1. Hawaii
A wedding in Hawaii can be a
simple hotel beach wedding on Oahu or a rainforest tropical locale on
Maui. Just outside Waikiki, which is easy to get to and the most crowded
beach on the islands, is Diamond Head. On the opposite side of the
island are large pristine beaches at Kewala Bay and Waimanalo Beach. Turtle Bay Resort
is the major hotel on the north shore of Oahu. While Kauai and Maui are
the most popular of the less-populated islands, you can create a more
remote experience on Lanai, Molokai, or the Big Island. Use My Hawaii Wedding or Weddings of Hawaii to customize your experience or create original packages with everything from lava rocks to whale-spotting.
2. Bahamas
If you want a picture-perfect
beach wedding on a Caribbean island that’s easy to get to, then the
Bahamas are the perfect setting. Made up of more than 700 islands and
islets, which extend from southeast of Florida to the eastern tip of
Cuba, the Bahamas has enough white sand and turquoise beaches for more
weddings than you’ll have in your lifetimes. The Exumas, an area of over
300 islands or cays known for its clear blue water, and The Abacos, the
island chain in the northern Bahamas, are off-the-beaten-path,
picturesque wedding locations. Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Paradise
Island are more common and easier destinations to reach. Hire a company
like Weddings in the Bahamas
to find low-cost and exotic wedding packages for your special tropical
ceremony. Most hotels and resorts also offer wedding packages, including
The Atlantis and Pelican Bay Hotel. Sandals even has an all-inclusive wedding plan; let your wedding party enjoy all they can drink while toasting the newlyweds.
3. Anguilla
The British territory of
Anguilla makes up just 35 square miles of small islands in the Lesser
Antilles in the Caribbean. The actual main island of Anguilla is only 16
miles long. If you’re looking for a secluded island wedding (and a tax
haven), then this is the spot for you. Along with the classic barefoot
beach weddings, couples in Anguilla also enjoy the historic churches,
tropical gardens, and seaside villas. Local planners, like Blue Sea Anguilla Weddings, provide packages for visitors looking to customize their experience. Viceroy Anguilla
is the largest resort and possibly the most popular wedding spot on the
island. It offers poolside weddings, beach weddings, and reception
spots overlooking Barnes and Meads Bays.
4. Cozumel
On the Caribbean coast of
Mexico, Cozumel sits off the Yucatan Peninsula and is a popular
destination for scuba diving and snorkeling – and for destination
weddings. The island also has the only pearl farm in the Caribbean and
two dolphin sanctuaries. Though it has plenty to offer, Cozumel was
voted “The Best Value for Your Dollar” by Fortune Magazine.
You can even legally be married in Cozumel during a one-day stop on
your Caribbean cruise – as long as you plan in advance. Pick a large
resort, like Secrets, for your beach wedding or a smaller boutique hotel, like Playa Azul. Let the natural landscape be your backdrop. Local wedding planners, like Cozumel Wedding Planner, also have arrangements with villas and special locations.
The Cayman Islands’ wedding
motto is: barefoot elegance. Grand Cayman, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac
have large wedding venues, plenty of vendors, and luxurious resorts.
Or, for something a little simpler, just head to the beach. The unity
sand ceremony is a popular Cayman Island tradition to add to your
wedding vows. Both the bride and groom pour their containers of sand
into a vase, letting the colors blend together into one – also creating a
lovely keepsake to take home. But, avoid hurricane season from May to
November. The Ritz-Carlton
is a popular wedding spot, sitting right on the famous Seven Mile
Beach. Along with its own pastry chef and floral designers, the Ritz
also lets wedding guests set up their reception on the expansive Great
Lawn. Also on Seven Mile Beach are the Grand Cayman Beach Suites (formerly the Hyatt). For something more historic, try the Great House at Pedro St. James. For a casual ceremony and some of the best drinks on the islands, head to Rum Point.
6. Florida Keys
A string of islands stretching
from the southeastern edge of Florida into the Gulf of Mexico, the
Florida Keys are a laid-back and idyllic spot for warm weddings. Key
West is the largest city on its own 4.2-square-mile island, where the Chapel by the Sea
focuses on stress-free weddings – with sailing. In addition to all the
amenities of professional wedding planners and packages right in
Florida, there are also remote, smaller islands accessible only by boat.
Take photos at historic Civil War forts or beneath the old Seven Mile
Bridge. Hawks Cay and Little Palm Island
offer luxurious, high-end wedding packages on private cays. Don’t have
just your ceremony on a secluded water’s edge; have your whole reception
there too.
7. Las Vegas
Vegas may be known as the place
for the quickie wedding, but it can also be a fun-filled destination for
the couple and their family and friends. Over 90,000 people get married
each year in Vegas and at least most of them have a good time doing it.
Any of the hotels on the Strip – Palazzo, Bellagio, Excaliber, Mandlay
Bay – have wedding planners and wedding plans that range from the
supremely extravagant to the extravagantly tacky. A wedding in Vegas can
be as classy as you want it to be. Or, do something a little more
uniquely Vegas and visit the Graceland Chapel,
where Elvis can sing before, after, or even during your wedding. The
King may be a Vegas wedding icon now, but he originated there. The
famous landmark has seen its share of celebrities and is a hotspot for
couples in love. It’s also, conveniently, just four blocks from the
county marriage license bureau.
8. Outer Banks
Outer Banks weddings are not
your typical beach weddings. This string of narrow islands off North
Carolina is known for its natural windswept beauty and unique landscape.
The northern beaches, with Kitty Hawk and Nags Head, are more
well-known, but all the beaches are wild and clean. Have your ceremony
on a pier, under the historic lighthouse, or among the dunes. Use a
classic spot like Sanderling Resort or Tranquil House for a straightforward OBX wedding. Check with the Outer Banks Wedding Association
for tips on vendors, locations, and inspiration. The Outer Banks are
such a popular wedding destination that the association even hosts an
annual wedding weekend and expo.
9. Los Cabos
A short flight south of
California, Los Cabos (also known as Cabo) is a popular spot for
destination weddings because of its logistical ease and stunning
backdrops. While many couples choose to rent out local villas, Cabo is
particularly well known for its all-inclusive weddings. Dreams and Riu Palace
both have beachfront ceremonies and plenty of drinks flowing all night
for the party. The wealth of high-end resorts makes the choices nearly
limitless. The Hilton does full wedding packages, including activities
for your guests. For a more personal touch, hire a local event manager. Creative Destination Event Company
specializes in Cabo wedding planning at private locations, doing
everything from helping you find the perfect villa to designing an
elegant décor that you’ll be happy you flew to Mexico for.
10. Costa Rica
Yes, there are white sandy
beaches in Costa Rica. But a destination wedding in this tropical
Central American country is about more than just a waterfront ceremony.
Go whitewater rafting or ziplining in the morning, and have your wedding
at the base of a volcano in the afternoon. Monkeys, dolphins, or
iguanas may even make an appearance during your big event. Event
organizers like Our Costa Rica Wedding and Pura Vida Weddings
can help with event details from afar – if deciding between rainforest
and beach is too difficult. Or, opt for a wedding package from a local
hotel, like The Resort Flamingo Beach or The Springs Resort and Spa. The Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort provides a unique setting among the rainforest hot springs at the base of the Arenal Volcano.
