The LEGO Love Boat

Princess Cruises is probably one of the most famous brand of cruise ships around. If you don't know Princess then chances are really good you know it's alter ego The Love Boat.

The 1970's hit television show Love Boat sparked a renewed interest in cruising that is still going strong. Maybe it's my age; but this morning I was pleased to discover an article on World Tourism News that brought back fond childhood memories.

Australian native Ryan McNaught has built a replica of the original Love Boat out of LEGO. It measures 10.5 feet long and nearly 5 feet high. It's made from more than 250,000 LEGO bricks. This massive LEGO creation took 6 months to construct. One side of the ship duplicates the exterior. The other side is an open concept that displays the ships interior; complete with tiny LEGO versions of the shows cast. The only thing this LEGO ship is missing is a tiny little bride and groom. The Love Boat isn't only a place to find love. Princess Cruises have wedding packages too.

To view this ship visit McNaughts Flickr page which also includes examples of his other LEGO creations. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryanmcnaught

If you are interested in experiencing a bigger version of the Love Boat; Princess Cruises is holding a special three day sale which includes savings up to $1,000 per person, free balcony upgrades and up to $100 cash back on Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises. The sale ends January 21, 2011. Feel free to contact me for details on this sale.

The Goring Hotel for your own Royal Wedding or Honeymoon

Last year was a year of celebration for The Goring Hotel in London, England. Last March marked 100 years since the Goring family opened the doors of this famed hotel. It's been run by the Goring family ever since.

The celebrations of it's 100th birthday might be over; but the reasons to celebrate are still going strong. It's rumored that the Royal family has rented out the entire hotel for the exclusive use of guests attending Prince Williams and Kate Middleton's wedding. Now I don't know if this is true. I'm certainly not going to turn this blog into a gossip column so unless someone from the Royal family telephones me directly to tell me this news I'm keeping it in the rumour pile.

What isn't rumoured is that The Goring Hotel will have something to celebrate this year beyond a Royal Wedding. Jeremy Goring has commissioned well known designer Russell Sage to convert the entire 5th floor of his hotel into one giant suite. This suite will be named the Royal Suite

The new suite will consist of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a drawing room, and a study/dining room which will hold a baby grand piano. It's expected that Sage's design will stay true to his previous work for The Goring Hotel in that it will be contemporary with rich historical influences. Sage will design each piece of furniture himself using British craftsmen to construct them. Gainsborough silk will be used on the walls, as well as hand-painted wallpaper from Fromenthal. The smallest room; nicknamed the Throne Room will be completely lined in silk.

The new Royal Suite will be available for rental to the public in May, 2011.  It's also good to note that the Goring Hotel is a Virtuoso property so guests booking through a Virtuoso travel adviser receive extra benefits. If you are looking for old world charm The Goring is a wonderful place to host a wedding.

Dream Destinastion Wedding Planning Contest

One lucky couple will win full destination wedding planning services from Mindless Sophistication Events.

E-mail info@mindlessSophistication.com and tell us about your dream destination wedding. Put "Destination Wedding Planner Contest" in the subject line.

The winner will be picked at random. The winner will be announced on January 28, 2011 on Twitter and Facebook.

Twitter

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*Conditions apply: Travel must be booked through our exclusive travel partner. The winner must be from an area where it is legal to hold this contest and be legally allowed to book travel with a Canadian based travel company. We will determine if travel booking is allowed before announcing the winner. This prize is for planning services ONLY.

Not Just Wedding Planners; We're Virtuoso Travel Advisers Too

I'm really excited to announce to everyone that Mindless Sophistication Events has joined forces with Vision 2000 Travel Group which is one of the top five Virtuoso member travel agencies in the world. So as well as planning weddings we now have the ability to book travel. This will make the entire process of planning a destination wedding easier for our clients.

If you don't know what Virtuoso is let me tell you. They are an invitation only travel designation that is granted to only the top travel companies. 1% of travel agencies in the world have been invited to join and since Vision 2000 is in the top 5 of that top 1% I don't have to tell you that means they are the best of the best.

Clients who book travel will receive extra benefits at some of the VERY best luxury properties, cruise lines, airlines, etc. around the world. Through Virtuoso and Vision 2000 clients will now have access to luxury products that other travel advisers can't offer. A great example is that only Virtuoso advisers have access to selling Virgin Galactic flights. Could you imagine a vow renewal in space?

I'm still planning weddings both locally and internationally through my own company Mindless Sophistication Events and am looking forward to offering this new service to my planning clients; but am not limited travel booking to only Mindless Sophistication Events Clients. I am looking forward to working with other wedding planners to them book their clients travel. This is a win, win situation since we all speak the same wedding planner language. I'm backed up by an amazing team of travel professionals to help me serve all our clients.

Additionally, Vision 2000 has some great value added incentives that they offer clients; such as a free custom wedding web site with an online wedding registry. Couples booking their honeymoon without having a destination wedding receive a registry as well. Feel free to ask me about the complete list of value added benefits that Vision 2000 offers wedding couples and groups. I really believe that when it comes to destination wedding clients it's important to work with a travel adviser who can not only service the clients travel needs; but also understands the wedding industry. I hope that you all agree.

Vision 2000 has also supplied me with an online travel booking web site for general travel purposes. Feel free to check it out at Vision 2000 Travel Group - My Site and/or drop me a line. I look forward to sharing this new travel adventure with everyone.

Are You Planning To Propose Marriage?

Engagement Photo by ©Jenny Rollo

Traditionally December has been a time when people celebrate holidays and everything else that is good in their lives. So what better time of year then to surprise your beloved with a marriage proposal? Between the December holidays and Valentines Day is traditionally the busiest time of year for proposing marriage. If you're thinking of taking this step, here are some tips to help get you started.

1. Don't get overwhelmed by focusing on making this the most romantic, most special, life altering moment of your soon fiance's life. If you set an impossible goal it leaves to much room for things to go wrong. Chances are she'll be happy no matter what.

2. Talk about marriage before you propose so you know she's open to the idea. Surprises are great; but for example, if you've only known her a month there is a good chance she'll think you're moving to fast.

3. If you plan to ask her to sign a prenuptial agreement find out if she's willing to sign one before you propose. Don't waste a proposal on someone who doesn't want to protect you or herself in the case things go wrong. There is nothing worse then waiting until it's to late to find out she won't sign. It is also less threatening to discuss it before the engagement.

4. Have a plan for how you will propose. It doesn't have to be a fancy plan; but decide where you will do it, what you will say, etc.

5. If you plan to buy a ring take a friend or relative along who knows her really well. They can help you choose something she would like.

6. Don't play around with guessing her ring size or measuring her finger when she's asleep. Borrow a ring you know fits; but she never wears and bring it with you to the store. It won't take long for them to determine the size. You can return it immediately without her noticing.

7. If the thought of planning a proposal makes you anxious hire a professional. Some wedding planners also offer proposal planning. Another benefit to this is that when the time comes to plan the wedding you already know if you "click" with that wedding planner or if you should keep looking.

8. I know this sounds old fashioned; but out of respect for the parents consider asking the fathers permission. If you are really modern you might want to ask permission from both parents.

9. If romance isn't your thing consider proposing on a weekend getaway or vacation. Sometimes a change of scenery is all that is needed to make something feel special and/or romantic.

10. However you choose to propose; have fun with it and consider her personality. This shouldn't be a scary time. This is a happy time so focus on the happiness.

The Cutest Muppet Wedding Proposal

As an event planner who also plans marriage proposals I wish I could take credit for this amazingly touching Muppet inspired wedding proposal; but it was created by photographer Sid Ceaser (that's his real name) for his now fiance, Sara. I love this kind of creativity.

On December 12, 2010 Sara was sitting in a movie theater in New Hampshire. After watching two trailers this touching video marriage proposal came on the screen. As the Muppet Sid pulled out the ring to propose to Muppet Sara the real Sid did the same. Both Muppet and real Sara said yes.

Our New Web site

We've been going through a complete re-branding as you can see by the changes in how the blog looks.

The new re-branded web site is up. Please take a look. The new web site.

We've also hosting a Bridaluxe store where you can get everything from free wedding web sites, invitations, bling, etc. Pretty much anything you need to purchase to make your wedding a success you can find in this online marketplace. Bridaluxe hosts American companies so shipping might be an issue with some products. Companies like MyUs.com can help you with that

Feel free to visit the Bridaluxe store.