Destination: Tacoma

Tacoma skyline, Tacoma Dome in background. Photo: Shawn Granton

Recently we found ourselves in Tacoma, Washington, a city about 2 1/2 hours north of Portland and just south of Seattle. Tacoma has had a reputation in the past of being a place that you skip over on your way to Seattle or Portland. But that perception has been changing over the last decade or so. We spent a day here to check out what’s going on, thoroughly enjoying ourselves while keeping an eye out for meeting spaces.

We decided to spend the night at Hotel Murano, conveniently located in the heart of downtown and adjacent to the Tacoma Link Light Rail which connects downtown to the Tacoma Dome. (Alas, we didn’t have a chance to ride the streetcar on this trip. Next time!) The Murano is a boutique hotel with an impressive view of the city. It’s named after Murano Island off the coast from Venice, Italy, an island considered to be the center of Old World glass art. That name is significant, as Tacoma is now a New World center of glass art, with the nearby Museum of Glass just a few blocks from the hotel. The Hotel Murano features glass art throughout, with a different featured artist on each of its floors.

tacoma-museum-of-glass-events
photo via https://www.museumofglass.org/private-events

Hotel Murano is not just a great place to stay, but it’s a great space to have an event! Their 30,000 square foot flexible use space can host corporate events, executive retreats, association meetings and leadership seminars.

Continue reading “Destination: Tacoma”

{Destination Weddings 101} Traveling with a wedding gown

Destination-weddings-hawaii-oregonPhoto by Ewen Roberts

Although the bulk of outdoor Oregon weddings have not yet begun, winter lovebirds are still heading out to beachy climates to get married. The question of how to pack your wedding gown comes up a lot!

Always check with your airline first for specific packing restrictions.  Here are some tips from one of our gown specialists: 

"You will not be able to use the standard length bridal gown bag as carry on luggage. It is too long, and too easily torn. Place your gown inside an FAA-approved garment bag instead. For instance, US Airways states that wedding gowns must be in garment bags no longer than 54" long. You are then expected to fold that bag in half to fit it into the overhead compartment. If you are lucky, the flight attendant might allow you to hang the garment bag in the first class closet (cross your fingers that your flight attendant has a soft spot for brides). But don't count on it.

It is not only your wedding gown that you should make plans for – your accessories are also very important. Pack your shoes, headpiece/veil/or tiara, and other accoutrements into a carry-on bag. With all the limitations these days, you may have to ask your partner to take your bag as their one carry-on item (remember, you also have the garment bag). Another option is to pack your gown and accessories together into one carry-on bag. I know it is terrible to think of cramming your beloved dress into a tiny bag, but you will need to have it professionally pressed when you arrive at your destination anyway. Be sure to keep your wedding jewelry in your purse."

If you have a wedding planner or coordinator, you could ask them to make arrangements to have your gown pressed or steamed (the seamstress will look at each item's fabric type, and decide the best way).  In Portland, we do this through our partners at The Bridal Loft. If you are heading straight to your wedding location from the airport, your destination wedding planner or coordinator should offer the service of meeting you on your arrival day at the airport and getting the bridal gown, bridesmaids gowns, tuxedos or suits from you at that time and taking them to be pressed or steamed.

 

Honeymoon Primer for 2013 { Guest Post by MoonRings Honeymoons }

Today's guest post was generously contributed by Miriam Geiser at MoonRings Honeymoons. On top of everything else you have to plan, can you believe that many of you brides and grooms are having to plan a honeymoon trip as well? Miriam provides a great primer to get you started thinking about it.

Rosewood-mayakoba-destination-wedding-mexico
Image courtesy Rosewood Mayakoba

{ Read related articles from The Portland Wedding Coordinator on honeymoons
and destination weddings: In the US, in Mexico. }

Honeymoon Primer – by Miriam Geiser and the MoonRings Team
 
With 2013 well underway, no doubt you are diving headfirst into your wedding plans!  It’s also time to get your honeymoon plans in place.  To help, here is a simple “Honeymoon Primer” so you can begin thinking about the essential elements of planning your honeymoon.
 
Where:  Great honeymoon destinations during peak wedding season (May – Oct) include Europe, Hawaii, French Polynesia, Africa, SE Asia (May – July) and Australia (Aug – Oct).  Remember, the Caribbean and Mexico are in hurricane season from July – October, so you need to have proper expectations about weather risks.
 
When:  Start now!  Popular summer honeymoon destinations such as Europe, French Polynesia and Hawaii book up far in advance, and air fares aren’t likely to drop, so it’s best to book soon.  The Caribbean and Mexico will be busy through April, but then availability will be more open.  While some couples may wait for last-minute deals, this strategy can be risky.
 
Fit:  When it comes to your wedding, you know how important it is that your arrangements reflect who you are.  Same with a honeymoon – the destination, accommodations and available activities need to fit your interests, preferences and budget.  Think carefully about fit before making plans – more than anything this makes a significant difference in your overall happiness on your honeymoon.   
 
How:   For budget-oriented couples, Internet travel agencies offer a range of lower-cost options, as long as you are willing to do your own research.  If you are a “Do-It-Yourselfer”, you will likely feel comfortable contacting hotels directly, booking flights and researching activities.  For those who are too busy or value guidance and creativity, a travel professional is the way to go.  Such tailored recommendations and the possibility to find better value can definitely improve the quality of your honeymoon experience.
 
No matter what, the best advice is to start working on your honeymoon as far in advance as possible.  This ensures best availability, best rates, and a stress-free planning process!