Elopement Monarch Beach Resort (now Waldorf Astoria)
……..and then elopements became a thing in 2020. Can’t blame the couples, for some changing dates 2-4 times, dealing with guests who were overwhelming them with questions they could not answer, stress, stress, stress, so instead, have just the two of you, make it special, and really, isn’t that what it should be!!
There were more of us than them, lol, Wendy/Harpist, Frank Salas Photographer, Kevin/Luxury Lifestyle Studio for the video, Jeffrey Alan Holmes/Officiating, Bouquet/bout by Elegant by Design, me, and Eileen and the F&B Director from the hotel, as in June when these weddings were happening there was no such thing as banquet staff scheduled.
They had a lovely ceremony, i helped the bride finish dressing after Design Visage finished her hair and makeup, then drove her down to the ceremony in my car. After a lovely ceremony at Botanical Lawn, Frank took them for a walk through the hotel grounds/staircases getting great pics, and they ended up at a sunset view table at Bourbon Steak House for a delicious dinner, then off to their suite where they had a lovely few nights. Sounds just perfect, right!!! After the wedding the groom had me go back and use a compass to get the exact spot they were standing at so he could have them inscribed on a bracelet he was going to gift her!! Let’s all say awwwwwwww
Till next time
Lisa
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
instagram lisasimpsonweddings
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
Add a comment January 16, 2021
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Turks and Caicos wedding/vacay/honeymoon
This is what the water looks like in Turks and Caicos and this is at the beach at the Beaches Resort (Sandals group but for families)!! A huge resort, so much to do/experience here that you never need to leave the resort.
This was the view from our one bedroom suite on our last trip, it was at one end of the resort and very quiet/relaxing, we would pop down to the closest pool for a swim/get a drink from the swim up bar (even though lots of alcohol in our room, lol) and get food from the food stalls/restaurant right in that area, then back to our balcony/room to enjoy until we would leave to go to dinner elsewhere on property.
My fave restaurant for breakfast and with views like this, do you blame me!!
Whether you are a couple alone, with a group, a family needing multi beds in a hotel room style accommodation, or even a multi family group needing multi bedrooms/own plunge pool/living room, yard etc (as the above picture shows – these are at the opposite end of the resort from where i stayed on this trip) this resort has it for you. Quiet areas/no kids, busy areas, kids water park and Mac N Cheese food truck, so much for everyone, oh and the Sesame Street Characters if that does it for your kids. A resort for all.
So many restaurant options. When you are a couple on your own you normally get a table for two, the fun part of the restaurant above is that you have to sit with others so you get a bit of interaction with others for a change, lol
If a pool cabana is your thing, then whether a couple alone, or a family cabana as shown above, your butler can make it happen and keep you going with food/beverage all day, you just relax, get in the pool/get out of the pool, relax – that’s your job!!
Lot’s of lovely places to read a book and see that beautiful ocean from.
So, if you would like a destination wedding to the Caribbean but there are guests younger than 16, so Sandals Resorts won’t work, then the Beaches Resorts (part of the Sandals family), this one in Turks & Caicos, and 2 in Jamaica, would be perfect for you. The range of accommodations at the resorts are huge, so people can pick their style/budget to stay 3 nights or more to attend the wedding and vacay also, how perfect is that. If it’s just the two of you and you prefer a larger resort with lots going on, then we can do your destination wedding/elopment or honeymoon or vacation too! Let me get you here
Till next time
Lisa
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
insta lisasimpsonweddings
714 305 7112
Add a comment January 10, 2021
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First Ritz-Carlton Laguna micro/covid wedding
Well mid June it was time to get back in the saddle. Couples wanted to get married and were willing to drop guests/do everything outside, whatever it took. So this wedding was for all of us the first hotel wedding we would did not thinking there would be many. It was all about the masks and social distancing, something we found hard to do in the beginning but now so easy, sad to say!
Thanks to Joe Latter for the photos, Elegant by Design for the beautiful tropical florals, Wendy/harpist for the ceremony/cocktail music and Peter/Vive Ent for the dinner music, Design Visage for beautifying the ladies, and to White Flite for the dove release that we managed to keep a secret from the bride, yayyyy, and Alan Katz for officiating and providing/issuing the marriage license-that became a thing a lot of my couples had him do this crazy season as getting appointments when the registrar/recorder office was open was impossible, and of course to the ladies and gentlemen at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna, it was soooo good to be back after three months of being away especially when we should have been hot and heavy with weddings by this time. Little did we know the things we would be doing from here on out in 2020 to ensure guests, vendors, staff were all safe. Note the food behind screens that were handed to the guests by a gloved server!! And little did we realise that where dining under the stars that used to be maybe once a year would become the norm!!
Till next time
Lisa
insta lisasimpsonweddings
lisa@lisasimpsonweddingcelebrations.com
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
Add a comment December 19, 2020
Tags: covid wedding, destination wedding, destination wedding planner, lisa simpson wedding, lisa simpson wedding celebrations, lisa simpson wedding co-ordinator, lisa simpson wedding coordinator, lisa simpson wedding planner, lisa simpson wedding planning, lisa simpson weddings, micro, OC wedding, Oc wedding co-ordinator, OC wedding planner, ocean view wedding ritz carlton laguna, orange county ca wedding planner, Orange county wedding planner, orange county wedding planners, ritz carlton dana point wedding, ritz carlton dana point wedding planner, Ritz Carlton Dana Point weddings, Ritz Carlton Laguna ceremony, ritz carlton laguna niguel sunset terrace, ritz carlton laguna niguel weddings, ritz carlton laguna preferred wedding planner, ritz carlton laguna wedding, ritz carlton laguna wedding planner, Ritz Carlton Laguna Wedding Receptions, Ritz Carlton Laguna weddings, ritz carlton wedding, ritz carlton wedding planner, Ritz Laguna wedding planner, Ritz Laguna weddings, Ritz-Carlton Laguna, Ritz-Carlton weddings, s ca ritz carlton wedding, S Ca wedding, S.CA wedding planner, wedding, wedding planner, weddings
Have a Caribbean wedding
Well i am happy to report that you don’t have to give up your dream wedding vision for either just the two of you or an intimate group, or a large group, due to your original plan being dashed by covid rules/concerns that don’t seem to be getting under control. Come to either the Sandals or Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean
It’s never been safer to fly i feel with everyone wiping everything down/masks etc, and the Caribbean Islands have done an excellent job of keeping covid down and the resorts also. Sandals & Beaches have a huge protocol of cleanliness program which everyone i have sent down since June have said, how safe they felt and free of fear.
These pics are a range of weddings i have seen set up when i have been on property or been a part of, so you can see the sky is the limit as to what is right for you!
Let’s do it, still time for the end of 2020 if you want to elope or have a small group, or let’s get you booked for 2021 and get the rest of your lives started sooner than later xoxoxox
Till next time
Lisa
insta lisasimpsonweddings
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
Add a comment December 18, 2020
Tags: caribbean destination wedding, caribbean sandals destination wedding, caribbean sandals resort, caribbean sandals resort wedding, caribbean sandals resorts, caribbean sandals wedding, Carribean Sandals resort, certified sandals specialist, destination wedding, destination wedding planner, Destination Weddings, lisa simpson wedding, lisa simpson wedding celebrations, lisa simpson wedding co-ordinator, lisa simpson wedding coordinator, lisa simpson wedding planner, lisa simpson wedding planning, lisa simpson weddings, sandals all inclusive resorts, sandals antigua, sandals antigua honeymoon, sandals antigua wedding, sandals bahamas, sandals barbados, sandals caribbean destination wedding, sandals destination wedding, sandals destinaton wedding, sandals expert, sandals grenada, sandals honeymoon, sandals jamaica, sandals resort, sandals resorts, sandals resorts in the caribbean, sandals specialist, sandals st lucia, sandals wedding planner, wedding, wedding planner, weddings
First wedding after Stay at home/Memorial weekend
Well to think of the journey i have been on since this wedding at the end of May when we really had no idea how long Coronavirus would be around, that wearing masks and social distancing would become a way of life not just something we were doing for a short while. Wow!! The weddings that followed that we were on their 2nd and 3rd dates and the redoing of timelines and reconfirming vendors over and over, keeping the couple’s positive, and for most of 2020 seemed to be doing a lot of work for free as we were paid earlier in the year when the weddings would have been happening. Sooooo crazy!!
For this couple their wedding was always to be on this date, but the original plan was around 200 people/mostly friends for a ceremony with an ocean view and a rip roaring party to follow at Laguna Cliffs Marriott. By the middle of April we had to make a decision, move the wedding later in the year or to the same sunday in 2021, so the latter happened, but they still wanted to actually get married on this date in 2020. So the first backyard wedding i have done in probably 18 years happened.
They are both Doctors so were very much on alert about people being safe, even their elderly parents were not allowed to come but could watch on the live streaming that we had going, as well as a friend who setup a zoom call which was screened on the side of the house, pretty awesome. Their closest friends/about 10 were at the house (I had done the wedding of one of the couples so it was soooo great to see them again). Everything was done outside in their intimate yard, never ever planned to have a wedding in, but it totally worked out great.
They are very casual, their lives revolve around really good food, so we started things out by them driving together to a park close by for some nice pics by Miki & Sonja, with Elysium Video along covering things. Then back to the house for the ceremony, some snacks after, and the dinner, delivered by moi, In N Out Burgers for all!!!!
Elegant by Design did the florals, i got on my hands and knees and made the heart on the ground, pushed the ceremony music and put food out, poured drinks, bussed and then left when it was time for them to just relax and enjoy some good alcohol. Certainly things that i normally don’t do at weddings, but welcome to 2020!!
As the groom and i said as I left, it may have just ended up being better than Plan A, and in fact i think it did, as as 2020 has gone along, we cancelled 2021 at the hotel. It didn’t seem necessary anymore!!
Congrats Jonathan and Tammy, it was a joy working with you both from beginning to the yard!!!
Till next time
Lisa
insta lisasimpsonweddings
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
Add a comment December 17, 2020
Tags: 2020wedding, covid wedding, lisa simpson wedding, lisa simpson wedding celebrations, lisa simpson wedding co-ordinator, lisa simpson wedding coordinator, lisa simpson wedding planner, lisa simpson wedding planning, lisa simpson weddings, microwedding, OC wedding, Oc wedding co-ordinator, OC wedding planner, orange county ca wedding planner, Orange county wedding planner, orange county wedding planners, S Ca wedding, S.CA wedding planner, wedding, wedding planner, weddings
Yikes!!!!!
I knew i had not blogged for a bit and as 2020 has not been as busy as normal/not in the slightest lol, i thought it was only a couple of months i was behind, but nope, just looked and my last blog was July and as the last wedding i had photographer photos from was in March/3 days prior to the previous shelter in place (in another now) so many of the recent blogs were on Sandals Resorts for honeymoons/vacations and destination weddings, as well as other locations around the world for a destination wedding , oh dear!!!
So, in case you thought, maybe she isnt doing weddings anymore, wrongggggggggggggggggg
I have actually done 25 weddings since June 19. Some were couple only/elopements, some were 20 people or less, some were as many as 100 people when we could do that, some were in backyards of homes, some we changed dates two times before it happened and with some their venues did not reopen and we changed locations or for some, we cancelled out of where they were booked to a better venue for less guests and a really wonderful intimate celebration, and some were at my normal wonderful hotels and venues, where we all ensured the events were setup/happened ‘covid’ safe. Some couples had guests tested for covid 1-2 times prior the week of the wedding, some we took temperatures before guests could enter the ceremony area. Last sunday’s wedding we changed the timeline 4 times 24 hours prior based on a shelter at home mandate happening where the start time was not clear until around 16 hours prior!!! It’s been a roller coaster for sure, but we rode it together, couples got married and that is really what is was about, and i have to say it, i feel that some of them ended up with a way more special/wonderful celebration than what the original plan was.
I actually did have some down time in Oct/Nov so i headed to Hawaii and spent a month there, working on timelines/emails, I did pop back for 4 days to do a wedding at the Ritz then went right on back to my happy place, and ended up doing an elopement there too!!
Now being in a shelter in place (2 tastings, 2 floral sample meetings and a venue walk through, all cancelled for this past week) i have been able to get caught up again, and will now get the blog caught up again showing weddings mixed in with Sandals Resorts (which i have sold for the past 15 years), because we do all need a vacation or honeymoon, and for some who are tired of the roller coaster and just want to get married, let’s go to the Caribbean where you can go alone or with a small group and have a safe wonderful celebration.
You can also check my instagram, i post something everyday, so you will see my current weddings on there, as well as Sandals Resorts & weddings, and sayings/things of interest/tickled me, also.
Till next time
Lisa
insta lisasimpsonweddings
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
Add a comment December 12, 2020
Jamaica All Butler Sandals Resort
I LOVE this resort. Everyone has a butler, it has a beautiful boutique, quiet feel, all rooms have ocean views, and you can go to the other Sandals & Beaches Resorts in the same area and hang out/eat/enjoy the amenities, where they can not come to your resort!!!
There is also a Villa with a private chef/private pool etc that you never need to leave if you prefer!!!
Let’s do your Destination Wedding here, just the two of you or a group, I can help you, or vacation/honeymoon/babymoon, whatever you are wanting, I can help make it happen!
Till next time
Lisa
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
714 305 7112
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
catch me on insta @lisasimpsonweddings
Add a comment July 10, 2020
Tags: allinclusive honeymoon, allinclusive vacation, caribbean all inclusive resorts, caribbean babymoon, caribbean destination wedding, caribbean destination wedding planner, Caribbean destination weddings, caribbean honeymoon, caribbean vacation, caribbean wedding, Carribean Sandals resort, destination wedding, destination wedding in caribbean, destination wedding in jamaica, destination wedding planner, Destination Weddings, jamaica destination wedding, jamaica honeymoon, jamaica vacation, sandals all inclusive resorts, sandals honeymoon, sandals jamaica, sandals resorts, sandals resorts in the caribbean
Sandals Montego Bay Jamaica
Well today seems like a great day to post about this property, as one of my couples just arrived there today for their babymoon and will get to enjoy their swim out room and this resort that is like new, as well as the Royal Caribbean just down the road. Above is the lobby. When i first visited this resort in 2005 this was the entertainment room and the ceiling was like a puffy circus tent and it was, well, kind of cheesy!! This was the original Sandals Resort and it was definitely tired. Since then i came back in 2016/17 and got to see the change starting and in 18/19 to see it now complete. The entertainment room is now the lobby and the first thing you see when you walk in is the beautiful blue ocean through the other side and it just draws you in. The resort is now hip/cool and a great spot to hang/vacay and there are fun things to do in Montego Bay area if you want to leave the resort!
this area is right through that lobby door, a great seating area to have a mocktail or cocktail and look at that ocean and enjoy the sea breeze.
this was my room on my last stay and the view looking down the path back towards the lobby/restaurant/main action area.
One of the swim out butler rooms with ocean view, and there is now a new block with swim out rooms with garden surrounds, a great use of a back block of rooms that will now make them very wanted!!
This is a bar surrounded by a pool with a mini lazy river, very relaxing with that cocktail in hand, yes i did!!
And guess what, right now all rooms at Montego Bay get a private transfer in a luxury vehicle, no idea for how long, but for new bookings, so call/email/text/dm, whatever you need to do, let’s get you there, most of the world is closed to American’s now and for who knows how long, so if you are looking to vacay, honeymoon or even if you wedding plans were ruined due to Covid, lets get the two of you there or a small or large group of you and do the wedding right here!!
Till next time
Lisa
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
catch me on insta a post a day @lisasimpsonweddings
714 305 7112
Add a comment July 3, 2020
Tags: Beaches Resorts/caribbean, caribbean destination wedding, caribbean destination wedding planner, Caribbean destination weddings, caribbean honeymoon, caribbean vacation, caribbean wedding, certified sandals specialist, destination wedding, destination wedding caribbean, destination wedding in caribbean, destination wedding in jamaica, destination wedding planner, Destination Weddings, honeymoon in the caribbean, jamaica destination wedding, jamaica honeymoon, jamaica vacation, sandals all inclusive resorts, sandals honeymoon, sandals jamaica, sandals jamaica wedding, sandals resorts, sandals resorts in the caribbean, sandals wedding planner
Sandals Bahamas
I have been to the Bahamas around 10 times, and spent two of those trips right here at Sandals, minutes from downtown Nassau. Its a lovely property with a private island, where i spend most of my time, reading/hanging out/relaxing/swimming/massaging!
Can you see why i like the private island, the pics above from the boat to here are all there, no one in sight, so calm
This was the view from my last room, above and below, looking at the pool for the action and then pivot to the right and it was all ocean looking over to the private island
On my last trip i did a duo, spent some time in Nassau and then flew to Exuma and spent time at the Sandals there, so relaxing and the water is amazing. If you are a golfer, this is a bucket list trip as you are playing right along the ocean so spectacular views while playing and of course a Jack Nicolas course
It was a bit stormy while there but the water was still beautiful blue
Meanwhile back in Nassau…. above and below
With certain butler rooms at Sandals Nassau/Royal, you get picked up at the airport and taken back in a Bentley or fancy Mercedes, that’s the way to arrive in style and not be too sad about leaving, right!
Let me get you there
Till next time
Lisa
714 305 7112
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
catch me on insta @lisasimpsonweddings
Add a comment June 23, 2020
Tags: allinclusive honeymoon, allinclusive vacation, Bahama wedding, bahamas destination wedding, bahamas honeymoon, bahamas vacation, Bahamas weddings, caribbean destination wedding, caribbean destination wedding planner, Caribbean destination weddings, caribbean honeymoon, caribbean vacation, caribbean wedding, Carribean Sandals resort, destination wedding, destination wedding in bahamas, destination wedding in caribbean, destination wedding planner, Destination wedding to the Bahamas, Destination Weddings, exuma allinclusive resort, exuma destination wedding, exuma honeymoon, exuma sandals, exuma vacation, honeymoon, honeymoon in the caribbean, nassau destination wedding, nassau honeymoom, nassau vacation, sandals all inclusive resorts, sandals expert, sandals exuma, sandals resorts, vacation, Wedding in the Bahamas
Southcoast Sandals/Jamaica
I first visited this resort right as it was opening, and loved it. Quiet/spread out, all rooms have a view of the water!! Had not been back, so it was long overdue.
The first overwater bar Sandals had and a great spot to have a drink it was!! And one of the signature large Sandals pools, it was nearly empty every time i enjoyed it.
I was there as they were breaking ground for the overwaters, very exciting. If you are looking for calm/relaxing and more beach than you could use, this is the resort for you!
Till next time
Lisa
714 305 7112
lisa@lisasimpsonweddings.com
http://www.lisasimpsonweddings.com
catch me on insta @lisasimpsonweddings
Add a comment June 23, 2020
Tags: allinclusive honeymoon, allinclusive vacation, caribbean destination wedding, caribbean destination wedding planner, Caribbean destination weddings, caribbean honeymoon, caribbean vacation, caribbean wedding, Carribean Sandals resort, destination wedding, destination wedding in jamaica, destination wedding planner, Destination Weddings, honeymoon, honeymoon in jamaica, honeymoon in the caribbean, honeymoon jamaica, jamaica destination wedding, jamaica honeymoon, jamaica vacation, sandals all inclusive resorts, sandals honeymoon, sandals jamaica, sandals jamaica destination wedding, sandals jamaica honeymoon, sandals jamaica vacation, sandals resorts, sandals southcoast jamaica, sandals wedding planner, vacation, vacation in jamaica
