Ensemble Destination Vows 2016 by Torrisi Design Associates

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HOT in 2016 A Charleston Wedding Vow Renewal in Fiji

Dear Brides and Bridegrooms, Planning a wedding means making a lot of choices – the location, the dress, the flowers, etc. With so much to choose from, planning the perfect destination wedding and a dreamy honeymoon can be overwhelming. As your Ensemble® DestinationVows specialist, I can help you plan a unique, meaningful, and incredibly romantic escape. THE CONVENIENCE Having only one person plan your destination wedding and travel

arrangements for your friends and family is so much simpler IT’S STRESS FREE Let me handle the stress, allowing you more time to enjoy the moment. THE CONFIDENCE Put your mind at ease knowing your destination wedding plans and

requests will be managed in a professional and timely manner. THE DV CONNECTION Through my membership in Ensemble Travel Group, I have great ®

working relationships with hoteliers and on-site wedding coordinators. MY PASSION I truly care about planning your wedding and will be with you every step

of the way. This issue of Ensemble® DestinationVows is loaded with tips, trends, and stories of real destination weddings and inspiration for creating the most unforgettable event! Whether you’re eloping, celebrating with just a few loved ones, or inviting everyone along for the ride … I’ll make planning your big event a piece of cake. Best Wishes, Agency name Your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist

In this issue 3

2016 Destination Wedding Trends New ideas for your special day

Saying “I do” in Barbados The perfect locale for beach and history lovers

The Bahamas Out Islands Unique and secluded islands provide the ultimate destination wedding

Aruba: One Happy Island Find romance and adventure on this Dutch Caribbean island

A Charmed Wedding in Charleston A country-at-heart couple share the details of their southern outdoor wedding

Picking Your Wedding Destination Helpful advice for choosing the perfect location

Destination Wedding Checklist A handy list to keep your wedding planning on track

Saying I Do again in a destination like no other: Fiji! A couple renew their vows on the blissful island of Fiji

You’ll Never Walk Alone A travel-savvy couple get married in Jamaica

© Ensemble Travel® Group. All rights reserved. 2016 Ensemble Travel® Group. Ensemble DestinationVows , is a proprietary trademark of Ensemble Travel® Group. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise duplicated without written permission of the publisher. Ensemble DestinationVows is published once a year on behalf of Ensemble Travel® Group member agencies. TM

LET US SHOW YOU OUR

ROMANTIC SIDE. Delta Vacations offers luxurious resorts in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawai’i and Las Vegas to help make your wedding perfect. You can select from a complimentary destination wedding package or upgrade to a more elaborate one. Your guests can save up to $225 per booking on packages of $699 or more. Plus, you will receive up to $100 back for each guest booking, up to the total cost of your wedding reservation. Delta Vacations, the official vacation provider of Delta Air Lines®, gives you the benefits, flexibility and service to truly own your wedding experience.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ENSEMBLE® DESTINATION VOWS SPECIALIST.

2016 DESTINATION WEDDING TRENDS by Nancy Hellmrich

If you haven’t seen a lot of splashy news about big celebrity weddings lately that’s because today’s love-struck couples are opting for simpler, more intimate ceremonies set in astonishingly photogenic locales. When it comes to the accompanying fashion, food, and ambiance, individuality is even more in vogue than last year, which makes chasing the latest trends a wild ride indeed.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

2016

DESTINATION WEDDING TRENDS

Walter Peak Station, New Zealand Photo courtesy of Jim Pollard Goes Click

Extreme Photo-Centricity is In

Luzern, Switzerland Photo courtesy of Jim Pollard Goes Click

Imagine a timeless portrait of a besotted couple, captured at just the right moment, in just the right place with nary another soul around. Caught in quiet embrace atop an Icelandic cliff, overlooking a sapphire sea. Emerging from a tiny chapel with bright, white walls that stand in stark contrast against an impossibly blue sky. The gentle blur of whiteclad bodies racing barefoot across pure white sand and into a turquoise surf. A groom whispering sweet nothings to his sweetheart in the midst of a private vineyard. Giddy lovebirds stealing kisses on the cobbled streets of an Old World city. Newlyweds silhouetted against a fiery sunset in the radiant Arabian dunes.

Perhaps thanks to popular photo apps such as Instagram, high-end destination photography is the secret to today’s most enviable nuptials. To ensure their wedding memories are worthy of a Parisian museum or, at the very least, a haute gallery in the artsy part of town, modern couples are carving off a larger slice of their budgets to spring for professional destination-wedding photographers who are renowned for their breathtaking portfolios and exclusive reputations. While candid shots of your big day are always part of the package, iconic images that exaggerate the awe-inspiring scale of your wedding location are today’s pièce de résistance.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland

“You Do You” Dresses for the Bride

Personal Branding for Power Couples The intense focus on iconic wedding photography fits hand-in-hand with the modern inclination to give our blessed unions a business-like twist. In a world obsessed with mission statements and core values, fairytale love affairs and happily ever after are giving way to cool, calculated mergers between two formidable personal brands. If the Beckhams and Kardashian-Wests can do it, so can you. Merger-minded couples are even hiring personal brand specialists to help them sort through their values and beliefs to form a cohesive vision of their future together. Done right, the result is a combined brand that highlights the best in both of you equally and provides a north star that you can follow throughout your marriage. From there, the wedding planner takes over and your new, united raison d’être is introduced to the world in a carefully planned campaign that strikes an authentic emotional chord with colleagues, family, and friends.

This year’s bridal fashion week supported the “be who you are” theme with a breadth and depth of statement styles that ranged from dreamy to downright shocking. We saw bohemian glam from Naeem Khan, fairylike fantasy from Reem Acra, romantic stunners from Marchesa, seductive numbers from Inbal Dror, mod glam from Houghton, and a blue hydrangea floral gown from Romona Keveza that left the fashion show crowd positively breathless. Vera Wang raised more than one eyebrow with ethereal models dressed in barely there lingerie-style gowns. Design trends included gorgeous arrays of 3D floral appliques, butterflies, swirls, or soft, white feathers; deep-V necklines that plunged even further than last year, thigh-high side slits, and sheer overskirts that invited doubletakes from the front row. Enduring themes included elegant, silk pants suits; youthful crop tops; LWDs (little white dresses) in mini-shift or fit-and-flare; as well as blush colored fabrics, stone-washed hues, and watercolor prints.

Courtesy of Inbal Dror, 2016 collection www.inbaldror.com

When it came to hair and makeup the consensus was effortless, flushed, and dewy. Perhaps the most talked about trend was the striking white eyeliner on Marchesa’s models. Other beauty tricks included pink shadow beneath the eyes; smoky lids with ink-black liner smudged to a morning-after look; metallic wet-look lids; and ombré or just-bitten lips. Hairstyles ranged from loose, free-spirited locks and chunky braids with jeweled accents to swept back ballerina chignons and top knots adorned with paper-thin, white butterflies.

Courtesy of Romona Keveza, 2016 collection

Photo courtesy of Jim Pollard Goes Click

Courtesy of Reem Acra, 2016 collection

Courtesy of Houghton, 2016 collection

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

2016

DESTINATION WEDDING TRENDS

Left & above: Courtesy of Dior, Fall 2015

Left, above & below: Courtesy of Dolce&Gabbana

Rebellious Accessories For Men Today’s grooms are foregoing posh tuxedos and morning suits and opting instead for individual expressions of personal fashion sense. Even formal suits are being softened with a disheveled hairstyle or stand-out statement accessories such as custom cufflinks, streamlined ankle boots, pocket watch chains, and designer sunglasses. If there is one clear recommendation for grooms from the fashion industry this year it’s, “Invest in a vest.” Waistcoats in coordinated or contrasting fabrics are all the rage. On the runway, designs for the modern three-piece featured muted hues, classic fits, and lavish materials. Big names such as Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli offered suave black or grey suits with contrasting lapels, decorative cuffs, or sophisticated patterns – jacquard, crowns, or bees – that gave them a fashion-forward edge. Dior channeled the high finance crowd with sharply tailored jackets, matching waistcoats, and Bond-like bowties. Versace’s sleek, blue, power suits featured finely woven fabric that positively shined beneath the runway lights.

Beloved Traditions & Anti-Trends For some, a blissful union begins with the embrace of cherished family traditions. The good news is, more enlightened resorts are offering faith-based and culture-savvy wedding packages that feature time-honored ceremonies designed to make even the most conservative grandparents proud. On the nouveau front, changes in marriage equality laws have brought LGBT couples into the spotlight and resorts are getting in on the fun with special ceremonies designed just for them. An emphasis on STEM learning is giving self-professed “geeks” a reason to celebrate with quirky ceremonies designed to dampen the eyes of even the most stoic physics majors. And hipsters are still the kings and queens of the anti-trend. Current social sightings sporting the #hipster hashtag include brides in lingerie-look gowns holding bouquets made of succulents or kale; bearded grooms in tweed waistcoats holding court in rustic settings; and eccentric guests sipping artisan cocktails and sampling locally sourced foods.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

To Tech or Not to Tech While a few couples are opting for socially demure “unplugged” celebrations, more and more are embracing tricked out, high-tech affairs that would make even Jack Dorsey and Sheryl Sandberg blush. We’re seeing GoPro® “bride cam” bouquets, Swarovski Crystal Misfit trackers that record your heart rate as you walk down the aisle, and drones that swoop into the venue like paparazzi helicopters, pausing to deliver the rings at just the right moment. Wedding hashtags have evolved beyond simple name combinations to clever phrases that highlight the wedding venue, date, personality quirks, and more. At the reception, crowd-sourced video, photos, and tweets are projected on overhead monitors in real time. Tuxedoed robots are mingling in the crowd, streaming live footage for those who can’t be there in person. And Tylt Energi gadgets keep everyone’s devices charged throughout the day.

Deborah Shields Photography

Popular tech gadgets and tricks include: rings fitted with projection chips, LED light-designed gowns, Ringly text alerts, 3D-printed wedding favors, robot bartenders, selfie sticks, reception charging stations, GIF photo booths, and more. Trendy wedding apps for smart devices include: Periscope, Appy Couple, WeddingMix, WedPics, LiveLens, and Zola Registry – which allows guests to buy you experiences rather than material possessions. ❦

Love in the Time of Foodies With individuality taking center stage this year, thoughtful couples are skipping fixed-menu dinners and going for a wider range of flexible fare featuring free-flowing, miniportions designed to please a variety of tastes and dietary needs. When it comes to ingredients the trend toward fresh, organic foods and locally sourced flavors continues to gain steam. On the dessert table, there’s a clear move away from cupcake arrangements and back to tiered fondant cakes made into tantalizing works of art. As more pastry chefs up their game, we’re seeing delicate filigreed metallic designs; painted cakes that mimic Monet, Renoir, or Van Gogh; theme cakes depicting Swan Lake or A Midsummer Night’s Dream; and 3D-printed decorations that never fail to cause a stir. Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

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Photo Courtesy of Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun

CELEBRATIONS of ENCHANTMENT and LUXURY Discover a world of elegant leisure and unrivaled luxury where everything is included for your health, nourishment, exercise and relaxation — and the magic of romance is taken to dazzling new heights. At Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, you can indulge in all the benefits of Endless Privileges®, and take your experience to new heights by choosing from a collection of romantic wedding, anniversary and honeymoon packages. Spend your special day in a setting of spectacular natural beauty that will make your memory even more perfect. Celebrate your perfect love in perfect place.

Gift of Love Wedding Package

PARTICIPATING PROPERTIES

• The assistance of an on-site wedding coordinator to handle all details

MEXICO

• Room upgrade for the couple (based on availability)

ZOËTRY PARAISO DE LA BONITA RIVIERA MAYA

• Unpacking service and preparation of couple’s wedding day attire • Symbolic Ceremony • Bouquet(s) and/or Boutonniere(s) for wedding couple

ZOËTRY VILLA ROLANDI ISLA MUJERES CANCUN

• Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast for up to 25 guests • Nightly romantic turndown service for the couple

CARIBBEAN

• Complimentary anniversary nights (1 free night when staying a minimum of 4 paid nights over their first anniversary)

ZOËTRY AGUA PUNTA CANA

For more information please contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows specialist. Must book eight rooms for a minimum of three nights each. Package may not be combinable with other promotions or offers. Offers valid on new bookings only. Prices shown are per-person, land only based upon double occupancy, except if expressly noted otherwise. Package and prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may be changed or discontinued at any time without notice. Blackout dates, minimum night stays, minimum stay requirements on air, seasonal surcharges, resort fees (if any), and other restrictions may also apply. Individual offers may require purchase of Travel Smart Plan or travel waiver. Offers are not valid for Group Travel. Some booking and travel dates may vary. Other promotions and departure dates available which may result in a different rate and/or hotel inclusion. Customer is responsible for hotel taxes and fees on the free night offers, where applicable. For those properties where Classic Vacations has access to dynamic pricing rates, those rates will likely fluctuate from time to time based on market conditions and other factors beyond Classic Vacations control. Classic Vacations CST# 2079429-20. 645-1115

Saying “I DO” in

Barbados Barbados has mastered the art of fine living with a

vibrant culture passionate in spirit and full of life. It’s a place where refined luxury and exceptional culinary delights dance and mingle among lush tropical greenery, turquoise blue waters and warm, golden sun. So what better way to start off a new life than to get married in a place that celebrates life so vividly?

Ensemble DestinationVows 2015

BARBADOS HAS ESTABLISHED its own distinct identity with English, African and West Indian roots shown in its customs, traditions, and values passionately expressed through rich history, exceptional cuisine and the artistic talents of its people. I guess you could say that Barbados has it all. For those planning a wedding in Barbados, it’s easy. No advance notice is required, so you can say “I Do” on the day of your arrival if you want, as the law allows an official marriage ceremony to take place as soon as a license is obtained. This is a good option for couples doing a cruise and would like to hop off, get married and then get back on the ship to continue on with their cruise. The country itself is stunning. Barbados offers 60 palm-lined beaches spread over 70 square miles and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year! One of the most popular beaches with wedding couples is Crane Beach, which has consistently been recognized as 1 of the top 10 beaches in the world. The resorts range from moderate to grand in luxury and can fit any couple’s budget and needs.

If a beach wedding is what you are looking for but want something a little more intimate and secluded, perhaps a Villa might be the ideal choice. Barbados has many outstanding villas and this offers the opportunity for couples to celebrate their special day at a home away from home.

To book your Barbados destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist today.

And if you want off the resort to get married and are looking for something different, the island offers a number of unique wedding locations. For religious ceremonies, the island has a number of majestic parish churches and is home to the oldest synagogue in the western hemisphere. For history lovers, how about reciting your vows in a sugar mill, in the shadow of a Light House,

For history

lovers,

how about reciting your vows in a sugar mill, or in the shadow of a Light House, among the cannons of an old fort?

among the cannons of an old fort or at a plantation home surrounded by sugar cane fields? The choices are endless when it comes to getting married in Barbados. Already married and looking for a honeymoon destination? Barbados is a honeymooner’s haven. Imagine, it’s your first time away as a married couple and just the beginning of what is destined to be an enduring adventure. Add in a backdrop of sugar white sand, turquoise waters, lush scenery and the warm ocean breeze, then mix in a little Caribbean rhythm and voilà, the perfect honeymoon getaway filled with memories that will last a lifetime. ❦ Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Bahamas The

Out Islands

Weddings in Paradise

With more than 700 islands and cays, reefs, beaches, parks, botanical gardens and churches, The Bahamas offers endless options for your destination wedding. Picture sapphire-blue skies, turquoise water, pure white or pink-sand beaches and the beautiful, warm people are the perfect setting for your destination wedding. So what else could you be looking for? How about the uniqueness and seclusion of The Out Islands of The Bahamas to truly make it your own? By Liz Scull

THE ABACOS The Abacos are a group of islands and cays that form a 120-mile long chain stretching over 650 square miles. It’s best known as one of the world’s top boating and sailing destinations, but they are also known for their spectacular wedding locations. Great Abaco Island and Little Abaco serve as the ‘mainland’. Marsh Harbor is the lively downtown area, Treasure Cay boasts miles of pristine beach, including one of the top 10 beaches in the world. Elbow Cay and Green Turtle Cay are old English loyalist settlements where you will find beautifully preserved colonial architecture with a touch of Bahamian pastels.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

BIMINI Capture the magic of Bimini in a wedding ceremony that will leave you with memories you wouldn’t make in any other place. Whether you prefer to go with a traditional wedding in a quaint church or on the beach with your toes in the sand, either will provide amazing back drops on the island of Bimini. Choose from a stunning collection of seaside locations to find the ideal beach location that best suits your wedding theme. Whether it’s a small and intimate or big and lavish gathering – Bimini brings to life incredible destination wedding dreams. ❦

EXUMA You will not find a more perfect place than Exuma for your wedding. Miles of gorgeous beaches offer picture-postcard shots with turquoise waters reaching over the horizon behind you. Numerous cays, charming churches and cultural sites provide endless possibilities for couples – all tailored exactly how you want it. One must-see, must-do while in Exuma is swimming with the pigs, an experience that one will not soon forget. ❦

ELEUTHERA Intimate, naturally beautiful, and secluded pink-sand beaches - sound great for a destination wedding? Then Eleuthera is the island for your nuptials. It’s an island of casual sophistication, well-developed resorts, rocky bluffs and massive coral reefs that make it ideal for photo opportunities. It was ranked once as “The Best Island in the Caribbean” by Travel & Leisure magazine and at one time was the capital of The Bahamas. ❦

LONG ISLAND Breathtaking cliffs, brilliant coral reefs and serene beaches – Long Island is home to it all. Dramatic cliffs tower over the eastern shore while the island’s western shore is a bit more tranquil. Wedding couples will find soft pink-and-white sand beaches that gradually slip into peaceful turquoise waters. Long Island is also home to “Dean’s Blue Hole,” the deepest blue hole in the world. ❦

To book your Bahamas destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist today. Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

TIE THE KNOT WITH PRINCESS CRUISES ! SM

CALL YOUR ENSEMBLE ® DESTINATION VOWS SPECIALIST TO TIE THE KNOT SM AT SEA TODAY!

Few things can compare to the anticipation and exhilaration when a couple says “I do” and begins their new life together. And your magical moment should be just that — brimming with enchanting delights, joyous celebrations and picturesque views providing a spectacular backdrop. The Tie the KnotSM program with Princess Cruises can do all that and more.

SAy yeS To yoUr PerFecT DeSTinATion WeDDing SecretS AkumAl rivierA mAyA. – idyllic. Striking. nAture.

This adults-only resort offers a truly magical Unlimited-Luxury® experience starting with 24-hour room service, complimentary WiFi, pool and beach wait service, and more. All 434 elegantly appointed suites, many with stunning ocean views, offer a private furnished balcony or terrace, full bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and separate shower, daily refreshed mini-bar and more that will make your dream destination wedding come to life.

Offering three unique wedding packages, you can choose and customize the one that speaks to you. WeddIng In PArAdIse – FrOM $999 secrets OF lOve – FrOM $2,499 secrets UltIMAte – FrOM $2,999

All Packages Include: Wedding Organization and personal touch of on-site wedding coordinator • Symbolic Ceremony (Service of judge or minister included in Secrets or Love and Secrets Ultimate only) • Preparation and ironing of couple’s wedding day attire • Use of the wedding gazebo or beach for ceremony • Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast • Complimentary room for one member of the wedding couple the night before the wedding (based on availability and upon request) • Newlywed package • Special turn-down service the night of the wedding Late check-out for the couple (based on availability and upon request) • Free first anniversary nights • Bouquet(s) and/or Boutonniere(s) for wedding couple • And more when booking Secrets of Love or Secrets Ultimate!

For more information, please contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows specialist Tours operated by Travel Impressions, Ltd. All weddings, regardless of size, must be booked a minimum of 30 days in advance of the wedding date. Once wedding is confirmed it cannot be canceled within 6 months of the date of the wedding without a fee. For weddings booked within 6 months of the wedding date the wedding cannot be canceled without the penalty. The cancellation penalty is $500. Secrets of Love package in the months of August, September and October of 2016 the package price will be $2,499 USD. All remaining months of 2016 will be the standard package pricing of $2,799 USD. Secrets Ultimate package in the months of August, September and October 2016 the package price will be $2,999 USD. All remaining months of 2016 will be the standard package pricing of $3,299 USD. Information is accurate at time of printing and is subject to changes, exceptions, cancellation charges and restrictions. Not responsible for errors or omissions in the printing of the publication. Travel Impressions materials (including, but not limited to, names, trademark, service marks, logos, marketing materials, etc.) shall not be used, reproduced, transmitted or distributed in any way, except with the express written consent of Travel Impressions. CST #2029006-20, IOWA #758, Washington UBI #602 425 801. MB5059-15_SH_10.29.15.

Aruba

One Happy Island Aruba is a tiny Dutch Caribbean island located off the coast of Venezuela. The island has a somewhat European influence that shows in both its architecture and even the language with English, Dutch and Spanish spoken alongside Papiamento – the local language. Aruba is famous for its divi-divi trees, a tree that slopes southwesterly due to the constant trade winds that breeze over the island.

THINKING ABOUT A DESTINATION WEDDING? Aruba is a dream destination for weddings. The island sits in beautiful crystal-blue waters of the southern Caribbean, below the hurricane belt which makes it home to year-round 82-degree weather. That is almost a guarantee for a beautiful sunny wedding day! Imagine getting married – barefoot in the white sand surrounded by your family and closest friends. After the ceremony, you and your guests enjoy a wedding dinner, drinks and dancing the night away. Your dream wedding can become reality with a variety of resort choices that will suit your style and budget. From snorkeling to horse-back riding to shopping, there are activities for every one of your guests in Aruba. In the days leading up to your wedding, the bridal party can spend a relaxing afternoon at the spa while your guests try their hands at paddle boarding. The groomsmen can play a round of golf or do some deep-sea fishing. As the sun goes down, everyone can meet for dinner and talk about their adventures of the day.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

The only requirement for a legal marriage in Aruba is a simple civil ceremony at Aruba’s Town Hall. After that, couples can have a religious or non-denominational blessing wherever they want – on the beach, in a garden gazebo or atop a picturesque vista. Aruba is one romantic island, surrounded in warmth and love. What couple couldn’t fall in love with stretches of whitesand beaches, swaying palms, secluded coves and absolutely spectacular sunsets that this one happy island has to offer? Relax and toast to your love on a luxury sunset sail; have a romantic dinner or enjoy a couple’s massage on the beach. For couples looking for a little more adventure, there’s tandem parasailing, snorkeling, and kitesurfing; or hike to a secluded cove in Arikok National Park and just enjoy the view. For total relaxation, alabaster beaches and gentle seas have always been good for the soul. ❦

Couples can do it all or do simply nothing at all. Aruba is the perfect place for romance.

To book your Aruba destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble速 DestinationVows Specialist today. Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

A Charmed Wedding in Charleston by Alice Whitney Stroh

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Wedding photos: Roger Kirby Photography

How They Met Like many modern-day couples, David and Jennifer Gomez fell in love after meeting through an online dating website. They spent time chatting and getting to know each other, and bonded over their shared love of tattoos, music, and fitness. Jennifer describes their first date as a “disaster:” She was running late (she was coming from a work event and pushed back the time twice!), for their date at Tinto, a Spanish restaurant in Philadelphia, but David patiently waited for her. When Jennifer finally arrived, she was really nervous but pleased to find that David was just as handsome in person as he was in his online dating profile. Despite Jennifer’s nerves, the date went better than either of them could have pictured: They spent the entire evening talking until they were the last patrons left and the restaurant staff started cleaning around them! David was smitten with Jennifer’s nervous charm, and Jennifer was so enamored by David’s laughter and stories that when he insisted on walking her back to her car, she accidentally led him two blocks from where she actually parked. David asked her to go out on a second date and the rest is history. It’s no wonder that David and Jennifer make such a great match, as they both have energetic personalities and share the same passions for fitness and helping others. Jennifer is a social worker and certified fitness instructor who loves country music, fitness, and making a difference in people’s lives. David loves good weather, whiskey, and skirt steak. He works as a psychologist by day and spends his evenings at Daddis practicing muy thai, kickboxing and jiu jitsu.

The Proposal It was a Friday night, and David and Jennifer were home in their Philadelphia apartment. David was starting to make dinner and turned on some country music to set the mood. Jennifer joined David in the kitchen and they began to dance as the music played. When their favorite song “Hard to Love” by Lee Brice started to play, David took Jennifer into their second bedroom. He pulled a small red box from the closet and turned to her. As he got down on one knee, he told Jennifer, “So I talked to your dad today...” Neither one remembers exactly what he said, but they both heard Jennifer say, “uh huh” through tears of joy. They spent the evening calling friends and family to tell them the fantastic news!

The Wedding Jennifer and David decided to forgo the stress of planning a large, expensive wedding in Philadelphia, and instead say “I do” where Jennifer’s parents fell in love 30 years ago: Charleston, South Carolina. Her father had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and choosing Charleston as the wedding locale was also a way to honor her parents. They also wanted their family and friends to enjoy the southern charms of this beautiful city. The day before the wedding, guests were invited to David and Jennifer’s rental home on Folly Beach for a southern-style “grill and chill.” The couple’s family and friends enjoyed starting the celebrations early and relaxing before the big day.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

One of Jennifer’s favorite moments from the ceremony was walking down the aisle with her father.

On May 4, 2015, David and Jennifer tied the knot in

an outdoor ceremony on the Schoolhouse Pond Lawn of the gorgeous and renowned Magnolia Plantation & Gardens. It was a perfect, sunny spring day as David’s sister-in-law officiated their wedding ceremony in front of an intimate group of 35 guests, who enjoyed the colorful fans handed out before the ceremony. The couple’s niece and nephew led the procession as sign bearers, followed by Jennifer’s maid of honor, her sister Jamie, and David’s best man, his younger brother. One of Jennifer’s favorite moments from the ceremony was walking down the aisle with her father. (She was so overcome with emotions and started to tear up, so she started talking to her father about gopher holes to keep from crying). Jennifer melted when David pulled out a paper with the vows he wrote, and looked at her like she was his entire world. David will never forget how he felt seeing his bride for the first time … and spotting her cowboy boots underneath her wedding dress!

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

The Reception After the heartfelt ceremony, guests were invited to enjoy a cocktail hour on the deck of the Greenhouse Conservatory. (As their bartender’s sign read, “Alcohol! Because no great love story ever started with a salad”). Guests were enchanted by the grand cypress trees and café lighting as the sun began to set and the DJ started to spin. Inside the conservatory, dinner tables were set amidst a magical array of tropical flora that guests could meander through. After some dancing (and cocktails), Jennifer and David’s guests were treated to some traditional low country cuisine: grits, mac & cheese, and other southern comfort food favorites, followed by a variety of specialty cupcakes for dessert. Full and happy, David and Jennifer continued to dance the night away with their family and friends under the starry sky.

The Honeymoon

Guests were enchanted by the grand cypress trees and café lighting as the sun began to set and the DJ started to spin.

For their honeymoon, Jennifer and David rented a house on Folly Beach, which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Charleston. “We adored Folly Beach!” says Jennifer. “The beach was really clean, and there was a great little main street that was walkable and had cute shops.” They brought their dog, Ollie, along for the wedding and honeymoon, so they really enjoyed being able to bring him to the Lost Dog Café near their beach house. When they weren’t relaxing on the beach, David and Jennifer enjoyed walking along The Battery in downtown Charleston and admiring the gorgeous scenery and stately antebellum homes. Charleston is famed for its low country cuisine, and the health and fitness power couple didn’t shy away from indulging. (David says he’ll never forget the amazing chicken & waffles he had on their honeymoon). They loved the food at Kitchen 208, an outdoor restaurant right on lower King Street featuring fresh, casual fare and local craft beers. Since they love sweets, they also couldn’t resist Belgian Gelato, a favorite among both tourists and locals. After the hustle and bustle of the wedding, Jennifer and David were happy to spend their honeymoon days relaxing on the beach and exploring historic Charleston. “I’ll never forget being on the beach, just the two of us, the day after our wedding,” says Jennifer. “I couldn’t stop staring at our wedding rings! We were so happy to be married and enjoying a destination we love as husband and wife.” ❦

To book your destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist today. Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

ROMANTIC

SAILING ADVENTURES Star Clippers offers an idyllic combination of adventure and romance on board a true tall ship in a relaxed atmosphere with highest standards of service provided by our outstanding crew. Newlyweds can celebrate their wedded bliss in the ultimate romantic setting while sailing to gorgeous unique locales worthy of this once of a lifetime milestone. Is there any destination more romantic than Venice? Star Clippers and our 7 night itineraries out of Venice in August and September are the perfect combination for your Romantic Voyage of a Lifetime.

Star Clipper Summer 2016 Sailings

7 Nights from Venice starting at

$1,610pp

For more information please contact your Ensemble速 DestinationVows specialist.

Picking Your Wedding Destinati� You’ve fallen in love with the idea of getting married abroad, but now the big question is where?

by Miranda Bukowicki

is easy to become overwhelmed with the choices, as you have now opened up so many amazing possibilities. You are in the position to choose a location that makes your heart flutter; perhaps it is barefoot on a beach, on ship deck while sailing the open ocean, in the heart of a rainforest or maybe even at a historical castle, your options are literally endless. Before you start to go crazy with researching locations, let’s talk about your vision. Are you looking for a very simple wedding or are you wanting to pull off an elaborate affair? Do you have any specific religious ceremony or cultural traditions that need to be incorporated? Do you want your ceremony to be legal, or would you consider a symbolic ceremony with your civil ceremony held in the United States? Anything that is on the “must have” list needs to be considered at this point, as certain destinations may be better suited to accommodate your needs than others. The next thing to consider is your guest list. If you are inviting a large group of people and hoping to have most of them attend, you want to consider making this a destination that is easy to get to and presents great value. This is where the popularity of all-inclusive resorts comes into play, convenience and value all rolled together will be very appealing to your guests. If your vision is more geared towards getting married in a vineyard in Italy, you will need to expect that your group will be much more intimate in size. Now comes the “B” word …. Budget. The great thing about destination weddings is that there is truly something for every budget, but your dollar will take you further in some

destinations than others. If budget is a concern then considering an all-inclusive resort in a more popular area would be your best bet. For example, generally you will get more bang for your buck in Mexico vs. Turks and Caicos simply due to supply and demand. The more flight frequency there is to a destination, and the more hotel rooms they have to sell, will result in more options to fit your budget. In terms of wedding costs, you will also find holding your ceremony and reception onsite at your resort to be of great value, and many times (depending on your group size) there will be extra perks such as the bride and groom staying free, room upgrades, free private functions and more. The last point I want to mention is, to consider how much time during your holiday you want to spend with your guests all in one location. If you are considering a destination such as Europe, you can expect that many people will make various travel arrangements on their own to customize their trip and only spend a few days with you at your chosen wedding location. If you prefer to be in an environment where everyone is spending quality time together over the course of a week, then a resort or cruise setting would be ideal for you. Friends and family mean well when they offer their suggestions or opinions, but at the end of the day it is important that you stay true to your vision. Always remember that it is really all about you as a couple and one of the most important days of your lives. The best tip is to follow your heart and the rest will fall into place. ❦

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Destinati� Wedding Checklist

Planning a wedding can be trying at the best of times, but throw in an unfamiliar wedding destination and then add the many tasks that lay ahead of you and it can become somewhat overwhelming to say the least.

HERE’S A CHECKLIST WITH TIMELINES THAT WILL HELP MANAGE YOUR TIME BETTER

9-12 MONTHS

before wedding • Determine your budget, including any wedding related costs, travel expenses and your accommodations. Many couples are also concerned about what their guests will be paying and will sometimes determine a guest budget as well. • Contact an Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist to help plan the big event. • Choose a wedding destination and resort. • Choose a wedding date. • Choose your wedding location (the earlier, the better, as locations book up quickly). • Choose your wedding party. • Create a guest list. • Send out a save-the-date notice to guests. • Block rooms and airseats. • Create a honeymoon registry.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

6-9 MONTHS

before wedding • Shop for a wedding dress. • If possible, visit your wedding resort. • Send out formal wedding invitation with details. • Confirm rooms and airseats required. • Confirm your wedding ceremony location, if not already done. • Confirm dinner/reception area with the resort. • Launch a wedding website. • Select wedding package/style. Discuss any add-ons you want to include or customize the wedding package with your own personal style. • Choose an Officiant. • Book a photographer. • Select attire for your wedding party. • Research excursions for your wedding group.

4-6 MONTHS

before wedding • Finalize food menu, décor, flowers, cake, etc. • Confirm hair and make-up appointments on wedding day. • Make sure passports are in order. • Purchase wedding rings.

2-4 MONTHS

before wedding • Plan welcome party and rehearsal dinner (if required). • Prepare welcome letter for your guests. • Purchase items for welcome bags. • Confirm honeymoon plans.

MONTH

before wedding • Write your vows. • Finalize wedding ceremony. • Create any signs needed.

On A�ival

at your wedding resort • Meet with the resort’s wedding coordinator, go over wedding details and an inspection of your ceremony location and reception sites. • Apply for marriage license (sometimes this can be done ahead of time, ask your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist for details).

The Wedding Day • Deliver wedding gift to your fiancé. • Have the time of your life … it’s your wedding day!

• Do blood tests (if required).

WEEKS

• Create welcome bags for guests and drop them off. • If required, get your wedding dress steamed.

before wedding • Re-confirm flight and hotel booking. • Review and confirm wedding details. • Create a seating chart and place cards. • Create wedding program for guests.

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

H e, y y r p ib ıty to each oth

There is no more romantic way to begin creating memories together than aboard our luxury small ships. In addition to our all-inclusive culture, take advantage of the m/s Paul Gauguin’s complimentary honeymoon package—or upgrade to a special honeymoon package that will make your idyllic celebration even more memorable. Save 50% off standard cruise fares plus enjoy included airfare from Los Angeles.

For more information please contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows specialist

TAHITI FRENCH POLYNESIA SOUTH PACIFIC

m/s Paul Gauguin

Ensemble DestinationVows 2015

Fiji!

Saying I DO again in a destination like no other:

by Jennifer Cox

hen Andrew proposed to his then-girlfriend Laura 20 years ago, he was never expecting to be whisked off to exotic Fiji for a surprise vow renewal with his soul mate two decades later.

Laura had recently been to Namale Fiji resort on a business trip and knew, after seeing the exquisite property and meeting with the extraordinary people,

that this was the perfect place to say “I do” all over again. “Originally this was a surprise for my husband – I had thought about when he had originally proposed to me on his birthday and he said the most important thing he could ever ask for was to get married to me,” she said. “That was 20 years ago and I wanted to give back. And what a romantic destination it is!”

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Andrew had originally taken the helm of planning their wedding way back when so, to mark his 50th birthday, Laura wanted to make it extra special. “I told him I was going to surprise him with a trip but I made him wait for the longest time to know where… a month prior to his birthday I told him we were going to Fiji and he was very excited,” she said.

“ 20 years ago you asked me to marry you and you’ve been such a great man, I wanted to ask to marry you on your birthday.”

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

Laura had arranged with the Namale Fiji to have a surprise renewal of vows a few days after they arrived. “It’s such a special place – they’re all so ‘to the heart.’ I thought it would match what I was trying to bring in emotion and the true feeling of what I wanted to happen. It was the right people and place. All of their people come and sing a welcome song, and right off the bat you feel like family. They put you in a golf cart and take you to your unit. And this whole time my husband is thinking, ‘What is this all about?’ He thought his birthday surprise was the villa, a fabulous villa where the first thing you see is the water and it’s a free-form layout over the ocean, but he didn’t know what was really in store for our trip. It was wonderful because the owner happened to be there when we arrived and he saw my husband’s excitement and it was

the joy of this place that just blew him away,” she said, crying. It was a few days later and Andrew’s birthday was approaching, and he was still completely unaware of the renewal of vows. “So I said to him one afternoon, ‘20 years ago you asked me to marry you and you’ve been such a great man, I wanted to ask to marry you on your birthday.’ And he looked at me like, ‘No, you’re kidding.’ So I said, ‘I would really like to remarry so I’m asking you, would you marry me?’ And he started to cry and said, ‘Of course.’” Laura wore a very simple white dress and the resort had made flowers for her head. The vow renewal was much like that of a traditional Fijian wedding, and it took place in a cavern on the resort’s grounds near a waterfall. “The whole village showed up and the choir from their local church sang in the cavern – their singing sounded like angels. The water was pouring down. It was the most phenomenonal thing,” the formerbride gushed. “Andrew couldn’t believe what was going on. It was emotional and spiritual, everything I planned it to be and more.”

reconnecting,

It was about us

Originally Laura wasn’t going to hire a photographer. “It was about the moment and it just being he and I, but the photographer happened to be the manager’s daughter – she was 16 and great,” she said. “Some of these pictures are amazing!”

and I knew Fiji was the place.

The Namale Fiji will set up different dinners at different spots on the resort that are completely private, so Laura arranged for a dinner that was set up over the ocean and included a hot tub. “Every night after that you could have a dinner on the beach or cavern, so I set up all these private things for us,” Laura said. “It was amazing.” They also experienced a lot of local culture. “The minister invited us up to the village area in the mountains, so we went up there and gave a donation to the community,” she explained. “We also brought things for the kids, and we got to see more about how their people lived. We went to church there as well.” In the end, Laura and Andrew revelled in the reconnection that they felt, not only to each other but to their destination, which welcomed them with open arms and hearts. It was an experience she has trouble fully articulating. “This was done for the true value of love and respect and going forward in our lives. It was about us reconnecting, and I knew Fiji was the place. Their people are all about family and community. The vow renewal came from a simple experience in the beginning of my life and here we are, 20 years later, bringing it to a place that represented the soul of what I wanted to create for us going forward. I don’t know … It’s hard to talk about the whole experience because it’s the feeling in your heart.” ❦

To book your Fijian destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist today. Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

You’ll Never Walk Alone THE WEDDING AND HONEYMOON ADVENTURES OF ANN & JOE BULAK

by Nancy Hellmrich

Twilight glistened over Jamaica’s Negril Bay as Ann & Joe Bulak wrapped themselves in each other’s arms and danced to the ethereal music floating through the air. “I have loved you for a thousand years,” promised Christina Perri’s smooth, sure vocals, “I’ll love you for a thousand more.” It was a bold vow but nothing new for this modern couple who like to savor everything life has to offer … and then some. Photos: Justin Tinapay Photography

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

The

BEGINNING

Joe says it was love at first sight when he met Ann, a Sensory Scientist who studies “liking” and “perception” for a flavors company. Joe was starting a new job as a Beverage Scientist for the same group. It was his birthday and he was in the mood for auspicious events. The following spring, he mustered the courage to ask Ann on a date. A happy-go-lucky couple from the word go, Ann and Joe spent their dating years socializing with friends, traveling, and watching soccer. Joe had played for University of Hartford in Connecticut, where he earned a degree in Chemistry. Ann had studied Biology and fallen in love with the bliss of travel. Together, they explored the Caribbean, reveled in Mexico, and journeyed to the Philippines where Joe met Ann’s beloved father. On a New Year’s Eve trip to New Orleans, Joe popped a bottle of champagne, got down on one knee, and asked Ann to be his wife; she didn’t hesitate to say yes.

A Wedding in

JAMAICA

The following summer – on the eve of Joe’s birthday – 40 friends and family members flew from the United States, France, Brazil, and the Philippines to Jamaica to share in their wedding celebration. Handmade invitations promised a cool, casual affair in keeping with the spirit of the resort, a laid-back paradise of jasmine-scented gardens that unfold onto the silky sands of world-renowned Seven Mile Beach. The festivities began with a welcome dinner of savory, spicy, and umami flavored dishes and tropical fruit sweets. The next afternoon, the couple tied the knot in an emotional ceremony on the beach. Ann glided down the aisle in a white, sweetheart gown with a frothy mermaid skirt. The bridesmaids wore coral-hued dresses accented with turquoise jewelry. The men sported coordinated bowties and impish grins. When Ann pulled her phone out mid-ceremony, the crowd broke into laughter. No, she wasn’t taking a call; she had used an app to save her vows. The couple promised to share life’s great adventures and amazing flavors

together. “You’ll never walk alone,” Ann added at the end, a touching reference to Joe’s favorite team. At the reception, a two-tiered Caribbean Fruit wedding cake was topped with white icing and adorable bobble-head figures of Ann in her gown and Joe in a Liverpool Football Club shirt with a soccer ball in his hand. After dark, the guests gathered on the beach, lit paper lanterns inscribed with wishes for the couple, and sent them soaring into the night sky over Jamaica’s Negril Bay. In

the background, a Taylor Swift song celebrated living life to its fullest, conquering challenges, and being proud of who we are. Late in the evening, everyone gathered for a final dance that melted spontaneously into an intimate group hug. Over the next two weeks, they reveled in water sports, parasailing, tennis, and the calm, clear, Jamaican surf. To this day, Ann says she is head-overheels in love with her wedding. “It was, and will always be, one of the best days of my life.” Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

A Honeymoon in

FIJI

As soon as they had saved enough vacation days, the Bulaks took off again. This time, for a honeymoon on a palm-fringed beach overlooking the sapphire waters off Fiji’s Beqa Island. “I know what you’re thinking … Photoshopped!” wrote Ann in a blog post about their trip. But the colors were untouched and true. Ann recalls the experience as, “… refreshing for our souls … a chance to reflect on our life as husband and wife and how blessed we are.” During their stay, the Bulaks befriended a dive shop employee, also named Joe, who guided them on snorkeling adventures in Beqa Lagoon, home to the marine life and live coral gardens for which Fiji is known. Another local, Freddy, invited the couple to visit the village of Soliyaga – where he is in line to become chief. Ann and Joe quickly agreed and enjoyed the bonus of participating in a kava ceremony with Freddy’s friends and relatives. “That experience,” says Ann, “made us realize the value of community. These people live simple lives but they are the happiest and most respectable people we have ever met.”

Ensemble DestinationVows 2016

The Gift of

BRAZIL

Before their Fijian honeymoon, the Bulaks took off for a wedding gift trip to the World Cup tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. “It was almost a religious experience,” recalls Ann. “The fans were intense, fun, and very proud of their countries and their teams. We got goose bumps when they scored, tears in our eyes when they sang their national anthems. It’s amazing how a sport can unite people.” Where to next? While many of the wishes written in the paper lanterns involved babies, starting a family might have to wait. Joe, you see, has this crazy idea of attending a soccer match in every country in Europe, starting with this year’s European Championship in France. ❦

To book your destination wedding or honeymoon, contact your Ensemble® DestinationVows Specialist today.