How to Plan Your Perfect Honeymoon...

Many couples go into the honeymoon planning stage of their wedding plans with a very clear idea of where they want to go. And that's great! Either it's a place that they have  always wanted to visit but haven't gotten a chance to see or somewhere they heard about, read about, or saw in a movie and formed an attachment. Some couples take advice from family and friends on places they have traveled to or heard about....But if you two are still trying to decide where to go, this column is designed to give you an overall impression of 5 of the top honeymoon destinations around.

1) Florida. Many couples opt for a domestic honeymoon believing that this will save them--time and money. And this is a great place to luxuriate in the warmth of the sun during most seasons. Known for its camping, hiking, biking and paddling, the Sunshine State is closer than you think especially for Hudson Valley brides. The Everglades, the Keys, the Emerald Coast, the Tampa Bay area, it goes on and on. Florida can be what you want in a perfect honeymoon. For a fun-loving couple seeking the sun, sand and surf, you two can explore this spot and enjoy a truly rapturous time here. Plus, let's not forget the theme parks that abound, which will allow your child at heart to emerge. Bonus: no identification documents are required to travel to Florida.

2) Hawaii. Most of us immediately think of paradise when we think of this place. The Aloha Isles, door to the South Pacific, offer their six unique islands as distinct experiences that will entice any newlywed couple. Picture the spectacular cliffs of the Napali Coast on Kauai and the electrifying shores of Waikiki Beach on Oahu. You can walk the miles of white sands of Papohaku Beach on Molokai or experience the dolphin friendly waters of Hulopoe Bay on Lanai. Or visit the apex of Haleakala on Maui. Or witness the primal power of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island. It won't be easy choosing which island to visit on your trip to Hawaii, but there are no bad choices here. And if you can't decide, a few cruise lines are able to take you to more than one island. One, in particular, will port you in 4 of the islands with over 100 hours of in-port time. Also you now have the names of the islands to research. Again, no passports are required because this is our 50th state.

3) Mexico. Possibly the place of your spring break Mexico offers a great variety of ecosystems characterized by their unique flora and fauna as well as their unsurpassed beauty. The spectacular landscapes of this region, its deserts, mountains, and beautiful beaches are a masterpiece. Offering the famous archaeological zone that includes a history of the Mayan civilization side by side with 7-star accommodations, Mexico is close enough for a truly exotic experience. When submerging yourself in the sea or lagoons in Cancun, Cozumel, or Isla Mujeres, you will have a chance to discover wonderful worlds, home to colorful tropical fish, rays, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many more species. Should you two decide to explore the archaeological zone of Tulum, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful places on the Riviera Maya, combining the mystery of the ancient civilization that inhabited this zone with the singular beauty of the Caribbean Sea, which bathes its shores. This region of Mexico is available on most Western Caribbean cruises. Because this is another country, Mexico requires a passport—dependent upon your mode of transportation. Check with your agent for further details.

4) Jamaica. With its rugged mountainous interior, its broad inventory of resorts and its partying ways, it is easy to fall in love with and hard to leave. The third largest isle in the Caribbean, this is a typical port on most W. Caribbean cruises. Every couple can find their ideal here. Activity driven couples can zip-line, while a more sedentary-minded couple may enjoy a raft ride down the Martha Brea River. One of the most popular shore excursions on W. Caribbean cruises in this port is Dunn's River Falls. As serene as a scene from the Blue Lagoon, these falls can be hiked, swan, or just frolicked in. This country also usually requires a passport. Your agent can be very helpful here.

5) Italy. The Mediterranean has a true pull to those seeking a romantic honeymoon. Found on both Eastern and Western Med cruises, Italy offers myriad historical sites, incredible vistas and innumerable artistic contributions for you two to relish. Offering honeymooning couples pure romance, set amid cypress-covered hills, one of the most beautiful spots in Italy: Verona. The city's history of feuding gave rise to Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." Or visit St. Mark's Basilica and admire this magnificent structure or venture into the countryside near Rome and immerse yourselves into the hills; you don't have to travel far to appreciate the completely diverse scenery, where the air is noticeably cooler and fresher. Pack a small picnic and Italy will give you memories to last a lifetime. You can not go wrong by starting your married life here but you will definitely need a passport to travel to the Mediterranean's Italy.

Your initial task in determining your destination of choice should be to google the region it to see if it is truly your destination of choice. Allow your fingers to do the walking and discuss your impressions with each other. Next, you should speak to people who have vacationed there for their insights. As usual, I suggest speaking with a professional to learn the ins and outs of the area. As important as selecting the venue for your nuptials, selecting the correct site for your honeymoon is absolutely vital to set the right stage

For detailed information on several of these destinations, you can search for previous honeymoon articles on this website.

Emma McKnight is travel agent specializing in cruise vacations. View her website at: Cruise With Emma or contact her.

4 Ways To Commemorate Memorial Day At Your Wedding

The Memorial Day holiday was originally meant to commemorate the lives of the men and women who died while in military service...not to use as an excuse for clearance sales at Macy's and summer barbeques.

You don't have to have a military themed wedding to honor those who have given their lives in military service. But how do you honor Memorial Day without being overly somber?

Here are 4 wedding appropriate ways to celebrate:

Remembrance – It is certainly appropriate to have a moment of silence or a memorial dedication at your wedding, especially if you have loved ones who passed in the service. You might also display the wedding photos of loved ones who served in the military on your gift or cake table. It's a subtle, loving reminder of their presence.

A good time to remember them with a few words or a prayer is during your ceremony, since your ceremony is typically a bit more serious. Your guests will have time to recover in case they have an emotional response.

You might also ask a guest to say a few words during the blessing or toast. It may bring the party down for a moment, but allow a song or two to recover and you're back in celebration mode. If it is important to you, choose a way to honor your loved ones that feels right.

Colors – Red, white and blue come to mind immediately, of course. But rocking the Uncle Sam look might not be exactly what you have in mind for your wedding.

If that's the case, consider elegant, crisp whites accented with silver. You can add deep red roses and subtle silver stars on votive candles or place cards for a look that's both patriotic and stylish. Check out these blogs for more elegant patriotic wedding theme ideas and silver wedding inspiration.

Add a splash of patriotic color without going over the top by choosing signature drinks featuring raspberries or blueberries. Bunting flags can also add a beautiful, vintage touch.

Music – The most traditional way to celebrate Memorial Day is with a marching band, but there are numerous ways to use music for remembrance.

You can dedicate a song to those in the military, something like, "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill or "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" by Toby Keith. The patriotic "God Bless America" or "God Bless the USA" is sure to stir the hearts of your guests.

You needn't bring your guests to tears to create your musical tribute. Songs like Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" can actually get your guests dancing. One of our grooms who was in the military had us play, "Louie Louie," his fellow cadets' song, which had them all singing along arm-in-arm.  See this list of 100 Patriotic Songs for more ideas.

Fireworks – Nothing says patriotic celebration like a rousing fireworks display. It can be the perfect finale for your wedding day.

What do you think about celebrating Memorial Day at your wedding?