Your TradeWinds Wedding

Tradewinds Island Resorts offer an unusual variety of tropical and special venues for your special day and all those events surrounding it. Your bridal luncheon, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, reception and post wedding brunch can all be hosted with its own theme and unique setting. Your guests will appreciate all the benefits of a beachfront resort destination with a tropical island ambience, yet enjoy quick and easy access from airports and metropolitan areas.

The joyous celebration of your wedding day does not only revolve around the day itself, but the events before and after as well. Enjoy your bachelorette party with the perfect mix of fun, sun and relaxation; your party will be long talked about among your friends.

After the wedding ceremony, forget the long hours in the airport and make us your romantic honeymoon destination. They have a variety of honeymoon suites and romance rooms that will surely enhance the newlywed mood.

To celebrate each year of happiness, Tradewinds is the destination to pick for your anniversary as well. There's always room for two at your favorite restaurant and a spot on the beach in one of their cabanas. After all, nothing says "love forever" quite like a Gulf of Mexico sunset.

Fresh Ideas for an Outdoor Wedding

If you’re a couple who loves the outdoors, why not plan a wedding celebration al fresco? Let loose and let your personalities shine through. Forget about formal dining halls and hotel function rooms. Let nature’s blessings be your backdrop while exchanging your vows and partying with your family and friends afterwards.

You can make it different, memorable and definitely romantic. Work with what open air venues can give you – from the lakes to the skies. Pick some elements from nature and incorporate it in everything you need for your big day. Here are some ideas to inspire you.

Venue

You might have a wider selection of beautiful outdoor venues than you think. You just need to use a little creativity and look around you.

Your home. You can literally start looking in your own backyard – or front lawn. If you’ve got a well-manicured garden, go ahead and plan your wedding right in your own home. You’d only need a little more flowers and lighting here and there.

Parks and nature reserves. Many of these places have designated areas open for private functions, including weddings. Imagine the lush greenery and the sound of the birds around you. You might even find a spot near a waterfall that would make an incredible setting. What could be more romantic and awesome than that?

Botanical and butterfly gardens. In some locations, botanical and butterfly gardens have opened their gates to special gatherings. Similar to parks and nature reserves, you don’t really have to add a lot of decor and flowers in these places. In butterfly gardens, the butterflies can also be used in the ceremony instead of lighting up fireworks or sending balloons up in the air.

Attire

From the bridal dress to the guests’ attire, everything should be more comfortable than in traditional weddings. It would also be lovely to see touches of nature on the clothing and accessories of the bride and groom.

Bridal dress. Skip styles like ball gowns and restrictive cuts. Choose free-flowing dresses made of chiffon and other soft fabrics. Instead of a tiara or some sparkly hair accessory, use fresh flowers for your headpiece. Keep your veil short, if you plan to have one. But it would match the theme better if you leave it out.

Wedding and engagement rings. Choose a figural ring with the shape of a butterfly or a flower to signify your engagement, if you haven’t picked an engagement ring yet. For your wedding bands, you can match the design with your nature-themed engagement ring, or ask the jeweller to put details like leaves or flowers on the band.

Guests’ attire. Ask your guests to come in semi-formal attire, at the most. Don’t bother thinking of making them wear tuxedos and gowns. They’ll enjoy the atmosphere and the celebration you’ve prepared more if they’re in relaxed clothing.

Entertainment

Ideally, live music is best for an outdoor or nature-themed wedding. An acoustic trio or a string quartet would be excellent. But if that’s not possible, make sure that you’ve got a sound system set up perfectly for the outdoors.

Instead of the usual wedding band and games, have a couple of outdoor games like croquet, mini golf or even horseshoes. These games are unique alternatives to bring fun into your party.

As you go on with your wedding plans, you’ll come up with other novel ideas on how to make your outdoor wedding more memorable and fun for everyone. Just remember to pick a date that promises good weather. Although most probably, no amount of rain can dampen the spirits of a newlywed couple.

About the author

Sofia Angeli is a PR & communications consultant for companies in various industries. In particular, she brings her writing skills and passion for travel, culture, arts and lifestyle, including wedding planning and engagement rings, to the online world.

Wonder Weddings

Dreaming of celebrating that happiest of days your wedding in Puerto Rico? You'll be glad to know that tying the knot just got easier, now it is a snap to arrange the perfect destination wedding on the beach, in the mountains, even underwater, if that is what you want! It is always summer in Puerto Rico, so if you dream of balmy days running barefoot on the beach, waves murmuring over the sand, or nights that begin with a golden sunset and end with a champagne colored moon, forget about what season it is. This is the Caribbean: it is always a warm, exotic, and romance place to get married. And it is easy.
Many midsize or small hotels and country inns feature wedding packages and have hosted countless beachside and mountaintop events, so if you want something more intimate be sure to look into the islands of the beaten track locations. You may prefer a simple sunrise or sunset ceremony under the mango tree at the minimalist 20-room Casa Grande Mountain Retreat in Utuado or a barefoot on the beach party literally steps from your room at Hosteria del Mar in Ocean Park.

What will you find in Puerto Rico besides a couple hundred miles of beautiful beaches? Every watersport you can imagine, a score of championship golf courses, hot hotels with hotter casinos, a whole city that is a National Heritage Site, horseback riding, mountain bike and ATV trails, one of the highest and longest zip lines on the planet, a cave system with one of the world’s major underground rivers, the world’s best rums, a rainforest that is considered one of the natural wonders of the world, and much more.

Top Ten Reasons to Marry in Aruba

• Aruba's romantic environment of sunset-lit beaches and private beach coves has long endeared the island as a honeymoon destination. Now both the celebration of the honeymoon destination as well as the actual wedding ceremony and reception can also take place on the island. As one of the hot spots for both weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean, couples seeking romance in Aruba find they come away with their fair share of memorable moments to accompany the wedding and honeymoon photos that will soon be uploaded to favorite social website to share with family and friends.

• An average rainfall of less than 20 inches a year, an average daytime temperature of 82 degrees with low humidity, a location away from the path of hurricanes; and the constant cooling influence of the trade winds.

• A long history of hospitality pervades the local culture, with island residents offering a warm smile and welcome to visitors.

• Accommodations on the island range from renowned names in high rise resorts with all the amenities, to the more intimate environs of low-rise and boutique hotels; the type of resort experience you choose is up to you!

• Aruba offers a cosmopolitan air and all the comforts of home, while still retaining its small town charm.

• Pristine landscapes and historical sites abound, especially in Arikok National Park

• Gourmet adventures available with the island featuring international chefs specializing in several different types of cuisines. Aruba is home to over 100 fine restaurant choices.

• Aruba is a shopper’s paradise. Numerous shops specialize in luxury watches, designer clothing, scents and jewelry.

• Aruba allows you to do exactly what you want to do. With so many choices, you can pursue your favorite activities or simply luxuriate in doing nothing at all.

• Seven miles of white sandy beaches have put Aruba in a class by itself.

We Found Paradise!

Discover Costa Rica's ultimate rainforest lodging experience. You will never forget adventurous white water rafting, gorgeous lodging in the middle of the jungle, romantic dinner with extraordinary food, a very relaxing  massage, meeting interesting people, fantastic swimming in the waterfall and a very friendly and wonderful staff.

Nestled between Costa Rica’s spectacular Pacuare River and a private rainforest reserve, the Pacuare Lodge is an ideal spot for an intimate, tropical wedding or honeymoon. The Pacuare Lodge’s exquisite combination of a pristine setting, elegant architecture, outdoor adventures and exemplary service make it the perfect place for nature lovers to celebrate the beginning of their life together. The Pacuare Lodge is also an ideal destination for honeymooners, or anyone looking for privacy, tranquility and tropical nature.

Retreat into tranquil luxury and design. Submerge in nature. They will exceed your expectations. It is too difficult to pick your favorite since there are so many but you will just love being barefoot in the lodge, the food is excellent and the vista suite is breathtaking. The honeymoon suite is intimate, alluring and indescribably romantic. The beauty and seclusion of this place is beyond description. The bungalows are like your own private heaven. The outside shower is a perfect touch and a wonderful and unique experience. Venture into the heart of Costa Rica's untamed rainforest where luxury and nature go hand in hand.

Their mission is to provide you with a wedding/honeymoon rainforest experience that you won't soon forget, a trip out of the ordinary with memories to last a lifetime.

Get ready to B Warm

Whether you're planning to get away for just a few days or wanting to run away for a week, there's no better place where to escape and B playful than B Ocean Fort Lauderdale. For the discerning traveler, the hotel's location and offerings are ideally suited for Weddings. Upon entering one of their rooms and suites, guests will B mesmerized by the stunning views of the sandy white beaches and colorful shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean.

Play at the beach all day or B adventurous by taking a local excursion to discover all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. Hop on a water taxi to discover why the city is called the Venice of America or B in the City and experience their chic nightspots just a car ride away. Guests can always B in touch with their free high speed internet access available in the hotel including guest rooms. B Adventurous by taking a local excursion to discover all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer, such as jet skiing, parasailing, shopping, the international swimming hall of fame, the everglades, and so much more.

B Ocean features delicious dining options including SAIA their signature restaurant or Bistro on the beach offering fresh pastries, delicious sandwiches and an incredible self-service wine bar. Or step outside where one can quench not only their appetite but also their desire to take a refreshing dip in their infinity edge pool.

At B Ocean Fort Lauderdale, it's not about guests staying with them; it's about each guests experience being what they want it to B!

Unleash your fantasies

If you’re dreaming of sweet romance, of being surrounded by dazzling white sand beaches and the bluest clearest sea imaginable, then visit the islands of the Bahamas. Once there you'll find a true tropical paradise with more than 700 stunning islands and cays strung like jewels across the shimmering turquoise waters. Choose from the glitz and glamour of Nassau and Grand Bahaman Island with their sophisticated hotels and casinos or the rustic escapism of the out islands where life slows down its pace and finding a deserted beach to enjoy alone is easy.

Whether you're looking to get married, enjoy an exotic honeymoon or simply seeking a romantic escape. The Bahamas will ensure an unforgettable experience. Whatever dreamy island you pick, you will find a host of leisure activities. That is, if you can drag yourself away from the luxury of your hotel or idyllic palm lined beaches.


It could be an extravagant event with all the trimmings or a simple ceremony on a deserted beach. Imagine a beautiful horse drawn carriage whisking you away to the wedding ceremony, limousine transfers to and from the hotel, swimming with dolphins or tea at Government House. For a Royal Wedding Bliss experience, colonial Nassau is the ideal location. Come see the breath taking blues of their ocean, tickle each other's feet in pink sand and enjoy the warm hospitality of Bahamians. With the Tropical Wedding Bliss experience couples can still enjoy a simple and elegant wedding in a lush garden or on a pristine beach. Steal away to a quiet location or spice up that special day dancing to the rhythmic beat of a Junkanoo Rushout.

The Islands of the Bahamas offer the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure. Wonderful spas await those is search of pampering while great outdoors beckons the more playful honeymooner. If you want to go exploring, The Bahamas serves up to host of exciting ways to fill your time including: Scuba diving, fishing, golfing, shopping, island hopping and yes there is more!