Destination weddings, or weddings held in an area away from the couple’s home, are becoming increasingly popular.  Many people enjoy the idea of  their wedding taking place on a sandy beach, or in an old, romantic, European castle.

There are a few hot spots when it comes to a list of top destinations for couples.  One is Mexico, and where many couples are heading south of the border for the delightful vibrancy of Mexican life and culture.  With plenty of places to stay, warm weather, beautiful beaches and delightfully distinct food, Mexico remains one of the top travel destinations for those seeking a wedding abroad.

Another popular wedding site is the Australia and New Zealand area, which is included in Bride Magazine’s list of top travel destinations.  Bride magazine specifically hails Sydney, Australia as being “sunny, fun, hip, friendly, [and] relaxed.”

Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, Hawaii and Aruba are all also very popular places for weddings.  Of course, the beautiful beaches, waterfalls, mountains, and Caribbean weather, music and charm make any of these sites a delight.  The Dominican Republic, specifically, is extremely inexpensive.  Couples also frequently enjoy many of the all-inclusive travel packages available in most of these areas.

Cruise weddings are yet another way to experience the beauty of these island areas.  Weddings on cruise ships have become popular because of the many destinations each cruise reaches, allowing couples to visit multiple places rather than choosing just one for their honeymoon.  There are currently many cruise ships that contain wedding chapels, and some cruises will even help the happy couple arrange a wedding at one of the port stops.

Finally, Europe is also a trendy and exciting place to hold a wedding.  Couples love its history and charm.  Europe may prove a little more difficult as a marriage site, because some European countries have very strict marriage regulations that may include an extended stay.  For this reason, it might be easier to have a wedding at home and a celebration ceremony in Europe.  Otherwise, when it comes to destination weddings, the sky is the limit!