Whatever your style, tastes, and budget, you can create the perfect wedding celebration.  Here, three couples share memories of their big day.

A Taste Wedding Portrait
Haydee & Marc Parella | Castle in the Clouds
September 21, 2007
Photographs by MAC Photography

As you might imagine, Castle in the Clouds sits high atop a mountain, in Moultonborough, New Hampshire. Its lofty perch offers a panorama of breathtaking Lakes Region views. From hillsides ablaze with autumn color to lakes shimmering in the distance and the White Mountains rising to the north, every vantage point draws the eye. Built in 1913–1914 by Tom and Olive Plant, this romantic retreat is a true castle, complete with stone turrets. The perfect venue for a fall wedding, it matched Haydee and Marc’s dreams of romance.

“We wanted to get married somewhere nice but were having a hard time coming up with ideas,” says Haydee Parella. “Since my family is from Florida, we particularly wanted a wedding venue that captured the essence of New Hampshire. I was searching on Google, and stumbled upon Castle in the Clouds. It was beautiful, affordable, and had key services such as catering right on the premises. We went for a visit, and were immediately hooked.”

The couple planned an intimate wedding with fewer than 100 guests. The Castle’s quaint red trolley ferried family and friends from the main parking lot up the winding road to the castle itself. By 4:00 p.m., late golden light brushed the hillsides, setting the fall colors ablaze, and a soft, blue mist was blurring the mountains to the north. There, next to the garden pond, with the last of the fall roses in full bloom and the vivid colors of fall sweeping as far as the eye could see, the couple were married.

“It was a breathtakingly beautiful day,” says Haydee. “Lake Winnepesaukee stretched right below us. You could see for miles.”

As expected, guests were transfixed by the stunning vistas, so cocktails were served outside on the stone patio. For dinner, guests adjourned to the upstairs hall with its open beams and large windows that captured the view. The couple’s wedding colors were black and white with red accents, and the decor picked up the theme. Bouquets of deep red roses in ribbon-wrapped vases adorned each table, where snowy linens made the perfect backdrop to a sprinkling of rose petals.

Haydee wanted the food to be special, and guests dined on an elegant dinner of chicken artichoke, filet mignon, and lamb. Instead of a traditional cake, she chose a New England classic—strawberry shortcake, which the culinary staff transformed into a delightful tower of cake, berries, and cream.

Guests were given bottles of a special wine created by Haydee and Marc at Vintner’s  Cellar Winery in Portsmouth, with pictures of Castle in the Clouds on the labels.

“The wedding was just what we wanted—everyone was relaxed, everyone danced, and the whole day from start to finish was just beautiful,” says Haydee.

In a day filled with memorable moments, one stood out. “We had the photographs of me alone, and me with Marc taken before the ceremony,” she recalls. “I had just had my photo taken, and he came out. I hadn’t seen him all day, so it was special to finally have him there and have those few moments just to ourselves. We talked a bit, and it was just a sweet, intimate moment we shared before the wedding began.”

Location: Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, New Hampshire
Wedding Gown: Priscilla’s of Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
Florist: Cymbidium Floral, Exeter, New Hampshire
Invitations: Trends Gift Gallery, Exeter, New Hampshire
DJ: Get Down To Night, Salem, New Hampshire
Cake: Sweet Comfort Farm, Bedford, New Hampshire
Caterers: Hampshire Culinary Planning & Event Design,
Canterbury, New Hampshire
Wedding Favors: Vintner’s Cellars Wine, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Photographer: MAC Photography, Portsmouth, New Hampshire

A Taste Wedding Portrait
Katy & John Hobbs | The Red Barn at the Links at Outlook
October 27, 2007
Photographs by Jeremy Heflin Photography

For a father, seeing his daughter married is one of the most emotional days of his life. Katy Hobbs tried to make things easier by choosing to have her wedding at one of Maine’s newest golf courses, a gesture she hoped would please her golfer dad. “I thought my wedding day might be a bit less painful if it was in a golf setting,” she laughs. “As it turned out, not only did he like the idea, but we wound up with the perfect venue.”

Katy and John chose The Red Barn at the Links at Outlook in South Berwick, Maine. Interestingly, The Red Barn wasn’t even built when they made their selection. “When we booked our wedding, they were taking reservations but the building hadn’t been constructed,” she explains. “We saw the artist’s rendering, and the location, and it looked fantastic. We decided to take a chance. Over the summer, we went by periodically to see how things were progressing. It was cool to watch the barn take shape, and to know that we would be one of the first couples to have a wedding there.”

When completed, The Red Barn offered rustic elegance. A slate floor marked the entryway, while inside were hardwood floors, open beams crossing a vaulted ceiling, and massive stone fireplaces. In appreciation of traditional New England craftsmanship, no screws or nails were used in the barn’s construction, only authentic post and beam.

Katy and John wanted their wedding to have a dash of old-fashioned glamour and opted for a 1940s theme. Although Katy’s dress was not vintage, it echoed the styles of the period, and her hair was rolled into soft waves, a sort of Rita Hayworth look. John and the groomsmen wore their hair in pompadours, and wore white spats with their black shoes. Their tuxes and vests were also classic black, with ivory ties for contrast.

Decor was kept to a minimum, because in Katy’s words “the building was so spectacular,” but lush bouquets of fall flowers adorned the tables, which were decked in ivory linens.

At the reception, guests dined on favorites such as prime rib and chicken piccata, accompanied by a vegan couscous. The cake was designed to resemble a stack of three leather books, with a chocolate fondant creating the book covers. The couple’s theme was “Today, Tomorrow, and Forever” and those words were etched into the “binding” of each book.

For mementos, guests received gifts that were meaningful to both the couple and Katy’s family. Katy’s father travels frequently to Asia, and her stepmother is from a village in the Philippines, so they selected handmade wooden boxes from that village. The boxes had brass plaques attached, engraved with “Today, Tomorrow, and Forever.” Inside the boxes were Jordan almonds and candy corn, in celebration of the fall season. The boxes were propped open at each place setting, with the place cards positioned inside.

After the ceremony, guests danced to Big Band sounds, as well as a mix of current music.

“Everything came together perfectly,” says Katy. “Our day was fun, nostalgic, and different. I wish I could have been a guest at my own wedding.”

For Katy, the moment she and John said “I do” stands out as one she’ll remember forever. “In the days and hours leading up to the event, I felt like I was on a roller coaster,” she smiles. “You know how you can hear the cars going click, click, click as you ride up the incline? Finally, you hit the top, and whoosh! You’re off on this magic ride. That’s how I felt about my wedding—like things had been building and building, and finally here I was, actually getting married. I wanted to shout, ‘Wheee! Here we go!’”

She also recalls one last rendezvous with her girlfriends as a special memory. “Right after the receiving line a few of my closest friends sneaked outside with me to talk and have a private celebratory drink,” she says. “It was fun to have that time to ourselves. We laughed a lot and tried to absorb the fact that this was it, I was really married. It definitely marked a new chapter beginning in my life.”

Location: The Red Barn at the Links at Outlook, South Berwick, Maine
Wedding Gown: David’s Bridal, Appleton, Wisconsin
Florist: Joi Smith of Ambrosia Gardens, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Invitations: Michelle Rowan of Inventions, Dover, New Hampshire
DJ: Shawn Sanga, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Cake: Rogan’s Bakery, Exeter, New Hampshire
Caterer: The Red Barn
Wedding Favors: Rosemarie and Brenda Shepard, Katy’s stepmother and grandmother
Photographer: Jeremy Heflin Photography, Portsmouth,
New Hampshire

A Taste Wedding Portrait
Jenna & John Pelech | Wentworth by the Sea
October 7, 2007
Photographs by Robert Ortiz Photography

The Wentworth by the Sea is one of New Hampshire’s last grand hotels. With white turrets rising above New Castle Harbor, it exudes classic elegance in every sweeping line. It was this connection to history and old-time New England that attracted Jenna and John Pelech.

“I wanted my wedding to be traditional,” she says. “I wanted that timeless elegance, and a place that captured the essence of New England. I didn’t want anything trendy or overdone. John and I also needed a place that could accommodate a large wedding—more than 200 guests—and the Wentworth is one of the few places that can do that.”

Both Jenna and John looked on their wedding as an opportunity to have a four-day celebration with family and friends, many of whom had come in from out of town. “We had so much fun during that time,” recalls Jenna. “It was overwhelming to have so many people I cared about around me, and for them to be there in my honor. I was very touched; I’ll never forget it.”

Jenna, her family, and the wedding party, took the trolley from their home to the church. As they rode through the streets of Portsmouth, the trolley driver played “Going to the Chapel,” which set a lighthearted mood. The trolley ride also gave Jenna and her dad some special time together. “It was nice to be able to chat with my dad before the ceremony,” she says. “We needed that moment.”

Jenna’s colors were classic white, red, and black. The bridesmaids wore black dresses and carried bouquets of tightly wrapped deep red roses with accents of light green hydrangeas, while Jenna carried a loose bouquet of calla lilies. The simple arrangement offset her dress, which was strapless with layers of ruching and a deep burgundy sash.

After the ceremony, guests adjourned to the Wentworth. Deep blue skies set off the hotel’s gleaming white facade and flags fluttered in the autumn breeze. Jenna and John posed for photos in front of a bank of chrysanthemums rich with fall colors, the hotel’s turrets rising behind them.
The reception was held in the golden ballroom, glittering with crystal chandeliers and the tables crisp with white linens. The bouquets on the tables echoed those carried by the bridesmaids. Guests dined on an abundance of appetizers, including mini chicken and beef Wellingtons, brie and raspberry pillows, and Maine scallops wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon. A raspberry and champagne toast was served as the guests entered. Dinner was filet mignon, New England lobster tail, herb-crusted breast of chicken with wild mushroom sauce, and a vegan option of roasted vegetables.

The couple’s color theme carried through to the cake, which was four smooth tiers of white, with the couple’s initials intertwined in black at the top, black ribbons wrapped the base of each tier, and the cake was topped with a bouquet of wine red roses.

As a memento, guests received little bags of candy seashells as a reminder of their stay on the New Hampshire coast.

In a day filled with good spirits, the highlight may have been the entrances at the start of reception. “A friend of ours is an experienced sports announcer and he agreed to announce the families and key members of the wedding party,” laughs Jenna. “He made an event out of it, with special music and humorous commentary about each one. People really got into it and all the guests were practically in tears from laughing. By the time we entered, the whole place was on their feet clapping. It was an incredible moment, and just summed up how much we all enjoyed our wedding.”

Location: Wentworth by the Sea, New Castle, New Hampshire
Wedding Gown: Madeline’s Daughter, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Florist: Jardiniere Florist, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Invitations: Trends Gift Gallery, Exeter, New Hampshire  
DJ: Jeff Erwin, Trashcan Lid Productions, Portsmouth, NH
Cake: Jacques, Suncook, New Hampshire
Caterers: Wentworth by the Sea
Photographer: Robert Ortiz Photography, Rochester, New Hampshire
Transportation: Seacoast Trolley, www.locallink.com/seacoasttrolley

There’s an old black-and-white photograph of me at an early birthday party that defines celebration through my innocent eyes. I am standing in front of our balloon-decorated kitchen door sporting a party hat and slightly crooked cat’s-eye glasses. I await my cue to blow out the candles signaling the climactic moment when I am presented with the coveted pink frosting rose. I can’t imagine anything more extravagant than popping that sugar-laced flower in my mouth.

Little did I know then how far the world of celebrations would venture from my kitchen table, across the state, out of the country, and literally into the sky. Today whether I want to fly to a tropical island to tie the knot, cycle around Italy to celebrate a milestone birthday, jet to Paris to shop with girlfriends, or escape to a remote spa with my spouse and be pampered before the birth of my baby, destination and dreams await limited only by my imagination (and budget).

“One of the most exciting trends we’re seeing at American Express Travel is people celebrating some of life’s best moments through travel. In fact, in our most recent American Express Travel survey, family events, such as weddings and family reunions, ranked as the number one type of vacation that respondents have taken in the past two years,” says Audrey Hendley, vice president of marketing at, American Express Travel. 

Birthday Celebrations
After a bit of research, it seemed apparent that milestone birthdays have created a new market for destination celebrations. Traveling through time seems to be the route to fly these days. “Destination birthday weekends are big with my clients now. People are throwing forty-, fifty-, sixty-year-old birthday party weekend bashes in such places as Napa, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs!” says Mindy Weiss.

Mara Solomon of Homebase Abroad, a company that rents villas exclusively in Italy, has seen an increase in booking destination celebrations. When she began her business in 1995, she focused solely on vacation rentals and delights in the recent surge in destination celebrations.
She just finished orchestrating a double sixty-year-old birthday celebration in Positano on the Amalfi Coast at a property called Torre di Clavel. The property comprises an entire promontory with stone tower, direct beach access, boat landing, numerous terraces, and dramatic vistas.
The two-week celebration was shared with family and featured:
• an olive oil and limoncello tasting
• a trip to Capri
• a private wine and cheese tasting
• a trip along the Amalfi Coast
• lunch cooking classes
• an opera singer
• and a surprise private fireworks celebration.

Family Reunions
While some people create a celebration to enjoy the lavish life of luxury, others are on a more physical, spiritual, or emotional journey. “More and more travelers want to connect and interact with the local people. They don’t just want to watch a festival, they want to dance in the festival, try on the costumes, make the bread for the meal. People are missing so many rituals in their lives that they will travel far and wide to experience these deeply human experiences. I believe that rituals, events, are part of the human experience. Every culture has them but much of Western culture has substituted materialism for a ritualistic experience. It is not the same. People need and crave simple, joyous interactions with nature and people,” says Lauren Hefferon, founder and Chief Executive Biker of Ciclismo Classico who combines her passions for cycling, Italy, and international travel and cultures. She now has more than thirty unique bicycle tours for all ages and abilities in Italy, Spain, Ireland, Austria, Croatia, France, and Slovenia.

“We have helped people actually find their ancestral roots by facilitating conversations, writing letters, doing research. This is very satisfying. We have created reunions for families of many generations in Tuscan villas. We have pulled together a yacht and bicycling trip for a group of friends and family, we set up an early morning fishing trip with a local fisherman for three generations of a family who loved fishing. We have planned visits to Italian bike races, and arranged tours that follow opera,” notes Hefferon.

Girlfriend Getaways
Even before the launch of the Sex and the City movie, girls were gathering in groups to celebrate spring break, upcoming weddings, college reunions, or a good excuse to jettison the kids and toast to the sanctity of sisterhood. “Girls Getaway Weekends are becoming an increasingly popular trend. We are seeing a lot of hotels beginning to extend special offers for women-only floors that are equipped with amenities specifically designed for women. For example, The Ellis Hotel in Atlanta has a women-only floor that provides luxury suites with larger bathrooms that contain hair and styling products, special lotions, soaps, and the comfort and safety of knowing that you are surrounded by other women,” says Kate Masuch, assistant account executive at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
Ellen Paderson of Smiles and Miles Travel sees a growing trend in Jewish families hosting destination bar and bat mitzvahs. Although many families still travel to Israel to celebrate a bar or bat mitzvah, she sees an interest in exploring Carribean islands with historical temples. “There’s a lot of interest in Costa Rica, St. Thomas, Aruba, and Curacao. Members of the immediate family and close friends usually attend and have the service at the temple with a little nosh and then they enjoy the travel element of the trip that may include a cruise,” says Paderson.

Babymoons
Couples looking for their last hurrah or good night’s sleep have created a niche called babymoons. “A babymoon is an opportunity to have a special trip together before two becomes three. Babymoons are usually centered on relaxing, bonding activities like couples massages, decadent breakfasts in bed, and romantic strolls. The most important thing is the couple relaxes, and enjoys each other’s company in a memorable setting,” says Mary White.

White notes that the entire New England Coast, especially, Maine is a very popular destination for babymoons, because of the wonderful natural scenery and seclusion. Many B&Bs here cater specifically to expectant couples making their last getaway together special. A trip to Freeport, Maine, for a babymoon is filled with wonderful choices, and there are three inns in town that cater specifically to babymoons, according to White.

The Sky’s the Limit
But here’s the grand finale for those with your head in the clouds. If you’d like to dine in the sky, you can now put the big blue canvas on your list of destinations to pop the question, host a rehearsal dinner, or just party with your posse. According to Michael Gallant, who purchased the exclusive U.S. rights to Dinner in the Sky with his business partner Taj Jordan, your guest party (strapped in their seats around the dining table) is hoisted in the sky by a seven-ton crane and enjoys fine cuisine prepared by chefs while hanging out with the cumulus clouds. The price tag for the skybox seating begins at $35,000.

Whether you’re in the market to get hitched in Hawaii, bar mitzvahed in Belize, or pass the salt in the sky, be sure to leave an indelible imprint in your memory by crafting your own destination dream. Close your eyes and let your imagination travel. Then pack your bags and let the celebration begin!

Weddings
We asked four event planners to share their insights on the latest trends in destination weddings:

Preston Bailey
Preston Bailey has become renowned for his ability to completely transform ordinary spaces into sumptuous, theatrical environments, translating his clients’ fantasies into awe-inspiring reality. Preston’s one-of-a-kind events, which include weddings and galas for royal families across the globe, have earned him a reputation as the world’s preeminent event designer. He has attracted such clients as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Liza Minnelli, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas, Emmitt Smith, and Bill Cosby.

Mindy Weiss
Known for her creative and unusual ideas, her unexpected décor accents, and her exquisite attention to every last detail, Mindy Weiss’ bubbly personality and calm demeanor help her clients relax as she creates one-of-a kind parties of their dreams. She is well known for creating weddings and events for Trista and Ryan of The Bachelorette; Shaunie and  Shaquille O’Neal; Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey; Afton and Brendan Fraser; Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale; Jackie and Adam Sandler; Kimberly Williams and Brad Paisley; Kate Beckinsale and Len Wisman; and most recently Heidi Klum and Seal.

Lisa Light
Lisa Light is an expert in destination weddings, one of the biggest trends in nuptials today. She’s the founder of DestinationBride.com and a member of Princess Cruises’ Department of Romance. She started her career as an anthropologist; she became a travel consultant and then discovered her love of wedding planning.

 Mary White
Mary White, the President of BnBFinder.com, is an expert on niche-specific destination travel, and has appeared on Martha Stewart Radio, in the New York Times, and in dozens of other media outlets to discuss what’s new, trendy, and different in travel.

What are the latest trends in destination weddings?

Preston: I am finding the latest trend in destination weddings is still going away to a tropical destination. People still love the idea of taking their friends and family with them on a vacation. I do have to say it seems to be getting much more relaxed when they do get there. Not so many sit-down dinners, more just letting their guests do what they want to do when they want to.
Mindy: Destination weddings at eco-resorts. More “back to the basics.” Resorts in Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica.
Lisa: Couples looking to experience a destination wedding but are conscious of rising fuel costs and the state of the economy are finding creative ways to accomplish this. Many couples are heading to destinations that are not too far but still provide a mini-vacation and new scenery for guests (e.g., Nantucket or the Berkshires for New York or Massachusetts couples, or Napa Valley for California and Washington couples).
Mary: Weddings are moving in a simple and relaxed direction. Couples are scaling back on the number of guests and concentrating on their wedding being a celebration of a new life together and sharing this special time with the closest of family and friends. Locations are chosen by halfway points that are convenient to the most important guests. It has become very popular for wedding parties to rent an entire inn where the preparations, ceremony, reception, and accommodations are all in one place.

How is the industry changing?
Preston: For me I am doing more international work than I have before. I think the industry is just getting bigger. Which is great for all of us in it!
Mindy: Destination weddings are all still an ideal way to get married, but with the economy and the gas/airline ticket prices, I’d say people who are throwing destination weddings are putting more thought into where they’re intending to get married and how feasible the trip would be for all invited guests.
Lisa: More and more hotels have wedding planners on staff.
Mary: Destination weddings are moving closer to home. Couples are choosing to wed in places within driving distance of where their families live, or meeting people halfway at a convenient place. The cost is definitely a factor, but mainly families are realizing that the time spent flying to a destination wedding is time they could be spending together.

What are the hot locations for destination weddings?
Preston: I think the Caribbean is really hot right now. It’s only a short plane ride away, so it’s a lot more accessible than other destinations. I also have a partnership with Sandals there, which offers luxury weddings packages—everything from flowers to elegant table décor and innovative keepsakes that I design.
Mindy: I am located on the West Coast so the locales my clients mostly choose are Mexico, Hawaii, and Italy.
Lisa: Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, Turks and Caicos, Harbour Island in the Bahamas, Scotland, and Puerto Rico.
Mary: Coastal destinations are very popular in the Northeast, as people re-create “Gatsby style” weddings in the glorious old homes and mansions along the shoreline, getting married under gazebos, and having the receptions outdoors. Cape Cod and the coast of Rhode Island host a lot of these types of weddings. The Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee have become a destination for quiet, secluded weddings surrounded by nature. Inns in the Smoky Mountains are actually second only to Las Vegas in the number of destination weddings performed each year. Couples are attracted to the stunning mountain views, rivers, streams, and wildlife as the perfect backdrop for tying the knot.

Stacey Marcus is a freelance feature writer whose works have appeared in national and regional publications. She is a Contributing Editor at Northshore Magazine and was a Senior Editor at New England Bride Magazine. She owns and operates Grapevine Communications, a marketing firm specializing in non-profits and small businesses. She resides in Marblehead (with her husband, Mitch, their two daughters, Rachel and Emily and their bichon frise, Scout, who believes he is of royal descent.)