This is our last post in the Traditional with a Modern Twist wedding series! These last two are both post wedding ceremony traditions. Starting with...
The Honeymoon
History: Long ago, newly married couples would drink a fermented wine made from mead and honey for a month ("moon") following their wedding.
Modern Twist: Today the honeymoon is a vacation (not necessarily a month long!) for the newly married couple that usually immediately follows the wedding. It is a time for the couple to spend lots of time alone following the hectic planning of the wedding. Many couples choose very special places to commemorate their marriage.
Changing the Bride's Surname
History: Because in olden times, women were treated as property, her name was changed to signify the change in "ownership" form father to husband. It was also believed to be bad luck to marry someone who shared the same last initial.
Modern Twist: Thankfully, women are no longer viewed as property. Today's brides can choose the name they wish to use. More and more, brides are opting to keep their own names, either for professional or personal reasons. It is even common for today's brides (and grooms) to develop new names from a combination of both names!
Looks like the former "Eastern Shanghai Theater" on the Parkway, is being spruced up for a new attraction that will open next month. Nate Evans, a former member of The Impressions who later toured with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin of The Temptations, is starting a Motown-style show for the theater that is scheduled to launch on June 21.
Evans, who currently lives in Kodak, led a similar show in Pigeon Forge in recent years, but the new attraction will be different. Instead of a five-piece band they're planning to have an eight-to-ten-piece band, with horns. While it costs more, he said, the sound makes a difference. "We wanted to come big," he added.
Season 8 of
The Bachelorette made its way to the Smoky Mountains where Bachelorette Emily Maynard took one of the remaining 16 men, Arie, somewhere she grew up visiting: Dollywood. Since Emily is from Charlotte, NC, and most of the filming is taking place in Charlotte, they were only a short flight away from the theme park and Pigeon Forge, TN. While on their visit the two played carnival games and won prizes for Emily's daughter, Ricki. They also rode some of the rides including the new Wild Eagle roller coaster. Then they visited the old theater on the premises where Dolly walked out and surprised the couple on stage! Emily, like most other southern girls worships Dolly Parton and was blown away by her surprise! "Surprised? At Dollywood?" Dolly asked Emily. Dolly asked Emily to sit down for "girl chat" and shared wisdom about her 45-year marriage.
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We're so glad that Emily loves Dollywood and got to share her love for
Dolly and her theme park on last night's episode of
The Bachelorette! Be sure to come back to
Pigeon Forge, Emily. You're always welcome!
This week's Feature Friday is
The Resort at Governor's Crossing. Be it a family vacation, weekend getaway, or a business trip, you can rest assured that you have made the right condominium choice. The Resort at Governor’s Crossing is one of the top family destinations in the Smokies.
1.) What do visitors love the most about their stay at The Resort?
Visitors to the Smoky Mountains have found The Resort at Governor’s Crossing to be the ideal choice for vacation condo lodging with unsurpassed guest amenities and convenience.
2.) What amenities do you offer that others may not?
Our guest units are equipped with the latest in guest amenities. With queen and king studios, one, two and three bedroom condos that feature king and queen beds, fully equipped kitchens, baths with jetted tubs, DVD players, free wireless Internet, meeting rooms, game room, exercise room and much more.
3.) What amenities can guests take advantage of outside their rooms?
The whole family will enjoy our year round climate controlled indoor water park and our seasonal outdoor water park with 5 pools, two Jacuzzis, high speed water slides, sauna, and a 250 foot lazy river.
4.) Is the Resort running any special offers for 2012 that visitors should know about?
The Resort at Governor’s Crossing is offering a discounted rate to
Dollywood Season Pass holders on accommodations at The Resort. This discounted rate is available either
online or by calling our call center at
800-497-5749. To access the rate on-line enter the promo code
SeaPass in the promo code box and the rate will appear as
“Dolly season pass holder”. This special rate will be available on all room types that are available for the dates selected. This special discounted rate is available through Dec. 31, 2012.
5.) What's new for 2012 at the Resort?
We have a new Pirate Ship playground that opened in March. The new playground, located between the lazy river and the building housing the front desk, is a dry play area. The kids are sure to love it!
Make Your Reservations for The Resort at Governor's Crossing, and stay where every guest is a V.I.P. Call 1-800-497-5749.
Get ready adventure seekers! The Adventure Park at Five Oaks is giving away 4 tickets ($240 value). Soar over the beautiful Smoky Mountains on 70 acres.
If you want to enjoy an affordable zip line tour we're right on the Parkway in Sevierville across from Five Oaks Tanger Mall. Ziplines Pigeon Forge is perhaps one of the greatest things available at an adventure course. It is especially great to share in the adventure as a family. Even the youngsters can hitch a ride with certified professionals, so that they too can enjoy in the fun and excitement. Whether riding on one's own or with a guide, dashing over the treetops gets the blood pumping. The shared adrenaline rush will undoubtedly bring the whole family closer and make for endlessly lasting experiences that will be remembered for years to come.