life just right, you will need a holiday. Your honeymoon is the first few weeks as a married couple so it will be an exciting time for both of you. Researching online or popping down to your local travel agent early will avoid stress and ensure you have a relaxing break after the Wedding day. Don’t forget to check that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport before you travel, if not order a new one well in advance. If you are planning a trip to an exotic island, be sure to check any medical requirements before you leave and to check the visa situation. A little planning will ensure the holiday goes without a hitch.

9. Step 9: Arrange The Photographer

   There will be many wonderful memories throughout your wedding day that you will want to never forget. By hiring a quality photographer/videographer you can be sure you will capture all of these moments and reminisce over and over again. At this stage we also recommend you book yourwedding car and decide on the right colour coordinated and meaningful flowers to complement your day. The important and essential cake to eat during the evening, along with entertainment and music need to be thought about now. Our directory at hitched.com.au contains loads of professional and reliable professional services to help you organise and add the finishing touches to your special day.

10. Step 10: Your Wedding Gift List

    The reason for getting married is for love, however one special benefit is all the wonderful presents you receive from friends and relatives and as a bonus, you and your partner are able to choose the gifts! It is a real treat to be able to go into a store or online and choose anything you want. Creating a gift list is a good idea for couples who are already living together and have many items for the home and also will avoid you receiving three of the same item.Wedding gift lists can be arranged at any leading department stores and even easier with a number of easy to use online guides. For more detailed information on creating your own gift list, use the Wedding List Ideas section on the hitched.com.au site.

11. Step 11: Send Out Your Invitiations

    If you have sent out ‘save the date’ cards to your guests then they should be aware of when the wedding is and will be standing by for the official invitation in their letter box. We recommend that you send out your invitations a minimum of 8 weeks before your wedding. If you are planning to invite overseas guests then it would be advisable to send the invitations earlier in order for the replies to come back. It could take a while before you have all your replies back to you so it is a good idea to have a reserve list of people that you would like to invite.

12. Step 12: The Buck's and Hen's Nights

    Your last night of freedom to really let yourself go wild is the stag or hen night. This night is all about you and should get you in the mood for your wedding. The responsibility of organising this lies with the bridesmaids and best man and they are usually big nights and a lot of fun. Stag and Henparties are now turning into weekend events.

13. Step 13: The Finishing Touches

    Each and every wedding is unique to the individual so it is difficult to pin point exactly what the final touches are that you will need to think about. Some things you may want to consider are speeches, readings, rehearsals, seating plans, order of service, first night accommodation, returning hired suits, thank you cards, etc. If you still need more advice and help, please look through the rest of hitched.com.au wedding site and for specific guidance from other wedding planners, check out the wedding planning forum.

Our New June 2013 Edition..

 

 

From the Editor:

To inspire you in this edition, we are bringing you the latest in bridal fashion, straight from the catwalks of France, the UK and the Czech Republic.  This brings our bridal fashion inspiration up to 60+ pages of wedding dresses, alone.

Still stuck for ideas?  Why not check out Stuart Parvin’s collection, he’s been dressing the Royal Family in London for over a decade.

Still not satisfied? Acclaimed international designers featured in this edition include: Ian Stewart, Stephanie Allin, Anoushka G, Road Kill Couture (all London), Sarah Janks (Australia) and Christelle Magnain (France). 

Got your dress sorted but are stuck for ideas (and love a bit of DIY), look what’s on offer inside…?

·         New stationery ideas

·         Chair decorations

·         Floral inspiration

·         Bridesmaids-only section

·         For the groom

·         All things emerald

·         Weddings from Australia

·         Weddings from Ireland, Thailand, Peru and more

Want to get your bridal products in front of a large audience? Check us out, from a digital perspective:

Over the last 12 months we have gathered a tribe of over 10,000 Facebook fans - providing Wedding Style Guide with almost 200,000 page views per month.  That’s a total of over 2 million page views per year. No wonder Facebook is very happy with us.

On Twitter, our followers have reached over 4000 in total.

The Wedding Style Guide blog is super popular with over 2000 views each day.

Add to this our new Image Inspiration Board with over 800 views per day, our followings on the publishing site ISSUU and now our new Wedding Style Guide APP; has made this year, the most exciting yet.

So if you are seeking to get your products or services out to a wider audience, you can see we have the digital world covered. Speak with our advertising consultants today to get your product in front of our inspiration-thirsty, bridal audience.

 ‘A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.’  Lao Tzu

Join us for this journey, we are leaping and bounding ahead.