Hope comes to Cardstore.com

With the shaky economy, shattered housing market, and growing unemployment rate, 2009’s been a tough year for many of us. The whole purpose of the movement is to spread hope in a concrete and compassionate way by encouraging people to send written messages of hope during ‘The Week Of Hope’, September 1-7, 2009. In honor of The Week Of Hope, the Cardstore.com is offering everyone one free personalized Hope card from their Hope Collection. All you have to do is visit Cardstore.com between Sept. 1-7th, personalize a Hope greeting card with a message (and photo if you prefer), and then let us send it to anyone you’d like: a friend, relative, or anyone in your life who could use a little hope. We’ll also be having some exciting Hope giveaways that week, so be sure to visit us on our blog and website during The Week Of Hope. Click here to learn more about how you can get involved!

WIN THIS NECKLACE FROM DOGEARED JEWELS!!

Dogeared loves sharing good Karma, loves the environment and LOVES BRIDES!!

They have generously offered this lovely necklace fittingly called "Pearls of Love" (a $40 value) to you as a valued reader of Bridalease.

Pearls of love...from humble beginnings as a rough grain of sand, the pearl slowly grows into an object of beauty and simplicity, symbolic of honesty, integrity, prosperity and wisdom. Pearls represent the best within us.




Let your necklace be a daily reminder of the beauty that shines from a loving heart. Enjoy and believe.

How do you enter to win?? All you have to do to enter is send your name, mailing addy and wedding date to me no later than Sept 15. The winner will be notified on Sept 16th.

Send your entry to bridalease2win@gmail.com - and in subject line: Pearls of Love

Grooming the groom by Lab Series Skin Care

3-in-1 Post Shave for the groomed-groom

Even with heat returning this weekend don't be fooled. Fall and even winter days are closer than you think. Just like your bride, you want to make sure that your skin is ready for your ‘close up’. More than that, now with your new position “as groom-to-be” isn’t it time you upgraded your skincare?

For over twenty years, Lab Series Skincare For Men has been the leader in the shave category, creating technologically advanced formulas that increase the level of comfort and efficiency during the shave experience. With 3-In-1 Post-Shave, the Lab Series Skincare for Men team of scientists have created a post-shaving hero, an exclusive all-in-one treatment that addresses men’s most common shave problems in one easy step.

The 3-In-1 Post Shave treats razor bumps, relieves ingrown hairs and delays the 5 o’clock shadow (ideal for all day photo opportunities). Lab Series also offers some wonderful grooming kits / travel kits for destination weddings, groomsmen gifts or just a little treat of each product (you want your groomsmen looking good for those pictures too right?).

“When developing 3-In-1 Post-Shave, we were determined to create a multi-benefit treatment formula that addressed the major causes of shaving discomfort by looking at the way facial hair grows, and how it could be controlled to improve the shaving experience,” said Matthew Teri, Vice President, Corporate Product Innovation, The Estée Lauder Companies. “If you can refine the beard hair, not only will it grow back softer and finer for a smoother, faster shave, but it will help reduce the incidence of becoming ingrown. Finer, softer beard hair also means you can shave less often.”

Traditionally weddings have been ‘about the bride’, but trust me she wants you to look just as good as she does. 3-In-1 Post-Shave is the easiest way to achieve a flawless shave, smooth skin and that well- groomed look.

For more info: Lab Series 3-In-1 Post-Shave can be found in fine department stores nationwide and online at www.labseries.com.

Curaçao pt.2- Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort

Curacao Capital City

Curaçao offers all the ingredients for the ideal wedding – a lovely climate, historical country yards, and beaches shaded by coconut trees and washed with crystal clear blue waters. Discover the perfect ambiance for your wedding – whether you desire a beach celebration, or one in an 18th-century church or at one of our renowned hotels and resorts.

Can you tell me about your space, locations and opportunities for weddings?

The Curacao Marriott Beach Resort has various unique locations that couples can choose from however, our most signature location would be directly on the beach overlooking the spectacular ocean view and sunset where you can exchange vows only inches away from the ocean. Curacao Marriott also offers other areas such as around the pool with a direct seaside view or in our ballroom for a more extravagant and formal wedding event. The best time of day to hold the ceremony is right before sunset, which varies depending on the time of year, anywhere from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Therefore, ideally, 5:30pm is the best time, especially for taking pictures before the sunlight disappears into the night.

What are the heavy times of year you're seeing brides?
Weddings at the Curacao Marriott range all year round however the high and most popular months to get married would be May, June, August and December.

What are the best/signature experiences can a wedding party expect - or most importantly, if a couple is looking for a venue, why would they choose your space/island vs. another?

Curacao Marriott Beach Resort –

• Having the ceremony and/or reception on inches away from the ocean
• The Curacao Marriott Beach Resort and Emerald Casino, sits serenely on the Caribbean shore beyond the reach of the hurricane belt.
• It is conveniently located fifteen minutes from Hato International Airport on Piscadera Bay and is only five minutes from downtown Curacao.
• The resort’s private beach provides a scenic setting for sunset weddings and barefoot galas while the island’s rich and lively culture adds a dash of distinctive flair, with a beautiful coral reef 20 feet from the shore
• At this Curacao hotel, you’ll find charming restaurants, private white sand beaches, fun nightlife, ocean activities and plenty of options for massage and beauty services.
• Friendly professional and multilingual associates and management staff experienced in handling all the details of your wedding from beginning to end
• Various accommodations including 247 superbly appointed guest rooms including 10 suites featuring private balcony or terrace area.
• Emerald Casino
• Unique outdoor pool with swim up bar
• Two outdoor Jacuzzis
• Fitness center open 24 hours; Personalized Fitness Trainer ; Sauna, steam room, and indoor Jacuzzi
• A mix of five restaurants, bar lounges and beach bars
• PADI Five Star Dive and Water Sports Center offering snorkeling, diving and sunset boat trips

Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a bride/couple.

The Curacao Marriott Beach Resort provides an exclusive setting for a romantic wedding in Curacao. The resort combines European colonial architecture with a modern charm, lush green gardens and sweeping ocean views. With special friends, family and a loving pair, it’s the perfect spot for your island destination wedding.Every couple has a personal taste and we take the time to understand it - to personalize their special day. By working with our Marriott Certified Wedding Experts, we offer our knowledge and take your initial dreams and wishes and make them a reality. The Curacao Marriott Wedding Team tailors specifically to every bride’s needs - from different cultures, wedding color schemes, décor, food preferences and many other distinctive aspects. We strive to highlight the couple’s taste and preferences making all our destination weddings unique – fitting to each individual couple’s desires

Can you tell me about marriage requirements, costs or restrictions?

Beginning January 1st 2002, Curacao has officially made it legal for any non-residents to get married on the island. All necessary documents will need to be submitted a minimum of two months prior to the wedding date to the Office of Civil Registry in Willemstad, Curaçao, either by mail or in person, so that there is enough time to process the paperwork. As well you may still prefer to have a civil marriage performed in your own country and have only the religious blessing/ ceremony done on the island. In this case, you will need to submit a copy of the documents needed to the hotel for us to forward to the minister who will perform the ceremony as proof that you are already legally married. We can also arrange for Wedding Vow Renewals, in which case we would also need a copy of your marriage certificate. Couples residing abroad who wish to marry in Curaçao should take account of certain procedures that must be followed before they can enter into matrimony on this island.

* You must notify the Civil Registry office that you wish to enter into matrimony no later than two months before the Wedding.
* Both parties must sign the letter.
* In your letter you must state the date and the time you wish to get married.
* You will need 6 witnesses with copies of their passports or drivers license. Passports preferably due to the fact that they provide more detailed information.
* The documents must be of a recent date; they can not be older than 6 months
* The letter must be submitted together with the different official documents Original legalized in the form of “APOSTILLE” are:

1. Birth certificate on which the names of the parents are stated not older than 1 year of issue. (Copy of Original birth certificate with dry seal and stamp accessible at the Division of Vital Statistic)

2. Single Paper verifying that you were never married obtainable at civil registry (not older than 1 year of issue)
3. Divorce Paper (not older than 1 year of issue)
4. If you took up residence in another country and you are older that 18 years: a certificate issued in your last place of residence stating that you are a single male/female.
5. You must also add a copy of your passport and copies of the passports of the 6 witnesses

* The fee at the Civil Office is in Antillean Guilders 547.50 which (US$ 307.58), cash payment.

* Note: Apostille:

1. Get notary public from a lawyer
2. Send to the state of capital for the Apostille

To the attention: Secretary of State

* The Apostille Seal can only be done at State Government Offices and have to be sealed at the state Office in the State where it was issued.

For more information feel free to contact them directly at Curacao Marriott: www.curacao-weddings.com and don't forget those Marriott award points!!

Curaçao and the perfect location pt.1- Curaçao Avila Hotel

Curaçao Avila Hotel

With destination weddings on the rise, there are so many islands and yes countries to visit. As I try to make your job a bit easier, I’ve been able to gather information about the beautiful island of Curaçao. There is just so much to see and do, that this is going to be a four-part series about the island. Today we are going to focus on the Avila hotel. If you are looking for someplace that could truly be your home-away-from-home, this is the location. The staff and private beaches should be enough to interest you, the since of beauty and peace will bring you back again and again.

Curaçao offers all the ingredients for the ideal wedding – a lovely climate, historical country yards, and beaches shaded by coconut trees and washed with crystal clear blue waters. Discover the perfect ambiance for your wedding – whether you desire a beach celebration, or one in an 18th-century church or at one of our renowned hotels and resorts.

Can you tell me about your space, locations and opportunities for weddings?

Avila Hotel – Family run for generations, the Avila Hotel can boast a unique history that covers more then two hundred years. Time seems to stand still here. Hotel is a beautiful Dutch Colonial style mansion. It is estimated that the original building was built at the end of the 18th century. During the British rule at the beginning of the 19th century, it became the residence of the British Governors and later on that of the Dutch. The original part of the complex was called "La Belle Alliance". Another building of great historical importance on the Avila grounds is the cheerful seaside cupola known as the Octagon because of its octagonal shape. Around 1812, the sisters of the Venezuelan liberator Simon Bolivar lived at the Octagon during their years of exile from the Venezuelan independence war against Spain. Today this building is a much-sought venue to host elegant wedding ceremonies and receptions. The top of our chart is a wedding ceremony at the historic Octagon tower museum with ocean view and authentic colonial antique furnishings. It’s like taking an elegant step back in time! After the ceremonies a torch-lit, sit-down dinner on the beach is the perfect ending to an unforgettable day. The “Queen’s beach” is a favorite. This is a unique private beach which can be served for a private wedding ceremony, toast and or dinner.

What are the heavy times of year you're seeing brides?

Avila Hotel – We host weddings and honeymooners all year round so there are no specific “heavy” high demand times. What makes Curacao and the Avila Hotel a great choice is that the island is out of the hurricane-belt. Thus, it is not affected by these tropical storms which can be a potential spoiler for a Caribbean wedding event.

What are the best/signature experiences can a wedding party expect - or most importantly, if a couple is looking for a venue, why would they choose your space/island vs. another?

Avila Hotel – The serene and peaceful setting of the resort; the unique and historical venues available on the property to host the ceremonies; The collection of luxurious suites and rooms that offer one-of-a kind views and settings: The Bolivar Suite....easily one of the most beautiful suites of any resort on the island, features 1,544 square feet of living space and fabulous grand views of the azure Caribbean Sea and the coastline of Curaçao from its wraparound balcony and Suite 176 of the Belle Alliance suites with its own private beach area and ocean & beach views. And of course the acclaimed Blues Wing rooms 290 and 291 which are located all the way at the end of the pier with unparalleled views of the sea and....lots of privacy.

Tell me about the catering, bridal suite, adventures and anything else you want to share with a bride/couple.

Avila Hotel – The Avila Hotel has an event planning department staffed by professionals with years of experience in hosting weddings on the hotel property. They will work tirelessly with the bride/couple to ensure that their special day will be a memorable and perfect one. The Events department is the central contact venue to coordinate all aspects of wedding planning: selection of the venue, dining and catering planning, coordination with 3rd party wedding planners, etc.

Can you tell me about marriage requirements, costs or restrictions?

Avila Hotel –The Avila Hotel events department works with a handful of qualified and reputable 3rd party wedding planners who have the expertise to guide the couple planning to get married in Curaçao through the legal requirements. Costs vary and are quoted on a case-by-case basis. The basic legal requirements to legally get married in Curaçao are summarized as follows:

First, you have to write a letter stating you want to get married on the island of Curacao. List 2 dates that you would like to have your marriage to take place, put 1st option and 2nd option. Also in the letter you have to specify if you would like the marriage to take place at the registry office or outside. This letter has to be signed by both Bride and groom. In the letter please inform us both Bride and Grooms actual address.( Email letter is not applicable, it can be a scanned letter but signed by both)

Second, you need an original copy of both Bride and groom’s Birth certificate. It has to be an apostille and not more than 1 year old.

Third, you need a original copy of both Bride and groom’s Citizenship. It has to be apostille and not more than 6moths old. If one of the partners was divorced we need a original copy of his of her’s Divorce decree.

Finally, a copy of both Bride and Groom’s passport

For more info: For more information about this property, look at the Avila Hotel site: www.avilahotel.com