Allison writes a series of posts on Hawaii Weddings, explaining why they have been popular for decades. 

When you elect to marry in a tropical location, many people automatically assume that you are having your ceremony on the beach. However, there are many settings to select from to have for Hawaii weddings, and all locations can have that traditional Hawaiian ambience, if you so desire.

Off the top of my head, Hawaii weddings have many location variations that you can select from if you do not wish to have a beach wedding. These include:

1) The Wedding Chapel or Church - There are many beautiful chapels for Hawaii weddings to be held and churches by the ocean in Hawaii that offer a romantic, yet traditional, location for your wedding ceremony. And, best of all, you can still hear those waves rolling in and catch the rustle of palm leaves outside. Plus, many chapels and churches where Hawaii weddings are held have beautiful stained glass windows and lava wall backdrops.

2) The Yacht or Boat - There are many Hawaii weddings held at sea. If you consider yourself to be a water baby and your fiancé is what many would refer to as a sea-farer, then it is possible that you might be more comfortable holding your ceremony on the gorgeous Hawaiian ocean. You may elect to have your event on a yacht or dinner cruise boat or even in a canoe if you are feeling adventurous. Or maybe have a cocktail catamaran cruise instead of a rehearsal dinner.

Personally, I am a land lover and like my feet planted firmly on the earth, so no rocking the boat and tipping it over for me.

3) Botanical Gardens - For those of you who love nature and sophistication, the botanical garden setting, complete with waterfall, offers many Hawaii weddings the exact setting that they have been searching for -- the fairy-tale setting. You and your fiancé may be equally as charmed by this magical location for your Hawaii wedding.

Allison writes a series of posts on Hawaii Weddings, explaining why they have been popular for decades. 

I think one of the most endearing qualities of Hawaii is its welcoming traits, such as the use of the words aloha and ho'ao, which are commonly used during wedding ceremonies. Aloha is a word that has several meanings, such as hello, loved person, respect, and sweetness, whereas ho'ao means marriage and stay until daybreak.

Another custom that is commonly used throughout Hawaii, especially during a wedding ceremony, are the leis, which are Hawaiian flower necklaces that symbolizes love. This tradition originated in Tahiti and was thought to have been brought by canoe to the islands. Leis are used in many Hawaii weddings and add a touch of nostalgia and a hint of romance to the occasion. You may also find leis made of leaves, feathers, shells, and bones, though the most typically used during a wedding is the jasmine flower lei, which a bride will wear on her head like a crown.

Two of the biggest things to remember when in Hawaii are to always except a lei when it is offered to you and always leave a lei on while the person who gave it to you is still present. To violate these customs is considered an offence and the last thing you want to do is upset anyone on your wedding day.

For those of you who seek traditional Hawaii weddings, this ceremony contains Christian elements and is often conducted in Hawaiian and English. Usually a conch shell is blown three times to signal the beginning of the ceremony. Each blow represents the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Families will then exchange leis with the bride and groom, placing a lei around each other's necks to signify continuous harmony. Then, rings engraved with the bride and groom's names are exchanged, along with wedding vows, before the minister proclaims the couple as husband and wife.

Allison writes a series of posts on Hawaii Weddings, explaining why they have been popular for decades. 

If you are marrying in Hawaii, then you cannot go past cakes made for Hawaii weddings, which many describe as simply delicious.

Typically, cakes made for Hawaii weddings consist of tropical fruits and flavoring, such as Haipia or coconut, guava, Kona cream or Hawaiian coffee, passion fruit, and strawberries, and are decorated with orchids, frangipanes and other beautiful native flowers.

In fact, there are some specialty bakeries in Hawaii that have outstanding reputations for making the most incredible wedding cake designs that anyone has ever seen. Mind you, I have received information from a reliable source that these bakeries may be copyrighting their cakes.

Do you know why?

Legend states that the wedding cake with its traditional layers, or tiers, dates back to medieval times where every guest was required to bring a cake to the wedding ceremony. These layers were then placed on top of each other on a special table, and the bride and groom had to try and kiss each other over the top of the cakes. If the couple were successful, then this was considered to be lucky and signified a prosperous relationship. Some time later, these individual cake layers changed into a single, multi-layered cake.

I am now curious as to whether or not anyone actually patented this concept. I may have to investigate further before finding out if there has been a legal breach of intellectual rights here or not.

Regardless of this, the overall beauty of cakes made for Hawaii weddings lies in the unique blend of tropical flavors which are said to delight even the most fastidious of guests. Therefore, if you are considering a wedding in Hawaii, then you may want to discuss your wedding cake requirements with your wedding coordinator prior to your wedding, so that you can arrange for one of the many special cakes made for Hawaii weddings to be made for you. And, I am sure that this special cake will embellish you and your fiancé's desires as well as personify the ambience of your wedding ceremony.

Allison writes a series of posts on Hawaii Weddings, explaining why they have been popular for decades. 

I adore celebrity Hawaii weddings and I am always searching through online articles, newspapers and tabloid magazines to find out who married whom and in what Hawaiian location when.

Don't ask me why I have this obsession and definitely don't ask me to recall when it began because I honestly can't remember. I just woke up one morning and was obsessed with celebrities, and I have always loved Hawaii.  So I guess it's a good fit.

One of the most significant celebrity Hawaii weddings that I can recall was Dwayne ‘Dog' Chapman and Beth Smith's wedding because the couple arrived in a canoe for a sunset wedding ceremony at the Big Island's Hilton Waikoloa Village.

‘Dog,' for those of you who are not familiar with the actor, is the star of A&E's "Dog the Bounty Hunter." This is why he donned a pair of white jeans, a white leather vest and Native American jewelry for the ceremony while the bride selected a gorgeous ivory lace gown from an L.A.-based designer.

Whereas one of the most endearing celebrity Hawaii weddings that I can recall is that of Rasha Spindel and Edwin Chapmen of the NBC series, "The Biggest Loser." No, the couple did not win the series, but they sure did find love amongst all that sweat and exercise.

The determined couple wed at the Wai`oli` Tea Room in Manoa Valley in Honolulu, which is situated on eight acres of the most stunning natural gardens you will find in the region.

Last, but not least, of the most memorable celebrity Hawaii weddings that I can recall was the Hawaii wedding of NBC's correspondent Chip Reid. Chip reports for MSNBC's "The Today Show" and "NBC Nightly News" on political interests.

Chip married his long-time love, Nina Block, early in 2006 and it was said the couple had a truly magnificent wedding surrounded by close friends and family members.

We are pleased to introduce etiquette expert Jodi R. R. Smith from Mannersmith Etiquette Counseling.  Jodi will be helping answer some of the most common questions regarding Destination Wedding ettiquette.

1. I want my destination wedding to be intimate, with just our close family and friends, but my parents are treating it more like a traditional wedding and inviting everyone we know. When I question them on their guests they tell me that they won't come anyways, but I don't want to take the chance. How can I make sure I have my intimate wedding while not offending my parents and their friends?

You are right to be concerned.  As a host, you must presume that there is a chance everyone who is invited will decide to attend.  In fact, some invited guests who may have declined a traditional wedding invitation decide to accept a destination wedding invitation and turn your event into their "trip of a lifetime!"  Sit down to speak with your parents.  Share that you are so happy they are excited about the wedding and understand they want to be as inclusive as possible.  Let them know you are working with the resort and the total number of guests will be (insert your preferred number here).  Then suggest since they truly want to celebrate, perhaps they could host a brunch in your honor when you return.  You can play the wedding video, wear your wedding outfits and dance to your wedding song.  This allows your actual wedding to be the intimate affair you expect and allows your parents to share their joy among their friends.

2. My fiancé and I have always dreamt of having a destination wedding with a very laid back simple intimate ceremony on the beach, but my parents want a formal wedding in a church and a full reception. They even offered to help pay for the additional expense if we did it their way. How can we turn them down without offending them?

Outwardly it would seem as if you and your parents are approaching this event from completely opposite perspectives.  The first step is to ask and listen.  Speak with your parents about their expectations, hopes and dreams for your wedding.  Listen carefully.  Ask what about the church is important.  Ask what about a formal event is important.  Ask what constitutes a "full reception."  Then thank them for sharing their ideas with you.  Later review what you learned with your fiancé.  Is it that your parents want the church for the pews and stained glass windows or is it that they want you to be married by a religious official?  For many religions, there are clergy who will be happy to perform a ceremony on the beach.  Is it that your parents wanted a formal event or is it that they want to be sure to be included?  You can still have your father escort you down an aisle created at the beach and have your mother bestow a blessing.  Is it that your parents want a formal meal and dancing with a band or is it that they want to have a special evening?  You can plan a festive wedding banquet with the requisite dancing at the resort.  Once you have listened, really listened to what they want for you, you can honor their ideas and including what you can.  Creativity counts! 

3. I have a couple guests that I know will not be able to attend my destination wedding for various reasons. Should I still send them an invitation, even if I know they can't go?

Don't be so sure.  Life has a way of changing.  Do send those on your guest list an invitation both so they know they are included and because plans do evolve over time.

Jodi R. R. Smith is a nationally known etiquette expert and author.  To email your etiquette emergency, click to http://www.mannersmith.com   Copyright © 1996-2008 Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter as long as this copyright and full information about contacting the author is attached.

Allison writes a series of posts about Hawaii weddings, and explains why they have remained a popular destination for several decades.

The ‘islands of romance' are how a friend of mine, Alexandria, describes Hawaii as she glances into the distance with this lustful look on her face. I have never really delved into why she gets such a look, though I can guess that it has something to do with her love of Hawaii weddings after her beach wedding.

Just between you and me, I think that some things are best left unsaid, if you know what I mean?

Anyways, to cut a really long story short, Alex had what I would describe as one of the most stunning Hawaii weddings that I have ever witnessed, and I have seen a few.

Alex and her fiancé, Matt, married at sunset on Waikiki Beach in Oahu as the tide came in. I can remember the day well and can still smell the mixture of palm trees and ocean spray on that warm summer breeze. The scenery was magical. Towering palms swayed gently as the wind tickled their leaves ever so gently, and the pristine sand gleamed in the sun that cast a soft golden hue over the landscape before it slipped into the ocean. The event truly was one of the most awe-inspiring Hawaii weddings that I have ever witnessed.

However, what amazed me the most was the fantastic all-inclusive package deal that Alex and Matt managed to acquire for their wedding. The local celebrant, who was very personable and had such a sense of humor, was inclusive as were stunning orchid leis, a marriage certificate, professional photographs, and a traditional Hawaiian singer who crooned in the background throughout the ceremony.

I was simply flabbergasted and I almost wished that I could have had my wedding in Hawaii on the same beach. I said almost because my wedding was probably the most spectacular that I have ever witnessed, but that is another story!

Good afternoon everybody,

Happy late Friday afternoon to you!  We are pleased to announce that we are about to bring a new guest blogger aboard.  We are always hearing questions regarding Destination Wedding etiquette from our couples, so I decided it was time to find some answers. 

Jodi R. R. Smith is a long-time business acquaintence of mine from the Boston area.  She is a nationally-known etiquette expert and her company Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting has been featured on countless media exposures and has helped even more couples over the years.

In preparation for her arrival to the blog, please comment on this post with any Destination Wedding etiquette questions that you may have, and we can include them in future answer posts. 

 Jodi is already working on a stack of questions now, so if you have a pressing question...get it in soon!

 The wedding day post from Cameron on planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica.

One of the primary reasons for our Destination Wedding Planner and I  deciding on Tropical Occasions to coordinate the ceremony details, was because of the photographer, Juan Carlos. When he arrived he just took care of everything. It was obvious that he had shot over 400 destination weddings!  Within minutes we were off to the ceremony, yet ran into a farmer who was leading the cattle through the road. How many brides have to stop for a herd of cattle?? I choose to look at this as an opportunity and jumped out of the car to have my picture taken. When we arrived at the national park we were informed that we could not get to the ceremony site due to dangerous volcanic activity. I was ready to chance it, but Juan Carlos informed me that going to jail in Costa Rica for destination wedding pictures was probably not a good idea. Oh well. The ceremony was still beautiful. God must have been looking out for us, because the clouds parted and we had a beautiful view of the volcano for the ceremony. Although my mother and sister were the only "invited" guests, we had a host of other people watching us from the volcano viewing area. Our guitarist was amazing, he has won a Grammy Award in Costa Rica and it was obvious why. The ceremony was beautiful and moving, even though Jose's English was sometimes a bit off... he asked me to take Scott as my husband through idleness and health. We heard the volcano rumbling throughout the ceremony. I chose to think that the volcano was supporting our union and adding additional ambiance, instead of thinking that we were witnessing a huge explosion that was going to result in all of our deaths!  However, the best part of the ceremony came when Jose asked for the rings, I looked at Scott, Scott looked at my mother whose face went white. My sister then exclaimed, "Mom, where are the rings?"  Then we all burst out laughing. Luckily the rings were just in the car and we resumed the ceremony shortly. The video is hysterical, and my mothers faux pas has been told time and time again! After the ceremony, we drove to a little restaurant with a fantastic view of the volcano. We said our goodbyes to our new friends and I gave them little presents I brought for them from North Carolina. Even at lunch we were treated to more explosions from the volcano. At least this time we were watching from a safe distance! Strangely enough, that afternoon the clouds returned, the rain began and we never again saw our volcano.  Below is the infamous video of the volcano eruption, and the view from our lunch:

Planning a Destination Wedding - Volcano:

One of the benefits of a destination wedding is that you can be as non-traditional as you wish! Since we really didn't have guests to entertain, we booked a private reception just for us. Tabacon offered something called a Romatic Gala Dinner which was expensive, but nothing in comparison to what most people pay for a wedding reception. It was one of the best experiences either of us have ever had!! The dinner took place in a private bungalow on the edge of the rainforest. Streams of hot springs ran on either side and three sides were open to the gardens. There were lit torches, rose petals on the table, a private chef and waiter and food which melted in your mouth.  Below is a video of the dinner:

Planning a Destination Wedding - Dinner:

The fifth post from Cameron on planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica.

Remember when I said that since you are planning a destination wedding in a foreign country, you should be laid back and prepare for anything? My philosophy sure was put to the test on my wedding day! I woke up, opened the curtain to admire the amazing volcano which inspired our wedding, but when I looked outside all I saw was clouds! I actually laughed, it may not have been what I wanted, but I was marrying Scott and that is what was most important. About 7:30 a.m. the stylist arrived at my room, but, "no habla Engles!" Oh.....! My sister came to the room and asked me if there was anything I needed, and I sent her in search of coffee and a Spanish/English dictionary. For some reason I did not bring a picture of how I wanted my hair, I just expected that in a Spanish speaking country they would be able to understand my directions. Ultimately, it was everyone else that was freaking out while I was laughing. It was ironic because I had stressed so much over my hair during the planning of the wedding. In the end, my hair and make-up were beautiful and I spent the morning reassuring everyone that everything was okay.

The fourth post from Cameron on planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica.

The next day I was calm, cool and collected as we made our descent into San Jose. This time it was Scott who was a nervous wreck. He was so worried about making it through immigration and customs. I don't know why one would worry about these things, you just follow the signs. I'll admit that I was a bit shook up when I, a social worker, looked up and saw a sign that read "sex with children is illegal!" I caught my breath, we made it through customs, found our driver and were off on our four hour journey to the resort. During the journey I seriously began to question our decision on planning a destination wedding in a newly-developing country...through the hills, in the rain, nearly hitting several cars and pedestrians who were intent to walk in the middle of the road. Then, we saw it, our volcano, as clear and beautiful as the pictures I'd seen...all was good. Then we arrived at Tabacon, which was amazing!! They evidently knew what a long, arduous ride it was and met us with a warm towel and a refreshing beverage.

Tabacon is a beautiful 5 star resort with one of the leading spas in the world and beautiful hot springs that flow along the side of the volcano. People come from all over Costa Rica just to enjoy these springs and this was going to be where I spent the next four days.  Take a look at the video of the hot springs below:

Planning a Destination Wedding - Hot Springs:

I was in paradise! We had a perfect view of the volcano from our room. I scheduled the four of us for a hanging bridges tour and a volcano hike. Both were incredible! On the hanging bridges tour we had a panoramic view of the lake and the volcano and saw toucans, monkeys, a blue jean frog and much more. On the volcano hike I was absolutely mesmerized! It began to rain and the visibility was minimal, but I enjoyed it anyway. We hiked as far as the park would allow and climbed on the volcanic rock. We stood on the rock, looked at the beautiful scenery, then it happened...it exploded!! Right before our eyes, the volcano was blowing its top!! Our tour guide explained that 80% of the time the volcano is covered by the fog and people sometimes come for days and never even see the volcano, yet it was blowing its top for us!! This was shaping up to be the best wedding ever, and I was going to be married tomorrow...yippee!! Since there were only four of us, there was no need for a rehearsal dinner. Instead my sister and I spent the evening being pampered at the spa. I had a the signature Tabacon massage, complete with volcanic mud and my own private hot spring, while my sister had a four hand massage, which further convinced her that life was all about her!  Check out the video of the spa below:

Planning a Destination Wedding - Spa:

The evening ended by pina coladas while sitting in the hot springs with my fiancé. This was definitely the best wedding ever.

Special thanks to Destination Wedding Planners Midge and Camille for providing the photos and explanation of DestinationWeddings.com's recent visit to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

If one picture is worth a thousand words, then seeing and experiencing something with one's own eyes is worth a thousand pictures!  A couple of weeks ago, a number of the Destination Wedding Associates had just such an opportunity.  We had on-site inspections of a number of different resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  We toured the various resorts, meeting with the wedding coordinators, exploring the grounds of each resort, checking several different room categories, viewing the various wedding venues at each resort, seeing the different restaurants and, in some cases, having the privilege of eating at some of those restaurants.  I can tell you that without a doubt each and every one of us came away from that trip with a wealth of knowledge and equipped to provide the best information that any couple could ask for when trying to make a decision about where their wedding should take place.

Punta Cana Wedding - Beach wedding location at the Melia Caribe

We can now provide you with the invaluable knowledge about which wedding coordinators are most well informed and professional, which resorts have the prettiest beach venue or loveliest gazebo, the best food, the prettiest grounds, the best amenities, can perform a Catholic ceremony or a symbolic wedding and so, so much more.  When it comes to providing you with expert advice there is no substitute for "been there, done that" and we have.  That enables us to provide you with all the information that you need to make a well-informed decision about where to have your perfect dream wedding!

Punta Cana Wedding - Wedding gazebo at Melia Caribe

What says "Fairy Tale Wedding" more than a horse drawn carriage in a tropical paradise?

Another great wedding gazebo location, this time at the Paradisus Punta Cana

The third post from Cameron on planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica.

When going to a foreign country, especially one you've never been to, you've got to expect the unexpected. I looked at every detail of the trip as a journey. I was prepared that something crazy would happen along the way and I'd just "go with the flow." Little did I know that my journey would begin prior to leaving the states. Scott and I traveled to Durham the night before so we would have a head start to catch our plane the next morning at some ungodly hour of the morning. So, we were in a new city and waiting for our table to be ready for dinner. We decided that this would be a good time for us to fill up the gas tank. We drove and drove looking for a gas station and ran out of gas right in front of the restaurant...then the buzzer went off letting us know that our table was ready, figures!!  So, we were in a strange city, hungry and out of gas. After about 50 cars passed us without giving us another thought, I began to miss our little town where people are so willing to stop and help others. I wish that I could say that I reacted with grace, but I must admit that I shrunk down in my seat in embarrassment (thinking what in the world am I doing a man that runs out of gas), while my fiancé walked down the highway to the nearest gas station.

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.

The second post from Cameron on planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica. 

I was determined not to become a stressed out bride. Although I had my moments, in retrospect I've convinced myself that they were few and far between. This was a second wedding for us both. I've had the perfect, beautiful church wedding. This time, I just wanted to be married, wherever, whenever, it would be perfect as long as I was married to Scott. I tried to be laid back with all of the details, remembering that as long as we made it to Costa Rica and were married, nothing else mattered. I truly believe that this attitude helped a great deal with the stress of planning a destination wedding. Andrea and I were so in tune with each other that we both found the same company to coordinate the wedding...on the same day! I just conveyed what was important for me to have at the wedding, then took a step back and let them do their jobs. Scott and I eloped and my sister was to be our witness. I would probably say that my biggest stress occurred when my mother decided that she just couldn't miss her daughter's wedding...two weeks before the ceremony!!

Are you planning your Destination Wedding at an all-inclusive resort that will charge a fee for guests that aren't staying at the resort to be at your wedding?  Don't be surprised, this is very common and they are usually called "guest passes". 

Why would a hotel have the need for guest passes?  Easy.  An all-inclusive resort doesn't want just anybody visiting the property to enjoy a day of free food and cocktails (believe me...I've tried).  Hotels located near cruise docks often sell passes to guests on cruise ships who want to have a day at a beach.

So, what does this mean your those of you planning a Destination Wedding?  Some of your guests may not be staying at your hotel, and will therefore be subject to a fee (usually $100-$150, but can vary) to attend your wedding.  What can you do?

1.  Make sure that all your guests know that if they choose to stay at another resort, they will have to pay the fee to get into your hotel for the wedding. 

2.  Some hotels offer a small number of complimentary passes with their wedding packages.  If you know you will need a couple, perhaps choosing a hotel that has a couple "freebies" is a good idea.

3.  If you have guests that have made a substantial effort to come to your wedding, you should consider paying the fee for them.   For my wedding I had a cousin who was on a cruise that happened to stop on Nassau the day of my wedding, and she was going to truck herself all the way over to see the wedding, then quickly get back to the boat before it took off without her.  That is some effort, and we paid for her pass.  I also had another friend that was tight on cash, and couldn't stay at our property, but managed to get himself down there.  We paid for his pass as well.  There is a fine line here, because I wouldn't recommend paying for everyone that just wants to save a couple bucks by not staying with everyone else.  My advice is to weigh the effort that the guest has made to be at your wedding and/or their financial situation

This is probably going to be the final post from DestinationWeddings.com's visit to Jamaica.  However, we will have some people returning from a visit to the Dominican Republic later this week, so hopefully they will be giving me some great photos of beach wedding locations in the DR to share with you.  If I could only find someone to do these blog posts, perhaps I can actually be the one at these great destinations taking these photos!

Much like the post with the video of the Jamaican minister talking about officiating a beach wedding, this video shows another person who is responsible for the success of your wedding...the on-site wedding coordinator.  Much like the ministers out there, most coordinators at destinations are extremely personable and passionate about ensuring your beach wedding is a success.

The video below is from an interview that Nancy did with the wedding coordinators at Breezes Runaway Bay in Jamaica, and not only shows their commitment to ensuring your wedding is a success, but also gives you a great peak at their great beach wedding location!

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.

This is the third post from DestinationWeddings.com's recent visit to Jamaica, but it's a little different from the first two, because it won't show you any beach wedding locations.  However, it will show you something even better...a glimpse at one of the many great ministers that perform all these great beach weddings.

Having experienced it firsthand with my beach wedding in Nassau, ministers at destinations are usually incredibly friendly and entertaining people.  Destination Weddings are very unique events, and the officiants that choose to work with them are usually very creative and passionate about what they do.  And no, I'm not talking about Elvis impersonating ministers in Vegas...

The video below is an example of a great minister from Jamaica talking to Nancy about performing weddings at the Starfish Trelawny.  This just shows how you get a great piece of local culture from your Destination Wedding minister, and how youit can't help but make your beach wedding an incredibly enjoyable event.

OK, here we go with post two from DestinationWeddings.com's recent visit to Jamaica to inspect all the great beach wedding locations.  As I mentioned in the first post, we do these trips regularly to ensure that our Destination Wedding Planners are up to date on all the happenings at our favorite locations.  So, below is a video of the great beach wedding locations at the Starfish Trelwany resort in Jamaica.  Enjoy!

 Thanks again to Nancy for the fine camera work!

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!

Please join us in welcoming Cameron as our bride guest blogger for Costa Rica.  Although Cameron was married in August, she wanted to experiences while planning a destination wedding.  For those of you that saw the post about the volcano, that was her wedding, so you know you are in for some adventure here.  This will be a 4-5 post series, so more to follow.  Enjoy!

The difficulty we had as we began planning a destination wedding was deciding where to go.  We are opposites in many ways, I love the beach and my fiancé loves the mountains.  My fiancé loves to camp and for me "camping out" is spending the night at the Hilton.  Through destination weddings we were able to get both! Planning the wedding was easy and so much fun. As soon as we decided on Costa Rica we were all about the planning. We wanted to do something different and were exploring the idea of having the wedding in the rainforest. Then, as a fluke, I asked Andrea, our destination wedding planner, if there would be any way that we could make arrangements to be married at the volcano. I was so surprised when she quickly answered with "absolutely." From that point on, it was as if I were my own little volcano of destination wedding excitement!  My fiancé became so tired of wedding talk that he loved that Andrea was always there to share in my excitement. Unfortunately, one day I received an email from Andrea telling me that due to excessive volcanic activity there was no way that we could have the ceremony as planned. After a moment of panic, I sat down to my computer to look at other options. The phone then rang and it was Andrea, who was calling to check on me. After just a moment on the phone expletives began to pour from my mouth. It was then that I knew I had been had...my fiancé conspired with her and I was the victim of a cruel and unusual practical joke!!