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wedding blog + planning guide for creative weddings | inspiration for DIY Brides

Brenda's Wedding Blog is your online resource for planning your dream elegant wedding. Helping you find the "wow" in weddings.

Posts tagged honeymoon destinations
How to Plan an Unforgettable Bahamas Destination Wedding or Honeymoon

Today we are joined by Jackie, my travel editor, with her Top 4 Ways to Plan an Unforgettable Destination Wedding or Honeymoon in the Bahamas.


Did you know that out of the 700 islands in the Bahamas, there are 16 that you can easily visit and explore? Most people are familiar with the big resorts and hotel chains of Nassau and Paradise Island, but there are so many other amazing places that will give you an incredible and authentic experience of the Bahamas. Whether you are looking for a truly unique and intimate destination wedding or a memorable honeymoon, you can find it all in the Bahamas!

I had the pleasure of visiting the Bahamas during their “16 Weddings, 16 Islands, One Priceless Day” promotion, a contest with a prize package for 16 lucky couples to have the wedding of their dreams on one of 16 beautiful islands.

If you are thinking of having a destination wedding, or even planning a romantic getaway, I am here to share with you a few great ways to make your experience unforgettable!

First let me share a little bit about these 16 islands, otherwise known as the Family Islands among Bahamians. Beyond Nassau and Grand Bahama, they include: the Exhumas, the Abacos, Acklins Island, Cat Island, Inagua, Ragged Island, Crooked Island, San Salvador, Andros, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, the Berry Islands, Long Island and Bimini. Each island boasts different kinds of wildlife, natural features, and many different ways to prepare a conch salad {a local favorite dish}. The best reason to get out of Nassau is truly to take advantage of all of there is to see and do that doesn’t involve unlimited pina coladas or a buffet. While I wasn’t able to visit all of the Bahamas Islands during my trip, I will share with you a few of my favorite highlights!

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Although Grand Bahama Island is one of the largest and most populous islands, you can still have a wonderful experience having an intimate honeymoon or fantastic wedding there. One of the best ways to get married in Grand Bahama is to say “I Do” in the company of some flippered friends. If you love dolphins, this is the place for you! At Enchanted Encounters at The Dolphin Experience, couples can arrange both a pre-/post- wedding encounter with these friendly dolphins as well as coordinating a dolphin kiss when you have yours on your big day. What a special and memorable way for you and your guests to commemorate your wedding!

If getting up close and personal with a different kind of water-loving mammal is more your thing, hop over to the Exhumas for a one-of-a-kind experience swimming with pigs. That’s right - these cute little piggies love to swim and will come out to your boat to greet you, provided of course there’s a treat in it for them. No one knows quite how these wild pigs ended up in the Exhumas, but splashing around with them will make for a one-of-a-kind honeymoon adventure. If you’re a couple that enjoys wildlife, bird-watching, and exploring, then be sure to visit the Exhumas for the getaway or honeymoon of a lifetime.

Do you prefer to have more of a party atmosphere for your wedding? Look no further than the island of Eleuthera. The Bahamas has a long-standing festival known as Junkanoo: think Bahamian Mardi Gras. The traditional celebration of costumes, music and parades typically happens around the Christmas holiday, when even businesses will shut down for several days prior to hand-build their costumes and instruments. There are strict rules for teams participating in the parade, but one of the most important ones is to have fun! Don’t worry though if your wedding plans are for a different time of year: you can hire a Junkanoo band to jumpstart the party at your wedding whenever you like. Not only will you and your guests have the opportunity to participate in a local, cultural tradition but you’ll also be talking about this day for years to come.

Tranquility and rustic charm are the highlight of Andros, a large but underdeveloped island just a short ferry ride east of Nassau. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or post-wedding wind-down, consider a jaunt to Andros. The pace of life is easy, the beaches are stunning and the vibe is calm and quiet. You can take a leisurely kayak trip and paddle out to some of the smaller cays around the island to explore on your own. If underwater exploration appeals, then spend an afternoon exploring a couple of Andros’ blue holes – a system of deep underwater caves. Snorkeling is also one of the best ways to observe the abundance of marine life around Andros’ extensive reef system. For a true experience of rest and relaxation surrounded by a mostly untouched landscape, Andros is the place to be.

The islands of the Bahamas are some of the best neighbors the US can ask for, and have so much to offer. If you are looking for a you-can-only-find-it-here kind of experience for your destination wedding or honeymoon, you should truly consider the Bahamas. From the food to the culture to the people to the array of natural settings, you will surely find a place to make lots of memories with the ones you love. Happy wedding and travel planning!

All photos provided by “The Islands of The Bahamas

3 Truly Unique Wedding Experiences in Jamaica

Happy Friday and welcome to the last of our series on Jamaica! We hope you've been enjoying following with our destination wedding and honeymoon highlights in the Montego Bay area thus far {see Part 1 and Part 2 here}. We've got a few more to share with you today, and then some fun eye candy to share with you next week on facebook {follow us here so you don't miss it}, courtesy of some of Jamaica's best wedding vendors.

In our last post we explored some of the really wonderful all-inclusive resorts that would be perfect for your extra-relaxing honeymoon, or your easy-going destination wedding. But, if you are looking for a truly unique experience in Jamaica - something a little more personalized and with as many options as you can dream up - we've got some great choices for you!

If you like the convenience of a resort but without the all-inclusive package, and access to more amenities, the Half Moon is the place for you. The property is so vast that you'll need to check out a bicycle or hop on a golf cart to get around! But, at the Half Moon there is everything you could need - stunning ceremony locations, 4 and 5 star restaurants available for your private reception, a golf course, an equestrian center, and an award-winning spa available to pamper newlyweds and bridal parties alike. The rooms and suites are set up cottage-style so you don't have to worry about having too many neighbors bothering you, and for larger groups, the Half Moon also has 2 cottages and several villas available. Perhaps one of the crowning glories of the Half Moon are their over-water cabins which can be requested for spa services. It doesn't get more blissful than having a relaxing massage to the sound of the waves, and should you choose, a glass of wine or even a candle-lit dinner to follow. If you are truly looking to pamper yourself, or splurge a little on the Caribbean wedding of your dreams, the Half Moon is truly a special place!
Have you dreamed of having your wedding ceremony on a secluded property, with just you and your guests? Have you ever wanted to take a trip that included a personal chef? Well, I'm sure one of the Villas by Linda Smith will be the perfect choice for you! With over 25 properties in the inventory, ranging from 1 to 9 bedrooms, there's something that will fit everyone's taste and budget. Each property has, at minimum, either a pool or a beachfront location (many have both!), as well as a chef and/or housekeeper. Some include admission to larger resort properties, giving guests access to golf courses, restaurants and beach clubs. These villas are cozy, comfortably and tastefully decorated, and very well-appointed with things like wi-fi and flatscreen TVs. And, the staff chef will prepare whatever you like! However, I'd recommend requesting some local specialties like pumpkin soup and this spectacular lobster dish. The villas can be rented for week-long stays or more, either for group or family vacations or wedding parties - some properties can accommodate weddings of up to 150 guests. With reasonable rates, you can host your guests and celebrate your wedding festivities with them all week long in your own private piece of heaven at the Villas by Linda Smith.
And finally, for a wedding you can truly make your own, consider hosting your ceremony and reception at one of the area's great houses. These large estates {many of which were former sugar plantations} are available to host private events. Many of these properties have sweeping and spectacular views of Montego Bay like the Greenwood Great House we visited, and beautiful gardens and lush grounds to provide a stunning backdrop for your wedding. You have many options to choose your caterers, entertainment, lighting, ceremony set-up and reception style to have a truly personalized experience! The great houses in Jamaica offer the intimate feel of hosting your wedding at villa but at a beautiful, historic venue that can become a canvas for your creativity.
Whether you're looking for an intimate destination wedding venue, a luxurious honeymoon or even trying to plan your next family vacation . . . Jamaica has something for everyone. We hope you have fallen in love with Jamaica as much as we have and that you've booked your tickets already! Now that you've checked that off your list, we've got one last treat for you. Stay tuned for some great Jamaica-infused destination wedding inspiration and eye candy that will be happening over on our facebook page next week. Be sure to * like us on facebook * if you haven't already so you will not miss great decor, flowers, gowns, and more . . . basically everything you'll need to make your day one to remember in Jamaica.
Jackie is Headed to Jamaica for Wedding + Honeymoon Hot Spots
Starting tomorrow and going through the weekend - Jackie, my marketing manager, is headed to gorgeous Jamaica and will be staying at the Hotel Riu Montego Bay. She is flying out today to attend the Jamaica Bridal Expo Experience Press Trip.

Be sure to follow along on all my social media channels {links are below} as Jackie will be posting what I am certain will be some pretty amazing scenery and wedding goodness from Jamaica. Her itinerary is like a dream - just like a destination wedding or honeymoon to Jamaica would be. If anyone has any questions about Jamaica that they would like Jackie to answer while she is there, please be sure to leave a comment.
Follow Jackie Along as the Visits Jamaica and shares her wedding and honeymoon finds and hot spots on www.brendasweddingblog.com