TammyWright

Choosing the Perfect flowers Flowers are an integral part of the wedding foundation. Flowers are used all over a wedding, in bouquets, boutonnieres, center pieces, head pieces, favors, petals on the aisle, the list goes on and on! They accent the color theme and location. They also help set the mood. How to Choose a Florist First and foremost, you need to have a florist who is knowledgeable in the climate you will be celebrating your big event. Therefore, choosing a local florist for a destination wedding is incredibly essential, yet also can be very challenging. The biggest challenge many destination brides encounter is the problem of not ‘seeing’ the florist’s work first hand before the wedding and they must rely on the florist’s website or on the taste and opinion of the wedding planner that is provided by the resort. Here are some things you can do to lessen the anxiety commonly associated with finding the perfect florist and flowers for a destination wedding. First you look for recommendations of local florists. A good way to begin is by doing a search of florists in the destination. (Ex. Florists in Jamaica, Florists in Puerto Rico, etc.) You can also ask other brides you may know who have had a destination wedding, or your hotel wedding planner for their recommendations. We have some Florist Reviews on BestDestinationWedding.com as well. Additionally, try contacting a few other resorts in the area for their recommendations. Since many hotels make deals with a florist, you will want to know that the one being recommended to you is also recommended by others. Often, these arrangements are made to make the process of planning easier for the bride and the wedding planner, but if you simply go with what is offered, you may be disappointed, always do your research. You will also want to do some research on community forums regarding destinations weddings, like the ones here on bestdestinationweddings.com, where you will find reviews and comments by other destination wedding brides and their florist experiences. You can now begin to narrow down the list by visiting the florists’ websites. Look for what they offer for destination weddings. A few questions to think of while reviewing their websites are: Do they have wedding package specials? Do they recommend a specific arrangement or types of flowers for the climate? Can you contact them directly with any questions? Choose Flowers that Compliment your Wedding Once you have decided on a florist, you can begin working with them to decide which flowers will compliment your ceremony and location best. Many flowers, however, are sensitive to weather and climate. To ensure that your flowers do not wilt and die before you say ‘I do’ there are a few things to keep in mind. There is a multitude of information available regarding the best types of flowers for any climate and location. What you need to consider when doing your research is that there are three major climate zones in the world. The zones are; tropical, temperate, and polar. In each climate there are species of native flowers. The largest selections are found in the temperate and tropical regions. Very few species of flower are native to a colder polar climate; however, in a colder climate many species of flowers can have an extended life. If you prefer to be in a tropical climate there are many native choices with a wide range of color options to fit into your wedding theme. Orchids are a very sensual flower and are best suited for a hot and humid tropical climate and they come in many colors. A bride should have no trouble with selection for any of these climates. Knowing what flowers thrive or fail in the climate of your wedding destination will greatly assist you and your florist in choosing the best arrangements for your wedding No matter what the climate for your wedding, with the right information and florist you will find the perfect arrangement to compliment your style.

Planning a Destination Wedding in Dominican Republic A veritable mix of old and new, the Dominican Republic offers countless opportunities for romance and makes tying the knot in unspoiled nature or European elegance equally easy. The Dominican Republic's tropical climate provides the surroundings for a wedding to remember. About Dominican Republic Occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic is the Caribbean's largest tourist destination. With shores along both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, beach resorts (called balneiros) abound, providing a wide variety of venues (and price options) for your destination wedding. With eight international airports, the Dominican Republic is also easily accessible from most major hub cities, and allows for the opportunity to find competitive flight prices. The variety of levels of service available throughout the island, make it a smart choice for a bride of any budget. While the country boasts an average temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit, the realities of the weather in the Dominican Republic is highly dependent upon what part of the country you are visiting. As with most tropical countries, there is little variation in temperature throughout the year, with the primary concern being whether it is the wet or the dry season. In the Dominican Republic, that depends upon what part of the island you are visiting. For the northern coast, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, the rainy season occurs between the months of November and January. The rest of the country has a rainy season that runs from May through November. There is also the risk of getting caught in hurricane season, which runs from June until November, with the months of August through October being of the most concern. Getting Married in Dominican Republic Costanza Chapel in Dominican Republic There is a bit of required paperwork to navigate in order to get legally married in the Dominican Republic, but nothing out of the ordinary for an overseas wedding. The required documents should be authenticated by an official at your nearest Dominican Consulate before departing for the Dominican Republic. The documents also need to be translated into Spanish, which can be done at the Consulate or by a legal translator after arriving in the Dominican Republic. Legal Requirements Making it official in the Dominican Republic is a breeze and costs just $20. You'll just need to abide by the following: · US citizens are required to write to the American Consulate in Santo Domingo requesting permission to marry · Two witnesses need to be present (with photo I.D.) · Passports for the couple and for any foreign witnesses as well as birth certificates · Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable · Parties must be at least 18 years of age · Notarized letter from an attorney, legalized by their embassy, stating that each person is single · All documents must be translated into Spanish upon arrival. Please contact the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic (212-768-2480) for specific information. Fun Things to Do Hiking, surfing, diving, cycling, and whale watching will keep your guests busy from dawn to dusk, or they can simply choose to luxuriate on the gorgeous shores. The festive capital of Santo Domingo bustles with fine hotels, museums, dining, architecture, nightclubs, and casinos, so your guests can enjoy the finer things Top Spots: Punta Cana Guanacaste Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Beach in Punta Cana Punta Cana is by far the largest and most popular balneiros in the Dominican Republic. There are twelve professional golf courses in Punta Cana alone, some of which are considered among the best in the world, so be sure to bring your clubs and book a tee time if you (or your fiancée) play. A large variety of water sports are available throughout the Dominican Republic, with plenty of opportunities for diving and boating. Kiteboarding and swimming with the dolphins are also popular attractions. Resorts in the area offer a range of amenities from full-service, all inclusive wedding and vacation packages on the resorts to more self-service options, allowing you to create exactly the experience you are looking for. Dominican Republic Culture There is plenty to do outside the resorts if you want to experience the eclectic culture of the Dominican Republic. The country's multicultural history has created a society with a mix of European, African and native Taino elements, visible in its art and cuisine. The Dominican Republic is also the home of merengue, a form of music and dance with a fast tempo and a syncopated rhythm. You can catch dancers demonstrating the merengue in the streets of Santo Domingo city while local musicians play along. If you want to infuse the feeling of the Dominican Republic into your wedding, hiring a band to play merengue music for part of your reception would put a memorable twist into the standard wedding play list. Incorporating the abundant fresh, tropical fruits into your menu would be another nice touch, with guavas, avocados, and soursops readily available. With plenty of options for every aspect of your wedding and honeymoon, there is no reason why anyone couldn't design the wedding of their dreams in the Dominican Republic. Have you been to Dominican Republic? Tell us about it!! Pictures by: www.caribbeanemotions.com