Top 10 Wedding Destinations

I know for most woman we have been planning our wedding day since we were little girls. Oh I want to be married outside on the beach or at a mansion overlooking the ocean or in a church in a foreign country. Don't forget the limo, horse and buddy or a classic car to drive my new husband and myself from the wedding to the reception. Us females have planned every aspect of the wedding from the guest list, cake, food, flowers and etc.

LOL... Recently, I had a long time friend who got engaged ask me to help her plan their honeymoon. I have to laugh because bridezilla came out a bit when I started to ask her where and what kind of excursion they would like to do on their honeymoon. I survived and gave them the honeymoon of their dreams.

But I know there might be other brides out there wondering where they might want to have their big day celebrated. So I did a bit a research and found the 10 top wedding destinations.

1. Guatemala

Until now, Guatemala has been a well-kept secret for destination weddings. Two favorite locales in the Central American country are the charming UNESCO World Heritage colonial city of Antigua—where restored 16th century monastery Hotel Museo Casa Santo Domingo has a fairytale look with ruins and candlelight—and picture-perfect Lake Atitlan, likened to Lake Como.

2. Franschhoek, South Africa

Not that there’s anything wrong with a NorCal winery wedding, but it’s never a bad idea to recognize exotic alternatives. Cape Town, South Africa, may be very far away for most Americans, but for the right size wedding and right couple, its stunning winelands (South Africa’s term for wine country) are perfect. It’s hard to imagine a more picturesque scene than the area just 45 minutes from Cape Town by car. “Surrounded by towering mountains and stunning flowering vistas, Franschhoek is home to a one-of-a-kind combination of world-class wineries, temperate year-round climate (especially during American wintertime), a thriving arts community and some of South Africa’s best destination restaurants, all at a tremendous value for the US traveler.

3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Its extraordinary natural beauty and warm hospitality. The eastern end of the Dominican Republic is prime time for a destination “I do.” Its an ideal option for a fairytale Caribbean wedding.” That 26-square-mile development has numerous indoor and outdoor venues, farm-to-table cuisine from its organic farm, the only Six Senses Spa in the Americas, and the just-renovated Oscar de la Renta–designed Tortuga Bay resort, which gives a small wedding party 13 impeccable villas with which to celebrate in style. At Cap Cana there are not only five-star amenities, chic suites and idyllic beaches but access to towering cliffs, waterfalls, private islands, historical sites and customized adventures such as a private bridal party eco-excursion through a cenote.

4. Marrakech, Morocco

The weddings of Poppy Delevingne. The red city has a magical spirit and bohemian vibe that makes it a distinctive choice for brides with a sense of adventure. The city’s architecture and gardens create wow-factor settings and its golden light makes for very romantic wedding photography. The city filled with vivid colors, palm and olive groves and culinary delights unlike anywhere else makes for an idyllic setting, specifically the hotel’s legendary 17-acre gardens that define Mediterranean oasis. Can you say 17 acre gardens that defines Mediterranean oasis again!

5. Colorado

Colorado has the most amazing, diverse landscapes that are seemingly made to be backdrops for destination weddings. The ruggedly beautiful state is indisputably one of America’s most gorgeous, and it offers a lot in the way of value to couples who appreciate the great outdoors in particular. From just beyond Denver to much farther afield there are farms, mountain retreats and luxury ranches that give guests a sense of vacation even though it’s domestic. Dunton Hot Springs (near Telluride) in particular offers an ideal melding of nature immersion with impeccable service, top-notch food and diverse activities. And, nearly 1,700 acres of private wilderness area and five natural on-property hot springs, there are plenty of places to unwind after all that celebrating.

6. Ireland

You don’t need to have Irish blood to want to imbue your wedding with some of the verdant Emerald Isle’s lively hospitality and spirit. It’s home to the friendliest people on earth. Ashford Castle a fairytale 13th-century castle on the edge of Lough Corrib, has personalized service of the staff that makes guests feel more like they are in someone’s grand home than in a hotel, and the couple and their guests will long remember these flawless and intimate affairs. If a castle isn’t your thing (for what its worth the new Neo-Gothic castle resort Adare Manor, on an estate the size of Central Park, is also epic), there are five-star stunners like The Shelbourne Dublin, and bucolic countryside and clifftop hideaways, too. Because it’s such a manageable size, another boon to an Irish destination wedding is that the guests can easily explore more of the island on their own—just don’t expect the sunniest wedding day in history, although romance is assured.

7. Santa Barbara, California

Known as the American Riviera, Santa Barbara is a brilliant destination to hold a wedding, not just because of the abundant sunshine, but because of the elegant, effortless and laid-back appeal. A few of her favorite venues are Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara, for its ocean-view positioning (quite amazing at sunset in particular) and staff that caters to each and every guest, and the super intimate hillside San Ysidro Ranch. The boutiquey Martyn Lawrence Bullard–designed Hotel Californian just opened in the midst of the walkable Funk Zone with an expansive rooftop, terraces and Moroccan-inflected ballroom, and the forthcoming Rosewood Montecito is sure to be a hit, too. In addition to the freshest Cali cuisine, guests coming to Santa Barbara gain access to an abundance of activities, says Kolendrianos, including beautiful hiking trails, wine tasting and quaint beaches.

8. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Whether it’s a traditional church wedding you seek, something dramatic and grand in a cathedral-like space, or a vibrant event outside in a setting filled with botanicals and beautiful views, this UNESCO World Heritage Site city—also romantic and colonial, like Antigua, Guatemala—has something for you. The most exciting part of a destination wedding in San Miguel may be the traditional parade through cobblestone streets of colorful facades that precedes the ceremony and includes a mariachi band and mojigangas, aka large handmade puppets. It’s a festive occasion that about 90 percent of brides there opt for along with at least one day of Mexican decor, food and drinks—think a vibrant rehearsal dinner and welcome margaritas.

9. Ischia, Italy

Florence and the rest of Tuscany, Positano Rome, Sicily, Lake Como, Venice—Italy is full of picture-perfect and world-renowned wedding destinations. But the big boot-shaped country still has some gems to be discovered. Take Ischia, the volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples that rivals more famous Capri in terms of natural beauty. L’Albergo Della Regina Isabella a chic Italian resort on the coast makes an offbeat but fabulous choice for a ceremony and reception that will not only wow with its delectable Mediterranean cuisine and vino, but with ambience. The exclusive outdoor event space of the Regina Isabella, located right next to the sea, and the private bay become simply magical with decorations and candles and lanterns lighting up the scene.

10. Phuket, Thailand

If cost is a concern, it might sound counterintuitive but it’s worth considering going halfway around the world for the most romantic day of your lives. That’s because Southeast Asia, and Thailand in offers a lot in terms of value, and is of course epic to boot. You will not see natural beauty like this in the United States, and you also won’t find magical traditional Thai Buddhist ceremonies, which involve up to five monks who wrap the bride and groom in a garland to symbolize the coming together of two individuals before more blessings and Thai music and dancing, a feast and even an elephant ride, available at dreamy resorts including Amanpuri.

I hope this post was of some help or at least help you narrow down the choices of places to plan your wedding. I wish you all the best in your marriage.