World Class Nuptials
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes did it with wildly publicized extravagance in a 15th-Century Italian castle, while Bill and Melinda Gates preferred the low-key intimacy of a private Fijian island. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban returned to their native Australia to take their vows, and Pink headed to Costa Rica with Corey Hart.
Celebrities and the well-heeled have been seeking out exotic wedding destinations for years, and these days the trend is catching on with the masses. According to a recent study by The Conde Nast Bridal Group, approximately 16 percent of first marriages take place in a far-flung destination. Include second marriages and that figure jumps to 60 percent.
These days a destination wedding can be a way to save money. The cost of a traditional wedding in a big city like Los Angeles or New York might start at around $40,000, while a ceremony in Mexico or the Caribbean is more likely to cost $5,000 to $8,000. Many couples designate a portion of those savings toward defraying the costs of the trip for their guests.

Jeanette Foster, Big Island resident and author of more than three dozen guidebooks to Hawaii, says her favorite spot for a Hawaiian wedding is tiny Keawala'i Congregational Church on Maui's Makena Beach. The church dates to 1855 and has brick walls that are three feet thick. It conducts all kinds of weddings for both locals and visitors. Foster recommends scheduling your ceremony for late afternoon, so that when you step out of the church, the sun is just going down over the beach, making an incredible backdrop for photos. Keawala'i Congregational Church, Makena Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Villa D'Este, Lake Como, Italy
It's hard to oversell the appeal of the Villa D'Este, a 16th-century princely residence surrounded by 25 acres of lakeside gardens. As one of the world's most enduring and exclusive hotels, the Villa D'Este has hosted everyone from Mark Twain to Madonna. You can't ask for a more dramatic backdrop for your wedding photos than these glorious Renaissance gardens. Each of the villa's 152 rooms is individually decorated, but all feature oil paintings and period furniture, and the hotel has a variety of public rooms where you can hold your reception. The hotel also rents two private villas with either four or five bedrooms. Extras include three pools, butler service, a private helipad and a private chef.

El Tamarindo Golf Resort, Manzanillo, Mexico
El Tamarindo is 40 minutes from the nearest town, but with a restaurant and plenty of activities you won't be in a hurry to leave. Kayaks, small sailboats, snorkel gear and mountain bikes are provided, and the championship-style par-72 golf course has 8 holes overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The entire resort consists of 29 large villas; all have marble showers, private outdoor space, Jacuzzi, and a private plunge pool. The on-site spa allows the entire wedding party to relax before the big day.
For more information: www.ycwtamarindo.com