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3 Amazing Places for Your Destination Wedding

elopement wedding

There are a lot of things you have to do before you are fully ready for your wedding. The dress, the wedding party, the music, the cake, but the thing you need to know first is the location. Often times, these places need to be booked so far in advance that the engagement ring is barely settled on your finger before you’re making that call. Some people prefer a more traditional venue, or a local place such as a courthouse or courtyard nearby. If you’re like me, though, you don’t want to get married in the same places you see every day on your way to work. You want your wedding to be special, memorable, and perfect. Let us help you out by showing you three of the most amazing and beautiful (not to mention exotic) places for your destination wedding.

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1. Kauai

If you’re looking for the perfect destination that is still in the States, Hawaii is the best place to go. It’s secluded, beautiful, and Kauai is less populated than the other islands, so you’re more likely to have a fun, intimate experience. Also, the resorts there are fantastic and have some incredible bundles for weddings.

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2. Italy

Nothing says ‘romance’ in quite the same way Italy does. From old, stone streets to beautiful vineyards, you are bound to find exactly the sort of location you want for your wedding. It has the old world charm. It has countless activities and other places to visit. It can even double as your honeymoon location.

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3. Bermuda

A lot of places have beaches. A lot of places have incredible venues. But not every place has beaches as beautiful nor venues as flawless as Bermuda. The resorts alone are reason for going, and you can easily find quaint little pubs in the small towns there that have delicious food and amazing company. Want to make your wedding even more romantic? Visit the pink-sand beaches. They are absolutely breath-taking.

There are so many places in the world that need to be visited, and so many of them are absolutely perfect for a wedding. Finding the perfect match for your needs won’t be too hard at all, and in no time, you’ll be on that plane heading for your destination wedding!

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Finding The Right Destination Wedding Photographer

If you’re in the midst of planning a destination wedding you probably have already figured out that finding the right photographer can be a pain in the butt. It is always hard to book vendors in a location where you don’t actually live, as most want to meet face- to -face with you before your wedding day. The first step in tackling this necessary chore is to determine whether you are more interested in hiring an independent photographer or a photography studio.

An independent wedding videographer will likely have more freedom to meet your needs than one who has to answer to someone else. They usually work closely with their colleagues and can often give you more personalized services than you would get from a large photography studio. You will also generally be able to work out an agreement with an independent photographer that you may not be able to get otherwise, especially when it comes to shots and poses that are not standard in wedding photography.

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In any case an independent photographer will likely ask you to pay their travel expenses in order to get to and from your wedding destination. If you really want to make sure you click with the photographer you are hiring (and this is always important) it may be worth it for you to travel to them or them to travel to you for a face-to-face meeting. Just be aware of the fact that independent photographers often charge a higher rate for their services than a large photography studio would. This is because they can set their own rate and that usually means they are in demand so you might have no luck negotiating for the lowest deal possible.

We all know that a destination wedding is expensive, so if you are trying to cut costs in other aspects of your planning you will likely be better off hiring a photography studio. Most offer a few choices of basic photography packages but do allow you to come up with a customized package that meets both your needs and your budget. However, most photography studios have a list of the poses they will photograph and you may be forced to stick with that list.

The larger the studio you work with is the less likely you will get any real one on one time with your photographer before your wedding day. This can cause problems if you end up with a photographer that makes you uncomfortable, produces poor results or annoys your guests.

If you have no choice but to hire a photography studio it is important to see examples of their work from each photographer on staff if possible. The last thing you want to do is end up with wedding pictures that don’t properly capture the beauty of your big day.

For more tips on finding the right photographer for a destination wedding or any other type of wedding check out BestforBride.com. The smartest brides believe in Best for Bride.

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Pros and Cons of a Destination Wedding

More and more couples today are looking at destination weddings for their special day.  At first glance they seem like the perfect choice because you get to enjoy your wedding in the location of your dreams.  There are some negatives to consider though.

Mori Lee Destination Wedding Dress

  • Some people won’t be able to afford to make the trip so your wedding may be smaller than you would like.
  • If your destination wedding is in the same place as your honeymoon you will have all your friends and family with you on this important experience.
  • Planning can be difficult since you are so far away from the wedding location.

If you have the time and money to do it right, there are few things more exciting than a destination wedding, but you really have to make sure you plan out every detail ahead of time because you won’t be able to make changes at the last minute.

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The Cost of Popular Wedding Locations

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Every bride has an image of what her perfect wedding day will be since the minute she understood what the concept of marriage meant. While some women are content with their wedding taking place in a Pancake Parlour or backyard, most women want their childhood dream transformed into reality. A recent article revealed that the average Australian couple spends over $36,000 on their wedding, not including the honeymoon. While important aspects of the wedding like bands, caterers, flowers and dresses cost a substantial sum of money, the most significant amount of money is spent on the venue.  The cost of the venue will depend on lots of different things but today we are going to have a look at the location of the venue.

Happy couple on their wedding day.

HAWAII

A common cliché for weddings is by the beach. Hawaii offers a vast range of exquisitely beautiful islands with locations like sunset boats, volcanic tops and beach fronts. Hawaii is a tropical paradise designed for any dream wedding with a range of companies offering packages for Hawaiian weddings. The ease of having the venue, photographer, band, hotel stay and transportation all covered prompts an additional bonus attraction for Hawaii as a popular wedding destination.

Cost Rating: 7/10

FRANCE

The tranquil and lush countryside of France is another sought after wedding destination. Complete with French chateaus, country retreats, magical lakes and of course, the city of love, Paris. Many couples are drawn towards this location. French weddings generally take place within an old church with overflowing flowers and incense with a silk canopy hanging above the newlyweds. A tradition carried on from the Middle Ages consists of each wedding guest bringing a small cake and stacking them in a pile as high as possible in the center of a table. If the bride and groom can kiss over them without knocking them over, it symbolizes a lifetime of prosperity.

Cost Rating: 9/10

Bridal Shop in Toronto

ITALY

Italy is a consistent attraction for brides and grooms across the world. With it’s historic villas, unique old towns and stunning countryside. Deep in the heart of Tuscany lies an elegant twentieth century demure villa named Villa Magi. Villa Magi holds an elegant combination of the beautiful Tuscan landscape and an Art Nouveau style to provide a perfect destination for weddings. Lucca is another prime location in Italy sought after by brides and grooms worldwide. Lucca is situated on the River Serchio near Tuscany. Lucca holds a vast array of historical gardens, buildings and churches such as the Church of San Michele in Foro and the Romanesque church of San Giusto. Wedding goers looking for a more traditional wedding often head to Italy.

Cost Rating: 8/10

INDIA

While initially India doesn’t seem like a contender for a popular wedding destination, it is surprisingly appropriate for those looking for a bright and cultured wedding. Beach retreats and palaces are the wedding trend in India. There is a vast range of places such as the HariMahalJodhpur which imitates the shapes and colors of the TajMahal and provides services for wedding functions as well as providing accommodation for the guests.

Cost Rating: 5/10

Author Bio:

Jessica Josh is a freelancer and blogger from Sydney Australia.  For the past 5 years she has made a living writing about weddings, wedding photography, and articles for companies like J.Crew Photography.