While on a trapping expedition in the Makgadikgadi Pans during the 60's, Jack Bousfield stumbled upon a site that so captured his imagination that he set up camp under an acacia with the unshakeable expectation that others would feel the same...

For those who think two weeks slowly roasting on a beach, secluded or otherwise, is a honeymoon from hell, why not try a cruise.

“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”

Sinead Desmond host of TV3’s Ireland AM tells us all about her wedding plans for next year…..

Your wedding photography is not only how you will remember your wedding day when you slip into old age and senility begins to grab hold of the grey cells under you grey hair.

Far more important than your dress and reception is the marriage ceremony itself, whether it is religious or civil. Since 5th November 2007, there are new rules to be complied with, particularly for those who are considering a civil ceremony. These major changes also impact on religious ceremonies, both Catholic and non-Catholic and all couples should consult their priest, rabbi or clergyperson for clarification on their particular situation.

Planning a wedding is a big job, but ultimately a very rewarding one. There is, of course no way to guarantee success, but if you don’t plan you are almost certainly going to end up in tears at some stage during the preparations if not on the big day itself.

While preparing for your wedding one naturally thinks of all the things that can go wrong, from cold feet to cold weather. Chatting to other brides-to-be will bring stories of the disaster that happened to a friend who’s make up ran in the rain, or the catastrophe when the bridesmaids’ shoes was a different shade to their dresses. While these are undoubtedly problems, disaster and catastrophe could be a slight exaggeration. However if disaster does strike, it’s good to know that all is not lost.

It’s a destination beloved by tourists for decades, and as I write this story from Ubud, in the heart of this small island, I am beginning to see why: Bali is a place full of smiling, friendly people who have inherited, and still embrace, a rich and vibrant Hindu culture.

Get ready to experience the honeymoon of a lifetime! Vietnam has it all; exotic culture, a rich history, timeless traditions, majestic scenery, pristine beaches and culinary delights. Discover the charming old quarter of Hanoi, take a romantic boat ride on a traditional wooden junk or take in the French influence of Ho-Chi Minh, formerly Saigon. Vietnam is one of the most romantic destinations in Asia. It is perfect for honeymooners purely because it is less commercialised than Thailand and is more untouched. It has beautiful landscapes, slow-paced resorts, fresh delicious food, great shopping and vibrant cities accented with a breath of colonial air.  

Maria O’Connor shines some light on the dark ritual of hen’s and stag’s parties and gives us a few tips and some novel ideas for that perfect send off into married life.

Our fictional bride, Rose Roche, takes us through the trials and tribulations of a her wedding.

Part 2 of our fictional bride's journey to the Ailse.

The hunt for the perfect Dress - 173 down
to one… This was my tricky task as I set out to find the perfect wedding gown.

After a few fights, some minor hiccups and the odd tear, our fictional bride finally makes it to the alter.

Linda Barry, 26, from Palmerstown, a senior travel consultant with Tropical Places, was dating her husband Gareth O’Gorman, 27, a security technician  from Ballyfermot, for five years before the question was popped during a holiday in Thailand.

When you think of honeymoons you think of palm trees, relaxing strolls along white sandy beaches, candlelit dinners and endless hours to while away your time under the warm sun.

Alison MacGrath from Clontarf and Justin Norman from Walkinstown, Travelled to Mauritius for thier wedding.

IWD caught up with Alison who talked us through the lead up and the big day itself.

No Wedding is complete without a glass of bubbly, but where does it come from, why is it so irresistible and how do they get those little bubbles in?  Paul McCormack investigates.

Maura Derrane, 36, from Inis Mor in the Arran Islands, worked as TV3’s crime correspondent before becoming a presenter with Ireland AM two years ago. Before that she worked for RTE and TG4. She met her husband, John Deasy, a Fine Gael TD for Waterford, at a Christmas party in December 2002 when he was the party’s justice spokesman. They began dating in June 2003, got engaged in November the same year and married in May 2005. Maura leaves her very early morning breakfast show in August to concentrate on other projects, most of which will probably be in TV where she’s worked for almost 14 years.

It is every girl’s dream to look absolutely fabulous on her wedding day. After all, the photos will be there to testify and passed around your family and friends.

When you fall in love the experience is uplifting and
mesmerising - the same goes for cities, although their allure is easier to explain! We take away with us the
abiding impressions of monuments, streets, squares and sights and of course, the atmosphere and the feel of the place -the sort of magnetism that Budapest radiates.

The US Virgin Isles are a honeymooners paradise. Miles upon miles of white sandy beaches on which to relax, a huge variety of sea life to explore, and a great expanse of crystal blue waters to sail through undera clearblue sky withtemperatures in the 80s year round. Add to that some European architecture and top class hotels, what’s not to like.

Most wedding magazines are full of tips to get girls looking their best on the big day, but few articles show men how to make the most of their rugged good looks. This article, taken from the website 4men.ie, bucks the trend, with four simple steps to keep a man looking better for longer.

An English honeymoon is the epitome of what is known in English literature as ‘quintessentially romantic’. It is a unique mix of the trendy, cultured and genteel that is London, coupled with a short trip to the university town of Oxford, home to ‘tea shoppes’, picturesque countryside and classical architecture.

Síle Seoige, 26, from Spiddal, County Galway, worked in TG4 before joining RTE and she recently presented the popular ‘You’re a Star’ programme. She met her husband, Glen Mulcahy, 32, an RTE News Production Manager, several years ago. The couple got married in St. Brendan’s Church in Birr, Co. Offaly, in November.

The muted strains of a distant saxophone merge with the buzz of the streetcars as the smell of barbecued crayfish is carried on the humid breeze rolling off the Mississippi. The reflections in the windows of the old colonial buildings play tricks with the light, while nimble old men play tricks on the tourists. The sun warms your soul as you sip an ice cold beer on the veranda and watch the surreal parade of human life, in all its diversity, pass by. This sensory overload could only be provided by New Orleans.

An original piece of art is the most individual gift a couple can receive.

The Mexican Island of Isla Mujeres, is the ideal place to start your married life. This, sun-kissed island, which is virtually car-free, is the perfect antidote to the stress and strain of your hectic wedding preparations, with miles of sandy beaches on which to laze, local shops and restaurants to browse, and some great waters in which to explore.

Most people enter into marriage believing and wishing it will last forever. Unfortunately, with all the pressures of modern life, that lifelong partnership cannot be achieved by simply wishing it; it takes a lot of work. As in most things in life, a good start is half the battle.

A sailing honeymoon by Lisa Cannon Your honeymoon is one of the most important and exciting holidays you will ever plan, particularly if you want an unusual destination with a twist! For a complete 'getaway-from-it all' location for your honeymoon why not spend it in picturesque and 'in vogue' Croatia? Located in the heart of south central Europe, this beautiful country is composed of historic cities, Roman ruins and medieval buildings. Croatia also boasts modern cafés, restaurants and boutiques which make for a very sophisticated holiday. Its stunning coastline stretching 1,777km along the eastern side of the Adriatic sea, has exceptionally clear and warm waters. Lush vegetation and interesting islands makes it a wonderful country to explore. You can choose from one of the enchanting Rivieras or the seaside towns like Porec, Cavtat or Rovinj or sample the delights of cities like Dubrovinik, Zagreb and Split.

It’s supposed to be the happiest time of your life, but for many the first year of married life can be the exact opposite. And there’s a huge social stigma attached to feeling this way. We spoke to John Farrelly, director of Counselling in ‘Accord’, Ireland’s longest established marriage counselling service, and he highlighted some of the potential problems which might occur.

Sky News weather girl Lisa Burke, 28, reports on global weather events for the TV station and tracked the destructive route of Hurricane Rita from the National Hurricane Centre in Miami as it made its way across the Caribbean.

The beauty of a honeymoon on board a cruise ship is that you don’t have to leave your cabin and you can still sightsee. Of course when you see some of the glorious destinations the cruise ship docks at, you will be hopping into your shorts, splashing on the factor twenty-five and heading out to sample the wonders that are on offer.

Niamh Matthews, 27, from County Meath, almost decided on a whim to get married in Cyprus. But her impulsive decision was well rewarded: she was very happy that she got married there and would readily return to the Mediterranean island.

Italy is one of the most inviting and unforgettable honeymoon destinations in Europe. Why not consider exploring, region-by-region, the infinitely rich and varied cultural and historic traditions of Italy? 

Hansel and Gretel style houses, romantic towering castles, five-course spectacular dinner shows, medieval themed hotels and all year round Christmas decorations, not the typical itinerary that springs to mind when one thinks of Germany; but, surprisingly, this beautiful country offers all of these plus so much more for your own fairytale honeymoon.

While looking for a five star honeymoon in Europe we hit apon a great three-part honeymoon incorporating Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona. Part one saw Pauline Flynn spend three nights in Amsterdam to see what it had to offer the Honeymooner.

A week to go to the big day and the two mothers have picked the same outfit in the same colour, granny is sulking because her third cousin twice removed didn't get an invitation and the bridesmaids aren't talking since an incident on the hen's night involving a tall drink and a short sailor. It's at times like this when a bride wonders why she didn't just elope.

Sybil Mulcahy, 30, works as a general reporter in TV3's news and entertainment department. She's been with the station, which is now entering its eight year, for the past five years. She got married last year and spoke to Yvonne Moran about the big day.

Maresa Dowling, 37, from Leopardstown, didn’t have very far to travel to meet the love of her life. Denis Dowling, 42, a quantity surveyor, lived just down the road from the self-employed businesswoman. “We grew up together, went out for several years, broke up, and got back together again later,” said Maresa. Maybe this explains why they travelled so far to get married married this year.

TV3 news reader and former Ireland AM presenter Claire Byrne, 29, married radio company director Richard Johnson, 42, two years ago. They got married in the Unitarian Church beside St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin.

A guide to hiring a professional photographer. What to look out for when choosing.

To ensure you look your beautiful best, Wella - the experts in haircare have put together some useful hints and tips for all Brides to be...

A list of some of the top Dress Designers in Ireland

A description of some of the best venues to host your wedding

Some of Ireland's most creative and professional photographers who specialise in wedding photography

With a little thought and advance planning you should be able to get that perfect outfit that wont lanquish in the back of your wardrobe for until it comes back into fashion.

Things you need to know before you marry

Protocol on the big day is important to make things run smoothly. This article should help you eliminate any hitches on the day.

A chronological list of things to do as you countdown to the big day.

Getting Married in Rome - The advantages and...

A do and don't list for your honeymoon plans

How to propose to your boyfriend

Shopping for your wedding should be fun. This might help you to do that

Many couples are opting to provide their own wines for their reception in the hope that they might be able to provide a better product at a better price. We spoke to Peter Power, a wine importer, about the pros and cons of such a practice.

Boutique bought or Specially designed - the pros and cons

What role do men have in planning and organising a wedding. Paul McCormack takes a humorous look at his wedding planning and gives advice to all husbands-to-be out there.

Amsterdam is a city which is often associated with the seedier side of life. Sharon Malone visited it and found an exhilarating mix of old world charm and a modern, confident city, all in all a great city for a hens party.

Isla Mujeres and Cozumel: Island Contrasts.

A look at South Africa and Botswana as Honeymoon Destinations

Planning a wedding is an expensive time for most couples, but add in buying your first home together and things get a little scary. As not many of us have the price of a four bedroom semi-d sitting in our bank accounts, a mortgage is a must. But who do you go to, what do you need, how long will it take and HOW CAN I SAVE MONEY? We asked two mortgage brokers to give us the low down on what they can offer.

Choosing Your Groomsmen: No Matter What They Say, Nobody "Must" Be In the Wedding Party By Jennifer Baumann

Lights, Camera Action!! Why get a video taken of your wedding day and who to take it? Sharon Malone explains the reasons and talks to a couple of videographers about who to choose.

By Lisa Cannon A honeymoon is a tranquil escape, a celebration of marriage combined with the most memorable days of bliss and untroubled romance. If you can imagine yourself and your partner basking on a tropical beach that looks like an idyllic postcard, then Thailand is for you! Surrounded by luscious forest vegetation, you can wander amid the glorious Buddhist temples or indeed, sample a slice of adventure; elephant trekking, scuba diving or even cruising on your own yacht. Thailand is a spectacular honeymoon destination filled with romance, beauty and pampering!

Yvonne Moran Spoke to Paul Mayfair, one of Ireland’s leading wedding planners about what the groom should and shouldn’t wear and what the best man should and shouldn’t say.

A growing number of couples are turning their backs on the traditional hometown wedding and opting for a more romantic or exotic location for their wedding. What is making them opt for Dubai over Dublin and Bali over Ballinasloe?

When looking for a honeymoon many opt for exotic, far flung destinations, sometimes forgetting that perhaps the world’s most romantic city, is on their doorstep. Cutting out the cost, not to mention the hassle, of a long haul flight can leave you with a few euro to really splash out. Lisa Cannon tells us about a five star honeymoon in Paris, the city of romance.

No Wedding is complete without a glass of Champagne, but where does it come from, why is it so irresistible and how do they get those little bubbles in?

How do the Hollywood celebrities get that sparkling smile and how do they keep it that way. Lisa Cannon got that Hollywood smile right here in Dublin.

If marriages are for life, what better place to marry than in the Eternal City?

Rings are an integral part of the marriage ceremony. How did this custom start and what does it signify

A humous look at the input of the groom in organising the wedding.

Music can make the difference between a good wedding and a great wedding.