Sexy City Escapes | Top Reasons to Dream of Romance in the City
Who says the city can’t be sexy? Think about it: Springtime in Paris. Summer in Sydney. New York at Christmas. A bustling metropolis can provide the perfect backdrop for a honeymoon or dreamy weekend retreat, anytime of year. Here’s our list of the world’s most sensual cities, along with a five-point plan for exploring their sweetest spots.
New York
It’s known as the city that never sleeps, and for good reason. From hip restaurants, bars and shops to spectacular musicals, art shows and historic landmarks, The big Apple promises excitement around the clock.
- Have brunch at Sarabeth’s, a NYC staple(sarabethscps.com). The restaurant has a quirky bistro feel, and the food is fantastic. Go early, as the place fills up fast.
- Cuddle together during a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park, past famous Strawberry Fields, Sheep Meadow, Bethesda Fountain and the many lush gardens.
- Take in panoramic city views from the Brooklyn Bridge.
- Dazzle your date with dinner at The Sea Grill, overlooking the ice rink at Rockefeller Center (212.332.7610,theseagrille.com), followed by one of your favorite Broadway shows: The Producers, Mamma Mia!, Chicago or Phantom of the opera (800.276.2329,broadway.com).
- Sip wine at Louis (louis649.com). The owner handpicks all of the wines at this intimate bar, and is on hand to pour them most nights. Plus therer’.s always fabulous jazz playing, often live-not surprising, considering the place is named for Louis Armstrong.
Paris
With epic landmarks set amid a hub of fashion, fine dining and arts, the City of light presents opportunities for l’amour at every corner.
- Venture to charming Ile Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris, home to cute café boutique shops and superb restaurants and nightclubs.
- French kiss on a bridge overlooking La Seine, then walk along the riverbank and take in the artists and street vendors coloring the scene.
- Bring romance to its absolute heights with dinner at Jules Verne on the second floor of Tour Eiffel (tour-eiffel.fr).
- Take a train to stunning Chateau de Versaille (www.chateauversailles.fr). Be sure to bring some wine, cheese and baguettes to nibble on while exploring the lush grounds.
- Stroll through Jardin du Luxemburg, among the most romantic parks in Paris.
Sydney
Built around one of the world’s most striking harbors, the Australian metropolis tempts couples with its sandy beaches, laidback vibe, cultural attractions and endless adventure.
- Savor the city’s most famous landmarks from its highest point, the Sydney Tower. Your ticket to the top includes an OzTrek virtual adventure ride across Australia(sydneytoweroztrek.com.au). Intrepid couples can also sign up for a Skywalk, a glass-floored viewing platform that extends over the towers’ edge (sydneyskywalk.com.au).
- Walk under water to discover 11,500 aquatic animals at the Sydney Aquarium(sydneyaquarium.com.au).
- Wine and dine at Aria, rated one of the city’s best eateries (61.2.9252.2555,ariarestaurant.com). From here, you’ll enjoy unobstructed vistas of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, both Aussie icons.
- Take a coastal walk from bondi beach to Coogee, exploring four of Sydney’s beaches along the way. Bluff-side trails offer exceptional views, and there are plenty of places to stop for a drink or fish-and-chip picnic by the sea.
- Stop by Pizza Mario Republic in Surry Hills, where a father-and-son duo cooks up authentic Napoletana pizza (61.2.933.3633) using buffalo mozzarella from Campania, San Marzano tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil and Italian flour. The Salamino (house-cured spicy sausage, mozzarella, parmesan and ricotta) is one of many treats.
Cape Town
South Africa’s cultural portal, the seaside city captivates couples not just with its stunning scenery and intriguing past, but with a growing number of great bars and eateries, renowned vineyards, brand-new spas and, of course, exotic wildlife.
- A cable-car ride to the top of Table Mountain (www.tablemountain.net) promises awe-inspiring vistas of the city as well as views of Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head, the two flanking mountain ranges.
- Savor a sundowner at Polana, a restaurant literally built on the rocks. Cushioned windowsills overlook the beachfront of Kalk Bay and the Atlantic beyond.
- Taste excellent Chardonnays and Pinotages in nearby Cape Town winelands, including Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. At Spier Wine Estate, you can get close and personal with cheetahs (spier.co.za).
- Book a day of indulgence at African-inspired Spa at Cape Grace, then continue the pampering with dinner at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Onewaterfront (capegrace.com).
- See the big 5, including the rare white lion, just three hours from Cape Town at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve (www.sanbona.com).
Buenos Aires
The Argentinean capital sparkles with passion and culture. Beyond the music, the architecture, the arts and the restaurants, you’ll find tranquil parks, colorful markets and charming, cobblestoned neighborhoods.
- Visit MALBA (Museo de Arte Latinoamerica de Buenos Aires,www.malba.org.ar) and stay for lunch at its chic caf̩ Рthe food is to die for, especially the burrata, a decadent fusion of mozzarella and cream.
- Spend an afternoon in Jardin Botanico Carlos Thais, an enchanting garden filled with twisting pathways, babbling brooks, statues and exotic flora and fauna.
- Following a Mediterranean-style dinner at De Olivas I Lustres (54.11.4867.3388) in the quiet neighborhood of Palermo Viejo, walk hand in hand through cobblestone streets lined with enormous, 100-year-old oaks.
- Discover the passion of tango during a lesson at Escuela Argentina de Tango, inside GalerÃas PacÃfico shopping mall (54.11.4312.4990;eatango.org).
- Share a nightcap at Bar Uriarte in Palermo Soho (54.11.4834.6004), a gorgeous bar offering two-for-one Champagne until 10 p.m. all week long.
By Isabelle Gullö
Rainy Wedding Planning | Destination Wedding Inspiration
Photo Courtesy of PartyFavoritesBlog
No matter where you are in the world for your destination wedding, there is a chance it may rain on your wedding day. One always hears that it’s “good luck” to have rain on your wedding day. But do you know why? Here are some of the prevailing reasons behind “good luck wedding day rain”:
- Water makes a “knot” harder to untie. So when you are “tying the knot” (i.e. getting married), it is sure to be more solid.
- Rain washes away anything bad and cleanses both bride and groom for a “fresh” start to a new life together.
- Rain is symbolic of furtune and abundance “pouring down” on the newlyweds
- Rain is symblic of fertility – every rain drop stands for nourishing life to the earth and therefore also nourishing life to the couple, blessing them with many children and a healthy family.
Photo Courtesy of KennyThePromoGuy
Coordinating Colors a Picture Perfect Event | Destination Wedding Planning Inspiration
Photo Courtesy of BashCorner.com
Color Coordination
By Kim Carmel
No matter how simple or how extravagent your destination wedding is, color makes a powerful statement setting the tone for your wedding, which should be a distinct relection of the very essence of who you are. Bold hues and destination-inspired palettes paint a picture-perfect event.
Whether you were the kid who enjoyed drawing with crayons-or the one who ate them- choosing your wedding colors should be a fun experience. A unified color scheme creates ambience for your guests and tells them a little something about you two. Are you elegant and refined? Perhaps a cool, traditional palette is most appropriate. Effervescent and boisterous? Warmer, bolder shades will express your energy.
Read on for more tips on setting the scene with color for your destination wedding.
The Primer
In addition to the white or ivory of the bride’s dress, most contemporary weddings incorporate two additional colors-one dominant hue and one accent color. For the dominant, think of a color that both of you like. Colors you typically wear or have in your home. Do you tend to surround yourselves in blue? If so, what shade? Powder blue? Navy? Turquoise?
Once you’ve chosen your dominant color, look to the color wheel for your accent. The ones on the opposite side of the wheel tend to work well together, such as blue and orange, red/pink and green or yellow and purple. In order to avoid a color scheme reminiscent of holidays or your favorite football team, stay away from the purest forms of these colors. For instance, royal blue and orange may feel too childlike or informal, but bright orange with powder blue accents feels celebratory and sophisticated.
If, in your case, opposites don’t attract, find colors neighboring your dominant hue. Green lies between blue and yellow on the color wheel, so either of these shades would pair well with green. Or, as bridal expert Carol Lassiter of Beautiful Details Bridal Consulting proposes, design a scheme based on varying shades of your one favorite color. “Monochromatic weddings can be extremely beautiful, especially if you add different textures and fabrics.” Lassiter suggests outfitting bridesmaids in two or three varying shades of purple, for example, to keep things visually interesting. “This way your guests don’t see blocks of color, but softer, more dimensional shades of your favorite colors.”
Don’t forget about neutrals: black, gray, brown, beige, ivory, white and metallics. Neutrals complement almost any other color, provided you can differentiate between cool and warm (for example, sunny yellow works beautifully with warm gold or beige, but is harder to match with cool silver or blueish gray). For a crisp, clean look, you can even build a color scheme entirely from neutrals.
If you’re stumped for ideas, take a look outside. Mother Nature is the ultimate color coordinator. Tying the knot by the sea? Consider building your palette from the colors of the sand, surf or local flora and fauna. Marrying in a grassy park? Develop a color scheme using all greens, or the opposite-fuschias, reds and pinks. Also, find out if your ceremony or reception area has any dominant colors that you could build from, and consider the time of your event. “An evening beach wedding could play off the natural spectrum of the sunset-turquoise, pinks and oranges,” says Lassiter “Or, a daytime ceremony might inspire a couple to go with more neutral colors, such as sand and blush with pops of coral.”
Setting the Mood
Colors project different moods (blue tends to be peaceful, yellow is cheerful, red can be seductive), so think about the vibe you want for your big day. As Lea Armstrong of Wedding Paper Divas emphasizes, your color choices and invitation design communicate the tone of your event to guests even before they arrive for the actual event. A neutral or black-and-white invite relays a traditional, formal tone. A rich, vibrant color scheme expresses a more light-hearted, non-traditional affair. For something in between, use white or ivory as your main color, adding one or two subtle accent colors.
Working with Color
Now that you’ve picked your palette, let the creativity begin. Most couples maintain a backdrop of white or ivory, incorporating their wedding colors into invitations, flowers and linens. Many of today’s brides and grooms are finding new ways to add even more color to their big event.
Destination Wedding Inspiration | Spotlight on Traveling in Style
Just because you are traveling light for your destination wedding , doesn’t mean a girl shouldn’t have some style. We are in love with the traditional train case, whose use was first documented around 1948. While it is intended to cart around your toiletries, one can also use it to store jewelry and other personal items as well. But besides being practical, there’s just something so vintagely romantic about them. We found a few that really spoke to us and thought we’d post them here. Add a little romance to your travel for your destination wedding. There is nothing more romantic than a girl with style when she travels!
Destination Military Wedding Inspiration | Tips for Military Weddings
Photo Courtesy of Gwynethecolleen.com
A military wedding can take place anywhere in the world, thus making it one of the quintessential definitions of a destination wedding. There are so many aspects and details to a military wedding, but here are the most commonly asked bits of information for the bridal couple as well as guests attending a military wedding:
Military Wedding Locations:
Military chapels & academy grounds are generally the most common locations for military weddings and need to be reserved about one year in advance.
Otherwise, hosting a military wedding at any location that serves the bride, groom, their families and is appropriate means a military wedding can take place anywhere in the world. It’s the traditions that are brought to the location that make it a military wedding and not just the location itself. To search for your ideal (non-military) wedding location, click here.
Wedding Attire
If you are in the bridal party and are an officer or currently enlisted in the military, you would wear uniform in accordance with the seasonal regulations as well as formality of the wedding itself. White gloves are necessary for any and all sword (saber) bearers. If you are a guest at a military wedding, it is optional to wear your uniform.
Etiquette Tips
If there is to be a receiving line and if the groom is in uniform, the groom must go before the bride.
Cutting of the cake: if there is a sword/saber, this is used to cut the wedding cake (note: the saber is not supposed to be decorated)
Only the bridal couple may pass under the Arch of Swords (Saber) if they choose to do this tradition.
While a military chapel may be complimentary, it is good form to give them a donation for use of their space. Same for the chaplain, who will generally perform the ceremony at no charge- it is considered polite to give him/her an honorarium for their time and service.
Florida Wedding Inspiration | Spotlight on Florida Keys Weddings
Photo by Limelight
When convenience, weather and beautiful backdrops matter, a Florida wedding is a great option. Today, we are highlighting Florida Keys weddings. Need more information? The professionals at our Florida wedding locations are seasoned experts and will guide you through all the stages of your Florida Keys wedding.
Here’s one of our favorite Florida wedding venues in the Florida Keys (for more Florida wedding venue suggestions, click here):
Reigning over a dozen acres of hardwood forestry on the Gulf of Mexico, near a protected wildlife refuge and national marine sanctuary, Hilton Key Largo Resort is sheer paradise for nature-loving couples seeking an exotic getaway with proximity to big city life Miami and its international airport is within an hour’s drive.
Outdoor activities abound, from shell-searching along the resort’s private beach to hiking tropical trails to snorkeling and parasailing in the calm, cerulean waters of Florida Bay. Close by, downtown Key Largo beckons with its laidback atmosphere and chic shops, restaurants and nightclubs.
Opportunities for romance and relaxation appear endless, too, whether couples opt to lounge by the glistening pool, savor fresh seafood at one of two onsite restaurants, sip champagne on a sunset cruise or retreat to their sumptuous suite to soak in a Jacuzzi for two. Hilton Key Largo Resort prides itself on its luxurious accommodations, and all guests are treated to spacious, sun-filled rooms, stylish appointments and a balcony overlooking the property’s lush nature paths or the shimmering bay.
A popular destination for weddings, Key Largo’s mystical, ruby sunsets provide a picture perfect backdrop for beachside vows. Beyond the resort’s secluded stretch of sand, couples can say, “I do” beside a breathtaking waterfall or in one of several lavish yet utterly inviting private meeting rooms. For their reception, brides and grooms select from a number of venues, including the Coral Reef Ballroom, which spans 4,000 square feet and offers terrace access, or Café Key Largo restaurant, which offers breathtaking bay views for parties of up 175. The resort’s experienced wedding planner and award-winning catering staff ensure that even the smallest nuptial detail is attended to, so each celebration is just as the bridal pair envisioned.
Wedding Planning Inspiration | Summer Wedding Menu Fit for Royalty
This just in from the Executive Chef to Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the Royal Family for over 10 years,Carolyn Robb:
Her Majesty the Queen of England is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee and along with the Olympics being held in England in June, Ms. Robb has created a Royal gourmet celebration luncheon perfect for summer weddings. We were inspired and thought we’d share!
CELEBRATION LUNCH
“I have created this menu in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee and other festivities in Britain this summer. It showcases the very best of British ingredients. The dishes are my contemporary interpretations of ‘Royal favorites’ from my wonderful thirteen years as a royal chef. During this time I had the privilege of cooking for every member of the British Royal Family and I catered for many special royal events.” – Carolyn Robb
MENU
Homemade Minted ‘Lime-ade’ with a Traditional Pimms Garnish
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Tian of Hot-Smoked Scottish Salmon & New Potatoes Garnished with Garden Peas, Asparagus tips & Arugula
With a Walnut oil and Raspberry Champagne Vinegar Dressing
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Coronation Chicken
Served with a Colorful Salad of Mixed Grains
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Coronet of Pistachio Meringue filled with Summer Berries and Vanilla-bean Mascarpone Cream
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Jubilee Iced Coffee
With Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Petits Fours
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This menu is also wonderful for an al-fresco summer luncheon party for friends, bridesmaids luncheon or shower and can easily be packed up for a picnic and works equally as well as a supper party menu.
Dream Destination Wedding Dresses | Inspired by Vows on the Beach
Some of our favorite beach wedding dresses are the most simple (and easy to pack). We’re feeling particularly inspired by romantic beach weddings where the dress flows in the trade winds and the only wedding slippers are perfectly pampered toes feeling the warm sand. From short and sassy to elegant with a long train, anything goes at the beach.
