NEWS

SAYING “I DO” TO A WEDDING HELD AT SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA
GETS MARRIED LIFE OFF TO A GOOD START

DOHA, QATAR. – Create a lifetime of memories with an informal destination wedding on the beach for family and friends at Sharq Village & Spa or a gala celebration in one of the exquisite ballrooms. The elegant backdrop of the Arabian inspired resort sets the stage for sublimely memorable moments for the most important day of a couple’s journey together.

The team of professionals at Sharq Village & Spa are expertly trained and certified to plan weddings with memories that last long after the final toast has been proposed and the honeymoon is over. From selecting the perfect music to working with the most talented florists; creating the cake with the pastry chef to arranging the wedding night suite, Sharq Village & Spa is offers the best resource. Menu selections are extensive and can be themed to suit the special tastes and cultural preferences of the couple. Blocks of rooms may be held at special value rates to accommodate out of town guests. Private Bridal Villas can also be reserved for pre or post wedding or honeymoon preparations and celebrations.

Unique services and facilities the resorts specialists can also assist with include arranging an exclusive on-site luxury shopping expedition. Sharq Village & Spa is home to a luxurious collection of boutique stores which offers everything from designer jewels, evening gowns, accessories, luxury gifts, perfumes and luxury furnishings. Additional services include in house floral consultant, hair, nail and make-up stylists, spa treatments at the award winning Six Senses Spa, photography and videography services, and entertainment.

WEDDING TRENDS FOR 2008 COLORS. While many colors will be popular this year, purple will prevail. A palette from pale lavender to deep eggplant, used in a variety of patterns on everything from bridesmaids' dresses and invitations to the wedding cake and cocktail napkins. Seasonal hues for spring and summer include mauve, sage and turquoise.

FLOWERS. While roses will forever symbolize love and romance, more adventurous brides are experimenting with orchids, gerbera daisies, peonies, gardenias, lilies and green hydrangeas. Arrangements with a "just-picked, casual look" are favorites for both brides and their mothers. Chocolate brown is also in. Color combinations like pink with brown and burgundy with green are part of the new trend. Floral accents known as bouquet jewels are also favorites this year.

RINGS. Gold is gorgeous, diamonds are to die for, and platinum is a perennial favorite, but the hot new metal in men's wedding bands is tungsten. Over the past two years, tungsten has "taken on a life of its own," according to a premier online wedding band retailer. It's the only metal that is scratch-resistant, making it very appealing to men who may have shied away from softer metals in the past.

ATTIRE. We can expect to see more and more strapless bridal gowns, as well as floor-length styles, adorned with pastel trimmings and embroidery, fancy beadwork and satin accents. Experts also see a renaissance of the morning coat for grooms in both black and gray - a less formal alternative to the traditional tuxedo. Rhinestone Foot Jewelry is the perfect accessory for weddings on the beach. Swarovski Crystal and Pearl pins are also popular hair accessories.

ALTERNATIVE CAKES. Tiramisu, cheesecake and other flavored confections are replacing the standard tiered wedding cake. Couples who enjoy pastries, cupcakes or even desserts are looking for inspiration to create unique, show stopping wedding cakes. Swarovski Crystal monogram cake jewelry is also the latest trend for wedding cake toppers.

RECEPTION. Unique menu fare ranging from one-bite desserts and chilled soups served in shot glasses to ethnic-inspired entrees and make-your-own food stations. Long tables decorated with colored stemware, gilt edging, and party favors that include ginger-flavored truffles and monogrammed chocolate bars. DJs spinning favorite tunes from the '80s or even spicy Latin samba music will be heard at many celebrations.

Brides are selecting dual-purpose favors like picture frames that can be used for place cards at the reception as well as to hold a photo of the bridal couple after the wedding

For honeymoon planning, there are 72 Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts around the world. The Catering staff for the wedding can also arrange and suggest special honeymoon sites from the beaches of Cancun to the exotic sites of Tenerife

For more information on weddings Sharq Village & Spa contact the hotel at +974 425 6666 or visit The Ritz-Carlton website at www.ritzcarlton.com .