If you are a couple looking to celebrate your love in a PLACE you love, a destination wedding is a perfect choice for you. Destination weddings typically yield a smaller guest list which can allow for more time with your family and friends and a plethora of fun activities to do together. Here are some destination wedding ideas for you to explore:
Beach wedding
Making your wedding vows with your toes in the sand, and the sparkling ocean as your backdrop sets a scene for a quintessential destination wedding. If you love the beach, there are endless settings to choose from. Whether you plan to travel to a tropical island or prefer a beach wedding near your summer home, enhance your celebration by incorporating in elements that are part of the culture of the location. For example, if you are getting married in Hawaii, you may want to have your bridesmaids wear jewelry made of shells that are found there. If you are getting married at the Jersey Shore (hopefully not Snooki-style), a box of salt water taffy might be a fun favor to give to your guests. There are some great resources available for planning a beach wedding domestically or abroad.
Theme Park wedding
Do you enjoy excitement and adventure? Are you a kid at heart? A theme park wedding may be perfect for you. Amusement parks across the country offer a variety of attractions and entertainment for you and your guests. Many of these parks offer wedding packages which are inclusive of theme park and hotel accommodations in addition to your wedding ceremony and reception. The two most popular U.S. states offering ideal settings for theme park wedding are Florida and California— which as a bonus are both known for their beautiful weather, year round. If you and your sweetie are theme park fans you may want to consider one of the following:
- Get a taste of countries around the world, all in one spot at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT World Showcase (Orlando, FL)
- Have your Fairytale Wedding at the Magic Kingdom in Disneyland (Anaheim, CA)
- Travel back in time for your wedding in the Old West at Knott’s Berry Farm (Buena Park, CA)
- Literally take “the plunge” into marriage in an aquatic setting at SeaWorld (Orlando, FL, San Diego, CA and San Antonio, TX).
This article from the Wedding Channel offers some additional info on planning a Theme Park Wedding.
Ski wedding
For couples who prefer snow covered mountains to the sea shore, a ski resort wedding may be right for you. Snow and ski weddings are a great option for couples who enjoy the outdoors, mountain air, and nature—not to mention the scenic views, which make for stunning wedding photos. A few popular spots for ski weddings include Beaver Creek, CO, Stowe, VT and Jackson Hole, WY. You don’t need to be limited to winter months to have a snowy wedding day. Consider taking your wedding to the southern hemisphere to popular ski locales like Chile, Argentina, New Zealand or Australia during summer months.
Overseas wedding
Overseas weddings are often appealing to couples that are world travelers and/or have family and friends who live abroad. With seven continents to choose from, there are infinite terrains available for the choosing. Our planet offers an abundance of breathtaking locales ranging from the desert to the jungle, from ski slopes to the ocean. Generally, overseas weddings are more costly than other destination spots and can be more difficult to plan, so if you’ve decided on a wedding abroad make sure that you save up and plan far ahead. A few current hot spots for weddings abroad include:
- Antigua, for a Caribbean wedding
- Amalfi Coast, Italy and Paris, France, for a wedding with European flair
- Bora Bora, for a Tahitian wedding
- Australia or Fiji, for a South Pacific celebration
This site is a great resource for choosing an exciting destination and planning an overseas wedding.
Cruise ship wedding
Weddings on a cruise vacation are a great opportunity for couples that want to mix it up and experience the open sea as well as stops at various locations along the way. It gives you the option of tying the knot onboard or offshore at one of your destinations. Couples who may want to avoid the stress of directing their guests and bridal party from the ceremony, to pictures, to the reception can enjoy their special day all in one place. Cruise ship weddings are also perfect for couples that want to extend their wedding by coupling it with their honeymoon. Some of the best cruise lines to consider having your wedding on are Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruise Line.
Photo credits: Beach Image © istockphoto.com, Ski Image © istockphoto.com, Cruise Ship © Disney Cruise Line