If you are considering an overseas honeymoon destination, than look no further than Waikiki Beach in Hawaii’s capital city Honolulu. Romantic yet exuberant, Honolulu offers a little piece of America wrapped up in a surprising parcel of tropical excitement. It’s warm tranquil waters, near perfect temperatures and breathtaking natural scenery have regularly attracted many tourists, yet it’s the appealing blend of active volcanoes, adventure activities and amazing shopping experiences, which make Hawaii an essential must-see honeymoon destination.

Hawaii is one the youngest geological formations in the world, and is represented by six islands: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big island, the island of Oahu is where Hawaii’s capital city, Honolulu is located. Renowned for its first class surfing and home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes Hawaii’s vibrant attractions and unique landscape leave many visitors in awe, It is though, the warmth of the people and the “Aloha Spirit” which compels so many to embrace the Hawaiian people and their culture.

Things to do in Honolulu
Visit the island’s many tourist attractions including:
• The USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials in Oahu’s Pearl Harbour
• The active Kilauea Volcano at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island
• The Honolulu Zoo (Images below).

Drive a convertible and check out the amazing scenery
Hire a convertible and enjoy the stunning scenery from Diamond Head. Its vantage point offers some incredible panoramas of Honolulu. Explore the off road paths and hidden hiking trails Hawaii has some of the best hiking trails surrounded by beautiful scenery. Get off the beaten path and discover Hawaii’s hidden gems and the charming local neighbourhoods, places you won’t find on a postcard, for a deeper understanding of the history of Hawaii.

Go Surfing
Experience the world-class surfing action Hawaii has to offer. Waikiki beach also promotes the hire of surfboards and provides lessons for the avid surfer enthusiast teaching the skills of surfing the waves of Hawaii.

Relax and be Pampered
Hilton Hawaiin Village boasts Mandara Spa, the largest spa in Waikiki, provides one of Hawaii’s most beautiful and complete spas. Be transported into a world of relaxation and rejuvenation with a host of spa treatments that incorporate Hawaiian, Asian, Western, European and Polynesian beauty and relaxation concepts. Discover a world of soothing treatments and rejuvenating therapies at our comprehensive Honolulu spa resort. Mandara Spa offers exquisite Balinese-style service, as well as Asian spices and oils for masques, scrubs, wraps and other treatments. This restful Waikiki Beach spa provides relaxing therapies sure to inspire pure contentment.

Shop til you drop!
If you do get tired of sipping cocktails by the beach or exploring the scenic paradise, there is of course the sensational shopping on offer. Hawaii has the world’s largest open-air shopping destination “Ala Moana”; with over 290 luxury brand name shops and local speciality stores. A haven for the shop-a-holic and an experience to remember, Honolulu offers some of the best shopping available. The main strip on Waikiki is lined with designer stores and exquisite shopping attractions and most shops trade until 11pm each night. Whether you spend days soaking up the sun and the amazing atmosphere on Waikiki Beach, or exploring the exhilarating shopping precincts and designer boutiques that line the streets, Hawaii will leave you wanting more, and once you visit you may find it hard to leave.

Where To Eat
Waikiki and downtown Honolulu is filled with an amazing array of sensational food offerings, a vibrant food scene with casual dining experiences and a relaxed atmosphere. The iconic Los Angeles originated restaurant ‘The Cheesecake Factory” is a must visit with an unlimited menu the restaurant offers generous size portions, inventive menu choices and a trademark cheesecake too good to miss. “The Californian Pizza Kitchen” in the centre of Waikiki translates America’s favourite flavours and tastes onto a sensational pizza crust; the result is a complete redefinition of America’s traditional concept of pizza. Thai, Greek and Japanese influences are present in the gourmet pizza selections combined with a tempting combination of traditional Italian pasta dishes. The American diner chain “I-Hop” is a must experience for the pancake lover, offering pancakes and crepes like you have never seen before. Endless plates of mouth watering buttermilk pancakes served with traditional maple syrup and fruit is pure delight and a taste sensation to die for.

When To Go
Anytime of year is a good time to visit Hawaii. Summer, between April and November, is warmer and drier (average temperature is 23-32˚C) while winter, between December and March, is a bit cooler (20-27˚C). Trade winds keep things comfortable all year round.

HISTORY
Over 1500 years ago, Polynesians from the Marquesas Islands first set foot on Hawaii’s Big Island. With only the stars to guide them, they miraculously sailed over 2000 miles in canoes to migrate to the Islands. 500 years later, settlers from Tahiti arrived, Hawaiian culture flourished over the following centuries and in 1778, Captain James Cook, landed on Kauai at Waimea Bay, naming the archipelago the “Sandwich Islands” in honour of the Earl of Sandwich. In 1820, the first Protestant Missionaries arrived on the Big Island and Hawaii became a port for seamen, traders, and whalers. Throughout these years of growth, western disease took a heavy toll on the native Hawaiian population. Western influence continued to grow and in 1893, American Colonists who controlled much of Hawaii’s economy overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in a peaceful, yet still controversial coup. In 1898, Hawaii became a territory of the United States. The Aloha State became the 50th State of the United States of America in 1955.

For further information on Hawaii visit Hawaii’s Official tourist information site www.gohawaii.com

Photography by Calli B Photography

Words by Terrianne Burns

Ms Gingham says: Oh how I love Hawaii and with the Australian dollar so strong at the moment there’s no better time to wax that surf board (not to mention other types of waxing) and get going!

About Calli: Calli moved from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and operated a home based photography business for a few years before moving into the boutique Maroochydore studio in 2008. Calli’s style of photography could be described as natural, candid and romantic. Calli has a beautiful daughter who she loves to spend her spare time with. Calli is a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).

Read more by Calli here.

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Sarah and Mark sent guests a save the date that resembled a boarding pass. It gave all the basic details of the wedding and asked for tentative attendance numbers. (Click here to see it in full)

For their wedding invitation, Sarah and Mark went one step further and delivered a passport to their guests. Inside the navy cover, the couple included essentials for their guests like travel trips (including weather, electrical requirements) they added helpful Bali advice- such as their favourite restaurants and included a schedule of the four day wedding celebration. (See the full invitation here)

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1. Sarah and Mark’s Bali Destination Wedding
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Sarah and Mark

Destination weddings are such a special breed of wedding. There is a lot to be said for a week long celebration with your loved ones- sun, surf and plenty of cocktails by the pool! Sarah and Mark (who met through a mutual friend at a birthday party) chose Bali as their wedding destination- specifically the stunning Ayana Resort & Spa for their big day, Set overlooking Jimbaran Bay,  the resort provided the most beautiful backdrop for the celebrations of Sarah and Mark’s wedding.

Sarah and Mark’s wedding was captured by Photo Factory Bali. I love the captures of the beautiful destination the studio took!

Sarah wore a strapless gown by Suzanne Hardwood with Christian Louboutin heels. The resort provided the bouquets.

Organika Hair styled Sarah and her bridesmaid’s hair and makeup.

Sarah’s bridesmaids wore gowns from Style Stalker with Robert Robert black heels.

The best part of a destination wedding is that the celebrations are not just the wedding. They last for days before and days afterwards. Sarah remarks “We organised a pre-wedding brunch the day before to ensure everybody got to know each other before the wedding day. We got a large Bus to the venue which was an experience to get a full-sized bus through the tiny streets and roads of mayhem to our venue where we enjoyed a great brunch and introduced family and friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

The wedding wasn’t just the actual wedding day – it was a culmination of the Bucks and Hens party, two days before, our introductory wedding brunch the morning before and the wonderful wedding day. All this spend with our closest family and friends.”

Of their photographer, Sarah remarks “They were very professional and got some exceptional shots in a very difficult environment. Amazingly quick to send through our Album which was also very well finished. Overall – very happy. ”

The resort provided a decadent wedding cake.

Sarah describes the wedding as “A magical backdrop to a surreal evening filled with love and laughter.”

Sarah and Mark made their own stationery. Sarah notes ” We made our save the date and invitations. We also made our own guestbook in the form of a hand drawn tree with our guests fingerprints for leaves. We also had photos from our past as placeholders for the tables.”

A makeshift photobooth was setup by the couple. Sarah explains “We had a section setup for props. We asked our guests to use the props and pose for photo’s which proved to be an entertaining highlight and provided some very funny photos and memorable moments.” Guests were gifted silver elephant statues as a token of the wedding day.

Sarah and Mark had 44 guests make the trip to Bali to celebrate with them.

DJampiro provided tunes for the guests to dance under the stars to, Including the first dance. Sarah explains “We danced to Michael Jackson – I Just Can’t stop loving you played live by the wonderful band. Several weeks of dancing lessons did nothing to calm the nerves and we just improvised something casual and funny. Great fun.”

Thank you for sharing your destination wedding with us Sarah and Mark! Thank you also to Photo Factory Bali for sharing today’s images!

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Photo from Aman Resorts via Amanpulo, The Phillipines. – Nothing around this resort for miles

Imagine arriving at your honeymoon resort to find that the smooth sand beach and swimming cove are a stone’s throw from the island’s airport. It’s hard to unwind when 747s are gliding in deafeningly so close to your head you can read the lettering on the side of the plane, and everything in your hotel suite rattles every ten minutes as each plane approaches and departs. Imagine how icky it would feel to swim in that ocean cove, knowing there’s probably some airplane fuel and oils in there.

That’s one thing they don’t bring to your attention on a resort’s splashy, colorful, dreamy-looking website. “Hey, we’re right across from the airport!” isn’t something they want you to realize. So before you confirm your honeymoon or destination wedding bookings, take some time to geo-locate your resort on the island or in the city where it’s situated. Google Maps will give you a fine look at how far from aviation central your resort is, and calm your fears.

It’s not just airports, though. I searched a resort recently and found that it was right next to a popular amusement park. The sounds of people screaming on roller coasters wasn’t my worry… but the crazy parking and a hotel filled with families and over-sugared children was. It was a good thing I looked at what’s near the resort.

Another item your search will turn up is how complicated it will be to get to your honeymoon resort. If you have no idea where it’s located on the island, you could find yourself on a super-crowded shuttle bus that stops at every resort along the way. Or, if the resort has its own ferry, you absolutely must check the fine print to be sure that the ferry ride is free. Some resorts charge a hefty ‘transfer fee’ per guest in order for you to reach your destination.

And yet another item to research is how far your resort is from the attractions and shopping centers, restaurants and beaches you plan to visit. It can be a stunner to find that the cabs you have to take charge a jaw-dropping fee because they know they’re the only game in town. You’re not going to walk four hours along windy, cliff-drop roads just to catch lunch at a local-favorite-eatery.

Make it a high-priority research mission to get a wider view of your resort’s setting, making sure you get the beautiful, peaceful, romantic, and adventurous honeymoon you had in mind.

Ms Gingham says: Truly that’s one thing that I would never have thought to do but will be doing now before any holiday! Thanks for the great tip Sharon!

About Sharon: Sharon Naylor is the author of over 35 wedding books, including her newest: “Bridesmaid on a Budget”, “Smart Guide to Wedding Weekends”, and “1001 Ways to Save Money and Still have a Dazzling Wedding”. Her two books for the mothers of the bride and groom are bestsellers, and she has appeared on such top shows as Good Morning America, ABC News, Lifetime, Inside Edition and more – sharing tips and insider secrets to help you plan your dream wedding on a budget, personalized to your love story. Visit her site Sharon Naylor for more on her books, free worksheets and appearances. She lives in Morristown, NJ with her husband Joe and is at work on her next two wedding books.

Read more by Sharon here

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If you are looking for an overseas destination to celebrate your honeymoon be sure to consider New York – a stylish and sophisticated metropolis that offers an appealing blend of sightseeing, shopping and live theatre. This distinguished state in America also lays claim to a well-recognised cultural presence, which includes some of the finest museums, art galleries and designer fashion houses in the world.

New York is an exciting and energy packed city, and is home to some of the most renowned landmarks and attractions in America. The city is made up of five boroughs or districts – Manhattan, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and The Bronx, all of these regions are linked by bridges, tunnels and ferries, and a comprehensive public transport system ensures seamless travel to all areas. New York City is filled with art, architecture and history and also offers some of the best shopping in the world. The most popular tourist attractions are all centrally located in Manhattan; these popular sights provide tourists with a diverse selection of landmarks and tourist hot spots in very close proximity to the central region.

New York’s top attractions
• Times Square – the hub of New York City, filled with shopping, live theatre, street dancing and where most of the tourist population converge to enjoy the bright lights of the big city.

• Central Park – New York’s ‘back yard’ spans approximately 843 acres and consists of scenic hills, lakes, meadows, trees and shrubs. Also home to a zoo, Central Park is the ideal playground for locals and tourists to enjoy, and a great place to jog, walk or enjoy a picnic.

• The Empire State Building – the tallest and most famous skyscraper in New York, it is an elegant example of art deco architecture and has been featured in movies such as ‘King Kong’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle’. Travel up to the observatory level on the 102nd floor and view the city from its highest peak.

• The Statue of Liberty – the symbol of freedom for millions of American citizens. This graceful lady was a gift from France to America in 1876. Visit the base of the statue, or take a ferry trip and circle the statue seaside.

• Metropolitan Museum of Art – one of the world’s great art museums with a collection that spans 5000 years of culture from all continents.

• Broadway – lavish theatres and restaurants adorn the region of the theatre district home to live performances, music and dance.

• St Patricks Cathedral – is America’s largest Catholic cathedral and a gothic representation of 1878 architecture.

Weather conditions
• The weather in New York can vary from day to day, but a guide to the seasons can certainly help you plan your wardrobe.

• Spring in New York typically brings light wind and rain, with temperatures ranging from cool to very warm.

• Summer is known for bright, sunny, hot days.

• Autumn is cool and crisp.

• Winter is cold and generally snowy with temperatures often plunging below zero.

• Generally the city is warm and sunny from May to October with lower temperatures and snow in winter months.

Shopping in New York
The city of New York offers fashionistas a tempting array of designer shops and department stores to indulge in. Boasting some of the world’s premium boutiques, the shopping precinct of New York is an alluring attraction for all shopaholics.

Shopping hot spots
• Fifth Avenue – home to the most desirable premium brands such as Louis Vuitton; Tiffany & Co.; Gucci , Cartier and headquarters to Harry Winston, the sought after jeweller to the stars. This well known high-end shopping location will also surprise you with brands such as Nine West, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger in the mix.

• Macy’s – marvel in the magic of this American department store chain – Macy’s, with 10 floors of shopping experience, Macy’s is the largest department store in New York.

• Bloomingdales – located on Lexington Avenue between 59th and 60th street and is a favourite shopping destination for visitors.

• Saks on Fifth Avenue – offers shoppers premium end brands and a selection of imported merchandise.

• Soho – famous for an eclectic mix of fashion, art and furniture, Soho is the newest shopping precinct in town.

• Woodbury Common – situated approx 55 minutes from downtown Manhattan, the premium outlet shopping location offers avid shoppers the opportunity to grab a bargain with labels such as Calvin Klein, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace and Coach just to name a few. Over 220 specialty stores are at your doorstop, which will make the near hour bus trip well worth the wait.

Where to eat
New York is represented by a myriad of ethnic groups and nationalities, and all of them have bought their culinary
skills from around the world. Cultural favourites such as pizza and pasta are renowned in the big apple, and Italian
cuisine is popular, particularly in ‘Little Italy’. Recently a new wave of modern cuisine has arrived on the scene and
one thing’s for sure – whatever food your palette desires you will be confident to find it in New York City.

Some favourites to enjoy
• Angelo’s Pizza – the most famous Pizzeria in New York City, located in 8th Avenue next to the famous David Letterman television studio.

• Matt’s Grill – try the best burgers and steaks in town, accompanied by loads of fries, typical American cuisine.

• Avoce Restaurant – a new kid on the block, modern Italian cuisine located in the Times Warner building at Columbus Square.

• Momofuku Ssäm Bar – Asian influenced modern cuisine located on Second Avenue at 13th Street.

• Grays Papaya – if you are looking for the best hot dog in town you can’t go past this eatery that started out as a simple juice bar until their hot dogs made headlines around the city as the greatest around.

• Scarpetta – located on 14th Street between 8th and 9th exceptional new vogue Italian cuisine, opened by a hot new chef on the food scene.

Tours
If you want to really see New York, consider purchasing a bus tour package which is a great way to see the sights and also be entertained by the local tourist operators who will add a bit of flavour with their commentary, revealing stories on stars, gossip and landmarks. One of the main benefits of a bus tour is that many offer a ‘hop on hop off’ ticket which lasts for several days and is a great way to depart the tour at certain areas that interest you, and then rejoin the bus tour later. ‘City Sights New York’ offers a great selection of tours which include a boat ride that takes you around The Statue of Liberty. The tour operators man various streets enabling you to purchase tickets easily.

Where to Stay
There is so much accommodation available in New York, from large hotels and apartments to boutique style lodges. All accommodation located in the central area of New York City is situated close to most attractions, the main shopping precinct, and popular restaurants. New York is easily accessible by subway, bus or by simply walking. Visit the websites below for accommodation options. New York is a buzz of excitement, and planning your trip is half the fun. With so much to do, you will be completely enthralled and whether you have a day or a month, the American city of New York will captivate you. New York will be an experience you won’t easily forget, and will keep you coming back for more.

For more information on New York visit:
www.nyctourist.com | www.iloveny.com | www.nycgo.com

Photography by Calli B Photography

Words by Terrianne Burns

Ms Gingham says: No matter how many times you see these iconic images of this city they are still awe inspiring. One of the top contenders for honeymoon locations surely.

About Calli: Calli moved from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and operated a home based photography business for a few years before moving into the boutique Maroochydore studio in 2008. Calli’s style of photography could be described as natural, candid and romantic. Calli has a beautiful daughter who she loves to spend her spare time with. Calli is a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP).

Read more by Calli here.

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