Welcome to Moongate

Within these pages you will find information, links, answers to questions and, other wedding event resources. In one convenient location you will be able to review a wide range of wedding information.

We recommend that you post questions in response to the articles below; answers are posted freely.

Finally you may contact us to engage our services as a wedding planner. We also provide travel arrangements for your out of town guests and affordable honeymoon packages.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Maui's Makena Resort Unveils 2010 Wedding Ceremony Packages

The Makena Beach & Golf Resort on Maui has announced its 2010 wedding ceremony packages, which start at $4,500 plus tax and gratuity. The Polynesian Alii (Royalty) package includes a bride’s lei, a three-tiered wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, a Hawaiian musical duo, a royal Hawaiian bridal procession, a bamboo arch decorated with tropical flowers, a aisle of sprinkled flower petals, a sound system, three hours of photography and a portrait, two hours of videographer, a limousine pickup from Kahului Airport, and a 50-minute massage for two.

The Hawaiian Classic package features a bride’s lei, a three-tiered wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, a classical duo, a wedding arch, an aisle sprinkled with flower petals, a release of two white doves, three hours photography and a portrait, and two hours of videographer. The Royal Princess package includes a bridesmaid’s bouquet, a best man’s lei, a three-tiered wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, a Polynesian processional trio and solo guitarist, a wedding arch, an aisle sprinkled with flower petals, and two hours of photography and a portrait. The Makena Kuuipo (Sweetheart) package features a two-tiered wedding cake, a bottle of champagne, a Hawaiian solo guitarist and two hours photography with a portrait.

All packages include assistance with the marriage license and event coordination. Other standard package offerings are a choice of wedding site and ceremony coordination, an officiate, a ceremony rehearsal, a bridal bouquet, a groom’s maile lei intertwined with tuberose, seating for 20, a Hawaiian keepsake wedding certificate, an in-room gift, and fresh floral turndown on the wedding night. Wedding dinner receptions start at $50 per person for plated dinners, while buffets start at $70 per person.

For the honeymoon, the new Kuuipo (Sweetheart) package starts at $219 per night and includes a fresh flower lei greeting, champagne and strawberries brought to the room on the day of arrival, and breakfast in bed each morning.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Caribbean Bridal Expo & Marketplace

Over 300 exhibitors fashion designer’s runway, wine & food tasting, extravagant designs.

•Caribbean’s largest Bridal Event.
•The One Show Not To Be Missed If There Is A Wedding In Your Future.
•Experience International Designers Collections Runway shows at the Bridal Fashion.
•Visit over 415 Exhibits
•Discover what’s new and hot In Romantic Honeymoon and Wedding Destinations in over 15 Caribbean islands.
•Over 500 wedding professionals attend CBE. Together the industry makes decisions and presentations that influence every corner of the Caribbean islands.
•Bridal Expo, Destination Weddings Expo and Bridal Fashion Weekend divided into different segments that make the Caribbean Bridal Expo the most comprehensive wedding fashion trade show experience in the Caribbean.

Expo will take place at the Puerto Rico Convention Center March 27-28 2010.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Romantic India

For newlyweds, India spells the perfect start to a lifelong camaraderie.

Honeymooners seeking a journey of lasting memories should look no further than India to set the tone for a lifetime of magic and mystery. Where else can a couple lands on a beach, set off on an adventure in the mountains, and also gaze at the world's most monumental tribute to love, the Taj Mahal? They say under every stone in India lies a story waiting to be told. And the perfect way to find the romance of a bygone era and also kindle the same sparks in your own marriage is simply to set foot in any city or town in India. A thrilling journey through spectacular architecture, stately palaces, impregnable forts, and silent havelis private mansions awaits newlyweds in India. The excitement of unraveling moments of history is coupled with the pleasures of a romantic holiday in the lap of luxury.

Heritage properties in India whether they be palaces or forts are also some of the world’s most opulent. There can hardly be a better setting than a spa for a romantic escapade. Bonding in bliss finds a new dimension in the luxuriant spas of India, also the land of ayurveda. And yet another way of packing loads of romance into a honeymoon is to hit a shopping trail. A treasure trove of sorts, India offers everything a shopper could ask for from flea markets to local bazaars, cool malls to quirky boutique. Through the length and breadth of the country, there is a world of treasures to take back home.

A sunrise over a hilltop, a gentle cruise down a mighty river, hours of solitude in the wilderness, and close encounters with wildlife romance in the lap of nature is an evergreen idea. India, with its mountains, valleys, hills, dales, wildlife sanctuaries, and nature reserves is the perfect destination for honeymooners who want to connect with Mother Nature. And for the rush of adrenaline, there are options and more options of adventure sports. Whether you favor rafting or rock climbing, roughing it out in the wild cannot get more romantic than in India.

Of course, nothing evokes romantic feelings more than the Taj Mahal, the majestic domed marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife. One of the wonders of the world, it offers something of a blessing for every soul in love. Time shared in India is time well spent together, and for honeymooners, a trip to India may well be the first step towards an inspired lifetime.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Charlotte's Ritz-Carlton Unveils Green Wedding Package

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte has unveiled a new green wedding package designed to add environmental mindfulness to the wedding experience and become a keystone of the hotel’s eco-friendly practices. The package ensures that reception flowers and keepsakes do not become wasted resources, and it includes table linens made of fabric derived from recycled plastic bottle materials, centerpieces placed in compostable paper Mache containers, and take-home gifts of plant-able herb gardens. Priced at $189 per person, Something Green at the Ritz-Carlton Charlotte includes reused and recycled reception décor such as locally grown foliage, herbs and flowers and natural paper Mache centerpiece containers, which can be replanted, composted or donated to the bride’s choice of a local hospital or non-profit following the reception; choice of ivory or gold table linen made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic; plant able herb garden favor for each guest; an organic beverage selection at the four-hour organic open bar; farm-fresh hors d’oeuvres and green salad and local and organic entrees; and an organic wedding cake with house-made jams.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte also donates unused food to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte offers multiple wedding and reception settings, dinner seating for up to 480 guests, a spectacular grand staircase for bridal entrances, and a wedding cake program heralded for its contemporary taste and design.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Two Connoisseurs of Scotland Hotels Offer Wedding Packages

The Boath House Hotel and the Knockinaam Lodge are offering personally tailored wedding packages. Weddings at these properties are custom made for each couple, with a wide selection of ceremony locations from the shores of the Irish Sea to the halls of a Georgian mansion as well as Michelin-starred cuisine, individually decorated suites, experienced personnel and exclusive use of the properties, couples will be able to create the wedding that they desire.

The acres of gardens and scenic grounds surrounding the Boath House Hotel provide a backdrop for the private ceremonies held within the Georgian mansion. Couples marrying in the warmer months can choose to be wed in a lakeside ceremony or amongst the several thousand daffodils blooming in the spring; locations within the mansion include the pillared hall and large lounges, each reminiscent of the Georgian era in which they were originally designed. The eight bedrooms, accommodating up to 16 guests, include two courtyard suites, each with a private entrance and modern accents, as well as the exclusive Mickle cottage, offering seclusion and featuring its own entrance and garden, two bathrooms, and a bedroom with connecting lounge area. The Michelin-starred dining room offers a setting for the wedding meal -- and comfortably seats 26 people. It has also been awarded 4AA rosettes and is recognized as one of the top 10 restaurants in Scotland. Weddings are booked exclusive use for £4,640 ($7,556), which includes bed and breakfast for all of the rooms as well as the organizational costs of the ceremony; charge for a second day/night for the group is £4,000 ($6,514).

Set within a country landscape and featuring a private beach on the shores of the Irish Sea, the Knockinaam Lodge is also a setting for an intimate wedding. Whether choosing a ceremony on the meticulously lawn overlooking the sea, or on the beach itself, the surroundings lend an air of romance to the affair. The seasoned staff can handle all arrangements, from flowers to photographers, or can provide a full list of local companies for couples who prefer to make the arrangements themselves. Knockinaam’s Michelin-starred restaurant and chef, Tony Pierce, offer a menu featuring modern Scottish fare made from fresh local produce, tailored to the specific desires of the bride and groom. After the ceremony, guests retire to one of 10 individually decorated bedrooms. Exclusive use rates start at £2,350 ($3,825) per night and include afternoon tea upon arrival, dinner, a full Scottish breakfast and VAT for up to 20 guests.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Charleston's Planters Inn Offers Destination Weddings

Planters Inn, South Carolina’s only member of Relais & Chateaux, has developed a one-stop shop Weddingmoon Package for budget-conscious brides. The highly customized experience is carefully planned with the hotel’s staff who together offer more than 30 years of bridal planning experience in a city consistently ranked as one of the top wedding destinations across the country. The all-encompassing weddingmoon, a combination wedding and honeymoon, is otherwise known as a destination wedding.

The Weddingmoon Package at Planters Inn combines a city setting with the exclusivity and personalization of one of Charleston’s premier hotels. The package includes wedding officiate; bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonnière; ceremony music (typically string trio or quartet); photographer; all venue rental fees for both the ceremony and the reception; all-inclusive, three-hour reception including food and beverage courtesy of the Peninsula Grill restaurant, personal flowers, DJ and/or band; and a wedding night suite accommodations for the bride and groom. Rates for the Weddingmoon Package at Planters Inn start at $5,000 plus tax and gratuity for a total of 25 guests. An optional private carriage ride for the bride and groom can also be added for an additional $425. Guest accommodations are additional.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Ireland's Dromoland Collection Offers Winter Wedding Specials

The resort properties of The Dromoland Collection, including Dromoland Castle and Castle martyr Resort, are offering value-added winter wedding specials. The wedding offer at Dromoland Castle, available from January to March 2010, includes a mulled wine reception; two nights’ accommodation in the Bridal Suite, including the wedding night; special room rates of 215 Euros (weekend) and 195 Euros (mid-week), including full Irish breakfast (tax and service charge included); one room credit for every 15 rooms reserved; use of the Brian Boru Hall, Drawing Room or Terrace Room venues; a five-course set menu for 66 Euros per person (service charge and VAT additional); personalized menus, seating plan and place cards; and chair covers.

Available from November 2009 through February 2010, the Castle martyr Resort’s winter wedding package includes a red carpet welcome and entertainment by a pianist on arrival; a mulled wine reception; two nights’ accommodation in the Manor House for the bride and groom; a special room rate of 190 Euros, including full Irish breakfast (tax and service charge included); use of the Capel Suite or Kiltha Room; a five course set menu for 68 Euros (service charge and VAT inclusive); personalized menus and a framed table plan; and chair covers and candelabra. Castle martyr Resort is located in Castle martyr, County Cork, Ireland. For more information, call 011 353 21 4219000 or visit www.castlemartyrresort.ie. Dromoland Castle is located at Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare, Ireland.