Best Places to Get Married

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

Guana Island, British Virgin Islands, the Caribbean
Wow-850 acres of white-sand beaches, tropical foliage, hiking trails, tennis courts and dive sites reserved solely for you. Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands is one of the few Caribbean islands available for rent. This wildlife sanctuary preserves several endangered species, and can accommodate up to 35 people at a time. Accommodation is for the most part in hilltop cottages with ocean views; a larger cottage with a private pool and a seaside terrace is also available. Weddings can be held in one of three locations: White Bay Beach, Queen's Terrace overlooking the water or the lush Garden of Eden.
For more information: www.guana.com/index.html

Hotel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris, one of the world's most romantic hotels in one of the world's most romantic cities. If you're the type who gets bored on a beach, consider marrying here, within easy reach of some of Paris's top attractions. Those in search of culture can visit the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay; shoppers can head to the high-end stores on the Avenue Montaigne; and for music, theater and ballet fans, several theaters are nearby. For a truly special stay, rent the Royal Suite (at 5,000 square feet, the largest in Paris) with views of the Eiffel Tower, a private office, eight televisions, and two luxurious bathrooms. The hotel has two banqueting rooms and can host a wedding reception for up to 120 guests.
For more information: www.plaza-athenee-paris.com/index.html

Caneel Bay, St. John, USVI
Caneel Bay is all about escaping and unplugging--and that means no telephones or televisions in the rooms. With outside distractions limited, this is the perfect pace to reconnect to nature and to each other. The premium beachfront rooms have the most privacy and balconies that open directly onto the beach, but the accommodations in Cottage 7 (the former private home of Laurance Rockefeller, who founded Caneel Bay) are the largest and most dramatic. Choose one of the resort's seven white-sand beaches for your ceremony and then relax and let the experienced staff take care of the details.
For more information: www.caneelbay.com

Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland
"I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot," wrote Queen Victoria of this 1863 castle nestled in the Scottish Highlands. Inverlochy is perfect for an active couple. In addition to hiking, it offers an 18-hole golf course, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, skiing and off-road driving. Ceremonies can be civil or religious but must take place within the castle. The main dining room can accommodate up to 80 people; smaller rooms hold up to 20. Rooms are luxurious and elegant, with stunning views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
For more information: www.inverlochycastlehotel.com

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
During the rainy season from December to June, wildebeest and zebra make their home in lush plains below Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater, the world's largest unbroken caldera. When the dry season arrives, up to two million beasts migrate toward Kenya, following the rain. The crater is home to some 25,000 animals, so the game viewing is always excellent, but if you time your wedding to coincide with the Great Migration, you'll truly feel part of the circle of life. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge can house up to 60 guests and weddings can be held overlooking Lake Eyasi or the crater itself. Each suite has a personal butler.
For more information: www.ccafrica.com

The Wakaya Club, Fiji
With a 12-to-1 ratio of staff to guests, this luxurious beachside resort can make your every wish come true. Hold your ceremony by the sea or in the small Wakaya Village Church. A wedding here is by necessity a private affair, as the entire island accommodates only 12 couples. The most basic accommodations, called bures, have two private decks, a wet bar and a private garden. Upgrade to the governor's bure and you can enjoy your own private Jacuzzi, a private garden with a waterfall, and an open-air, lava-rock shower stall. But those who truly want to experience the high life should ask if the owners' "house in the clouds" is available. This 12,000-square-foot mansion--the largest house in Fiji--has wraparound decks, a private swimming pool, a tennis court, a fitness room and a staff of six, including an on-call limousine driver. Both Celine Dion and Bill Gates honeymooned here.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
The Aboriginal people, who have made Australia their home for thousands of years, consider Ayers Rock--Uluru--a supremely spiritual site. Whether or not you agree, this brilliantly hued, massive rock looming from Australia's red center exerts a mysterious pull. What better place to make lifelong promises that speak to the power of love than before this ancient, enduring stone? Several resorts bordering Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can help you plan a wedding; the most luxurious of these is Longitude 131, where the 15 elevated "tents" have balconies, views over Uluru, private bathrooms, and air-conditioning.
For more information: www.voyages.com.au/weddings/#outback

The Poconos in Pennsylvania is the area known as the "Honeymoon Capital of the World". Weddings are numerous in the Poconos as well as honeymoons and vow renewals. Small chapels, honeymoon couples resorts (some with heart-shaped tubs or pools), and many other wedding features, such as DJ's, caterers, photographers, and wedding planners.