11 Couples To Tie The Knot At Disney World On 11/11/11

Couples Find Special Meaning In Unique Day

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Dozens of couples will tie the knot on Friday, 11/11/11, at Disney Parks destinations around the globe.

If the 11/11/11 number isn't uncanny enough, there are exactly 11 couples who plan to say their vows on Friday at the Walt Disney World Resort, a number that the worldwide marketing and business development director for Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons, Korri McFann, says is purely a coincidence.

McFann says her staff didn't even realize the similarity until they started counting the weddings planned for Friday. Needless to say, it's going to be a busy day.

"You will be hard pressed as a regular day guest at the Walt Disney World Resort not to see a couple somewhere," McFann said.

Friday's weddings will take place at a variety of locations around the resort, including Disney's Wedding Pavilion, Epcot, Disney's Boardwalk and Disney's Polynesian Resort.

McFann says each of the couples has a unique explanation for why they wanted to get married on such a unique date. A Jacksonville couple has made a wish every day at 11:11. For a couple from Pennsylvania, Nov. 11 is the date of the groom's grandparents' 56th wedding anniversary. Another couple from Hawaii took the date more symbolically.

"They thought the 11/11 looked like two people coming together. People are deep!" McFann said. "People really want something meaningful behind their weddings. They want something to remember it by. If you can have a clever date, why not?"

Several of the couples were engaged at Disney. Another, a local Orlando pair, actually met when they were working at Disney's Hollywood Studios together. But not every one of the thousand weddings that Disney helps plan each year started with a mouse.

"A lot of people who may have never been to Walt Disney World travel here. We're known in the destination weddings business of being able to handle absolutely everything," McFann said.

With Florida's weather, McFann says, couples travel here year round to say "I do."

On Friday, four couples will say their vows on board the Disney Cruise Line, three will get married at Aulani, Disney's new resort in Hawaii, and eight will mark the occasion at the Disneyland Resort in California.

In all, Disney says 40,000 couples have married at Walt Disney World, Disneyland and on the ships of the Disney Cruise Line.

And as for 12/12/12? McFann says the requests are already rolling in.

To read the entire article: http://www.wesh.com/themeparks/29738414/detail.html#ixzz1dNb4olfg

Here comes the bride and her TWO MILE train: Italian village brought to standstill by record-breaking wedding dress

This bride went a tiny bit over the top with her wedding dress with a train that takes some stopping.

They say it’s a day you should never forget – and that’s certainly the case for Italian bride Elena De Angelis and the village of Casal di Princice.

She has broken the world record for the longest wedding dress by arriving to the church with a mammoth, 3km (1.86 mile) long veil.

Hundreds of schoolgirls and their mothers turned out to help the bride-to-be along the streets of her village.

The Gianni Molaro designed cream dress, which is made from 6,000 metres of silk chord, is expected to be confirmed as the world’s longest by the Guinness book of Records.

 

It’s apparently 28 times the length of Manchester United's Old Trafford pitch and would take Usain Bolt running at blistering world recording pace almost five minutes to run its full length.

Driven to the church in a vintage car Elena was applauded by the entire village.

The veil literally stretched for miles and had to be carefully collected by designers after Elena arrived in the church.

Click here to read the article in full.....

A marriage Jim, but not as we know it: Lesbian couple celebrate civil ceremony with Star Trek-themed service

A lesbian couple has boldly gone where no-one has gone before and celebrated their civil partnership with a completely Star Trek-themed wedding.

Walking down the aisle dressed in matching white outfits modelled on hero Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Anita Bayliss and Margaret Wood are so obsessed with the cult television show they even forced loved-ones to dress up as characters at the ceremony in Swansea, South Wales.  

The couple met on an internet forum and from that shared passion for sci-fi they eventually decided to live long and prosper together by tying the knot.

To look their best on the day at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium the happy couple both got their unique outfits shipped in from Hong Kong.

Click here to read the article in full

A mob of 49 dancing carrots take the cake when it comes to wedding proposals

We have all heard about unusual marriage proposals, but this one takes the (carrot) cake.

At the weekend Pang Kun and 48 of his friends took to the streets of Qingdao in east China's Shangong province dressed as carrots and he proposed to his girlfriend, Zhang Xinyu, who was out on a shopping trip.

The wacky Chinese man danced away in a square in the suit, which was orange - his girlfriend's favourite colour - and when he finally did get down on bended knee, she gladly accepted his proposal.

Saturday August 6 was the Chinese version of Valentine's Day, and so Pang put some special thought and attention in to planning the proposal.

In all, the idea took three weeks to perfect and execute, and cost him over £9,300.

Pang, who had installed a microphone into his costume, began jigging and then caused shoppers - including his girlfriend - to become bemused by recounting the couple's first date, six months previous.

'Six months ago I met you,' he said as he danced. 'I still remember your shyness on our first date, my longing for the next date, and my excitement the first time I held your hand at the movie theatre.'

And when he began peeling off his costume the crowd chanted to his girlfriend 'marry him, marry him', which she promised to do so.

His proposal has led him to become an Internet sensation, and online users have nicknamed him 'carrot boy', which has temporarily become one of the most searched terms in China.

To read the entire article - click here

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day - Outdoor Wedding Weather

Outdoor Wedding Locations

There are many lovely outdoor wedding locations - beach weddings, lakeside weddings, rainforest weddings, mountain weddings, garden weddings...the options are endless! With any outdoor wedding, it is vital that the bride and groom work with their wedding planner to establish a backup plan in the event of bad weather. If the wedding location is in the grounds of a hotel, coordinate ahead to have a room ready for you in the event of inclement weather. This option may cost a little more, but it will save you worry and potential heartache later! Another option is to plan to have only the ceremony outdoors and the reception inside (or inside with an outside section). In the event of inclement weather, you can simply hold the entire event in the room you planned to have the reception in - without incurring extra costs! 

I Love, Love, Love.......Kosibah Couture Bridal

Yemi Osunkoya is the designer behind the Kosibah label. Kosibah is an exclusive brand specialising in figure enhancing Bridal, Evening and formal Daywear using luxurious fabrics and sumptuous embellishments.

Yemi’s signature use of corsetry and boned bodices cleverly recreates the classical and elegant hourglass figure, producing gowns that curve, shape and flatter the wearer. All gowns are made to measure from the Kosibah Atelier in Camden,NW London.

The team at Kosibah are committed to providing exceptional quality of service and meticulous attention to detail. The designs, made from individual body measurements, use luxurious fabrics, sumptuous embellishments and couture techniques.

Click here to read more about Yemi and Kosibah Couture Bridal

 

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day - Beach Weddings

Beach Weddings

Beach weddings are lovely, but be sure to plan for windswept hair, squinting eyes and potential shadows if the wedding is too early, possible rainfall, and uninvited beach visitors in the background if it is not held on a private beach.

Often brides will spend many hours in the salon getting their hair done, only to be disappointed when windy conditions at the beach ruin it all. We recommend up-do's and lots of hairspray. 

I Love.........Bridesmaid Personalised Hip Flask

 

 

Bridesmaid Wedding Hip Flask

This elegant ladies hip flask with Bridesmaid design engraved onto the face will make a stylish thank you gift for those Bridesmaids over 18!

• 5oz capacity
• Screw top
• Diamante band
• Presentation box
• Pink leather bound stainless steel.

Available from WeddingXtras.co.uk

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

Arrive Early

If time and money allow, arrive at your destination at least a few days early - (in some locations you may have to arrive early to complete necessary legal requirements). This could be nice alone time for you and your fiancé. You can also have more time to finalise any last minute details, get a good look at your ceremony site if you haven’t already seen it and get to know the local customs and people. This extra time will allow you to relax before guests start arriving, ensuring you are all prepared and the charming host.

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

When writing your wedding itinerary for your destination wedding guests....Make sure to include those times that you and your new spouse have set aside for just the two of you (for instance, a romantic dinner) so your guests can plan their own activities.

I Love..........."Evening in Paris"

Perhaps you have a French themed wedding, or Paris is where you and your intended got engaged? Your guests are sure to be romanced by this iconic wedding favour from the city of love. These Eiffel Tower Place Card Holders are a stunning and unique way to add some additional oh-la-la to your wedding tables.

Features and facts:

-The mini Eiffel Towers are intricately detailed to look just like the real thing!
- There is a small ledge which your place card is elegantly displayed as illustrated in the image.
- The wedding favour measures 3 ¾" h 1 ¼ " w
- They are sold in a set of four place card holders.

Click here to buy from Fabulous Favours.........

I Love.........

Don't let it rain on your parade.............Wedding Wellies!

Designed by Jen Hewlett, Weddington Boots are pretty wedding wellies, to be slipped on whilst you enjoy the 'outdoor bits'.  Ensuring your delicate wedding shoes will remain dry, clean and unmarked.

Bespoke diamante service available to personalise your wellies

Get yours here....Weddington Boots

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

Carry your wedding dress on

Many brides take their wedding dress on the plane as carry-on luggage, but DOUBLE CHECK it is an approved size, as some aircraft do not have extra room for oversized carry-on pieces.

It is advisable to contact your airline to make arrangements in advance. Some airlines allow the large "closets" in the first-class cabin area to be used for wedding gown storage.

 

Photo: Maggie Sottero - Destination Collection

 

Films to Inspire a Destination Wedding

Roman Holiday (1953) – Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck set in 1950’s Rome

Mamma Mia (2008) -  Film adapted from the West End musical based on the songs of ABBA. Most of the filming was done on the small Greek island of Skopelos.

A Room With A View (1986) – A Victorian love story set in Florence - a well executed intrigue set in 1907 and blended from a book by E.M. Forster.

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin ( 2001) - When a fisherman leaves to fight with the Greek army during WWII, his fiancée falls in love with the local Italian commander.

Casanova (2005) -  Heath Ledger plays the fabled romantic as a man who, after failing to win the affection of a particular Venetian woman, strives to discover the real meaning of love.

French Kiss (1995) - A woman flies to France to confront her straying fiancé, but gets into trouble when the charming crook seated next to her uses her for smuggling. Romantic comedy with fabulous soundtrack

Amelie (2001) - Amelie, an innocent and naive girl in Paris, with her own sense of justice, decides to help those around her and along the way, discovers love. A romantic French fable set in Montmatre

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

Take Care in the Sun

In the days leading up to your wedding, be careful when basking in the sun - tanned skin looks great, but burnt and peeling skin doesn't! Best book a course of fake tan treatments before you go - check out our favourite James Read the UK's Leading Self Tan Expert - Tantalist

.

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

Don't Assume All Of Your Guests Have Passports

Provide invited guests with a "Save the Date" card to ensure they have enough lead in time to get passports 

You are the air that I breathe: Divers have marriage blessed at London Aquarium

While many use Valentine's Day as an annual excuse to splash out on a bunch of roses or a nice dinner, some couples take the celebration just a little bit further.

James Oliver and Kathryn O'Connor celebrated February 14 with an underwater blessing at the London Aquarium.

Kathryn wore a flowing white gown under her diving apparatus while James accessorised with a sea-blue tie.

Giant green sea turtles, cow-nose rays and shoals of colourful tropical fish swarmed around the couple during the blessing. 

Valentine's Day has traditionally been the day for romantic gestures since the 14th Century and is celebrated all over the world in increasingly inventive ways.

London also saw people queuing up to give Bruce Willis a kiss - his wax model that is.

Madame Tussaud's let the public choose who they wanted as their Valentine's 'Heartthrob.'

The Sixth Sense actor came top of the list. Closely followed by BAFTA winner Colin Firth and Brokeback Mountain star Jake Gyllenhaal.

In New York, Stephanie Hull and Air Force Captain John Wu - both from Louisville, Kentucky - got married on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.
The pair were one of 14 couples from all over the United States who got married in one of New York's most famous landmarks.
They had all competed for the prize during the17th Annual Empire State Building and TheKnot.com Valentine's Weddings Event.

Fourteen competitive couples in Pattava, South Thailand, all tried to break the record for the World's Longest Continuous Kiss.

The pairs were clearly taking the challenge very seriously, they were dressed as if they were about to go to an exercise class and even had little steps to stand on if there was a big height difference between the two smoochers.

Seven of the pairs broke the previous record of 32 hours, 7 minutes and 14 seconds which was set in 2009 by a couple in Germany - although one participant fainted just 34 minutes into the competition.

Rules stated that couples were not to sit, sleep or leave the venue while kissing. They were allowed bathroom breaks every three hours but had to continue kissing while using the toilet, accompanied by staff to verify the fact.
And they were allowed to eat and to drink water, coffee, milk or juice - but only through straws while keeping their lips firmly locked together.

Kissing en-masse was also on the cards in Beijing's Happy Valley amusement park.

Couples get two-for-one entries into the park from the 14th to the 17th of February. Happy Valley holds kissing and singing games for enthusiastically loved-up pairs over the romantic period.

It wouldn't be Valentine's Day without a couple of mass weddings.

In Palawan, western Philippines, at least 150 couples defied the rain by getting married and planting mangrove trees at a 'Love Affairs with Nature' themed mass wedding.

Back in Thailand, couples took to the skies to make their wedding vows.

Sontaya Tiemjun and Praputson Mahavong were one of the couples who hung from rappelling ropes during their mountainside ceremony.

Getting married in mid-air is a popular way for thrill-seekers to tie the know in Thailand's Prachinburi province.

Nicaraguans used Valentine's Day as an unusual excuse to promote animal protection laws.

An English Cocker Spaniel dog called Blondie and a American Staffordshire Terrier dog called Katar were given their own wedding ceremony in Managua to raise awareness of the law.

Click here to read the entire article......................................

More Britons going abroad to get married

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Prince William and Kate Middleton may have decided on a traditional British wedding but nearly a fifth of their compatriots prefer to get married abroad, according to new research.

A study by consumer research group Mintel showed on Tuesday that 18 percent of Britons chose to tie the knot abroad last year, a rise in the number of such marriages of 27 percent between 2005 and 2010.

The rise has taken place at a time when overseas travel is cheaper and as the number of weddings at home continues to fall as the price for getting married in Britain remains substantially higher than elsewhere.

An estimated 266,000 UK weddings took place in 2010 marking a 7 percent drop over the five years since 2005. In 2010, the average wedding abroad cost 6,585 pounds ($10,580), while the average British wedding costs just below 20,000 pounds.

"The lower costs of overseas weddings are an important factor for many, with cost concerns influencing the whole market," said Mintel Senior Travel and Tourism Analyst Tom Rees.

"However the various desires to do something different, seek out better weather than can be expected in the UK and to avoid overblown, too-many-guest affairs are attracting more and more couples to the weddings abroad market."

Click here to read the entire article.....

Weddings Abroad - Turkey

Turkey, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offers couples an exotic locale with modern amenities. With world-class hotels and resorts, endless sightseeing opportunities, exceptional shopping and thousands of miles of turquoise waters, couples can enjoy privacy, history and luxury in a country that offers it all.

Turkey boasts some of the world’s most extraordinary scenes for an ideal wedding or honeymoon. And with weddings on offer that range from intimate and traditional to extravagant and exotic, properties throughout Turkey make that special day, and those following, romantic, convenient and memorable.

We have great experience in this field and we have helped many couples organise the wedding of their dreams in Turkey. As we offer tailor-made services, whether it is just about getting the paperwork done and dealing with the formalities or actually organising the wedding day with all the trimmings, we can offer you the expert help you need.

Click here to view our full selection of weddings in Turkey.....

Weddings Abroad - Tip of the Day

The Destination Itself:

Check that if the wedding is in a hotel or resort that resort guests are not wandering by in their swimwear.  Also ensure that weddings are not, what I would call, conveyor belt style, no bride wants to see another Bride on her special day! Also ensure if you are having an outdoor wedding, should the weather change there is an alternative venue you can use.

The destinations should be a place that everyone would love to spend a week or two, a place that offers enough attractions and fun for both the wedding couple and guests. Research thoroughly, and if you are using a specialist wedding planner use their local knowledge.  A registry office in England is not the same as a Registry Office in Italy. 

Getting married abroad on April 29th? - Journalist Request

Journalist Request

A leading UK magazine are putting together a feature on couples who are getting married on 29th April, the same date as Prince William.  If you are planning a wedding overseas on this date please get in touch.

The couple have to be under the age of 30 and be available for a shoot beginning of Feb. A fee will be paid

Please email info@weddingsabroad.com and we will put you in touch....thank you

Royally hosed: Couples planning April 29 weddings

Sharing date with Wills and Kate has some happy and excited, but others steaming mad 

Hell hath no fury like a bride-to-be scorned — especially when the scorning has come down from royalty itself.

For many couples getting married this spring, joyful planning turned to stunned horror when it came to light that the wedding of the century — between Prince William and Kate Middleton — would be happening on their own special day: April 29, 2011. On both sides of the Atlantic, engaged women — and a fair share of engaged men — swooned.

Chelsea Slipko summed up the nature of the dreadfulness while trying on wedding dresses at a London department store: “It’s like having your birthday on New Year’s or your anniversary on Valentine’s Day. It’s not just your day anymore.”

Anna Whitcomb, a wedding-gown shopper at the same store in London, had this to add: “I’m supposed to be the princess, and now I have a real princess to compete with!” 

Click here to read the entire article................

Happy New Year 2011

To all of our dear clients past, present & future..."We at WeddingsAbroad.com wish you a wonderful new year filled with abundance, joy, and treasured moments. May 2011 be the best year yet!"

Karen 

WeddingsAbroad.com