Whether you opt for a destination or local seaside wedding there is something magical about the ocean on your big day.  Some couples choose to be married by the sea because they simply love the ocean and have an emotional tie to it.  If you’re leaning towards being married seaside but are unsure if it’s a good fit for you, maybe these factors should be taken into consideration:

1. A seaside wedding offers the most picturesque background anyone could ever ask for. 
2. A seaside wedding offers a more modern casual atmosphere compared to a traditional wedding that may take place in a church or a hall.  Being by the water provides guests with the option to possibly dress more casually.  This also opens the door to a few alternate options in terms of wedding party attire.  Many couples who choose to be married by the ocean will opt for beige suits or lighter cotton dresses versus heavier satin frocks.
3. A seaside wedding can be more cost effective.  Destination weddings on the beach are known for being a major wedding venue contender lately because they generally do not cost as much as a big wedding can.  Even a wedding next to the ocean in Nova Scotia can be cost effective because there is no need to rent a ceremony venue or sometimes even a hall. 
4. A seaside wedding can be relaxing.  Between the sound of light waves and the fresh salty air it’s no wonder everyone, including the bride, at a seaside wedding can feel more at ease than imagined.  The calming noises and natural scents have a way to unwind the people experiencing them.
5. A seaside wedding is full of natural lighting.  To infuse some brilliance into your big day enjoy the splendor of outdoor lighting.  Not only is natural lighting fantastic for photos but it lifts people’s moods.
6. The natural beauty of the sea is the most wonderful décor around.  No need for expensive floral arrangements or bright linens when you have the outdoor scenery to brighten up the surroundings. 

A wedding next to the ocean truly is a setting like none other.

I’ve been pondering a vacation for a while now so I took it upon myself to do a little holiday vacation research and as it turns out, I think I’ll be staying closer to home over the next few months; here’s why:

I’m not a big fan of overcrowded airports, restaurants and resorts which are in plenty during the next couple of months.  More importantly, I would miss the traditional maritime holiday feeling.  I love all the gatherings with friends/family and would hate to miss out on that. In a perfect world, I would just invite everyone to vacation with me in the sun but if it were a perfect world I would go everywhere anytime and money would be no object. In reality, it’s hard to ask my family/friends to travel down below the equator during a time when budgets are rather tight and vacation time is sparse. I once flew to Disneyland on Christmas Eve and although I had a great time with my family, we felt like there was so much we missed out on – our Christmas tree, the snow, the homemade dinners, the smell of baking, the music and even the crisp holiday breeze.

Upon further investigation about holiday traveling I found that many properties and airlines down south have holiday blackout days and stringent cancellation policies.  This makes me slightly weary because, as we all know, during the winter months it can be hard to commit to a flight because you never know if you can make it to the airport or if the planes can even fly out. Nothing feels worse than being snowed into some airport watching your vacation time and money pass you by. Let’s not forget layovers.  The idea of massive delays, long lines, pushy people and missed connections stresses me out just thinking about it. This is even more disheartening because you know that you are likely paying more than you wanted to because some hot destination places peak their rates during December – April.  You will always be paying top dollar for everything from your bedroom to your car rental and merchandise in shops.

To top all this research off, I came across the usual skepticism about traveling to southern hotspots. People are always weary about a weak government with weak laws, high poverty, high crime, health insurance issues and high violence. To be honest, that resort in Mexico that recently blew up scared me a bit.  Personal safety is always something to be considered before traveling away with or without your loved ones. Along with safety concerns there are other basic daily necessities we generally take for granted and need to be cautious of when traveling; one popular well known example being water. We all know that when abroad, don’t drink the water. It’s almost like the Canadian rule of thumb, “don’t eat yellow snow”, except this water guideline might taste okay but can end up with you having Montezuma’s Revenge or worse!

After all my research I decided that rather than heading to the tropics right now, I’m going to stick to Nova Scotia as my holiday destination. Not only do I know the language and feel respect from the people but it’s close enough to home that I am comfortable and safe. If you’re still deciding on your vacation destination, take a look at the South Shore of Nova Scotia. I don’t recommend it solely based on the fact that I love it here and I plan on spending some quality time here, I recommend it because we have what you, your family, and your friends need to enjoy a maritime holiday.

If you’re looking to get away from the everyday while watching your budget, we can help. Our condo-style seaside marina villas and our pet friendly oceanfront chalets are both 2-bedroom units with kitchens, washrooms, living rooms, and amazing patios with breathtaking ocean views. Get the family together or a group of friends and stay in what feels like a home away from home.  To ward off any cabin fever, take a walk on our 34 acre property, take a swim in the pool, relax in the sauna, rejuvenate in the Aqua Spa, and dine in La Vista dining room. It’s easy to feel like you’re a million miles away even when you could be right down the road.

~ Lisa

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.”
- John Lubbock

As I turned on the heat in my car to make my morning drive from Halifax to the Resort, it hit me… “it’s coming”. The start of the cooler mornings and evenings, followed shortly by children heading back to school and the packing away of flip flops, not to mention the shorter days; sadly we are approaching the end of summer.

Then my thoughts turned to what have I done this summer? Did I get in all that I wanted to? We all start the summer with great intentions of great adventures…. Days at the beach, adventure tours, hiking, picnics, boat tours, kayaking and the list goes on and on. So did you? Did you have that campfire by the water? Swim in the ocean?

Before you start to readjust for the fall… give summer one last proper farewell. Many tourism operators offer great deals this time of year (and of course we are one of them!). Search one of the many online sites (Expedia, Travelocity or Novascotia.com) to take advantage of some great packages and last minute deals.

Don’t get me wrong – fall in Nova Scotia is spectacular but we all know how quickly the dreaded “W” word follows. So pack up the kids (or maybe just your partner) and discover Nova Scotia…. And be sure to call us when you are your way – we will have your room ready!

- Joanne