Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II & III • June 27, 2012 (ARA) Anyone who has taken the walk down the aisle and said “I do” knows that your wedding day is one of the happiest days of your life. So why not accompany it with the best vacation of your life? Your honeymoon is not only a great chance to take the trip of a lifetime; it’s also the perfect opportunity to connect to your new spouse through a shared and unforgettable experience. Every couple’s honeymoon plans are as unique as they are. Those looking for romance might choose a secluded beachfront resort, while adventurers might look for a trip that takes them off the beaten path. Let your travel experience be your guide. If you’re taking your first trip together, it might be a good to opt for a low-stress, easyto-plan vacation to an all-inclusive resort. If you have a passport full of stamps, you might want to choose that longed-for, far away destination that gets both you and your spouse excited to hit the trail. No matter where you go and what you choose to do, there are some essential planning tips that apply to any honeymoon. Keep these tips in mind to ensure that your trip of a lifetime is safe, memorable and worry-free. Be smart about booking. Reserving airline tickets and hotel rooms for your honeymoon presents a unique situation. If you are leaving right after the wedding, it’s better to make reservations in the bride’s maiden name, as it can take a number of weeks to process a name change on a passport and your driver’s license. Plan for all circumstances. Even though it’s supposed Tips for planning a safe and healthy honeymoon to be the perfect trip, there is always the potential for mishaps in travel. To give yourself peace of mind - as well as very real protection - consider medical evacuation and travel assistance memberships. Purchased before you depart, affordable memberships like those offered by On Call International can help you with minor and major issues, whether it’s a lost passport, delayed baggage, or an injury. No matter where you are in the world, they can provide assistance, advice and, in the worst case scenario, get you to a safe location and then back home. Do a bit of studying. It’s important to have some background about the place you will be visiting. Knowing things like whether the water is safe to drink, how to greet people and say “thank you” in the local language, and what the most famous local dish is can make your trip more enjoyable. You should also be sure to check requirements for visas, as they vary by country. Check in with your doctor. Depending on where you are going, you might need to take certain medications and get a vaccine or two. Most health care providers offer the services of an international travel clinic, which typically include a consultation about just what kind of treatments you might need. You can also check the Center for Disease Control’s Travelers’ Health website for background information to discuss with your doctor or nurse. Your honeymoon is guaranteed to be one of the most important trips of your life. With a little advance planning and preparation, you can rest assured that it’ll be memorable for all of the right reasons. A token of appreciation for guests is requisite at wedding receptions. Wedding favors enable attendees to walk away from the event with a memento and a small thank you for their participation in this momentous event. Brides- and grooms-to-be have different ideas when it comes to wedding favors. Guests have their own opinions, too. As customs and trends change, so do the options in wedding favors. In the past, wedding favors were not much different from the items offered today, and not every guest was privy to a take-home trinket. In the 16th century, wedding favors were a sign of extravagance and showed off the family’s wealth to the guests. Only rich and prominent people during those times could afford and provide sophisticated gifts to their guests. Some favors symbolized luck, and sharing them with guests ensured good luck to all. Almonds were common favors because they symbolized fertility, health, happiness, wealth, and longevity. Bonbonnieres were once a popular wedding favor. A bonbonniere is a small, decorative box made of porcelain, crystal, or gold. It is embellished with colorful and precious gems. The box houses a sweet delicacy, often called a bonbon. In modern times, many couples are returning to the tradition of giving bonbonnieres or other edible favors as their wedding celebration thank-yous. Edible favors are often economical, and guests tend to appreciate them. Edible gifts can be as varied as a person desires. Candycoated almonds are still popular, but many couples have expanded their choices and have created new trends in favors. For those couples seeking a unique edible favor for the wedding, here are some suggestions. Edible wedding favors make a fine choice Cake or brownie pops: Food on a stick has long been a favorite of many, but the concept has been taken to new heights with the creation of cake pops. These are small balls of cake or brownie that are made from cake crumbs and frosting. The balls are covered in candy melts or chocolate and served on a stick. Chocolate artists can transform ordinary cake pops into works of art with intricate piping designs on the hard, outer shell. Clear cello bags and decorative ribbon may be all that’s necessary for a classic wrapping. Cookies: Pastry arts continue to be popular favors for any occasion. Many bakeries offer intricately designed and decorated cookies that can pertain to any theme. Think about a wedding couple or a set of rings as the cookie of choice for a wedding favor. Most cookies last two to three weeks, so they can be purchased in advance. Petit fours: These bite-sized pastries lend themselves well to wedding favors. They can easily be paired and put in small boxes as take-home treats. Some bakeries create petit fours on demand. Chocolate: Gourmet chocolate remains a popular edible favor. Choose among truffles, caramels, chocolatecovered pretzels, or any favorite treat. Depending on the chocolatier, favors may come pre-boxed and wrapped. Seasonal treats: If a wedding coincides with a particular season or holiday, favors can be coordinated. Think caramel-covered apples for fall parties, chocolate bunnies for spring events, spiced cake bars for the winter holidays, or lemon tarts for summer weddings. Wedding favors have been a part of wedding ceremonies for centuries. Edible gifts are thoughtful and flavorful mementos of the wedding day.