Honeymoon in the Beautiful US Virgin Islands

One of our sales executives, Sarah Heldman, was invited down to St Croix a few weeks ago and is sharing her experiences with us today!

The best experiences are the ones that are total surprises, especially when they involve leaving the cold, drab winter weather and jetting off to a tropical paradise. That is exactly what happened when I was invited to attend the Bridal Symposium in St Croix a few months ago.  With daytime highs around 88 and nighttime lows at 79, I could not wait to leave my normal November behind.

Only one concern flashed in my mind… is my passport up to date? I had not traveled abroad in years so I mentally calculated if I would be able to seize this once in a lifetime opportunity. Luckily, St. Croix is a part of the U.S. Virgin Islands so it was no problem at all! That fact is exactly what the department of tourism wants everyone to know: you can plan a quick trip for a spontaneous, romantic elopement or invite to your hearts content for a caribbean destination wedding.  It is so comforting to know that this is one part of the planning process you can skip and one less thing to remember to plan for and pack.

There are so many great accommodations to pick from as well, no matter what type of experience you want during your stay in St. Croix. I checked into The Renaissance Carambola, which is between the hills of the rainforest and white sandy beaches. This resort is perfectly secluded and almost secretive, which is great if you want to unplug and de-stress or find a new adventure scuba diving or blending in with the locals.  All of the employees are so nice and give you that extra attention you want when you are away from home.

If you want to brush up on your history, head to the Buccaneer, the longest running resort in the Caribbean. Still a family owned business, you will learn about the past of the residents (circa 17th century) to the island’s recent visitors (for example, Sean and his finalists on The Bachelor). The selection of rooms, dining areas, and venues are ideal for a wedding of any size and gives you options, which is great for customizing your special day.  If you are looking to be social and active during your trip, there is plenty to do here. Cocktail parties, golf, tennis, and watersports are just a few things to entertain yourself or your guests. However, I can’t promise you will be able to take your eyes off the panoramic view.

All in all, St Croix is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It feels effortless to have this scenery as the backdrop for your wedding, but it can be almost as effortless to plan your trip here as well.

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04.14.15 / Featured, New Sponsor Blog

Charcuterie Wedding Appetizer Ideas with Zola

There are so many great ways to start out your wedding celebration, but we think having a charcuterie platter out for your guests during cocktail hour is our favorite idea! Have a great selection of meats, cheeses, fruits, and crackers on a beautiful platter for your guests to snack on as they wait for the reception to begin.

You can also style one of these beautiful platters from Zola for guests who visit your new home after the wedding. We love the idea of sharing a glass or two of wine over a few types of cheese and artisanal meats with your friends and new spouse. Visit Zola today to start your registry and secure your very own Vietri Platter and cheese knives to prepare for celebrations as a newly married couple! And Once Wed readers get $25 toward their registry if you sign up today!

Creative and Art Direction: Emily Newman for Once Wed | Photography: Meghan Kay Sadler | Styling: Ginny Branch and Ginny Au| Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick | Products: Zola

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04.13.15 / Featured, New Sponsor Blog, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Ideas Blog

Romantic Wedding Dress Ideas

“The ocean would be jealous” – we love when we receive beautiful images like these, shared with us by teams of wedding professionals who’ve gotten together to show off what they love to do best. This ethereal and romantic shoot was inspired by the beauty of the Oregon Coast, and so perfectly displays these gorgeous gowns designed by Emily Rose Riggs. Hard and soft, rugged and refined, moody and romantic; there’s no better way to describe this inspiration.

From the floral designer: 
“The silk tulle of the gowns billowed and moved with the ocean breeze, changing color tones with the light and resembling the waves around our model’s feet. The sun began to set, casting rays of blush and grey over the sand and ocean and the dusty rose of the Primevere gown was echoed in the sky as the day faded away. The ocean would be jealous.”

Photographer: Maria Lamb | Gowns: Emily Riggs | Flowers: Katie Davis | Make up + Hair: Marina McAvoy | Models: Autumn Johnson with Heffner Management,  Grace Hess with Ryan Artists | Film processing: Photovision Lab

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04.09.15 / Featured, Real Weddings, Real Weddings Blog, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Ideas Blog

Laidback California Engagement Session

When engagement photos are styled in such a way that they could hang on the walls of your home forever and not go out of style, or make you cringe about the trends displayed in them, you know you did them right. Monica and Darren’s Big Sur engagement session completely fits the bill. The couple chose to keep their session laid-back and simple, and photographer Erich McVey perfectly incorporated the breathtaking natural scenery and the couple’s easy-going feel.

From the bride:
“We chose to shoot our engagement photos in Big Sur because we both love the ocean and California. Darren is originally from California and we both love to road trip up the California coast. A couple of years ago, I spent some time in Big Sur and fell in love. The area exudes romance and magic. When I told Darren about the idea to shoot our engagements in Big Sur, he was all for it! When  choosing my outfits, I wanted something that meshed well with the scenery. I stayed away from dark or bold colors because I wanted to keep it very natural and simple. I had my eye on the blush colored Free People dress and thought it would look great with the colors of the surrounding environment. I already owned the other two dresses which are also from Free People.”
Photographer: Erich McVey

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04.08.15 / Featured, Real Weddings, Real Weddings Blog