Travel Tidbits-Weddings and Honeymoonsby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 26 Apr 2007 08:05 PM The upcoming wedding season certainly isn't lost on the travel industry... especially those who work in hotel marketing. By now I'm sure you have either heard of (or attended, or had) a destination wedding. You know, it's when a couple decides to fly off to some sunny locale to get hitched. Destinations weddings with all the bells and whistles are huge these days, but here's a hotel package that you may not be familiar with: the elopement package. If you are interested in walking down the aisle without hundreds of guests watching you do so, consider heading to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Inn of the Five Graces recently created a spur-of-the moment I-do package designed specifically for couples that don't want the hassle of planning an elaborate affair. The package features a Native American blanket ceremony where the bride and groom start out draped in separate blankets and end up with one wrapped around them. (They get the blanket, with their names and wedding date on it, as a keepsake.) Another version of the package includes a butterfly release at the end of the ceremony. GIFT REGISTRY Can you remember the last time you weren't invited to a June wedding? Whether it is a destination wedding or one that's taking place in your own hometown, there's really no way to get out of getting the bride and groom a wedding gift (at least according to Martha Stewart). Surveys show that frequent-flyer gift registries are really taking off. In fact, Northwest Airlines just announced it's joining several other major commercial airlines in providing gift registries. It's a great way to give travel as a present. Airlines say the registry program is aimed at people making travel plans to celebrate a special occasion, such as weddings, graduations, and anniversaries. With Northwest's program, frequent-flyers open a registry account and family and friends can contribute $25 or more by credit card. UNIQUE HONEYMOON I've heard of couples who have danced to Dolly Parton tunes at their wedding receptions, but I don't know too many (okay, I don't know of any) who have opted to spend their honeymoons at the singer's Tennessee theme park. But according to Dollywood managers, the addition of a new $17.5 million roller coaster has spurred a spike in guests. The "Mystery Mine" coaster at the park in Pigeon Forge has been featured in a number of amusement park publications. The buzz around the new 1,811-foot steel coaster, which features amazing special effects of an abandoned mine, plus a vertical climb, straight-down descent at 55 mph, a "heart-line roll" and a "rollover loop" is what's reportedly enticing roller coaster loving newlyweds to Dollywood. I suppose it makes sense. After all, marriage is filled with ups and downs. Related Articles: Splurging On a Second Honeymoon Hawaii--A Honeymooner's Paradise Travel Tidbits: Lavatories and Lobbies Travel Tidbits-News You Can Use Regarding Jet Lag, Long Security Lines and Frequent Flier Miles Travel Tidbits For Food Lovers, Pet Lovers and Sheet Lovers Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags airlines, honeymoon, New Mexico, Travel, wedding Discuss this article
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