Destination weddings should be about fulfilling your dreams and fantasies. Imagine getting married in a romantic, tropical paradise or on the high seas. Perhaps you prefer an exotic locale with a sense of romance like a medieval castle on the wind-swept moors or on a mountaintop with breathtaking views. The destination that you choose should reflect your own style and budget. Tying the knot in your dream location can become a reality and may be less costly than a traditional wedding.

Choosing A Memorable Location

Choose a location that means something special to YOU, like where you met or became engaged, a place you love to vacation, or a new place you have both wanted to visit.

The requirements for obtaining a marriage license vary in every state. The courthouse will tell you what is required. Do not forget to pack the papers required for the license!

If you are getting married in a foreign country you can usually find the requirements on the country tourism website. Make sure you and your guests have passports if required.

Choose your date carefully and check the weather! The Caribbean might not be a good choice during hurricane season or an outdoor wedding in the rainy season in Hawaii may put a damper on your wedding plans. If you are on a tight budget, popular locations will be higher during their peak tourist season.

You can often get group rates on air, hotels, and cruises if you book a large enough group. Hotels usually require five or more booked rooms to get a discounted rate.

Five popular venues for a destination wedding are:

• Hawaii
• Mexico
• Caribbean
• Las Vegas
• Cruise Ships

Invitations

Save the Dates are a must for destination weddings and should be sent to your guest list at least six months before the wedding. You can include an RSVP card and a travel/accommodation card that provides the name and location of the hotel(s) where you have blocked rooms and the discount code (if any) that the hotel provided for your guests.

You do not have to be stuffy and proper with your invitations. If you are getting married on the beach, the theme on the invitations could be seashells, palm trees or sandy beaches. A cruise could have a nautical theme, or Las Vegas could have the famous Las Vegas sign or skyline.

Selecting Vendors

Wedding planners that know the local vendors can assist with all of your wedding plans from the ceremony to the reception. They can fax, email photos, and keep you informed of the details.

If you want more of a hands-on approach to your wedding, travel to the location and meet with the vendors. You can visit the florist and select your flowers, taste the cake, and see the location before you arrive. Everyone needs a short getaway and now you have a good excuse for a short trip.

Planning Activities

Your wedding is a vacation for your guests and they usually start arriving a day or two early. You can plan activities like snorkeling, horseback riding, or barbecues so everyone can get together before the wedding. Place a tote bag or gift basket in the hotel rooms that to go along with your location. If it is a tropical island wedding, you could include a pair of thongs, beach towel, sunscreen, disposable camera or other goodies.

After the Wedding

After the wedding throw a party! Family and guests that were unable to travel to the wedding due to age, illness, or budget can enjoy your photos and video so they can be a part of your special day. Destination weddings can be all that you want them to be. It is your special day in your dream location.

10 Helpful Hints To A Smooth Sailing Wedding

1. Research your location. Talk to friends or plan a pre-trip.

2. Go easy on your guests' bank accounts when booking air, hotels, and cruises.

3. Work with a reputable wedding planner that knows the vendors

4. Email photos of what you like to the wedding planner. Snail mail color samples.

5. Choose flowers native to your wedding location.

6. Check with the airlines to try and arrange closet space to hang your dress.

7. Carry all important documents and wedding clothes on the plane.

8. Arrive early so you can take care of any details and get your paperwork completed.

9. Arrange with a trustworthy guest to handle getting the wedding gifts home safely.

10. Be flexible and don't sweat the small stuff.