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