| A vineyard in summer, a beach at sunset, a glen in the | | | | attendance; thus the creation of an entire weekend |
| midst of towering trees or an exciting cosmopolitan | | | | wedding concept. Friday evening starts out with the |
| city-all are great destination choices for a wedding. | | | | wedding rehearsal and dinner. All guests that have |
| Many couples choose locations with romantic | | | | traveled a great distance should be invited to the |
| associations, such as where they grew up or became | | | | rehearsal dinner and perhaps a drop-in barbeque the |
| engaged. Others choose wedding destinations for the | | | | day of the wedding (or the day following). Golf, wine |
| fun or scenic backdrop they offer. Favored wedding | | | | tours, spa treatments or sightseeing events are |
| destinations in the U.S. include the Sonoma-Napa Wine | | | | commonly scheduled for guests the day after the |
| Country, and Hawaii. Las Vegas tops the list as the | | | | ceremony. |
| most chosen destination wedding site. From | | | | Pre-wedding letters are a must for a destination |
| elopements to grandiose affairs of 200 guests, | | | | wedding. Your guests will appreciate being alerted to |
| destination weddings have tripled in popularity in the last | | | | the schedule of weekend activities, information about |
| three years. | | | | the area, overnight accommodations, and particular |
| Local help If you don't have family in the area or a | | | | points of interest. |
| trusted someone who can perform the necessary | | | | Other considerations Laws differ from state to state. |
| research for you, hiring a wedding planner and | | | | Avoid last-minute surprises by checking the marriage |
| coordinator is a must for your destination wedding. A | | | | license laws in the state where you will marry. Most |
| local coordinator will assist you in finding the perfect | | | | states require a waiting period and blood tests, along |
| reception site, source and secure vendors, make | | | | with the necessary paperwork. California laws have |
| telephone calls, tend to local errands and save you | | | | become less stringent in the last few years. In addition |
| unnecessary trips to the destination. Utilize the Internet | | | | to the scenic vineyards, the elimination of waiting |
| for research or call the Chamber of Commerce or | | | | periods and blood tests have probably contributed to |
| Convention and Visitors Bureau to locate a | | | | the popularity of Northern California Wine Country. |
| coordinator. Most offer very helpful "wedding packets" | | | | Las Vegas is most popular for elopements and |
| that list services you will need. | | | | round-the-clock fun! Each Hawaiian island has unique |
| If you haven't hired a wedding coordinator, plan on | | | | features, making Hawaii a top choice for intimate, |
| making four to six trips to the destination; one to two | | | | romantic tropical weddings. Finally, couples who love |
| trips to locate the site, an additional trip or two for hiring | | | | food and wine are drawn to the California Wine |
| vendors, one trip a few months in advance of the | | | | Country. |
| wedding to finalize the details, and the final journey to | | | | Coordinating a destination wedding requires additional |
| attend your rehearsal, ceremony and reception. Make | | | | planning and funds due to the added cost of airfare |
| the most of your time by calling ahead and scheduling | | | | for several trips to the site, hotel accommodations and |
| appointments for your planning trips. Many locations fill | | | | long-distance phone calls. However, destination |
| quickly, so planning at least 12 to 18 months ahead is | | | | weddings are preferred by couples who want a |
| highly recommended. | | | | one-of-a-kind wedding memories. Destination weddings |
| Weekend weddings Have you always dreamed of | | | | make guests feel extra special and give the wedding |
| Maui at sunset? Most couples planning a destination | | | | couple a memory-filled place to visit for joyous |
| wedding prefer an intimate feel to their special day and | | | | anniversary celebrations. |
| wish to have very close family and friends in | | | | |