The Encore Bride Style File-Very Pink

I'm usually not a "pink" girl, but lately I've been seduced by the different shades of pink, I think this board would be great for an intimate civil ceremony in a nice courtyard. What do you think?

Credits: Dress: Jim Hjelm via Brides.com, Bracelet: Etsy.com, Flowers: TheKnot.com, Earrings: Etsy.com, Shoes: Emilio Pucci via Zappos.com

I'm back...!

Whew! It's been a crazy few weeks, we've been to Puerto Rico and back, we've held a farewell/birthday party for Mr. Encore and I have sent him off to school for his predeployment training. But first things first, here's a sneak peak to some of the photos we took in PR, of course, before my camera died mid-vacation!

Among the highlights: We visited El Yunque Rain Forest (first 3 pictures clockwise were taken there, the bottom left was taken from the hills in Ponce). Ponce, Old San Juan, Crashboat beach in Aguadilla and of course enjoyed our local Rincón where we stayed.

We were really looking to this vacation; we had been working really hard and it will be the last vacation until we see each other again sometime next year. Overall, we had a good time and great food, we can't wait to go back!

The Encore Bride Style File-Pink Fairy

The inspiration for this board came from this beautiful pink and gold tiara from Etsy, then came the "fairy" Vera Wang dress, soon after I had a board inspired by a pink fairy. Enjoy!

Credits: Tiara, Etsy; Earrings, Etsy; Capelet, Etsy; Shoes, Zappos; Bouquet, The Knot; Invites, Etsy; Clutch, Etsy; Cake, Pink Cake Box, Dress: Vera Wang via Martha Stewart Weddings

The Encores are away...

As you may know, we're in the midst of enjoying our vacation in PR, posting will resume next week but I will share one more inspiration board on the next post. See you soon!

The Encore Honeymoon-Puerto Rico

I must admit, I will be a little bias here since I am from Puerto Rico. That's where I grew up and my family still lives in the "Isla Encantada" or Enchanted island as the natives call it.

Source

San Juan has one of the largest cruise ports in the world is therefore many tourist limit themselves to visiting the "Old San Juan". It is a very romantic city with cobblestone streets, one of the oldest churches in the Americas, many museums, restaurants, shopping and bars.

Photo: Hotel El Convento

There are plenty of things to do and see in the San Juan area but there are many hotels in other parts of the island that are ideal for a honeymoon as well. Here are a few of the most romantic (and exclusive hotels) around the island.

Top left is the San Juan Ritz Carlton, although not technically in Old San Juan it is very close to the airport and provides a private beach and beautiful pool and gardens.

Next is "El Conquistador" (the conqueror), it is located in the northeastern tip of the island in the town of "Fajardo" the resort has it's own small island of the coast and water park to boast.

Bottom right is a smaller hotel in "Rincon" (the west coast) called "Horned Dorset Primavera Hotel" it is very exclusive, private and on a beautiful west coast town called "Rincon" (corner). In fact this is the town where we vacation when I go home. The town attracts award winning surfers that catch the waves during the spring every year.

On the bottom left corner is "El Hotel Convento", located in Old San Juan it is a restored 350 year old Carmelite convent, it is the only hotel on the island in the "Small Luxury Hotel" category. Although not on a beach it does have a rooftop pool and excellent views of all the historic sites around Old San Juan. It is also a favorite to host weddings as it has a lovely interior courtyard.

Puerto Rico is a versatile island, relatively affordable, easy to navigate as most people speak English and no passports are required. The island is also home to some of the finest rum factories. You can top your tour of the Bacardi rum factory with free samples given on site.

Please feel free to ask if you have any questions about the island. Here are a few links to help you learn more about the island and all it has to offer:

Go to Puerto Rico-Official Tourism Page

Welcome to PR-More information about the island and towns

Meet Puerto Rico-PR Convention Bureau

Visiting Puerto Rico-Trip Advisor PR Page

Enjoy!

The Encore Bride Goes Home

Well, well, well....it's finally that time of the year to go on vacation! We have had so much going on that I am really looking forward to relaxing for a week at home in Puerto Rico. We have friends from Texas meeting us there, my family will come over and spend some time with us so it will be great.

Although we will be on vacation we have an agenda packed, from visiting "El Yunque"-"The only tropical forest in the US National Forest System".

Photo: George Oze via Art.com

We also plan on visiting one of the third largest cavern systems in the world and it's in PR, "Camuy Caves".

Photo: Stefano Paganelli via TrekEarth.com

And of course we have to go to Old San Juan, "the second oldest European City founded in the Americas"

Photo: Virtual Tourist

Of course there are many beaches to visit, more to follow on those. PR would also be great for a destination wedding as it requires no passports to visit (they are a Commonwealth to the US), use dollar as the currency and everyone speaks English (for the most part). More to follow on excellent places to host your destination wedding. Stay tuned!

The Encore Bride goes MIA

I apologize for the lack of posts this past week. We went to Mr. EB's HS reunion, came back, moved out of his house and he closed on his house last Friday, yay! More posts to follow with our upcoming trip home to PR, I can't wait...

Photo credit: Anemone Letterpress