Embarrassing but True

This is incredibly embarrassing, but after being married on 11/24/2007, I just ordered a wedding album last week. Yea, that is awful.

Truthfully, I’ve had it made since we got our photos back, but I was a) procrastinating and b) it sort of felt incomplete, but I wasn't really sure why.

I used MyPublisher, and back when I originally compiled it, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea that I couldn’t use color in my album. I am, after all, a person who loves a lot of color (as you’ll notice when you see our location). Finally, about a year ago, MyPublisher came out with a version in which I could add color. Perfect! So, I changed the album to my liking, and then….well, just sat on it some more.

Last week, I got an email from the folks at MyPublisher saying they were offering an incredible deal. They launched a new album cover type (photo finish), and you could have your very own (wedding) album for $20 with unlimited pages! This was a savings for me of $75 per album! With one for me, and one for my parents, that was a total savings of $150; definitely not chump change!

So, I finally ordered the album, and let me tell you—it was worth the wait! The new cover type is my favorite of the cover options (it has a very professional look), and the bold color came out beautifully (and true to what I expected it to be)! (FYI: this deal is on for one more day (ends tomorrow), so you have time to make your own! Use the coupon code “PHOTO20”. )

And, since I was a horrible blogger, and never got around to showing off more of my wedding pictures, here’s the link to my album instead. Enjoy!

Location: The beautiful Compass Point Beach Resort
Arriving via: The super fun Carnival Fascination (no longer docked in Miami)
Photographer: The absolutely incomparable (seriously) Kristyn Hogan Photography

Day 4--Chillin'

I'm going to bypass day three until we get our professional photos. I have a feeling that I will be able to do a much better job of telling the story with them, and that way, we can avoid repeats. :) In the mean time, here's a little something to hold you over. The beautiful Compass Point in all its glory.

Not many photos from Day 4 because everyone was exhausted from the party the night before. My husband and I didn't even roll out of bed until about noon, and spent most of the rest of the day relaxing by the pool.

In the afternoon, we went to a talent show featuring my SUPER adorable cousins. :) They were fantastic (they are both very talented gymnists) and just FAR too cute. :) I don't feel comfortable posting pictures of children here, but here's a picture of one of our guests who was seriously FREAKED out by Funship Freddie. ;)

After the talent show, we got dressed for dinner and headed to the comedy show which was, truthfully, sub par compared to what we were used to with Carnival, but it was just another opportunity to spend some time with our guests, which we loved.

Other than that, sadly, this is all the pictures we have from day 4. Everyone was nursing hangovers and prepping for their return home.

Day 3 & reviews coming soon.

In the mean time, my husband and I will be finishing out our finals and heading off on our honeymoon in Playa del Carmen. :)

Fascinating....

If I had a dollar for every misconception out there about Carnival and cruising in general, I'd be cruising for a living. ;) Cruising is an extremely affordable and fun way to getaway for a short break! We have had a WONDERFUL time each and every time we've cruised, and although everyone has a friend of a friend of a friend who "had a bad experience with Carnival", absolutely NO ONE I know has had anything but a PERFECT experience--outstanding service, the largest cabins in the industry, and food that is consistantly ranked number 1 in the industry!

Which brings me back to our wedding. :) We are cruising on the Carnival Fascination out of Miami to the Bahamas. This particular cruise is PERFECT for a first-time cruiser (which most of our guests are) to get his or her toes wet--it's short, has a great schedule (Friday to Monday), extremely affordable (ranging from around $200-350, depending on the weekend you choose), and the ship was just completely refurbished and is looking absolutely POSH! :) Cruising is something I will likely discuss often on this blog, but to hold you over until then, here's an introduction to "our wedding ship."

Here she is in all her glory. The Fascination offers a 3-day Bahamas itinerary and a 4-day Western Caribbean Itinerary.

The kid's club--No adults allowed! (except for the care-takers, of course)

The internet cafe! It's INSANELY over-priced, but it looks great, no? ;)

The teen club! UBER posh!

Inside my heaven--the spa! It's overpriced, but they offer fantastic (and somewhat "normally" priced) port-day deals.

The art gallery.

The ship's bistro.

An outside room--featuring an LCD TV and the Carnival Comfort Bed. Trust me--it does NOT disappoint!

Island Outpost

For my very first "real" post, I thought it would be fitting to kill two birds with one stone--tell you a little about my wedding and give you some great travel ideas!

Island Outpost is a group of boutique hotels and resorts owned by music executive, Chris Blackwell. These seven unique hotels in the Bahamas and Jamaica certainly live up to what would be expected of the man that is credited with discovering Bob Marley! You're guaranteed to find romance, seclusion, and of course, the "hippy" vibe!

What does this have to do with my wedding, you ask? We'll, we're taking the plunge at one of these resorts! Read on to learn more!

Goldeneye

What's that? That name sounds familiar? Reminds you of James Bond, perhaps?

That's because this resort is the former home of Ian Flemming, the author of the James Bond series of books. In fact, he is said to have written 17 of the Bond books at this home in rural Jamaica.

The resort is now composed of Flemming's main house in addition to four additional villas. On site you'll find authentic jamaican food, idyllic surroundings, and even a masseause if you so request.

Rates for the villas are definately in the luxury price range ($700-3800/night), but split it with a few friends, and it's much more attainable.

If visiting isn't quite enough for you, you will soon be able to purchase villas on the Goldeneye property. Ranging from $600,000-$3.5 million, the properties are built to please!

Jake's

Rated, "The chicest shack in the Caribbean" by Vogue, arguably, the most unique of the Island Outpost resorts, Jake's lies on the Southern coast of Jamaica. The 13 villas the make up this rural resort offer almost complete seclusion and some of the most incredible views in the Caribbean. Get ready for a completely unique experience!

And beyond the amazing experience, as a great bonus, rates are EXTREMELY reasonable! Ranging from $95 for a one bedroom garden view to $950 for a four bedroom villa, the rooms are SURE to please--most even have their own patio overhanging the sea! Check out the pics!

Strawberry Hill

Set up in the moutains of Jamaica, the 12 cottages that comprise Strawberry Hill are the ultimate in relaxation. An infinity pool, daily yoga, and an Aveda salon add to the calming atmosphere.

Rates range from $395 to $595 nightly and the resort is open April through December. Check out these amazing photos! I get relaxed just looking at them!

Pink Sands

Set on the pink sands beach of Harbour Island in the out islands of the Bahamas, the all-inclusive Pink Sands was rated one of Travel + Leisure's top 100 hotels.

The resort offers both cottages and garden-view rooms. If you're looking for a luxury resort in a unique location, Pink Sands may be the place for you. Rates range from $600-1600 in the off season and $750-2350 in the high season.

The Caves

This luxury all-inclusive resort is set on the cliffs on the west end of Negril, Jamaica. In addition to the 10 luxurious sea-front villas, you'll also find a sea-front jacuzzi, a jacuzzi in a cave, and a salt-water pool.

Rates range from $494 to $1282 nightly.

Compass Point

By now, you may be asking what all of this has to do with my wedding? Well, ::drumroll please:: this is where my fabulous fiance and I will be taking the plunge! :)

Compass Point is a set of sea-front villas about 30 minutes outside of Nassau in the Bahamas. Besides being stunningly beautiful, this unique resort has some very unique history--it also boasts a recording studio where the whos who of the recording industry have recorded! Clients include Jimmy Buffett, Bob Marley, and AC/DC (The Back in Black album was recorded in its entirety here). It's also been listed in 1000 Places to See Before You Die!

My bridesmaids and I will be getting ready in a GORGEOUS elevated sea-front villa, God (weather) willing, we will be married on the beautiful pier, and we will host a cocktail reception on the tiki-torch lit pool deck (we are travelling to the Bahamas by cruise ship, so we will have dinner on the ship, and will host an after-party at a local hot spot!--more about all of this in an upcoming post)

Rates range from $215 for a studio hut in the low season to $500 for a sea-view elevated 2 bedroom hut in the high season.

http://www.islandoutpost.com/

http://www.compasspointbeachresort.com/