Destination Weddings

For some couples, only the perfect dream wedding in an exotic locale will do for their "I do’s".

Today’s ease of travel allows many couples, and sometimes even their family and friends, to celebrate their vows atop a peak in the Rocky Mountains, Hawaiian volcanoes as backdrops, the deck of a cruise liner on the high seas, beautiful beaches of the Caribbean, and of course in a glitzy wedding chapel in trendy Las Vegas.

Often times, the choice of a destination wedding doubles as the beginning on a spectacular once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon.

Destination weddings have become huge business as couples choose to marry on a cruise, at a resort on a tropical island or even create a custom fairytale wedding at Cinderella’s Castle in Disney World. Many of the cruise lines and hotel companies have created a separate "wedding department" to help couples handle all the arrangements.

Travel brochures, wedding magazines, travel magazines and of course, the Internet, are all good places to start researching different wedding locales. Timing is another factor to take into consideration. You might not want to plan to say "I do" on a luxury liner or a Caribbean beach during hurricane season. Most tropical locales have a rainy season that should be factored in if planning an outdoor wedding. And of course, connecting through big cities like Chicago and New York during winter can be difficult when a snowstorm hits. Having to travel a long distance for your wedding may be an easy decision for the two of you, but can be quite a burden financially for other members of the bridal party and your families. Discussion with all parties you want present during your vows before booking any travel plans or making a deposit is probably a wise decision.

After long and careful thinking about when and where you want to say your wedding vows, you probably need to decide whether you are going to do the work or let a specialist handle your arrangements. Travel agencies that specialize in honeymoons are often a good source for beginning your planning. If you are thinking about creating a lavish custom wedding in an exotic locale, a wedding or event planner in that location is probably a safe choice to coordinate intricate plans. Maybe you want to personalize your wedding through your vows, the people you choose to share your vows with, and your attire and leave the rest of the organizational planning to the wedding coordinator at your chosen resort.

Though pictures speak a thousand words, it is probably best if you can take a trip to your desired location before making your final decision. Brochure pictures are often taken years ago and the property is currently sorely-needing renovation. If you can not take the trip yourself, perhaps you can have a friend or relative who lives in the area observe the location for you. Sticking with well-known hotel chains or cruise lines is probably safe, but is no guarantee that things will be exactly as you pictured them. A call to the local Better Business Bureau could also give you additional peace of mind.

Insurance is highly advisable for a destination wedding as natural disasters can wreak havoc with the most meticulously made plans. A financially-reimbursed mishap will at least allow you to recoup your losses and allow you to afford other alternate or delayed plans.