Bachelorette trends are evolving with various movements into wellness getaways

These trends reflect a shift towards experiences prioritizing wellness and meaningful connections over traditional party-centric celebrations. Many brides opt for wellness-focused trips that include yoga, spa treatments, and culinary adventures.

At Luxury Weddings Worldwide, we're thrilled to announce that our dedication to creating luxurious and unforgettable weddings has been celebrated in several esteemed publications:

The new year is often associated with new beginnings, symbolizing a fresh start and a chance to pursue our dreams and aspirations. It’s a time when we reflect on the past and look forward to what lies ahead. One of the most profound new beginnings is the start of a new life with the person we love through marriage.

LUXlife Magazine announces the winners of the 2023 Global Wedding Awards. The luxury events sphere seeks only the best, and only the best can find enduring success. For this reason, LUXlife launched the Global Wedding Awards to highlight those who have remained steadfast and unwavering in this commitment and pursuit of perfection.

The Awards Coordinator, Jessie Wilson, commented on the success of the winners of 2023, the winners had to demonstrate exceptional customer service, innovation in their field, and business growth.

Luxury Weddings Worldwide is honored to have been awarded the Best International Destination Wedding Planner 2023 -GTA and we want to share this privilege with our incredible partners around the Globe who collaborate with us to ensure our client expectations are exceeded.

This award is important to us and is a privilege to be awarded alongside some of the best Global Wedding Experts. We look forward to assisting our clients and offering our expertise and partner services to design exceptional weddings with our unique signature style. Events and Weddings enriched with culture and authenticity, taking celebrations to the next level.

Engaged Couples planning and creating their celebration of love has never been more evident. The time for love is 2022 and beyond, the importance placed on a memorable event, being different and bringing personal style has never been more important than it is today. The love story becomes evident in the celebration of love through venue selection, entertainment, lifestyle, just about every aspect of decision making has a very high level of importance, thus bringing an elevated and cherished event for all the guests. What does your love story look like? If you've ever wondered, how do you even begin? We are here to tell you, the possibilites are endless, and all you need is an expert.

If you’ve imagined, just once in your life, feeling like the hero in a chick flick, you know that winning mad acclaim is probably going to take a grand gesture. The increasingly popular destination proposal photos being posted by newly engaged couples, still aglow from their elaborate “will you marry me” experience, are what grand gestures are made of. Whether it’s a jointly planned trip or a surprise getaway, popping the question away from home can be a romantic and unforgettable idea.

Here are 5 things to keep in mind so all your planning comes off without a hitch.

Hit the spot. A sentimental location where you’ve already shared a special moment (or always dreamed of doing so) would be a major factor in making you look like you’ve totally been paying attention to the details in your relationship. Consider staging the proposal at a landmark or significant place that will always be there, that way you can potentially return for a romantic rekindling years into your marriage.

We are at the luxurious Palazzo Parigi, a renowned hotel located in the center of Milan, where the white veils and Christmas décor has created a sense of fairy tale, perfect for celebrating professional stars of the wedding industry that work to make thousands of couples happy for one of the most important days in their lives.

Travel industry encouraged to say ‘I do’ to the destination wedding market

It’s not too late for travel companies and tourist boards to take the plunge and get into the lucrative weddings market, delegates attending World Travel Market London’s first dedicated seminar on tying the knot abroad were told last week.

The global weddings industry is worth $300 billion, is almost recession proof and continues to grow, according to Susan Barone, founder and director of travel companies Luxury Weddings Worldwide, who moderated the session, entitled: ‘Say “I do” to the destination wedding market and enhance your brand’.

“Weddings continue to be one of the most important events in the couple’s life,” she said.

“It’s not just a matter of supplying one particular wedding any more. It’s something uniquely different. Everyone is trying to plan something better than the last destination wedding that they went to.

Unless you have a significant wedding budget and are arranging an agency or independent Makeup Artist, odds are you’re going to use the resort spa professionals to do your hair and makeup. While this is certainly the easiest and most cost effective option, for some, it raises a few concerns as to whether or not you and your stylists will appreciate a similar aesthetic or if they lean towards popular, ostentatious trends in their country.

Ideally, following your venue selection, you’d make a second trip to your destination to confer with your vendors, however, if this proves infeasible and you plan to arrive several days ahead of the ceremony to do hair and makeup trials instead, time will be of the essence so here are a few tips that might help.

The Prep

We recommend getting an exfoliating facial two weeks before the wedding date. Glycolic peels or microdermabrasion are popular choices for allowing acne and blemishes to surface and disappear. A smooth canvas means anything you apply on top will look super fresh. One week before you fly, schedule a deep conditioning treatment, colour refresh, and trim. This will ensure your ends are tidy and you start with a glossy, healthy looking palette.

Hire a Pro

You may think you’re up for the daunting task of hours of online research, reading reviews, sourcing vendors and possibly navigating through a language barrier, but you’re trying to get married, not reinvent the wheel! A planner who specializes in destination weddings already has the experience and vendor relationships to manage all of your details for what will hopefully be the flawless execution of your week’s worth of events. Since marriage regulations vary from country to country, there’s a lot you can’t leave to chance. Residency requirements, for example, may state you are required to be in the country a minimum number of days prior to getting married, you do not want that kind of oversight!

Reconnaissance

Advanced visits. Seriously, we can’t recommend this enough! You'll need to scout and secure venues for your ceremony, reception and rehearsal dinner, as well as local suppliers such as caterers, florists and photographers. This is where a Destination Wedding Planner truly becomes invaluable, scheduling tastings with your caterer, approving bouquets, planning a hair and makeup session and organizing pre and post-wedding activities to please the range of ages and proclivities of your guests. Ideally, you’d see your key venues at least once before the wedding, if a second trip is not feasible, plan to arrive several days early to do a hair and makeup trial with your chosen Stylist.

For many, the idea of a destination wedding seems wildly more appealing than booking a local hotel or banquet hall, and so it should.

The incentive: engaged couples see an opportunity to design an affordable, exotic event for an exclusive group of family and friends.

The caveat: your bevy of guests will actually require some real face time pre and post wedding. They’ve gone to considerable effort and expense to show up for you so don’t expect that a four-minute chat at the reception dinner will fulfill your social obligation.

Here are some etiquette tips that will help ensure your relationships come back in tact.

1. If you start planning and booking your trip at least a year in advance, not only will it give your guests enough time to save money and plan for the wedding, you also have a good shot at having all of your guests stay in the same few floors at the resort.

2. Guests will totally appreciate you planning some portions of their trip. Excursions, private events or little gestures like welcome baskets or customized gifts will go a long way in making them feel like you really considered them. Guests spent a lot of money to come to your wedding and regardless of your budget, they should be treated to a special meal and event.

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If you’ve considered giving cash as a wedding gift you probably already know that the “cover your plate” rule is a widely regarded guideline for determining the amount—the objective being to pay for the cost of your reception dinner and ease the couple’s expense.

When it comes to destination weddings however, guests can find themselves spending over $1,500 per person just to attend your special day, leaving the issue of giving a gift up for debate.

There are those who believe giving a gift is just good etiquette, (with the amount based on your relationship with the couple), and in the case of destination weddings non-monetary gifts can be delivered to the couple prior to departing. But, if guests have to use their vacation time, and part of their savings to show up for you, should their presence be accepted as the gift? Should it even matter, since throwing a celebration is more about including friends and family in one of the most significant days of your lives, than about being reimbursed for the cost of dinner?

Tell us what you think.

Wedding destination options close to home aren’t necessarily short on style or interest— from coast to coast Canada offers great venues in diverse cities, each with their own sense of romance. Rue Sherbrooke, Montreal is home to one of these options, 115 years into it’s operation, the Ritz-Carlton Montreal still sets the standard for the city’s luxury accommodations and events, blending historic splendour with contemporary style as Quebec’s only five diamond hotel.

Those who have been, know that Quebec is the closest thing Canada’s got to European charm. Last year’s $200 million dollar renovation saw the enhancement of many of the Ritz-Carlton’s features as well as the addition of a new residential wing.

When Kitty & Adam came to us for help in the planning of their destination wedding they were already in love with Italy but a little unsure about how to find a beautiful property that might be right for their intimate nuptials. Since a romantic getaway on the scenic Amalfi Coast was already on their wish list, Hotel Bellevue Syrene, perched atop the cliffs of Sorrento, overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius was an ideal choice for bringing long-term aspirations to life in elegant style.

This incredible Italian venue is the stuff wedding legends are made of, ancient stone architecture, an old world church and scenic hillside views. Castel Monastero, an 11th century monastery surrounded by the peace and quiet of the hills near Siena proved the perfect backdrop for the gorgeous destination ceremony of LWW couple Melissa and Mario who exchanged vows in a delightful little church in front of their closest friends and family.

Florence is an undisputed utopia of picturesque vineyards, lush olive groves and hill-side towns. As the most active centre of the Renaissance, every eminent artistic figure – among them, Brunelleschi, Botticelli, da Vinci, and, Michelangelo – is represented here, in an unrivalled gathering of churches, galleries and museums. What does this mean for you? The charming cities within this region are a treasure trove of almost perfectly preserved buildings that provide extraordinary wedding venues dripping with atmosphere. 16th century Villa Cicolina, near Montepulciano is one such venue, and played host to one of our recent destination weddings.

The Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is a gorgeous wedding location in the historic city of Florence. Comprised of two buildings, flanking the largest private garden in Florence, opulent event space is available in the Palazzo delle Gherardesca as well as La Villa, along with beautiful and intimate spaces in the garden.

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue..." was once thought to not only give brides good luck on their wedding day, but also help in the assurance of fertility and prosperity. Today, it is simply a charming ritual incorporated into weddings as a way of honouring tradition, and takes many diverse forms.

Celebrating your new union in the midst of spring’s earliest bursts of color? Buds, blooms and delicate bits of green life emerging from newly awakened earth provide plenty of inspiration.

Part 4: SPRING

Couples that love snuggling up inside while a picturesque snowfall paints a wonderland around them are likely to have a winter wedding. Being that winter is considered the off season, you’ll spend less on venues and services as many vendors are inclined to discount. You can also look forward to a high RSVP acceptance since summer vacations and conflicting weddings are rarely a concern. If the coldest season is your favourite, consider these trends.

Part 3: WINTER

If the annual kaleidoscope of changing leaves is irresistible to you, Autumn it is. This season is the poster child for all things rustic, warm and romantic, starting with the Rita Reys version of the jazz classic “Autumn Leaves”.

Part 2: AUTUMN

There are countless decisions to be made in planning your big day, the date is certainly one of the first and most personal. Many couples choose an anniversary, honouring a relationship milestone and ensuring it’s a date they’ll both remember. Fortunately, there are stylistic options suitable for any date you choose, but, if you’ve envisioned hosting a ceremony at a particular time of year, we’ve got a few suggestions for enjoying the characteristics of the season you love most.

Part 1: SUMMER

Many couples find themselves overwhelmed by wedding details. High on that list is who to invite, and more importantly, can you afford to invite them? If your growing guest list is filled with obligatory gestures, you might want to rethink your approach. Fortunately, having a destination wedding does most of the weeding out for you since accepting such an invitation comes with a considerable expense to attendees, especially if they have children, and so, only those with whom you have a close relationship are likely to attend. One approach to the list edit dilemma, is to create tiers.

Sharon Naylor, author of 1001 Ways To Save Money . . . and Still Have a Dazzling Wedding suggests that once you have written out a draft of your complete list, you place each guest into a relationship category. The first tier consists of essential family members (grandparents, siblings, uncles, first cousins); the second, close friends and extended family (second cousins); the third, colleagues and other friends. When you know how many guests you can afford, start cutting the list from the bottom tier up.

Villa d’Este is best described as a fairytale setting, the fairytale taking place in the palatial playground of kings and queens.

From the richly draped grandeur of the Sala Colonne to the opulently detailed and golden Napoleon Room, each event space is more stunning than the last. At Villa d’Esta even passageways and staircases are exquisitely finished, every detail taken into account. Soaring ceilings and massive chandeliers accent the expansive spaces inside the hotel. This was after all, designed for royalty, and it feels every bit the part.

Located in the Cardinal Building at the heart of the property, the Sala Colonne is a grand salon ideal for spectacular events. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and frescoes with velvety nuances furnish the room. Corinthian columns dominate the architecture and French windows open onto the terrace and gardens.

For many, an endless shoreline complete with the hypnotic rhythm of crashing waves is the perfect dream wedding location, but if weather, guest comfort and logistics prove challenging, consider hosting your ceremony beach adjacent rather than with ‘sand between your toes’. While walking through the sand to your palm-embellished alter certainly has an exotic air of romance, panoramic views of the sparkling water and ocean ambience can still be accessible from nearby vantage points, allowing your nuptials (and your photographer) the perfect backdrop.

Although destination weddings are often intimate celebrations, they may still come with a long list of details Planners like us need to account for, not the least of which are permits, ordinances, and other issues that may come up, like the public being on the beach at the time of your celebration. Getting married on a section of hotel property with beach views may be the perfect solution. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind:

Timing is everything. We’d suggest having a daytime ceremony; the vistas and the temperatures transform considerably while ocean side after sunset.

Mic check. You’ll need to be heard as well as seen. Microphones are a must for the ceremony, as it will likely be hard to hear the proceedings over the sounds of the ocean and wind.

If your dream wedding is destined to sweep you away to a tropical destination, it holds some beautiful scenic and décor options that are bound to add a colourful, exotic layer of style to your Facebook timeline. One detail that will separate your wedding from the ordinary, is the local flora, think tropical blooms of hibiscus, bougainvillea and frangipani set against large, lush palm fronds and monstera leaves. From structural, wide forms to loose, ruffled cascades, these beauties bring vibrant life to any arrangement, centrepiece and, of course, the ever captivating bouquet. We suggest embracing what the surroundings have to offer, as it’s a great way to keep your nuptials on budget, here is some eye catching inspiration to get you started.

You may be daunted by the idea of all the details that go into a destination wedding, but you can most definitely ease those fears by hiring our talented team of wedding pros to make it all come together seamlessly. Whether you’re thinking of a beach ceremony on the sand, sunset on the cliffs, or a nautical themed event at an island marina, these 4 wedding colour palettes will be the perfect style guide to your sun-shiny day.

Bright, clear blue skies, warm temperatures, and tropical scenery are—for most of us—the perfect backdrop for a wedding. So, if you’re lucky enough to receive an invite to one such affair, you’re in for a fabulous adventure. As you anticipate the idyllic beauty of the sandy beach next to gently crashing waves, one nagging concern might make it’s way to the forefront of your vision… What do I wear? We can answer this in two words, “NOT flip-flops”. Need us to elaborate? Keep reading.

Beach weddings tend to be more casual than those hosted at a church or indoor venue, making tailored suits and long gowns seem a bit overdone, and undoubtedly uncomfortable in the Caribbean heat. But, while your typical beach apparel might consist of shorts, Hawaiian shirts, and sarongs, don’t assume any of this is appropriate to attend a ceremony unless expressly conveyed by the couple.

The cardinal rule here is to be sure you’re tastefully dressed for the occasion, as well as the location. Lighter colours and loose, natural fabrics (cotton, seersucker, silk, linen) are advisable, choosing midi and maxi length dresses that are not only elegant but comfortable, and pair well with a pashmina or cardigan for those ocean breezes that can be surprisingly cool after sunset.

We’re guessing you’ve noticed the last few weeks have been accompanied by a seemingly endless newsfeed of Julianne Hough and Brooks Laich on account of their romantic July 8th outdoor wedding at Lake Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. More than 200 family and friends gathered in person for the extraordinary 4-day weekend celebration and the world has now gathered remotely to witness the epic honeymoon that has been a top social media feature for weeks.

THE SWITCH: ONE WEDDING, TWO...OR THREE DRESSES

I think we can agree, many wedding gowns are made for drama, not dancing, and for some, wanting to make a breathtaking entrance at the ceremony seems to come at the expense of having a great time at the reception. This trend toward multiple dresses has been a long time in the making and is seriously picking up speed, allowing brides the opportunity to experiment with patterns, colors, silhouettes, and styles they might not want to wear for their ceremony but would love to wear at some point during their big day. Spring 2018 bridal runways offered the ultimate option, wedding dresses that do double duty! While impressive overskirts have always been a popular trend, jackets, capes and embellished overlays now join the ranks of customizations available.

Choosing to go with a single gown, separate reception attire or one transformable dress can be a nail-biting decision. Here's some celebrity inspiration and a few pros and cons to help you sort it.

The tradition of white wedding dresses, although relatively recent, has certainly become ubiquitous in Western culture. So quintessentially bridal has the white dress become, that when a bride chooses to tie the knot wearing another colour, it’s considered daring and rebellious: think Dita Von Teese in purple; Anne Hathaway in pink; Tina Turner in black.

Although white gowns continue to dominate the bridal industry, alternative colour options have gone beyond pale, subtle tones like blush and champagne. Coloured bridal gowns have now officially made it into the mainstream, with esteemed designers like Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang and Jenny Packham pairing bright hues of red, pink and blue with classic bridal features, like voluminous skirts, sweetheart necklines, and elaborate beading.

Irrespective of Western fashion trends, traditional bridal attire in the East has always been quite different, and for different reasons. In cultures such as China and India, brides typically wear red to represent good luck and auspiciousness, sometimes opting for a white wedding dress during part of the ceremony and a coloured gown for it’s traditional rituals.

Whatever the factors are prompting you to consider a coloured gown, modern bridal wear offers a diversity of options without risk of the bride‘s choice being construed as defiant or irreverent. Like marriage itself, wedding attire continues to evolve, with same-sex weddings and cross-cultural weddings being examples of how new traditions are being established.

Barcelona and Argentina football superstar Lionel Messi married his childhood sweetheart Antonella Roccuzzo in Rosario, Argentina last week. The glowing couple, with children Thiago and Mateo in tow, then jetted off to the private-island Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort on the twin-island state of Antigua & Barbuda for what is these days known as a “familymoon”.

A honeymoon was once intended to be a romantic indulgence following, what can be for some, a stressful period of wedding prep and execution. Couples looked forward the idea of being legally married, and having the freedom and privacy to make love uninhibitedly.

Fast forward to 2017 where more and more loving couples who have children prior to enjoying their unencumbered newly wed bliss, ultimately decide to tie the knot, and can’t imagine going on a honeymoon without their kids.

With remarriage, there are often multiple children on one or both sides, so childcare options for all become limited. You have a choice: Take a honeymoon with the kids — or no honeymoon at all. If you're determined to start your union off with some stress-free down time, we've got are some tips for family-mooning.

Your decision will undoubtedly be based on certain criteria, so here are a few we’ve assembled, otherwise known as the 4 ‘A’s…

No matter where you have your wedding, catering is one of the biggest elements you will plan. How will you feed your guests? What kind of culinary experience will it be? Here are the latest trends in Wedding Cuisine.

1. Participation: Passing food around during the cocktail hour is pretty traditional. More and more brides and grooms are now making 'culinary performances' part of the overall wedding experience. Think oyster shucker, roast carver, midnight crepe chef...

2. Food Trucks: Nothing's hotter right now than having food trucks at your wedding. Everything from poutine to ice cream to latte trucks.

3. Comfort Foods: Burgers and fries and cakes and cookies, "Oh my!"

4. Going Rustic: Many brides and grooms are opting for a rustic theme, which includes harvest tables and meals served family style.

5. Beverage Stations: Signature, destination-themed cocktails, specialty coffee and teas, and even milk and cookie stations are right on trend.

6. Forget the Cake, Move Over Cupcakes. Now, it's pies, macarons, and gateaux of crepes making a move for the head table.

7. Goodbye, Late Night Buffet: More and more brides and grooms are opting for a late night fast food type snacks. Popular options are pizza, taco and ice cream sundae stations.

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Thinking of saying " I do " in a paradise-like setting far away from home? Well before you start packing your wedding gown and tuxedo to travel, ask yourself these five crucial questions:

1. Budget: Are you willing to stretch your budget if necessary? In most cases, destination weddings can actually be much more economical for the bride and groom. However, in some cases we've had couples with a 'go big or go home' attitude and in those cases, things can add up really fast.

2. Decisions: Can you make quick but calculated decisions along with the wedding planner? The perfect destination wedding comes down to a series of small decisions, so make sure you're ready to make them.

3. Guest list: This one is the biggest one of all. Will the people you want most to be at your wedding be able and willing to attend?

1. Both sets of parents: Have you spoken to each set of parents and received feedback from both parties? If one set of parents is hesitant, it can sometimes become an issue before and even during the wedding itself.

2. Destination: Where will you tie the know? Do the bride and groom share the same dream destination? Can you and your partner easily come to a decision or, at least, the style of destination wedding that would work best?

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If it's your dream to get married on this famous Caribbean island, here are our tips for getting married in Jamaica:

1. If you are getting married in a villa or resort, hire a local wedding planner who knows the lay of the land; local wedding planners can help pave the way with local vendors and be on hand on the wedding day to make sure your wedding goes smoothly.

2. Montego Bay is an excellent Jamaican wedding destination if mountains and a view of the sea are your dream wedding backdrop.

3. If you are looking for baked-in romance, then Ocho Rios is perfect for you, as that Jamaican destination has many couples-only resorts and private beaches.

4. Jamaica has a rich culture and a unique cuisine. Coordinate with your chef so that you can have a wonderful menu that is filled with delectable island flavours.

5. Be creative with flowers. Jamaica has a wide range of beautiful flowers from all different parts of the world. Check with your planner so that you can get the best flowers that suit your dream wedding.

6. Ensure that you make arrangements with a marriage official well in advance of your planned wedding date.

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