Education & Inspiration

Destination Weddings

Vows With a View at Prince Waikiki Feb 13
Destination Weddings

Vows With a View at Prince Waikiki

  • 1 min read

The sky’s the limit at Prince Waikiki with several dreamy indoor and outdoor Honolulu wedding venues. The most stunning of all is the Lani Lea Chapel, perched atop the Prince Waikiki with sweeping ocean views from floor to ceiling windows. Exchange vows amongst the clouds…

7 Top Honeymoon Destinations in 2024 Jan 10
Destination Weddings

7 Top Honeymoon Destinations in 2024

  • 8 min read

January is a great time for couples to book 2024 honeymoon trips to take advantage of airfare prices that typically drop during the first month of the year. That could be especially important for couples who want to honeymoon in one of the best honeymoon destinations for 2024…

ALHI Weddings: A Look Ahead to 2024 Jan 02
ALHI Services

ALHI Weddings: A Look Ahead to 2024

  • 3 min read

Destination Weddings by ALHI, a service of Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) that didn’t—and still doesn’t—exist in the wedding industry, will add more education programs for wedding planners in 2004 while continuing to showcase luxury…

Five Wedding Trends For 2024 Jan 02
Destination Weddings

Five Wedding Trends For 2024

  • 4 min read

As we welcome in another year, 2024 promises to witness a wave of innovative trends that will redefine the way we celebrate love. From sustainable choices to captivating colors, couples are embracing new ideas, technologies and styles that will celebrate their individuality and…

Wedding Planners Get #Social with Weddings Dec 21
Destination Weddings

Wedding Planners Get #Social with Weddings

  • 5 min read

Not long ago, brides and grooms flipped through pages of bridal magazines to find inspiration for their upcoming nuptials. They’d tear out and tag pages to share with wedding planners to help illustrate their ideas and dreams for their big days. Today, social media is a…

5 Weddings Trends from 2023 Dec 01
Destination Weddings

5 Weddings Trends from 2023

  • 3 min read

As we bid adieu to 2023, we look back at the transformative journey the wedding industry underwent this year. It has been a journey built on authenticity, sustainability and inclusivity. Some of the trends that emerged have left lasting impressions that have quite possibly…

ALHI Weddings: A Look Ahead to 2024 Nov 30
Destination Weddings

10 Most Read ALHI Weddings Stories in 2023

  • 1 min read

A look back at the 10 most read stories from the Destination Weddings by ALHI newsletter in 2023. 1. Five Wedding Trends For 2023 2. Luxury Rediscovered: Wedding Planner Experience 3. Five Unexpected Wedding Destinations for 2023 4. Stunning Destination Wedding Locations in the…

Warming Up Winter Weddings with Delicious Cold-Weather Cuisine Nov 29
  • 8 min read

There is something magical about a wintertime wedding, from the utter coziness of the season to glimmering landscapes that make for whimsical backdrops to highlight a couple's big day. Making guests feel warm and welcome at a wintertime celebration can be done in myriad…

Spellbinding Wedding Planner Experience at The Omni Homestead Resort Nov 28
  • 5 min read

In today’s fast-paced world of wedding planning, staying ahead of trends and discovering uncommon destinations is vital to helping planners create enchanting experiences for their clients. Destination Weddings by ALHI works closely with our Member properties, bringing…

4 Intimate ALHI Wedding Destinations Oct 31
  • 4 min read

According to a 2022 wedding study by The Knot, just 14% of weddings are "small, or under 50 guests.” Luckily for those couples, there are many hotels around the world perfect for intimate weddings, including these four ALHI Members: Hotel Bennett Charleston native…

Wedding Planners Share How to Help Couples Find Ideal Venue Oct 30
  • 4 min read

A couple gets engaged and begins planning their wedding. They quickly decide they want to get away for a destination wedding but aren’t sure where they should go. The whole world is their oyster, or is it? With the world to choose from, how is a wedding planner to…

ALHI’s Historic Wedding Hotels in the U.S., Europe Sep 27
  • 8 min read

How about a wedding venue that wedding planners can recommend to their clients that’s hosted the rich and famous, presidents and royalty, or served as a World War II hospital or a centuries old monastery? Some ALHI properties in the U.S. and Europe offer the added cachet…

Tips for Planning a Hindu Wedding Sep 27
Destination Weddings

Tips for Planning a Hindu Wedding

  • 4 min read

Planning a wedding takes imagination, time and patience to make the big day as special as the couple exchanging their vows. When it comes to planning a multi-day Hindu wedding celebration—traditional Hindu wedding festivities are held over three days—keen attention…

Scenic Colorado, Utah Weddings Offer Change of Pace Sep 27
  • 5 min read

Wedding planners looking to offer clients a unique alternative to celebrating their wedding might want to explore the hidden gems located in Colorado and Utah for that special day. What could be cozier than saying “I do” surrounded by cool mountain breezes and the…

Luxury Rediscovered: Wedding Planner Experience Sep 26
  • 9 min read

One could say that wedding planning is an art and all great artists need inspiration. What better place to find it than through firsthand experience? Through a collaboration between Kempinski Hotel Cancún and Quintana Roo Tourism Bureau (CPTQ), ALHI Weddings brought a select…

Best Places to Say, ‘I Do,’ This Fall Aug 25
Massachusetts

Best Places to Say, ‘I Do,’ This Fall

  • 5 min read

In 2022, autumn reigned supreme for U.S. weddings. Twenty percent of all nuptials took place in October, and 43 percent of all weddings occurred between September and November, according to a study by theknot.com. As fall nudges out summer as the most popular wedding season…

Our Favorite Celebrity Destination Wedding Locations Aug 25
  • 6 min read

When it comes to choosing destinations for the weddings of your clients’ dreams, the world is their oyster. From sublime oceanfront spots to quaint European villages, soaring mountains to cultural hotspots and everything in between, there’s no shortage of ideas when…

7 Sizzling European Hot Spots for Weddings Aug 25
  • 6 min read

European weddings are en vogue. The destination wedding market in Europe is a multi-million industry that’s projected for a five-fold increase in the next decade, according to a report from Future Market Insights. It’s no wonder so many wedding planner clients have…

Weddings Inspired by Southern Charm Aug 25
weddings

Weddings Inspired by Southern Charm

  • 6 min read

Thoughts of the South conjure up images of sweeping Magnolia trees, wraparound porches, warm summers and sweet tea. Time-honored traditions, oh-so-polite mannerisms, and rustic elegance make getting married below the Mason-Dixon line categorically charming. From serving homemade…

5 Under-the-Radar Beach Destinations Jul 25
  • 8 min read

It’s no wonder so many couples choose beach destinations to exchange their wedding vows: Coastlines provide a picturesque backdrop and the lull of waves…

Navigating Wedding Planner Fatigue Jul 24
weddings

Navigating Wedding Planner Fatigue

  • 7 min read

Wedding planning is often compared to prepping for a marathon. It is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. So, what does this mean for planners who do this for a living? Wedding planning burnout is real, and fatigue is a common…

Weatherproofing the Unique Outdoor Wedding Jul 24
  • 4 min read

The happy couple has gotten engaged, chosen a planner and a unique outdoor venue for their ideal wedding. But has anyone checked the really, really long-range forecast for a date months or even years away? Long- and short-range planning, from commissioning a…

Tips for Planning a Bilingual Wedding for Your Clients Jun 21
  • 3 min read

It’s common for couples from different cultures to get married or travel to a foreign destination to get married. So how do wedding planners help their clients have a bilingual wedding? Here are some important tips and advice from experts for wedding planning for…

Stunning Destination Wedding Locations in the U.S. Jun 21
  • 11 min read

After the exhilaration of an engagement and sharing the good news with family and friends, it’s time to start thinking about the wedding, not only the time of year, but where the ceremony and festivities will take place. Gone are the days when the betrothed are expected to…

Summer Color Palettes Inspired by Bermuda May 26
  • 4 min read

When it comes time to start planning their weddings, couples oftentimes find inspiration in myriad places, from their hometowns to where they met to tropical destinations and even where they’re honeymooning. “As a wedding planner, it is not uncommon for brides…

Plan a Destination Wedding at These Five Idyllic ALHI Properties May 25
  • 5 min read

When planning a couple’s wedding, there are many factors that come into play, not the least of which is where to host this memorable event and how much it will cost. The reasons to plan destination weddings range from giving the couple and their guests a vacation, having…

5 Tips for Planning a Wedding in Mexico May 25
  • 6 min read

From the sultry beaches of Tulum to the cobblestoned streets of San Miguel de Allende, it’s easy to see why Mexico is such a popular wedding destination. In addition to endless jaw-dropping locales, Mexico is home to some of the most…

The Wedding Cake Comeback Apr 27
weddings

The Wedding Cake Comeback

  • 7 min read

Wedding cakes have been a part of the ritual celebration since the ancient Romans ended their wedding rites with a sconelike wheat or barley cake being broken over the bride’s head to ensure good luck and fertility. Later, when the Romans…

5 More Under-the-Radar Wedding Destinations Apr 24
  • 7 min read

Editor’s Note: Are you a wedding planner advising couples on a unique place to say “I Do” in 2023 or beyond? Part Two of a two-part series about luxury destinations around the world that remain a bit undiscovered—for now at least. Read Part One. Much…

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding Apr 24
weddings

Tips for an Eco-Friendly Wedding

  • 5 min read

You know the expression: Something borrowed, something blue. But today’s couples also want something—lots of things, rather—to be green as eco-friendly wedding considerations have become front of mind. As Meghan Hanna was planning her spring wedding in…

A Happily, Ever Enriched Wedding Planner Experience Apr 24
  • 5 min read

We recently had the opportunity to partner with our amazing property, Silverado Resort in iconic Napa Valley, to bring in a group of wedding planners from around the country to experience the resort and the enchantment of the destination. Destination Weddings by ALHI worked…

4 Tips to Mastering Seating Charts, Floor Plans in Unusual Spaces Mar 28
  • 7 min read

Planners know that creating floor plans and seating charts can often be a daunting task, but daunting can become downright challenging when trying to master this art in uncommon space. With destination weddings on the rise and couples looking at more unique, out of the box…

Color of the Year: Finding Inspiration in Viva Magenta Mar 27
  • 3 min read

Add pops of this “brave and fearless” color to your wedding. Described as “a pulsating color whose exuberance promotes a joyous and optimistic celebration, writing a new narrative,” and “a color that is audacious, full of wit and inclusive of…

Discover 5 Under-the-Radar Wedding Destinations Mar 27
  • 6 min read

Editor’s Note: Are you a wedding planner advising couples on a unique place to say “I Do” in 2023 or beyond? This is ALHI’s first installment in a two-part series about luxury destinations around the world that remain a bit undiscovered—for now…

Destination Weddings by ALHI Partners with Carats & Cake Feb 21
  • 2 min read

Carats & Cake, a website and resource known for featuring weddings in front of an audience of more than 100 million, has entered a partnership with Destination Weddings by ALHI, which offers services such as venue selection, site visits and contract negotiations for a…

Unforgettable European Honeymoon Destinations Feb 14
  • 6 min read

Centuries-old castles. Rolling vineyards. Coastal beaches with sapphire blue waters. Hollywood itself couldn’t create a more idyllic setting for fairytale-like honeymoons than the scenes set by some of Europe’s most romantic cities and regions. If you’re a…

5 Tips for Selecting a Wedding Venue Feb 03
  • 5 min read

Selecting a wedding venue can be a daunting task and a professional wedding planner can be an invaluable asset to help get through the process, especially when it comes to international destinations. Planners are trained to look at things through a logistical/practical lens as…

Flowers: The Language of Love and Legend Feb 02
  • 4 min read

Spring is on the way and the flowers will soon be blooming. From bouquets to boutonnières to table arrangements, even petals tossed down the aisle, flowers have long been part of the wedding tradition. But there is a story—sometimes passionate, sometimes…

Guest List Etiquette: Who to Invite or Not Invite to the Wedding Jan 23
  • 5 min read

Believe it or not, the Emily Post Institute has an entire section dedicated to guest list etiquette. Although a lot of these "rules" may not apply for those planning a wedding in the 21st century, guest list etiquette will be one of the trickiest parts of planning a…

Say “I Do” Again in 2023 Jan 20
weddings

Say “I Do” Again in 2023

  • 4 min read

After a fun-filled and fun-fueled holiday season, the start of the new year is a perfect time to think about renewal, whether renewing healthy eating habits, boundaries, or ways in which to be active. It’s also a wonderful time to think about reigniting your love and…

5 New Traditions to Try This Valentine’s Day Jan 20
  • 5 min read

Of those celebrating on Feb. 14, the National Retail Federation says 56 percent plan to gift their Valentines with candy. Other popular gifts include greeting cards, flowers, jewelry and an evening out. But if you want to think outside of the heart-shaped box, how about…

5 Unexpected Wedding Destinations for 2023 Dec 12
  • 9 min read

You’re familiar with some of the most famous backdrops for weddings: The palm-fringed beaches of the Caribbean, the lush landscape and stretches of golden sand in Hawaii and the rolling hills and vineyards amid 15th-century architecture in Tuscany. But what are some of the…

Vendor Spotlight: Wedding Planner Stacie Hawkins Nov 18
  • 8 min read

Stacie Hawkins, Owner/CEO, Lead Planner & Designer of Stacie + Co., a successful entrepreneur, thriving business owner, wife, mother of three and world traveler. Her philosophy is simple: Faith first, family second, work third. In this installment of our Vendor Spotlight…

5 Most Read Weddings Stories in 2022 Nov 17
  • 1 min read

A look back at the five most read stories from the Destination Weddings by ALHI newsletter in 2022. 1. Winter Cocktails Heat Up the Season 2. 5 Things to Know When Planning a Destination Wedding 3. Couples Embrace Culture, Traditions into Weddings 4. 7 Memorable Elopement…

Mexico’s Colonial Getaways Beckon with Old World Charm Nov 16
  • 7 min read

For many people, thoughts of Mexico may conjure up comforting visions of lounging on soft, sandy beaches, a tangy margarita firmly in hand. For others, visions of snuggling with their significant other in a hammock made for two, ensconced on the private verandah of a posh hotel…

Tips for Creating a Wedding Timeline Nov 15
  • 4 min read

Timing is everything when it comes to a wedding and having a timeline is crucial, but it must be done right to be effective. Eddie Babbage and his Timeline Genuis method can help master the wedding timeline. Babbage, a Duke University graduate with a degree from Harvard Law…

5 Weddings Trends from 2023 Nov 15
  • 4 min read

There is no denying that 2022 was the “Year of the Wedding.” According to the Wedding Report, the U.S. saw a staggering 2.6 million weddings this year, the most since 1984. This breaks down to 7,123 weddings for every day in 2022. That’s great news for the…

Part 2: Winter Cocktails Heat Up the Season Oct 27
  • 6 min read

Around the ALHI world, special drinks—hot and cold—are emerging for winter, and we share the recipes in Part 2 of a two-part series. Part 1: Winter Cocktails Heat Up the Season Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach All Inclusive Created by Infinite Club Butler…

Winter Cocktails Heat Up the Season Oct 21
  • 9 min read

With winter looming, there’s a chill in the air. As holiday festivities embark, from family and office gatherings to weddings, an important part of the special event is selecting beverages to accompany the celebration. Whether hot or chilled, signature cocktails have…

All-Inclusive Properties Make Wedding Planning Easier Oct 21
  • 4 min read

While planning a destination wedding can bring couples and their families a great deal of joy, the process also can cause stress. Those organizing the affair likely are selecting caterers, florists, daytime activities and evening entertainment, plus they are bracing for bills…

Confessions of a Wedding Planner: My First Couple Oct 21
  • 7 min read

Kimberly Richmond, Global Director of Sales, Destination Weddings by ALHI, combined her passion for event planning and her hotel background by launching Runaway Bride, an international destination wedding planning company. She has been featured in major bridal publications such…

5 Tips for Planning an International Wedding Oct 14
  • 4 min read

Planning a wedding, whether intimate or on a grand scale, can be daunting. Now throw in the element of going international and there can be a bit more complexity to the big day. According to The Knot 2022 Real Wedding Study, 19% of couples opted to have destination weddings last…

Couples Embrace Culture, Traditions into Weddings Sep 21
  • 7 min read

Weddings around the world are celebrated in a myriad of ways. Some couples focus on fun and engaging themes while others look to their culture for rituals. In certain unique cities—like San Miguel de Allende, in Mexico, or New Orleans—ceremonies often incorporate…

Cozy Up to Magical Wintertime Weddings Sep 21
  • 6 min read

Imagine: fresh snow blankets the ground and caresses tree limbs to set a romantic scene for a winter wonderland wedding. The couple stands together, surrounded by family and friends in a magical setting to say their ‘I dos.’ Behind the scenes the wedding planner…

Planning the Purrfect Wedding, Paws Down Sep 21
  • 6 min read

Ever thought about having your dog as the ring bearer or best man at your wedding, or carrying your beloved kitty down the aisle? Or, how about riding into your wedding venue on your trusty steed? What could be cuter, right? According to recent statistics, it seems that our furry…

Wedding Budget 101 Sep 21
weddings

Wedding Budget 101

  • 7 min read

Your wedding is probably the most expensive party you will ever throw, and while creating and sticking to your budget is the least glamorous part of planning, it is unquestionably the most important. According to The Knot Real Weddings Study, the 2021 national average cost of a…

7 Tips for Stylish Destination Wedding Invitations Aug 26
  • 5 min read

A study by David’s Bridal revealed that 55% of couples surveyed planned to have a destination wedding in 2022. This is due to a number of reasons: pent-up demand caused by the pandemic; lack of available venues where they live; and a desire to marry in a locale that…

7 Memorable Elopement Destinations Aug 18
  • 7 min read

By definition, and tradition, an elopement was typically a marriage conducted without the knowledge of the couple's family and friends. The couple would ordinarily escape to some unknown destination to “tie the knot,” then return home to share the big news…

Tips to Selecting a Wedding Vendor Aug 15
weddings

Tips to Selecting a Wedding Vendor

  • 4 min read

Selecting the right vendors is one of the most important parts of the planning process and having the right or wrong people in place can be a game changer. Finding the proverbial dream team is a big undertaking, but staying organized, being equipped with the right questions, and…

Coming Soon: Confessions of a Wedding Planner Aug 15
  • 2 min read

When I tell people what I used to do for a living, their thoughts almost immediately drift to the glamorous role Jennifer Lopez played in the movie "The Wedding Planner." My job was to help couples design their wedding weekend, handle the entertainment, keep vendors on…

Hit a Hole-in-One with Golf Course Weddings Jul 25
  • 13 min read

Many people have a vision of what they’d like their wedding day to look like from the time they’re young children. That vision likely includes the dream of getting married on a beach or in a beautiful garden or such. Others may not be that concerned about the…

5 Things to Know When Planning a Destination Wedding Jul 13
  • 9 min read

Visions of jetting off to a villa on the Amalfi coast or saying “I do” on a sultry beach in Mexico have more and more couples looking to exchange vows abroad. While destination weddings continue to become increasingly popular, there are a lot of factors couples…

5 Hawaiian Honeymoon Destinations Jul 13
Hotel Insider

5 Hawaiian Honeymoon Destinations

  • 7 min read

You don’t have to leaf through too many colorful pages of travel magazines and internet sites to be captured by the spell of Hawaii’s magical beauty, mystical culture and fascinating legends, many of which are linked for all time to the natural wonders found…

It’s Time for Grooms and Groomsmen to Shine Jul 12
  • 5 min read

In many cultures, tradition historically dictated that the bride’s family paid for weddings. Grooms had it easy: leave the planning to the bride’s cohort and show up on time for associated celebratory events. That tradition, however, is fading. Danielle Andrews…

Spotlight on 10 ALHI Properties for Luxury Weddings Jun 23
  • 1 min read

Destination Wedding Planners (DWP) Congress is a one-of-a-kind initiative that brings together the world’s biggest celebrity wedding planners, royalty specialists and destination wedding experts, including Kimberly Richmond, Global Director of Sales, Destination Weddings…

Sizzling Hot Summer Wedding Appetizers Jun 23
Hotel Insider

Sizzling Hot Summer Wedding Appetizers

  • 6 min read

Conventional wisdom has taught us that the easiest way to someone's heart may very likely be via the stomach. While this is by no means a novel concept, it may be more the trend these summer days as couples look for ways to incorporate unique food elements into their wedding…

Fall Season Adds Color to Weddings Jun 23
Hotel Insider

Fall Season Adds Color to Weddings

  • 6 min read

No matter where you live, autumn generally is a special season for everyone. For many, memories of golden meadows shadowed by brilliantly hued fall foliage and scents of long-ago campfires are sure to stir nostalgia in one’s soul. Not only is it a season of transition, it…

The Time to Plan Your Winter Wonderland Dream Wedding Is Now Jan 13
  • 6 min read

Whether you’ve just gotten engaged this holiday season or are in the midst of nailing down the details of your dream destination wedding, it is hard to ignore all the pretty photographs making their way around the web this time of year. Whether it’s that first…

You Don't Need a Passport to Host a Destination Wedding Oct 29
  • 4 min read

Luxury wedding photographer John Sargent of John Cain Photography has noticed the comeback of the domestic destination wedding, and says he is back in full force and traveling now more than ever. He and his team recently set off to Pebble Beach, Scottsdale and Lyford Cay to shoot…