Are you planning a wedding in the next month or two? MTV is looking for you! We just received word from MTV that they're casting for "True Life: I'm a Newlywed" and are searching for couples.
What They're Looking For: MTV is looking for couples who appear to be between the ages of 18 and 28 and will be getting married in the next month or two.
They're looking for couples who would like to share their stories. Do your friends and family think you and your fiancé are moving too fast by getting married? Are you experiencing a lot of drama because of who you're marrying and are worried that might continue after the wedding? Will you be moving in together for the first time right after the wedding and think that married life is going to be a big change for you and/or your fiancé? Are you feeling nervous about making this lasting commitment?
Getting in Touch: Email MTV at newlywed@mtvn.com and tell them as much about your situation as possible. Also, please be sure to include your name, location, phone number and photo.
Cozumel, a dreamy island off the Riviera Maya, has released a new list of destination wedding packages from hotels and resorts as well as local wedding planners. The island is expecting even more weddings in the future thanks to a chance in wedding laws: couples no longer have to supply an official birth certificate with seal from your country of birth. All that is required for a marriage license is a copy of your passport, the tourist visa you receive upon entrance to the country, and a blood test for the bride and groom.
Hotel & Resort Packages
Allegro Cozumel
The all-inclusive Allegro Cozumel offers the unique feature of "underwater SCUBA" weddings plus plenty of options on land as well. Packages start at $1,500 USD and are free when you book 20 standard room nights for seven nights. Visit http://www.occidentalhotelscom/allegro/CozumelWeddings.asp or call (52) 987-872-9770.
Intercontinental Mayan Ceremony Package
Cozumel is rich with Mayan culture, so why not take full advantage and have a Mayan Shaman preside over your nuptials. InterContinental's $2,000 USD Mayan Wedding package includes wedding coordinator, beachfront ceremony, decor, couples massage and Mayan Tezmacal Bath at the resort's Mandara Spa and even a onsite wedding photographer. Visit http://www.intercontinentalcozumel.com or call (52) 987-872-9500.
Cozumel Sunset Weddings By El Cozumeleno Resort
$990 USD might not cover much of your wedding needs on the US mainland, but in Cozumel it's all you need for the ultimate sunset wedding. The El Cozumeleno's romantic wedding package includes wedding coordinator, ceremony, license, flowers decor, cake and dinner for up to ten people at the resort's La Veranda restaurant. Visit http://www.elcozumeleno.com or call 800-437-3923.
El Cid La Ceiba Cozumel - The Romance Wedding Package
With wedding packages starting at $800 USD the El Cid Resort in Cozumel will provide a wedding to remember with personalized planning from the resort's wedding coordinator, complete setup, decor, flowers, marriage certificate, fine dining and more. Room specials start at $79 per night. Visit http://wwwelcid.com or call (52) 987-872 0844.
IBEROSTAR Cozumel
Exchange your vows among the tropical bungalows of Cozumel's IBEROSTAR Resort with one of the resort's Blessings Packages. The wedding packages start at $1,600 USD and include decor, wedding coordinator, cake, sparkling wine and more. Visit http://www.iberostar.com or call 888-923-2722 to start planning.
Cozumel Palace
The Cozumel Palace is one of Cozumel's all-inclusive resorts offering various wedding and honeymoon packages including the property's Superior Package at $1,400 USD. This package includes manicure, pedicure, make-up and hair stylist for the bride. In addition, the package offers wedding gazebo setup, a photography package, champagne for guests, a personal planner and a one-tier cake. Visit http://www.palaceresorts.com or call 877-Pal-4-Wed.
Coral Princess
After a recent complete renovation and upgrade, The Coral Princess in Cozumel is ready to welcome you and your wedding guests to experience a beachfront wedding. Packages begin at $1,200 USD and include personal planner, wedding cake, beachfront locale and more. Visit http://www.coralprincess.com or call 800-253-2702.
Occidental Grand
Wouldn't it be great to have your wedding in a resort locale for free? The Occidental Grand Cozumel makes it possible for couples when their wedding party books either 12 Royal Club Rooms or 25 deluxe rooms. The wedding includes service for 20, onsite consultant, decor, flowers, cake, champagne toast, judge and documentation and even a special breakfast in bed. Wedding packages start at $1,800 USD. Visit http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/CozumelWeddings.asp or call (52) 987-872-9730.
Packages From Cozumel Wedding Planners
Diamond Orchid Weddings
Diamond Orchid Weddings transports you and your guests from you resort or cruise ship directly to a tiny island just off Cozumel's northern coast, Isla de la Pasion, for your private island wedding. The Pearl Rose package includes decor, china and glassware, cake, champagne, photography service and even your group's own personal bartender. Packages start at $1,560 USD. Begin planning and visit http://www.diamondorchidweddings.com or by calling (52) 987-872-5858.
Mayaland Weddings
Mayaland Weddings' packages range from $700 USD to $1,500 USD, and include all the planning, ceremony, tables and linens, marriage certificate and more. Mayaland also offers add-ons including videography, horse and carriage and live mariachi music for incomparable prices. Visit http://www.mayalandweddings or call 52 987-87-29870.
The Cozumel Wedding Planner
Local Cozumel wedding coordination company, The Cozumel Wedding Planner, has been planning Cozumel destination weddings for many years and definitely knows the ins and out of the island. The company can tailor packages for your needs and is also offering a once in a lifetime deal, $900 USD for an island beachfront wedding package including private beach location, minister, processing fees, flowers and decor, seating, cake, waiter and more. Make it a civil ceremony for $1,200 USD. For more information visit http://www.cozumelweddingplanner.com or call 630-233-8469.
Caribbean Weddings
Packages start at $650 USD and range from a simple ceremony with up to 12 guests to a big family and friends gathering. For more information email ceciliacaribbeanwedding@hotmail.com or call (52) 987-872-1750.
081210: New Turks and Caicos Resort Offers Wedding Packages
If you're looking for a Caribbean destination that's easy to reach from the US and offers great diving and dreamy beaches, check out the Turks and Caicos. These islands, located east of the Bahamas, are a growing favorite with celebrity travelers.
In the Turks and Caicos, the island of Providenciales is home to the new Seven Stars Resort which has just announced two wedding packages, perfect for exchanging vows on the powder-white Grace Bay Beach. Elite Wedding Package I: Elite Wedding Package I includes
four nights’ accommodation in either a One-Bedroom Gardenview Studio or One-Bedroom Oceanview Studio
services of a Wedding Officiate for the ceremony and post-wedding documentation
wedding decoration and set up for the ceremony
a romantic dinner for two served beachside or at an alternative location
Continental breakfast daily
one-hour Couples Massage
bottle of Champagne and fruit plate on arrival
bottle of wine
transfers to and from the airport
10% hotel tax
10% service charge
Price: From January 3–April 4, 2009 per couple rates are $3,720 for the One-Bedroom Gardenview Studio and $4,985 for the One-Bedroom Oceanview Studio. From April 5 – October 31, 2009 rates are $3,140 and $4,100, respectively.
Elite Wedding Package II: Elite Wedding Package II includes:
four nights’ accommodation in either a One-Bedroom Beachfront Studio or a One-Bedroom Beachfront Suite with Grand Salon
all inclusions of the Elite Wedding Package I (above)
music during the ceremony
two keepsake Champagne toasting flutes
one Sea Salt Skin Buff (or similar treatment) each for the bride and her mother or a member of the wedding party
chocolate dipped strawberries delivered to the couple’s room on the wedding night
Price: Rates for Elite Wedding Package II from January 3-April 4, 2009 are $6,165 for the One-Bedroom Beachfront Studio and $9,235 for the One-Bedroom Beachfront Suite and Grand Salon. From April 5-October 31, 2009 rates are $5,155 and $7,315, respectively.
Also Included: Included in the Seven Stars daily rate is private shuttle to the golf course, tennis, use of the fitness center and Wi-Fi availability in the pool area.
Why It's Dreamy: The resort is located on 22 beachfront acres of the 12-mile Grace Bay Beach. The resort includes two restaurants, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a spa/fitness facility and a play area for children are among the resort’s features. Accommodations feature a broad terrace or private balcony, marble floors, cable TV and a CD/DVD player with iPod connectivity, full or galley kitchens with granite countertops, stainless steel GE Monogram appliances and an espresso machine with complimentary coffee set-up. Spacious bathrooms have natural stone counters, hairdryers, terry bathrobes, slippers and luxury bath amenities.
11162008: Tie The Knot with A Tungsten Carbide Wedding Band
Melding a modern-day metal into a timeless symbol of an everlasting love, tungsten carbide wedding bands form a perfect union of streamlined design and individualistic elegance for contemporary couples looking outside the box for "I do" ideas.
Offering an array of affordable bands for the budget-conscious bride and groom, prices for tungsten carbide rings offered by Los Angeles-based jewelry manufacturer Titanium Kay start as low as $54.99 for such styles as the Classical men's plain dome band, a gunmetal tone polished to a glossy sheen; the Icarus-- a band buffed to a matte finish in the center with a high gloss edging, and the Piattoe, a bevelled band complemented with a high shine finish. Even Titanium Kay's most elaborate expression of Tungsten Carbide devotion-- the Filoe 8mm wedding band adorned with a 14k gold inlay, is easy on the wallet at $185.
For a ring as unique as your union, black tungsten bands, while striking in its pure state, can offer a dramatic background for laser engraved Celtic symbols and abstract designs. Grooves or a coin edge (as seen in the photo to the left) are other alternatives to an unadorned band.
Also offering unisex bands, Titanium Kay's hypoallergenic rings, while worn mainly by men, are also a perfect fit for brides who want to mirror her ring's style to that of her soul mate. Bands are available in sizes 5 - 13, with sizes up to 16 available for an additional fee.
11042008: Advice for Buying Wedding Dresses Online
In today's troubled economic times, women about to walk down the aisle often find themselves roaming the web in search of money-saving ways to make their wedding day dreams a reality. Should the cost-conscious option of shopping online for bridal attire be considered by budgeting brides when making a decision on an "I do" dress? Top London designer Johanna Hehir offers her advice on the subject of internet wedding apparel:
"Many brides are tempted by the hundreds of websites offering wedding dresses for sale on-line, but it is very much a case of, buyer beware. In addition to established retailers, there are now a considerable number of wholesalers and manufacturers offering to sell direct to the public, at what appear to be very competitive prices".
"Even though the prices are generally much lower than retail, it is virtually impossible for the bride to know if the dress shown on the website, will in fact be anything like the dress she actually receives. Some factories actually lift images from other designer's sites and pass them off as their own. What they are supplying is often a cheap, badly made copy of the original".
How can brides-to-be avoid the pitfalls of online purchasing? The couturier suggests the following:
"Brides tempted to buy on-line should always get references or testimonials and only deal with reputable companies, who they can trust. If at all possible, it is advisable to try the dress on first to check the style and size, as returns can often be difficult".
"Most websites sell standard sizes and the dress will probably need to be altered to fit, so brides should ensure they leave enough time for this. Brides should pay particular attention to measuring themselves correctly and if they are not sure, get someone else to help them. Remember that it is always easier to take a dress in than to let it out".
To allay cost concerns for potential customers, Johanna Hehir has recently launched her own online site, with designs at up to 50% off the retail price for the designer's standard styles. Although sacrificing the luxury of of on-site alterations, this option offers brides worldwide the opportunity to afford a Johanna Hehir creation.
One of today's top London designers, sample the silhouettes of Johanna Hehir in the following gallery:
Top photo: Make an opulent entrance in a Duchesse A-line designed with a pick up skirt that creates a cascading effect rivaled in beauty only by the ultrafeminine flower applique cutouts which hug the bride's shoulders. The lavish look is tied together with a sash at the waist.
Second Photo: This design's curve-conscious bodice culminates in a multi-tiered fishtail skirt.
Third Photo: Yards of rich duchesse satin trail behind the bride and pool at her feet when wearing this strapless style, which features a beaded band which highlights the hips and waist.
Gallery of Johanna Hehir Wedding Dresses, Page Two
A gallery of Johanna Hehir creations:
Top Photo: Pleated to perfection, the vertical folds of this softly sentimental silhouette offers the illusion of elongation for the bride, while the garment's empire waistline echoes the fashion of a Jane Austen-era heroine. To further enhance the gown's nostalgic nuances, a dainty shrug designed with cap sleeves that flutter with the slightest movement and a delicate lace trim can also be ordered.
Second Photo: One of the most requested styles for a walk down the aisle is the classic A-line. This design, created from Italian silk Mikado, is embellished with beaded French couture lace accents on the bodice, followed by yard of unadorned silk which flows gently to the floor.
Third Photo: Offering a hint of Old Hollywood glamor, this Harlowesque silk crepe silhouette features a v-neck and French couture beaded band around the waist to show off a bride's fit figure.