1. Waikiki, Hawaii
2. Miami, Florida
3. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
4. St. John, Islands
5. Cumberland Island, Georgia

Indeed having a beach wedding is a perfect way for you to make a very memorable wedding day. But to make it possible, you might need to round up a few important things first. Here are some tips you can use while you are arranging or seeing if a beach wedding destination is a good idea for your wedding celebration.

When would your wedding date be? – Of course this is the most important part of deciding for a beach celebration. If your chosen date for your wedding date falls on a rainy season, it might be risky to have a beach wedding. You might end up not being able to actually hold the wedding ceremonies by the beach and that would not be fun. This is also a crucial thing to take note of when looking for your beach wedding venue. Holding the ceremonies right at the summer season would also pressure you to book your reservation around two to three months before the actual date. This way, you can be sure that you would be able to get the best venue at the dream beach wedding destination of your choice.

How many guests do you plant to invite? – A beach wedding is often an intimate event, so you might want to trim down your guest list to a few special people who you would not want to be missed during that special day. You might also want to plan a seating arrangement for them, considering any special things that might not attention from among your guests. Bringing in kids along with these guests is also something that you would have to consider.

Where do you plan to have the reception? – This can be an added expense for your part, since some beach wedding venues might only offer their location for the wedding ceremonies and an additional payment is needed to accommodate the reception. Consider this well, and try to find out if you can hire a separate catering services for the food or you would have to rely on the resorts’ kitchen for this purpose.

Overnight accommodations – You might of course want to spend more time together, enjoying the beach finally as a couple. See discount rates or package deals which you can avail should you rent the place already for your wedding ceremonies. You might end up getting great deals out of it

1. Start Planning Early

Gone are the days of dropping into town at midnight and waking the village parson to marry you (his wife, with her wrinkled overcoat pulled over her dressing gown, acting as pianist-slash-witness). As nostalgic and romantic as it sounds, it’s just not realistic in this day and age. There aren’t very many English-speaking celebrants available in Paris, and most of them work full-time at their own churches. They also have families, hobbies and other commitments, which leaves a limited amount of time to officiate weddings for couples coming from overseas. They, of course, try to be as accommodating as possible, but to be fair, you should plan on contracting your officiant at least 2 – 3 months in advance of your ceremony (longer if you’re planning on eloping during the high season).

2. Hire a good wedding planner

Well… this one is pretty simple. People tend to think that wedding planners are for big, elaborate weddings. That’s not true at all. A destination wedding is a destination wedding- whether it’s just you two or 200 of your closest friends! Do you know where to get a hand-tied bouquet of cafe au lait-colored peonies with a matching boutonniere in Paris? A wedding planner would. Do you know the name of an awesome, reputable, English-speaking Parisian photographer? A wedding planner does! I could go on for another 2 paragraphs, but you get the gist. Besides having access to top-notch local vendors, hiring a wedding planner based in the destination that you’re planning your elopement takes the pressure off of you and your honey, and gives you time to concentrate on planning your honeymoon. As when you’re hiring your officiant, keep in mind that most wedding planners need at least 2 – 3 months notice to plan a unique, personalized elopement ceremony correctly.

3. Try not to plan too much

So, my first pointer was to start planning early, but that’s not to say to plan every single second of your event! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- France is not America. France runs at it’s own pace, and to most Americans, that’s about 3.5 paces behind the U.S! Everyone is familiar with the stereotype of the American tourist in a Parisian restaurant, waiting… and waiting… and waiting for “l’addition” (all the while growing more red-faced and furious at the waiter for “ignoring” his table). I’ve had elopement clients send me their itineraries timed to the quarter hour, “Car Pick-Up at Hotel: 12:45. Arrive at Eiffel Tower: 1:05. Waiter brings 1st glass of champagne: 2:17, etc. etc…” If you learn nothing else from this article, learn this: You can pay a deposit, fax an excel spreadsheet, confirm, re-confirm, and re-RE-confirm an order, but it won’t really confirm anything. In Paris, “on time” typically means between 15 and 35 minutes “late” (by American standards). So, if you’re expecting a car to pick you up at 1:00 to get you to the Eiffel Tower for your ceremony to start at 1:30, just know that the car will probably arrive at 1:15, but it’s no problem because the ceremony probably won’t start until 1:50 anyway! It all works out in the end, and the wedding ceremony will be just as lovely 20 minutes “later” than you had planned.

4. You can not get married on top of the Eiffel Tower

Let me just say that once again for the girls at the back: You Can NOT get married on top of the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is a national monument which occasionally rents the top out for corporate functions, but not to private individuals. If you want to host your wedding at the Eiffel Tower, you’ll be encouraged to rent rooms at one of the two restaurants in the tower . BTW, you also can’t get married at Notre Dame Cathedral or at Sacre Coeur, unless you have some pretty strong pull in some VERY high places in France. For starters, in order to have a church wedding at all in France, you will first need to have a civil wedding here. That comes with a whole slew of rules and regulations, which is why most foreigners who come to Paris to get married choose to have a religious blessing or a symbolic ceremony instead. With symbolic ceremonies, you have a lot more flexibility- so while you still can’t get marriedon top of the Eiffel Tower, you can have a very simple symbolic ceremony in front of it.

5. Think off the Beaten Path

If you’ve already decided to elope to Paris, chances are you’re a pretty non-traditional couple. So why settle for the same ole same ole once you’ve arrived in Paris? Sure, you can get married beneath the Eiffel Tower. It’s gorgeous, historical, romantic- everything that you could ask from a wedding in Paris. But wouldn’t it be really cool to exchange your vows on top of the Buttes Chaumont, with its amazing panoramic view of the city spread out at your feet? Or beneath the echo-y vaulted ceilings of the Place des Vosges? Or even at sundown in the dramatic shadows of the Pyramide de Louvre. Since you’re creating your own, unique elopement ceremony, the world (or at least Paris) is your oyster! Elopement ceremonies tend to be fairly short, so if you’re mindful of the legalities of your intended venue (no standing on the grass, for example, if you’re not permitted to do so), and respectful of your environment (i.e.: don’t hire an accordionist to serenade you in a busy restaurant), your elopement in Paris should go off without a hitch!

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A Canada wedding ceremony or an intimate celebration on the San Juan Islands will be beautiful any time of year, as long as you plan your wedding for a destination that is most comfortable and enjoyable for you and your guests during the best season. Whether you say, “I do” beneath a snowy trellis in the mountains behind the ski resorts of Whistler or overlooking the sparkling water from a romantic Vancouver hotel, you will not be disappointed when you plan accordingly.

Add to this breathtaking selection of Canada wedding destinations a cast of wedding services that will take care of everything – from the wedding photographers and videographer, the reception entertainment to your wedding gown. It’s a relief to know that any last-minute alterations can be made for you or your bridesmaids, just in case. You will find exactly what you need, and that extra something you might want at the last minute. Something borrowed or blue, perhaps?

A Canada Wedding or an Intimate Celebration on The San Juan Islands – Where the Woods Meet the Sea

If you plan your big day on the San Juan Islands you can have it all, especially during the fall and spring, seasons bursting with color and romance. Intimate weddings are perfect on Orcas Island where you can choose between a wedding location with a view of the sea, the spectacular, arching mountain range, wooded forests and calm lakes shouldering geese and swans along their green banks. Or, invite everyone to the lovely resort hotel in Roche Harbor for an afternoon garden wedding overlooking Puget Sound. The San Juan Islands will give you a quiet, graceful sanctuary for your vows or a festive and delightful spa-filled celebration with friends and family at the harbor. Complete wedding services are available wherever you choose.

Vancouver – Dancing Above the Sound

A Canada wedding in Vancouver dazzles anytime of year. This ravishing city reaches out to every visitor with its charming streets through old neighborhoods steeped in Canada’s storied cultures. You must take a look at Seasons in the Park, the glass gazebo in a garden of a million flowers, because it is ideal for a quintessential outdoor Canada wedding ceremony. It’s like walking through a Monet painting. Luxurious hotels facing the water offer perfect spots for the first dance under chandeliers casting sparkles of happiness above the bride and groom.

Whistler – Where Dreams Come True in a Winter Wonderland

In the wintertime, Whistler bows to the bride with its white treetops. Etched snowy mountain crests stand behind the bride who, even in this majestic setting, inspires the most awe on her day. The bride is at the center of this winter wonderland, whether saying her vows at one of the traditional, elegant hotels nestled in this exclusive retreat or at the top of Blackcomb Mountain, 6,000 feet above the rest of the world. For the more faint of heart, Whistler Golf Club is another spectacular setting for a wedding ceremony, perched above the greens and rolling creek below, plus giving all of the revelers a magnificent mountain view.

Plan your Canada wedding day at any one of these three dream worlds during their best seasons, and you can count on celebrating the most memorable day of your life.

Often couples don’t want a traditional white wedding and would prefer to escape to the sun (or snow). So here are some of our recommendations for the best places in the world to get married.

Best for SUN – Hawaii

These tropical islands make a truly romantic location in which to exchange your vows. Located in the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles away from the nearest landmass, they benefit from temperatures in the high 20°s c year-round, with the gentle trade winds making it not too hot or sticky.

Hawaii is perfect for the couples looking for a dream tropical location, but with plenty of activities available if you want to explore. Marry on the beach at sunset while the palm trees wave in the gently breeze and the waves lap at your feet; tie the knot in a stunning tropical garden with a view of the lush mountains; or simply choose a wonderful luxury resort and get married in the grounds under a wedding gazebo with a view of the ocean – whatever you choose, there’s an amazing choice of wedding location in Hawaii.

Best for SNOW – Canada

Are you fed up of every wedding abroad being held in a tropical beach? Do you dream of a winter wedding in the snow? Then Canada makes the ideal wedding destination for you.

Central Canada’s snow season lasts from November to April and there are many fantastic locations from which to choose. Couples looking for a fairytale wedding might be interested in the modern faux chateau-style of the Banff Springs Hotel in Alberta, or in one of the many historical-style hotels in French-speaking Montréal. For an incredible wedding backdrop, set your wedding ceremony against snow-covered mountains as the sun drops behind them, the colours will be amazing. The Ice Hotel in Québec holds weddings with a difference – just make sure you pack a warm wedding dress if you pick this option! You could choose to marry in a log cabin, arrive in style in a horse drawn sleigh or ice skate up to the chapel. With all these options it’s hard to beat Canada for a winter wedding!

Best CITY wedding – New York

New York, New York, so good they named it twice! What better place to hold a city wedding than in the city that never sleeps? There are so many world famous wedding locations in this city that it’s difficult to choose the best – Times Square, Central Park and The Empire State Building to name but three, but there are so many other amazing locations in the city in which you can marry that it’s no wonder New York is one of the world’s most popular city wedding destinations. You can even exchange your vows in a helicopter as you soar above the skyscrapers and over the island of Manhattan! Many professional wedding planners in New York have worked for the rich and famous over the years, so if you’re dreaming of a “celebrity” style wedding you could ask your planner to imitate a specific style of ceremony, or, of course, simply hold your own unique wedding in this amazing city.

Best for SAFARI – South Africa

How about exchanging your vows in a luxurious lodge overlooking a waterhole where elephants, giraffe and zebra take their evening drinks? Well, this could be you if you marry in South Africa!
Luxurious game lodges and tented camps abound in the many game reserves of South Africa, and whether you choose a private reserve or the famous Kruger Game Reserve, you’re bound to see some amazing sights during your time here. For the energetic there are early morning game drives to see the animals as they settle in for the day, as well as the dusk drives which usually involve a sundowner drink while watching the sun set and listening to the animals awake as the earth cools down. For a truly atmospheric wedding and honeymoon, South Africa is a hard destination to beat.

Best FAIRYTALE wedding – Germany

Once upon a time there was a bride who dreamed of a fairytale wedding, and lo and behold she found it….in Germany. Maybe not an obvious wedding destination, but Germany and most of Eastern Europe have plenty of amazing old castles which have nowadays been transformed into upscale hotels and make excellent wedding locations. If your perfect wedding involves turrets, moats and drawbridges then consider Germany and her near neighbours for your destination wedding. Southern Germany in particular boasts many restored castles set amidst forested valleys – try the Black Forest area to start with – as do neighbouring Austria and the Czech Republic. Depending on your budget you could easily hire the whole castle for your guests and really make your wedding one to remember!

If you would like to say within America, there are plenty of ski and snow resort destinations and lodges. Most of them have wedding packages, group rates for your guests, and can “guarantee” snow for your big day – even if it is manmade. Imagine how fun and romantic it could be to have your reception in a log cabin setting, with a roaring fire going, sipping champagne, red wine or hot apple cider. After your wedding your guests can enjoy skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, ice skating or sleigh riding. You can look for resorts in areas such as New England, the Adirondacks in New York, Lake Tahoe, Colorado, Alaska and Utah.

If you are located outside of the United States or if you’re the adventurous type, how about not only traveling to a snow filled location but also a unique wedding destination? In Europe, Canada and even the United States, there are “Ice Hotels” and snow igloo hotels in which you can get married in a venue completely made of ice or snow. These hotels give an almost crystal-like atmosphere, reflecting light and are often filled with unique one of a kind works of art by artists. Locations such as the ICE Hotel in Sweden, Igloo Village in Finland, Hôtel de Glace in Canada and Chena Hot Springs in Alaska will provide the romantic and unique wedding location you may be searching for. Many of these locations also are the in area where you can view the Northern Lights, which is a once in a lifetime opportunity for some people and will provide both you and your guests a memorable experience.

Of course, if you are planning a winter wedding near or far, do not forget to give your guests a winter wedding favor to commemorate your wedding. Some great ideas are snowflake bottle openers, snow globes, hot coca packets, picture frames, or crystal items. These will all be appreciated by your guests to remember such a wonderful event.

Unfortunately, you get to choose only one, so choose wisely. Make sure that the destination is memorable to you. Also make sure that the location is convenient for all your guests.

Here are some wedding destinations considered by many to be the most romantic wedding locations in the world.

Hotel, Florence, Italy – The Grand Hotel is a former palace back in the 18th century and is located near the River Arno. Their ballroom is perfect for lavish weddings. They have extravagant settings that is more than 300 years old and will can surely bring back memories of grand balls with the royalty.

Le Chateau d’Esclimont, France – If you want to have a fairy tale princess wedding, this venue is perfect for the theme. The estate is around 150 acres located beside the lake just 45 minutes away from Paris. Your guest could enjoy fishing, hiking, and even horse-back riding.

New Zealand Mountain – Their mountain offers the most beautiful scenic views of the rugged mountains and is perfect for a romantic wedding for those nature lovers. New Zealand can offer you many wedding locations that will coincide with whatever theme you want. They have panoramic views of their rivers, mountains, and lakes. If you want church weddings, they even have several delightful churches for a venue.

Dalhousi Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland – If you want to experience royal weddings, this venue is the right choice. Madonna and Pierce Brosnan, two of the most popular Hollywood stars, were married in this 13th century fortress. The castle is furnished elegantly with its bedrooms being decorated historically. If you want to experience what is like to be married royally, then you came to the right place.

Cathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg, South Africa – If you want to have an adventurous but still romantic wedding, the Cathedral Peak Chapel offers you stunning views of Drakensberg mountains. You can book the hotel and enjoy wildlife safari on your honeymoon.
Central Park, New York, NY – Central Park is located at the heart of New York City. You can hold your wedding at their lush gardens. You can choose several of their popular venues for weddings: the conservatory gardens, bow bridge, the pool, and Shakespeare garden.
Le Saint Geran, Mauritius, Indian Ocean – For a beach wedding, Mauritius boasts many white sand beaches and 5 star luxury hotels. You could get married barefoot and enjoy their breathtaking and endless miles of pristine white sand beaches.
Now that you have the list of top 7 romantic destinations for your wedding, you can start planning and decide which of these places you would like to go for your special day. Keep in mind that whatever venue you will choose it will be just perfect for your celebration as long as you follow your wedding theme.

We all love the idea of getting married on a beautiful summer day in the local church, but in the UK, chances are the rain will put a dampener on things. Failing that, it may just be over cast and windy. Either way, it doesn’t add up to a wedding album full of photos taken in bright, glorious sunshine. Residents in the UK feel blessed if the weather hold out for them as the marine climate our country is subjected too simply cannot be relied upon. Seeing as we can’t guarantee a dream wedding in the UK, here’s three destinations where the weather shouldn’t let you down like it often does in Blighty.

Weddings in Greece make me think of smashing crockery. To be honest it’s not my idea of a celebration, but one need not take on board every Greek tradition if they decide to marry on one of the many Greek islands. You can still have a traditional British wedding ceremony whilst taking advantage of the Grecian weather, the stunning views and the myriad of exquisite wedding venues available. Amongst the more popular destinations for weddings in Greece are the islands of Crete, Santorini and Zakynthos, also known as Zante.

Heading further east brings us to Turkey; a beautiful country with a foothold in both Europe and Asia. Weddings in Turkey have become increasingly popular in recent years. Like Greece, many of the popular destinations in Turkey are coastal and are home to numerous ancient ruins dating from the Roman, Hellenistic and Byzantine eras. Weddings in Turkey are almost guaranteed fine weather, however in the hight of summer it may be a little too hot, so arranging a wedding in March, April, May or Late September or October as temperatures from June to August can be unbearable to us Brits.

New York may not be the first place you think of when looking for reliable weather, however New York is on a similar latitude to both Turkey and Greece, and likewise enjoys a long and beautiful summer, unlike the UK. Weddings in New York City can be held in one of the cities many luxurious hotels, as well as in one of the many multi-faith churches. Central Park is also a perfect venue for an outdoor wedding, possibly followed by a horse driven tour of the cities famous streets.

These are just three potential wedding destinations which offer far more reliable weather than the UK does, so if you’re looking for somewhere other than the UK to tie the knot, then have a look at weddings in New York, Turkey or Greece and you wont be disappointed.

A choice that is quickly growing in popularity is to host your wedding overseas. Picking a location that will make for a memorable day, gives people an added incentive to attend, and, more importantly, a location where everything is in one place. Having a wedding in Fiji is also a popular choice and one that can make you feel more relaxed that everything will go just right for your special day.

Fiji is located in the Pacific Islands and is easily accessible by air from Australia, New Zealand and around the world. As an idea of how long it takes to get there, flying from Auckland, New Zealand to Nadi, Fiji takes a little over three hours and depending on where in Australia you travel from it can take anywhere between three and a half and five and a half. So it’s not too far for you or your guests (should you decide to have any of course) to travel.

Fiji is home to a rather romantic legend about the creation of the national flower, which is unable to be grown anywhere else in the world. Tagimoucia (tahng-ee-moh-theea) is a beautiful red flower which grows in the rainforests and around the remote crater of Lake Tagimoucia.

Fiji is home to some amazing scenery, cultural opportunities and weather. It’s island neighbours are Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Kermadec, amongst others, so it’s located in a rather stunning part of the world. The ocean is crystal clear and the sands sparkle white in the sunshine. You have plenty of choices when it comes to locations for getting married in Fiji. The ‘big city’ of Nadi is always an option or perhaps heading somewhere a little bit special like the Coral Coast, situated between Nadi and Suva on the main island of Viti Levu. Wherever you choose the scenery is sure to impress.

A wedding in Fiji gives the ability to orchestrate everything in one place. Fijian word for wedding is Vakamau (vah-car-mah-u). The island resorts have packages set up for hosting wedding parties. Being able to have everybody and everything in one place with meals provided, alongside a range of other services, can make your wedding much easier to manage. Some of the most luxurious holidays in the world are available in Fiji. Having your wedding in Fiji will add another dimension to the event for you and your guests. The resort, the ocean surrounding you and golden sand a step away will turn your wedding into a holiday that your guests will remember forever. A week long vacation is a huge incentive for your guests, and really builds excitement toward your special day.

Having your wedding in Fiji isn’t as difficult as it sounds. With some of the most luxurious resorts offering packages that include everything from reception to ceremony, organisation is a cinch. Keeping everything in one place like this will make it easier for you, easier for your guests and mean less risk for something going awry. As such a perfect location for special occasions, Fiji has a wide range of specialist event and wedding planners. With knowledge of locations and the local area, having somebody to plan a wedding that’s just right for you is easy.

Organise the chaos of your wedding day, keeping everything together will not leave room for mistakes. Why leave any doubt in your mind for something so important? With a wedding in Fiji, you can make sure your special day is one that you remember forever.

Unlike the Northern Hemisphere where winter consumes December – February, down here in the Southern Hemisphere December – February are our summer months. So why not escape the winter blues and get married in New Zealand where the weather is warm and the beaches are inviting?

New Zealand’s official languages are English, Maori and sign language but English is spoken by the overwhelming majority of the population. New Zealand hosts a wide range of wedding venues from traditional catholic churches and cathedrals to other religious structures such as mosques. New Zealand is culturally diverse and is welcoming of all religions and nationalities. New Zealand may be small but it has an incredibly diverse landscape to suit any type of outdoor wedding i.e. mountains, lake, rivers, beaches and forests.

It can also be economically feasible to get married in New Zealand as at the time of writing this article the Euro, US, Australian and pound are all stronger then the New Zealand dollar. You will also be able to have the wedding and honeymoon in the same country which again saves costs of having to fly to a new country.

New Zealand actually consists of two large Islands (there are more but they are very small and remote), the North and South Island. The North Island is generally warmer and has some of the most amazing landscapes and beaches but the South Island is very beautiful, much of the Lord of the Rings trilogy were filmed their (mountainous areas, and plains).

New Zealand is largely rural but does have three main city centres, Auckland is the largest and is located in the northern region of the North Island, Wellington is situated at the bottom of the north island and is the capital of New Zealand. Christchurch is located mid way down the South Island. Some other popular wedding destinations in New Zealand include Queenstown and the Bay of Islands. If you would like to experience true kiwi culture Rotorua is the place for you, hot mud pools and volcanic action.

If you are an Non-Resident Indian (NRI) or living in India, consider the different spots in India, choose a place of your choice to celebrate your wedding. Love the beaches? Or have a passion for the hills? Treat yourself lucky – in India, there are several places to select. Though only countable places are being promoted as wedding destination, alternatively, find one on your own. Simply, select the place you like the most, find out if the place can offer the facilities you are looking at and go ahead with the plan.

Meanwhile, here are three popular wedding destination States in India.

Kerala

Popularly known as “God’s Own Country,” if you are looking at a wedding in a secluded place or in the center of a vibrant city, Kerala can offer all these for you to have a wedding you will never forget. Choose a beach wedding at Kovalam or Varkala, in the heritage buildings of Fort Kochi, or amidst the sprawling tea gardens of Munnar or the mesmerizing backwaters of Alleppey. You can go for a Kerala vegetarian feast, served in plantain leaves or non-vegetarian menu, relishing the seafood of Kerala.

Goa

Goa reminisces of the colonial culture. The coconut palms, the beachside and the traditional Feni could add colour to your wedding celebrations. Goa, like Kerala has its own seafood feast that could leave you and your family and friends, remember the wedding as a special occasion and moment to memorize the rest of their lives. If you relish, beach side weddings, Goa could be the best choice.

Rajasthan

Dismiss beach. If you like Lakes and Palaces, consider celebrating your marriage in Rajasthan. Choose between Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur. Get married like a King and a Queen in heritage and Palace hotels or mansions! Several Palace hotels promote destination wedding, with perfect settings to suit your requirements. In Rajasthan, follow the culture and rituals of the region and go for a grand show including Mehendi, Sangeet, fireworks and even a procession of decorated elephants and camels.