I am an admitted pure beach bum, always have been.  Nothing makes me happier that an amazing beach and that amazing blue azure water that you find all over the tropics.  I was actually looking over my own Destination Wedding photos last night and found that there are certain photos from beach weddings that really accentuate the water.  I'm not a professional photographer, so I don't know what it is - perhaps a combination of the right sun, right spot, right angle, etc.?  I don't know - if anyone is an expert please feel free to chime in.

I went through some of the photos I have here for weddings that we've helped couples plan and found some great ones:

Look at the transition of the blue water - that's what I love - so many shades.

For this one it was probably a boat or jet ski that went by (or perhaps a reef?), because you can see the white water which stirs up those blues again.

I don't even have to say anything about this beach wedding photo - incredible!

-Quentin

I have only recently discovered the beauty of St. Thomas, a destination that is not only perfect for a beach wedding, but is also one that enables you to relax as well as enjoy breathtaking scenery and warm island hospitality.

This region has about 20 magnificent beaches with each said to have a personality of its own. This will allow you to select the perfect beach for your beach wedding. There are secluded beaches for the romantic, private wedding; beaches with a bar, restaurant or even a resort nearby; or lively and frequented beaches for those who seek the more adventurous wedding atmosphere.

In a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Virgin Islands Tourist and Vacation Guide, the best beaches in the region, according to the guide's readers, were Magens Bay, Coki Point, Sapphire Beach, and Secret Harbor. However, I personally think that Linderberg Bay, Secret Harbor, and Sapphire Beach are extremely beautiful and could possibly suit many of the couples that are seeking ambiance with facilities located nearby.

The best beaches in this region for a beach wedding that offer catering and have facilities nearby, such as a restaurant or bar, are Linderberg Bay (also known as Emerald Beach), Morningstar, Magens Bay, Bluebeards Beach, Turtle Cove, Secret Harbor, Sugar Bay, Sapphire Beach, Limetree Beach, Bolongo Bay, Hull Bay, and Cowpet Bay.

However, if you are looking for off-the-beaten-track seclusion, then you and your fiancé may want to consider having your beach wedding at Mandahl Bay, Lindquist Beach, Little Magens, or Vessun Bay. And, when I say absolute seclusion, I mean no facilities, no amenities, and a rocky track that a 2-wheel drive vehicle may not appreciate or be able to navigate.

If you are concerned that there may not be many locations for your beach wedding in Turks and Caicos, don't be. I almost felt overwhelmed when I discovered that there are approximately 230 miles of beach in this region. That sure is a lot of sand! Anyway, the good news is that each coastal stretch is said to have its own unique traits and ambiance, which means that finding that perfect location for your beach wedding should not be that difficult.

Turks and Caicos weddings are truly spectacular. Many brides and grooms take advantage of the tranquility and privacy that these beaches offer. In fact, numerous beach wedding couples in this region enjoy discovering their own secret getaway and basking in the sun as they exchange wedding vows.

If you are searching for a secluded beach for your Turks and Caicos wedding, then I recommend exploring Big Ambergris Cay, Grace Bay, Big Sand Cay, Salt Cay, and Sapodilla Beach, which have amenities and services nearby but which are not as frequented as the more popular Turks and Caicos beaches.

For the bride and groom that seek a more popular beach with amenities close by for their Turks and Caicos wedding with gorgeous scenery, then I believe Governors Beach and Long Bay Beach may be what you are looking for in terms of your ideal spot.

Judy, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners takes time out from her busy day to answer our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

I think my favorite would have to be for Sitota and Daniel in Jan '08.  They stayed at the Riu Palace Punta Cana and everything went off without a hitch.  The only thing missing, they said, was "me"  :)

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

Probably Jamaica, as my husband and I love Jamaica.  Preferably Negril, but not quite sure of which property.

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

It's on the testimonial page, and below...My couple are holding their hands like a clam shell, with the moon in the center, like a pearl. 

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Just know that we will be with you from beginning to end, because we want to, not because we have to.  I love all my brides and the most satisfying thing is knowing that they had the best day of their life and I helped to make that happen!

Acclaimed as having the clearest water in the Caribbean and some of the most picturesque locations for a beach wedding that you will ever encounter, Belize offers you a stunning locale that has a quirky and memorable ambiance that you and your fiancé will remember for the rest of your life. Belize is a country that not many people explore.  Because of the country's unknown beauty, incredible ambience, and unique beaches, the area is relatively untouched. I think Belize represents a quaint, if not idyllic, location to have a beach wedding because the beaches are not overly wide and they have a gorgeous backdrop of palm trees. 

Travel and wedding experts believe that the best beaches to have a beach wedding at in Belize are located on the Placencia Peninsula and Ambergris Caye since they are pristine and plunge into crystal-clear, blue ocean waters.  Brides and grooms that have married in these locations have said that the region held unsurpassed beauties with warm, caring villagers and an insightful community.

The best beach wedding locations in Belize include:

• Placencia Peninsula - This locale is an 11-mile strip that has some of the most spectacular beaches in Belize along its coastline and is in close proximity to the second-largest reef in the world. This region is also noted for its gentle trade winds and simply breathtaking sunsets.
• Maya beach - This is one of the most popular beach wedding locations because the water is a beautiful shade of aquamarine while palm trees frame the shoreline and the area exudes Mayan culture.
• Ambergris Caye - This is the largest island in Belize where many brides and grooms stat that they fell as though they have stepped back in time. The region is simply stunning with drop-dead gorgeous beaches that stretch along the coast, colorful sunsets, and a rich Mayan history.

A small crew here at DestinationWeddings.com recently took a trip to Jamaica to check out some interesting locations for Jamaica weddings (I know, tough life huh?).  The group consisted of a couple people from our corporate office, and most importantly...several of our Destination Wedding Planners.  We do these trips periodically, to most of our popular beach wedding destinations, so we make sure that we are up to date on the most recent changes at destinations...and to be on an island versus the office!

 This will be the first post of probably 3-4, and this video shows 3 destination wedding locations at Grand Lido Negril, all of which are an outstanding choice for your Jamiaca beach wedding!  Thanks to Nancy for the great camera work!

Home to many celebrity weddings, the Bahamas offers you and your fiancé one of the most romantic and exclusive locations in the world to have your beach wedding.

New York model, Pilar Biggers, and NFL legend, Deion Sanders, married in the Bahamas in May 1999. Their beach wedding was said to be one of the most serene as their ceremony was performed by Bishop T.D Jakes who is the couple's spiritual advisor. The wedding was witnessed by 80 of the couple's closest friends and family members on Paradise Island, one of the most exclusive locations in the Bahamas.

Amber Brkich and Rob Mariano, also known as reality television's golden couple, had a Bahamas wedding in April 2005 on Paradise Island. The couple had a large and lavish wedding with more than 200 guests. Their beach wedding ceremony took place at sunset on the shore of one of the most spectacular beaches in the area.

Chris Evert, retired tennis champion, and Greg Norman, golfer, married in June 2008 in a non-religious ceremony that overlooked the Nassau Harbor at sunset. The ceremony was witnessed by 140 friends and family members in what was believed to be a $2 million fairytale wedding.

Jewel Kilcher, singer, and fiancé Ty Murray, a rodeo star, married in a beach wedding ceremony in the Bahamas in August 2008. The couple's Bahamas wedding took place on Paradise Island near their cabana, and the bride reportedly wore a strapless gown while the groom donned cowboy boots and jeans.

So many couples have said that Costa Rica weddings are simply fantastic. This is because they provide a magnificent beach wedding setting in a country that has an excellent outlook on tourism and welcomes visitors wholeheartedly with amazing natural beauty.

Depending on what you seek for your wedding, you can either enjoy the tranquil seclusion of a beach wedding or you can consider the many other alternatives like volcanos, rainforests, etc...but lets stick with my favorite topic...the beach wedding.

Some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica are found on the Niccoya Peninsula, which is said to be one of the most popular destinations due to its expansive coastline. For those seeking that perfect spot, the best locations for your beach wedding are:

• Playa Nosara;
• Playa Junquillal;
• Playa Hermosa;
• Playa Islita;
• Playa Conchal; and
• Playa Coyote.

Another equally spectacular location to have your Costa Rica wedding is on one of Manuel Antonio National Park's four picture-perfect beaches. Espadilla, Escondido, Manuel Antonio and Playita are all stunning beaches that could possibly provide the ideal setting for your beach wedding.

The jewel in the Costa Rica wedding crown is said to be Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula because it is classed as a convergence of dark sands and towering palms. There are many beaches here to select from and each offers you a special location for your beach wedding. All you need to do is decide on the beach for you, which can be difficult when each of them is equally as beautiful.

Kimberly, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners takes time out from her busy day to answer our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

Wow, I have done so many that it is hard to choose a favorite. I just recently attended one of my weddings in Punta Cana at the Paradisus Punta Cana.  Meeting everyone was the best part! Putting faces to the names of the wedding coordinators was priceless. Unfortunately, it started to rain about 45 minutes before the wedding.  The bride and groom were nowhere to be found as they had gone off with their photographer for pre-wedding pictures. Once they did show up the rain had stopped but the seats were all soaking wet. To move everything would have pushed the time back so far that we suggested that they stay on the beach.  With a little last-minute action by the wedding coordinator, everything was fine.  The bride and groom laughed through the whole thing - what else were they going to do. It ended up being a touching and wonderful ceremony.

If you were to get married and have a destination wedding where would you hold your beach wedding and why?

Well, in my case it would have to be a vow renewal! I have seen so many great beaches that it is hard to choose but I would defintiely go back to Punta Cana. I love the country so much! The people are genuinely the friendliest I have ever been in contact with. I would be hard pressed to decide which beach but it would be between Paradisus Punta Cana and Paradisus Palma Real. The white sand is amazing - the softest ever. There is a destination wedding package called the chill-out chic that happens on the beach at their beach club. The only decor I would use is the theme of the beach club - small poles with white flowing drapery on the end of each one. Then back up to the beach club to hang out on the beach beds and just enjoy food, drinks and atmosphere.

Beach weddings usually have great pictures, what was the most unique one you've seen?

The most unique picture came to me from another couple who also got married at the Paradisus Punta Cana. They brought along their own photographer who was a family friend (Studio Viohl). Not only were the pictures absolutely gorgeous, the bride and groom actually went into the ocean all dressed up! The most beautiful couple! They also took a plunge in the pool where they held hands and kissed under water for the most unique wedding picture ever.

Any words of wisdom for brides-to-be out there?

Relax, enjoy yourself, and laugh! While some things may not go perfectly throughout the planning process and/or the wedding they are usually things you cannot control - like the weather! Let your specialist handle as much as you feel comfortable with - and more! Once you arrive on the island where you are to be wed, you will meet your wedding planner and be able to fine tune everything. The most important thing is to remember why you are getting married in the first place - your love for each other. Going with a Destinaition Wedding will be a truly memorable experience for everyone!

The second post from our bride guest blogger "Cerveza por Favor" as she plans her beach wedding in Mexico: 

After finally deciding to take the leap and work with destinationweddings.com, our experience has been nothing but exceptional.  Sam Camp, our wedding specialist has been great to work with and my guests think so as well.  Having as many people as possible be able to attend our wedding affordably was very important to us, so Sam helped us to narrow down locations that would be cost affective.  We ultimately decided on Riviera Maya, Mexico, but because of long engagement (We got engaged in August '07), we were unable to book a resort right away as we had to wait until the 2009 pricing became available.  This posed a problem, however.  The resort we had chosen originally kept putting off when they were going to announce their '09 rates.   After waiting almost 9 months to make our plans, I initially thought "what's another week or so"?  But then it became several weeks and I got annoyed.  With all our friends and family constantly hounding us for the information on the trip, we just couldn't wait any longer!  For our own sanity, Ron and I worked with Sam to choose a different resort and we haven't looked back.  As for all of our friends and relatives who were hounding us for the information - Only 16 of them have booked so far and it's been four months!  Talk about hurry up and wait!

Here are the biggest lessons I have learned so far when it comes to planning a destination wedding:

1. Advanced notice given to your guests so they can start saving does not mean they are actually going to save!
2. At least 1/3 of the people who assured you they were definitely coming will not end up going.
3. The most vocal of people wanting the details of your trip will drag their feet before they book it.
4. You have to let go and trust that no matter who is there that it is going to be fantastic.

More to come next time!