Get yourself some space saver storage bags. That’s right, my tip for packing revolves around those storage bags. How to pack the suitcase rests on the super ability of those bags. They are not just for storing items during the off seasons anymore! They are easy to find and with the various sizes, literally anything can be put in a suitcase.

I’m sure you are sitting here reading this and thinking, I must be crazy, yet view the pictures below or ask any of my traveling colleagues and they can vouch for this tip. The bags will do several things for you: save you about 10 pounds in weight, avoid bugs or moisture from getting into your clothes and my personal fave, it keeps anyone during a “search” from handling your clothing. Yes, they are wearing gloves, but do you really think they may not try to take something from your bag? There are NO guarantees in the airport! Another great thing about the bags, they can double as a dirty laundry bag in case you don’t wear everything you pack. Now how to pack for a business trip by bag size.:

The small bags – great to keep your bathing suits, under garments and delicates. Also, any large bottles that are greater than the 3 oz would be safe from popping contents into your clothes!

The medium bags – for those blouses, summer dresses and camis you will pack. I tend to keep away from tank tops unless you are pairing it with a blouse or shirt to maintain that professional look. When traveling on a business trip, try to carry more tops than bottoms. It saves you from carrying more if you try to double up on the bottoms!

*Remember, your appearance on those business trips (FAM tours, destination wedding or meeting trips) reflect you and  your business. It’s a workcation not a vacation!

The large bags – for all your pants (ironed and folded in half), formal dresses (turned inside out and folded in half) and skirts. Normally you may only need 2-3 pants and 2 skirts. Tip: have a black pant and skirt included in the count. You never know if it will be a formal affair or casual. With neutral colours (grey, black, brown, blue or green), you can be more versatile in your apparel and look fresh; even if you wore the same pants twice! The evening dress can double for a semi or full formal affair. Most cocktail receptions are semi formal. Just carry a shawl or pashmina with your small clutch purse and you are set!

The jumbo bags – can be used for a bridal gown or suit if it is secure and not to big in terms of skirting on the dress.

For your shoes: remember those newspaper bags they give you when the rain falls during their delivery, save them! They are wonderful to keep your shoes together and not have the bottoms rub against your clean clothes!

My don’t carry list. Try to not look too casual during travel stops, especially on a business trip! You will not believe how that will reflect on you as a business professional! Also, the shorts, tank tops and outfits that have may have a negative impact on your business. Pack a pair and keep that for the leisure time you may have after visiting a resort or business function. If you aren’t sure, then don’t carry it. Tip: instead of shorts, opt for capris or Bermuda walking shorts. They are comfortable and have a better appeal than those daisy dukes in your closet!

So that’s it. My save yourself in the packing stress! The pictures are for an upcoming trip that I will be away for a couple of weeks. Now, you can do like me and have the tip to yourself; then shock the world when they see you at the airport with one suitcase or share it with a business colleague or traveling brides and grooms! I just did with you all!

The first thing to look at is your budget. Can you afford taking your wedding outside of your city and making it still perfect? YES YOU CAN! It’s all based on how you and your future spouse see it. Your vision is the key to the final decision. *TIP #1 - The term destination wedding is based on the weddin or event being more than 3 hours away from home!*

Now, back to the financing. There are many who are now taking advantage of having a wedding or event in combination with a family vacation. Why? It is to have everyone who means that much to you in attendance. Bonus points: PLENTY!! Yet for those who are wondering how to factor in the money with the guests; you only pay for you & your future spouse, your bridal party and the meal at the location. The rest is up to your guests. Now before you get into a tizzy, let me be honest, there is no real and hard fast you that you must do this or that; they are suggestions to keep solely based on traditional social etiquette.

Next up: your guests & bridal party needs. Choosing a location can be simple or somewhat difficult. The detail is in how you approach it; tactfully. If you have kids in attendance and you know they are important to you (say this is your second wedding,) then make the resort part of the fun. The resort should be equipped with staff that can be entertaining before and after the wedding day itself. They too want to have fun, why not make it worth it for them. A great example of this is Beaches by Sandals in Turks & Caicos or their Jamaica locations! Talk about entertainment where the kids have a vacation of their own. (From Xbox game rooms, to learn to be a dj with the Scratch Academy to a staff of Beaches for every 3 kids, is something the company strives to keep – because they know the driving force to making sure the parents are relaxed are the children!)

Another point about the location, find something about it that drew you there. Was it a place the two of you wish to visit or that is where you were engaged? Was that the place you knew he/she was the person you wanted to marry? By taking the time to reflect on why that location, then the resort is easier to match. That’s next. (Yes, some of the Sesame Street Characters can be found at any of the Beaches by Sandals Resorts! They are adorable in person as they are on tv!)

Choosing a resort/venue is just as important as picking out the food. You want to ensure your guests will have a fabulous time just as much as you are. The venue will be your best friend in terms of amenities (from spas, water activities, tours off site, many food restaurants, etc.) Take a serious look at what each place has to offer. *TIP #2 – Some places if you choose to book there for your wedding, they will allow a site visit and show you what they have to offer. A site visit is approximately 3 days length and a complete feel of what can occur. The advantage is that once you sign a contract after the visit, the amount will be deducted from your destination wedding package! Amazing isn’t it!*

Up next: Guest size! The number of guests will also determine if that particular resort/venue can handle your wedding. Some places may state they can house up to 100 guests and truthfully, they might really house 80 with their staff or other guests making up the difference. By having a guesstimate (an estimated guest guess) you can check brochures and see the resort room capacity counts well in advance of getting there and having people bunking on cots. More resorts and other types like bed & breakfast inns, are reconstructing their property to house larger crowds (including children areas) since the increase has been in destination weddings. How does this benefit you? Well, if you have folks that cannot reside at your host location for the wedding (for their own personal reasons), having them nearby & only paying for a day pass can be a financial ease to them & a smile for you to have them still attend your nuptials. The key is to find solutions to that can work for everyone!  (Top left is one of the many gardens that you can have your wedding in. The photo on the right is of the Beaches Logo on their man-made waterfall in the Caribbean Village Pool area. All photos were taken by Turning Page Events, 2009.)

Lastly, the other great point is having someone back you up in the research, planning and ultimate goal of having your wedding a smash. Yes, having a Destination Wedding Planner/Coordinator is definitely your “icing on the cake!”  They will be able to ensure that you are sticking to budget, finding venues based on your requirements and knows how to work with local vendors & the resort to get you the wedding of your dreams. Some planners may also have contacts at locations already at your choice destination. *TIP #3 – Use the expertise of a planner to aid you in receiving some financial breaks & perks!*

Here at Turning Page Events, we are certified Destination Wedding Coordinators; our goal is to ensure you have a romantic wedding anywhere in the world with ease. We are TICO Approved; which means you get the benefit of our travel expertise when deciding on where to go in the world! We are also delighted to have been certified by Sandals & their affiliates (Beaches, Royal Pineapple & Grand Pineapple) as well as Superclubs & their affiliates. Turning Page Events also has contacts to aid you in making the best of your event; whether it be a wedding, anniversary, best friends trip, vow renewals or a family vacation, allow us to be your destination eyes to the world!

You deserve every bit of the attention; especially from your new hubby! Imagine his face as the door opens, everyone turns around as the cue is given and here you stand. Looking like an angel in your dress. Staring at the end, all choked up with pride, love, amazement and may even shed a tear or two. Or if you are thinking of that beach backdrop view, this is your scenario. The sound of  the waves are gently crushing against the sand, the crowd awaits for you as you make the turn around from the hedging that was secretly keeping you at bay. And here’s that moment! You step ever so softly down the aisle, soaking in the rays of love from everyone and the biggest smile of them all is from the man who gave your stomach a butterfly when he proposed.

The real question is: What shade of that white dress will you be wearing? What style? Which designer? Who will be there when I go shopping? Eek! Ok, breathe. This will be a breeze with the aid of this article and the tips from Bridal Consultant, Wendy Lee, who gave a two-hour seminar on “Which White is White” this past weekend. By the end of this article, I’m certain you will find yourself more bridal gown savvy than any other person out there! Look out world, here she comes!

First thing that Wendy notes is that you need to understand how to make that budget stick without feeling overwhelmed. “When it comes down to the price, a lot of brides sometimes forget that you have to include alteration fees and taxes to the ticketed amount.” You must be able to have a clear direction on your dress price. It can sometimes get lost to some of the many retail shops and reality show consultants that may omit this factor. Also, know what you need on that order form. Wendy noted that so many brides may order a dress and walk away without noting the exact details and upon their return for their fitting, they may have the wrong style, the wrong order number from that designer or worse: all of it is wrong. So here are the items: The name of the manufacturer, the name of the dress, the style number, the size and colour choice. Wendy commented that so many brides will have their dresses ordered from outside their country and with the shipping that is approximately three to six months, there is no time to waste. *Eco Green Tip: If you are ordering a dress, choose from a local manufacturer first; the turn around time is shortened and the alteration fees can be reduced with.*

Not all dresses are made to give you that “WOW” appeal.

“Get to know your body shape and don’t limit to just one style; try them all on”, says our seminar host Wendy. There are approximately 4 main body types. The first is the Pear Shape. Most of the weight is carried by your lower end; a great example is Jennifer Lopez. The next is the Apple Shape; basically the largest amount of weight is on the top and our example is Dolly Parton. The third, and the ideal, shape is the hour-glass. All the curves are evenly proportioned. And the last is the rectangle; where everything is straight up and down. Example, Mel C from the band Spice Girls.

Now, which shade? Did you notice that there are over 25 shades of white in the land of bridal dresses! Then again, it could all be the same shade just a different name. They key to remember is that one you choose is your white! No one can tell you otherwise and only you will have it on for your special day! Here are just a few.

First there is Stark white or brilliant white. It will have a bluish hue woven into the synthetic fibres and will be so white you honestly swear it will match the fondant on your 3 tiered cake! The brilliant white can be found in various colour satins, organzas and taffetas.

Next, is Diamond white. Just like the glistening fresh snow, it will have that same glossy look and stand out in the synthetic fibres.

Egg-shell. Just as the name states, the shade of an egg. Almost like an off-white look.

Natural or Pure silk. The purest white of all silk fabrics. *Silk is environmentally friendly since it is made by nature and cannot by dyed into that stark white hue. It will actually destroy the intensity and purity of the fibres. This is great for those who may not like the pure white tone and want something more “nude”.

The Classic Ivory. A shade with a bit of yellow undertones and can appear darker than normal in the bridal shops. Yet when standing alone, superb!

All around Oyster. A slight champagne hue with soft natural undertones. Higher end designers love this fabric and create a lot of not just signature gowns, yet also custom designed dresses by the brides. (Yes, it is possible to sketch your own dress, but be ready to negotiate the details since you aren’t Vera Wang.)

A toast to Champagne. A very noticeable tone that is far removed from white. However if you have that ‘alabaster’ skin, this will look flawless against your skin. Just think of a tall flute of champagne and you have this dress in a snap!

Now that you know your body, let’s dress it for your event!

So, which style? If you are like me, viewing those magazines can be pretty daunting to decide what would be best. That is why so many brides love having a friend or two (or in some cases a pack of at least five) attend the find a dress ritual. So have fun and remember, only you can really know if you have found that “perfect dress!“ Although the names can vary depending on where you live, the basic foundation of each are the same. Ready? Let’s go!

First, the A-Line or Princess cut dress – it creates an illusion of height if you are a petite person and it also gives a slim body shape for those who may be carrying a bit more weight below.

The Ball Gown – a fitted top with a full skirt. A very traditional dress for weddings and a great hit for those who are very slender or pear-shaped. If you are endowed with a larger bust size, then you may be able to pull off the fabulous hour-glass shape in this type of gown.

The Mermaid or Trumpet – contours the body from chest to knee with an exact fit. Talk about Jessica Rabbit shape and not being a cartoon! Smashing! Take note, this design isn’t ideal for everyone. It is great for slender figures and if you are a bit conscious of your imperfections, you may want to rethink this one all together.

The Sheath or Column dress – perfect pencil or evening gown dress. It will not hide the imperfections but it does have a classic and elegant touch.

The Empire Waist or Baby Doll Gown – a very symmetrical dress where the skirt expands as it travels from the band just above your waist to the floor. It’s great for those who may be small in the chest area and would like to have more attention drawn to the neck. You also appear longer if you are a petite person as well.

*According to studies, 40% of brides choose the ball gown style, 335% choose the A-line and 36% will pick from the other various styles.*

Wendy had some other key points that you definitely need to know before purchasing that bridal gown or even your mother’s formal dress for the evening. Who makes the better dress? What do you need to know before you head to that sale or trunk show? What is the big deal about the hem? And why are you being rushed to pick up your undergarment if you have not made it to your desired weight? All these questions will be answered and more in Whimsical in White.

These dresses were photographed by Renee R and are from Wendy’s personal bridal shop. Interested in seeing what she has? Then send us an email and we will definitely get you an appointment. Wendy Lee has been a bridal gown consultant for over 10 years with a background in floral designs, invitation making and is a Certified Wedding Planner with the Wedding Planners Institute of Certified Coordinators (WPICC)

And our special tip: If choosing one location is hard, then why not take a romantic cruise and visit more! Choosing a cruise ship honeymoon is not only popular for some, but it does allow you the chance to visit approximately four to five locations and then go back to your favourite after your return! Bon voyage!

Tropical Paradise 

The Caribbean – From Aruba to Jamaica to the scenic top of Tobago, get a tropical experience that’s closer than Hawaii, and depending on your financial pocketbook, more affordable. The key is to find all-inclusive resorts or packages to best suit your desires of a romantic getaway! 

Hawaii – Still one of the top destinations for newlyweds, and with its palm trees, inviting and clear blue ocean water and can we not have more breathtaking sunsets! These blocks of islands make this a foolproof escape for romance and relaxation!

Mexico – Bold, vibrant and filled with hints of exotic with a zest of life! There are many resort towns to choose from including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Cozumel, Ixtapa, Los Cabos, and Mazatlan. Endless opportunities for a dreamy honeymoon in any of these locations are priceless!

The Zen-nation!

 There will be points where you may just want to get away from everything and reconnect not only in vows, but in mind and body. Then may we suggest that you pack your bags and find a luxurious getaway in a spa resort! The smells, sounds and foods will not only heal your body, but reconnect you both in mind and the escape will only intensify the love between you both!

Arizona – Sedona, Scottsdale and Phoenix lead the pack when you decide to visit this fantastic state! Go with gusto and enjoy luxury spa treatments at any of Arizona’s relaxing retreats! Massage, yoga, reflexology, aromatherapy, body wraps, pools and more await you and your senses!

Canada, Mexico, Germany and France are leading the way with destination spa locations. Does this mean you have to spend big buck, NO! Just be specific in what treatments you would like, toss in a great view from your room, dash in some healthy and delicious food and that will equal your getaway of a lifetime!

Oui Oui Mon ami!

Paris – The sights and sounds of romance! France is still unmistakably one of the most romantic spots on the planet! Distinct with its lush cafés, unique flavours of wines, culinary delights and scenery views of architect, flowers and rich culture, you will surely fall in love with this location.

Into the Wild

South Africa – If you love the whole Madagascar movie and more importantly the richness of a culture and country, then step on a plane and whisk yourself to South Africa! This is also great for adventurous and animal lovers! Absolutely worth an experience of a lifetime!

The Love Boat Reprised!

As we stated before, nothing can beat the flavour of being on a cruise ship! From one day to fourteen, a cruise can allow you access to visit many places and fall in love. The bonus, you don’t need to steer the ship! The staff on any cruise line are there to make your stay relaxed, wonderful and most of all a true getaway! How about this: take a map or globe, and whenever your finger lands, go! Just explore the opportunity of being on a ship that will have four or five star meals, games and entertainment until the sunrise and if you want to just not do anything, you can do that too! There is never a dull moment on a cruise ship; activities on various ports of call to dancing staff in the dining room!

Gamble – It’s all Win-Win!

Las Vegas – Jump on a plane and head out to Freemont Street! Now if you are a fan of CSI the television series, then get ready to experience this in real time! Visit each fantastic hotel that may have its own distinct quality; then sample the many (and we do mean many) buffets and after a quick roll of the dice, if you are hoping for lady luck to be on your side, sit back and enjoy the fabulous shows by the many celebrities or the look alikes on stage! Or if you want to sight see, definitely visit the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam! Lots to see and do; as the saying goes “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”

Young at Heart

Disney World – Find your inner child and get excited in the land that makes any adult feel like they are a kid again! Whether it’s Disney World in Florida or Disneyland in California, you will surely find something special in the animated land. A Fairytale lover in the land of fairytales is just sheer fireworks! Take photos with Mickey Mouse and his gang of adorable characters and allow yourself to literally have fun like a five year old! Play games and sing along in the melodies throughout the park!

Remember, “It’s a Small World After All.”  So get out there, see the world and be able to bring back those memories to those close to you. This is only the beginning of your new chapter in life! Live, love and keep on shining your light!

Personal photos from Sandals Resort in Ocho Rios and Hilton Cancun Hotel and thanks to various website images for its contributions (desiringgod.org, floridasuperholiday.co.uk, and tothingstodo.com.)