Wedding Ideas | Bridal Inspiration | Style
How to plan the perfect honeymoon in one of our Hudson Valley couple's most popular honeymoon locations: Riviera Maya
This region is known for having some of the most incredible vistas in Mexico. Located on in the south east, Riviera Maya (cities: Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and 
the village of Tulum, although a few smaller towns are now also included) is a place with beautiful white sandy beaches, underground rivers, archaeological ruins, and the second biggest coral reef barrier in the world. If there was any doubt that gorgeous beaches and swaying palm trees were romantic, this region clinches it. Your honeymoon will sizzle here.
Every cruise line features the Mayan Riviera on Western Caribbean itineraries. On land, situated between the Caribbean Sea and Rt. 307, the highway that runs parallel to the coastline in the Yucatan, is peppered with 5-star all inclusive resorts, major boutique hotel and condo hotels; these properties are a new popular alternative.
The Riviera Maya is a place for adventure: diving, snorkeling, jet skiing, jungle walks, archaeological sites and ruins, underground rivers, caverns, beautiful white sandy beaches, bays, mangroves, and inlets. It's an eco-conscious honeymooners' dream--the scenery and activities abound. Whether hiking, biking, jungle walks, you can get up close and personal with unique features.
In Playa del Carmen, La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), the main walkway offers a profusion of dining options, making it the place to meet for a nightlife that doesn't end. This is also the place to zip above the jungle canopy; you'll traverse for more than two miles over 24 platforms. This sight is indescribable!
If you have never visited a ruin, this is definitely the place to do it. Both Tulum and Chichen Itza are two incredibly detailed archaeological sites. Descendants of the lost Mayan tribe give you an intimate look into the lives of the ancients. There's a pristine beach just below the pyramid at Tulum. You should spend some time there as well; it will feel as though you two are the only people on earth.
A theme park may not be in the plans for your honeymoon, however, the park, Xcaret, features underground river exploration. While at the park, you can take the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. You will never forget patting their tummies; a photo of a dolphin kissing your cheek will memorialize it.
Sure, you can golf, enjoy gourmet cuisine and luxuriate in spa treatments in the Mayan Riviera. But for an unforgettable honeymoon this experience the may be the place for you.
Emma McKnight is travel agent specializing in cruise vacations. View her website at: Cruise With Emma or contact her.
Inspiring Themes for an Unforgettable Wedding
Today, brides from all over the world are looking for wedding ideas that will turn their wedding day from a dream to a reality. Yes, you can have your cake and eat it
too!
So, how do you go from plain, ordinary, same as the Smith's wedding into a wedding you, your fiancé and your family and friends will never forget? Create a theme that is prevalent in every aspect of your wedding! Today, we will start a series on unique, memorable, and fabulous wedding themes and ideas. Whether you are looking for an elegant, black tie affair or you want to throw an all night party bash your friends will enjoy, get ready for some fantastic wedding sensations!
Hollywood Theatre Theme
Do you have a movie you watched over and over with your fiancé? Maybe your movie has become an icon of the love affair you share. Or maybe both you and your fiancé are big movie buffs and just want to play tribute to a movie you love, evidenced through out your wedding theme. Here are some awesome ideas to get you started!
- Design your wedding invitations in the style of a movie ticket. And for added flavor, your RSVP should look like a ticket stub.
- Decorate in red, black, and gold. Think "A Night At the Oscars."
- Your wedding dress, as well as the bridesmaids dresses, should be styled for a red carpet entrance.
- Speaking of red carpet, at the entrance of the isle, decorate with red carpet and gold mark off pole, just like the Oscars.
- Place setting cardholders can look like the clapboards used by directors while filming a movie.
- The Bride and Groom seats can be tagged "Directors Chair- Bride" and "Co- Director- Groom."
- A theatre candy counter/concession stand would be so much fun to re-create! Insert "admit one" tickets into each wedding program, and let the guest present the ticket at the concession counter. The ticket affords them one drink and one favor. Of course, your favors should be boxed candy or candy bars with personalized labels. Or boxes of popcorn, just like at a theater.
- A really wild idea would be popcorn, minus the butter and salt, instead of birdseed.
- Decorate with glamorous flowers, such as calla lilies and big, red or white roses. Or feathers and feather boas make fabulous statements at this themed wedding!
Ok, are you ready to send out the invitations?
Tammy Pleasant is a writer, mother who enjoys writing about marriage, romance, education, 
teens, family life, and anything about raising children. With over 12 years in the wedding business, she is now helping plan her daughter's wedding.
Most couples want to find a thank you wedding gift for their parents, especially if they've helped to fund or plan the wedding. A special Mother's Day shout out really takes it to the next level.
Here are a few simple, sentimental and fun ways to honor your moms at your wedding.
1. Dedicate a song to the mothers amongst your wedding guests. Have your DJ or band play a song like, "In My Life" by The Beatles, "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill or "Song For Mama" by Boyz II Men.
One of our couples had all the mothers stand, and then invited their guests to share a dance with the moms as the song played. It was a huge hit!
2. Give them flowers. Ask your florist to provide a basket of long stemmed roses and have a friend give them to all the moms at the wedding.
3. Make a special dedication to your mom along with a song. Playing a beautiful song can be a powerful way to say, "I love you," but if you ask your entertainer to say a few words about it creates a moment you and your guests will never forget.
One of our grooms asked us to dedicate an Elton John song to his mother. "Mom, this song always makes me think of you playing piano when I got home from school. You were always there for with a smile on your face and a plateful of your famous brownies. Thanks so much for everything. I love you."
Not a dry eye, baby.
4. Play a fun dance and sing along song for the moms. If sappy and sentimental isn't your taste, have your MC invite all the mother's onto the dance floor and lighten it up a bit. Try on "She's a Bad Mama Jama" by Carl Carlton, "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne or "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J.
A little irreverent perhaps, but totally fun.
5. Propose a special toast to your mom or the moms in your life. (You can turn to these mom quotes for inspiration.) Before you raise your glass, regift her the crayon scrawled card or macaroni-covered craft you made for her when you were a kid. She'll love it!
I recently read a blog post written by a new mother. She says that her secret Mother's Day wish...what she really wants more than anything else...is more time with her family.
Give your mom the gift of a little time and acknowledgement at your wedding and she'll treasure it forever. What are you doing for your mom this Mother's Day? Leave a comment and share those wedding ideas!
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