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Drakensberg, South Africa - Destination Wedding

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

For couples who are looking for a destination wedding venue that combines spectacular beauty, adventure and value for money, the Drakensberg region of South Africa is an excellent choice. The Drakensberg (which means Dragon Mountain) is also known in Zulu as uKhahlamba (Barrier of Spears) and is one of the best eco-tourist destinations in South Africa, as well as being a World Heritage Site.

The awesome mountain range would make a stunning backdrop to a wedding. The area is steeped in history, stretching from the Stone Age through to the 19th century struggle to gain independence from the British. The Berg, as it's known locally, offers a myriad delights to visitors: peace and tranquility in splendid, magical surroundings, amazing outdoor activities, luxury accommodation and eating experiences that rival the best the world has to offer.

Because it's a mountainous area the weather can be extremely unpredictable and it's best to be prepared for diverse weather conditions. Snow has been experienced even in summer! Generally, though, summer (December to February) is very hot with ferocious, late afternoon thunderstorms. Winter (July-October) can be icy cold with snowfalls. Autumn and Spring are, of course, milder. Rain and mist can abound all year-round.

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Destination Wedding: Vancouver, British Columbia

Meg Massie — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Lots of American couples think of going south of the border for destination weddings and honeymoons, but it's just as lovely to the north -- maybe even lovelier in the summertime.

Vancouver, British Columbia is a popular tourist and wedding destination. It is the largest city in Western Canada, and certainly one of the most beautiful. It's also one of the most expensive cities in the world, so make sure your budget can handle it before you dive head first into a Vancouver wedding.

Compared to the rest of Canada, Vancouver has a relatively temperate and warm climate. Winters are chilly, sure, but rarely bitterly cold, with temperatures hardly ever more than a few degrees below freezing and very little snowfall. Summers are sunny and dry with moderate temperatures and calm sea breezes -- gorgeous wedding weather.

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Destination Wedding: Mount Rainier

Meg Massie — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

The first time I ever saw Mount Rainier, I cried. I cannot imagine a more beautiful landscape than a giant, snow-covered mountain towering above a green valley below. The contrast is stunning, and I could stare at it all day.

You don't have to be a skier or a mountaineer to enjoy mountains (I am neither), and you'll find lots to enjoy at Rainier. At 14,410 feet, it is the tallest mountain in Washington and one of the tallest in all of North America -- and a lovely place to host a destination wedding.

It rains frequently at Mount Rainier and the surrounding areas, though July and August are the sunniest months of the year. No matter when you plan your Rainier wedding, be sure your plans can handle a little rain, because there's a good chance you'll get it.

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Destination wedding: Palm Cove, Australia

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Australia is a wonderful choice for a destination wedding if you have a couple of weeks to enjoy at least a small part of this stunning country. Getting far, far away from everything can be very appealing for some couples, who want nothing more than to get married quietly, in an intimate and private ceremony, yet also somehow combine that with a bit of adventure.

Encompassing miles of pristine beaches, coral reefs, wild and untamed desert, modern cities and mysterious rain forests, Australia is an enticing playground. The key to making your time in Oz special is to select one area to visit and restrict yourself to it. The country is simply too vast to do everything at once, unless you can take at least two months out from your normal life, which will allow you to sample some of the highlights of the country.

Over on the East Coast you'll have a great chance to explore and experience the marvels of those fabulous beaches and the wonders of the Great Barrier Reef. Tropical Queensland's best kept secret is Palm Cove. It's a gorgeous beach front town that is perfect for weddings and honeymoons.

You could exchange your vows on a beautiful beach, shaded with exotic palm trees or take a deep breath and have an underwater wedding, or let go and fly high with an exciting hot air balloon ceremony. The weather is glorious and it's a peaceful, idyllic setting and you just cannot beat it for a destination wedding. It has everything.

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Destination Wedding: Cancun

Meg Massie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Cancun, Mexico is known for its beautiful weather, beautiful beaches, all-inclusive resorts, and of course, weddings.

For now, Mexico is one of the few places left on Earth where the dollar is still relatively strong, so having your wedding in Cancun might even save you money as an alternative to a stateside wedding.

The Cancun climate is temperate year-round, with average temperatures in the 70s and 80s whenever you visit. Rainy season is from May through October, so plan for wetness and high humidity in these months. Winter months are generally more comfortable for travelers.

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Destination wedding: Gibraltar

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Usually, planning a destination wedding in a European country can be a bit of a headache. Often, there's a need for at least one of the bridal couple to establish residency, even if it's only for a few days. There may be also whole bunch of complicated legal requirements, documents might need to be translated into the country's language and then there's the language barrier itself. If it's stressful arranging a wedding in a language you speak, imagine how much more frustrating doing it in a language you barely speak.

But there's at least one European hotspot that is actually very appealing as a destination wedding venue, and that's Gibraltar. Located at the southernmost tip of Spain, Gibraltar is a British protectorate and as such, it's an English-speaking country. Which is a huge plus in it's favor.

Furthermore, there are no residency requirements for a wedding. In theory, you could request your wedding date only 24 hours in advance. Reality though, requires more time simply because it's a popular destination and as such, is booked up quite far in advance.

It's a lovely place for a wedding. So beautiful, in fact, that this is where John Lennon and Yoko Ono tied the knot, as well as Sean Connery and novelist Frederick Forsythe. A major advantage is that you could probably arrange the wedding yourself, without the need for a wedding planner. There are a few hotels that offer a wedding package, including the ceremony, so there wouldn't be too much for you to do, apart from organising the paperwork, which really isn't complicated.

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Destination Wedding: San Francisco

Meg Massie — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Now that more people than ever can legally wed in California, we're taking our Destination Wedding feature to San Francisco this week.

This large California city on the bay has a thriving gay community, but is a hot destination for tourists of all orientations, and a great place to tie the knot. Located in the northern half of coastal California, San Francisco has mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers -- nothing too extreme or uncomfortable for any season that you want to get married.

Aside from allowing same-sex weddings, legal requirements for marriage in California are pretty standard: you must apply in person for your license, but no blood tests are required.

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Destination Wedding: Las Vegas

Meg Massie — Tue, 27 May 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Celebrity Weddings, Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

When you think of a Vegas wedding, you probably think of all those disastrous alcohol-induced celebrity quickie marriages, like Britney Spears' infamous 55-hour marriage to that guy she was pals with in high school. With all the free alcohol and the city's reputation for wildness, it's no surprise that Sin City is notorious for ill-conceived nuptials.

But not all Vegas weddings are impulse purchases. Lots of people plan luxurious, stylish, and fun destination weddings in the city that never sleeps, and you can have a lovely Vegas wedding if that's what you want.

The legal requirements for marriage in Vegas are simpler than just about anywhere else in the world. Do you have a pulse? Do you have a few bucks? Good, then you can get married in Vegas.

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Destination wedding: Ireland

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Receptions, Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Ireland, with it's gorgeous green countryside, rich history and fabulous castles, is a place that many people dream of getting married in. While it's not as easy to marry in Ireland as it is in England, it's definitely a lot easier than French destination wedding and at least they speak English so it's that much simpler to get things organised. Oh and they have some magical castle venues too, for a fairytale wedding.

Ireland's climate is generally quite temperate. Summers are warm, with lots of rain showers and winters are mild but very wet. Temperature extremes, either hot or cold, are rare. The best time of year to visit Ireland is from June- September, but you could also have a fantastic Winter Wonderland wedding too.

The legal requirements can be a bit tricky, but are not insurmountable.

Civil Weddings

You need to give 3 months notice of your intent to marry, to the Registrar of Marriages, in the district in which you want to get married.
You need to live in that district for 8 consecutive days
After the 8 day period, there's a further 21 day waiting time before you can marry.

The way to do this is to take a holiday in Ireland and spend at least 8 days there. Why not make use of this time to research your wedding plans? Once the 21 day waiting period is over you can marry immediately or at any time up to one year later.

A civil wedding can take place at a registry office, or in a venue approved by the registrar. However, the ceremony must take place indoors and cannot be held in a private house - but hotels and other public buildings are usually acceptable.

Civil weddings are held between 9am and 5pm and the registry office staff are quite strict about the timing, so don't be late for your wedding or it will be cancelled and you'll have to redo the whole process!

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Destination Wedding: Lake Tahoe

Meg Massie — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Beautiful Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake that straddles about 20 miles of the California/Nevada border in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. It's a popular region for skiing, hiking, gambling, and of course, destination weddings.

Tahoe experiences four seasons a year, with cold winters and hot summers, but is a popular destination no matter the date, and getting there is easy. There is a small airport located at the south shore in California, but you may find it saves you a lot of money to fly to the larger airport in Reno, Nevada, and then drive the short distance to the lake. This airport is served by many discount carriers like Southwest, which regularly offers flights for under $100 one-way.

To be legally married in Tahoe, you will need a marriage license from the state where you intend to hold the wedding. Nevada licenses are a little bit cheaper, at $50, than California licenses, which can be $55-$80, but this is the only real difference. For license information for both states, check here.

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Destination wedding: Paris

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Receptions, Destination Weddings

For many people, Paris, the City of Lights, is the epitome of romance. A city that oozes history, culture and unbridled luxury. It's a magical place and it's no wonder that so many couples want to have their wedding there. From the Champs Elysee to the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower to the Sacre Coeur in Montmartre, there isn't a thing about Paris that doesn't attract, n'est ce pas?

But, romance aside, getting married in Paris isn't a matter of choosing a date and booking the church. France has stringent requirements for tying the knot and it can be off-putting to all but the most determined among us. Basically, at least one of the couple needs to have lived in the district where they want to get married for 30-40 consecutive days.

Additionally, proof of residency is required along with a slew of other documents, including a birth certificate, a certificate of celibacy, and a medical certificate, all of which must be less than three months old. Furthermore, if you want a church wedding, then you must first have a civil ceremony in France. (A civil ceremony back at home doesn't count.)

If it sounds difficult, that's because it is. However, it's not impossible. You do need to be resourceful and resilient though, with a whole lot of patience thrown in for good measure.

Many couples choose to marry in their own country then hold a symbolic ceremony in Paris. But, if your heart is set on having the full works in France, then rest assured it is possible - you simply need to 'gird your loins' and be prepared to do whatever you must to fulfill all the legal requirements.

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Destination Wedding: Mackinac Island

Meg Massie — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Receptions, Destination Weddings

Located in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac (pronounced Mack-in-awe) Island is a 3.8-square mile piece of tourist heaven -- and a very popular summer wedding destination! You can get to the island year-round, but the main tourist season is in the warmer months, from May to October, as winter in this part of the country can mean bitter cold and lots of snow and ice, and lots of the local businesses close down in the off season.

Though the island is barely eight miles in circumference, you'll have plenty of options for your Mackinaw wedding. The tiny island boasts more than 2,000 hotel rooms along with its variety of restaurants and many other attractions.

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Destination wedding: Western Cape, South Africa

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

Cape Town, situated in the Western Cape, South Africa is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. With it's combination of pristine beaches, stunning scenery, wonderful vineyards, fabulous food and sophisticated city shopping, it's easy to understand why it attracts visitors such as Elton John, Bono and even British royalty. (It's also the home of Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry's gorgeous girlfriend).

For couples in search of an unbeatable destination wedding experience it's hard to ignore the almost irresistible allure of the Western Cape. It's also fairly easy to get married there as there are no residency requirements and a South African marriage is recognised world-wide, including in the UK and the USA. Another huge advantage is that the local currency, the Rand, is very weak against the US dollar, the Euro and the Pound, which makes it that much more affordable. At the time of writing, one Dollar will buy you almost eight Rands.

By far the best time of year to visit this region is during the spring and summer months, from November to February, when average temperatures are around 26 degrees Celsius. Keep in mind though, that this is also the tourist high season and venues, beaches and other attractions will be crowded and more expensive. The Cape autumn (March to May) can also be very pleasant and mild, with an average temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius but be aware of the famous Cape wind, known locally as the Cape Doctor.

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Destination Wedding: Martha's Vineyard

Meg Massie — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Budget Advice, Destination Weddings

Martha's Vineyard is a popular summer island getaway just off the coast of Massachusetts. It's also one of the United States' most popular destination wedding locations. The island enjoys very pleasant summers with warm weather, but rarely do the temperatures break 90 degrees Fahrenheit, so you and your wedding guests will be very comfortable. Almost all visitors come in the summer, as the island can be very cold in the winter, and less than 10% of the island's population is there year-round. If you want to take advantage of all the island's amenities, it's best to choose a summer date for your Martha's Vineyard wedding.

The Vineyard has no shortage of fine dining choices, so the hardest part of choosing your rehearsal dinner site will simply be narrowing it down. For a high end venue, consider bringing your party to Mediterranean, a seaside restaurant featuring a -- you guessed it -- Mediterranean-inspired menu. Signature dishes include their Pan Fried Haloumi Salad, Zarzuela, and Grilled Sliced Lamb. For a more modest rehearsal, there's the Offshore Ale Co, home of the "Best of the Vineyard" burger, brick oven pizza, and the island's only brewery.

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Destination Wedding: Alaska

Meg Massie — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

So many destination weddings are in tropical locations that are too hot for summer weddings. If you want a summer destination wedding that definitely won't roast your guests, why not go to Alaska? As a faraway US state, American couples will have all the benefits of a vacation wedding without the hassle of international travel and paperwork.

Alaska is a huge state with lots of natural beauty and more undeveloped space than population centers. Popular ceremony choices include weddings aboard a boat, in a wilderness lodge, an old gold mining town, or you can have yourselves and your guests transported by helicopter to some remote location for your nuptials. (If you choose a glacier wedding, don't forget your cloak!)

Your best bet for an Alaskan wedding is sometime between May and September, when average temperatures in the southern parts of the state range from 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Because the summer months are really the only tolerable time of year for those of us wimps who aren't used to extreme cold, this is peak tourist season, and you can expect hotel and other travel expenses to be at their highest rates. Don't expect Alaska to be a good budget destination, but if cost is no problem, it's hard to find more beautiful scenery in America.

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Destination wedding: Cyprus

Wendy Davidson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Weddings

According to Greek legend, Paphos in Cyprus is the birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. Which makes it a pretty cool place for a wedding then. Actually, from what I've seen, Cyprus is lovely enough to visit for any reason!

It's not difficult to tie the knot in Cyprus. The legalities seem simple enough. A residency period of 3 working days is required, along with your passports and proof of your marital status. Oh hang on - if you've been married before, then you aren't able to have a church ceremony. But that's pretty much it.

Wedding venues range from churches to town halls, restaurants and gardens - there are loads to choose from but for hassle-free planning, it would be best to use a local wedding planner, such as Cyprus Dream Weddings or The Paphos Wedding Company.

Best time to go: It's a year round destination but the hottest months are May to August.

Currency: As of 1 January 2008, the Euro.

Activities: Pretty much what you'd expect on a warm, sunny, Mediterranean island - all sorts of water sports, golfing, hiking, tennis, horse-riding.

Cuisine: Traditional Greek dishes and of course, international cuisine is also widely available.

Seems like a fabulous place for an intimate wedding and very relaxing honeymoon.

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Destination wedding: Italy

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Destination Weddings

Ever since I read Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes, and then saw the movie, I have had a burning desire to visit the country. It looks like one of the most glorious, romantic and wonderful places to explore and I cannot think of a better destination for a wedding.

Unlike many other European countries, especially France, there is no residency requirement. You could arrive and marry within two days! A civil marriage in Italy is recognised throughout the world. Most of the required paperwork can be done in your own country, prior to arrival but do get yourself a good wedding planner to help you navigate your way through the procedures and legal requirements.

You could, of course, have the civil wedding at home, and hold a symbolic ceremony in Italy, thus doing away with all paperwork, and giving you complete freedom regarding your ceremony and reception.

Some of the most popular Italian destinations are:

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Tuscany
Rome
Florence
Sorrento
Umbria
Venice

The are loads of options within each region, from a villa wedding to a castle wedding, a beach wedding, a vineyard wedding, a gondola wedding, a mountain wedding and blimey - so many more. You are literally spoilt for choice.

Local currency is the euro, which is currently at 1 euro to 1.46 US$.

I can't see how a wedding in Italy can be anything but spectacular. The hospitality of Italians is legendary, the countryside is breath-taking, the food is to die for and, for a coffee snob like me, it just has to be perfect coffee paradise!

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Destination wedding : France

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Honeymoons, Destination Ceremonies, Alternative Weddings, Wedding Lore/Traditions, Destination Weddings

Imagine getting married in France, the country of romance. Picture your wedding taking place in a beautiful chateau, or in an ancient Parisien church, not far from the Eiffel Tower. Sounds good, huh!

Unfortunately, it isn't easy to get married in France. The bottom line is that you may not get married in France unless one of the couple has lived a minimum of 30 days in the town where they intend to get married, and it must be able to be proved.

However, if you cannot meet the legal requirements, you can still have a romantic, fairytale ceremony in the country of love, provided you first have a civil or legal ceremony in your own country. I know a couple who did this and it worked out extremely well. Their ceremony in London was very private, just the bride and groom, and the witnesses. Then, they and the rest of the formal wedding party then took the Eurostar to France, for their gorgeous wedding ceremony.

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Destination Weddings: Disney World

Meg Massie — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Honeymoons, Destination Ceremonies, Budget Advice, Destination Weddings

The popular all-ages vacation destination Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida has hosted thousands of weddings over the years, and just might be the most popular destination wedding spot there is. Because of its popularity, you'll have lots of choices if you decide to have a Disney wedding or commitment ceremony, and you can even get married in a Disney dress, too.

With each available wedding package, you can choose from several different wedding locations within the Disney property like the Wedding Pavilion or other special spots throughout the area. The smaller your guest list, the more options you'll have. The majority of available wedding packages are designed for small groups.

In addition to weddings at the theme park, Disney also offers destination packages aboard their luxury cruises.

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Destination Wedding: England

Wendy Davidson — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Honeymoons, Destination Ceremonies, Ceremonies, Destination Weddings

England is a country with a rich and elegant history, a culture of tradition, and settings that are stunningly beautiful. It seems perfect for a romantic wedding.

I love English wedding traditions. They tend to be formal and the dress code is elegant and sophisticated. I adore morning dress for men, the hats that women wear (and believe me, this is de rigeur in the UK), the beautiful venues and settings...just the sumptuous pageantry of it all.

England has a fairly mild climate, so it is suitable for weddings all year round, and there are a wide range of venue options, some traditional and some quite funky.

Renovated barns and other rustic options
Cathedrals, churches, chapels, temples, and other religious buildings
Estate homes, mansions, and villas
Museums
Luxury restaurants
Country clubs and resorts
Zoos
Formal halls
Castles

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