Ruthanne Terrero
Vice President—Content/ Editorial Director, Ruthanne Terrero

It would be impossible to write a column about weddings and honeymoons without mentioning the recent Royal Wedding in London. I managed to watch the entire three-hour play by play the BBC produced the day of the nuptials and even though it was live coverage, it came off as a well-edited documentary. Here’s my take on the impact it will have on future weddings and honeymoons.

Because of the intricate details of the ceremony and the perfect way everything was executed, couples who watched will want more formal weddings. The nod to traditions and customs and formal attire was delivered in a very charming manner. It didn’t appear to be stuffy and it made one think there really is a proper way to do things.

If you book destination weddings, keep in mind that Kate Middleton’s long walk down the aisle of  Westminster Abbey will inspire brides, who once may have opted for casual settings, to demand unique and dramatic venues where they can execute their own march to the altar.

Take away: Going forward, you may need to scout out stunning locations in far-flung places for your clients.

Food-and-beverage events: William and Kate had several post-ceremony parties
and this will develop into a trend. If you’re booking a wedding at a resort, be prepared to suggest multiple get-togethers for the wedding party and their guests on top of the rehearsal dinner and reception. The royals had a formal lunch and a large reception in the evening that included a visit from a food truck as the late hours dwindled. I understand Prince Harry even had an after-party for those who stayed up until 6 a.m. This consisted primarily of foods that help cure a hangover, but it was a gracious gesture, indeed.

Take away: Be prepared to be creative and to consult with hotel staff who are playing a role in the wedding events as to what your unique options may be. Write up your proposal to your engaged couple with as many bells and whistles as you can and be sure to include a fee that accounts for your creativity and hard work.

The honeymoon: The travel industry was abuzz as to where the royal couple would vacation, but it turned out that, because of security concerns, they postponed their trip. This could have been due to the impending incident regarding bin Laden, but it could have been due to a family illness or other matters. Your clients are equally vulnerable to such factors, so be prepared to have flexibility built into their honeymoon itineraries.

Take away: Deal with reliable vendors who can assist in such situations and be sure to sell travel insurance. Don’t just take an off-the-shelf product; read the fine print and be sure that the insurance covers all possibilities. If you read Jena Tesse Fox’s look back on the impact of the Icelandic ash cloud one year later (see page 11), you’ll see that a few insurance firms considered that incident to be a weather delay, which didn’t help some who had even purchased insurance.

Final take away: Use the Royal Wedding as a means to truly excite your clients about all the possibilities that are open to them to create a wonderful event, even if the sight of  William and Kate makes them yawn. This is not only a chance for them to shine on their big day, but for you as well.