Love is in the Air

Love is in the Air

By Christiana Roussel | Photos Contributed

88 Spring 2024

‘Tis the season for weddings and romance! Whether you are getting engaged, planning a bridesmaids’ getaway, celebrating your own nuptials or marking an anniversary, there is a special destination for everyone.

Photo by Chad Hoffman

HomewoodLife.com 89

HIT THE ROAD

PROPOSAL LOCATIONS Setting the tone for an engagement might often start with where the groom proposes to the bride. It could be where the couple had their first date or some other meaningful location—like the family ranch in Montana, where a groom hung the engagement ring on a nail on a tree, where he and his beloved enjoyed picnics. Many resort destinations relish being a part of a couple’s romantic future and offer whole proposal packages:

Photo courtesy of Sea Island The Lodge at Sea Island is a Forbes five-star, English-style country manor resort in Georgia that provides the perfect backdrop to any proposal (we’re thinking the rose petal bath butler service would be pretty nice)!

As a special bonus, Sea Island invites previous honeymooners to save their receipts, and on the anniversary of their trip, pay the original rate on the first day of their stay. seaisland.com Amanyara, in the heart of an 18,000-acre nature reserve in Turks and Caicos, makes for a lush tropical setting, where the staff will arrange a “WILL YOU MARRY ME” sign in LED lights as you enjoy a private dinner in a secluded cove. The resort’s pavilions are situated in coastal vegetation and overlook the beaches of Northwest Point Marine Preserve—truly memorable! aman.com

90 Spring 2024

Photo courtesy of Sea Island

Photo by Brenda Cassabon

BRIDESMAID & GROOMSMEN GETAWAYS After the proposal, the bride and groom will each secure their squad of bridesmaids and groomsmen, who will play a major part of the big day. Make plans to get away with these best friends and family for some serious memory-making.

Hilton Head Health—The bride and her attendants can take a break from the hectic planning with a trip to coastal South Carolina for one of the destination’s wellness retreats, which includes spa time, self-care workshops, yoga and more. hhhealth.com Hollywood Farms—Gather your groomsmen and head to Hollywood Farms in Jeffersonville, Georgia, for a true sportsman’s getaway. Do a buyout of the antebellum site, or pick a weekend when Hollywood Farms is hosting a Fausti Shooting School or a bespoke quail or woodcock hunt. Chef Scottie Johnson will make every meal memorable, while the bourbon flows. hollywoodfarmsga.com

Photo by Christiana Roussel

Photo by Brenda Cassabon

Photo by Brenda Cassabon

Photo by Christiana Roussel

HomewoodLife.com 91

HIT THE ROAD

Andiamo Lodge—Just a short drive North from Birmingham to Mentone, Alabama, is Andiamo Lodge, a well-curated destination for those looking for a honeymoon destination closer to home. Owner Colleen Duffley dubs this a ‘lux-lodge’ experience, where attention to detail (think Frette linens and intimate concierge service) comes standard. andiamolodge.com

HONEYMOON SPOTS

Half-Mile Farm—This sister property to the venerable Old Edwards Inn in Highlands offers a quieter respite in the Western North Carolina mountains.

While there is always a lot going on in this area, the romance of this 14-acre, guests-only property means you might never stray far. oldedwardshospitality.com The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection— For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book a cruise on one of the most jaw-dropping hotels on the sea. ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com

Photo by Collen Duffley

Photo by Chad Hoffman

92 Spring 2024

Photo by Savannah Vetrano

Photo courtesy of Chatham Bars Inn

Photo by Sophia Stewart

Photo by Savannah Vetrano

Photo by Chad Hoffman

His & Hers—A honeymoon can be the perfect time to set the tone for how a couple likes to travel. Fork & Leaf Travel, Inc. Owner and Certified Travel Associate Jenn Nix shared a unique trip she planned for a couple who like very different things for vacation. The couple both wanted a Costa Rican honeymoon.

He wanted fly-fishing in the mountains, while she craved luxe spa time on the beach. Jenn booked them in a private residence near pristine fishing for the first half of the trip and then at the adults-only Jardin del Eden Boutique Hotel in Tamarindo for the second half. Suffices to say, both the bride and groom got everything they wanted from this vacation. forkandleaftravel.com jardindeleden.com The Blended Family Honeymoon— For those couples looking to include members of the wedding party in their honeymoon plans, Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod makes an ideal destination. Plan a private clambake on the 25-acre estate, or take the group whale-watching. The Inn’s Kids Crew program offers tons of activities for the younger crowd, while the adults engage in some coveted one-on-one time. chathambarsinn.com

HomewoodLife.com 93