A Real Couple’s Guide to Honeymooning in Maldives

Sure, most of the wedding planning attention focuses on your big day, but there’s no reason why you two lovebirds can’t go ahead and start dreaming up your perfect warm-weathered honeymoon. Not only is it your first trip together as a married couple, but it’s also a chance to relax after all the stress that led up to your wedding, and trust us — you’ll need a little R&R. Picture it: visions of sunny beaches, an over-the-water bungalow and lots of fruit-filled drinks. If this sounds like your ideal romantic vacay, listen up! We talked with Katie-Ann and Bryan Roach, a real-life couple who shared their tips and tricks with us on how to have a dreamy Maldives honeymoon.

Where to stay

“We chose to go to Maldives because we wanted to go to a place where we knew there’d only be a small chance of rain at that time of the year (late November/early December), and we also wanted an over-water bungalow! Our travel agent suggested Seychelles and Maldives for that time of year, but Seychelles does not have any over-water bungalows, so Maldives was an easy choice.

My husband’s family has used Corsi Travel for a lot of their trips, so we reached out to JoBeth Corsi and she helped book our getaway. She had to coordinate with someone who specializes in trips to that part of the world, but it worked out so well! We ended up booking a bungalow at Six Senses Laamu seven or eight months in advance but started planning it about a year before.”

Places to go

“If you stay in an over-the-water bungalow, you will barely leave your room since you can just climb right down the stairs and go snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment was included in the stay and it was so neat to see the wildlife, so we definitely recommend taking advantage of that. We saw a ray swimming in the wide open ocean, and so many beautiful fish and coral! They also provide bikes for everyone with personalized license plates so you can get around the island more easily.

We recommend taking a seaplane to a bigger island from Male, then taking a boat from there to your resort. Also, go snorkeling in the house reef – that’s where we saw the ray.”

Things to eat + drink

“Our breakfast and dinner was included in our stay. Lunch was on us but we would usually eat a big breakfast, go to the ice cream bar for lunch (they had literally 50 homemade flavors) and then do dinner at one of the restaurants on the island. One night we also did a private dinner on the beach with our own personal chef who cooked the menu of our choice.

My favorite dinner was a place called Zen (Asian cuisine). They had great sushi and the most delicious homemade noodles. All dinners were by reservation only to make it more private and peaceful while they have so many people at one restaurant at a time. However, the first reservation wasn’t until 6pm and we normally eat around 5pm, so it was a little late for us. With all the snorkeling and bike riding, you get hungry.”

Travel tips + tricks

1. Do your research. “Really know what kind of place you want to stay at and do your research. Start early, know all the details and use a travel agent if you want to go to a unique place so it can be amazing!”

2. A bathing suit is a MUST. “I took all my new monogrammed essentials (hat, bathing suit, luggage!) because that’s just what a new bride does! But definitely bathing suits, camera, Lilly Pulitzer and my favorite Kate Spade sunglasses.”

3. Talk to the locals. “In the Maldives, we just talked with some of the workers who lived there. A lot had come in from Sri Lanka. Get to know them. Everyone who works there has to live on the island but once a week they could see their families and children. Sometimes they would go to a neighboring island where their families lived or the family would visit them on the island.”

Planning for your honeymoon? Check out all things Brit + Co Weddings, and follow us on Pinterest for more fun + unique wedding inspo.

(Photos via Katie-Ann and Bryan Roach)

Whether you're the maid of honor who's making sure the bride-to-be has a super exciting send off into this next chapter, or the bride-to-be in question who would rather take the reins of her own destiny, it's likely that you're gonna plan a bachelorette party prior to The Big Day. Amid all the wedding dress shopping and tablescape planning and talking through literally every single detail, it's important that this once-in-a-lifetime celebration with the bridal party is particularly special. And while Austin and Nashvegas are never a bad choice for a bachelorette party, sometimes you just want something a little different. With that in mind, I've rounded up 10 of the best bachelorette party destinations to pick for your favorite bride this year! Cheers, girlies!

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations In The United States

Image via AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue

Naples, FL

There’s no better place to visit than sunny Florida and you can’t go wrong with a trip to Naples for a bachelorette party. Whether you want to relax by the beach or hit up the town, you’ll find everything in more in this city. Stay at the AC Naples Hotel 5th Avenue for easy access to the city’s unofficial main street and waterfront shopping destinations just a few steps away. For some nighttime fun, head on over to Cavo Lounge for a night full of dancing and drag shows and then late-night bites at The Hampton Social.

Image via The Equestrian Hotel

Ocala, FL

Looking for a more niche-option? Visit Ocala, Florida to be immersed in nature and wildlife of all sorts. From accommodations to attractions, nature and animal lovers will be in heaven. Horse lovers will fall head over heels for The Equestrian Hotel where they can watch horse races and enjoy a rejuvenating spa appointment. When meal time rolls around, stop by Mark’s Prime Steakhouse or Katya Vineyards for wine tasting and delicious fine dining your party will love.

Image via Paws Up Resort

Greenough, MT

A bride-to-be who can’t get enough of natural greenery will love a trip to Greenough, Montana. Start your trip at Paws Up Resort where you’ll find accommodations on a luxury ranch with glamping tents and vacation homes. Other activities in the area include trips to historical monuments like Greenough Mansion. Plus, stop by some craft distilleries including Montgomery Distillery to try hand crafted spirits and beverages.

Image via The Joule

Dallas, TX

The catchphrase “Everything’s better in Texas” not only applies to the southern culture, but also the restaurants, entertainment, and accommodations that make Dallas a must-visit destination. For bachelorette parties, not only will you find boutique hotels like The Joule filled with luxurious amenities like a spa and rooftop pools, but attractions including Party Cove for a relaxed boating experience and The Dallas Party Bike for lots of laughs, sights, and good times all around. When it comes time to eat, you’ll want to make reservations at Crown Block and Hudson House.

Image via The Ritz Carlton

New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is known for its tasty food, soulful music, and historic landmarks making it the perfect bachelorette party destination. Kick your visit off right by getting a room at The Ritz Carlton which will immerse you into the heart of the French Quarter and then head on out to the streets to find a plethora of shops, restaurants, and activities. Stop by Brigtsen’s for some classic cajun cuisine and dance the night away at The Metropolitan.

Image via Rosehill Vineyards

Long Island, NY

I know what you're thinking: the Hamptons? In this economy? Well, I'm here to let you in on a little secret — Long Island is much bigger than Montauk. TKTK Hampton Bays TKTK The Hampton Maid TKTK Greenport TKTK North Fork Vineyards like Wölffer Estate Vineyards and Rosehill Vineyards.

Image via Haley Sprankle

Miami, FL

This may seem like your typical bachelorette party destination, but Miami is honestly always a smooth move. I'd book a star at The Goodtime Hotel so you can take advantage of Strawberry Moon and all it's party glory. Content Editor Haley Sprankle went recently, and there was a literal champagne shower in the middle of the pool...definitely good vibes for the girlies! If you're looking for some delicious dining, Miami has a ton of great food, too! Komodo is a sceney restaurant for all your Hot Girl pics (and the most delicious lobster lo mein), C.Viche 105 has amazing Peruvian fair like ceviche and lomo saltado, and Bachour is perfect for brunch! And while there's no shortage of places to go out in Miami, Wynwood is a great neighborhood to hit the town.

Best Bachelorette Party Destinations Around The World

Image via Hotel Rochechouart

Paris, FR

Take a trip to Paris for an international and culturally-enriching experience suitable for any bachelorette party. Aside from seeing the Eiffel Tower, you can make pit stops at The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, and Disneyland Paris. For added convenience, stay in the heart of Paris at Hotel Rochechouart that offers picturesque views and close proximity to popular destinations. There's plenty of perfect little side cafes and sweet spots to grab a drink, but here are a few options to keep in mind!
  • Visit one of the top 50 bars in the world, The Cambridge Public House, for unique cocktails and absolutely amazing pub food.
  • Swap out a more typical Magic Mike/Chippendales show and swing by Crazy Horse for a fun, artistic, and sexy show! The burlesque is amazing, and the girls will love sitting in the elegant theater with a few bottles of champagne to share. For a more tame burlesque show, visit the ever-iconic Moulin Rouge.
  • Book a reservation at Le Bon Georges for one of the best meals — and biggest wine selection!

Image via Atlantis

Atlantis, The Bahamas

Venture to the Bahamas to celebrate the bride-to-be at Atlantis. Choose from one of six resorts from The Cove for a more luxury stay to The Reef that’s geared more towards families. Aside from picturesque views and comfortable beds, you can engage in outdoor activities from marine adventures to crystal clear beaches for the ultimate relaxation experience. Plus, you may even be able to see some celebrities on your trip from Janet Jackson to DJ Pauly D.

Image via Meliá

Cozumel, Mexico

Mexico is always a good idea for a bachelorette party. Be sure to book your stay at Meliá Cozumel — it's an all-inclusive resort so all you have to worry about is whether you want a piña colada or a frozen margarita. From there, you've got beach days, pool soaking, spa appointments, and girly time galore. Sit back, relax, and party.

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Header image via RDNE Stock project / PEXELS

Drama lovers are living large thanks to The Summer I Turned Pretty, Sweet Magnolias, and now My Life With The Walter Boys season 2! The show (which is basically Friday Night Lights meets Dawson's Creek) spent some time at the number one spot on Netflix’s Global English Top 10 TV list (and joined the list in 88 other countries). Netflix renewed it for a sophomore season in December 2023, and the great news is that season 2 just finished filming!

Here's everything you need to know about My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 — and don't forget to watch our interview with the cast, too.

Is there going to be My Life With the Walter Boys season 2?

Netflix

Yes, there will be a My Life With the Walter Boys season 2! Netflix renewed the new TV show in December of 2023. The second season started filming in Calgary, Canada on August 14, 2024. Showrunner Melanie Halsall is returning for season 2, as is executive producer Ed Glauser. Becky Hartman Edwards will also serve as an EP.

While there's no book for My Life With the Walter Boys season 2, author Ali Novak revealed her upcoming sequel book won't influence the show, saying “none of the content that I am currently writing will be in the second season. They’ve just taken different directions. Still all the same characters that we love.”

The season recently wrapped in November 2024, and the cast spilled on their post-shoot plans. “We have our apartments for a little bit afterwards, so we’re definitely going to stick around,” star Asbhy Gentry tells TUDUM. The cast also talked about visiting Calgary Zoo, renting bikes, and heading to Banff (in Alberta, Canada), but was distraught when they learned their favorite dessert place had closed its doors. Thankfully, a new place called Cloud Naan came to the rescue. “It’s like Cloud Nine, but with naan,” Ashby says. Now I'm craving naan!

When is the My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 release date?

Netflix

We don't have an official release date for My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 yet, but we know it's coming in 2025. Considering season 1, which started streaming in December of 2023, premiered a little over a year after filming ended, it's safe to assume we'll get another December release.

“Season 2 is bigger and better,” creator Melanie Halsall tells TUDUM. “We’ve got massive set pieces in each episode, and the stories are more intricate. We found our feet with our characters, [and] the actors really understand their characters now. When I was coming back, I was excited to start shooting again because I knew we had great stories to tell.”

Who's in the My Life With the Walter Boys season 2 cast?

Netflix

Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde, and Ashby Gentry return as Jackie, Cole, and Alex respectively. We'll see other cast members like Marc Blucas, Johnny Link, Corey Fogelmanis, Connor Stanhope, Dean Petriw, Alix West Lefler, Lennix James, and Sarah Rafferty! Natalie Sharp, Carson MacCormac, Janet Kidder, Riele Downs, and Jake Manley are joining the cast.

What has the cast said about their time on the show?

Netflix

The My Life With the Walter Boys cast has loved their time on the show! When the first season dropped, Nikki Rodriguez posted a selfie with Noah LaLonde and Ashby Gentry with the caption "Cheers to the best time of my life."

"NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD," Ashby said in his own Instagram post when the show hit the streaming platform's top spot. "GRATEFUL IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT."

During our own interview with the main trio, they talked about how quickly the bonded on set. "We got deep," Noah told me over Zoom.

"Nothing says bonding like goofing off," Ashby said. "I think it's easy to become a family when you include a little bit of that."

"There's so many topics that the show covers," Nikki added. "Love, loss, grief, family, and chosen family, and I feel like those are all topics we've all experienced and can connect to."

Who does Jackie end up with in My Life with the Walter Brothers in the books?

Netflix

In the My Life With the Walter Boys books, Alex and Jackie agree to just be friends after she confesses her feelings to Cole, who then confesses his own feelings in the pouring rain (dreamy!!). In the final episode of the TV show, Jackie confronts Cole after he glued her sister's broken teapot back together, and the two end up kissing. But then Cole finds Jackie has run back to New York City, leaving nothing but an "I'm sorry" note behind.

What do YOU want to see in My Life With the Walter Boys season 2? Follow us on Facebook for more pop culture news!

This post has been updated.

Planning a wedding is an unforgettable experience and can lay the foundation to one of the most exciting milestones of a couple’s journey together in life, if not *the* milestone.

Between the surge of endorphins of a proposal that sweeps you both into an unreal level of romance to the non-stop swarm of loving messages from family and friends, the timespan from proposal to wedding day can truly feel like a fairytale. My favorite part? The giddy “OMG”s shrieked each time you look down or pass a mirror and catch a glimpse of your hand with its shiny new companion. A bit less magical than rocking your dreamy new ring, however, is taking on the ever-daunting task of bringing every detail of your dream wedding to life.

For years, whether it’s on Pinterest, Instagram, or scribbled in a weathered journal you kept from younger years, most romantics like myself have kept a tally of what their wedding would one day look like. And before you know it, it’s time to shift from casually pinning and saving ideas to hitting the ground running IRL. From narrowing down the perfect location and tablescapes to finding the ultimate dress (or two!), curating the moving parts to your wedding is a process you’ll want every bit of advice and wisdom that you can get your (newly shimmery) hands on.

Should you decide to take the exciting leap of celebrating your wedding abroad, the online search for diving into everything from venue options, foreign cultural traditions, language barriers, and more can feel endless. At times, there may even be a lack of information (or translated equivalents) that will leave you scouring message boards or other online forums for other couples who have been in your shoes. But fret not — there are plenty of brides who have perfected their big day in beautiful, exotic locations across the globe. Whether it’s a gorgeous Mediterranean gathering, an island-inspired bohemian escape, or any dreamy vision in between, I’m here to tell you that with the right tips at hand, you can make your wedding abroad come to life — without blowing your budget— embellished with equal parts adventure and unforgettable bliss.

How To Plan A Destination Wedding In 2023

Image via @niceofwedding

For our wedding day — or rather, week of celebrations — we selected Bodrum, Turkey as our destination. With family members traveling from the US, Europe, and the Middle East, this beautiful coastal town on the Turkish riviera made for the perfect backdrop to our international guest list. Think royal blue Aegean waters, picturesque Mediterranean islands, and white sailboats floating in the distance. Not to mention, we loved the excuse to provide (and strongly advocate for) an unforgettable vacation for everyone we love in a gorgeous, exotic destination. Here are ten things I learned from planning my wedding abroad!

1. Your Fantasy Location Might Not Be Your Final Choice

Image via @niceofwedding

While gathering initial inspiration for your wedding abroad, you may be dead-set on a popular location that you’ve spent years gushing over photos of online. However, many top destinations are now pricier or have limited in availability due to high exposure online and increased demand from new international appeal. In addition to reaching out to those top favorites on your venue wishlist, I recommend taking a look at lesser known destinations in the same country or region you’re interested in. By doing research beyond viral locations, you can find amazing hidden gems that feature the same landscape or cultural elements, but at a more affordable price. Plus, you provide a more custom experience than some of the “cookie-cutter” types of plans that are routinely repeated for weddings at larger venues in high demand.

When selecting Turkey as the destination for our wedding abroad, we initially thought Istanbul was the obvious choice for a venue. However, once taking a closer look at other lesser known, gorgeous locations along the Turkish coast, we discovered that basing our wedding in the luxurious beach town of Bodrum would mean less hustle and bustle of the capital city and a more peaceful, laid back experience. Our wedding planner, who was based locally in Bodrum, could easily coordinate everything needed for our special day in town. By bypassing excessively popular venue options in Istanbul and opting for a more “hidden gem” feel in Bodrum, our wedding party was able to all stay within walking distance (or a short cab ride away!) to everywhere we included in our lineup of events, eliminating the stress of getting in and out of a larger city. During the entirety of our stay in Bodrum, we experienced five star service and treatment from everyone from hotel concierge to taxi drivers to the owner of the restaurant where we hosted our Rehearsal Dinner. The small town feel made it feel like we, as Bride and Groom, were the talk of the town, with everyone itching to show us just how amazing local hospitality could be – and boy did they succeed!

Pro tip: Reach out to friends, family or your extended network for those who've traveled in/around the country you have in mind for your wedding. They might have a personal take on a stunning location to keep in mind that’s lesser known to tourists.

2. Choose A Home Base For Your Crew & Festivities

Image via @niceofwedding

The best way to offer a seamless experience at your wedding destination is to have a hotel and/or resort as the “home base” for your friends and family to all enjoy each other's company in one place. By selecting a clean, comfortable, and quality uniform accommodations for everyone in your party, you can simplify the process of coordinating plans to see one another, address incoming questions about events and in general keep things much smoother having everyone at the same place. Plus, it allows your guests to get cozy and socialize with one another while you’re on bride and groom duty.

In having the majority of our guests stay at the same resort (including us!), we were able to see everyone conveniently, get quality time by the pool or the beach, as well as refer everyone to the same on-site eateries for meals, drinks, and more. Our absolute favorite part of our wedding experience abroad was being able to essentially “live” with our loved ones gathered all in one place for almost a week, enjoying daily Turkish breakfasts along seaside views and seeing our guests leisurely enjoy the amenities of the resort, without the stress, confusion or separation of everyone at different hotels.

The concierge at the hotel is also highly aware of — and often prioritizes — larger bookings and parties, so they're equipped and ready with information to guide your guests on local tips, recommendations and information for getting around town. And of course, a financial perk is that with a large group accommodation, you should be able to negotiate a great discount on standard rates for rooms, suites and villas. Trust me – as bride and groom, you’ve earned the villa!

Pro tip: Design and send over a stylish itinerary for the hotel staff to print + place inside each of your guests’ rooms along with an optional souvenir to serve as a warm welcome for your family and friends. They can refer to the itinerary for all event information from date, time, location, and dress code for all of your wedding events.

3. A Wedding Planner (+ Odd Planning Hours) Are Non-Negotiable

Image via @niceofwedding

Even the most buttoned up brides will need the assistance of a wedding planner for their international nuptials. Between possible language barriers, cultural customs, and a close-knit local network of vendors that are much less visible to the social media eye, having a wedding planner based in your destination who's familiar with the local community is truly non-negotiable if you’re based in the States. While some couples might start their wedding planning journey by seeking a wedding planner first, followed by landing ceremony and reception venue(s), we started our wedding planning by securing our dream venue and resort (same place!) first and foremost. After that, we got wedding planner recommendations from the venue manager — this way, the venue team had a set recommendation for a wedding planner who had worked on their property before and was familiar with the in’s and out’s of what would work best on-site according to our ceremony and reception visions. We worked with the amazing Eda Kanitürk of @edavecicekleri to bring our dream wedding vision to life. Once your wedding planner and venue are locked in, it truly opens up the rest of the process in such a fun way, with your planner at your (virtual) side to guide you through the rest of details, choices, and approvals.

Keep in mind that with English as their second, third, or even fourth language, there will likely be a need to over communicate and clarify exactly what you’re looking for. Visuals, mood boards, and video examples are key in communicating your vision and helping your planner understand your style and taste fully, beyond any language and cultural differences. From tablescapes and floral arrangements to music and unique decor, it's absolutely crucial as a bride to share as much inspiration as possible with your planner so that you can feel confident knowing that when you wake up and walk down the aisle on your big day, that any misunderstandings will be minimized thanks to a thorough planning process.

In respect to the expected time zone differences between you and your wedding planner, expect early mornings, late nights, and weekends as opportune moments to schedule calls and check-ins. Frequent weekly check-ins with your planner in the beginning of the process are imperative to lay out the foundation of your wedding, share all of the inspiration, and get key vendors locked in and approved. In the few weeks leading up to the wedding, cue up any last check-ins about once a week to seal all of the final details and plan for in-person meetings preceding the wedding, once you are planning to finally land in your destination abroad. After months of planning, it was such an exciting moment to meet our planner in person in Turkey and have her assist on site throughout all of our celebrations, leaving us stress free and in pure wedding bliss.

Pro tip: Communicating via WhatsApp was an extremely useful tool for us, as we were able to text over questions as they were top of mind to us and have our planner address them via text or on our many thorough calls. We were able to share much of our visual inspiration by sending photos this way as well!

4. Vendor Choices Will Be More Limited (But That Might Be a Good Thing!)

Image via @niceofwedding

In executing the vision for your perfect wedding, choosing your vendors is such a critical piece of the puzzle. From the wedding cake to the DJ to hair and makeup, it can be overwhelming to narrow down a competitive market and compare quotes, offerings and style differences between them all. However, one ironic perk of planning a wedding abroad is actually having fewer choices at your fingertips for vendors. While it seems counterintuitive, the classic saying “less is more” comes to mind. In my experience, it was surprisingly refreshing to have our wedding planner only present 2-3 options for key vendors for floral, cake, hair, makeup, and DJ options.

As someone who absolutely loves the challenge of scouring online profiles and reviews of local vendors, it was far less stressful to have the options narrowed down for me right off the bat, due to a naturally smaller pool of wedding industry services in Turkey. By only having a few options to choose from, it allowed me to focus on the ones at hand and truthfully let go of the micro-managing I tend to feel Stateside. With a language barrier between myself and most of the vendors, I leaned heavily on my visual examples to speak for themselves, and it worked!

The most interesting part of the puzzle? Choosing our reception menu without being able to have a tasting on-site in Turkey. As a giant foodie, this was laughably the biggest surprise to myself and my then-fiance, who could see that I was enjoying the process of letting go and trusting that everything would be perfect, despite such little differences in planning abroad. In the end, the food was to die for and everyone in our party raved about it!

A stark reality of planning a wedding abroad is realizing how over-the-top the industry can be in the United States, with so many overpriced options and fluff around certain services. Choosing from only 2-3 makeup artists, hair stylists, cake options, DJs, etc, quickened the process and allowed me to freely focus on the big picture of how our wedding day was going to *feel* for everyone there. It taught me the art of letting go and trusting the process, which I (and the rest of any type-A brides out there!) will be forever grateful for.

5. Your Guest Count Will Likely Be Lower (In A Beautiful And Intimate Way)

Image via @niceofwedding

Much like expectations for your vendor pool, your expectations regarding the guest list and overall turnout will realistically be much lower for a wedding abroad. Even with the closest of friends and family members, it's great etiquette to keep in mind that there will be likely less of those invited who are able to make the lengthy trip, depending on the location, logistics, time off, personal, and work projects, etc. While it was naturally ideal for us to hope that every single person invited would tag along and take part of our big day, we were very understanding with all of our guests who had valid reasons as to why they couldn’t travel to across the globe, despite their loving wishes and happy blessings. Our wedding party happily turned out to be a close-knit family affair, with over 80 guests and relatives attending – many of whom we hadn’t seen in over twenty years. For this reason, the tighter and more intimate setting and guest count allowed us to truly connect with our loved ones in a way we’ll never forget. And for those friends who did make the journey to celebrate us, it created a new level of gratitude.

Pro tip: Since those family and friends who can’t attend your wedding abroad are still eager to celebrate you as Bride and Groom, seize the opportunity and host an amazing pre- or post- party celebrating your nuptials in an easier-to-access location where people can easily gather and you can enjoy a mini wedding with your Stateside crew! With my family based in Miami, we invited our closest friends for a beautiful pre-wedding dinner party under the stars, followed by a mini Bachelorette weekend to kill two birds with one stone! This weekend getaway was a fantastic way to make the most of everyone’s time who had traveled to be in Miami, knowing they wouldn’t be able to make it to Turkey. It was a hit and one of the most memorable moments of our pre-marriage season!

6. Embrace Local Cultural Traditions + Educate Your Planner On Your Own

Image via @niceofwedding

Just as food, fashion, language, and landscapes vary from place to place, wedding culture and customs in each country are heavily influenced by years of tradition and spiritual practice worldwide. While there’s every wedding style under the sun in the States, you may encounter or more streamlined or one-way tradition when conducting weddings abroad. First and foremost, it’s an important distinction to consider your wedding abroad to be a symbolic — meaning it's non-legally binding in that country. That way, a lot of the paperwork is avoided in the destination of your choice and you can focus on keeping the ceremony and reception purely as a celebratory event. That being said, in order to make your marriage legal back in the States, you'll have to take the steps and carry out a legal ceremony either before or after your wedding abroad.

When it comes to popular Stateside wedding practices, you might have to map out, educate, and provide your planner with visual examples of certain customs that are second nature to American wedding planners. Elements like a bouquet toss, cake cutting, first dances, and parent dances aren’t things you can assume your wedding planner will include, so make sure to clearly outline which American wedding traditions (or others!) you’ll want to highlight on your special day.

In planning our wedding in Turkey, we had to take a few key details into our own hands like asking our some of our favorite family members to serve as the officiant during our ceremony and the emcee/announcer during our reception, as officiants aren't a traditional part of weddings in Turkey and our DJ — like many vendors — wasn't comfortable speaking English. These quirks made us great problem solvers and allowed us to get our family and friends involved with heartfelt favors that made our vision come to life on an even more personal level.

Additionally, we wanted to complement our reception set up with a traditional Sofreh Aghd, a Persian wedding table bedazzled with items meant to bless the bride and groom on their union, including sweets, candles, fresh flowers, mirrors, and more. It was important for me to walk through each step in curating the Sofreh Aghd with our wedding planner and send her the exact inspiration and details to work off of in gathering the items locally. Thanks to our endless chats, her resourcefulness in Turkey and her general amazing taste, the Sofreh turned out even more beautifully than I ever imagined.

​7. Your Money Will Go Much Further

Image via @niceofwedding

A popular reason many couples dip their toes into planning their wedding abroad is not only the allure of an exotic backdrop, but the fantastic perk of knowing that your dollar will often stretch much further in other countries when it comes to paying for a wedding. Where the industry in America is inflated beyond belief, the market abroad can be very humble with offering truly luxurious locations, services, and planning at a much lower price.

To clarify, the picture-perfect wedding of your dreams will likely still cost you a pretty penny abroad, but the amount will likely be significantly lower overall in comparison to mimicking the same setup you have in mind in the States. This financial benefit can influence everything from getting a five star hotel or resort experience at half the price that you’d pay in the US, to the ability to deck out your venue with a deluxe variety of floral arrangements at a much lower price point. With a bit more wiggle room in your budget, you may have the option of adding unique little touches to your event that make your guests feel truly special such as a small gift, covered meals, or other little mementos that show how much you appreciate them making the journey to celebrate you.

For us, having our wedding in Turkey allowed us to give our entire party a five star experience at a seaside resort with daily complimentary breakfast — and I’m not talking about a sad muffin and orange juice, because it was a full on over-the-top traditional Turkish breakfast served daily! And if you're a numbers person, I have the receipts to prove my destination wedding was a huge savings!

  • $6,000 included ALL wedding planning services from our planner and all florals, decor, and tablescape items for the wedding ceremony and reception. In my local area, wedding planner services are at ~$5-10K alone, and florals at $2-5K. I feel like this is really where we got the biggest bang for our buck and got the look and services we wanted for half the price!
  • $20,000 for combined resort and venue cost covering 3 locations on the property for 3 separate events, also including all appetizers, dinner, cake + unlimited alcohol/open bar at our wedding. In my research, a similarly plated multi-course dinner alone would be ~$15-30K, and coastal/waterfront venue rental for something similar to ours would be $10K+
  • $500 for bridal hair and makeup, which would usually go for $1-2k.
Those three factors add up to a savings of $36.5k — and that was just a handful of areas we were able to save! Imagine the possibilities!

Pro tip: Consider your now-expanded budget an opportunity to host 1-2 additional events or gatherings beyond the wedding day to make your guests who have traveled feel truly special. We hosted a Welcome Party complete with a fully catered traditional Turkish feast and a cultural ceremony the day after our wedding that highlighted dance, music and you guessed it – another delicious feast for everyone to remember forever. Hosting three back-to-back gatherings was something we never would have been able to afford in the US, so it was our pleasure to spend a bit of our carved out funds on our guests who traveled far and wide to be with us. Plus, who doesn’t love multiple bridal looks to shop for! 😉

8. Your Honeymoon Just Got Cheaper

Just like most couples who find the thrill in traveling and exploring new territory together, planning our honeymoon was the most exciting pay-off of the wedding planning process. Knowing we’d be able to keep the party going and experience our first week together as husband and wife on our honeymoon was thrilling. While many modern couples are deciding to push their honeymoon out to cater to work schedules, or just to get a breather after bringing your monumental moment to life, we decided to keep it old school and dive right into ours!

By basing your wedding abroad, you'll be in a much better position to purchase affordable plane tickets and hop right over to your honeymoon destination if it’s in reasonable proximity to your wedding destination. From Turkey, we were easily able to hop on our plane to Spain and Italy, where we sipped, ate and vacationed our way in newlywed bliss. Not only did our entire spend on plane tickets for our entire trip pre and post wedding add up to much less than starting off Stateside, but we also enjoyed the nice perk of having already adjusted to the European time zones so we could be active without worrying about the jet lag crash!

Some couples might opt for staying put at their wedding destination abroad for their honeymoon, as they bid adieu to beloved wedding guests and enjoy some romantic R&R without the buzz of friends and family around. If you’re already in love with the resort or hotel you’ve made yourself home at for the wedding, why not just extend your stay and get a super relaxing honeymoon without the hustle and bustle of any further travel?

Pro tip: Book your travels on a mult-city plan from the airline you fly the majority of your trips with. You’ll not only save money by letting their algorithms place together all the legs of your trip in one fell swoop, but also lots of time in honeymoon planning, which post-wedding organizing, is the best gift of all. We used Turkish Airlines for our combined travel to and from Turkey, Spain, Italy and the US.

9. Post-Wedding Logistics Are Important

Image via @niceofwedding

Perhaps the most important and overlooked element of all is what happens AFTER your wedding. While a Stateside wedding might mean being closer to home or able to cater to the logistics of where decor, gifts, wardrobe, and other details will be kept once the party’s over, it’s a much more crucial process to plan this portion of your wedding out if taking place abroad.

Everything from your formal dress(es), tuxedos, and suits to thoughtful gifts, jewelry, or new funds from loving family and friends must be safely transported back to the US. Without a car or an option to leave and pick up anything at a later time, it was a very key part of the process for us to research dollar limit amounts and pre-plan packing logistics for how to get these important items back home. Not to mention, we had a whole honeymoon’s worth of travel ahead of us, and we didn't want the pressure of holding on to these irreplaceable items!

Your family is the most trustworthy, and if you’ve got a close relative who lives nearby back home, it’s best to give them an important heads up and ask if they're willing to help by transporting items back home with them until you make it back yourself. For us, we planned ahead and brought one extra compact carry on each, where we’d plan to place my wedding dress (gently rolled up!), my husband’s tuxedo (again, rolled up in a designated suit carrier), as well as any physical gifts we received and could safely pack alongside. Two of our relatives who live close by to us in California were happy to assist as they were traveling directly back home after the wedding in Turkey and upon arrival from our honeymoon, we were able to retrieve our items. It was a foolproof system, but only because we planned ahead and reached out for assistance ahead of time so they knew what the plan was.

As far as any financial gifts, we wanted to avoid having any physical forms of money gifted to us at the wedding so we didn't have to carry it or deposit it into our accounts while abroad, so we offered our guests the convenient option of donating to our Honeymoon Fund on our wedding website. This was definitely the easiest way to go, and highly recommended for anyone else planning their big day to not only use this digital feature, but also take advantage of creating a free wedding website to fill your invited loved ones with all of the exciting details!

10. The Best Part: It Will Feel Like A Vacation!

Image via @niceofwedding

Of course, *the* key element that drives the dream of hosting a wedding abroad in a gorgeous setting is providing yourselves and your favorite people with a trip of a lifetime. For those with families spread out across the globe (or the US!), inviting beloved family and friends to celebrate this exciting milestone all together in one exotic place is an irresistible opportunity to reunite and enjoy a vacation as one big, amazing group. For those with to-be-spouses with the majority of family in faraway places, it also is a heartfelt way of making it easier for his/her family members to attend without worrying about the extensive costs of a ticket to the US.

By choosing Turkey, we were able to embrace all of our family members from the US, Europe, and the Middle East in a central location and spark a reason to drop their daily routine and meet for a momentous occasion, all while enjoying a vacation of a lifetime by the sparkling Aegean Sea. Witnessing the looks of relaxation, happiness and joy on everyone’s faces amidst beach-side breakfasts, festive outbursts of dance and song and zen-laced moments on strolls around town were the greatest gift of all. Knowing that a wedding abroad was not only centered on our union as one, but our family’s ability to reunite made us like all of the extensive planning was worth every last drop.

Pro tip: Given the climate of each location will vary, keep a close eye on the typical seasonal weather around the time of year you’re aiming for your wedding to take place and consider that the temperature and daily forecasts will have a large impact on the comfort of you and your party upon visiting. From wind to rain to above or below average temperatures, it’s wise to ask your planner first thing in the process to advise the optimal times of year to host your wedding and avoid any unfriendly weather conditions as best as possible.

Image via @niceofwedding

If you’re thinking of planning your wedding and the idea of doing it abroad is intriguing to you and your future spouse, take this as your sign to go for it and don’t look back! It’s a bold decision to depart from the norm and think outside of the box. You might be met with resistance from your families, but I promise you that if you follow your heart, everyone will be absolutely amazed once it all unfolds on that special day. Whether it’s 10,000 or 10 miles away, there’s a magical place that has your name (+ future new last name!) written all over it. Happy planning, bride!

Looking for more wedding planning inspo? We've got you covered at Brit+Co!

Photography courtesy of @niceofwedding.

Break out your basketball jerseys because the Tree Hill Ravens are coming back! Multiple sources have toldVariety that Netflix will develop a sequel series to the beloved CW drama, which ran from 2003-2012. While the series hasn't officially been greenlit yet, multiple series stars have admitted they'd love to have a One Tree Hill reunion and make another installment of the show.

"I just can't see a world where something won't happen," Chad Michael Murray told E! News. "Something will happen. Whether we get everybody together and do a live reading of the show, or we create a new fictional future episode, I don't know what it will be."

"We’re all on board, we’re all friends, it would be the most fun show anybody has ever been on," Barbara Alyn Woods says in an Entertainment Tonight interview.

Here's everything to know about the One Tree Hillsequel series — including the stars rumored to return!

Who's returning to the One Tree Hill sequel?

Noam Galai/Getty Images for Netflix

One Tree Hill Sequel Cast

According to Variety, Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton would return as Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively. Daneel Ackles would also return — and all three would serve as executive producers on the TV show alongside Warner Bros. Television, who was behind the original show.

When asked if he would return as Lucas Scott, Chad Michael Murray simply responded with “No clue." Considering previous reports suggested he had "no plans to return," this is promising news to me! He then added he hopes the sequel series “comes together for the fans.”

“I mean, this fandom that has grown, I mean, literally, I was just in Halifax a week ago and, sure enough, I’m running into 11, 12, 13-year-old kids who are in love with Tree Hill,” he continues. “They’re seeing it on Hulu and they’re going, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ It’s stood the test of time and I think to have some new stories, whatever iteration of the show that’s created, I want it for the fans.”

Will One Tree Hill have a season 10?

Warner Bros. Television

One Tree Hill Sequel Plot

One Tree Hill doesn't have a season 10, and it's unclear what kind of sequel this new One Tree Hill series would be. But it looks like star Hilarie Burton is confident the new series would be told through the female experience. "What has been really cool for [the entire cast and crew], they're all really proud of the work that we did back then too," she told Brit + Co in September. And so to see the public support this little show we made 20 years later, that's so special and it's so rare."

“Being able to work with a team of women and look at these stories [and] these characters through a female lens is something that — whether I was doing a reboot or a brand-new show or a different movie at this phase in my life, female teamwork is something that is so vital to me,” she adds in an interview with People. “It is the core of anything I've done that's successful...So I'm excited to be able to team up with people that I look up to, people that I love dearly.”

After the One Tree Hill finale featured all of our favorite characters' kids, I've always wanted to see a One Tree Hill next generation series that brings the kids into high school, which is something other fans have been wanting too!

One viral TikTok imagines an intro for a fictional Next Gen series starring Dylan O'Brien, Candice King, and Vanessa Marano. "Could you imagine this as a reboot with the kids though," one comment reads. "We can only dream."

Warner Bros. Television

And good news for OTH fans! Jana Kramer, who played Alex during the later seasons of the show, teased she thinks Peyton and Brooke "are coming back as moms."

"I had spoken to Hilarie about it, about Alex making an appearance when I knew about it," she tells People. "We had discussed it before the news broke...I think their intention is to bring back people that make sense. And Hilarie was like, 'I never got to meet Alex, so it'd be fun to have us meet,' and I'm like, 'I would love that. Sign me up.' So, we'll see. TBD."

Brooke having to deal with her kids' TikToks? Peyton thinking about the future of art and AI? Mouth leading the Tree Hill podcast empire? There is so much to dive into here. But all in all, One Tree Hill is one TV show that gives me so much hope, no matter how many times I watch it. And I know that bringing back our favorite found family is the perfect way to bring some of that hope right back into today's TV.

Scott Gries/Getty Images

One Tree Hill also starred Chad Michael Murray, James Lafferty, Austin Nichols, Bethany Joy Lenz, Paul Johansson, Barbara Alyn Woods, Lee Norris, and Antwon Tanner. Check back here for the latest updates on the One Tree Hill reboot cast!

Warner Bros. Television

What do you think about the One Tree Hill sequel?! Stay tuned for the latest news and read up on how This One Moment Proves Brooke Davis Is The Best Character On One Tree Hill.

This post has been updated.

Thanksgiving dinner is a meal we look forward to all year long. The savory stuffing, the roasted turkey, the cranberry sauce — does it get any better than that? Well if you ask us, the best part are the leftovers! And we're talking about more scrumptious meals than the usual turkey sandwich. We've scoured the internet for different ways to put that surplus of food — trimmings included — to use. These 15 recipes will have you licking your chops.

Amazing Thanksgiving leftovers the entire family will won't mind eating until the first week of December

Butternut Bakery

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Don't throw away that pumpkin purée just yet! You can use it to make delicious pumpkin cupcakes the entire family will keep coming back for. Once you add in a little pumpkin pie spice, flour, baking soda, dark brown sugar, and more goodies, you'll have 12 sweet treats to munch after Thanksgiving.

P.S. You may want to have someone else bake this recipe a second time so you can have 24 cupcakes!

Cozy Cravings

Butternut Squash and Bacon Crostini

Your family will become a huge fan of crostinis once they taste this recipe. Between the butternut squash, ricotta cheese, and bacon, everyone will be eating sweet as well as savory mini sandwiches.

Munching with Mariyah

Curried Pumpkin Red Lentil Soup

Blend your leftover pumpkin and squash with coconut milk, red curry paste, ginger, and more veggies for the heartiest lentil soup you've ever tasted. Everyone will be looking to recreate this dish for a taste of lentils once they eat it, er, sip it.

Brit + Co

Gluten-Free Frittata Recipe

Bring your Thanksgiving turkey leftovers together with some cheese, peppers, and onions for a delicious frittata. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

The Butter Half

Thanksgiving Leftover Pop Tarts

These savory pop tarts are filled with cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and bits of tender turkey, then drizzled with gravy for a snack or meal that will knock your socks off. (via The Butter Half)

Foodess

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie

Put the sandwiches on hold, because this turkey pot pie is the *only* way to use those turkey leftovers to their greatest potential.

A Sweet Pea Chef

Leftover Turkey Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

Take your comfort food and turn it into something nutritious by topping salad with leftover turkey and a vinaigrette made with leftover cranberries.

Spices in My DNA

Thanksgiving Leftovers Everything Bagel Sandwich

This recipe stuffs your everything bagel with a poached egg, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and turkey.

The Seasoned Mom

Aunt Bee's Leftover Turkey Casserole

It's cozy casserole season, so this recipe is the perfect way to use up that leftover turkey by adding it to a pasta bake that is rich, creamy, and jam-packed with flavor.

Lively Table

Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Nothing soothes the soul better than a steamy bowl of soup like this, filled to the brim with tender shredded turkey, nourishing veggies, and a generous dollop of Greek yogurt for extra smoothness.

The Cookie Recipe

Deep-Fried Loaded Mashed Potato Bites

If you don't know what to do with that heap of extra mashed potatoes, we've got you covered with these crispy potato, bacon, and cheese-filled bites of glory.

What Should I Make For...

Thanksgiving on a Roll

If you want ALL the carbs, this recipe sandwiches turkey and all the fixin's between a fresh roll and it. Is. Magical.

Whitney Bond

Turkey Fajita Rice Bowls

Kick things up a notch and put a healthy spin on your leftover turkey with these veggie-filled fajita rice bowls.

Yes to Yolks

Thanksgiving Leftovers Pierogi

This recipe smashes the traditional pierogi together with leftover Thanksgiving goodies for a fun and seasonal spin on a classic.

Jessica in the Kitcen

Vegetarian Meatloaf and Cranberry Thanksgiving Leftover Sandwich

Vegetarians can enjoy Thanksgiving to the max too, and if anything proves it, it's this stacked meatless 'wich that swaps the usual turkey for plant-based meatloaf.

Pickled Plum

Leftover Turkey Dinner Hash

These turkey-filled hash patties will make brunch fanatics swoon with their festive flavor and golden crisp exterior.

Bless Her Heart Y'all

Turkey Teriyaki Stir-Fry

This feast doesn't just give you a healthful meal after gorging on holiday eats, but it also serves as a weeknight wonder, clocking in at just 15 minutes from start to finish!

Chef de Home

Turkey Tetrazzini With Mushrooms

Putting that leftover turkey to use never looked so good with this creamy mushroom and pasta-filled tetrazzini.

Half Baked Harvest

Thanksgiving Leftovers Croque Madame

This Thanksgiving leftovers croque Madame sandwich is an excellent way to serve breakfast on Black Friday. After all, you'll need an extra boost from the fried eggs to get you through your mad dash at the mall!

Vikalinka

Butternut Squash Casserole

Not sure what to do with all the leftover butternut squash? Make a cheesy au gratin casserole!

Crowded Kitchen

Vegan Cornbread Stuffing

Don't throw away your cornbread after Thanksgiving! You can use what's leftover to bake vegan cornbread stuffing to give it a toasted yet flavorful taste.

Crowded Kitchen

Pumpkin Salad

This tasty and crunchy pumpkin salad is a great option to make if you're confused about what to do with your leftover pumpkins.

Averie Cooks

Caramel Apple Gingerbread Cookie Cups

Let's say you bought one too many apples for the apple pie you baked. Instead of lamenting over your 'mishap,' use what's leftover after Thanksgiving to make caramel apple gingerbread cookie cups!

Completely Delicious

Thanksgiving Leftovers Pizza

This delicious leftover pizza is a thoughtful option for anyone who swears they're tired of eating leftover Thanksgiving turkey after a couple of days.

Pink Owl Kitchen

Creamy Sweet Potato Soup

Chances are it'll be cold the week of Thanksgiving so use your leftover sweet potatoes to create this creamy soup. It's good for the soul!

For more Thanksgiving leftover recipes, follow us on Pinterest — and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter!

This post has been updated.