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Ger & I share a love of traveling to new places. When deciding where we were going to go for our honeymoon many different locations came up. Do we go around to a few different European countries, somewhere tropical to relax on the beach or perhaps a totally unique experience?

We have always wanted to go to Japan and what a better time to experience it! It’s been a dream to visit this beautiful country and so it wasn’t hard to narrow down our choice. Japan it is!

{all images via Lonely Planet}

Did you decide to go somewhere different for your honeymoon?

This recent New York Times article, 100 Hotels Under $150 by Stuart Emmrich, reminded me that we have yet to decide on what to do about a honeymoon.

[Side note: You should check out the New York Times piece if you're going to Europe on a budget. It lists hotels under $150 in a variety of cities, including London, Florence, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Rome and many others. A great resource for travelers!]

We both love to travel, explore new places, experience new cultures, and eat a lot of food that is foreign to us (but really yummy.)  We have been to Europe (London, Paris, Rome, Florence, Amsterdam, Rotterdam,) and Asia (Bangkok and Hong Kong) which leaves a lot of places to be visited! We’re basically treating our honeymoon as an excuse to visit someplace we have never been to before.

There are a couple of issues halting my research (and I LOVE to research, especially when it comes to places I have yet to visit.) One of the issues we are having is when to have this fantabulous vacation. With me having to work and go to school, and him having to…well, work and go to school, you can imagine that time is a bit difficult to coordinate.

[Our vacation to Paris a few years ago]

The second problem is that we’ll be having a Chinese banquet a week after our San Diego wedding, so that rules out skipping town for any extended period of time.

That means that we are most likely waiting to have this trip, I just don’t know until when and I don’t know how with our schedules, but we’ll be waiting.

I’m honestly a little scared that time will pass and I’ll randomly remember 2 years later–oh yeah. We never took a honeymoon.

Two questions:

1. Are you planning to wait to take your big trip, and if so, how long are you waiting? Months? A year?

2. If you were in my shoes, knowing the places we have traveled to together, where would you go?

Hello hello hello again! I’ve just gotten back from the whirlwind that is getting married and then spending 10 days in Hawaii. It was a long trip back to Boston but we’ve finally arrived and are just trying to stave off jetlag long enough to celebrate my new hubby’s birthday which happens to be today!

Anyways, there’s so much I want to share with you - and finally can share with you - now that the wedding is over. Of course we are still waiting for the professional pictures to come in, so why don’t we start with the most recent event - our beautiful honeymoon in Kauai!

Back when I was researching honeymoon options, I didn’t know if we’d be able to afford Hawaii. But after one of my ever helpful bridesmaids discovered Home Away, a vacation rental website, I was lucky to happen upon this beautiful condo on the north shore of Kauai in Princeville. By staying in a condo, we enjoyed the convenience of far more space and privacy, a large lanai with ocean and mountain views, and a full kitchen, all for less than $200/night (during the off season when we went, just $160/night).

View from our lanai plus a visitor {author’s photo}

Kauai is the oldest and one of the least commercial of the Hawaiian islands. It is known as the “Garden Isle” and for good reason: it is green and lush and home to some of the world’s greatest natural features, including Mount Waialeale (known as the wettest place on earth, receiving up to 600 annual inches of rainfall) and Waimea Canyon (dubbed by Mark Twain as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”) - not to mention some of the best beaches in the U.S.!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

I am in total shock that my wedding is just about a month away - where did the time go? September was a total blur - starting with a last minute trip to Paris (I know, pretty amazing), followed closely by my bachelorette and Homecoming at Davidson. Then I had two fabulous showers in Brian’s hometown, and then a work trip to Chicago! And do you think I managed to get any wedding planning in during that time? No. I got back to my real life and had a melt down because of everything there is still left to do…

Well, fortunately I have amazing friends (one who drove down from Columbus, OH!) who helped me regain my sanity and excitement for all that is coming up.  We spent this past weekend getting the invitations ready to go out (they are amazing, even if they are a tidbit late going out…) and making plans for getting all the things left to do done.  I can’t believe it’s so close!

I have lots of upcoming projects and planning to tell you about, but before I dive into that I thought I would share some pictures from my adventures this past month. Enjoy!

First a few Paris ones…

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Friends! It’s been so long, and I have so many stories to share! August 28th was the most perfect day of my life — rain and all. There was spontaneous singing during the ceremony. There were bridesmaids with red umbrellas and groomsmen with mugs of microbrews. There were proud parents. There were family cookbooks for every guest. And there was an unlimited supply of love and laughter.

{credit Robert Winton}

Our honeymoon at El Dorado Maroma in the Riviera Maya was equally as memorable. We ate gourmet every meal and drank fruity cocktails every day. We kayaked, snorkeled, climbed Mayan ruins, and did a whole lot of relaxing. We were pampered from the moment we arrived until the time we left.

Stay tuned for all of the joyful details!

One day back in January…

Him: Hey, you should pack a bag for the weekend, because we’re going somewhere.

Me: Why where are we going?

Him: I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.

Me: Well if I don’t know, how do I know what to pack?

Him: Um…just bring two sets of clothes.

Me: Are we going somewhere nice? Do I need a dress? What about a bathing suit?

Him: Um….no? I don’t know? Yes? Just bring both. And don’t forget your cell phone charger.

And this is how the conversation started off our proposal weekend, which, despite not being a total deer in headlights surprise, was still a very fun and romantic weekend in San Diego!

The boy planned four activities for us. First on the itinerary…

1. Birch Aquarium

What can I say, I’m a museums and aquariums geek. He knows me too well. And I LOVE leafy sea dragons! When they swim in between the leaves, I think “heeey where did they go???”

This was a beautiful aquarium, and it was fun to explore and read about all the sea creatures. I recommend it for anyone visiting La Jolla, it’s a fun date spot!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

While we’re hard at work this weekend on our invitations (that may or may not involve a gocco, a xyron, zips, an embosser, and 8 lbs. of paper!), we’ll be dreaming of this view that we’ll enjoy in just three months!

And we’ll enjoy our honeymoon even more knowing how much time and effort we put into locating it! Let me fill you in.

From the beginning, Nick and I knew we wanted a tropical destination. As much as we both appreciate art, history, and culture, all we want for our honeymoon is sun, sand, and maybe a little pampering.

We received two very generous offers from Nick’s parents and relatives to use their timeshares. However most of what we found (with the exception of this one: Ocho Cascadas, which is not available in September) were huge high-rise resorts among other huge high-rise resorts. This is fine for some couples, but we really envisioned a secluded, rustic villa. No crowds, no kids, and no tourist attractions.

{Read the rest of this entry…}

By the time you all read this, Dave and I will be floating down the Nile in Egypt. We planned this trip last minute – just a few weeks ago – when our Egyptian friend offered to host us at his home in Cairo. Having lived abroad for many years ourselves, we love traveling with a local and jumped at the opportunity to realize one of our livelong dreams.

It’s decisions like this that scare us….well, that scare us into thinking we won’t be able to too make them once we “settle down.” “Just wait until you are married,” people say, “You won’t be able to do this. You will be an adult.”

When I hear this I smile and say, “we’ll see” as I try to brush off their destiny of doom. Although our lives will undoubtedly change, with marriage and with the arrival of children, we have some control over our decisions and, you know, kids live all over the world …they can travel. I know, I know, you are thinking, “Just wait and see,” but being the stubborn idealist I am, I still say, “We’ll see.”

Crazy as it may seem, this trip will be the first time we’ve spent a week together since we got engaged a few months ago (since I’m in DC and he in NYC). It’s our engagement honeymoon :) I’m seriously stoked about spending 10 hours on a plane next to my beau, and we’re looking forward to making some wedding decisions out there. I’ll begun planning our engagement party next week and will share with you the details then! Have a great week!

{Image via a Stag Weekend Attendee who wishes to remain anonymous}

Last weekend was my Stag weekend. 3 days of fine food, wine, walks, football and much hilarity in a beautiful house on a Loch in Scotland.

Things couldn’t have gone better. Everyone got on (most of the time) and some new bonds were formed; across generations in some cases. Almost 40 years separated the youngest from the oldest but this didn’t get in the way. There were no strippers, nobody was tied to a lamppost (although they did throw me in the Loch) and there were no serious injuries. We didn’t destroy the house and everybody made their respective flights back.

This was a weekend of relaxed hedonism. Our aim was to leave everything except 2 big meals (Friday and Saturday nights) completely in the hands of the group. We wanted everyone to come and go as they pleased. We wanted to see people quietly reading in one room whilst in the next people downed shots over an improvised version of paper, scissors or stone. We wanted to see one group of people trying to shape vodka into lines with a coaster right next to a 60-odd year old being taught to play guitar by his son’s friend. We wanted to galvanise the core group of men at this weekend and make them a powerful collective force on the big day and after. Remembering back through the haze and smoke, I think we succeeded. Well we certainly had a lot of fun!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

So we’re in Paris.  It’s amazing and romantic.  We were so cold, but I remember telling Vince that I didn’t mind because it just meant we had to cuddle the whole time we walked around.  When it was dark on our first night in Paris, Vince suggested we take a walk around the park where the Louvre is.  We rounded a corner- and there I saw the most beautiful lit up ferris wheel I had ever seen!  As soon as I saw it I knew why we were in Paris.

A few Christmases ago-we had gone to do a Christmas light drive through Lake Lanier.  At the end of the drive, there was a carnival with a ferris wheel.  While we were on it I mentioned to him that it would be so romantic to get engaged here.  With the lights and the time of year it just felt so romantic.  I had completely forgotten about this-until I saw the ferris wheel in Paris and it all came flooding back.

We got on the wheel (Vince had to do a little begging with the attendant because each booth held 8 people!) the guy allowed us to get on alone once Vince showed him the ring and told him his plan.  We got on, and while we were at the very top-he got down on his knee (rocking the booth enough to scare us both a little).

excuse my man hands-it’s a weird angle!

{Read the rest of this entry…}

Of all the aspects of our wedding I have taken responsibility for, it is the honeymoon that I have thought about the most.

I started off thinking that I should surprise Rachel, whip her in a romantic whirlwind of indulgence and new experiences without preparing her for any of it. This kind of trip still really appeals to me but the trip itself ideally needs to be spontaneous, an event in itself.

I came to the conclusion that the honeymoon should be simple and relaxing (I’m sure we will need it after the big day) and focused on us and our history rather than new experiences. I also wanted Rach to be involved in the planning and knew she had plenty of ideas. So, we are off to our spiritual home, Cornwall to stay in a yurt and then in a cute whitewashed cottage in a small old fashioned fishing village. We will surf, paint, eat and drink incredibly well and just spend the time with each other.

As Rachel noted in her ‘Honeymoon Sneak Peek’ we were pretty wide ranging in our aspirations: Morocco, Thailand, Fiji, Greece, Northumberland and many other exotic locations were considered. The two key words were beauty and relaxation. We had an incredible visit to Morocco a couple of years ago and were blown away by the richness of the culture and the excitement of exploring Marrakesh, the Atlas Mountains, The Sahara and ultimately relaxing in ‘surfy’ Essaouira. We also met a great new friend out in the desert. We were very tempted to embrace the cliché of our generation and visit Thailand and Fiji, partying on the beach charged up on local “whisky”. Maybe we would discover a hidden beach or something! Greece really appealed in terms of lifestyle and almost guaranteed sun while Northumberland has always held a magic appeal for me, just look at those sunrises! The weather of course is not exactly guaranteed.

On reflection however, Cornwall seems such an obvious choice. We love the culture, the beauty, the variation, most of the people. There is great food, some local wine, surf, some really under-rated beaches and hopefully some sun. We will be able to visit our old haunts, included the little town in which we got engaged and eat and stay in all the places we couldn’t quite justify before. We have images of cooking fresh fish (which hopefully we have caught) on our barbecue on the beach. Most of all, we will be able to sit and watch 14 Cornish sunsets contemplating our life together.

Where will you be going on your honeymoon, and how did you make the decision?

In the UK we indulge the rather quaint tradition of Hen and Stag-Dos. I believe in the US they are called Bachelor and Bachelorette parties. Conventional activities for Stags include excessive drinking, strip clubs and womanising of all kinds. The idea exists that this is the Stag’s last chance to mess around, his last gasp of freedom. It is also conventional for the groom to be subject to pranks, being tied to a lamppost or occasionally even dumped in a foreign land. The Best Man orchestrates the carnage and a friendly one will ensure that the groom makes it to the church on time. Traditionally, the Stag-Do would take place on the night before the wedding but unsurprisingly there is a certain reluctance to stick to this hard-core principal these days. A concession to the bride and mothers I suppose.

I think that it’s right to indulge the traditional rights of passage for young men but the reality is that I wouldn’t enjoy this sort of Stag-Do and neither would many of my friends. We have arranged a more sedate affair, a weekend in the countryside with fine wine, food and the great outdoors. I have images of cooking animals we have hunted ourselves and reminiscing over whisky into the early hours.

For me the most important aspect of a Stag-Do is the people. It is a chance to gather my best male friends together for a spot of good old-fashioned bonding. Thankfully, this doesn’t need to mean crude jokes and a boarding school mentality. Rather, a chance to bring my disparate groups of friends together with, in this case, mine and Rachel’s Dads. This is a chance for them all to get to know each other properly without the distractions of normal life. I have several fairly distinct bands of friends with which I have separate histories and shared experiences. I want to bring them all together for what will hopefully be a fabulous experience we will all share and which will galvanise this group of people. Plenty of them have had their differences in the past and I hope this will heal rifts and give everyone a clean slate. Of course, it might just be a very combustible weekend.

One thing that has crossed my mind a number of times is that generally the stag is kept in the dark about his do and is really at the mercy of his Best Man. I am surprised at having been kept so firmly in the loop. Is this all a subterfuge? Are we really going to embrace the cliché and blow up animals with bazookas in Eastern Europe? Will I be abandoned, tripping on snake’s blood in Indonesia? Will I find myself tied to a lamppost in Birmingham being taunted by tramps? Will I need every one of the six weeks afterward to make it back to Blighty in time for my wedding? Has anyone seen the film Very Bad Things?

Maybe I should get some holiday insurance.