| A destination wedding is one where you get | | | | you can give people, the more likely it is |
| married at a location different than where | | | | they will be able to come.3. Have an |
| you or your families live. They are | | | | itinerary or suggested list of activities for |
| particularly popular for second marriages or | | | | the days before and after your wedding. At a |
| with those couples that are a little older | | | | traditional local ceremony, the bridal party |
| and don't want a lavish affair. The most | | | | expects a rehearsal dinner the night before, |
| common destinations are beach locations, like | | | | and the wedding ceremony and reception, and |
| Cancun, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. If you are | | | | that's it. For a destination wedding, your |
| considering getting married at an exotic | | | | guests will likely be there for several days, |
| location, here are some things to | | | | and you will want them to enjoy themselves |
| contemplate.1. Consider what time of year to | | | | while you attend to any last minute wedding |
| have your wedding. Hurricane season lasts | | | | details. Although they are there primarily |
| from June through November, with the most | | | | to support you and witness your marriage, |
| active period from mid-August through | | | | most will also want to squeeze in some |
| October. The chances of a hurricane actually | | | | vacation time after traveling a long |
| hitting during wedding aren't that great, but | | | | distance. Coordinate with the local wedding |
| if a major hurricane hits the location within | | | | planner for golf outings, snorkeling, trips |
| a few months of your wedding, there could be | | | | to local sites, etc. Your guests will |
| significant damage, which could affect your | | | | appreciate your efforts to make their time |
| ability to have your ceremony (not to mention | | | | enjoyable.4. Carefully check the legal |
| the hardship for the people that actually | | | | rules. If you are getting married in another |
| live there). If the possibility that your | | | | country, or even another state, make sure you |
| wedding could be disrupted makes you nervous, | | | | double-check the laws regarding making your |
| consider an area less prone to hurricanes, | | | | marriage legal. Most wedding planners or |
| like the Pacific side of Mexico or Hawaii. | | | | event locations will be familiar with the |
| You should also carefully check the typical | | | | laws in their area, but it pays to |
| weather conditions (including the temperature | | | | double-check, just to make sure. You don't |
| and average rainfall) at the locations you | | | | want to return from your honeymoon, only to |
| are evaluating. In general, the northern | | | | find out you aren't legally married.5. If |
| Caribbean (e.g., Bahamas) can be a little | | | | you decide you'd rather have your ceremony |
| cool in the winter, while other areas such as | | | | locally after all, you can still have a |
| Cancun might be too hot in the middle of | | | | "beach" themed wedding any time of the year. |
| summer.2. Evaluate your guest list. If you | | | | Incorporate the theme into your reception |
| want to make sure some of your older | | | | hall decorations by using sand, sea shells, |
| relatives (grandparents, great Aunt, etc.) | | | | island-style decor and bright colors like |
| can be there, make sure they are able to | | | | blue and green. Dress up the reception |
| travel conveniently to the location where you | | | | tables with some beach themed wedding favors |
| wish to have your wedding. If you live on | | | | such as floating flip flop candles or sea |
| the East Coast, you can get to the Caribbean | | | | shell bottle openers and your guests will be |
| fairly easily, but Cabo San Lucas or Maui | | | | transported directly to the sun and sand. Use |
| would encompass a whole day's travel. Keep | | | | exotic flowers like Birds of Paradise, and |
| in mind that many of your friends and quite a | | | | give your reception menu a tropical flair by |
| few relatives will not be able to make it, | | | | offering selections like grilled chicken with |
| even though they would no doubt love to go. | | | | pineapple salsa. You can always jet away to |
| Finding the time to get off of work and | | | | the warm sun and blue ocean on your |
| paying for the trip will be a major expense | | | | honeymoon! |
| for your guests. The more advanced notice | | | | |