You've always dreamed of exchanging vows with the one you love in a gorgeous setting, on a beautiful beach, in a vineyard, exciting city, or beside a waterfall in a romantic setting. Many people who think of planning a destination wedding:

want everyone to have an unforgettable experience

have friends and relatives all over the world and need to bring them together

want a combined wedding and honeymoon

want less time planning to arrive and enjoy the total experience

want to limit their guest list

love to travel

want familes to get to know one-another and connect

Favorite spots are the Caribbean, Bermuda, Hawaii, the California Wine Country, San Diego, and of course Las Vegas. Whichever spot you choose, it would be in your best interest to work with a Destination Wedding Coordinator.

Booking the travel can be done by one agent who sets up your destination wedding account, and everyone calls the agent to complete their arrangements. It is your job to send notices to your guests with the travel agent's contact info to complete their travel arrangements. It really helps to plan these six months to a year in advance so the people you want to attend are free from work.

WHO PAYS FOR WHAT

This type of wedding does not require the couple to pay everything for the guests. You pay your way and for the usual wedding and reception arrangements. They pay for their travel. Often the groom's parents will pay for the rehearsal dinner and make the arrangements. You may want to provide an itinerary for your guests or send them travel brochures or websites to review. Give them a basic schedule of when you need their presence.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

Every country and every county in the U.S. has special marriage requirements, so this is a priority check as you begin your destination decisions. There are still a few places in this world that ask you to wait 30 day or 3 months after applying for the license or certificate of residence [Tahiti]. Most marriage bureaus close by 3 or 4pm and are not open on holidays. Many require proof of age and some require proof of divorce.

FAVORITE DESTINATIONS

It is wonderful to find so many special destination wedding regions throughout the USA. To name a few, the Gatling, Tennessee, Niagara Falls (Canada or New York), California's Sonoma or Napa Wine Country, Disney lands, Galena, Illinois, Shasta, CA, San Diego, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Virginia Beach, Cape Cod, Newport RI, Mertyle Beach, Castles and beaches or resorts and the many beautiful Rocky Mountainsides and Lake sides plus Victorian Villages scattered across the lands.

Hawaii is very popular since it is a domestic destination and there is no waiting period. (Couples must apply in person for a marriage license that is valid statewide for 30 days; cost is $50.) The islands of Hawaii are also particularly popular for second-marriage destination weddings because there are no adult-only resorts and most hotels welcome children.

Jamaica is another excellent choice for a destination wedding. Couples can be married 24 hours after arriving in Jamaica as long as they have applied for a marriage license in advance. U.S. citizens must produce the following: birth certificates, divorce papers [if applicable], notarized parental consent [if under 18], and death certificates (if widowed).

Another very popular destination for destination weddings is Las Vegas. It offers a variety of styles for weddings; from a ceremony drive-through to traditional ceremonies with all the glitter and glamour only Las Vegas can supply. You'll find that neither blood tests nor waiting periods are required in Vegas, and the legal age is 18 [proof of age required and a Licensing fees are $50.]

Destination wedding Cruises are also growing in popularity, but be aware that most weddings will take place on board the ship in the embarkation port. [There are a few cruise lines, such as Princess and Norwegian, that can marry couples at sea, but most will not.] We see people completing their vows in lovely chapels aboard ship prior to the cruise leaving. The guests go ashore and the couple stays on-line for their honeymoon.

Another growing trend is vow-renewal ceremonies. Many couples that are celebrating a significant anniversary or feel that it's just the right time to reaffirm their love are planning vow renewal ceremonies away from their home. So here you have it...the popularity of destination weddings and vow renewal ceremonies are on the rise and expected to continue. Why not be a part of this growing trend and create memories that will last you a lifetime, along with your family and friends!