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Guest Blog: My Favorite Destinations

As the owner of a luxury travel company, I’m often asked about the most popular destinations. For honeymooners, there are countries that become trendy for a few years and eventually fade away, and then there are perennial favorites. At Absolute Travel, the top three most popular destinations for newlyweds of all time are:

africa
1. South Africa: There is no denying that there is something for everyone in South Africa: the winding roads of the Garden Route, cosmopolitan Cape Town, the Winelands region and, of course, safaris. The finest lodges pamper honeymooners while also indulging their appetite for adventure. We recommend several days in Cape Town to enjoy the restaurants and do some touring, a few nights in the Winelands region to sample the excellent local cuisine and wine, and then heading out on safari, preferably at two different lodges to see a variety of landscapes and animals. For the ultimate experience, conclude the trip with several days enjoying the beaches of Mauritius or Mozambique.

April is for...ACCESSORIES

Ladies, GET EXCITED! Now that you've probably picked out your gown (if you hadn't already years ago!), it's time to style it up. This month, BG wants to help you do exactly that: We're giving away a bridal accessory every weekday in the month of April! You can enter to win amazing jewelry from designers like Emma Stine, Tejani and this incredible necklace from ABS by Allen Schwartz (which is tomorrow's prize!), gorgeous sandals and even a custom-made crystal belt to wear with your gown. Plus, we'll offer styling tips for each item so you'll know just how to wear it. But here's the catch: Each prize will only be available for a 24-hour window, starting this Friday, April 1. We'll be busy reminding you on Facebook and Twitter, but it's up to you to actually enter! Until then, we're dreaming of crystal-drop earrings and birdcage veils...

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—Rachel Jacoby

Book Vendors, Earn Funds for Your Dream Registry

Searching for vendors whose work you love and taste you trust can be an overwhelming time suck — add creating a registry to your to-do list and the options seem endless! That's where 1-800-Registry comes in: this online wedding advisory service syncs up your vendor searches and registry, so that you can access both in one convenient profile. The website launches TODAY, so create your free profile to start browsing for customized vendors and compile a registry where guests can contribute towards that once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon or your starter home with the hubs. If you upgrade to the Gold Service ($19.95/month), you'll earn up to 10% back for every vendor that you book through the site, which goes towards your registry fund. If you're a Platinum bride ($39.95/month), you'll have access to the Wedding Concierge Service and the 1-800-Registry Wedding Planner. Dubious about enlisting the help of an online wedding specialist? Not to worry: They are all pre-screened and highly recommended by real-life brides.

For more information, visit 1800registry.com or call 1-888-734-4787.

— Emily Gardner

 

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Global Goss: Fit to Fly

True story: My first flight out of JFK as a New Yorker was blessed by a famous face. It wasn’t the quintessential sighting of Robert De Niro, Woody Allen or even a top model. Nope, instead I was stuck with none other than '80s fitness phenom Richard Simmons. He was dressed in all of his workout garb—short shorts, tank-type top and a sweatband across his hair. Did I mention that it was the middle of February in New York? Pre-boarding, he came down to the gate area and led the entire flight in exercises to “combat all the lethargic movement of being in flight.” And yes, that is a direct quote. A lot of the passengers were into it, although the ground crew tried to convince him that he’d be more comfortable in the first class lounge. It looks like that airline is alone in their thinking, because today I stumbled upon the new air safety vid. Mr. Simmons taped for Air New Zealand:

— Jenna Mahoney

Wedding Wars Episode 3 Recap



Last night, the remaining ten couples continued to duke it out on Wedding Wars, including super-strong Jay and Dee, who were ultimately booted from the wedding chapel—and the remote Hawaiian island (Check out more about Hawaii). Even though Dee stuffed loads of dog food down her throat during the gift challenge and Jay's team hustled unsuccessfully to fill a champagne bottle in the security challenge, Jay and Dee's unfortunate fate was sealed when only five (of the ten) couples were up on the chopping block—with Jay and Dee easily being the strongest pair.

H. Stern and Diane Von Furstenberg Collaborate

We at BG love the new Sutras collection designed by Diane Von Furstenberg (a fave of our Editor-in-Chief) and H. Stern, jeweler to the stars (and creator of this major ring). Each piece in the collaboration collection has rock crystal outlined in fluid gold borders. These are simple pieces perfect for any occasion because every crystal is unique, making each necklace, pendant, ring, and earring feel handcrafted especially for you. Brides, this is an amazing gift for your maids, to wear on your honeymoon, or even rock as your own big-day jewels! DVF's inspiring mantras are engraved in her handwriting on the teardrop pendants. Words like freedom, laughter, and happiness are worn close to your heart either with these sutras showing or the crystal facing outward. Wear these stones and channel your inner powerful woman! They’re also favorites of celebs like Sharon Stone, Drew Barrymore, and Eva Longoria.

—Samantha Corbin

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Royal Wedding DVR Alert!

Can't get enough of the Royal Wedding Madness? Neither can we! Despite all of the far-fetched memorabilia — we love Kate and Wills, but that doesn't mean we're going to install a fridge plastered with their likeness in the BG kitchen — it's been riveting to see Ms. Middleton step into the role we've all secretly (or not so secretly) dreamed about since we were little girls. Prepare for the epic event (which will take place on April 29th, only about a month away!) by tuning into "William & Kate: Inside the Royal Wedding," a one-hour special that airs on TLC this Sunday, March 27th at 10/9c. The special gives viewers an exclusive look at all of the deets we've been speculating about for months now, including what Kate's wedding dress will look like and what Buckingham Palace's menu will include.

 

— Stefania Sainato

"Run to the Altar" in Jumby Bay, Antigua

run to the altar program

Do you ever fantasize about skipping town and sailing away to a private tropical island, where every magical detail of your "I Do" has already been planned for you? Now's your chance: You can "Run to the Altar" with 20 of your closest friends, off the coast of Antigua at Jumby Bay, a Rosewood Resort. The local government has updated their marriage policies, so in as little as 24 hours on the island, you can get hitched — Caribbean blue has never looked so inviting! 

"Run to the Altar" includes a stunning ceremony in a private setting (Jumby Bay is only accessible by boat), a Guest Services Manager to help you execute your vision, a marriage license and officer fees, champagne on the beach and dinner at the Estate House, a wedding cake for you and your guests, and music to dance the night away to, as well as a bridal bouquet and boutonniere...and that’s just for the wedding!

Worried that your friends and family won't be able to attend? The package comes with a three-night stay for up to 20 people in 10 beachside Courtyard suites, as well as round-trip airport transfers and a White Night Party welcome and rehearsal dinner. 

At the end of the night, you and hubby can retire to an upgraded Pool Suite and celebrate with a massage at SENSE, a Rosewood Spa. Jumby Bay will also provide a romantic wedding night turndown service for the bride and groom.

HauteLook Debuts Wedding Party Sample Sale

With wedding season just around the corner, planning and attending weddings can get seriously pricey (especially if you want to rock a new look at each event!). Have no fear, ladies: We've found something that can help you get all the right looks—without emptying your wallet. HauteLook, an incredible sample-sale site, is having a wedding event starting TOMORROW. Whether you’re a bridesmaid, bride, groom or just a guest, there is something for you—and everything is 50-75% off. You'll score cool deals on dresses, accessories, lingerie and jewels. Plus, score wedding-day beauty essentials like Tan Towels, adorable flower girl dresses from industry vet Us Angels, or even book your honeymoon getaway! Since the sale opens at 8 AM PDT, we've set our alarm clocks for 11 AM here on the East Coast. And if you're a bride who hasn't started planning, get this: There are also top-notch wedding-planning books on sale. Better get a good night's sleep tonight—tomorrow you're going to shop til you drop!

—Emily Gardner

 

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Sail Away with Me

yco boatIt may be my job, my title and my duty to travel, but even I have daydreams about actually taking a fabulous vacation. Don’t tell my boss, but I often sit here at my desk Googling fantasies of kicking back on some remote beach and not having to write about it (wink). I also imagine myself wandering through quaint undiscovered villages, when suddenly I decide to stay for a month or longer! I learn the language, I become a regular at the corner café…okay, now I’m getting a bit carried away. But one globetrotting fantasy of mine that may become your honeymoon reality is a romantic sail aboard a chartered boat. I recently met with the folks from YCO, a Monaco-based yacht charter company that has a fleet of vessel options all over the world. Personally, I dream about cruising around some islands of the Mediterranean on a masted sailboat. The company also hosts boats—all of which come equipped with a full-service crew—in the far-flung South Seas, nearby Caribbean and anywhere else your heart desires (hola, South America! G-day, Aussieland). For more information, go to ycoyacht.com.

— Jenna Mahoney

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