(Short) Destination Weddings

Your Dream Wedding is Just Around the Corner

D.N. Howard
Every summer, celebrity magazines are plastered with photos of the latest star wedding in such exotic locations as New Zealand, Italy, and of course Hawaii. Every bride-to-be dreams of having her wedding beach side, against a wild mountain backdrop or surrounded by white tented luxury in the sun.

However these wedding are only a fantasy for the majority as they are very expensive and require costly travel and time for both the guests and the couple. However there are many ways to have a "destination" wedding without flying your family to Bermuda or breaking your bank.

Consider for instance, a beachside wedding at your nearest state park. Many state parks have beautiful lakes and stunning views that are as beautiful as anything you have seen in bridal magazines. Sunday mornings are the perfect time to plan these, as isolated areas of these parks are nearly empty until after noon. Many parks require reservations and sometimes a permit if preparations will be elaborate.

If a white tented luxury wedding is what you long for, consider speaking to a local real estate executive about finding a suitable mansion or country estate. They allow you to hold your wedding there and in return you agree to provide them with stunning photos and to invite their guest list of interested buyers. High end realtors often hold parties that cost thousands of dollars to attract wealthy investors, perhaps they would even contribute to the cost of your celebration!

A smaller wedding with a view can be found at riverside or lakefront restaurants, on dinner cruise boats, at municipal gardens, or even on city rooftops.

Some brides have a themed wedding like a luau in a hotel banquet room and save their money for a honeymoon in Hawaii. With properly staged photos your memories of Hawaii will include fond thoughts of your family and it will seem as though they were there. (without the honeymoon intrusion!)


With a little creativity and homework you can plan a fantasy wedding that rivals the stars and save your money to start a long happy marriage!

Published by D.N. Howard

D.N. Howard writes for Howard-Hirsch Publishing and is a co-author of Body Mind Soul Money: A 90 Day Life Renovation now available on Amazon.com.  View profile

  • Even those on a budget can have a luxury wedding by using their imagination.
  • Many beaches are closed until noon on Sunday; an early wedding is suggested.
  • Municipal rose gardens can be reserved for weddings.
A Luau at home can be the perfect precursor to a Hawaiian Honeymoon.

1 Comments

Post a Comment
  • emh5246/7/2007

    I agree there are some state parks here in Michigan that would be beautiful wedding sites. The only problem here would be the weather cooperating!! Check out some of my articles on destination weddings!!

To comment, please sign in to your Yahoo! account, or sign up for a new account.