Pre-Wedding Getaway

Honeymoon Getaway

Spacious one & two bedroom suites with whirlpools, fireplaces and full kitchens. Indoor & Outdoor pools, whirlpool, sauna and fitness room. Great Egg Harbor location walking distance to shops, restaurants & attractions.

Newport Resort

7888 Church St., Egg Harbor, WI 54209 920-868-9900 • 800-468-6160 www.newportresort.com

Where memoriesare made.

Casual, Comfortable Elegance Scenic Ceremony Sites Tent Area Available • Indoor Ballroom to 350

1640 Memorial Drive, Sturgeon Bay 920-743-5555 www.thelodgeatls.com PRE-WEDDING GETAWAY

when you need a break

With the stress of planning your wedding, you might feel as if you need a break which is exactly why couples are taking a prehoneymoon!

What is a pre-honeymoon? It can be a weekend getaway or just an overnight stay at a bed and breakfast a couple hours away.

Why do I need a pre-honeymoon? You might feel stressed due to wedding planning, and this can ease that stress by getting away for a couple days to decompress and to come back with a fresh start. It also allows you to rekindle as a couple, rather than constantly planning your wedding.

Where should we go? You could go somewhere abroad, if money permits, or just somewhere a couple hours away. As long as you are together, have a great stress free weekend! You could even just check into a nice hotel and get pampered for the night. This will keep your stress level down as you are relaxing!

You could also go somewhere that’s sentimental to you as a couple, including where he proposed, or where you went on your first date. The purpose of the prehoneymoon is to unwind and connect as a couple, and taking a pre-honeymoon is just the ticket!

Travel deals can pop up at anytime, and there are many websites that you can use to find the best deal for your travel plans. You can also utilize the coupon applications for getaways with your special someone, and this is sometimes the cheapest way to travel! B

LOCAL DESTINATIONS

Get Out of Town!

Luckily, you don’t have to hop on a plane to get the wonderful benefits of a destination wedding or elopement. Often times, you can have it all right in your own backyard! By turning to a local destination like Door County, a spot just a few hours from your hometown, you can enjoy the thrill of a true get-away with all the convenience of being close to home.

SMART SPENDING

Money on your mind? Costs may be lower outside of the city, or you might find you get more bang for your buck. Regardless, a local destination will always be more affordable than getting married in a place that’s a plane ride away. Plus, if most of your guests live within driving distance, it will be more convenient and cost-effective for them, too. A destination wedding that’s within a few hours of home allows busy guests, especially families with small children, to come and go as needed or desired.

SMALLER CELEBRATIONS

A local destination wedding also lends itself to a smaller affair. If you’re looking to invite only a small group of close family or friends, or even keep things family-only, a local destination opens up the possibility of an entire wedding weekend, as opposed to just one night. If you do invite guests to spend the weekend celebrating with you, be sure to consider entertainment along the way. Make a guide for them, or include information on your wedding website of places to go, things to eat, and sights to see.

It’s always ‘wedding season’ at Stone Harbor Resort, regardless of the time of year!

December or May, big or small, afternoon or evening, traditional or decidedly not. Whatever your preference, the staff at Stone Harbor Resort will help you make your dream a reality.

Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center

107 North 1st Avenue • Sturgeon Bay (920) 746-0700 www.stoneharbor-resort.com

DESTINATIONS NEAR YOU

If you like the idea of a local destination wedding but don’t know where to start, begin by researching hotels and resorts near you. Everyone who travels to spend your wedding weekend with you will require a hotel stay anyway, so hosting the entire celebration at a hotel would be an easy way to approach the wedding planning. Chances are you’ll be able to find a hotel or resort that offers everything you need, right on site. Some resorts even have restaurants, spas, salons, and other amenities to keep you and your guests wedding ready, well fed, and plenty entertained.

Looking for a local destination wedding Door County? Check out our favorites on the preceding pages or visit premierbride.com for more information. B

L Cali, Columbia

For newlyweds in search of salsa dancing, lush landscapes & exciting flavors

Sunset looking at the Farallones Mountains in Cali, Colombia, South America. Photo by Novide / Shutterstock

Colombia is just 2.5 hours from Miami, or 3.5 hours from Houston. It also lands in a U.S. time zone, so jet-lag is virtually nonexistent. Peak travel season spans from early June to late September.

A BIT ABOUT CALI

Santiago de Cali, Cali for short, is Colombia’s third-largest city by population and secondlargest by area. It’s the capital of the Valle del Cauca department and the only major Colombian city with access to the Pacific Coast. Cali is known by the rest of Colombia as the Rhumba Capital, but the world calls it the Salsa Capital, thanks to its signature street parties and dance.

THE SALSA CAPITAL

Salsa is the perfect dance for honeymooners. With salsa, you get to cozy up, move together in rhythm, and have incredible amounts of fun in the process. When you’re dancing together in a foreign country, it’s as good as dancing like nobody’s watching. After all, you’ll never see these folks again, so why not give it a whirl?

Going out on the town at night to salsa clubs is the best way to experience this tradition. You can even book private salsa lessons during the day, then dance with the locals at night. The Juanchito area is a solid destination, with plenty of places to get your feet moving. Just remember, whenever going out at night, to exercise some caution and always be aware of your surroundings.

FOR THE ANIMAL LOVERS

If you love nature and animals, a great place to start is the Zoológico de Cali, recognized by many as one of the best zoos in all of South America. As the zoo focuses on wildlife found in Colombia, here you can see a wide array of exotic animals that you’d otherwise only find in the Amazon. For a more intimate interaction with some of nature’s creatures, visit the Andoke Butterfly Farm. The farm is more of a garden, thoughtfully and beautifully curated to attract all manner of butterflies and tropical bird species.

ART & MUSEUMS

If your passions intersect at “art” and “cats,” the Parque de Los Gatos is the spot for you. It’s a public space centered around a three-ton bronze cat sculpture created by artist Hernando Tejada. The park now boasts many cat sculptures by other artists. Walking through the lovely green space, taking in the scenery and many unique works of art, would be a nice way to spend an hour or so in Cali.

Cat sculptures not your thing? If you’re at all fascinated by historic planes, trains, and automobiles, the Museo Aereo Fenix, the aviation and transportation museum, is a fun destination. The Museo de Arte Colonial is attached to the Merced cathedral and highlights colonial religious art. The Museo Arqueológico displays preColombian artifacts created by the Indigenous people. The Museo de Oro is all about gold, and the Museo de Arte Moderno La Tertulia features modern art, photography, and sculpture.

Many Haciendas, homes that belonged to former sugar barons, are now also open as museums. Here, you’ll learn the process of cultivating sugar while also enjoying the beauty of a historic home. Hacienda Cañas Gordas is located on Cali’s southern border and is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the colonial homes.

EXPLORING THE LANDSCAPE

Hiking is another way to spend the day and get a lay of the land. In Cali, hike the Cerro de las Tres Cruces, three crosses that sit high in the

mountains overlooking the city. Hiking up to the crosses is a popular outdoor activity, even for the locals, and the views are spectacular. The hike will be most crowded on weekends, so start early in the day. The steep ascent will take about an hour.

You can also spend the day splashing in the refreshing waters of the Pance River. Pance Eco Park, near the bottom of the river, features restaurants and amenities. Located about 25 minutes from Cali, the park can get crowded on the weekends, so better to go during the week to avoid the crowds.

If you’re willing to drive about two hours from the Cali city center, you can explore landscapes like the San Cipriano River Natural Reserve where you can tube down the river to a small village tucked in the jungle. Also about two hours away is Lake Calima, an artificial lake with many outdoor activities, such as nature walks, bird watching, horseback riding, kayaking, kite surfing, and more.

A BIT OF HISTORY

A visit to the Cristo Rey statue, reminiscent of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer, is a must. The statue is smaller than the Redeemer, but the views of Cali from the statue are magnificent.

Spend some time in the Barrio San Antonio, Cali’s historic center. This is the oldest part of the city and home to quaint and trendy cafés, colonial architecture, quality restaurants and bars, and lots to explore. Here you’ll also find the Iglesia de San Antonio, located atop a hill with a striking view of the city and a nice surrounding park. Other churches worth visiting include Iglesia de la Ermita, also located in the historic district, and Iglesia de la Merced, a beautiful colonial cathedral and Cali’s oldest church.

THINGS TO EAT

Part of the fun of traveling to a place like Colombia is experiencing the local cuisine. Sancocho de gallina is a famous staple of the region. It’s a rich soup made from chicken broth and meat, served with rice, corn, yucca, fried plantains, avocado, and spicy peppers. Similar to Spanish paella, arroz atollado is a dish that perfectly captures the flavors of Colombia. It’s made up of rice, potatoes, pork, chicken, and sometimes sausage, seasoned with spices like coriander, pepper, and cumin.

If you come across local tamales or empanadas, you can never go wrong. The tamales are made with corn dough and filled with a mix of meat and veggies, typically wrapped in a banana leaf and served with patacones. Empanadas caleñas are also made with corn dough and filled with meat, potatoes, onion, and garlic, then are deep-fried before they’re ready to devour.

Aborrajados are a tasty dessert, perfect for the cheese lovers. With a plantain crust, aborrajados are filled with a heaping portion of white cheese that melts to gooey deliciousness when deepfried. Another favorite dessert of the region is manjar blanco, a sort-of pudding made from milk, brown sugar, rice, and cinnamon.

Colombia is also home to many fruits that we don’t see stateside. Chontaduro is one such fruit, hard to describe but worth a taste. Lulo is another fruit with a very specific flavor, typically enjoyed as a raw fruit or as a juice. Lulada is a refreshing drink that combines the local lulo fruit with ice, sugar, water, and sometimes booze.

However you spend your time in Cali—salsa dancing, hiking, or sampling the cuisine—this city gives adventurous honeymooners the chance to live like a local and make memories to last a lifetime. B

BRIDAL SHOWS MADE EASY

the best of your time and effort

Bridal shows can sometimes be overwhelming but with a little planning, they can save you money, provide outstanding ideas and let you sample tasty treats! Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of your local bridal show.

Dress For The Occasion

Wear comfortable shoes! You’re going to be walking quite a bit. You don’t want to leave early because your achy feet give you no other choice.

Bring Labels

Print up labels with your name, address, wedding date and possibly email address. This will save you a lot of time when you sign up for all the prizes usually given out at shows. Plus, the information will be legible.

For tickets and more info: ElegantOccasions.net/SignsOfLove

Sept. 25, 2022 11am-2pm

at Central WI Convention & Expo Center

The Wausau area’s longest running bridal show, celebrating love for over 20 years!

All day bridal fashion show by:

Timing

If you’re trying to get a great seat for a fashion show, arriving early can make sense. If they have two fashion shows, the second is usually much less crowded. If there’s no urgent reason to arrive when it opens, then consider a later time to avoid possible lines.

Plan In Advance

First of all, you need to have a budget planned so you have a general idea of what you’ll be spending on each product and service for your wedding. Know what is most important to you, and where you might be willing to have a little flexibility on the cost versus items that you’re not as passionate about.

There is usually a floor map available at larger shows. If there’s a specific service or vendor you want to talk to, make sure you know where their booths are located so you don’t miss them.

Visit Here First

Some service providers can only do one or two events a day. These providers can include videographers, DJ’s, banquet facilities, decorators, photographers and consultants. Plan to spend at least half the time with these types of vendors. One of your first questions should be if your wedding date is available.

Bring Your Calendar

If interested, make an appointment for a follow-up consolation after the show. If they offer a show special, ask if that special would carry over to the appointment date. Vendors want to talk to you but they also need to respond to other couples at the show as well.