Hottest Trends in Destination Weddings

View from atop Masada - Dead Sea area, Israel

Tropical Beach

1. They're Virtually Stress-Free
Pop in the classic movie "Father of the Bride" and you'll soon understand why destination weddings are so popular. They are almost guaranteed to be simpler to plan than a traditional wedding and reception for two main reasons:

Honeymoon-happy resorts and cruise lines around the world have made it easier and more appealing to wed on-site. Many have full-time wedding coordinators on staff who are familiar with that country's marriage license requirements and who offer wedding packages that take care of all your ceremony essentials (photographer, cake, minister, etc.). You step off the plane and sign the papers; they take care of the rest.

If you're not getting married at a resort, you can hire a stateside wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings, contact a wedding planner in the town you plan to wed, or start early and do it yourself. Either way, you won't have to plan a reception, and won't that be a relief?!

2. No Family Drama
The second reason destination weddings rule? No scene-stealing family drama.

Each set of parents usually has their own ideas. One set may think the wedding should be held in New York City because most guests were from the area. Another set may have problem with the expense of a big-city wedding. The event is, first and foremost, about the two people getting married.

3. They're Cost Effective
The affordability of a destination wedding has many couples speeding off to the airport faster than you can say "I do." For instance, a couple can fly to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, get married, and stay for a deluxe weeklong honeymoon for a few thousand dollars, including lodging, meals, drinks, and airfare. Compare that with your average 150-guest wedding costing about $22,000 -- which can easily skyrocket to more than $100,000 in big cities -- plus a few extra thousand for a honeymoon. To ease the financial burden, many couples opt to travel to a place where they can get married, have a honeymoon, and still have some money left over to start their new lives together.

4. You Call The Shots
While formal weddings hold meaning for many couples, linking them to the traditions of their ancestors and culture, others want the experience to be unique, with a ceremony and location that reflect their true colors.

5. They're Simply Perfect for Second Marriages
Couples who are getting married for the second or third time choose destination weddings because they're simple and private. Often they want something quieter or less expensive this time around.

Cabo San Lucas

Situated on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, the Cabo San Lucas bay entrance is home to the famous 'Land's End' arch and rock formations where the warmer Sea of Cortez merge with the cooler waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Filled with hundreds of species of wildlife, palm-lined lagoons and pristine ocean, the Cabo San Lucas region is designed to entice and excite with a captivating ambience and a fantasyland quality. Cabo San Lucas weddings offer the peace and tranquility of a quaint town combined with gorgeous Spanish archeology, gigantic palms and legendary surf.

If your idea of heaven is a natural, outdoor wonderland that provides a beckoning sea and scenery that will leave you breathless, then a Cabo San Lucas wedding will excite you.

Activities in this region are plentiful so you will be able to enjoy kayaking, boogie or paddle boarding, exploration of Mayan history and culture or desert terrain on all-terrain vehicles, and whale watching.

Designed by the Mexican government as a tourist destination, Cabo San Lucas was developed as a resort some twenty years ago. Cabo San Lucas weddings are for couples of all ages who appreciate cultural diversity and romance as well as wish to experience an unforgettable adventure.

Grand Bahama Island

Acclaimed as being like no other, Bahamian culture has embraced native Indian customs and that of its diverse historical past with the Bahamas boasting a friendly, warm atmosphere.

Many of the island settlements on Grand Bahama were founded by former slaves that were freed when Great Britain banned slavery in 1834. Today, the region displays a more tranquil ambience. Beaches of fine, opaque sand are filled with countless exotic seashells, and, if you are fortunate enough, exquisite spider lilies during the spring, which make weddings in Grand Bahama striking.

Attractions are many in this area with divers gravitating to the famous 'Ben's Cavern' that has taken centuries to form and provides a 50-foot deep, safe diving medium with spectacular stalagmite and stalactite formations. Galleries filled with national treasures are abundant with West Indian culture and Bahamian landscapes offering many artists inspiration. Jewelry, sculptures, paintings, and avant-garde pieces tinged with island spirit can be found throughout the region and are sure to impress even the most fastidious of art lovers.

Sydney, Australia

Choose from a variety of locales in this cosmopolitan, vibrant city: the famous Opera House or Harbour Bridge, at the Wildlife Park with koalas as your witness, within one of Sydney's many formal gardens and parks, at the beach, within a traditional chapel or church, or on a private Tall Ship yacht in Sydney's famous Harbour.

Doctor's Cave Beach Montego Bay

Culturally diverse with colorful inhabitants and strong traditions make weddings in Montego Bay, Jamaica unique.

Jamaica's second largest city, Montego Bay, is situated on the northwest corner of the island and is considered to be one of its most sought after tourist destinations. Stunning views and spectacular scenery offer a serene and tranquil ambience for Montego Bay weddings and those wishing to marry in luxury. In fact, with its truly breath-taking waters and pristine shoreline, Montego Bay represents one of today's most popular wedding destinations.

The heritage of Montego Bay spans back to 1494 when Columbus first discovered the area. Rich with Spanish and British history and home to the legendary reggae great, Bob Marley, Montego Bay weddings are often surrounded by cultural diversity. Bright, colorful people who are creative and resourceful best describe the folks in this region. The locals offer a warm, friendly outlook and are intriguing in every aspect.

Activities span across the board to fulfill the desires of everyone -- from the adventurous and the athletic to those seeking a peaceful, romantic interlude.

The area offers activities, such as river rafting on unique bamboo rafts, fishing charters, cycling, and some of the best arts and crafts marketplaces that you will ever encounter in any part of the world. It is also highly recommended that you buy a traditional coffee-bean necklace before your honeymoon ends so that you can retain a memento from your Montego Bay wedding.

British Virgin Islands, Anguilla

Anguilla, British West Indies is a destination of choice for luxurious, five-star resorts. Begin your own journey of discovering the many elements that make the Anguilla experience one that is not easily put in words but one that is truly bound in 'feeling is believing'.

Coast of Turtle Island

Miles of empty white beaches, acres of rainforest, fields of yellow grasses planted by the wind, and a horizon of sapphire sea that traces the curve of the earth's edge form this five-hundred acre island of unspoiled tropical beauty. Approaching Turtle Island by seaplane, you pass over jagged volcanic islands and ancient lagoons to an exotic and romantic destination in the South Pacific. This is your own private island to enjoy, and its magic will astound you. Take time with your partner to connect, and explore the wonderful environment around you: pristine reefs, white beaches, lush forest and diverse wildlife. Friendly Fijian staff will greet you by name and you will immediately feel special as you experience their warmth, hospitality and wonderful traditions. The choice is yours to relax in a hammock, on one of the 14 separate beaches, in your own stunning two-room bure or participate in a variety of water and nature based activities.

Sunset, Barbados

Barbados has a very trendy bohemian feel to it. Its pubs and nightclubs attract a younger clientele. Silver Sands Beach, at the southern-most point, is a favorite with windsurfers. The Gold Coast (west coast) is more upscale with luxury hotels and villas dotting the coastline, beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water. The east coast's Atlantic coastline is very rustic with beautiful mountains and ocean views. Its rugged waves are very popular among surfers. The local people are very friendly and hospitable.

Dutch Gable Architecture of Willemstad, Curacao

Curacao enjoys consistent beautiful weather, making it a year-round destination. It is most known for its water sports, and is well respected as one of the best dive spots in the world. There are also many historical sites around the island, and many shopping opportunities.

Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis, St Kitts, Frigate Bay and the Southeast Peninsula

St. Kitts is a true natural island. Local laws restrict the height of all buildings to under the height of a palm tree. Life on St. Kitts is laid back, appreciative of nature, and gives the impression of lush tropical paradise usually associated with the South Pacific.

Blarney Castle, County Cork

Turks and Caicos Islands

Turks and Caicos can be summed up as the "Perfect Beach Vacation". Conde Nast Traveler has consistently named Turks and Caicos as the "Best Tropical Beaches in the World". Combine these beaches with the secluded nature of the island, and friendly people, and you have the perfect romantic getaway.

La Romana

Whale watching, traditional dance and music, and spectacular scenery make this wedding destination a must for the couple searching for an ambience.

The third largest city in the Dominican Republic, La Romana is unique in that it is owned by one company, the Central Romana Corporation, and boasts some of the most beautiful beaches and spectacular scenery in the region.

With a history that only spans 100 years, this area does not provide many notable sights in relation to architecture, but it does offer you a rich colonial past, miles of white, sandy beaches, endless blues ocean, and a vibrant culture.

For many, weddings in La Romana, Dominican Republic are considered as marrying in a somewhat undiscovered paradise due to its pristine appearance.

Classed as a natural beauty, La Romana is surrounded by coral reefs and represents a snorkeling and diving haven for couples who are fascinated by marine life. In addition to this, the region is also home to the West Indian manatee, which is affectionately known as 'sea cow' and humpback whale, both of which are often found in Samana Bay.

Typically a Catholic population, La Romana celebrates many religious events traditionally, so dance and music play an important role in any celebration. With the region's traditional dance being the Meringue, La Romana weddings often contain a hint of this tradition.

Punta Cana

Historical havens, stunning foreshores and wildlife are captivating.

This well-known, popular resort area located in the far eastern region of the Dominican Republic is situated on, and shares, the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It is thought that Taino Indians first inhabited the island prior to the Spanish in 1492 who then conceded the western portion of the island, which is now known as Haiti, to the French after battle.

During the 1800's, the island experienced turbulent times as war erupted over independence and the Dominican Republic sought independence from the Spanish. This was realized in 1844 when the country's government declared the region as independent.

Weddings in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic are described as magical with the region spanning some 1,100 acres and consisting of beautiful white, sandy beaches as well as spectacular scenery and wildlife. Many of the beaches are perfect for bathing in because they mostly contain shallow areas with several natural marine pools.

Punta Cana offers several professional golf courses and a thriving nightlife that enables local interaction. Punta Cana weddings are diverse and allow you to enjoy fine food, wine and a tranquil romantic getaway as newlyweds.