Desire a destination wedding? Domestic destinations offer beauty, value

Desire a destination wedding? Domestic destinations offer beauty, value

(ARA) – Every wedding is as special as the bride who takes her vows that day, no matter if the setting is a centuries-old church, a hotel ballroom or the bride’s own backyard. But if you dream of saying your “I do’s” beside the gentle tide, or greeting your guests from the top of a staircase that looks like it’s straight out of “Gone With the Wind,” then a destination wedding might be right for you.

Destination weddings are becoming more and more popular,  but dragging your wedding dress, favors and all the guests overseas can be pricey for brides and grooms on a budget.  However, many domestic destinations right here within the continental U.S. can offer the same breath-taking scenery, diverse settings and luxurious amenities you would expect to find – and pay more for – if you go abroad.

What kind of domestic destination should you seek? Here are a few popular, cost-effective options that don’t require a long trip for your guests or you to spend a lot of money:

Beauty at the beach

When it comes to versatility in a natural setting, it’s hard to beat the beauty of the beach. A beach wedding can capture the romance of the sea, evoke the party atmosphere of an island escape, and tap the depth and power of Mother Nature in all her glory.

With miles of beautiful beaches on both coasts, the good old U.S. of A. offers plenty of locales for your beach wedding. On the East Coast, Myrtle Beach, S.C. is a popular spot that offers a wide range of versatile venues and accommodating lodging for you and your guests. The region is a reasonable drive from just about anywhere along the eastern seaboard. Plus, you can find affordable direct flights to the nearby Myrtle Beach International Airport.

For a pure beach wedding, check out Myrtle Beach State Park, which offers pristine white beaches and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Or, to marry the beauty of the beach with elegant style, check out Atalaya Castle at Huntington Beach State Park in nearby Murrells Inlet, S.C.

Keep in mind if you’re holding your wedding on a public beach or park, you’ll likely need to obtain permits from the appropriate city or county agency.

The charm of the Old South

She might have had trouble staying happily married, but “Gone with the Wind” heroine Scarlett O’Hara sure knew how to throw a romantic wedding. You can recapture the grace, elegance and romance of Scarlett’s bygone era with a plantation destination wedding. Throughout the south, you’ll find representations of the gracious architecture that personified the classic southern plantation, with grand staircases, sweeping front porches and sprawling green gardens.

You can build an entire wedding theme around the locale, with attire that evokes the elegance of the Old South and southern colors like peach and lavender. A simple online search will yield numerous plantation-style venues, like Litchfield Plantation and Pawley’s Plantation, both in Pawley’s Island, S.C., or Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, S.C.

To the sea, to the sea

If you relish in the beauty of the sea but not the idea of the sand that comes with it, holding your wedding at an oceanfront hotel may be the perfect way to enjoy the beauty and majesty of the beach.  Many oceanfront hotels and resorts offer event venues with great views of the beach and ocean.

Plan to hold your wedding in one of Myrtle Beach’s many oceanfront hotels, and you can savor the benefits of a beach destination with all the comforts, conveniences and luxuries of top hotels. These resorts cater to brides with comprehensive wedding packages, creative menus and breathtaking views.

By looking for a domestic destination, you can have a dream wedding without a nightmare price tag – or the inconveniences of traveling abroad with your wedding party and guests.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Vineyards and Veils

Vineyards and Veils
By Jim and Della Bogaty, Owners Veramar Vineyard

With spectacular settings, plenty of space, and great wines to boot, vineyards offer a fresh alternative to traditional wedding locations. Many couples are enticed and thrilled by the prospect of a Vineyard wedding and you can’t get much closer to that dream than by having your wedding ceremony in Virginia Wine Country. What better way to say “I Do”? But before you send out the invitations, think about what it really takes to pull off a Vineyards and Veils wedding celebration.

If you have chosen a Vineyard for your celebration you have a rich reserve of ideas and creative touches just waiting to be unearthed. Wine has long symbolized generations, growth, harvest and celebration. Celebrate the power of the vines, generations of love coming to this very moment in time and the power of family, past and future. And, of course, the abundance of life!

Drawn by fine wine vintages and gorgeous views, Virginia’s betrothed trendsetters have begun flocking to local vineyards to stage their main events. Something of a secret just a few years ago, the increasingly reputable vineyards of Virginia are now booked through this year and into the next. Keep in mind that the vineyards are wineries first and wedding venues second: Most simply rent out their sites, recommend vendors, and allow brides to impose their own fantasies – though all require that if you do serve wine, you stick to theirs.

KEEP IN MIND:
• The degree of difficulty of having a wedding in a vineyard is low as long as the property offers parking, catering area, rest rooms, and an indoor or covered space. You do the fun stuff – choosing the food, flowers, tablecloths, and place settings.

• Vineyards are a very high style quotient; the ambience may vary from rustic Tuscan to sophisticated. Sun-splashed terraces, trellises as far as the eye can see, and stunning mountain or garden backdrops make for breathtaking photos.

• Understand that if the vineyard is in a residential area or it’s harvest season, you may be facing time restrictions, even blackout periods.

TIPS FOR PLANNING FOR YOUR VINEYARD CELEBRATION
• Decide if your wedding is going to be casual or formal; getting married in the vineyard can be either, but you should know which experience you want.

• Before finalizing your vineyard choice, check into your vineyard for Restrictions: Do you need a permit and VA ABC banquet license? Ask these and other questions before you proceed with the planning.

• Call again: Before invitations are ordered (3-4 months prior to your wedding) call the vineyard again to reconfirm rules, regulations, and schedule of activities.

• Have a back up plan: rain, wind, or an unexpected event scheduled at the same time can upset your plans. Ask your vineyard reception site if they have back-up plans.

• Also, try not to plan a vineyard wedding on a holiday weekend. It is often too busy, but not impossible.

• Be clear on the invitations: indicate your wedding site on your invitation. Make it clear to your guests that the ceremony takes place outside at a vineyard.

• Is the parking area sized correctly and/or hire a shuttle service for guest transportation.

DO’S & DONT’S
• DO: Be aware of special needs of older or disabled guests.
• DO: Consider using a pedi-cab to get these older or disabled guests from the parking lot.
• DO: Keep the decor simple…pre-decorated arches and aisle markers.
• DO: Hold off bringing out decor until 30 minutes prior.
• DO: Hire a Wedding Coordinator.
• DO: Think about golf umbrellas for shade (especially on hot days)
• DO: Have the photographer/videographer bring a wagon to carry their equipment.
• DO: Relax and enjoy every minute of this amazing day!
• DON’T: Keep guests waiting without seats in the sun. Start the ceremony on time.
• DON’T: Plan a ceremony longer than 20 minutes.

Earthy, romantic, passionate and relaxed, a vineyard wedding offers so many opportunities for guests and the bridal party to enjoy the entire day in style! Local vineyards are Virginia’s true hidden treasures offering tantalizing wines, some of which win numerous awards, with the beauty, power and natural elegance of the vines rolling gently over the hills.

Vines have long represented family and generations continuing on growing and evolving and of course, life getting better with age! Visit local vineyards online to plan a rich and beautiful Virginia wedding.

Cheers from VERAMAR VINEYARD!
905 Quarry Road
Berryville, VA 22611
PH: (540) 955-5510
FX: (540) 955-0404
http://www.veramar.com

For More Information about planning your wedding at Veramar Vineyards, click here to download their brochure