Today is my 63rd birthday. I love birthdays, because while other folks resist getting older, I can honestly and happily say that I am happier now than I was when I was 30. I welcome each new year.
I also love that my birthday is at the beginning of the month, because I get to celebrate all month long. And I will!
But, first, I always spend my actual birthday quietly. I see it as a beautiful day of rest and relaxation with my life partner, Theo Bleckmann. This year, Theo and I are in the Dominican Republic. I’ll be speaking at the Inspire Smart Success Experience here May 6-9 with my dear and brilliant friend, Stacie Francombe. But, thanks to Stacie, Theo and I got to arrive a bit early for a mini birthday vacation. And it’s paradise.
As soon as we arrived at the amazing property — The Sanctuary Cap Cana — the wonderful staff shepherded us inside and have been treating us like royalty ever since. We have a large villa overlooking the ocean and every possible luxury imaginable at our fingertips. Did I say this was paradise? I meant HEAVEN!
So it doesn’t surprise me that Punta Cana is rapidly becoming a number one spot for destination weddings. Who wouldn’t want to get married in heaven? Especially a heaven that’s so accessible from the U.S. and has such gorgeous beaches?
I love destination weddings, but I also recognize that they can be tricky for brides. In fact, on my flight alone, I saw FIVE women carrying wedding gowns! Understandably, they were afraid to ship them — what if they got lost?
These women also happened to recognize me, and we all started chatting like old friends. One of them was a wedding planner, who had agreed to deliver her bride’s gown. She’d had the good sense (and money) to purchase an extra seat for the dress. Another woman was a maid of honor, who had promised her best friend that she would transport her dress safely. The other three were actual brides carrying their own dresses.
But all of them wanted to know if I knew a better way of getting the wedding dress to a destination wedding. Unfortunately, I’m afraid I wasn’t able to give them much of an answer.
But, Dear Readers, maybe you can help? Any tips or ideas for getting wedding dresses safely to their destinations?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Joyce
May 3, 2012
Happy birthday to you Mr Bailey, I wish you good health, wealth and lots of love. May Lord bless you even more and keep doing what you do best.
This is something I came across the other day, having a bride asking me the same question, I hope this information helps
http://weddinggownspecialists.com/destinationweddinggown.htm
alina
May 3, 2012
Happy birthday Preston!!!!!!!!! thanks you for everything in my life
Sandie Ivers
May 3, 2012
Happy Happy Birthday, my friend! I turn 63 next month and love celebrating every year ! Looking forward to seeing you and Theo. ISSE Dominican Republic is going to be AMAZING!
Audrey
May 3, 2012
Happy Birthday Mr Bailey!!
Martha P Garcia
May 3, 2012
Happy Birthday a lot of Love, Health and Happiness!!!
Love U
Your student
Martha G
Laurie Chapman
May 3, 2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I’ll see you on Sunday! Hope your mini-vacation prior to the conference is fabulous!
T.Michelle Events
May 3, 2012
Happy Birthday Preston!!! So happy I get to see you again! First in NC and now DR!!! Can’t wait to get there!!! Enjoy your quiet time!
Angie
May 3, 2012
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Preston! Enjoy the day and the month ahead…so happy Theo is spending it with you. BTW, you don’t look 63 by any stretch of the imagination!!!
Ellen
May 3, 2012
Happy birthday to you Mr.Bailey!
Girl Friday Weddings
May 4, 2012
Happy Birthday! Another year wiser
)
My personal favourite is the dress carriage box by Virgin Holidays http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/info/press/releases/2010/06/wedding_dress_carriage.aspx you might need to do some research as to where to source them in the US (or whether you can source something similar), but they are so much easier to travel with, especially long distances with several stopovers. You just need to make sure you have someone you can trust on the other end to steam all the wrinkles out!
Lilit
May 4, 2012
Preston!! We’re sending you so many Birthday XoXoXos from LA!! We love you and wish you only the best! Happy Happy Birthday! Love, Lilit & Olga
Tanza Cooper
May 4, 2012
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know a better way than to purchase an extra seat and transport the dress. That is definitely an awesome way to go with it. But, I did want to say Happy Birthday! You are definitely my inspiration.
Rita
May 4, 2012
Mr.Bailey, Happy Happy Birthday to you! I just celebrated my 40th birthday and the greatest gift for my 40th was to meet you in NC! And to spend much needed weekend in NYC with my girl friends. You are my greatest inspiration in my career and my passion – I hear about your success and it encourages me to continue even when I feel I can’t continue on – you inspire me when I am stuck with ideas – thank you for all that you are and do!
Transporting a dress is difficult, but why not purchase the dress in the city where the wedding is hosted. Yes there is a dilemma of fitting, but the couple or bride should be able or should make a production trip to make sure is set in place along with dress fitting. Or choose a designer that sells in multiple cities or country so that they can ship the dress for you and have a back upat destination if anything were to go wrong.
Have a blast at your quite time Birthday Bash!
Lots of love xoxoxo
Rita
Ribha events
Atlanta, GA
Cara
May 4, 2012
Happy Belated Birthday! I am only 23 but I hope to be like you one day; A person that gets happier and better with age. God bless you.
Norah
May 7, 2012
Life partner? Think again my dear…. Coming your way…
Angela
May 8, 2012
Happy birthday to a great and amazing person- you make the world a better place!!!!!!!!!!
Juelle
July 6, 2012
Happy Birthday! Wishing you many many. May God continue to bless you richly all your days. Thanks for inspiring me.
Larissa Banting
July 6, 2012
Happy Birthday Preston!
All we do is destination weddings in Costa Rica so this is a question I get from my brides all the time. I wrote a blog post about it -hope this helps!
http://weddingscostarica.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/have-dress-will-travel/
Vicki
July 6, 2012
This wouldn’t help much actually getting it there but it’s something developed by a bride here in Tulsa that protects the hem of your dress during those urban chic location shoots or walking through damp grass for an outdoor wedding or just getting in and out of the limo. It’s called a Gown Guardian. Web address is http://www.gownguardian.com
Sileola
July 6, 2012
Happy Birthday Mr. Bailey. I wish you a fantastic new year and I pray your talent continues to be a shining light to many in the industry. I also pray that God grants you your deepest hearts desires. Have a great year