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Popular Wedding Destinations Tips
Destination Weddings Tip: Planning a Bermuda Wedding
Pink sand, small cove beaches, British manners and customs, and colorful, pastel buildings...and those shorts: Bermuda is a unique and lovely destination. It's also well-suited for small, intimate weddings. Yes, the island has a few large resorts--the Fairmount Southampton and Elbow Beach Resort come to mind. However, it's the island nation's small, independently-owned resorts and cottage communities that are special and unabashedly romantic. All are happy to host your Bermuda wedding...along the beach or in one of the beautifully-appointed public rooms. Just a few of the best Bermuda resorts are:
The Pink Beach Club. Named for the rose-hued coral beaches that dot the islands, this 94-suite resort sits on 13 acres of oceanfront property. Most suites feature private balconies overlooking the Atlantic, the perfect place to enjoy a quiet breakfast for two.
The Reefs. Perched on limestone cliffs overlooking its own pink beach, The Reefs was voted as the "Best Hotel in Bermuda" by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The family-owned resort features 65 suites and cottages, many of which have their own living/dining area and outdoor hot tub.
Waterloo House. Unlike the first two resorts, this elegant mansion/turned hotel is located in the heart of Hamilton's waterfront, rather than on a beach. Rated the "Most Sophisticated Hotel in Bermuda" by Travel + Leisure magazine, this 1815-circa townhouse surrounded by cottages, combined early 19th-century charm with modern amenities, such as flat-screen TVs and WiFi.
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Some Exotic Wedding Destinations
Some couples dream of getting married on a far away beach, in a tropical rain forest, or in one of dozens of other exotic wedding destinations. If this is you, consider one of these favorite exotic places to get married:
1. Maldives - This chain of 1190 small islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean is a favorite of movie actors and music stars seeking privacy. The Maldives aren't particularly easy to get to from North America, but the setting and the luxury offered by the resorts there make up for any inconvenience.
2. Bora Bora - Arguably the most scenic of the Tahitian Islands, Bora Bora is known for its picturesque lagoon and its collection of resorts, most of which feature cottage on stilts over the water. Talk about romantic!
3. Costa Rica - This Central American country was a pioneer in eco-tourism. In addition to being just a short flight from Miami or Texas, Costa Rica offers long stretches of relatively undiscovered beaches on two coasts, a cloud forest, a tropical rainforest, and the big city pleasures of San Jose.
4. Scottish Highlands. Madonna got married here and so could you. This remote part of the UK is known for its many lakes, historic castles, and Scotch whisky distilleries. However, it's the rugged scenery that makes this destination a good choice for lovers.
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Destination Weddings Tip: A St. Lucia Wedding
Lush and tropical, and much less developed than many the neighboring islands, a St. Lucia wedding is perfect for couples seeking a quiet, tropical getaway. Yes, St. Lucia has beaches, but the best parts of the island are located up in the mountains that make up most of St. Lucia. There you'll find extinct volcanoes, secret waterfalls, and fields of wild tropical flowers. A former British colony, the island still retains a certain British formality, albeit with a Caribbean lilt.
None of the resorts on St. Lucia is huge. One of the most popular is Anse Chastenet, located on St. Lucia's uncrowded southwestern coast. The 600-acre resort runs from the hills down to the beach and features a variety of accommodations, including beachfront rooms and hillside cottages with wrap-around patios. The resort offers a variety of wedding packages and guests can get married in the original Colonial Plantation manor, under a waterfall, on a coral reef, along the beach, or in the privacy of their hillside cottage.
Planning a Caribbean wedding is easiest if you enlist the aid of a destination wedding specialist, such as those at DestinationWeddings.com. They can held coordinate all of the details and their services are free to you.
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What Top Wedding Destinations Have in Common
Sure, one couple's ideal wedding destination may be a beach, another a tropical rain forest, and other a big city, but top wedding destinations all tend to have a few things in common. A few of these common traits are:
1. Romance. Everyone's definition is somewhat different, but all of the top wedding destinations have it, be it Tuscany, Bermuda, the Canadian Rockies, or Rio de Janeiro.
2. A feeling of being somewhere special. What do the Seine in Paris, a beach in St. Barts, and a Kauai's Fern Grotto all have in common? They all have the magical feeling of adventure, of being somewhere that's decidedly different from home.
3. Easy access. Nothing kills the romance like taking three planes, a ferry, and 18 hours to get to your dream destination. Also, inaccessibility generally translates into expense. Don't expect many of your family and friends to have the time and money to join you at your remote hideaway for your wedding. Instead, choose somewhere that can be reached in six hours and no more than two planes.
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Destination Weddings Tip: US Virgin Island Weddings
The US Virgin Islands--St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John--are located just east of Puerto Rico. Purchased by the United States from Denmark in 1917, the islands combine Caribbean weather, food, and flair with American customs and language. A US Virgin Island wedding is ideal for the couple who wants a tropical destination, but doesn't want it to be "too foreign."
Each of the US Virgin Islands has its own personality. Below is just a thumbnail sketch of each:
St. Thomas. St. Thomas is the most popular of the US Virgin Islands. Most people know it for its bustling port, Charlotte Amalie, and its duty-free shopping. However, away from town and the throng of cruise ship passengers, St. Thomas offers some of the best beaches in the Caribbean--most notably Magen's Bay on the northeast side of the island.
St. Croix. The largest of the US Virgin Islands, St. Croix is home to the Cruzan Rum Company, some charming former sugar mills, and a variety of uncrowded, white sand beaches.
St. John. For couples planning a St. John wedding, the island is made up almost entirely by national park land and accessible only by sea, St. John is the most quiet and least developed of the three US Virgin islands. It's a favorite of nature lovers and diving enthusiasts. The island does have a few luxury resorts, but nightlife consists mostly of a nice dinner and a moonlit walk on the beach.
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Popular European Destination Wedding Sites
The old-world architecture and customs combined with gilded halls and centuries of history makes Europe a romantic spot--wherever you go. However, some cities and regions are just made for destinations weddings. Among the most popular European wedding sites are:
1. Tuscany. Ever since Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise chose a Tuscan castle in which to exchange vows, wedding couples have been rushing to this region of central Italy. Who can blame them? Tuscany has wineries, acres of rolling countryside, charming villas and farmhouses, and excellent food.
2. Paris. The "City of Lights" will always be atop the list of romantic wedding destinations. The city is beautiful year round, the food superb, and the class immeasurable.
3. Vienna. This Austrian city was the home of Hapsburg royalty for centuries. They left a legacy of gilded palaces, impressive pastry and other foods, and a soundtrack to enhance any wedding.
4. St. Tropez. On France's Mediterranean coast, this playground of the wealthy and famous has a charming yacht harbor, a string of seaside cafes, and luxury resorts on and off of the beach.
Making overseas wedding arrangements can be slightly tricky. Consider enlisting the aid of a destination wedding planner, such as those with Destination Weddings.com. They can help alleviate much of the stress of planning a European wedding and their services are free.
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Destination Weddings Tip: St. Thomas Weddings at Bluebeard's Castle
Anyone can get married on a beach...but how many have the opportunity to tie the knot in an authentic 17th century pirate's castle--one that just might be haunted by the former owner? To make it even more special, Bluebeard's Castle is located atop a bluff, overlooking the harbor and the dramatic red roofs of St. Thomas' capital city of Charlotte Amalie.
After the ceremony, you can stay in the original castle, in the adjacent former Danish governor's mansion, or in one of the several villas scattered around the property. Amenities include an outdoor pool with a view of the city below, a romantic dining room and lounge, and acres of gardens. The resort is just minutes from town (and duty-free shopping) as well as championship golf at Mahogany Run and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
St. Thomas Weddings are easy to plan, since the island is just a short flight from Miami or New York City and as the island is a US territory, you don't have to worry about a passport or visa. Enlisting the aid of a destination wedding consultant, such as Destination Weddings.com, can make planning your St. Thomas wedding easy and stress-free. Few such consultants charge a fee; they're compensated by the resorts and services they recommend.
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Top Romantic Wedding Destinations outside of the United States
Everywhere is romantic if you're with the one that you love. However, some locales just have that special ambiance, whether its the scenery, the friendly people, and the years of history associated with it. Below are our choices for the top romantic wedding destinations outside of the United States:
1. Tahiti. These islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean have entranced lovers and dreamers for centuries. Explorer James Cook was fascinated by them. So was the French painter Gauguin and more recently, Marlon Brando. Tahiti offers a relaxed, friendly way of life, beautiful vistas, French food and culture (albeit with a South Pacific lilt), and a variety of luxury resorts, many of which offer secluded cottages or huts.
2. Paris. Who doesn't love Paris? France's capital city offers food, fashion, flowers, history, and stunning architecture. Yes, the paperwork can be tricky. (It's best to work with a wedding planner well versed in French destination weddings or have a small, legal ceremony at home before the elaborate, overseas ritual.) The "City of Lights" offers scores of elegant sites for your wedding, from the Luxembourg Gardens to the 19th century ballroom of the Grand Hotel.
3. Niagara Falls. Don't laugh. Niagara Falls is one of the most popular wedding destinations. There's just something about all of that water. After a fallsview ceremony, head a half-hour up the Niagara River to Niagara-on-the-Lake, a restored early 19th century community with a decidedly Celtic flavor. The town also makes a good base for exploring Niagara's many wineries and for enjoying the spring, summer, and fall Shaw Theater Festival.
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Destination Weddings Tip: Pick a St. John Wedding for Outdoor Beauty
St. John, the smallest of the United States Virgin Islands, is as different from its neighbor, St. Thomas, as can be. Most of St. John is part of the undeveloped Virgin Islands National Park, land donated to the US by the Rockefeller family in the 1950s. St. John is only accessible by boat from St. Thomas or Virgin Gorda, part of the British Virgin Island chain. The island has little shopping and the nightlife centers around a quiet dinner and the dramatic sunsets.
People come to St. John for the nature beauty, long stretches of uncrowded white sand, and for its superior snorkeling and scuba. If you are looking for a beautiful, outdoor setting for your wedding ceremony, choose a St. John Wedding.
Though uncrowded, St. John does have a few luxury resorts. Chief among these is Caneel Bay, the former property of the Rockefellers. Accommodations at the beachfront resort include suite set right off of the sand as well as Mr. Rockefeller's former manor house. The open-air dining room here serves the finest food on the island.
As with travel to St. Thomas, United States citizens visiting St. John are only required to have a photo ID. No passport or visa is necessary.
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Destination Weddings Tip: An Aruba Beach Wedding
Aruba, located in the southern Caribbean, lies just 17 miles north of the coast of Venezuela. An arid, desert-like island, Aruba has predictably warm and sunny weather and is not affected by hurricanes that plague the islands further north and the cities along the Gulf of Mexico.
Aruba is a part of the Netherlands and you'll find Dutch spoken there as well as Dutch colonial architecture, food and customs. Most of the major resorts are located on the western shore of the island, along Palm Beach. The best of these are affiliated with hotel chains, but don't discount them. The services and accommodations are superior and the setting is lovely. Some of the best places to stay are:
Marriott Aruba - Arguably, the best hotel on the island, the 376-room Marriott is home to Aruba's largest casino and offers a variety of wedding packages. Choose to get married along the beach, under a flowered archway in the tropical garden, or in the resort's ballroom.
Hyatt Regency - Also located along Palm Beach, the 360-room Hyatt has a full service spa, six restaurants, property-wide WiFi, and a variety of romantic spots for an island wedding.
Couples planning an Aruba wedding will have plenty of help. Both properties offer on-site wedding planners for couples getting married at the hotel or enlist the services of a destination wedding specialist, such as the experienced and friendly agents at Destination Weddings.com. Their services are free and they can make sure your island wedding does off without a hitch and no stress.
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Destination Weddings Tip: A Romantic Dominican Republic Wedding
The Dominican Republic, located on the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, just west of Puerto Rico, combines rugged, tropical beauty, uncrowded beaches, and an enchanting Spanish-Caribbean style of cuisine and customs. For couples, a Dominican Republic wedding is a good choice for those seeking an easily accessible, yet relatively undiscovered destination, one with plenty of scenic wonders, yet the services of a handful of luxury resorts.
The roads on the island are relatively basic and most visitors choose to stay in and around the area where they are staying. The most popular areas of the country for tourists are:
La Romana. La Romana, on the south-central coast is best known as home to the legendary Casa de Campo resort, one of the world's largest resorts. Here you'll find championship golf, miles of beach, and a lively arts community.
Santo Domingo. The largest city in the Dominican Republic, with around two million residents, Santo Domingo is the pulse of the country. Shopping, dining, history, and beaches--you'll find everything in this thriving metropolis.
Puerto Plata. Located on the north coast, framed by mountains, Puerto Plata is a vibrant city as well as a popular beach destination. This area is a good choice for couples that like to enjoy the beach during the day and go out to dinner or the clubs at night.
Samana. Located on the rugged northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Samana is home to the island's massive caves as well as a prime snorkeling and diving destination. Accommodations here are mostly in small, independently-owned inns and guest houses. It's a wedding choice for a sports-loving couple.
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Destination Weddings Tip: Where to Have a Bahamas Wedding
The Bahamas makes a nice choice for a Caribbean destination wedding because the islands are easily accessible from the eastern and Midwestern United States and because they offer many affordable, as well as luxury, resort choices. Below are just a few ideas on where to host your wedding in the Bahamas:
1. Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. This luxury all-inclusive resort has won numerous awards and offers a host of romantic amenities, including eight restaurants, a full European spa, and a secluded, private island a half-mile from shore.
2. Coral Sands Resort on Harbour Island. Set on the beach that was ranked the "Best Beach in the Caribbean" by the Travel Channel, this 36-room resort is ideal for the couple that wants a quiet, secluded spot for their wedding and honeymoon. Amenities include a gourmet restaurant, tennis courts, a freshwater swimming pool, and a variety of watersports. You can also rent a golf cart to explore the more remote areas of this small island.
3. Old Bahama Bay Resort on Grand Bahama Island. This 73-suite resort, on the western tip of Grand Bahama Island, combines the charm of Colonial Bahamas with modern conveniences. All of the accommodations front the beach and the resort has its own 72-slip marina.
4. Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. The largest and most extravagant resort in the Bahamas, the Atlantis offers a little something for everyone. You can swim with the dolphins, dine where James Bond once had his meal, and stay in the $25,000 per night Bridge Suite (or many, less expensive) accommodations.
All of these resorts offer a variety of Bahamas wedding packages. Get married on the beach or choose a secluded ceremony in a tropical garden setting.
