Sending Out Invitations: Essential Wedding Planning Guidance

Posted on August 30, 2008
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It is traditionally for the bride’s parents to organize the invitations weddings and be the hosts for the reception. The mother of the bride is the key person who everyone relies on to get these invitations weddings to all the guests on time; generally six to eight weeks before the wedding.

Whether the bridegroom’s parents contribute towards the cost of the wedding or not, the mother of the bride is still the person to send out wedding invitations. If the bride’s mother is deceased and the wedding is taken care of by an immediate relative, then the invitations to the wedding should be sent out by the couple instead.

Posting Out The Invitations On Time
As soon as the wedding plans are in the final stages and you know for a fact, what church you will use and the hall for the reception, then it is the appropriate time to send out the invitations weddings to your guest.
Some people think six weeks is enough time, but personally I would say 2 or 3 months before the wedding day is preferable. This is because some people plan ahead for holidays and vacations, so you don’t want to interrupt someone else’s schedule and make them feel guilty for not responding to your invitations weddings. Give some more regard to family members. You can tell some of them by word of mouth, but still make sure they get their written invitations to the wedding. It would be advisable to post all the invitations out at the same time, if possible.

Invitation Styles
The invitations to the wedding must have a theme to depict the style of your wedding. This will allow your guest to know what to expect. For instance for a formal wedding, the invitations would not be handwritten, but would carry a classy emboss typeface that indicates to your guest that you are having a formal wedding.
Invitations that are hand written indicate a small and intimate wedding. It gives a much more personal touch and lets your guest know that they were specially selected to be a part of your very private wedding.

Of course, you can buy invitations weddings at any stationery or printing shop, but you have to be very selective and careful to select something with style and elegance. You may be able to find something that will fit the ideal wedding theme that you want to portray. Have a family member accompany you when you go to shop for wedding invitations. In these cases, you will have to handwrite these invitations since they are not customized for your specific wedding.

And ensure you put the correct postage on your invitation envelopes. The heavier paper weight of your invitation and its envelope could take you above the standard postage charge.

And another task that you should not leave too late is picking the person to act as your master of ceremonies for the wedding reception. Check out these articles for excellent advice on this very important role
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role of mc at wedding

Careful planning is the key to any successful wedding reception.

Mother Of The Bride: Practical Wedding Info

Posted on August 24, 2008
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Your daughter’swedding day should be one of the happiest and proudest days of your life. But you know that it will not just happen all by itself. Planning, and lots of it is required.

Let’s begin by taling a look at the role of the mother of the bride.

Naturally, you should be there to support and advise your daughter through the whole of the wedding planning processs. Note the use of the words “support” and “advise”. It is not part of your role to make any of the decisions. You are there to offer guidance should it be needed.

One of the areas where assistance will surely be required is with the drawing up of the guest list for your side of the family.

Also your daughter is likely to want your advice on choosing a family member or friend to be master of ceremonies for the wedding reception. It’s definitely better to go for someone who’s ‘older and wiser’ rather than one of the bride or groom’s best mates. Learn more about this role in these articles
Wedding mc
Wedding mc
Wedding master of ceremonies

When selecting your outfits allow plenty of time. And don’t forget to consult the mother of the groom. You don’t want the outtfits to clash, do you?

Of course you want an outfit that not only looks great but makes you feel great too.

The wedding day is not an occasion to experiment. You should choose a color that you know suits you and flatters your complexion. It goes without saying that your choice of color should not clash with the mother of the groom or the bridal party.
And you do not have to limit yourself to one color. For example, wearing a darker color on your upper body can be slimming if you are heavier above the waist. And vice versa of course. So make sure you take your body shape into account when picking your colors.

As for style choose something that you feel comfortable in and which flatters your body shape. You want something that hides those bits you don’t like and enhances your assets.

These days, trousers suits can be elegant and smart and can be a suitable alternative to skirts or dresses.

If you decide to get a hat, and by the way, you don’t have to, then make sure it’s comfortable and suits your frame. You definitely need to see the full effect of any hat. So a full length mirror is a must. For example, a huge brim is unlikely to flatter a petite woman.

And, of course, there are many alterantive to hats. Hair accessories come in so many styles from feathers to flowers.

There is no doubt about it. Wedding days are long. Very long. That means a comfortable pair of shoes are an absolute must. When selecting your shoes take your outfit with you. This is not only to check color but to ensure that the heel height goes with length of the outfit. This is particularly important if you are going to be wearing trousers or a full length dress or skirt.

And don’t forget to wear your shoes about the house before the big day. This is doubly important if you do not normally wear high heels.

Finally, experiment to make-up and hair to find the best look for you.

Plan correctly and you can enjoy your daughter’s wedding day. And look dazzling too!

Selecting The Bridal Veil: Top Wedding Guide

Posted on August 23, 2008
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Always remember that any veil should be an integral part of the wedding outfit. It is not something that is simply placed on your head as an afterthought.

It is best to purchase your veil, tiara and dress at the same time. That way you can be sure that all the items complement each other.

Don’t choose a heavily patterned veil if your wedding gown is very ornate. A simple veil and tiara works much better with an ornate dress or bodice.

If your dress is simple then an ornate veil amd head piece will draw attention to your face.

If you want to cover your face as you want down the aisle then the veil should fall just below the bust line. You don’t want the bridal bouquet to be hidden.

Keep an open mind on veil lengths. Try on different lengths so you can see the effect each length creates.

Never forget, to check the back view. You don’t want the veil to cut across any detail. It should finish below any decoration detail.

You can add color to your veil so that it ties in with your bridal bouquet.

If you choose a long veil be sure to practice walking in it before the big day.

Now, lets look at some popular veil styles

Ballet or Waltz – this veil typically falls to the ankle. It works particularly well with an A-line style of dress.

Cathedral – this veil extends to the floor and is generally worn with a dress that has a train.

Fingertip – this veil drapes below the shoulders. When the bride extends her arms the veil reaches the fingertips, hence the name.

Chapel – this style falls to or near the floor. It is ideally suited to an empire style dress.

Blusher – this stytle of veil usually consists of two or three tiers. One tier will be worn over the Bride’s face as she walks down the aisle and will be pushed back over the head after the ceremony. Although this is a vary traditional style of veil it also works very well with the modern sexy styles such as the sheath and mermaid styles of dresses.

When you get your veil home be sure to hang it up, preferablr from the center so that it will hang straight. Any wrinkles should then fall out over time. If it still has some wrinkles then try the hot shower method. That means hanging the veil up in the bathroom with a hot shower runnning so that the room gets steamy. That will usually remove any remaining wrinkles.

So that you can really enjoy te wedding reception why not ask a friend or family member to act as your host for the evening. That way you are your new husband will be free to really enjoy the occasion. Find out more about this important role
wedding mc tips
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duties of a wedding mc

Practical Wedding Planning Tips

Posted on August 16, 2008
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To ensure your wedding day runs smoothly, planning is absolutely essential. In this article we look at what you need to be focusing on in the four to six/seven months before the big day.

1 You need to finalize the guest list. Remember to stick to your financial budget.

2 Choose your wedding stationery. Take your time to get it right. The stationery should follow the theme that you have chosen for your wedding day. The invitations should also reflect the tone you want for your wedding be it classic, elegant, formal or relaxed. A reputable firm will be able to offer advice on the best colors, designs, weight of paper etc for look you are trying to achieve.
Order the amount needed based on your finalized guest list (with a few spares of course). Wedding stationery will typically include invitations, order of service, seating plans, place cards.
Double check, no triple check, the spelling you supply to the stationer.

3 Order any other personalized stationery, or other items such as napkins, that you may want embossed with you and your husband-to- be names.

4 Choose your wedding cake. Take the time to research a number of bakers. Ideally you want to get a few recommendations from friends and family.
Cakes don’t have to be the traditional fruit cake. Sponge cakes, even carrot cakes are very popular for modern wedding cakes. You cam even have elaborate arrangements of cup cakes or a chocolate profiterole tower! So make sure you test the baker’s product. And of course there is a wide selection of themes and styles available too.
It helps if you can give the baker a sample of your chosen wedding colors so that they can match any cake icing to those colors.
And don’t forget to discuss the arrangements for transporting the cake to the reception venue. It’s best to leave it to the baker as they will usually have a specific temperature controlled vehicle for this purpose. You don’t want any mishaps do you?

5 Check out reputable florists. When you have chosen one, it’s time to plan all the floral arrangements – from bouquets for you and your attendants to floral decorations for the venue(s). All your floral arrangements should reflect your chosen wedding theme.

6 If you have not already done so, pick a suitable friend or family member to act as the master of ceremonies for your reception. Having an emcee really is the best way to ensure things runs smoothly leaving the Bride and Groom free to relax and enjoy themselves.
Check out these articles for more advice
Wedding mc duties
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Wedding master of ceremonies

7 Start planning the honeymoon. If you are going abroad, don’t forget to
check the validity of your passports.

Picking A Wedding Dress

Posted on August 16, 2008
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It’s your special day. You want to look your very best. All eyes, and cameras, will be on you. So how do you select a wedding dress that will make you look fantastic?

Follow these style tips and you will know more about how to select the right wedding dress for you.

Before you even begin visiting any department stores or bridal shops you must take the time to honestly assess your body shape. This will help you decide which dress style will flatter you.

Typically, bridal gowns fall into these basic styles – A-line, ballgown, empire, sheath and mermaid.

Of course, you must also select a veil that compliments your dress.

So let’s briefly look at the various wedding dress styles.

A-Line
This style is also known as the Princess Cut. It is without question one of the most popular styles. And it’s easy to see why. It is very flattering for all body shapes – from pear shaped hour glass, slim or full figured as it helps disguise flaws. And it’s slimming. This style has a slim fitting top and flares out from the hips giving it the A shape silhouette.

Ball
This style is often referred to as the fairytale wedding dress. It has a corset bodice leading out to a full bodied skirt. The bodice is usually heavily embellished.
Whilst this style suits most body shapes it really does not flatter anyone who is short. You need to be reasonably tall to carry off this dramatic style.

Empire
This style has a high waistline. It sits just beneath the bustline and falls gently to the hem. Think Jane Austen’s ‘Sense & Sensibility’ or ‘Pride & Prejudice’.

This style should be avoided if you are curvy or have a large bust. It is, however, an ideal choice for anyone with a small bust. And, this gown shape is very flattering for a short person.

Sheath
This style is probably the most daring. Think sexy not demure. The material will follow every curve in your body. Only the very slim can carry off this style successfully.

Mermaid
Similar to a Sheath but whilst the Mermaid is close fitting in the upper body, waist and hips it starts to flare out dramatically at either the mid thigh or knee. As with the Sheath this style of dress is only suited to the very slim. This style can make hips look big – even on an otherwise slim person.

Correct fitting underwear is essential for any wedding dress but is absolutely critical for the sheath and mermaid styles of gown.

Another important decision any bride has to face is who to choose as their master of ceremonies for the wedding reception. Discover more about this very important role
wedding mc
wedding master of ceremonies
duties of a wedding mc

Music Furniture – Not Just For The Older Generations Anymore

Posted on August 16, 2008
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I have a friend who has a house that I feel is second to none. He and his wife have not cut any corners when it comes to the finest decorations, they have the nicest furnishings, they also have the best taste in everything that they put into their home which makes it very interesting to see what they are up to on a regular basis. My wife and I always enjoy going to their house because we come back with some terrific ideas for what we might do with our house someday when the kids have moved out (which is still a long way away).

The last time we visited I wandered into his music room and saw a new piece of furniture that I had not seen in a home before, any home. The custom made piece of furniture was a guitar display cabinet that allowed him to place up to 6 guitars in a cabinet. The cabinet had lots of benefits other over a traditional music cabinet than keeping the guitars in their cases and extremely organized in the corner like he had them the last time I had visited his house. He said the advantage was that the guitar display cabinet was keeping the instruments at a consistent humidity (very cool) so the wood would actually last longer and the instruments would sound more like they had been initially built to sound rather than having a higher pitch as the wood dried. He went on to say that because the instrument display case was so attractive he found himself playing the guitar on a more regular basis. He even found himself playing his older guitars more regularly because they were much more accessible and he could put them back in the display case at a moment’s notice. He was very proud of his instrument display case.

That led me to begin a search for other instrument display cases, in addition to the traditional sheet music cabinet that we see so often, that could be built for other instruments besides guitars. I have found to my liking other display cases for violins, trumpets, clarinets and many individual guitar display cases. As I researched the background of the cases I found that many individuals had purchased them from companies who make cases for museums and public displays. The items were cost prohibitive and always custom-made. There were no companies making them as products so that they could be produced as a product line and so that they could be made in a more affordable manner. As I made another round of phone calls I was able to find a few manufacturers who said they were interested in doing a line of products that could cater to particular segments of the industry who would want a high quality instrument display cabinet at an affordable price. All thanks to my friends who are on the cutting edge of everything with their unique home furnishings. I have to have them over to our house next time.

Hypermiling

Posted on August 15, 2008
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Hypermiling consists of a system of driving techniques and sensible ways to improve gas mileage, combating high gas prices. What is all the controversy about?

Though the term “hypermiling” is a new word, the concepts it is based on are not at all new. We have just never had a specific name for it until now.

However, with gas prices soaring to the extortion levels, people (out of necessity) have started to pay more attention to how much fuel they are using.

And thus the word “hypermiling” has been born. The term “hypermiling” (originally coined by Wayne Gerdes) in simple terms means getting the best gas mileage out of the fuel you have.

Before the word “hypermiling” was born, “hypermiling” was just referred too as sensible fuel economy, or common-sense driving practice. For more information on this, see Hypermiling and Gas Mileage Improvements.

But today, getting the most for your money (by squeezing out the maximum mileage per gallon of gas) has become a specialized field, with the name “hypermiling.”

A lot of “controversy” has been built up around the subject of hypermiling. Some claim it is dangerous or state that it causes accidents, etc. These statements are about as intelligent as the statement that driving is dangerous or causes car crashes.

Of course, if there were no cars on the road, there would be no car accidents. That is about the level of logic we are using when we say that hypermiling is dangerous or controversial.

Before the subject of Hypermiling came about, we would have heard about “safe and unsafe driving practices.” These days, in the interest of controversy, we no longer hear about “unsafe driving practices,” but about hypermiling. I guess monkey learned a new trick.

Lets take a look at what hypermiling is, and what a few hypermiling techniques are:

First of all, a common hypermiling practice is to plan one’s trips a little more carefully, in order to avoid unnecessary driving. That’s common sense, I would say. But it’s not something we were too careful about when fuel was cheap.

Another favorite hypermiling technique is staying within the speed-limit, since driving at higher speeds wastes fuel. Avoiding excessive idling of ones engine is also a key hypermiling tactic, as you are getting zero miles per gallon when you are standing still. What is interesting about this last point is that, for years now, we have had cars whose engines switch to “hibernate mode” after standing still for a few seconds, in order to avoid wasting fuel. “Hibernating” here means that the engine “switches off” and starts up again the moment you hit the gas peddle with your foot.

Making sure that your tires are inflated to the correct air pressure, according to the instructions of the manufacturer, is also a hypermiling technique. That might sound like a minor detail to some, but if you have ever ridden a bicycle with tires that were under-inflated you will have a good idea how much extra energy it takes, as compared to riding with correctly inflated tires.

Well, the same goes for a car. Under-inflated tires make your engine work harder and consume more fuel. Try riding a bicycle with badly inflated tires sometime, and you will get a good idea of what I am talking about. A car handles better with correct tire pressure, which also gives you a lot more control when you are driving (and is thus safer).

I could go on and on, detailing all the other points of hypermiling. But I think the above examples serve to show you that we are really just talking about common sense.

The only real truth in all this controversy is that there are safe drivers and there are unsafe drivers. But that’s not new. And this fact did not arrive with the subject of hypermiling. It will not go away with the subject of hypermiling either.

Some people are smart and some are less so. That’s nothing new and it’s not something we didn’t already know.

I guess it’s those people who are “less so,” who feel they need to create a “controversy” around a subject such as hypermiling. It probably makes them feel clever.

The fact is, hypermiling consists of safe and sensible ways to improve gas mileage. Just as one could drive unsafely in the interest of better gas mileage, one could also be a maniac gas-guzzler who speeds around turns, slams on his brakes, and pays high gas prices as a result.

Real hypermiling techniques involve safe and sensible driving habits.

Regardless, hypermiling simply consists of a set of techniques and driving practices which are used to get better gas mileage, using common sense and safe driving practices.

A simple E-Book which teaches hypermiling techniques, which anyone can learn and instantly apply in order to save money on gas immediately, can be found at Hypermiling and Other Gas Saving Secrets.

See also Hypermiling.

The Emotional Toll Of Clutter Part1: Sure Fire Home Organization Guide

Posted on August 15, 2008
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Each area of your house provides you with a unique form of comfort. Comfort and clutter cannot co-exist. Clutter and mess only serve to bring unbalance and will dampen any good spirit. It stands to reason that, give up the clutter and bring in the peace of mind.

De-clutter your kitchen
Your kitchen is regarded as the heart of your home and for a good reason. Here you are nourished and provided for, even if you are dining on a frozen entrée zapped in the microwave rather than a homemade meal lovingly presented by Mom. An untidy and cluttered kitchen makes it hard to nourish yourself and others, on both physical and emotional. How you care for your kitchen is a hot clue to whether you are giving proper attention to your own nourishment and that of others. Cleaning up and de-cluttering your kitchen will open space for you to receive the support and comfort that you need in life.
declutter home ideas

De-clutter your living and dining room
These are special places where you socialize with family and friends. Here you engage with the world while being at home through watching television, reading the paper or discussing current events with old friends over dinner. Clutter can turn these otherwise special and social spaces into dens of isolation, especially if the mess is so bad that it has been a time since you have invited people over. Look carefully at your living and dining rooms to see what they say about your relationships. Are they important to you? Are you hiding yourself from others, by burying yourself in nasty clutter?
declutter my house tips

De-clutter your hallways
You need clear hallways to navigate through your home. Your clutter in your hallways prevents important connections between different areas of your home and your life. Look at your hallways and see what it says about the rest of your life. Do they contain good lighting and are they easily navigable, or do they cause confusion and trip you up? If you feel a disconnection between work and family, self and others, what you need to be done and your obligations, it may be time to give your hallways some good organizing.
home organizer tips

De-clutter your bathrooms
Each day we use this important space to meet the world. We begin our days from this room. Clutter in the bathroom can mean you don’t take pride in how you look and feel. How can you feel clean when using a cluttered, dirty bathroom? A clean, well-decorated bathroom is a tranquil sanctuary for rejuvenation and self-care. Scented soaps, attractive accessories, and fragrant candles all take their place here. This is beauty for the mind and soul. You can beautify your life by organizing and cleaning this important room. Take the time to transform your bathroom into a place of refuge and this will bring a sense of the sacred into your morning and evening personal-care rituals.

Boo Activities: Fun Halloween Ideas

Posted on August 14, 2008
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If you would like to get your neighbors into the Halloween spirit, be sure to engage them in a little game known as “Boo!” It’s a popular game in some parts of the country, while in others, nobody has heard of it.

You might live in a neighborhood where you think nobody will participate in a round robin type of event as this, but you might be surprised. Sometimes during the holidays people will step up and get involved where before they wouldn’t. It’s possible, anyway.

The game goes something like this, and then will be described in more detail later. You print up a few poems and instructions on colorful paper (likely, orange). You get a treat bucket, or bowl or something and fill it with candy. You can also “Boo” people with candles, Halloween socks, and really whatever your imagination comes up with. You “Boo” two people at a time, leaving the items anonymously on their doorstep. You leave it with the instructions and the poem and hope they “Boo” other neighbors. Once you are done, you tape up a large “Boo!” on your door so neighbors know not to hit you up again.

Specifically, here’s how it’s done. Start this game around the very end of September or very beginning of October. If you waitt until everyone is decorated for Halloween, you’re probably too late. You want this to spread around the neighborhood and that takes time, so you want to start it just as people are starting to think about Halloween. If you begin too early, however, you might be out of luck as far as being able to buy items goes.

So, if it’s the right time of the year and you’re ready to go. Find a “Boo” poem and photocopy it. There are many variations of the poem. Here is a sampling:

“Boo!
To our good friends on the street;
Our homes’ locations made us meet;
You now have been Boo’d, but who would we be?
We’ll never tell, it’s a secret, you see.
We placed these goodies for you and yours;
Then we ran fast, after knocking the door!
Happy Halloween!”

Or it might be a big longer, something like this:

“The air is cool, the season fall
Soon Halloween will come to all;
The neighbors are after things to do
In fact, a neighbor brought this to you;
“Boo” is a sign of friendship power
Just hang it up and watch it double by hour;
On your front door is where it works
It wards off solicitors and scary jerks;
The treat that came with friendly note
Are yours to keep; enjoy them both;
The power comes when friends like you
Copy this and make it two;
Then others here among our friends
Will give warm fuzzies that will not end;
We’ll all have smiles upon our face
No one will know who “boo’ed” whose place;
Just one short day to share your Boo
You must be quick so they don’t know who;
And don’t forget a nifty treat
Like something cute or something sweet;
Please join the fun, let’s really hear it
And spread some “Boos” and neighborhood spirit!

Be sure to include a cute graphic of a ghost or something else that looks like it might say “Boo!” You might want to include some details on the flyer about what should be done next, in case you think the poem itself won’t be clear enough. Then attach the poem to the goodie bag, basket, whatever you have created, and run out one night dropping your goodies on people’s doorsteps. If you are just getting this started in your neighborhood, be sure to do more than 2 houses. You might find that some people don’t participate and in that case, you want to have “Boo”ed enough people that you will get adequate participation.

We really like to get into the spirit of it by having our faces painted. A ghost design is always popular. learning to face paint is not as difficult as you might think. These articles will help you learn more
Kids face painting Face painting pictures halloween face painting ideas

What you’re striving for is a neighborhood full of “Boo” doors by Halloween night!

Taveuni Palms Fiji: Winning Honeymoon Ideas

Posted on August 13, 2008
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Where to do on honeymoon is on of the most important decisions when it comes to planning a wedding.

The Taveuni Palms in Fiji is an intimate retreat offering two private guest houses, a secluded sandy beach, and even a freshwater swimming pool. The island has many spectacular things to offer, such as scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and many other vacation activities.

The Taveuni Island has always been known for its unique and colorful sea life, tropical fish, and amazing varieties of soft and hard coral. The Rainbow Reef, Great White Wall, Purple Wall, and Zoo dive sites are all within easy reach of the Taveuni resort.

The Great White Wall reef offers a tunnel with two exits, one at 33 feet and another at 88 feet. When you swim through it, you’ll notice a white glow that is given off by the soft corals that seem to surround you.

You’ll also find two dive centers that are minutes from Taveuni Palms, which offer you dive equipment and certified diving instructors. From beginners to expert divers, you can have a lot of fun scuba diving on your beach vacation.

Rooms and suites
The two seperate beachfront villas at Taveuni Palms in Fiji come with their own staff to help make your vacation a bit more relaxing. The staff will make your dreams come true, as they offer full room support.

Each seperate villa offers a pool, two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, and a very unique indoor/outdoor bathroom. The outdoor deck is equipped with chairs so that you can spend time outside as well, taking in the surrounding views of the ocean. The spectacular sunsets will turn into tropical nights - with stunning starlit skies. truly romantic!

Your personal maid at the villa will provide you with daily cleaning service, laundry service, fresh flowers, and evening turn down. The maids here are very professional, making your stay at the Taveuni Palms in Fiji one you’ll remember for years to come.

The resort will also provide you with your own private chef, kitchen, and bar staff who will provide your daily meals, which are included in the cost of your stay. This way, you don’t have to eat out - your food will be prepared for you at the resort.

Getting to Taveuni
To get to Taveuni Palms, fly to Nadi International airport in Fiji. From there, catch a connecting flight to Taveuni Island where the Taveuni Palms staff will meet you at the airport, five minutes from the hotel.

Other wedding articles to help you with planning your special day:
Wedding mc
Wedding mc
Wedding emcee duties

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