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