Where Are the Best Places to Get Married?

"Destination weddings" seems to be the buzzword now when it comes to wedding planning. It seems everyone wants to leave their familiar surroundings and jet off to some great destination to get married.

There are, of course, plusses to leaving your own backyard and getting married elsewhere. For one thing, you get to visit some new location and begin your honeymoon shortly after the ceremony. And, if the ceremony consists of just the two of you, or perhaps a very small group of family or friends, that can reduce the pressure of planning a big wedding back home, not to mention, cut down on costs.

But, you still have to decide where to go. And, to some, that is pressure in itself. They feel they have to choose the best place to get married. After all, there are no backsies. Unless you plan on having a renewal of vows sometime in the future, there's only one wedding.

Deciding on the best place to get married depends on many factors, such as your budget, time constraints, and the timing of your wedding. For example, the best place to get married in the fall might not be the best place to get married in the summer. Phoenix, Arizona is a good example. Unless you're someone like me who simple adores hot weather, you might want to skip Phoenix as a wedding destination in the summer. But, for all other seasons, Phoenix is a great destination to get married.

The seasons are really a very important factor in choosing the best location. Not only do you have to contend with winter, spring, summer and autumn, but you have to consider hurricane, fire and tornado, which definitely have seasons. The western U.S. is currently experiencing one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent history. Definitely not good if you're planning on holding your destination wedding in resorts or towns in forest lands. Make sure you are aware of the hurricane, fire and tornado seasons and how they might affect your wedding plans.

If you're planning a wedding in autumn, one of the best choices would be the New England states, where you can wed amid the backdrop of spectacular fall colors. You also have the added benefit of historical inns where you and your partner can have a ceremony and begin your honeymoon.

If you're planning a summer wedding, you can't go wrong with a beach wedding. The great thing about beach weddings is you can have a perfect beach wedding to fit any budget. If you've got the bucks you can stay at the fanciest beach resort in Hawaii and have a spectacular wedding fit for a queen. But, if you're on a tight budget, you can obtain a permit, hire an officiant, and have a small affair at any number of Southern California beaches. The good news is, for next to nothing you'll still have a million dollar view. Once caveat about Southern California beach weddings. Southern California has what is called "June gloom," and it is as the name implies. Usually in late May and early June the marine layer sticks around and prevents the sun from shining. You'd never know it was summer. So, if you're planning a wedding in Southern California, best to make it late June or later to avoid the June gloom effect.

Some people want glitz with their weddings. They want to get married amid sights and sounds that pummel them from every direction. Sounds like Las Vegas, doesn't it? If you want to tie the knot, then go wild, Vegas is probably one of the best places for you to get married. You have gambling, Vegas shows, and great restaurants. A Las Vegas wedding is also a great place to go if you wish to bring along some friends and family. The endless supply of entertainment will provide your guests with something to do once the ceremony is over.

If the idea of a Las Vegas wedding horrifies you, and you'd rather get married amid a more tranquil, spiritual environment, then Sedona, Arizona or Mount Shasta in California would be the best spots for you. Certainly you can find a shaman or two in either of those areas who would bless your union while standing near your favorite vortex.

Perhaps you're the sort who would still shudder at a Las Vegas wedding, think vortexes are silly, but would still like to be married in the great outdoors, next to some of the most spectacular forest land America has to offer. Your best choice might be the Great Smoky Mountains outside Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As a matter of fact, Gatlinburg has been called the "wedding capital of the South."

The truth is the "best" wedding destination is what's best for you. And sometimes when you search for the best location, you may also find that it's right in your own backyard.

About the Author
Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of a blog about bachelorette party ideas and a destination weddings site where you can learn all about New England Weddings.