Advice for Newly Engaged Couples

Cheers to all the newly engaged couples! Before I started my travel business I planned weddings, so I love seeing all of the proposal photos after the holidays and love working with couples to plan their honeymoons, destination weddings, etc. It’s such an exciting time in life, but I realize it can also be stressful and emotional and expensive...Try your hardest to enjoy every minute of the process. Here is some advice for newly engaged couples.

1. Celebrate

Take some time to celebrate this new season of life! Plan a date at your favorite restaurant or get away for a couple nights. Refrain from discussing wedding plans and have fun!

2. Hire Professionals!

I cannot stress this enough. It will make the process so much smoother and allow you to relax on the day of your wedding. Wedding planners, photographers, travel agents, florists, videographers, stationary companies- these people are experts and help eliminate stress. Your sister’s best friend might have beautiful photos on her Instagram but that doesn’t mean you should hire her to take photos at your wedding. The photos are all you have after your big day and you will cherish them! If you are looking for a wedding planner/photographer/etc.- feel free to send me a message by dm or email. I would be more than happy to share recommendations!

3. Remember to Take Care of Your Guests

It is easy to get caught up and develop a “Me! Me! Me!” mindset. Remind yourself that your guests are spending money on gifts, travel, hotels, etc. You’ll want to show your gratitude by making them feel welcome and appreciated.

4. Don’t Be Too Trendy

I know it’s tempting, but you want to look back and like your wedding photos right?! Stay true to yourself! Think about all the cringe-worthy photos you’ve seen of weddings from the past (remember those matching mauve bridesmaids dresses from your aunt’s wedding in the 80s...).

5. Keep It All in Perspective

You are getting to marry the love of your life! You are making memories!  There is no better feeling than getting married and having all of the people you love in one place! While you are engaged- wake up every morning and write down 3 things you are grateful for. This will help you stay focused on what is important.

6. Stay Focused on Each Other During Your Wedding Weekend

You’ll be pulled in every direction and everyone wants a bit of your time.  Never be rude, but you want to make sure that you have memories with your spouse. Dance! Let loose! Be in love! You’ll regret missing these moments to have a 30 minute chat with your Great Aunt about her Alaskan cruise.

7. Remember to Be Kind

Be kind to your fiance. Be kind to your family. Be kind to your bridal party. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to your wedding vendors!

8. Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

Shit happens. Don’t let it ruin this experience. Trust me, nobody will notice that the ribbon tying your program together is ecru instead of taupe.

9. Stay Away from DIY and Pinterest Projects

Trust me when I say this is not the time to start 193739 DIY projects.  Even if you are great at crafting this is added stress and you and your family/friends don’t need to be running around decorating during your wedding weekend- you need to be present. If you are doing DIY projects- do them several months in advance and pass them off to your wedding planner/someone at your venue to set-up on the day of. If you aren’t great at crafts but are wanting to save money consider this equation: cost of DIY project gone wrong + cost of hiring a professional to do the project > cost of hiring a professional to do the project.

10. Get Things Tailored

Whether it is your rehearsal dinner outfit, your wedding dress, your tux, etc.- it ALWAYS looks better when it is tailored to your body. Grooms- buy your suit/tux instead of renting one so you can have it tailored. You don’t want to look like you have borrowed your dad’s old clothes. You will be in lots of pictures and you want to make sure you look your best!

Happy planning!

Alex

Why Travel is More Important Than Ever Before

America has become extremely divided over the last several years. You can’t log-on to Facebook or Twitter without noticing it. Tensions are high. People are scared. Families are divided on their political leanings and with Thanksgiving right around the corner I can’t help but think about the awkward conversations that will be happening around the dinner table (I hope that’s not the case at your house).

I know my Facebook has been flooded with articles and memes that highlight racism, sexism, and are extremely polarizing. I would be lying if I said it didn’t worry me. It feels like hate & rage have replaced civility and respect. Can we every get back to how things were? Better yet- do you want things to go back to how they were or do we want to create a world that is more accepting, kind, and tolerant?

I keep coming back to Mark Twain’s quote about travel.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime.”

Travel is fatal to prejudice.

Travel is fatal to bigotry.

Travel is fatal to narrow-mindedness.

I try and imagine what the world would look like if everyone was able to travel. I have no doubt it would be a more compassionate place because travel has a way of opening your heart. I’ve learned that people- no matter their color, language, or social class- all enjoy sharing a meal, a smile, or a dance. I’ve learned that you cannot judge a country by what you see on the news.

Instead of shutting each other out and letting fear control us- why don’t we get out and explore this beautiful world? Let’s celebrate each other’s differences. Let’s be open to knowledge and have a willingness to change. The more informed we become- the more powerful we are against the people who want to use fear to control us.

Whether you are staying at luxury hotels or in a hostel- I am happy and encouraged to see you getting out and exploring the world. Travel has changed my life, and I am honored to have the opportunity to help people get out and experience different cultures.

Alex