The anniversary is a chance to take a step back and have a look at the year that has gone by and do a close-up analysis of your marriage. It gives you the chance to rekindle some of the flame that used to burn brightly. It gives you a chance to say you’re sorry about things that have gone wrong and it gives you a chance to escape the world and concentrate on one another completely for 24 hours. With modern day society being as hectic as it is, it is so easy to get lost in the everyday drama of work, meetings, children, colleagues and more. Far too many couples get “lost” along the way and the anniversary is the perfect opportunity to get things “back on track” at least once a year. It is highly important that Mr does not forget the date because too many times, it’s the male who forgets. Not on purpose, I’m sure, but it seems to be a man kind of thing. Woman very rarely forget. They might not say much and 90% of the time they sit back and wait….to see IF he is going to remember. If YOU are one who has forgotten for the past years, make a point of remembering this year. Diarise…ask your secretary to remember, put a little notice on the inside of your wallet….do what you have to do so that you do NOT forget this year. Your wife will be ever so impressed by YOU remembering….it is a message to her that you love her. So….the day just starts perfectly and it can only get better as the hours pass. Arrange something really special for the two of you. A weekend away with candle light dinners, romantic massages, rose petal baths, champagne on ice and whatever you know will really touch her heart. Make sure that you have a lovely little gift for her……soft satin sleepwear, sexy lingerie, her favourite perfume or something that you know she will love. Your anniversary will be hugely successful and love will shine brightly in your lives once again and with a little work, you could keep the shine.
Written by Marrilyn
For: The Travelling Bride
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Sometimes, especially when its a second wedding, it is very necessary to take the children along with you on your honeymoon. The bride might have two children and the groom might have one or two from a previous marriage. The thought of this might give you the chills but if planned properly, your honeymoon holiday could turn out to be EXACTLY THAT!!!! A Honeymoon Holiday of a lifetime. Here are some tips to creating a successful Family Honeymoon Holiday.
1. Sit down with your fiance and discuss the options. Decide on a budget and try to stick to it.
2. Consult a Honeymoon Specialist with your ideas and give him/her the ages of the children and the date that you are thinking of departing. Always wise to consider having a Honeymoon Holiday in your chosen destinations low season.
3. Make very sure that there are facilities for teenagers (if you have teens accompanying you). They get bored so quickly so ensure that there is a teens club at your chosen resort and plenty for them to do.
4. Make sure that there is baby sitting facilities available and a baby center (if you have babies or toddlers accompanying you).
5. Pre arrange a day trip for the family where you can all spend the day together as a family and ask the consultant to arrange that a baby sitter accompany you so that you don’t have to bounce up and down after the little ones.
6. Take your child/childrens favourite toys along with you.
7. Ask your consultant to make very sure that the resort chosen is as child friendly as possible. This will ensure that no one blinks an eyelid if your toddler decides to have a tantrum in the dining area.
8. Most destinations have at least ONE resort that caters for children. In my experience, Mauritius has always been a firm favourite and they get it right every single time. The kiddie clubs at the resorts around the island are excellent and of course, Mauritian baby sitters are just wonderful with oceans of patience and gentleness so you can have the peace of mind that your child will always be looked after.
9. Teen clubs at the resorts in Mauritius are awesome and there is so much available for the teenagers to do and keep busy with. You probably won’t hear from your teen until its time to go home and then…..they might have the FIRST tantrum because they won’t want to leave.
10. It is highly important to ensure that all arrangements are sorted out and in place prior to departure. Although this is a FAMILY HONEYMOON HOLIDAY….the focus is still on MOM and DAD and important that – especially the bride…relaxes completely. If the correct resort is chosen in conjunction with the childrens ages, you are sure to have the FAMILY Honeymoon of a lifetime.
Written by Marrilyn
For Travelling Bride
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1 – You are marrying another nationality and the family members don’t get along. The absolute worst disaster is a family fight at the reception. It might be worth a family meeting before the wedding and some direct talk if you even suspect that this could occur.
2 – You have an allergic reaction to something on the day of your wedding. Ensure that you have a few antihistamine tablets around.
3 – Either the bride or the groom have way too much to drink and pass out at the reception. This could be a huge disaster so try to space your drinks and do not, under any circumstances, mix them.
4 – A chandelier comes loose and falls crashing to the floor. Check the reception venue properly and ask a handyman to check all fittings beforehand.
5 – One of the food dishes has an awful smell that tells you, it’s off. Call the caterer aside and softly tell her to GET RID OF IT IMMEDIATELY.
6 – The bar man gets drunk. It might be a wise thing to ensure that the bar man that you choose, does not drink at all. It’s the safest.
7 – The music is NOTHING to what you had in mind. Ask a close family member to take a few favourite CD’s along, just in case.
8 - The camera man trips and falls over a chair. Lets just hope this doesn’t happen.
9 – You have hired the centre pieces on the tables and you notice that guests are taking them with them when they leave. Perhaps place a few little memorables on the table for guests to take and ask your mum or your sister or bridesmaid to ensure that everyone knows what they can take home and what has to be returned. Alternatively, it’s not uncommon to gently remind them on the invitation.
10 – The bride or the groom falls asleep on the night of the wedding. It’s important to work hard at this NOT HAPPENING. If it does….ahhh well….. you’ll have a lifetime to catch up.
Written by Marrilyn
The Travelling Bride
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1 – The wedding night sets the pattern for years to come so it’s pretty important to get it right. Not always possible but setting the atmosphere is as important as anything, so choose a really romantic lodge, hotel or resort for your wedding night.
2 – Ensure that the set up includes candles, champagne, chocolates, rose petals, bubble bath and flowers. This usually does the trick. And make sure you get a queen or king size bed.
3 – Lingerie is important. White, sexy, flowing and easily removable.
4 – Oils and body rubs are highly recommended but it really depends on what you and your partner prefer. If this is going to be the absolute first time then it’s important to chat to your partner in detail prior to the wedding night so that you’re both aware of any concerns or worries on either part. Once spoken about, and discussed, the areas of concern don’t seem so bothersome anymore.
5 – Highly important to remember that lovemaking is an art and although you might be a bit clumsy in the beginning, if you listen to your partners body language, you will quickly pick up what works and what doesn’t. And it ONLY GETS BETTER.
6 – There are no rules in the game of love. You make them up as you go along and always important to share your deepest thoughts with your partner and learn together. Remember, your partner might be just as concerned as you are about certain aspects of lovemaking.
7 – Many couples enjoy rough sex but it is highly recommended that you keep and save this for later during the honeymoon. First night…first time…. perhaps gentle would be the way to go to ensure a perfect ending to a perfect day.
8 - If, for any reason whatsoever, you come away feeling like it was a disaster, do not say NOTHING and for Heaven sake don’t pretend. Sometimes being nervous can have it’s set backs but chat about the experience. Choose your words carefully and suggest that you try something else the next time round. DO NOT SULK.
9 – Whilst on honeymoon you can use the settings to improve on your lovemaking. Sunset walks along the beach, romantic dinners alone on your terrace, bubble baths together, early morning sunrise breakfasts together, a private strip show for your partner and so much more. This can add to the romance and definitely give your experiences a shove in the right direction.
10 – If at the end of the honeymoon, you walk away feeling that things are really not what you hoped for, do not leave it. Remember, sex makes up a good part of a great marriage. Try and get help immediately and it’s always, always recommended to chat to your partner about anything that is worrying WITHOUT MAKING HIM/HER feel like it’s their fault. A new chapter has opened in your life and I believe that if the sex is great throughout a marriage, those are the ones that last forever. No one is going to settle for anything less than what they’re getting at home so try different things, introduce exciting things as you go along and always remember to take time out for a chat. This is how you will find out what the other likes or dislikes and if done from the beginning, it sets the pace for a long, happy marriage filled with an awesome sex life.
Written by Marrilyn
The Travelling Bride
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There are many, many ideas, tips and articles written on this subject and I have studied quite a few marriages over the years.. and even my own, and based on this, I’d like to share with you MY opinion of the secret to a lasting marriage. The Bedroom. …. a great sex life leads to a great, lasting, happy marriage. 90% of love and happiness in the marriage is based on a good, healthy sex life. Think about it for a moment. The more sex you have with one particular person, the more your feeling of connection to that person grows.
If the sex is awesome and really great, you cannot wait to be with that person. There is no way you will look in another direction. It’s my opinion that most partners stray because they’re looking for something that isn’t present in their own lives and most times its sex. I don’t believe in communication break down. It’s hogwash. The moment things go badly in the bedroom, everyone is ashamed to admit that THAT is where the problem lies so they have given the marriage “crumble” many different reasons and “communication break down” is the most popular one. WHY does one of the partners stray? Most times it’s to look for a sexual partner. When this happens, he/she isn’t necessarily thinking about divorce. No…it’s just to have a little fun and feel ALIVE again but….the more sex had between a married adult and another, the more connected they become and eventually a divorce happens because the one simply cannot survive without the other. Sex connects two people on a level that is beyond our comprehension and its just the way it is, in my opinion.
The secret to a long, lasting, successful marriage is to keep your bedroom full of fun, fantasy, play, flavour, excitement and keep things vibey. Discuss fantasies and play them out. Discuss do’s and don’ts because there are no rules in the game of love. So long as both partners agree on what they’re doing. Discuss your deepest fears so that the other is aware of them and try out new things, together, giggle together, make mistakes together and so the relationship continues to grow. Sex relieves stress and really does wonders to a tired mind. Sex instantly removes a migraine. It’s even great for losing weight so there shouldn’t be any excuses. Lose the excuses even after the children come along and even when you are deathly tired….. a good round of sex will get you feeling right on top of the world again and it will keep you healthy and keep your marriage alive no matter how old you are.
Written by Marrilyn for:
Travelling Bride
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1. Welcome the bridal couple with a huge big smile.
2. Welcome and thank everyone for being there.
3. Congratulate the couple on their wedding
4. At this stage you can introduce anyone else who is going to say anything or has a speech of their own.
5. Compliment the bride on the way she looks and be careful to mean what you say
6. Compliment the brides wedding dress
7. If you are not the best man – thank the best man for all that he has done
8. Very quickly describe YOUR relationship to the bride and groom
9. Tell why YOU were asked to be the MC
10. You can tell them why YOU decided to take the job on
11. Think of something “funny” to tell about the time you first met the couple
12. You can go a bit deeper and tell everyone what the bridal couple mean to you
13. Talk about any special people in the couples lives
14. If the speeches take place AFTER the dinner, you can chat about how wonderful the food was, if BEFORE, you can chat about the the beautiful decor and thank everyone who played a part
15. Briefly mention any key milestones in the bride and grooms lives
16. Beforehand, get a few funny baby stories from the bridal couples parents.
17. You can mention any “funnies” that happened in the days running up to the wedding.
18. Get a few funny topics on both bride and groom that you can mention
19. Tell everyone a great happy story that happened to the couple upon them meeting for the first time (there’s ALWAYS a funny happy story to tell)
20. Chat on how the two were introduced to parents in law.
21. You can describe the different characters between the bride and the groom
22. You speak directly to the bridal couple and tell them how happy everyone is that they are now married
23. Wish them all the best for the future.
24. Thank the guests for attending, especially those who have travelled far to be there.
25. A joke can serve as good closing statement and end with a toast.
Written by Leon Watermeyer
The Travelling Bride
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1 – You have met your life long partner. Wedding date is set and now you are discussing the honeymoon. Today, many couples decide on their honeymoon together and it’s important to include interests from both bride and groom so that there is a happy balance. Chat to your partner so that if the groom prefers bush and wild life and the bride prefers white sandy beaches and relaxation, together you can work the itinerary so as to ensure that you walk away with a package that will thrill both of you.
2 – Try to decide on a realistic budget and list what you would like the budget to cover.
3 – ALWAYS do honeymoon homework. Find out about specials and low season months. Honeymoon Homework entails knowing everything there is to know about the destination that you plan to visit. The airlines offered, the flying time, the hotel, stop over’s, the amount of hours that you have to stop over for, the surrounding areas, the room you would like and exactly what you are allowed to take with you.
4 – Choose an agency that is well connected with the destination that you have in mind. Nowadays, you can quickly find a honeymoon specialist and it’s not uncommon to request references. Make an appointment to see your planner or send a very detailed email through to him/her with full details of the itinerary that YOU have in mind with departure dates and your budget. Ask about specials. Your consultant will then be able to give you good advice and she will take your departure date and budget into consideration when she quotes you.
5 – Your honeymoon planner will send you at the very least, two options and she will base them on the requirements, departure date and budget that you emailed through to her. Go over these with your partner. Make notes of questions either of you have and make very sure that you understand exactly what your package includes and how much is being quoted PER PERSON for these inclusions.
6 – Take note of the room category being quoted and always ensure that your consultant notifies the resort to make absolutely sure that you get a double bed. Read through your quotation carefully and make sure that return flights together with the departure taxes are included. Many agencies don’t include the taxes and clients don’t think about these if not regular travellers. Make sure that there is going to be someone to collect you at the airport and ask about emergency contact details at your chosen destination.
7 – Ask your consultant to find out and get rates for special little extras like a romantic sunrise breakfast on the beach or a day trip to a private island. Ask about honeymoon extras because many resorts and hotels will include flowers, sparkling wine, romantic dinners and sometimes even a tour for honeymoon couples.
8 – Ensure that you tell everyone that you are on honeymoon. You will really be surprised at how much more you receive from people and how friendly hotel staff is toward you. Your consultant will let the airline and hotel know prior to your departure but it doesn’t hurt to tell others along the way. Remember….EVERYONE loves a couple in LOVE.
9 –Make sure that you pack according to the requirements of your chosen destination. Make sure that you take the appropriate clothing along. Things like medication, sun block, sun glasses and cameras can be costly in foreign destinations so always best to take them along with you and always make sure that you take an empty carrier with you (for all those wonderful goodies you’re going to buy whilst on honeymoon). Highly important to pack a hand luggage suit case that will carry everything required to make a night and a day comfortable IN CASE anything happens and your luggage goes astray. At least you will have a few items to fall back on while waiting for the airline to trace yours.
10- Lastly, make sure that you have all your travel documentation required for YOUR chosen destination. Visas and passports, health requirements etc. Also make very sure that you reconfirm all your flights and make a last minute call to your consultant in case any flight schedule has had changes and ALWAYS put your travel documents in a very safe place, all together.
Written by Marrilyn
The Travelling Bride
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