AisleDash

We took a peek at super-luxury weddings to create this inspiration board: From record-breaking bouquets to Indian weddings that are truly over the top, we found that you don't have to be an LVMH heiress to add a few luxurious touches to your real life wedding.

However, it doesn't hurt to dream, does it? So let's get to it!

Your honeymoon is your once in a lifetime chance to escape the world, bond with your sweetie, and celebrate your love. If top quality service and unadulterated luxury are what you're looking for, then look no further than these ultimately soul pampering hotels. Some have the history and charm of another place and time, some have modern flair. Some are big city destinations and some offer the comfort of beach and ocean. Wherever you want to go, look for one of these notorious hotels for your once in a lifetime getaway.

Imagine yourself far from the hustle and bustle of normal life. You're relaxed and soothed by the sound of ocean waves. You do whatever, whenever you want. Yes, you are on your own private honeymoon island in the tropics. You have no schedule. It's okay to enjoy a pina colada in the morning, a massage in the afternoon, and ocean breezes all night long. On your private island, all of your needs are quietly, quickly and unobtrusively handled by a staff of experts in the service industry. It's paradise, and it's all yours.

You can, in fact, have your own private island honeymoon, just the two of you or with your own invited friends...if the price is right. About $24,000, that is. But, it could be worth it for just once in your life.

If you're getting married in Miami, why not take advantage of the glamorous Art Deco pools that are the signature elements of many of the best hotels in town? Throw a swanky pre-wedding cocktail party for out-of-town guests - it's an easy way to ease your guests into the sexy Miami vibe.

Imagine the pool glittering under the starts, the warm evening breezes twinged with saltwater, the not-too-distant sound of the ocean in the background as guests mingle and drink stiff drinks. (Think 1930s elegance - mojitos and martinis - and FORGET anything that requires a blender.)

We did this for our wedding, and it was so gorgeous and elegant I almost fainted with happiness. I recommend it!

Whether you are traveling to Paris for your nuptials or to Fiji for your honeymoon -- heck, even just a short trip to Toronto -- you will need a passport. Since the entire process of getting your passport -- standing in line in the post office, forking over a check for that much money, waiting a ridiculous amount of time to receive the thing -- you deserve to enjoy looking at it for the next ten-odd years.

So, instead of keeping the default navy-blue passport carrier that your passport came with, try something a little snazzier. At Superior Luggage you can pick out a Jack Georges leather carrier in a handful of colors (orange [shown], black, burgundy, cherry, dark brown, lime, light blue, pink, red and yellow) for $39.

Or, pick up a few for your bridesmaids if your destination wedding happens to be in Mexico, Jamaica or anywhere else abroad. After buying one for yourself, of course.)

With all the rules about what you may and may not take on board a plane these days, traveling has become a real hassle. But don't let the regulations dampen your excitement about your honeymoon or destination wedding.

If you simply can't live without a specific brand of shampoo or moisturiser for the time you'll be away, don't want to risk putting liquids into your hold baggage, yet don't fancy holding up the queues at security either, worry not!

311 Travel Bag has a wedding themed kit available for you to carry all your favourite goodies in. The kit, $69.99, consists of a durable, clear, zippered bag and contains:

• 2 large leak-proof pumps (Bride and Groom) – 1.75 oz. each
• 2 medium leak-proof pumps (Best Man and Maid of Honor) – 1.0 oz each
• 2 mini leak-proof pumps (Flower Girl and Ring Bearer) – .50 oz. each

It's a great way to make the hassle of modern day traveling just a little bit easier.

Besides being set on beautiful Waikiki Beach on Oahu and offering everything that romantic Hawaii promises, the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, or "Pink Palace of the Pacific" takes the stress out of planning a destination wedding. Start with the Wedding Budget Planner worksheet that gives you options and costs upfront so you can design a great day without breaking the bank. They will help with everything from food to flowers, photographers, and finding an officiant. The hotel also assists you with meeting Hawaii's marriage requirements and has partnered up with a technology company to offer live Internet broadcast of your ceremony for guests who can't be there in person. Finally, you can set up a honeymoon registry so that after the big day you and your new spouse can stay and enjoy all of the hotel's vacation amenities along with the beach and sun.

Wednesday Wedding Wrap-up is a weekly roundup of highlights from the past week, covering wedding blogs and websites, reality TV, even particularly hot scoop right here at AisleDash. Think we missed something? Leave your favorite highlight in the comments!

Wedding Bee discusses the merits of the bee-hive (think Audrey Hepburn, not Amy Winehouse), and includes a rockin' collage.

Bridezilla lists four honeymoon destinations that you've probably never considered, but maybe you should.

Bridalwave tells us why Vivienne Westwood, Be de Lisi, Jenny Packham, and Swarovski joined fashion forces.

And, here at AisleDash, we're showing you some gorgeous looks for your beachy honeymoon.

A practical, well-designed and pretty honeymoon travel accessory for your snoozing comfort, the Nap Sack Travel Blanket keeps you warm while you grab a few much-needed minutes of sleep after your big day. About the same dimensions as a piece of paper (a 3-inch thick piece of paper), the pouch holds blanket and inflatable pillow. Unzip the pouch, pull out the blanket, inflate the pillow -- then pop the pillow back into the pouch, which is now the pillowcase!

Then put your head back, snuggle up to your sweetie, and relax. You've earned it!

After months and months of time-consuming wedding planning, a beach getaway may have never sounded better. There are plenty of fantastic honeymoon hotspots, but there's something about the allure of a fruity drink and a sandy beach that has always equated "honeymoon" with "beach vacation." And since you'll only take one honeymoon in your lifetime, you want to make it the best trip it can be -- wardrobe and all.

What better motivation to find the perfect suit for your frame than a beach honeymoon? It's also the perfect time of year to begin your search. At AisleDash, we've collected a variety of looks for you to peruse. Once you've picked your favorite, find a store near you and snatch it up. And, since it is your honeymoon, why not get a few?

You've got your tickets, you've made your plans, you've got a list of what to take. Perhaps you've even packed your going-away bags already! But will your luggage make it to the honeymoon with you?


Here's a fun way to up the odds that both you and your suitcases will get to where you're going, together. A set of six disposable tags, in colors bright enough to set your black bags apart from the 400 other black bags on the carousel, they each have a fun saying on them. "Open with caution: Dirty clothes inside" might not keep a determined thief away, but it will bring a smile to the person who almost grabbed your bag by accident!

With postcard-picture, hillside villages overlooking sparkling seas, mouthwatering cuisine and a great climate, the Greek islands are a marvellous choice for a sunny, laid-back honeymoon. The island of Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful, with the traditional villages built up on tall cliffs and is one of Greece's most popular tourist destinations.

Where to stay

The Vedema Resort: The honeymoon package, around 4000 euros ($6356) for a 7-night stay.

Princess Hotel: a fairly new, luxurious spa hotel. The honeymoon suite is priced at 460 euros a day ( $731) in high season

Must Do

Visit the picturesque village of Oia, where Angelina Jolie filmed Lara Croft: The Cradle of Life.

Try out the fabulous restaurants - don't just eat in at the hotel. Local cuisine is fantastic and the restaurants are very romantic.The Blue Note restaurant is recommended for great views, atmosphere and good traditional cuisine.

When to go

Best time of year to visit is from April to October. You can fly to the island from Athens - there are two flights a day. During summer there are also charter flights from other European cities. Alternativly, travel by boat or ferry from other Greek islands.

The wedding details are coming on nicely, you're feeling confident it will all run smoothly (or you're desperately crossing fingers it will) and it's time to turn your attention to your honeymoon. Or, more specifically, what on earth to pack.

It's never an easy decision and the temptation to stuff your suitcase with half your wardrobe can be almost irresistible, but it's better to plan carefully and pack lightly. (We love the beach range from Elizabeth Hurley.)

1, Lay out the items you want to take on your bed. Check that you have a few cover-ups, such as a kaftan or loose top, for your bikinis.

2. You need a few simple dresses that can be worn during the day or dressed up with accessories and jewelry for the evening. Ensure that you have shoes that will be right for each dress. To minimise the number of pairs you take, take something fairly neutral, like pretty flip flops and silver sandals.

Tucked away in the forests of Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario is a gem of a wedding venue, honeymoon spot, or both! Arowhon Pines, with its central lodge and 13 cabins (with 50 individual rooms) looks rustic -- and it is, but rustic in the most gracious of ways. The setting, on clean and quiet Joe Lake, is far enough off the beaten path to suit any nature-lover. The aching cry of the loon, the far-off howl of wolves, even the occasional moose all attest to its rural reality.

In the cabins and the central dining room, civilization reigns. Each well-appointed cabin has a central lounge; each room within the cabins has ensuite washroom. Service is excellent, discreet and efficient. The hexagonal dining room has a massive three-story stone fireplace at its center; tables range around it -- and the food, which has been written up to great acclaim by many satisfied reviewers on at least two continents, is more than worth the trip.

The lodge has been owned by the same family since its inception in 1940. They have decades of experience, and it shows! Want a four-star reception in the heart of nature? Arowhon Pines offers it.

If you've been shopping for vacations lately, you may have noticed that they're getting more expensive. Fuel prices are up. The American dollar is dropping in value. Airlines are going out of business as the travel industry flails. All of these things mean that if you still want to take the same honeymoon you started planning months ago, you're going to have to budget a lot more money for it.

Your dollar might not get you as far here in the US as it did a few months ago, and it surely won't get you much at all in Europe, but you can still get a lot of bang for your buck in Central America, where the dollar is still quite strong compared to local currencies. You can stay in elegant hotels with beautiful views for less than the price of a room at a Super 8 here in the states. Then you can take the money you saved and spend it on excursions like climbing a volcano or visiting ancient ruins, and you'll still have plenty left over for souvenirs to bring home.

Even if your honeymoon budget is looking tighter by the minute, remember that some international vacations might actually save you money. Enjoy your travels!