Destination Weddings

So you want to have a destination wedding. When you think about it, the idea of being able to blend a wedding and a honeymoon together is really quite interesting. But the first thing you will have to do when planning your destination wedding is to figure out what type of destination wedding you are going to have.

First, you want to consider how many people you want to invite. If it's going to be just the two of you or if you even decide to include a couple of friends,then you will have many options to choose from for your destination wedding location. In fact, if you think about it, you could get married anywhere in the world. For example,you may want to consider having your destination wedding at a couples resort in Jamaica. These all inclusive resorts specialize in delivering the destination wedding of your dreams. They have a variety of wedding packages available and will help you plan the destination wedding and honeymoon of your dreams.

With that in mind, please note that a couples resort won't work if you are having a second marriage and are taking the kids. A family-moon is a great way to celebrate your wedding with your new family while also providing the time to bond as a new unique unit. For these experiences, you may choose a family resort or any other outdoor setting for your destination wedding and opt for a Vacation Home Rental to use on your honeymoon.

If you are thinking of having many family and friends attend, then you have to consider your guests' ability to be able to pay to attend the wedding. For example, if you want to have your destination wedding in Europe, then each of your guests will have to have a passport and be able to afford the airfare and the lodging once they arrive. Will you be able to pitch in and help defer the costs or will it solely fall on their shoulders? That may be the difference from them attending and staying at home.

After coming up with an average guest count, then you will be able to narrow down your destination location list. Once you've picked your top locations, the next step is to scour the internet for information. Most places are really great about sending information to you. In fact, a lot of locations specialize in destination weddings and offer all inclusive packages to help make planning your day easier.

It is important to point out that like many things, language is dynamic and it tends to change and evolve over time. Terminology that was once the optimum word can suddenly be linguistically incorrect. So when it comes to weddings, one question that often comes us is: what is the difference between eloping and having a destination wedding?

The Merriam Webster dictionary lists the meaning of eloping as, "to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without parental consent." The key phrase for this definition is "in secret" which also extends to the fact that an elopement usually is just between the couple and no one else is privy to the ceremony.

You may be wondering why people would want to elope in today's rather lenient society. Historically, the bride may have gotten pregnant and the couple will quickly elope to help "save face" in society. Although this may not be as a common of a reason to marry it does still exist. Another reason for eloping might be the couple's fear of parental objections that may hinder them from having a traditional wedding. Other reasons for eloping include one party going off to war, one party going off to jail, or for matters regarding citizenship.

A destination wedding, on the other hand, is a wedding that takes place in an exotic location away from the couple's residence. Destination weddings range from large celebrations to a small weddings to just a couples' adventure. When thinking about a destination wedding, the first thought that most people think of is a beach wedding but it can be a garden wedding or an indoor wedding. The main difference between eloping and having a destination wedding is that the destination wedding is not a secret. There is no disapproval from family or friends but rather a personal choice of the bride and groom.

For many people considering a destination wedding, Jamaica would definitely be at the top of the list. This is a great choice as Jamaica is one of the most exotic locations in the world. It has gorgeous beaches with sparkling blue water and white sand. Jamaica's natural beauty is coupled with the rich Jamaican culture making it a one of a kind destination wedding location.

Jamaica is a small island located in the in the northern part of the Caribbean. It has a tropical climate which means that it's often warm and humid. Jamaica's prime wedding season is December through April. At this time the weather is more temperate. The island typically has two main rainy seasons from May-June and from September to November. Hurricanes may also pass through Jamaica at any time from June through September which could make getting married during this time a bit risky. If you are thinking of getting married in Jamaica during this time, please consider buying wedding insurance because of the threat a hurricane could postpone your day.

The requirements for marriage are similar to many places in America. To apply for a marriage license, you will need to contact the Ministry of National Security as they are the ones to issue the license. It's also a good idea to get the application started before arriving in Jamaica to help expedite the process. It's important to note that there is a one day waiting period to marry after receiving your marriage license. Other requirements necessary to obtain the marriage license are a birth certificate with the father's name displayed on the certificated, a copy of either your divorce decree or death certificate if you have been previously married, and a letter of parental consent if either party is under 18 years of age. The cost for a Jamaican marriage license is about $4000 Jamaican dollars which translates to approximately $70-80 American dollars.

One of the great things about Jamaica is that it is synonymous with relaxing and experiencing life in a way that is both romantic and relaxing. When you travel to Jamaica, you will want to check out the shopping markets. There you can find jewelry, perfume, china, and other items that will make your journey memorable. Jamaica is also known for its deep sea fishing. The Blue Marlin which is found in the waters off Jamaica is one of the most prized big game fish. The experience of catching one of these prize fish alone is what prompts many people to travel to Jamaica. Some other things you may want to include on your trip to Jamaica could be: visiting one of their natural therapeutic spas, taking a guided tour of some historic mansions and estates, and visiting museums where you can learn more about the Jamaican culture. In addition to this, Jamaica offers so many more things to do. You will probably find that you are having so much fun on your destination wedding that you won't want to come home.

Dream Honeymoons; Destination Weddings at Sandals Resorts!

One of the most popular places in the world to get married is Las Vegas. So if you are thinking about having a destination wedding then Las Vegas is definitely one place to consider.

Despite the fact that Las Vegas caters to adult entertainment they have also found great success on hosting weddings as well. According to About.com, Las Vegas holds approximately 120,000 weddings each year! If you do a little research, you will easily find the marriage license requirements. This is one state where they've made it easy to tie the knot. In fact, the marriage license bureau is open from 8 am to midnight everyday of the week! That's including holidays and Sundays (days that would be hard to obtain a license in most states.) The fee is very reasonable at $55 but you have to have cash along with your ID. Also there are no blood tests or waiting period. Just obtain the license and find a chapel to get married.

It is important to note that just like any other place, there is definitely a prime wedding time in Vegas. Because Las Vegas is located in the desert, the summers can be extremely warm. This means that its not unusual for days to be well over 105 degrees. In mid to late July, the monsoon season rolls in which could mean hot humid days with the possibility of Thunderstorms. For this reason, July and August are not considered "prime" wedding months. However, in April and October, the weather is a much cooler 78-82 degrees. This is perfect weather for any type of ceremony whether its outdoors or inside. These are Vegas' busiest months. If you are thinking of getting married then you would do well to plan ahead because prime venues will fill up. If you really have your heart set on getting married during the busy times, consider hosting your wedding during the week. You will sometimes have a better chance at the most popular venues and you may even catch a break in the cost.

When people think about Destination Weddings, they often think of warm tropical islands with a wedding on the beach. However, if that seems too ordinary and you are looking for a unique destination during the months of December through March, and you don't mind the cold, then consider having your wedding at an ice hotel.

Every year in Norway, Sweden, and Canada, hotels made up entirely of snow and blocks of ice are erected. These are unique structures that usually depict a different theme so that no two hotels are ever alike. Some common features of each hotel include beautiful ice sculptures and food and drink that are especially chosen for the venue.

Most commercial ice hotels have only been around for about a 10-12 years. The most popular is located in Sweden where each year an 80 room hotel is constructed. In this hotel, everything from the furniture to the chandeliers, to the drinking glasses is made from ice. Guests sleep in sleeping bags on ice platforms topped with reindeer skins. It must be noted that the bathrooms are located in a separate building that has been heated to provide maximum comfort.

The Ice Hotel Glace in Quebec opened in 2000. This hotel is based on the Swedish hotel but on a smaller scale. This hotel is typically open from mid November through March.

One feature that is all hotels have in common is their ice chapel. Imagine walking down the isle in a crystal palace. Think of the gorgeous photos that you could take. These would be unique pictures due to the uniqueness of the venue. Each hotel is staffed with professionals ready to help you have the wedding of your dreams in their ice hotel. You can easily access their website for information on having your wedding at their hotel.

Have you dreamed of having a magical fairytale wedding only you can't find your castle? Look no further than Disneyland in California of Disney World in Florida. These two Disney destinations will help you create the fairytale wedding you've always dreamed of.

Disney is the expert at creating magic. So you know that you will have so many wonderful locations in which to marry. For example, in Orlando there is the front of Cinderella's Castle, the wedding pavilion, or even on the boardwalk. Each of these locations are gorgeous and unique which will accommodate most tastes.

Imagine creating your own Cinderella wedding theme. With this theme the bride will arrive in a horse drawn carriage, place card holders will be in the design of a fairy tale carriage, dessert will be served in a glass slipper, and each of your guests will have a glass slipper wedding favor. You can even get a Disney character to crash the festivities.

All this magic starts at a reasonable $ 3000 for couples and $8000 for small weddings up to 18 guests. For larger weddings, expect the tab to be about $20,000. When you consider the elegance of a Disney wedding you know you will be getting an awesome unforgettable wedding at a reasonable cost.