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By Weddingistas, on October 30th, 2011
Food Network is giving away a trip to Northern California, one of the country’s most iconic areas for food and wine. You’ll visit our stars’ favorite locations, as seen on Best Thing I Ever Ate (one of my favorite shows!) and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives and roll up your sleeves for a private cooking class, wine and olive oil tastings and more. For all my foodie readers out there, this is right up your alley so enter today!
- Roundtrip airfare
- Welcome reception at Hotel Vitale (San Francisco) featuring Food Network recipes
- Tastings and meals at several locations featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, Best Thing I Ever Ate & other Food Network shows
- Private dinner at Michael Chiarello’s Bottega
- Farewell dinner at Tyler Florence’s Rotisserie & Wine
- Private lunch at Food Network‘s partner winery, Wente Vineyards; wine and olive oil tastings; exclusive Food Network Guide Book with regional culinary history and our Food Network stars’ favorite food spots throughout Northern California
- Hands-on cooking class
- Services of a professional Food Network Tour Director
- Private luxury Food Network motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, and a restroom
- Sightseeing and scenic highlights, including admission charges where applicable
- 7 full breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners
- Airport transfers to and from San Francisco International Airport on arrival and departure tour days
Approximate retail value: $4,999
Promotional period ends: December 1, 2011
Please note: Limit of one entry per person will be accepted. The winner will be selected December 15, 2011 and travel must be completed by October 31, 2012.
Goodluck!
By Weddingistas, on October 23rd, 2011
Anyone that knows me has known I’ve been planning my honeymoon to Italy for the past few years. Thankfully my fiancé is on board with idea. Rome is definitely a must-stop! My jaw dropped when I saw the incredible opportunity Travel Channel is offering this month. Enter to win a trip for two to Rome, Italy… sounds like an amazing honeymoon if you ask me!
The winner will receive the following:
- Round-trip airfare to Rome, Italy
- 6-days/5-nights first-class hotel accommodations in Rome, Italy
- Round-trip airport transfers between hotel and airport in Rome
- 1 fine-dining dinner at Antico Arco (in the Piazza Aurelia in Rome, Italy)
- 2 48-hour passes for the Hop On, Hop Off Rome City Tour (via an open double-decker bus that allows you to take two days to see this beautiful, historical and culturally rich city)
Approximate retail value: $8,840
Promotional period ends: October 31, 2011
Please note: The winner will be randomly chosen on or around November 1, 2011. The trip must be completed by October 31, 2012.
Goodluck! (But I’m secretly hoping I win!)
By Weddingistas, on October 17th, 2011
For couples who already have most of their household necessities, a honeymoon registry is a fun and practical idea. Guests provide you with contributions towards your honeymoon, sharing experiences with you and giving you memories that will last a lifetime. For couples who are more interested in experiences than more kitchen goods, here are some tips to creating a honeymoon registry.
 Wanderable offers a stylish and free honeymoon registry. Sign up with invite code “WEDDINGISTAS” to get an early invite!!
1. Budget realistically
Starting early gives you the benefit of improving your budget planning by getting more offers! As you establish your budget, make you are prepared to pay for your full honeymoon – as you cannot rely completely on the fact that guests will pay for all of it. Be realistic with your budgeting as you plan your dream honeymoon
2. Spread the word (by word of mouth or a tasteful link on your wedding page)
Word of mouth is by far the best way to let others know about your honeymoon registry. You can inform close friends or family directly, and they will help you out. This is particularly useful when you live far from your family or friends.
Some honeymoon registry sites offer email invites to your guests to inform them. However, it is important that you don’t mention your gift registry on your save-the-date or wedding invitations as you don’t want your guests to feel obliged to buy you a gift or make a monetary contribution.
3. Be welcoming (a guest’s presence is always more important than their gifts)
That is what makes the welcome message so important. Some people use poems from different websites and others come up with their own message. If you are coming up with your own message, make your guests feel welcome upon accessing your website and make sure you have taken the time to explain why you are using a honeymoon registry. It is also essential that you emphasize your appreciation of their presence at your wedding more than a gift, but understand that not everyone is going to be able to make it.
5. Describe the experiences you want (immerse the guests in what could be)
For each gift or experience, you need to ensure that your guests feel that they are sharing the experience with you. Be creative, entertaining and more importantly, specific. People should know exactly where there money is going, especially if you are asking for an expensive dinner – don’t be vague and provide them with the name of a restaurant. Involve your guests in the experience as they contribute to your honeymoon memoirs.
6. Keep your guests’ budgets in mind (break up large items into smaller gifts)
Please keep in mind that all your guests will have different incomes and will therefore vary in their contribution. Keep the values low – so if you’re asking for something that costs $200.00, break it down so guests can contribute 4 x $50.00. Remember that they are also spending money to make it to your wedding in the first place!
7. Thank you (make the guests part of the experience)
A personal hand-written thank you note is the best way to show your guests your appreciation. It’s a nice gesture to atttach pictures of the experience (if you send them after the honeymoon). That way they know exactly how you used their gifts and feel part of the experience. If you’re going to send them after the wedding, try to send them within 3 months after your honeymoon.
You can see some of Wanderable’s sample registries to Paris, Maui, or take a tour of the experience.
  
Marcela Miyazawa is Co-Founder over at Wanderable, a free honeymoon website inspiring people to wander.
By Weddingistas, on October 9th, 2011
I am so excited to share today’s spectacular contest that I can barely contain myself!! We’ve partnered with Affinitas Intimates to provide one of our lucky brides a lovely lingerie set & accessories.
The winner will receive the following:
- Affinitas Intimates Bridal Bustier (with removable straps)
- Thong and Garter Set
- 3 Affinitas Panties in Denim Blue, Lavender and Lilac (winner’s choice of thong or hipster style)
- 1 Berry Ball + Bag Care Set (winner’s color choice of pink, purple or blue)
Here’s how to enter: “Like” Affinitas Intimate on Facebook. That’s it! How great is that? If you’re looking for an addition entry, you can also follow Affinitas Intimates on Twitter.
Approximate retail value: $210.00
Promotional period ends: October 30, 2011
Please note: There is a maximum of 2 entries per person. Also, the Bustier sizes range from 32-38B, C, D. DD; and Thong sizes XS – XL.
Goodluck ladies!!
By Weddingistas, on October 4th, 2011
Interested in having “something blue” on your wedding night or honeymoon? Well, look no further, as Brulee Lingerie has a few lovely options! These particular items would be perfect for a boudoir shoot or bachelorette party gift. Whether your style is sophisticated, flirty, conservative, or bold… Brulee has something for everyone!
xoxo
By Weddingistas, on September 23rd, 2011
Weddingistas are closing the laptops, turning off cell phones and going on vacation!! After a wonderful wedding season with some amazing clients, couples and families, we are ready to relax. We’re heading to Paris, and then to Provence in the South of France! But we couldn’t leave without leaving our readers with a little travel inspiration…
 Images: Favors: Blumengarten, Stationery: Spark Stationery via MSW, Bridesmaids dress: Shabby Apple, Cake: Inticing Creations, Banner: BHLDN, Wedding gown: Temperley London via MSW, Custom Maps: Martha Stewart Weddings, Flowers: Flou(-er).
Au revoir!
By Weddingistas, on September 18th, 2011
This time next weekend, Weddingistas will be frolicking in Paris, France on vacation! In honor of that, I wanted to spotlight an amazing Parisian opportunity. One lucky winner will be sent on a 5-night journey (or fabulous honeymoon) for two to Paris!
Read below for everything the package will include:
- Roundtrip airfare
- 5 night’s accommodation in a four-star hotel
- Nikon® Coolpix® S8100 12.1MP Digital camera
- 2 Ovengold® Parisian Pursuit T-Shirts
- Moleskine® journal
- Replica of a vintage map of Paris
- VISA® or MasterCard® gift card valued up to $3,000
Here’s how to enter: You must “Like” the fan page in order to enter the Sweepstakes. Look for the tab that says “Trip to Paris” and submit your First and Last Name, the State where you live and a working email address for which you are the authorized user. You will receive one (1) entry into the Grand Prize drawing. And unfortunately, you can only enter the sweepstakes once.
Approximate retail value: $10,000
Promotional period ends: September 30, 2011
Please note: Before you decide to enter, please read the contest’s official rules. The winner will be chosen on or around October 15, 2011. Travel must be booked by February 15, 2012 and completed by August 30, 2012.
Goodluck!!
By Weddingistas, on September 13th, 2011
If you’re like me, then you’ve probably never given madeleine cookies a chance. But let me tell you, they’re an underrated cookie! I dare you to try and not enjoy them. We tried some Donsuemor madeleines and simply fell head over heels.
You can order madeleines in cute heart-shapes, have them dipped in chocolate, or even dressed up for the wedding festivities! I’m a big fan of edible favors and these would be so charming set along the reception tables! Another idea is that you can greet your out of town guests with a welcome package stocked with these delicious treats. If you’re a DIY overachiever, you could even hand dip and decorate these yourself. That would be a huge undertaking, but if any of our brides do it – we would love to see it!!
 Images: Donsuemor
{Full disclosure: Weddingistas received free samples of these tasty cake-like cookies. They were devoured in an embarrassingly short amount of time. We are huge madeleine fans and didn’t even know it!}
xoxo
By Weddingistas, on September 4th, 2011
Style Me Pretty, the Mecca of beautiful wedding inspiration, has partnered with the ultimate honeymoon resort – One&Only, to offer a one-of-a-kind honeymoon giveaway. And when I say luxury, it’s the kind of luxury and treatment you never knew existed!
There are 7 different locations and activity honeymoon packages you get to pick from… and they are all spectacular! They make it too easy to enter too. Click here to be redirected to Style Me Pretty’s giveaway page that will explain how to enter. All you need to do is “Like” the One&Only, Style Me Pretty and Atlantis Weddings Fan Pages on Facebook. Then, complete a quick on-screen registration form, including selecting your ideal One&Only Dream Honeymoon stay (from the list provided) to enter the Sweepstakes.
Approximate retail value: $4,000 – $7,600 (depending on trip chosen)
Promotional period ends: September 15, 2011
Please note: You must be 25 years of age or older at time of travel and the trip must be completed by September 2, 2012. So, read the Official Rules and plan accordingly!
Goodluck!
By Weddingistas, on August 28th, 2011
The one piece of advice I tell all my clients, friends and family? Spend more than you want to on wedding photography. It can be expensive, but timeless photographs will last you a lifetime…and I think to think that’s priceless.
 Image: Gruber Photographers
Today’s Sunday Sweepstakes is pretty awesome. The winner will receive 8 hours of photography by Terry Gruber with one assistant. Incase you’re not familiar, Terry Gruber is a Celebrity Wedding & Special Event Photog. I don’t like to name drop, but you should know Terry has worked with Catherine-Zeta Jones, Julia Roberts, Billy Joel, Usher, Bobby Flay and soon to be your name!
Just in case you’re not in the NY/NJ/CT area, events that are located outside of a 3-hour driving distance from New York City will incur travel costs. And how much could that be? A drop in the bucket, considering all your wedding photography is free!
Approximate retail value: $12,500
Promotional period ends: September 15, 2011
Please note: The prize must be redeemed by September 15, 2012. Once September 15th rolls around, the winner will be notified via the email and must respond within 36-hours of notification. Please remember to review the terms and conditions before you enter!
Goodluck!!
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