DESTIN — Some businesses find a way to thrive even in the toughest of economic times.
During the Great Depression, movies and radio found great success as relatively inexpensive forms of entertainment.
While many businesses are struggling today, one niche enterprise has done well. The popularity of beach weddings has continued to grow this summer.
“The beach wedding business has been great,” said Darrel Jones, executive director of the Okaloosa County Tourist Development Council. “We get an average of seven to nine leads a week (at the TDC). That has grown each year.”
The TDC has advertised its beach wedding opportunities in a popular wedding magazine called Knot. Jones said that has been successful in drawing couples to the Emerald Coast.
Although beach weddings have been big business in the area for years, the economic slump had organizers worried.
“I knew it was a reality out there that people were hurting and people were having to cut back” said Cecilia Cappella, owner of Tropical Beach Weddings in Navarre. “Everyone was concerned. I was concerned as a business owner, being self employed, but I have not seen a decrease at all.”
Cappella said she did not have any wedding cancellations this summer because of lost jobs or anything to do with the economy. She said she only had one couple call to downgrade a previous plan.
Financially, Cappella said she was even with last year’s summer numbers. Things have gone so well this year that Cappella has decided to expand her business next year to add another wedding crew to her staff to increase the number of weddings her company performs.
“It was a very good season. We’re still doing weddings. I’m slammed for September,” she said.
Maggie Halsey, owner of Barefoot Weddings in downtown Fort Walton Beach, said the biggest advantage to a beach wedding is the savings. She said a typical church wedding costs $10,000 to $12,000, whereas the most expensive package she offers is $2,500, which includes the bouquet, photos, chairs, music, decorations and officiating.
“It has been phenomenal,” Halsey said. “I have been really blessed. I just took my first day off since July 4 this past Sunday.”
Today’s visit is to the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino. This is yet another lovely property on the island of Curacao. This spa and casino offers great rest and five-star amenities that will have you feeling like a star…and don’t be surprised if you see some while there.
Can you tell me about Hotel Kura Hulanda and opportunities for weddings?
At Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino, ceremonies can be held adjacent to the property's two pools or in one of the many courtyards. Additionally, or wedding ceremonies can be performed at the hotel's Museum Square. At the Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club - most couples either prefer holding ceremonies directly on the beach or on one of the many nearby cliffs over-looking the ocean - the perfect backdrop for breathtaking photography.
What are the heavy times of year you're seeing brides?
May is typically the busiest month for wedding ceremonies at both Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino and Lodge Kura Hulanda & Beach Club
What are the best/signature experiences can a wedding party expect - or most importantly, if a couple is looking for a venue, why would they choose your space/island vs. another?
Everything about the Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa and Casino is unique. The intimate setting creates the ambiance of a small village. The Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club appeals to couples seeking a secluded island beach getaway. Lodge Kura Hulanda and Hotel Kura Hulanda, both members of Leading Small Hotels of the World, are one-of-a-kind, five-star properties in Curaçao offering unique ambiences paired with first-class service.
Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a bride/couple.
Hotel Kura Hulanda Spa & Casino boast the Indian Bridal suite. All the furniture is made of hand –hammered Stirling Silver. The draped four-poster king sized bed is also silver. Remote controlled air conditioning, 30-inch remote controlled flat screened cable TV, DVD, VCR, CD Player, 2 telephones, wireless internet, desk and chair, marbled bathroom with two bathtubs (one made for two) hairdryer, bathrobes and upscale amenities. Accommodates up to 2 persons. The Indian Bridal suite will inspire couples to get married again and again just to experience this lush sterling silver surrounding. Truly a suite fit for a Maharajah and Maharani.
Can you tell me about marriage requirements, costs or restrictions? With at least three months advance notice, the Kura Hulanda Resots will be able to easily ensure that all papers are processed locally. The average cost is around $300 per couple.
For more info: For more information please check out their site: Hotel Kura Hulanda www.kurahulanda.com
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique Offers All-Inclusive "Takeover Wedding" Package
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (PRWEB) September 2, 2009 -- A complimentary destination wedding with the privilege of having an entire hotel for just close friends and family, is a dream comes true for couples looking to get married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. At the all-inclusive Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, brides and grooms get a free wedding and upgrade to Presidential Suite when they "Take Over" the resort's 80 suites for family and friends.
Representing a savings of more than $16,000 USD, the Take Over Wedding package includes three days of pure wedding bliss celebration for the wedding party including a welcome dinner with live music on the first night; rehearsal dinner; wedding ceremony and reception at the hotel's private beach club, pool or lush garden area with four-course menu, decorations and wedding coordinator.
Guests enjoy Casa Velas' all-inclusive amenities such as accommodations in a Master or Grand Class suite, a la carte gourmet dining, beverages, 24-hour room service, mini bar, taxes and gratuities. Available through December 24, 2009 and from January 4th - December 23, 2010, the rate is $275 per person, per night, based on double occupancy. A minimum of 70 suites for three nights is required. For reservations, please call 1-866-612-1097 or visit www.hotelcasavelas.com.
The hacienda-style Casa Velas Hotel Boutique, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World and a recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award, is located just five minutes from Puerto Vallarta Airport and only 15 minutes from the popular downtown area, art galleries, and "El Malecon" (the boardwalk). The hotel features 80 suites, some with private pools and Jacuzzis.
The perfect vacation for golfers, Casa Velas is nestled on the greens of Marina Vallarta's 18-hole golf course and also offers golf privileges at two other top 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf only 20 minutes away. Spa Casa Velas, a Leading Spa of the World, encompasses five treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy area, a fitness gym and a beauty salon. Emiliano a la carte fine dining restaurant is at the hands of one of the area's leading chefs serving Mexican and international cuisine.
Most people save for months, maybe years, to pay for their wedding.
But now one lucky couple can have the San Francisco wedding of their dreams -- for free.
More than 40 wedding vendors in the Bay Area are teaming up to plan, coordinate and design a high-end wedding of the year valued at $100,000.
"These days, it seems all we ever hear on TV is bad news, with the recession, home foreclosures, and hundreds of people losing their jobs every day," says Liz Guthrie, the contest producer, and owner of San Jose Wedding Consultants. "Weddings are expensive, and many people cannot afford a lavish wedding, especially given the state of the economy. We wanted to offer something back to the community that has been so good to us over the years, and the 2010 San Francisco Dream Wedding seemed like the perfect opportunity."
The winning couple will receive the dream -- a full wedding with all the trimmings. Prizes include a wedding planner, coordinator and event designer; catered rehearsal dinner for 25 guests at a 1 Fort Mason; wedding ceremony and reception venue at Hotel Vitale; 3 nights' accommodations in San Francisco; 3 nights' accommodations in Napa; shoes and dresses for the bride and her bridesmaids; massages; wedding rings for bride and groom; wedding cake and grooms' cake; engagement, rehearsal and wedding photography; videography; photo booth; wedding favors; and more.
The 2010 San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway opened Aug. 4 and is open to anyone in the U.S.
Entrants have to fill out an online form full of questions such as how they met, how the proposal went and why they deserve to win.
The nuptials must take place on May 14, 2010, at Hotel Vitale and there's a guest limit of 75.
The public will say "I do" to the hopefuls in an online vote starting Dec. 27 and the couple with the most votes will find out on Valentine's Day 2010.
Nestled in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and Barbuda is poised as the Romance Capital of the World. Rich with a history of naval forts and relics, synonymous with a colonial past and the plethora of natural beauty that abounds, Antigua and Barbuda is certainly the love nest of the Caribbean. There are breath taking golden sunset and watch it simmer into the warm sea, white sand beaches and Barbuda’s pink cotton sand. This is an island where nothing matters but the one you’re with.
Shermain Jeremy, tourism officer, for the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism, spent some time speaking with me about her beautiful country. The more she spoke, the more I wanted to hop on the next flight to see it for myself. Of course, my job is to ask the questions for you about getting married in Antigua and Barbuda, so here is a bit of our conversation.
Can you tell me about Antigua and Barbuda and opportunities for weddings there?
Most of the hotels on Antigua and Barbuda offer wedding and honeymoon packages and come ready with wedding planner, marriage officer, venue etc. Couples also have access to other romantic and picturesque aspects of the islands where they can host their own personalized wedding.
What are the heavy times of year you're seeing brides?
June, which is also considered as the Romance Month in Antigua and Barbuda. This is also really good to note if you have readers who are considering getting engaged and want to create a surprise. Our Romance Month gives a wonderful and additional option to Valentine’s Day, when so many people get engaged.
What are the best/signature experiences can a wedding party expect - or most importantly, if a couple is looking for a venue, why would they choose your space vs. another venue?
Antigua and Barbuda is considered the Vegas of the Caribbean because couples can get married in a day, even cruise ship travelers can enjoy same day weddings. There is no residency requirement. Antigua and Barbuda is rich in culture, history and natural beauty and serves as the perfect backdrop to any wedding.
Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a couple.
The bride can enjoy a horse and boggy ride to the alter, or take a yacht to her wedding, or the newly married couple can enjoy a boat ride and sail into the sunset. Antigua and Barbuda has lots of activities and couples can enjoy day cruises around the island on a party boat, horseback riding, parasailing, bird watching, scenic tours around the island, picnics on the beach, dining at one of our many restaurants, take a day trip to Barbuda and enjoy the pink sands on a private beach, or visit one of our many private islands off the coast of the main isles.
Like all destination wedding locations there are rules/requirements. Here is what you need to get married in Antigua?
There is:
No waiting period
No residency requirements and
Cruise passengers can enjoy same day weddings
In other words…
1. Complete the application and pay fees (a registration fee of US$40, special marriage license is US$150, and the Marriage Officer's fee is US$50 – total US$240)
2. Confirm a date, time and venue for your wedding and…
3. Congratulations! You’re married!
Personally, I like the idea of Vegas on the high-seas. With so many places to get married on the island, no waiting period and for a nominal fee, this just might be the place to consider.
For more info: Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism 305 East 57th Street, 6A New York, NY 10017 T: 212-541-4117 www.antigua-barbuda.org
Are you getting married in 2010? Planning a destination wedding or live somewhere in the Mediterranean - MonicaZwants to be your wedding photographer!
Monica has been a wedding photographer since 2006 and she is offering her photography services to you on your special day! The catch? — just pay airfare & expenses for her and her second shooter (her hubbie of three years Chris who is also a photographer).
You will get full wedding day coverage, a day after session, print permissions on all your photographs (and a high resolution disc of images) plus a $500 album credit!
What are the heavy times of year you're seeing brides?
Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a couple.