When planning your honeymoon vacation, remember to do your research. But, if you’re like most busy brides, let us handle the Google-ing and time it takes to find a good place to visit for you. This week’s destination–Lebanon! Most newlyweds only think to visit commercial hotspots like Hawaii, Europe, and tropical islands, which as a result can end up burning a huge hole in your wallet. Many of these well-known destinations can be pricey without getting the most bang out of your buck. Lebanon offers golden beaches, scenic mountains, urban city landscapes and rural rustic adventures for all types of travelers. Visiting this beautiful Mediterranean country is as affordable as $45 US dollars a day (average daily travel costs), and roundtrip flights can be less than the cost of your floral arrangements!

Whether your honeymoon takes place in the winter or summer, Lebanon’s climate is accommodating. You can have your winter wonderland or experience a “Sex and the City 2″ exotic adventure. In the wintertime, especially around the holiday season, there are Christmas decorations and parades in cities like Beirut.

There are many historic sites you can visit, such as the ruins in Jeitah.

For those looking to test their luck, there are many resorts and casinos to enjoy in Lebanon. The entertainment and night life in Lebanon is thriving

Let’s not forget one of the most important reasons to visit this amazing country–the food! You can feel at home with many of the commercial restaurants and cafes or feel like a local and chow down on delicious Lebanese gourmet.  According to the Ministry of Tourism for Lebanon, some of the traditional cuisines include, “kibbeh (minced lamb, bulgur wheat, onions, pine nuts prepared in different ways), half of a chicken with rice, grilled chicken or lamb on skewers, or fish served with tahini sauce.”

Photography credits: Habeeb.com and Nahid Farhoud.

We especially love how regal and memorable these entrances are for the couple! Can you imagine having your sweetheart table inside that huge throne?

The fusion of Lebanese traditions and pops of color using flowers makes for a unique and eye-catching walkway to the ceremony or reception.

There’s just a touch of an exotic and far away feel when you use draping, flowers, and lighting the way these couples did.

 Celebrations go on for 3 days and simple or grand, a Lebanese wedding isn’t truly Lebanese without a ‘zaffeh’, the act of escorting the bride to her husband, in celebration of their holy marriage. Even the ‘zaffeh’ is a form of entertainment, celebration and dance because, on the third day, the groom is led by a group of dancers, as they play music, sing and dance on their way to the bride’s house.

Entertainment is an essential and important priority in Lebanese weddings. Music and dance are the hallmarks of celebration and fun in Lebanese families and culture.

 A Middle Eastern wedding celebration, is one where the dancer has a special place. Usually a belly dancer or singer will entertain the guests and more luxurious weddings will have more than one entertainer.

As you can clearly see, the Lebanese truly believe a wedding is a celebration and there is no costs to keeping guests entertained.

Beach Weddings: There are many venues surrounding the Mediterranean Sea that capture the beauty of the water and the exotic locale. The beaches in Lebanon are breathtaking and stay warm from April until October and even sometimes November.

You can also enjoy a beautiful sunset wedding overlooking Al Rousheh a very historical spot in the beaches of Beirut.

Mountain Weddings: The mountains of Lebanon, like Faraya, boast gorgeous views and venues for a wedding and can be used in both the summer and winter months.

For those who envision a white wedding, the mountains of Lebanon are a gorgeous setting and full of natural beauty.

A Different Take: Other venues include: cathedrals, castles, and the gorgeous homes that portray the history, grandeur, and beauty of Lebanon all at once.

Night Weddings: For the couple who wants something a little more fun or a wedding at night, the city of Beirut boasts multiple venue choices.

A venue speaks volumes about a couples taste and style on their wedding day. For a destination wedding, Lebanon is one of the most historical places you can choose that gives you an abundance of choice when it comes to venues from the mountains with snow to the Mediterranean Sea and even castles!

For the Romantic Bride:

For the Sexy Bride:

For the Elegant Bride:

Of course, we cannot forget;

the EXTRAVAGANT Bride:

No matter what your style is as a bride, Elie Saab has it in this collection. If you’re going for romance look for flowy fabrics and rosette appliques. If elegance is your style, sequins and lace are details that add that sophistication to your gown. Deep sweetheart necklines and lots of leg inspire a sexy gown. Although few of us can afford Saab’s couture gowns, we can all get a little inspiration from them!

Pictures courtesy of: Umberto Fratini/GoRunway.com

Read up about the country you are going to… Lebanon is called the Paris of the Middle East, so if you are up to fashion, you are in the right city.   Although, this time of year tends to be cold so dress warm. Be sure you have comfortable shoes, as there are a lot of sights to see and sometimes it is faster to walk than take a taxi or drive a car.

The nature in Lebanon is spectacular, lots of historical places to visit. I will talk about few of them in my next blog.

We are so excited to introduce our lovely couple Zeina and Mauth who will be celebrating their big engagement party at the US Grant the end of the month and will have their extravagant wedding next spring in Jordan…We are happy to share some of their pictures from Kristina Chartier Photography

Here are a few samples of the amazing gowns brides from Lebanon are wearing down the isle or will change into as they make their debut as “Mrs. So and So” and become ready to dance the night away with her groom!

I have to thank the Ethnic Brides for giving me such an incredible insight to such festive expressions of bridal fashion.  I specifically love the intricate bead-work and embroidery combined with exquisite fabrics and classy femininity!!

I hope you where inspired to do something more out of the ordinary and maybe you too will change into something more colorful for your very own celebration!!