Picking your destination wedding location

There’s a whole world of possible wedding destinations out there: beaches and mountains, cities and countrysides. Consider these points to come up with the location that suits you best.

Think about your favourite places: Create a list of destinations you’ve visited together or your most beloved vacations from your childhood. And if your fiance proposed on a gorgeous Hawaiian beach, why not make it official on that same strip of sand?

Incorporate your passions: Whether you and your fiance are ski buffs or enjoy exploring exotic cultures, you can find a perfect spot to reflect your interests.

Consider your guests: A Tahitian wedding will be gorgeous – but if the trip’s too pricey for most of your friends and family members, you may end up marrying alone! And think about the difficulty of reaching your destinations: Your grandmother may not be comfortable taking a six-hour flight to your ceremony.

Factor in your budget: In addition to the usual flowers, dress, catering and cake for your wedding, you’ll be paying for your own travel and, often, other wedding-weekend events for your guests.

Research the marriage laws: Some countries have residency requirements and other restrictions that could make it impossible to tie the knot legally, so you may have to limit your options. Keep in mind, though, that if this is the case at your dream destination, you could always have a brief legal ceremony at home, then hold a vow affirmation and reception at your destination.

Check the weather forecast: Be wary of planning your wedding during your locale’s rainy seasons.