The Team
Leslie craigmyle
operations
Leslie Craigmyle grew up as a Third Culture Kid living in an American compound in the desert of Saudi Arabia, as well as on a farm in Zimbabwe. Life as a TCK sparked a deep love for travel - whether it be exploring country roads in upstate New York or the souks of Dubai.
She worked in the photo industry for many years, supplying magazines, newspapers, television shows, and books with celebrity images. That eventually segued into marketing in higher education. Along the way, she often put heads together with Lisa - helping research DESTINATION BRIDE: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World and writing articles on marvelously unique wedding destinations.
Leslie currently lives in Philadelphia, with Henry, possibly the world's naughtiest cat. She is 1/2 way to her goal of visiting sixty countries before turning sixty.
3 countries on Leslie's bucket list: Malta, Belize, and Mongolia. (Not to mention the Trans Siberian Railway…)
3 things always in her carryon: Anker Portable Charger, Loop World Adapter Plug, and a Canon 50mm lens.
3 adventures she will remember always: Cruising on the Hebridean Princess, snorkeling in the Straits of Hormuz, and exploring the ruins of Lipnice nad Sazavou.
Leslie's personal travel manifesto: Things are going to go wrong. Go with the flow with a smile on your face. You'll be happier and the people you encounter will be as well.
Barb Ortiz
Travel
With over 29 years in the travel industry and part of the third largest and most influential travel company in the nation, Barb is your one-stop travel destination specialist. Her passion for traveling has led her to visit 30+ destinations around the globe. Barb is always looking for that one unexplored area or thing, and doesn’t mind taking a wrong turn. It can lead to some amazing experiences! Her Puerto Rican and Italian roots have led her to live in both regions as well as Holland. Barb has a knack for languages and speaks Spanish, Italian and some Dutch. She specializes in finding unique and memorable wedding and honeymoon locations that will leave you coming back a second time around. She has planned destination weddings and honeymoons in all four corners of the globe including Bali, Thailand, Australia, Fiji, Tahiti, Belize, Costa Rica, Tanzania, Zanzibar and South Africa.
Barb was born in Brooklyn and currently lives in Harlem, New York – a neighborhood so diversified that on any given day you can listen to people speak a variety of languages, taste a different cuisine every night of the week and meet the most interesting characters you have ever seen.
3 things always in her carryon: Rosebud Salve-it’s multipurpose, a Cashmere Sweater, Chewing Gum and a Universal Adaptor.
Favorite destinations: South Africa, Riviera Maya, Japan and Italy.
3 countries on Barb's bucket list: Galapagos, Patagonia, Nepal, India.
GRACE Whitney RUGEN
creative
As the daughter of a destination wedding planner, Grace has not only traveled the world, but learned first hand how weddings are designed and produced. As a little girl, she helped assemble welcome bags, as a teenager she was given floral design responsibilities, and now that she has graduated from Marist College with a degree in digital media and fashion merchandising, she is responsible for all of the graphic design and branding for Destination Bride. Grace has had the opportunity to live in France, Switzerland and during college, she spent a semester abroad in Hong Kong at the Polytechnic Institute. Following her semester abroad, she backpacked throughout Southeast Asia. Grace has also enjoyed several epic road trips with her sisters throughout Europe, across the United States and exploring the island of Iceland. Her resume also includes roles at BCBGMAXAZRIA in Los Angeles, Ceci New York, and as the creative director for the highly regarded Silver Needle Runway Show at Marist College. Grace currently divides her time between New York City and the Hudson River Valley.