Go to Disneyland for Free!

So many of our real weddings couples go to Disneyland on their honeymoons. So we thought you'd love to hear about a promotion that is just starting today!

Beginning January 1, 2010, when you sign up at Disney to volunteer a day of service with a participating organization (and your service is completed and verified) you'll get one day admission to a Walt Disney World® or Disneyland® theme park, FREE!

The goal is to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service.

Note that volunteer opportunities are handled through HandsOn Network, so you'll want to also visit their Web site for more information on the volunteer organizations included their network.

Sign up at the Give A Day, Get a Disney Day now by clicking here!


Disney Fine Print: You must sign up through the Disney site to volunteer and complete your service at an eligible volunteer opportunity in the fifty US states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico or Canada to receive a ticket. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. You must be at least 18 to sign up. Children must be at least 6 to participate in the program.

Program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until tickets are distributed or until December 15, 2010, whichever occurs first. You may only sign up a maximum of 8 members of your household.

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Want more Real Weddings? We're serving them up for you at http://www.realweddingsmag.com/!

Honeymoon Destination: Cieba del Mar

Ah, the honeymoon! We all know that the honeymoon is meant to give you and your beloved a much needed vacation after the big day.

In our current issue of Real Weddings Magazine, we present honeymoon ideas for every season.

One of the locales we mention in that piece for a fall honeymoon is Puerto Morales and in particular Cieba del Mar resort. But let's be honest, Mexico can be a good honeymoon option nearly all year round!


And, good news from the travel desk: our friends at Cieba del Mar just let us know about about a special package that they're offering. It's the single best can’t-miss, no-catch deal we’ve heard of for 2010 honeymooners: the Wellness Spa Getaway.

Starting at $1,680 USD ($840 per person), plus 12% taxes and a 5% service charge based on double occupancy for a four-day/three-night stay between Jan 1- Dec 22, 2010, this amazing package provides guests with unlimited spa treatments at the holistic Spa at Ceiba del Mar, a top-notch, Zen-like spa with a progressive approach to healing the mind, body and spirit. In addition to a comprehensive menu of treatments, Spa-goers will enjoy use of a fully-equipped gym and several humid areas. Additional perks of this package include:

• Ocean-view accommodation in a luxury suite appointed with terrace or hammock and spacious living areas, state-of-the-art technology, including free in-room wireless, indigenous art, fine linens, organic bath amenities, a separate bathtub and shower, an in-morning coffee service and nightly turndown service with artisan gift.
  
• A refreshing, welcome champagne cocktail upon arrival.
  
• A Vital Energy Flow Analysis with Bio-Tensor from the spa.
  
• A custom-created gift of signature blended oils.
  
• Complimentary use of water, bicycles, kayaks and snorkeling equipment.

There is a little fine print...this deal is not offered in conjunction with weddings or combinable with other specials.

For more information about Ceiba del Mar Beach and Spa Resort, visit their Web site: http://www.ceibadelmar.com/.

Blog Post by Our Go-To-Travel Girl Jenn Thornton.

Divine Honeymoon Destination – St Regis Punta Mita Resort

So, I just got back from a long weekend getaway so wonderful and romantic I had to share with you all while it was still fresh on my mind. My quick escape took me to the lovely St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, nestled in a private, gated community about 50 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta International airport along the beautiful Riviera Nayarit.

When talking to brides in search of a perfect honeymoon locale, Mexico often goes to the top of the list for three reasons: hospitality, weather and convenience. Sure enough, it was a short three-hour flight from Northern California and another short drive in a luxury SUV to this exclusive resort.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the exceptionally warm staff and treated to a sunset champagne ceremony where a sword is used to slice off the top of the bottle. After sipping bubbles and enjoying an incredible ocean view, we were escorted to our room, a spacious tile-floored private villa with a HUGE bathroom with a tub, indoor and outdoor shower. Our butler, a great guy by name of Joachim, gave us the rundown of the resort and took care of every little detail during our stay. My personal favorite? The morning wake-up call that came with tea or coffee and tiny Madeline cookies. Gosh, I miss those Madelines.

The resort offers three dining locations, from the Mexican-influenced Las Marietas where we enjoyed breakfast every morning, to the California-inspired Sea Breeze, to the formal Carolinas. Or, you can order in like we did the first night and experience a private dinner on your the patio. The Raméde Spa, exclusive to St. Regis, offered a relaxing outdoor environment, plenty of amenities and a truly relaxing custom massage treatment option. Additionally, there are two pools, beach access, tennis club, golf courses, an exercise room and much more.

I can’t recommend this place enough for honeymoon bliss. I didn’t even have to tie the knot to fall head over heals in love!

For more information, visit stregis.com/puntamita.

Blog Post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist Darren Elms.

Honeymoon Destination Idea

Divine Destination...Taha’a

One of the best-kept secrets in French Polynesia is a small island just a couple hours by plane from the main hub of Tahiti. Taha’a, known as the Vanilla Island, truly captures the essence of the South Pacific experience – beauty, romance, tranquility and an exploration of all five senses.

After arriving in Tahiti, you’ll take a short plane ride to the island of Raiatea and a boat cruiser to the Relais & Chateaux Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa, a private oasis just off the main island of Taha’a. Everything you’ve heard about French Polynesia comes vividly to life at this tropical paradise – warm waters in every shade of blue, white sand beaches, delicious cuisine full of local flavors, and finest the hospitality and service you can imagine. The resort offers day trips to the main island, where you can explore wild botanical gardens, fragrant vanilla plantations and black pearl farms. But, nothing beats the seductive starry walks back to your over water bungalow with the moon shimmering on the Pacific. Needless to say, I was totally bewitched by the charms of Taha’a. Book this amazing getaway for your honeymoon and prepare to fall under its spell.

For more information, visit http://www.letahaa.com/.

Blog post by Always a Bridesmaid Columnist, Darren Elms

Honeymoon Books!

So while all of your time has been spent planning your wedding, there is something to look forward to beyond the wedding...of course your wonderful life to come with your new spouse, but more urgently, a little R&R on your honeymoon!

Since your head has been caught up in wedding magazines (like Real Weddings Magazine!) and on blogs and Web sites, we thought we'd come to the rescue with some reading suggestions for when you're sipping a yummy frothy cocktail with your enamored by your side.

For those historical fiction lovers:
Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors (catherinedelors.com/mistress.htm/)

The Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir (http://www.alisonweir.org.uk/)

For those mystery/psychological thriller lovers:
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly (http://www.michaelconnelly.com/)
Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child (http://www.leechild.com/)

For those needing something a little more "deep":
Brooklyn by Colm Toibin (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colm_T%C3%B3ib%C3%ADn)

The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein (www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Bernstein).

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay (www.sarahskey.com/article-22049887.html)

For those needing a big-laugh-out-loud-in-the-middle-of the airport read:
Anything from Laurie Notaro -- I've read every one of her books and everytime, she makes me guffaw. Love her! (http://www.laurienotaro.com/).

And for those that just want a wonderfully delicious saucy bit of chick-lit:
Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash by Dixie Cash (http://www.dixiecashauthor.com/)
Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot (www.megcabot.com/size12/size12isnotfat.php)
Scott on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz (http://www.brendajanowitz.com/)

And this one might fall under historical novel and chick lit -- it's delightful:

Confessions of a Jane Austin Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler (http://janeaustenaddict.com/)

Do you have reading suggestions for our brides? If so, drop me a quick email and I'll put them all together for our next Honeymoon books blog!

And, remember, we won't judge you by the books that you're reading! We honestly don't care what you're reading (truly, we're not book snobs – we appreciate the written word in all forms! And come on – do you really think we'd be reading Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment after college? Not a chance!), we just love that you're reading! Enjoy!