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!

 

Please join us in welcoming Nicholas Haskins, a Destination Wedding photographer from Houston TX.  Nick will be offering expert advice and tips on how to make sure you get those great shots at your Destination Wedding.

It's 9:30 P.M., and your wedding reception is fully underway.  Your guests are having such a great time in such a beautiful location, and the reality of getting married in another country is just beginning to sink in.  Then suddenly, you're blinded by burst of light from a professional photographer's camera flash less than 4 feet away from your face.  With eyes burning, you ask him to please "take a break."

Sadly, this does happen.  It's the direct result from the lack of communication between your wedding photographer, and yourselves.  Whether you're flying in a photographer from abroad, or hiring the resort photographer to snap pictures, following these three simple steps will ensure that you get the most out of your wedding photography experience for your destination wedding.

Communication is Key

I can't stress enough how fundamentally important it is for the photographer and bride and groom to be on the same page.  If you're flying in a photographer, chances are you might not be able to meet him/her until roughly two days before the wedding.  That's why a lot of couples now also fly them out to meet you for your engagement.  The "engagement session" has become more than, "the pictures you get when your engaged." The engagement has evolved into a vital component in the bonding process between yourselves and your photographer.  A destination wedding photographer is a traveler, and would probably be much obliged.  It is during this session that you discover how your photographer works, while at the same time the photographer can spend the time to get to know you as a couple.  This way, when the wedding rolls around, everyone is on the same page as far as "what to do."  This is what separates resort photographers, from destination wedding photographers; personalization. 

If budget is a concern and you decide to go with the resort photographer, don't fret.  Simply talk to your photographer on the day of the wedding.  Some resort photographers already initiate a warm welcome; however in the absence of, establish a base line of what type of coverage is expected.  If you would not prefer to have photos of yourself and your guests cramming food in your mouths, then make this clear from the start.  This is your day, and these are your pictures.  You are ultimately the one that‘s in control!

Be You-nique

Its minutes after the ceremony, and your photographer is getting ready to take you guys away to capture those "magic moments." This is quite often the most anticipated moment of the day for the photographer.  So what do you do?  Be you.  Act as if there isn't a photographer around.  Act as if there is nobody around.  The deeper you sink into a euphoric state of nirvana realizing that you have just committed the rest of your life to someone, the more "in the moment" things become.  Your photographer will greatly appreciate you taking the lead and creating your own show.

Timing is Everything

If you're getting married at a resort, chances are you may not have complete control over the schedule of your day.  This is usually handled by the wedding coordinator at the resort.  If you are flying in a photographer, and your getting married at a resort that's relaxed on using outside vendors (topic of a future post), then you probably have a lot of control over the schedule of your day.  Either way, it's very important that you include your photographer when planning this schedule.  Your photographer will know how long those formal shots take, and what time the ceremony should start based on the time that the sun sets on that date.  Although ceremonies right at sunset are fabulous, they leave no time for formal photographs and that "magic time" between the photographer, and yourselves.  If you must have the ceremony at sunset, consider a "first look," where time is set aside before the ceremony for you and your partner to meet and see each other for the first time all dressed up.  Whichever the case may be, just remember that careful coordination between yourself and your photographer will result in everything working out the way it should, or pretty close to it.

I want to thank destinationweddings.com for inviting me to be a guest blogger, and I look forward to posting several more articles that will be useful in helping to plan the photography portion of your destination wedding.

You can learn more about Nick's work at haskinsphotography.com.

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.

OK, I was just going to comment on the original Planning a Destination Wedding - Budget post, but it ended up that I had too much to say as usual, so it turned into another post.

For those of you that looked at the first post, and thought that it seemed too broad and lacked numbers, I figured I'd give you a look into some ballpark numbers that I encountered while planning a destination wedding this past May in Nassau.

**Necessary disclaimer: I am giving these numbers as an example of what happens when you start adding stuff while planning a destination wedding, not so that you can plan on the same situation or numbers.  Prices vary greatly on number of guests, location, and options, like the original post said...so don't pay attention to the numbers as much as the change in overal budget versus original**

OK, here we go.  We wanted a less-expensive party-type all-inclusive resort, and weren't too concerned with how fancy it was, it was more important that it be laid back and a good time.  We decided that we wanted a simple wedding, nothing fancy, just a beach wedding.  We also decided that we didn't want a traditional reception, and that we would just go out to one of the resort clubs with all our guests after the ceremony to party.  Sounds reasonable right?....Here's where the budgets start going crazy:

-We spent approx. $3,500 on our travel for the week (we picked an inexpensive resort remember?)

-Good news...weddings are FREE at the resort, and the gazebo was perfect for us. 

Now stop here.  This is where we originally wanted to be, and this would have been extremely affordable!  A great deal on travel, and a free wedding makes for a happy couple!  But wait, here come the additions:

-We decided to get a better photo package (turned out to be a great decision by the way): $350

-She wanted a different bouquet (I said flowers are flowers, but lost that argument): $50

-We decided to do a cocktail reception after the ceremony so we could hang out with everyone before starting the party: $750

-OK, now the biggy...we decided to do a reception after all: $1300 (we didn't go too crazy with the options here)

-And, you need music right?  DJ: $500.

So, we started with $3,500 right?  Then we started adding on options...and we ended up over $6000, which is about an 80% increase!   Again, don't pay attention the numbers themselves, but the fact that we increased our budget by 80%.  So, like the original post said, make sure you really decide if you need these additions before you nail down your budget.  In the end, it is was probably at least $20K cheaper than if we got married at home, so I am not implying that it was bad!

Then there was the honeymoon of course...at a much more expensive resort...which was worth every penny!

When it comes to planning such a special event in our lives, we all start out with delusions of grandeur. In fact, we would all love that celebrity wedding will all the fantastic trimmings but at a fraction of the cost because, unlike a celebrity, our piggy bank just is not filled to the brim with cash.

So, just what is classed as a realistic and affordable budget for you when planning a destination wedding?  Tricky question, because it depends on a HUGE number of factors...most of which lie with what you and your fiance want.

Probably the easiest way to set a budget and adhere to it is to do a little soul searching--deep, meaningful meditation required-prior to planning a destination wedding. What type of travelers are you and you fiancé? Do you like active, adventurous vacations? Or, are you more the lay on the beach and relax type? Do you want to stay in a luxurious 5-star resort or would you prefer something a little more secluded? By asking yourself questions and defining your wants, you are setting yourself a budget because you are ruling out some destinations and highlighting others.  Are you going to be eating and drinking up a storm?  If so, an all inclusive property is probably your best bet...it would beat that huge bar bill!

The next factor for you and your fiancé to consider is your specific wedding wants and needs. For example, do you want a simple ceremony or do you have specific needs, such as more photos and fewer flowers or a single-tiered wedding cake rather than a three-tiered? Most wedding packages suit the majority of couples, and are able to have options added-on, but adding onto a package is obviously going to add onto your budget! 

Also, consider if you want a traditional type of reception, because that will probably require catering and this is usually charged at a per person rate. With this in mind, how many guests will be present? Do you need a full sit-down dinner, or do you just want a quick cocktail hour with snacks, then off to the dance club? All of these factors add up and make planning your destination wedding more expensive.

While planning a destination wedding, remember to be open-minded and flexible because you will often discover that your priorities change and your goals adjust to what is affordable.

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.

Most common quote heard...."I am going to my destination wedding no matter what!  I don't need insurance".

Not a good idea brides-to-be!  Better safe than sorry. Travel insurance basically covers you and your fiancé from loss when you travel. Any insurance gives you peace of mind, and you should consider taking out a travel insurance policy when planning a destination wedding. The two most important insurance considerations for you and your fiancé are:

1.  Trip cancellation.

2.  Trip interruption.

Trip cancellation is the most common form of insurance used and this gives you protection from the cancellation of your travel due to illness, injury, mechanical difficulties, or weather. Additionally, some companies also provide you with insurance in case an airline or travel company goes out of business. Trip interruption insurance reimburses you and your fiancé's costs if your trip is cut short for any unforeseen reason.  Insurance rates vary, but I strongly suggest that everybody purchase travel insurance, because it is a small price to pay to protect your destination wedding investment.

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!

Hi, it's Hannah and Carlos again, revealing all our wedding stories, or at least I am revealing them.   I'm going to tell you why we really picked a Destination Wedding. When we were in Argentina, already engaged, we had the idea to have our wedding there. We went for a drive into los Andes and passed by Villicencia, a very old spring resort that was supposed to be opening in a couple years, but in Argentina that could be about 5 years. There was a small but beautiful church along side and we figured we could have his family stay and my family could fly out and stay. The most expensive thing would be their ticket and the exchange rate $3 pesos to $1 American dollar would work great for the budget of the wedding because of course our guest will be buying their own ticket.

We didn't put much thought into it, as you really have to be Catholic to get married in Mendoza, Argentina. I am not and Carlos was only baptized, so that meant that we would have to go there and go through this big ordeal. I don't want to sound like a bad person or make Carlos seem like one either, but we don't go to church, not that we haven't ever been in one. It just seems like a weird idea to get married in a church when it's not our style. So we decided we could find someone to marry us where we pick to go.   When we arrived home, my mother was not fond of the idea at all. She insisted that we get married in St. Louis, and I said, I don't want to get married in St. Louis, I want to do something different and anyway isn't it my wedding? She straight up told me that her and my step father didn't want to fly to Argentina to attend the wedding because of the cost, but if we would marry in St. Louis, they would pay for it. I was furious, what a hypocrite! Now you can understand that we wanted to elope with a Destination Wedding in the first place.

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!

HEY MON!!! My name is Precious and I am delighted to be planning our wedding in the beautiful Island of what many consider, "the island of one love," Jamaica.   Just as I said, "Yes, yes, yes!" when he proposed, "Yes, yes, yes," we are finally tying the knot!!! My "love" and I got engaged in the summer of 2007, while on vacation in Mexico.  Prior to the engagement, we had been dating for over eight years.  No, you are not delusional, 8 consecutive YEARS! So yes, at this point I had already given up the idea of what in my mind would be the perfect moment for the perfect proposal. I knew it was going to happen.  It was just a matter of when? After so many marvelous years, my "love" managed to capture the proposal of my dreams, and what I considered the "perfect moment." 

Following our romantic dinner on the evening before my birthday, he decided he wanted to take a walk with me on the beach.  As we walked alongside the Sea of Cortez, hand in hand gazing at the exceptionally clear sky, we noticed a shooting star.  Before I even lost sight of the shooting star, he shouted, "LOVE, MAKE A WISH," and so I did.  As we continue to walk, he unexpectedly decides he wants to sit.  As we face the sea and begin to feel our bare feet curl deliciously in the cool sand, he begins to tell me that he purchased something small for my birthday but that the bigger gift awaited me in New York. I responded by saying, "aww, you didn't have to get anything for me sweetie, this trip was enough."  As he caresses my face with his tender hands, he begins to express his love for me.  At this point, I didn't know what to think.  The setting and the mood was so surreal, that I felt as if I was sedated and taken to paradise.  As we continue to embrace each other, he suddenly sit's up, reaches into his pocket, pulls out the box, gets on one knee and asks me the magic question.  After quickly picking up my mouth that rapidly dropped onto his lap, I managed to say yes!  Can you believe it? He granted my wish in less than an hour! It was heaven sent!

The wait was worth every minute of it.  He couldn't have chosen a better time or a better setting.  He did an awesome job picking out my ring, and I got exactly what I wanted. 

So here we are planning our very special day.  We both happened to share the idea of having a non-traditional wedding, and agreed on having a beach wedding.  I wasn't sure as to how I was going to go about planning our destination wedding.  I looked online for weeks, contacted several hotels, but felt extremely overwhelmed.  I thought to myself, "There has to be an easier way to plan a destination wedding." It was then, when I came across destinationweddings.com! I was assigned to an awesome wedding specialist who contacted me right away.  It has been a walk in the park for us ever since.  Please stay tuned for my next blog.  I am excited to embark on this journey and share every minute of my destination wedding experience with you all.

In order to find the best possible locations for all of you stylish brides and grooms that are thinking of having a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic, I consulted some of the best travel experts. These experts were actually other couples who had elected to have a beach wedding in the Dominican Republic. After all, who else is better qualified to offer an opinion and tell you how fantastic Dominican Republic beach weddings actually are?

So, according to these beach wedding connoisseurs, some of the best beaches to say, ‘I do,' on are as follows:

• Punta Cana - Forbes Traveler also rated this as one of the top 25 Sexiest Beaches in the world because of the 20 miles of pristine sand, stunning palm backdrop, and crystal blue ocean.
• North Coast - Puerto Plata is said to be breathtakingly beautiful with 1.5 miles of pristine coastline and scenery that resembles postcard perfection.
• Dominican Republic East Coast -- Playa Minitas is a secluded private beach that offers a luxurious setting for those who wish to escape from crowds and enjoy a romantic interlude.
• Isla Saona - This island has also been named one of the Caribbean's Dream Beaches by Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, and is a short day trip from the "mainland".
• Playa Punta Rucia - This area just west of Puerto Plata offers mountain views and silky, white sands. It is a little more secluded than some of the other popular beaches.
• Playa Sosua - This spot is situated in the Puerto Plata area, in a crescent-shaped bay and is extremely popular due to its cliffs and tranquil turquoise waters.
• North East - Playa Rincon is located on the Samana peninsula in in Puerto Plata, and is classed as one of the world's top 10 beaches by Condé Nast Travelerbecause of its isolation, three miles of sand, and mountain at one end.  The magic here is that you will have to travel by boat (or a serious 4x4) to this beach by sailing from Las Galeras, which many say adds to its ambiance. 

There are a TON of great places to look at when planning a Destination Wedding, and I won't get into locations within destinations just yet...as that would be the longest post in the history of posts.  However, this is an overview of the top 5 large-scale destinations.

Planning a Destination Wedding - Beach:

Mexico - offers a plethora of resorts in a region where heaven equates to 5-star luxury abound with outdoor activities, magnificent sunsets, and ocean paradise. This region sports brand-new hotels with ultra affordable all-inclusive packages located in close proximity to some of the most amazing historical landmarks and ruins.

Jamaica - Jamaica is an amazing combination of exquisite natural beauty and friendly and fun culture.  The beauty of lush tropical forests, waterfalls, and endless beaches is accentuated by the island's continual party atmosphere and friendly locals.

Dominican Republic -home to a host of world-class all-inclusive resorts, making it a perfect spot for couples looking for value, natural beauty, and glorious beaches.

Caribbean - magnificent scenery and captivating wildlife are just some of the many Caribbean delights that you and your fiancé will encounter while you wed in fantasy style.  So many different options here...

Hawaii - combines Polynesian legend and creation with stunning waterfalls, forests, and botanical wonders that will simply enchant. You can elect to have a beach wedding here or be surrounded by a fantasy landscape.

Cheryl, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Specialists, answers our questions on planning a beach wedding.

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned?

Barcelo Palace - Dominican Republic. Both the Bride and Groom along with all of the guests were an absolute pleasure to work with , along with "they all had a great time". These are the stories you want to hear, everything went off perfect, the wedding was lovely, both mothers of the bride and groom had a great time . They were a little apprehensive at first as they've never been out of the states, but once everyone was booked everybody got REALLY excited. This gave the girls a really good excuse to go out and buy that perfect beachy dress and matching shoes! Once they arrived it was one big party. At that point the mother of the bride knew her daughter had made the right choice in choosing destination weddings because we got them all there safe and sound!

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

Gotta find a really rich man first! But, I would absolutely do Jamaica. Really upscale resort on the beautiful beaches of Negril. The Negril sunsets are a sight to behold, laid back atmosphere, great food, reggae vibes and the lush, lush tropical vegatation and white sand beaches would be my dream wedding. To kick back with a tropical drink (or Red Stripe), watch the beautiful Negril sunsets, and wait for the party to begin!

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

In Mexico, on Maroma beach, bride and groom were married on horseback. After the ceremony, bride, groom and horse went for a celebration swim.

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

Calm down, don't panic, trust us . We have your best interests at heart. We know this is the most important day of your life and we will step in your shoes as if it were our own wedding we are planning.

Sensational aptly describes St. Martin beaches. Many brides and grooms have discovered that there are so many beaches there and each caters to any individual's tastes. For example, there are the secluded beaches for the more romantic wedding; the busy beaches for the more adventurous wedding; and the nude beaches for the natural wedding. I smile at the last because I guess if you and your fiancé elect to marry on a nude beach, then wedding attire probably will not be too much of a concern and you will not run the risk of losing your attire when you travel.

All in all, there are more than 20 beaches in St. Martin that could make for the ideal location for your beach wedding. St. Martin is divided into two sides -- one being French-owned and the other Dutch. The French side has about 14 beaches and the Dutch side has about 12 beaches that may be suitable for your St. Martin wedding.

The beaches on the French side include: Long Bay, Plum Bay, Bai Rouge, Nettle Bay, Friars Bay, Happy Bay, Grand Case, Anse Marcel, Petites Cayes, Pinel Island, Orient Beach, Le Galion, Coralita Beach, and Oyster Pond.

The beaches on the Dutch Side include: Dawn Bay, Guana Bay, Pointe Blanche, great Bay, Little Bay, Pelican Key, Kim Sha Beach, Simpson Bay, Buglaux Bay, Maho Beach, Mullet Bay, and Cupecoy Bay.

If you are searching for a no-frills beach wedding with stunning ambience and outlook, then Coralita will be your best bet since it has no amenities or services nearby. Petites Cayes, Long Bay Beach, and Plum Bay are also considered to be secluded, and, regardless of the fact that they do not have any services, are also known as fantastic beach wedding locations.

For those brides and grooms that are seeking a more "natural" beach wedding, I suggest that you select Orient Beach on the French side or Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side.

Brides and grooms that are seeking a catered and amenity-filled beach wedding can select Guana Bay, Great Bay, Little Bay, or Simpson Beach on the Dutch side.

Sue, one of DestinationWeddings.com's 150+ certified Destination Wedding Planners gives answers our questions about planning a beach wedding. 

What was your favorite beach wedding that you planned? 

I am doing a wedding in Cancun for a bride.  The bride is getting married in a halter top with bare feet and the groom is wearing a t shirt with a mexican logo.  They have been taking tango lessons for the first dance and the bride has been selecting wedding favors with a mexican theme.  She has even found a bride and groom in mexican atire dancing to put on the top of the cake. 

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

I would get married on the beach in Maui.  Maui is my idea of heaven and what I always thought Hawaii would be like.  I can think of nothing more romantic than to get married by the beach with the surf rolling in and surfers observing the nuptials in the background!

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

I just observed a wedding in Cancun.  The ceremony was done with a 7 piece mariache band  in full costume and when the wedding finished, a plane flew above the wedding couple and sent down a banner saying Congratulations!  My husband took a picture of this.  I hope it turns out great!

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

Every bride is beautiful and it is the most romantic day of your life!  Enjoy it, love the attention and allow yourself to be pampered!  You deserve it.  Have it videotaped.  Most of us are so nervous that everything goes right, the ceremony is just a blur!  This is your day and your 15 minutes of fame and to be in the spotlight with everyone's eyes only on you! 

Package deal luxury - Planning a Destination Wedding allows you can combine your wedding and honeymoon together in a complete package and enjoy some fantastic fringe benefits like an on-site wedding coordinator and planner--extras that cost you considerably more if you elect to marry traditionally. Also, you and your fiancé can plan and implement the wedding that you desire by following the destination wedding path that includes your ceremony and wedding vows and bypasses the old-fashioned wedding official. Planning a destination wedding allows you to let your imagination take you on a journey and create a real-life fantasy that you and your fiancé will remember fondly for the rest of your lives.

Inviting many guests - you and your fiancé can avoid any awkward invites like your long-lost cousin John and his 15 children and your fiancé's aunt Mary and her 12 cats when you have a destination wedding because you can choose to invite only those friends and family closest to you to share in your magical moment. Traditionally speaking, often family and friends put pressure on the bride and groom to invite anyone and everyone they know--from friends at the office to your boss and your fiancé's great aunt Mary. It is often not that you do not want these people to share in your enjoyment, but it is because you hardly know them and they are costing you a fortune. A destination wedding gives you the best of both worlds. Because you are marrying out of the country, you can avoid inviting your long-lost cousin and his 15 children along with your boss, and, instead, only invite those who are nearest and dearest to you. Then, when you return from your honeymoon, you can host a fabulous themed barbecue or dinner party to celebrate your wedding with all those individuals you are acquainted with or those who were unable to attend your wedding. This way, everyone feels a part of the momentous occasion and you minimize your costs without compromise and maintain that fabulous smile that you acquired when you first started planning a destination wedding.

More affordable wedding and reception costs - the cost of your wedding is reduced because your guests are paying for their travel and accommodation expenses and the number of people attending your wedding is smaller, meaning that your reception is more cost-effective. Plus, when you are planning a destination wedding, you will often find that costs at an exotic overseas resort are more affordable than a seated reception at your local country club where the ambiance often goes hand-in-hand with a blowling alley. Therefore, in terms of destination wedding etiquette, you and your fiancé pay for your wedding and a themed reception, if desired. Your own accommodation and travel as well as any events that you wish to enjoy while on your honeymoon are also your responsibility unless you have a wedding registry where your guest can elect to pay for events in lieu of a wedding gift.

Fantastic experience for all - with a destination wedding, you and your fiancé are able to provide your guests with an opportunity to visit, enjoy, and relax in a tranquil and fun-filled environment while they celebrate your wedding with you. Often, wedding guests travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to share your special occasion with you even if it is held locally. Thus, with a destination wedding, these guests may travel the same distance, but the rewards are far greater. They, too, will develop the same smile that you do because they are able to travel to a destination that is absolutely gorgeous and have a vacation of their own. This makes your wedding that much more significant in everyone's lives and a valuable and satisfying time for you, your fiancé, and your guests.

If you are anything like my husband and I as we plan to renew our wedding vows, the concept of having a beach wedding is one that you have spoken about but never really explored in detail. The scary thing is that, as much as I like the idea of wearing a stunning, yet simple, wedding gown and listening to the ocean lap up on the shore as I exchange wedding vows, I honestly have no idea where to begin finding the perfect beach let alone how to plan my destination wedding.

So, I have read a plethora of magazines on the topic and consulted some of the best beach wedding specialists. All of them have come back with the same answers to my question, give or take the odd detail here or there. These experts believe that, to plan the perfect Hawaii wedding on the beach, you need to take into account the weather, tidal flow, and the possibility of insects. Otherwise, you may be standing ankle deep in the ocean, swatting at the creepy-crawlies and holding an umbrella as you say ‘I do.'  Don't let this scare you though, the vast majority of the year is absolutely gorgeous for Hawaii weddings, you just need to plan accordingly.

You also need to consider who you are inviting because if Aunty Joan needs wheelchair access, then it is highly unlikely that she will be able to attend your beach wedding, on the shore, without some assistance.

In addition to these considerations, it is also important to ask about the amenities at the beach locations you find favorable and if these are suitable for your wedding guests. For example, some toilets on Hawaiian beaches may be closed or are inappropriate, and there is nothing worse than crossing your legs as you feel your eyes start to water.  A good way to avoid this is to stick with a resort for your beach wedding, as most have gorgeous beaches with ample facilities.

Overall, make sure you have back-up plans for your day in case certain aspects change unexpectedly. Be sure to remember that life is often a little ironic and that is what makes it so special.

First of all, congratulations on getting engaged and considering planning a destination wedding! You have made a wise decision and taken the first step toward your future happiness. With that said--and you now shaking your own hand and patting yourself on the back--I guess you are now wondering exactly what a destination wedding is and how this compares to the traditional wedding. So, without further ado, let me define the destination wedding and see how it can save you valuable planning time and money as well as offer you a more enjoyable and dynamic alternative to those stale traditional weddings of the past.

While both weddings result in you being legally married, if you choose to be, and allow you to invite your family and friends to the ceremony, there are some very distinct differences between planning a destination wedding and the traditional wedding all of which will determine how big a smile you and your fiancé will wear on your special day.

A destination wedding allows you to marry in an exotic location and craft the wedding that you and your fiancé envision since dreams are made in paradise. Therefore, you can turn your wildest wedding aspiration into reality and break the traditional boundaries that have gathered much dust over the centuries. Imagine a tropical beach wedding while waves tickle your toes and make you giggle as the sun sets over crystal blue waters. Think about inhaling fresh, invigorating mountain air while surrounded by stunning architecture, magnificent works of art, and white pigeons that coo in exquisite Tuscany. Basically, just about wherever you and your fiancé wish to exchange vows and become husband and wife to, you can.

Furthermore, a destination wedding allows you to tailor your wedding around your surroundings and carry your theme throughout, as well as design your wedding according to your individual wants.  Therefore, if you want to dress as an oversized Sunflower at your beach wedding and cast your petals into the ocean, then you can as long as the petals are biodegradable. This means you and your fiancé can choose the wedding vows and ceremony that suits you without a conservative wedding official telling you otherwise. In fact, the choices are almost endless and are only limited by your imagination.

Dreamy Weddings is one of the great wedding coordinators that DestinationWeddings.com partners with for many weddings throughout the Caribbean.  They will be submitting a series of blog posts on their favorite beach wedding locations throghout the Caribbean.

St. Lucia offers many beautiful and breathtaking destination wedding locations, but we at Dreamy Weddings have listed our top 3 wedding locations in St. Lucia:

# 1. Pigeon Island National Park Wedding

This location offers various wedding sites such as a private area for a beach wedding, romantic cliff top, garden gazebo and historical ruins with cannons. The photo options are endless and couples can be sure to have a lifetime of memories.  This destination wedding location is located in the northern part of the island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2. Toraille Waterfall Wedding

This is fast becoming a very popular destination wedding location.  The ceremony is conducted at the base of the waterfall and after the ceremony couples can continue taking photos in the garden area.  Toraille waterfall is located in Soufriere, the southern part of the island and it is about a 60 to 90 minute drive from the city of Castries but the drive is worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3 The Hummingbird Beach Wedding

This location offers the majestic twin peaks famously known as the Pitons as your wedding backdrop.  The sand is volcanic, so it's mainly a unique black sand and the view of the Pitons is breathtaking.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know that I have consulted so many expert opinions on locations for Hawaii beach weddings that I have almost gone cross-eyed, which honestly is not a flattering look.  Anyway, to cut a long story short, I have found the top five locations for a beach wedding in Hawaii, according to travel experts, and thought that I should share my knowledge to save you the same unflattering cross-eyed look.

The number one place to have a beach wedding in Hawaii is Lanikai Beach, Oahu. This region is classed as an oasis with over one mile of pristine beach that is surrounded by magnificent rainforest, making it one of the most spectacular Hawaiian wedding locations.

The second place to have a beach wedding in Hawaii is the seven-mile stretch of sand along the North Shore beach on Oahu. This area is said to have two of the most magnificent beaches in Hawaii. These beaches are tranquil Waimeia Bay and colorful Sunset Beach.

The third location to have a beach wedding in Hawaii is Punalu's Beach, the Big Island, which has unique black sand as well as offers a freshwater wading pool and a glorious tropical landscape.

The fourth location is Lahaina Beach, Maui, which is home to the Old Lahaina sea wall and the quaint whaling village of Lahaina. This beach is said to be one of the most romantic Hawaiian wedding locations as it offers traditional culture and ceremony.

The fifth location is Poipu Beach, Kauai, which has a reputation for being tranquil and serene with absolutely stunning beaches of golden sand.

But, don't think the list stops here!  There are so many other locations that may be perfect for your beach wedding, it just depends on you and your fiance's tastes.

I have heard many couples debating whether or not they intend on doing a honeymoon after their Destination Wedding, but didn't give it much thought until I started the planning of my Destination Wedding. 

Having just finished planning a destination wedding, my thoughts were that we were going to have all of our closest family and friends at our beach wedding in the Bahamas, why would we want to leave?  I wasn't really concerned with whether or not it was proper etiquette to stay with them, but I was thinking that I would want to stay and party with everyone.

My fiance had a totally different view, and she tried to convince me that after 3-4 days with everyone in Nassau that we would want to have some time to ourselves.  After a couple months of debate I gave in and we planned a quick 4 night getaway to Antigua for just the two of us after the wedding in Nassau.

Looking back on it, although I hate to admit it to the wife, it was a great decision to take off after the wedding.  Here's why:

1.  My wife and I (and our livers) needed a break after 3 straight days of partying with our 50+ guests.  Everywhere we went we ran into our guests, which was great, but we were constantly entertaining...which I greatly underestimated during our planning.

2.  Most guests took off the day after the wedding anyways.  And those that decided to stay for a couple days after really appreciated the time by themselves so they could have their own mini-vacation.

3.  Traveling to a completely new destination, just the two of us, allowed us to relax a lot more.  If we wanted to order room service and hang out on the balcony, or sleep late, it was OK.  Having nothing to do, and all day to do it is priceless.  Plus it's another memory of a destination for the two of us, which is always great.

So, my advice to couples thinking about whether or not to do a honeymoon after their Destination Wedding is simple: Do it, you won't regret it.  If you are thinking about staying at the same destination and just switching hotels, I would recommend getting adventurous and putting another destination under your belt. 

A quick video below from our room at the Sandals Grande Antigua.  This doesn't even show the bedroom and huge bathroom with jacuzzi.  Butler service too...what more can you want?

Planning a Destination Wedding - Honeymoon Suite

Thank you to all the couples that particpated in our first "Best Destination Wedding Video" contest.  It is really fulfilling for us here at DestinationWeddings.com to be able to see the great weddings that we had the honor of being a part of. 

When I tell you that juding was tough, I am not kidding.  We received so many great videos, and all of us here had our favorites.  But, at the end of the day we had to make a decision.  And here they are, the top three Destination Wedding videos from our first contest:

***For all you couples planning your wedding with us, or for those that have already done so, if you would like to participate in a future video contest, please e-mail me at quent@destinationweddings.com***

Third Place: Anne and Darryl, Jamaica

Second Place: Jasmine and Joseph, Riviera Maya Mexico

And the winner... 

First Place: Lori and Adam, Riviera Maya Mexico

When it comes to finding the perfect location to hold a beach wedding, I must confess that I am a little particular. After all, when it comes to your special day, you only want the best, right?

Mexico weddings on the beach come highly recommended by anyone who has ever set foot on the foreshore of the Mexican coast and witnessed the blue water lapping up onto the pristine sands. I have not been as fortunate yet, so when it comes to finding the best-of-the-best for the beach wedding of my lifetime, I had to do a little more super-sleuthing.

According to Forbes Traveler, a travel magazine that consulted with a panel of travel agents, writers, and tour operators, the best beaches in Mexico for the beach wedding of your dreams include all of the following:

• Maroma Beach, Playa del Carmen;  
• Chacala Beach near Puerto Vallarta;  
• Bahias de Huatulco, Oaxaca;
• Playa del Amor, Cabo San Lucas;
• Mayakoba Beach, Riviera Maya;
• North Beach, Isla Mujeres;
• Loreto, Baja;
• Four Seasons, Punta Mita; and
• El Careyes Beach, Careyes.

If you are considering a quiet and intimate Mexico beach wedding, now you know which beaches are considered to be Mexico's best. After all, it comes down to you and your fiancé's personal choice -- or, in my case, my husband's selection as we are renewing our vows - so that you, too, can find out which beach suits you best. Then, you can discuss your Mexico wedding selection with your Destination Wedding Specialist, so that you can plan your perfect beach wedding as well. Oh, this is just so exciting! I honestly cannot wait to get started!

Please join us in welcoming Hannah, our newest bride guest blogger who is planning her wedding in Cancun, Mexico. 

It wasn't an easy journey getting to where we are now. My name is Hannah and I am from St. Louis, MO and my fiance is Carlos and he is from Mendoza, Argentina. So that tells you right there that finding a destination anywhere is a really hard decision.

We spent some time in Argentina a little over a year ago for about 2 and a half months. It was a blast, that is actually where he proposed to me. I was sick with some sort of virus and we where nearly unseperable the entire trip. That must have been when he bought the ring, because he bought it there.   So I got better and we were having a dinner at his sister's house. He puts on a collared shirt and jeans with nice shoes. I have on my dad's old tatterd sweater, so I said,"Your making me look like crap." I changed into something nicer with boots and jeans. We had dinner, BBQ Chicken, potatoe salad, Chivas whiskey and cola, etc.

At the end of dinner everyone starts toasting, to family, to health, to love then "para Hannah". For me? For what, I thought. Then Carlos gets down and begins to tell me his family all loves me, he loves me and he wants it to forever and he asks me. It was so funny because he was so nervous he nearly put the whole box on my finger. I , of course, say yes and then a tradition in Argentina is to make a wish for the engaged couple and a toast. His brother in law begins with "Direccion" which is direction, his other brother in law "locura" which means craziness (makes sense coming from him), his sister says "Amor" which means love, his other sister "hijas porque hijos son locos" which means daughters because sons are crazy (she has three sons) and his mother say "paz" which means peace (she lived with us for 2 months). I was totally caught off guard, I knew we had planned to get married but I never guessed he would ask me at that moment.   Needless to say, it was a very happy and special moment in our lives. And I am greatful that I have such great future in laws.

It always fascinates me that even those who are rich and famous still seek out the simple things in life, such as a stunning beach setting in which to wed. I guess that is the true beauty of a beach wedding. You can dress it up or down as well as make it lavish and extravagant or simple, elegant, and romantic as actor, Taye Diggs, and Broadway actress, Idina Menzel, did in Jamaica.

Taye evidently fell in love with Jamaica when he was on location filming there, so it made sense that he would return with his fiancé and have a Jamaica wedding. The couple married at sunset in Montego Bay, Jamaica as the waves kissed the shore of their beach wedding, and a group of 60 family members and friends looked on.

According to reports, the bride wore a stunning strapless gown that was delicately adorned with crystal beadwork as she glided toward her fiancé down a rose petal aisle. Accompanying the bride were several bridesmaids who carried gorgeous orange and yellow nosegays and wore white corset tops with ruffled hemmed, sand-colored skirts. The groom, who waited anxiously at the end of the aisle as his soon-to-be-wife approached, wore an off-white suit without a tie, which displayed the informality of the occasion.

Steve Wonder's ‘Overjoyed' played as the couple exchanged vows beneath a white canopy, which highlighted the white blossoms within the bride's upswept hair. The Jamaica wedding reception of Taye Diggs and his beautiful wife was held on the terrace of a nearby hotel and was equally as stunning as the beach wedding ceremony, with pale yellow roses that adorned the area.

Without a doubt, this is probably one of the most beautiful celebrity beach weddings I have ever encountered.

We searched the industry for someone completely obsessed with beach weddings, and found her!  "Beach Bum" will be dedicated to one subject: The beach wedding, past, present, and future.

Do you know that I just discovered that super model, Heidi Klum, and musician, Seal, who married on May 10, 2005, exchanged vows at a beach wedding held in Mexico on a beach that is accessible to anyone? I know I am a little slow on the uptake, but can you imagine saying ‘I do' to your fiancé in an equally intimate ceremony, standing on the same Costa Careyes shore as waves tickle your toes?

I know I can.

The couple's Mexico wedding was relatively small with only a little more than 40 guests, and Seal serenaded his soon-to-be wife with a beautiful song he had written for the occasion as a violinist played melodically in the background. That sounds simply gorgeous to me as does Heidi's dress, which was made of ivory Chantilly lace and had an empire waist. I can really visualize this as I am sure all of you reading this can. A soft breeze blows across the couple as waves gently crash onto the shore and the wind carries that beautiful voice to the ears of his lover.

In fact, the allure of this region is so strong that Heidi and Seal confessed to InStyle Magazine in May 2008 that they renew their vows by performing the same beach wedding annually. Heidi and Seal said that they had elected to do this every year to re-affirm their love for each other.

And, why shouldn't they? The beaches along the Mexican coast are said to be simply exquisite as is the scenery, providing the perfect location for a beach wedding that any couple will cherish for a lifetime. Undoubtedly, the couple returns to this location annually because of its sheer natural beauty.

Do you know that I think I am going to have to find out more from Destination Weddings about renewing my vows and having a Mexico wedding on the beach and maybe even have my own violinist playing? However, I doubt that my husband could serenade me since his voice is not quite as good as Seal's velvet sounds.

Please join us in welcoming our second bride guest blogger.  Given her chosen blog name of "Cerveza Por Favor" I am sure you will enjoy reading about her adventures as she plans her Mexico Wedding!

Hello!  My name is Annmarie and I am officially a bride to be in Buffalo, NY.  My fiancé Ron and I got engaged in August of '07 on a golf course in Western NY at a family function.  He actually proposed to me unannounced with my entire family front and center.  Lucky for him he had every reason to be overconfident - after about a minute of stone cold shock, I managed to squeak out a yes before I started to cry.  After 6 years of dating, two apartments, our first home, and a crazy dog, we are finally making it official. :)

Our planning began slowly, as we decided to have a long engagement and tie the knot in May of '09 - now just 8 months away!  One of the line items we agreed upon immediately was that we wanted to get married on a beach somewhere gorgeous.  I threw the idea out to my giant family to get an idea of how they felt about our non-traditional idea, and we received overwhelming support (with a few exceptions).  That is when we started tossing around the idea of a destination wedding.  I began to call some travel agents and do a little research online - both of which were overwhelming.  There are just so many avenues you can take!  Not long after my initial frustration, my new boss at work mentioned Destinationweddings.com.  He and his wife went through the site and got married in the Dominican Republic a few years ago and had nothing but GREAT things to say about their experience.  I knew when I went home that night that my first stop online would be destinationweddings.com...