1- Share It With The Families

Engagements are not only exciting for the groom and bride, but they’re also exciting for the families that are involved. Upon asking or being asked the big question, you may be tempted to whip out your cell phone to call everyone you know with the wonderful news, but you should hold it for at least a day or two. You and your fiancé should take the time to let the possibility of marriage sink in. It’s also a good time to think of answers to questions or remarks you may get asked. When it’s time to spread the news, remember that is is customary to tell the parents of the bride first, then the groom.

2- Get Engagement Photos Taken

Even if you’re not sending your wedding announcement to the local newspaper, it is still nice to have professional engagement photos to commemorate the big celebration. You can send these photos with your save-the-dates or wedding invitations.

3- Throw An Engagement Party

Many engaged couples still throw the once-essential engagement party to kick off the festivities. Ideally, you should have the party at least within the first month of your engagement. Your engagement party should be on the smallish side with only a few of your closest family members and friends. You could host it at your house or your favorite restaurant.

Go Outside

Natural light is always better than artificial light. If you are getting married in the spring or summer, you might consider holding the reception outside at the beach or a local park. If you’re getting married in the fall or winter, you could hold your outdoor wedding reception in the afternoon.

Use Candle Centerpieces

Candles are very romantic, but they don’t make for reliable lighting alone. Instead, you could light up a room with a chandelier or Chinese lanterns, and create simple centerpieces on the table with tea candles or a candelabra. Find several sources of lighting and use them in the same setting to create a lovely scene that’s pleasing to the eye.

Consider Novelty Lighting

If you want to showcase the dance floor or the wedding cake, why not use a spotlight? A single spotlight will remind the guests about what’s waiting for them, and it adds a unique touch. If you are going to use spotlights, try to limit yourself  to two, and keep them in distinctive areas. You won’t need a spotlight if the venue has adequate lighting. You can create even more fun on the dance floor with colorful dance floor lights provided by your disc jockey. One extra tip: before you sign the DJ contract, make sure that everything you want (from the music to the novelty lights or entertainment) are specifically provided in the contract.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

This amazing site is a historical destination with an impressive gallery and garden. This large mansion belonged to James Deering, a visionary industrialist, who called this house his winter home from 1916 t0 1925.  With grand style, elegant furnishings, impressive designs in every room, and gorgeous outdoor gardens, this place is a must see! You can find out more on their official website.

Take An Afternoon Cruise On A Yacht

Miami is all about the water, so it only makes sense to go beyond the beach and to explore the ocean on a yacht. Tropical Boat offers charter boat and yacht options for a variety of occasions and sailing itineraries.

Shop Or Browse Exclusive Shops In Miami

Once you step foot in this magnificent city, you might notice that everyone else around you is well-heeled and dressed to the nines. Do you want to know their secret? They take full advantage of the city’s amazing shopping opportunities which include malls, districts, outlets, and boutiques. No matter where you plan on staying (South Beach, Biscayne Bay, Coral Gables), you’re sure to find yourself thoroughly impressed with what this town has to offer. Don’t miss the exquisite Bal Harbor Shops, which feature Saks Fifth Avenue and other high-end names and Saw Grass Mills, an affordable shopping destination for those who love brands.

The Beaches

The main reason you probably came to Miami was to enjoy the sun and surf. You won’t be disappointed with the city’s amazing beaches. Most of the beaches have lifeguards, concession stands, showers, and picnic tables. To find out more about all the beaches in the Miami area, follow this link.

Where to Stay

Miami has  a wide range of accommodations from affordable boutique hotels to pricey seaside estates. No matter where you choose to stay, it’s a good idea to research the exact location, otherwise you might spend a majority of your time on the road. If you want to be close to upscale restaurants, trendy boutiques, and active nightlife, you will probably want to stay on South Beach. Stay at the Red South Beach Hotel, an modern oasis with red and white design. The hotel has a swimming pool, as well as a restaurant that serves three meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).  If you’d rather stay at a romantic resort hotel, you would probably love the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. This elegant resort has every amenity a person could desire, including three upscale restaurants, a large swimming pool with cabanas, a poolside cafe with bar, an 18-hole golf course, a tennis area, a full-sized spa with fitness center, and much more.

Where to Eat

Miami is a paradise for foodies. Where else can you get 5-star restaurants,  fresh seafood, and authentic Cuban cuisine all in one town? That said, it’s probably a good idea to plan ahead and make a list of restaurants you would like to visit. A few great restaurants include: SoLita Italian, an upscale Italian restaurant that serves a variety of pastas, salads, and meat-based entrees; and The Capital Grille, a good place to indulge in steak and seafood. Check out Urban Spoon or Open Table for more ideas.

What to Do

Miami has so much to offer (museums, shopping centers, sporting activities, and beaches), it might seem a little overwhelming.  Stay tuned to next week for Honeymoon Spotlight: Miami, FL Part 2.

1- Think about what you don’t have and what you need.

If you and your fiance already live together, then you may not need many of the household items that top most registries. In this case, it’s perfectly OK to register for fun gifts like sporting equipment or a cool kitchen appliance like an ice cream maker.

2- Consider the future.

It’s a good idea to think about after the wedding and beyond. Do you and your fiance travel on a frequent basis? You should register for a quality set of luggage. Do you plan on hosting a lot of parties or inviting guests for frequent stay-overs?  Stock up on extra dinnerware and bedding.

3- Don’t forget items you really want.

A wedding registry brings the perfect opportunity for you to request gifts that you (and your fiance) really want. So go ahead and scan that fancy espresso maker, silk sheet set, wine cooler, or big screen television set. You may not get what you want, but many retailers offer a decent discount when you purchase the remaining items on your registry. Be sure to ask the sales associate or consultant about it before you register.

Montreal

Get a taste of French culture without going overseas in Montreal (located in Quebec, Canada). This city has lots of museums, historical places, and events to please even the most finicky Francophile. Notable attractions include Cinematheque Quebecoise to experience films from independent sources or long-ago eras, or the Chateau Dufresne Museum, a historic mansion that houses art from the 1920s. You can stay at the Hotel Le Crystal, an upscale hotel that offers a variety of suites, concierge services, a fine restaurant, and a cafe.

Sydney

If you don’t want to compromise the beach for big city fun, Sydney (located in New South Wales, Australia) is a must-see. Love art? Check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Both museums feature a large collections that showcase art from all around the world. Want to shop? Don’t miss Stand Arcade, an upscale mall that features stores and designer boutiques. Looking for a great place to stay? Book a few nights at the Mantra on Kent. This all-suite hotel has an ideal location that’s close to all central business district (CBD) attractions including Star City Casino and Sydney Aquarium.

Choosing the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer – Your favorite niece and nephew could serve as the flower girl and ring bearer respectively. If you or your fiance have really young children or toddlers, you might want to consider having them involved in the wedding. When you ask the children to become involved with the festivities, there is little doubt that they will be delighted to help, but you should make sure that they understand their part and what they have to do. You can also have the bridesmaids and groomsmen help the young attendants practice their duties at the rehearsal dinner.

Giving Gifts – This is certainly not mandatory, but it is a nice gesture. Kids love gifts, and even though you may be tempted to buy them their favorite toy, it’s better to give them something that can serve as a keepsake. A plush teddy bear or an engraved piggy bank are great ideas. As with all attendant gifts, you should not feel compelled to spend more than you originally planned for. Your wedding is a gift, as it is because it brings all the families together to share one priceless moment.

1- Bowling Night

Head to the bowling alley for a little friendly competition! This plan works best for smaller parties (4 to 8 people) which will enable you to divide the party into smaller groups to have a bowling tournament against each other. Try to find a fun bowling alley that has a lounge or restaurant so everyone can enjoy a meal before the big event. To make it even more fun, come up with silly team names and have every group pick one color so they can wear a t-shirt in that color to show team spirit.

2- Spa Day

Why not make the bridal shower a day long (or at least a half-day) event? Invite all your closet gal pals and unwind while getting manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages. When you book your event at the spa, be sure to ask if they offer discount rates for groups or bridal shower events.

3- Picnic in the Park

If you are on a tight budget or you want a party that is more low-key, host a picnic bridal shower in the park or in a backyard. All you need is some delicious food, wine, and a table.  Even better, make it a pot-luck and ask your guests to bring something to the picnic like sandwiches, salads, cakes, or cookies. Enhance the party’s festivities by bringing  some fun games like bocce ball or volleyball. This party is casual enough to turn it into a Jack-and-Jill bridal shower, so be sure to invite your fiance and his friends!

Find a Memorable Backdrop

Choose to have your photos taken at a special location, preferably one with a significant meaning like the place where you first met, the place you had your first date, or the place he purposed. You could also have your photo shoot arranged at a place that you love to go, like a city park or an amusement park.

Try a Little PDA (Public Displays of Affection)

Have the photographer capture a few precious moments like a small smooch on the lips or a close embrace. You want to show a few tender moments without going overboard.

Let Loose a Little

Engagement photography is supposed to be fun, so feel free to let loose a little and show your true colors. Make the most of your photography location. If your pictures are being taken at the park, go ahead and frolic. Play on the swings or pose under a tree. If your pictures are on the beach, why not build a sandcastle and pose next to it? Relax and have fun!

Make a Special Photo Album

Celebrate your relationship by having your photos saved to a disc. What you do with the photos is up to you.  You can create a digital photo slide show for your website, or you can incorporate clips of it into a video that you can share at your wedding.