If you're dreaming about a destination wedding but are restricted to domestic locations, you truly have a lot more scenic choices than you might realize. The East coast and West coast alongside a few Southern gems offer you amazing views, cultural experiences and top-notch support. If you've still got the travel bug, then contemplate a far-flung honeymoon destination (which can be more affordable to get a guest list of 2 instead of two hundred anyway). Have a look at a number of our favourite places to get an "at home" destination wedding party.
Florida
Why: With its sunny weather and beautiful beaches, Florida competes with the Caribbean and Mexico in shore appeal and is likely to be more economical and easier for the visitors to visit. Besides sand and surf, it boasts world-famous amusement parks and great access to golfing and other outdoor sports. Every Florida place is a unique experience: Head into Palm Beach for a preppy country club-style affair, Miami for an occasion with international flavor, and the Keys to soak up a laidback island vibe.
The summer months are also amazing and may be less expensive (although it can be quite hot). And you might choose to avoid spring break destinations like Miami and Fort Lauderdale during February and March, when these cities are normally overrun with partying college kids.
Guest activities: Coastal Florida is all about the shore, so guests can lie on it lazily or venture into the water to get waterskiing, fishing, sailing, and parasailing. Golf enthusiasts will have tons of greens to choose from, and also the region surrounding Orlando is theme-park fundamental, ideal if you have plenty of small kids in your family and circle of friends. Using its big-city sophistication and long shores, Miami has everything. Kugladesign.com The tropical setting is lush and also the sunsets are romantic. From purchasing to snorkeling, this famous honeymoon destination offers you covered.
Best Spots for Weddings:
Delano Hotel, Miami: For seekers of hip, chic environment, it will not get more South Beach Miami than the Ian Schrager-designed Hotel Delano. Case in point: the underwater music piped into the pool, the all-white decor (how decorative), and also the state-of-the-art David Barton gym.
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key: Arrive by boat to the beautiful, secluded island of Little Palm Island Resort & Spa that can accommodate weddings with up to 40 guests. Following an afternoon on the beach or at the Indonesian-themed spa, retire to your private bungalow suite to witness breathtaking views of the setting sun.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Why: Drive-through chapels, Elvis impersonators as officiants, your first wedded moments spent in a blackjack table--Las Vegas provides all of this, but there is a whole other side to Sin City. You'll also find elegant ballrooms, a destination your guests will love and sophisticated, traditional receptions too.
When to visit: You and your guests can have a ball pretty much any moment, but try to prevent the most popular summer months (June, July, and August); spring and autumn, nevertheless, are gorgeous. Prices spike and availability plummets on holiday weekends, big-deal sports weekends (such as the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four) and times when there are giant conventions or events scheduled.
Guest activities: Hit the Strip. The Country Tree Casino buffets are a staple, so dig in before you venture out for a show (Bally's is the only one using the old-school feather girls) and in your way out, forfeit some little change to one-armed bandits. Beyond the casinos are Elvis and Liberace museums as well as the roller coasters in the Stratosphere Tower. Vegas' version of laid-back is located poolside.
Best Spots for Weddings:
Bellagio: Bellagio was one of the first resort casinos to understand that Vegas wanted more wedding options in relation to the Little Church of the West and "Can't Help Falling in Love" to a boom box. The comforts are vast, and the lodging luxe. This is a place for an extremely grown-up Vegas wedding.
The Mirage: The exotic South Seas, finish with a regularly exploding volcano, have discovered a stateside house in The Mirage Las Vegas. The resort and casino are top-notch, the location is suitable for guests, and there's an whole company within the hotel dedicated to event planning--they sweat the details so that you don't need to.