Surf, Sport and Travel

Not every couple dreams of a formal, sit-down, catered affair for their wedding anniversary party. In fact, they may not even want a fancy social reception at all. If you’re looking for something a little different, here are eight unique anniversary party ideas to consider.

1. Luau or Tropical Flair – Did they go to Hawaii or the Caribbean on their honeymoon? Do they love to vacation in the islands? Or do they dream of going one day? Create a celebration with an island atmosphere. Tiki torches, seashells, and fake palm trees add to the decor. Play music from the tropics. Serve up coconut based drinks. Don’t forget the flower leis for the celebrating couple.

2. Big Family Barbecue – You can fire up the grill and do this in your backyard. Or, you can go all out, rent a big tent, hire professional grill-masters and a country music band. Whether your party is low-key or over the top, it will be casual fun that friends and relatives of all ages will enjoy.

3. Romantic Dinner Cruise – If you live near a river, lake, ocean or just about any body of water, there is bound to be boats available for your celebration. They usually include a meal, music and dancing. It has all the trappings of a typical anniversary party, but with a seaworthy twist.

4. Year We Got Married – Did the happy couple get married in the 1950′s? Then plan a doo-wop sock hop. If their marriage took place in the 60′s, load up on tie-dye, peace signs, lava lamps and rock and roll. If they took the plunge in the 70′s, then go all out disco. Build the party around the decade of their wedding, including music, fashion, headlines, even popular foods.

5. Fiesta – If you’re planning a wedding anniversary party for a couple that still has a lot of spice in their relationship, then how about a fiery south of the border theme? Hire a mariachi band, serve spicy food and decorate with pinatas.

6. Hollywood Love Story – Roll out the red carpet (literally!) for your own version of Tracy and Hepburn. Decorate with life-size cardboard cutouts of movie stars, clapboards, awards, stars and twinkle lights. Select invitations featuring tickets. Play soundtracks from blockbuster films.

7. Interesting Location – If the couple is still wild about each other after all these years, consider throwing their anniversary party in your local zoological park. Most zoos have facilities you can rent, even after hours, and your guests can enjoy some of the animal exhibits.

How about having your celebration at the botanical gardens? Can you imagine a more beautiful location? You might also want to investigate to see if the restaurant the couple went to on their first date is still open and have the party there. What other location might be of particular sentimental value to the them? Find out if it’s available for parties.

8. Destination Anniversary – Choose several close friends and family members and plan a weekend trip to an exotic location to celebrate the couple’s milestone. Destination weddings are all the rage, so why not adapt this trend to your celebration? This may sound extravagant, but it can be cheaper than planning a elegant formal dinner for a hundred people. The guests are usually only responsible for paying their air fare or other transportation costs. That means that you’ll be picking up the tab for hotel and meals. But think of the memories!

Traditional celebrations can be wonderful. But if you’re planning a wedding anniversary party for a unique couple who would enjoy something a little different, don’t settle for an ordinary event. You don’t need to be limited to conventional ideas. Just use your imagination, maybe borrow one of these suggestions, and you’ll create an anniversary to remember.

A destination wedding is a wedding that is planned in a vacation spot and the dear and the near ones are those who are invited for such a wedding. In a conventional wedding the money is spent in a location in your locality with a grand reception whereas in the destination wedding the money is spent on a vacation spot where the couple would also have their honeymoon. Moreover the near and dear ones who are invited for a destination wedding would be also enjoying their time in the vacation spot.

Now-a-days the destination wedding is picking up as the cost of the conventional wedding is on the rise. Instead of spending a huge sum of money in a local place for one evening, couples are now spending that money on good vacation spots. Thus a destination wedding is a memorable wedding for the couple involved and also the guests who are invited for such a wedding.

If you are opting for a destination wedding then a lot of factors have to be considered in the plan for such a wedding. The first and the foremost is the location that you are going to choose. There are many vacation spots that are popular destinations for weddings and honeymoons together. Most of the destination wedding locations have their own wedding services providers and other vendors needed for a successful wedding. You can contact the visitor information centers in such destinations to find out the services available in that location.

The internet is an excellent source of information on vacation spots. You can find a lot of vacation spots that would fit your budget to conduct a destination wedding. Browse through the list of websites that you choose and find out the facilities available in each of the location. Usually the websites have the contact numbers. Contact them and check with them about the facilities available. They would be able to provide you with the e-brochures with details of the facilities and the photographs of the places and facilities. Most of the websites would have this information in the downloadable format. Make use of it to shortlist your location. If the location you have chosen is nearby, then it is worth to make a visit to such place and get first hand information on the facilities. If you feel that you do not get prompt response for your queries it is better to find another location.

Most of wedding destinations would have their own services to cater to the needs of the couples and the guests. They might have already conducted such weddings earlier. You can request brochures and catalogues about the weddings conducted earlier which could give you an idea on how that function was conducted. Sometime you can get a complete package that includes all the services needed for the wedding in that vacation spot. Check them too. If that is affordable your job is easily done without any hassles. All you have to do is to follow them up on the progress before you travel to that location for the wedding. If the destination wedding is conducted abroad make sure that proper visas are got for the couple and the guests well in advance so that you can avoid the last minute disappointments.

Outdoor weddings can be some of the most beautiful weddings. Whether it is set at a beach at some exotic location or in the backyard of your parent’s estate a wedding that takes place outdoors while awesome in appearance, they can present some challenges that indoor weddings may not have to contend with. It is with this thought in mind that I would like to answer the question presented in the title. Just like any other events, wedding is a perfect time for the families of the couple to talk and bond with each other. We have been used to weddings which are being held inside the halls or the house but since there are times that the space will not be enough so an outdoor wedding has become an option. In a way, doing an outdoor wedding can be beneficial and at the same time is enjoyable because you can move freely and appreciate the environment.

Planning an outdoor wedding can be a lot of fun. Unfortunately it can also be a very uncertain business. The elements can conspire to soak or bake your wedding respectively; swarms of locusts could descend upon the bridesmaids; or it could just plain be too windy. So why bother trying to navigate these many pitfalls and hazards? Because an outdoor wedding that goes off perfectly is something that will linger in the hearts and minds of all who were fortunate enough to attend. It can be a truly beautiful occasion and one that is both fresh and fun for you and your guests.

Some of the Tips for Outdoor Wedding:

1. Be it in the park, in your own backyard on the beach, the location must accommodate both the ceremony and the reception.

2. An outdoor wedding results to casualness and charm. You can also lessen the costs on flowers since it is already set in the garden anyway. Choose an atmosphere that has an ornamental surrounding. In order for you to come up with the right atmosphere, you must also put into consideration chair decorations, columns, aisle bows, topiaries and the traditional ceremony arch.

3. An advantage of an outdoor wedding is that your guests will find this quite convenient because they do not have to travel from the place where the ceremony was held to where the reception would be conducted. As mentioned before, an outdoor wedding generally equates to a single venue for both the ceremony and wedding.

4. You will be able to save money because of this move. You do not have to book a church and a restaurant. You can just reserve a gazebo a garden or any outdoor scenery. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.

5. An outdoor wedding defies the conventional. Besides, outdoor locations offer so many choices and this gives the event more luster than the kind that we’re all used to seeing. It also gives the guests

6. Be mindful of the lighting. Make sure that it wouldn’t cause any form of inconvenience to your guest or interruption on the even in general. If you want, you can drop by the location of your choice a year before the wedding, during the similar month on when you want to get married to check how the lighting is at that time.

7. It would be inconvenient for your guests to look directly into the sun. This will also affect the photographer’s task of documenting the memorable event by taking photographers.

Destination weddings sound glamorous, exotic and uncomplicated. After all, you just pack your suitcase, fly to an exotic locale and say, “I do.”

Right?

Wrong.

Actually, there is the matter of out-of-state or out-of-country paperwork, as well as travel arrangements to be considered. While a destination wedding sounds fabulous, the fact is they are a lot of work and may not be right for most couples.

About 16 percent of marriages from the United States take part in destination weddings. The top-five most popular destination wedding sites include:

* Las Vegas
* Hawaii
* Virgin Islands
* Jamaica
* and the Bahamas

Even though they didn’t make the top-five list, be sure to consider Mexico and Florida, both of which host thousands of destination weddings each year.

Before you make the final decision, here are some facts to consider about destination weddings.

* The average budget for a destination wedding is $20,600. While you may think it’s going to be cheaper getting married away from home, it is not always the case.

* The average age of a bride involved in a destination ceremony is 33, compared to the average age of 28 for other U.S. brides who get married close to home.

* Maybe it’s because destination brides are older, but some 60 percent of couples involved in destination weddings pay for the nuptials themselves.

* The average number of guests who attend a destination wedding is 48, each of whom spends about $400 to attend (mostly due to airfare).

* Couples who have destination weddings spend about $8,200 on their honeymoon, which is about a third more than other honeymooning couples.

Maybe one way to decide between a traditional wedding and a destination wedding is to consider the pros and cons of each.

Package deal

On the bright side, resorts that host destination weddings want the process to be easy for their guests. They have lots of experience hosting these kinds of events, so they know what most brides and grooms want. They offer those services and put together a wedding package for your – at a price, of course.

On the other hand, if you don’t want everything offered in the package, you may end up paying for – and not even using – all that the package includes. For example, most resorts have a wedding coordinator who will line up the flowers, the license and even someone to officiate at the service. But if you have invited someone from back home to conduct the service, you don’t need all of the wedding coordinator’s services. Instead, maybe you could ask her to line up some activities for your guests to do. Or you could do away with the coordinator and take on some of her tasks yourself. If you don’t know what’s involved in getting a marriage license, contact the nation’s or state’s tourism association for advice.

Guest list

If you simply cannot pare down your guest list to a manageable number, maybe a destination wedding can take care of the task for you. With an average of 48 people attending destination weddings, you will probably have a smaller crowd than you would have had at home.

On the other hand, you may lose guests that you really wanted to attend. Not everyone can afford the airfare or will be well enough to travel.

If you opt to marry away from home, you might consider hosting an informal reception after the honeymoon. At the very least, post any videos and photos online so people can share the moment with you.

Finances

If the decision comes down to the cheapest option, you have some homework to do. Even a moderately priced $100-per-person wedding package at a local restaurant or banquet hall can prove quite expensive. At that rate, you will spend $10,000 on just the reception for 100 guests. Compare this cost to an average of 48 guests at a destination wedding, and it sounds like an easy decision.

But, if you follow the etiquette of destination weddings, the bride and groom should cover the cost of the guests’ hotel room and food. Even if your guests pay for their own air fare, the cost of accommodations can quickly add up.

One option is to cut the guest list – whether you are getting married locally or far from home. You could also choose a destination based on a favorable exchange rate, group hotel rates and a cheaper economy.

The honeymoon

Most couples who have a destination wedding also stay there for their honeymoon. What could be easier than booking your ticket, flying down to get married and then staying in a fabulous resort for your honeymoon?

But will you really be alone if 48 or so of your closest friends and family members flew down with you? Chances are most of them will combine the wedding with a vacation or family reunion. If that’s the case, will you and your new spouse have time alone, or will you feel obligated to join in?

One suggestion is to be honest with your family and friends. Tell them you need time alone – and then stick to your resolve. A nice compromise might be to join the gang for dinner on the last evening everyone is there so you can catch up before you go your separate ways

More and more couples are choosing the destination wedding option when planning their nuptials. There are so many benefits to visiting a faraway paradise to exchange your vows, and privacy is one of the largest of these. You and your closest friends and family can plan a Costa Rica wedding, where you can commit to your partner on the warm sands of the beaches during a breathtaking sunset. Costa Rica weddings are really growing in popularity, and you can certainly see why.

There is probably less planning to a Destination wedding than you might think. When you decide to plan a Costa Rica wedding, you do need to think about where you and your family and friends will stay. You will also need to consider the venue for your wedding, and if you plan to serve food and enjoy entertainment, those arrangements will need to be made, as well. Fortunately, you can find help when planning your Costa Rica wedding. There are several wedding planners who are well versed in planning destination weddings for a small amount of money.

Your biggest decision will probably end up being where you decide to stay when you’re in Costa Rica. There are amazing villas and rental homes available for larger parties that might be exactly what you need. These luxury rentals can offer you and your party privacy that you would never find with a resort or a hotel. With the whole party together in a luxury rental home, you can continue to make your plans and enjoy your time together after you make it to the island. If you and your partner would like a separate arrangement after the vows have been exchanged, you can find smaller homes that are just right for two. These homes can offer you luxury and amazing views you’ve never imagined.

Come this holiday season, many people will go on beach vacations and surf travel. But, there are some first time travelers who are going for surf trips. It is almost like an expedition to them. Therefore, they need some tricks and tips before they venture out on their surf travel. It is indeed true that knowledge about any place or any adventure can help you a lot. So, here are some important facts that you should know before planning a surf trip.

Work Out

Surfing or for that matter surf travel is an adventure. Therefore, one must have the stamina to carry out the surfing with passion and love. If your body is not in perfect shape or you are suffering from any kind of ailment, it is better to avoid the surf vacations. Those who are perfectly fit are also required to work out for some time in order to enjoy surfing. It is important that you do some basic warm up. Also just before starting surfing, you need to walk for good half an hour.

Take lessons

If you don’t know surfing or have not been to any surf trips in the past, the best idea is to schedule the surfing lessons at the destination before setting for the surfing adventure. This way, you will be able to know the right way of surfing. Do not just go for surf vacations without preparation. Even if you have learnt the basic art, try to practice well, because this is a serious sport. If you will not practice to keep your weight even on the board, you will end up spoiling your surf trip.

Equipment

It is important to understand the equipment needed for surfing. It is equally worth knowing where to find the best equipment and accessories. You should also know whether you will get the equipment on rent at your favorite surf trip destination. Try to get the best quality equipment, even if it means paying more for the equipment.

Safety

Before taking up any sport, a person needs to take some safety precautions. So is the case with surfing. When you plan your surf vacations, it is important that you talk to other surfers and take some valuable safety tips from them. Also, you need to know the safety tools that you need to carry along with you for surf trips. Also, avoid surfing alone in the big wave. Since, you are the beginner; you might get caught in the wave. Ensure that there are other surfers who are enjoying the sport at the same time.