Destination Decadence: All Aboard the Princess Mariana

It’s quite arguable that the Princess Mariana is so outrageously decadent that the title of this blog should read Picture This: Princess Mariana or better yet, In My Wildest Dreams: Princess Mariana.  You see, this lovely work of nautical art is a 258 yard luxurious mega-yacht.   And if you’re anything like me you’re probably wondering how, exactly, does one super-size a yacht.  You add some impressive features like six staterooms, a beach club, helipad (which by the way, becomes a golf driving range when the helicopter is away), and fully equipped gym.

And then you add in some fun accessories like  the party deck which includes two bars, casual seating areas, a raised dance floor, a grand piano, three cinema screens, a barbeque, sun beds and a spa pool!  And of course, a cinema on the main deck with seating for 13 guests.

Of course this is Destination Decadence so if you want to rent the Princess Mariana for a week, you’ll need to incorporate approximately $606, 500 into your wedding or event budget. Talk about a platinum wedding.  However, as I have also subtitled this blog entry In Your Wildest Dreams: Princess Mariana I dare to dream that I just blogged the location of my future wedding.

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Your Destination Guide: Top 25 Destinations in the United States

If you’ve been looking for a destination for your wedding or honeymoon, you may want to consider one of Trip Advisor’s top 25. Regardless of whether or not your wedding backdrop calls for calming seas in an intimate beach ceremony or the natural beauty of towering sequoia trees in a whimsical garden wedding, you’ll find their list offers something for everyone.

  1. New York City, New York
  2. Honolulu, Hawaii
  3. San Francisco, California
  4. Las Vegas, Nevada
  5. Lahaina, Hawaii
  6. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
  7. New Orleans, Louisiana
  8. San Diego, California
  9. Sedona, Arizona
  10. Seattle, Washington
  11. Anchorage, Alaska
  12. Chicago, Illinois
  13. Boston, Massachusetts
  14. Estes Park, Colorado
  15. Washington DC, District of Columbia
  16. Poipu, Hawaii
  17. Orlando, Florida
  18. Big Sur, California
  19. Bar Harbor, Maine
  20. Carmel, California
  21. Destin, Florida
  22. Savannah, Georgia
  23. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
  24. Miami Beach, Florida
  25. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
For highlights on each of these locations, including hotel specials and the most current airfare, visit Trip Advisor.  And don’t forget that SocialBFly can assist with all of your destination wedding and honeymoon planning needs.  Bon voyage!

Barbados is for Lovers!

A few days ago, I received an email from my Sagi-Sister in Spirit and fellow event planner and stylist, Arlene (@bklynblkorchid), which contained the following information and a simple note: Put this on your blog!  She has such a way with words…lol.  So let it be known that it is officially on the blog and if you and your beau have been looking for a romantic getaway, you may find this is just what the Doctor ordered…

Brides, are you interested in a destination wedding in Barbados?  If so, Jet Set Bride is offering a Destination Wedding Experience Tour package (valued at over $3600) for only $599/pp.  It comes complete with:

  • An insider’s view of Barbados
  • Round trip flights from New York City
  • 3 nights all-inclusive 4-star accommodations in Barbados
  • Private transportation and tours to all participating hotels and off-site venues
  • A chance to interact with local service providers such as photographers, florists, beauty professionals, DJ’s and bands
  • Fun excursions, food tastings and the chance to experience the warm Bajan culture
  • And the opportunity to book your destination wedding services at exclusive Jet Set Bride rates

Each tour is limited to only 20 couples and is only valid for travel between June 14th – June 17th.  The deadline to register is May 15th so call Gai at 718.789.1242 or email gai@jetsetbride.com for more information or to register today!

P.S: Check out Arlene’s Blog, FashionStyle, and tell her I sent you.

Destination Decadence: Dinner in the Sky

Have you been looking for a unique and exciting dining, wedding, or meeting experience?  Well, what would you say if I told you that you can delight in a gourmet dining experience, with friends or colleagues, while being suspended 164 ft in the air?  Pretty exciting, right?  And it’s true thanks to a unique company called “Events in the Sky” and their series of exclusive and unique dining packages, the most popular of which is called Dinner in the Sky.

Available in sessions that can last anywhere from 25 minutes to 8 hours, Dinner in the Sky is hosted at a table that is suspended, by crane, at heights that reach 164 feet in the air.  Each event can accommodate up to 22 people per session and includes 3 wait staff members (chef, waiter, and entertainer) who fit comfortably in the middle of the table.  If you need a little extra entertainment, they will hoist a second and conjoining platform into the sky.

Your reservation includes a number of benefits including a VIP cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres and champagne toast during your Dinner in the Sky flight, a souvenir red carpet photo, your choice of entrée and access to the VIP cocktail lounge. Entrée choices include the Take It to the Top Fillet Medallion (filet mignon medallions with Bordelaise sauce sautéed in mushrooms and accompanied by au gratin potato and fresh asparagus with garlic and butter sauce) or the Sky Chicken (baked chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto, artichokes and gorgonzola cheese, apricot sauce and risotto).

Dinner in the Sky is now operated in more than 30 countries and has the official authorizations from Canada, Australia, South Africa and yes, the US – but only in Las Vegas and NYC – but in reality, tables can be hoisted anywhere, including a golf course, park, race track, castle, vineyard, etc. as long as there is 5000 sq. feet of space that can be secured.  Prices start at approximately $289.00 per person and for more information check out www.eventsinthesky.com

Destination Decadence…Hawaii

I’m going to let you in on a little secret…I LOVE VERA WANG!  So much so that the very next time I am in Hawaii and feel like an unjustifiable splurge, I’m checking into the Vera Wang Suite at Halekulani.  Better yet…

Dear Future Husband,

I will love you even more if you surprise me with this as the destination for our honeymoon and/or anniversary.

Your loving future wife,

Me

Here’s why… this one bedroom suite features 2,135 sq. ft. of interior space, plus a 642 sq. ft. Oceanside lanai [a low-slung Hawaiian beach house with an open-sidedlanai to catch the tropical breezes], all of which is personally designed by Ms. Wang and adorned throughout with various décor hand-selected from her new home, gift, bath and accessories collections, as well as rare furnishings from Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia. Spectacular views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are the focus of every room throughout the suite and from their luxurious master bedroom and expansive lanai overlooking the beach, guests may witness the moon rising over Diamond Head in the syrupy night sky.  Now…that’s sexy!

No detail is overlooked or untouched by Ms. Wang – she collaborated with Halekulani’s in-house master florist to create original arrangements of her favorite tropical flowers throughout the suite. The dining room, set with classic Vera Wang china and glassware produced exclusively by Wedgwood, accommodates an intimate dinner for two or a gala dinner for six. State-of-the-art SONY electronics, including a 50-inch plasma flatscreen television with DVD/CD entertainment center, are found throughout the living and bedroom areas.  And as if that isn’t enough, here’s just a taste of what else you can expect:

  • Vera Wang Suite guests will be chauffeured to and from the airport in a private limousine
  • Welcome amenity of French Champagne and amuses bouche
  • Selection of Vera Wang Fragrances, Body Lotion and Powder
  • Private Butler Service
  • Signature cocktail menu, designed by Dale DeGroff and Vera Wang
  • “Vera’s favorites” inspired movie library
  • VIP passes and services to the Honolulu Symphony, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, Bishop Museum, The Contemporary Museum and Iolani Palace
  • In-bed, ‘Diamond Head Breakfast’ experience

This type of luxuriation can be yours for the low-low price of  $5000/night.  Hey, you only live once so shouldn’t it be about quality…not quantity?

AND, in my humble opinion, it doesn’t get much more quality than Vera!!

For a complete list of amenities, check out the fact sheet.

All images courtesy of http://www.halekulani.com/.