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Destination weddings are big business these days, with grooms and brides from North America getting married in exotic destinations around the world. It’s fun for the couple getting married, and their friends and family get to combine a wedding with a great trip. Couples often get discounted wedding prices in exchange for bringing paying customers to a faraway resort, so there’s an economic benefit as well. Here’s a look at dreamy places for destination weddings.
BRITAIN You probably aren’t getting an invite to the wedding of the year, that being Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but you can still get married at a castle in Britain if you like. Set in 275 acres of countryside within Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a luxurious country estate with 60 bedrooms and 22 lodges. You can have a formal wedding in the double-height Cathedral Room in the main house or something more casual out on the lawn. The hotel can even arrange for owls to act as ring-bearers.
WHISTLER From lavish galas to casual, intimate gatherings, Whistler can accommodate a variety of wedding styles in one of the most beautiful settings in Canada. The area offers great restaurants in the village and on Blackcomb Mountain (Christine’s is excellent), as well as luxury hotels and fabulous spas such as Scandinave Spa Whistler. You can get married at the sparkling, new Audain Art Museum or the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Or try one of the big-name hotels, such as the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Four Seasons Resort & Spa or Nita Lake Lodge. A wedding ceremony at the top of a snow-capped peak also can be arranged.
HAWAII The recently revamped Four Seasons Resort Lanai provides everything a couple needs for their special day – a non-denominational ceremony officiant, flowers and leis for the bride and groom, miniature two-tiered wedding cake, photographer, Hawaiian musician, Dining Under the Stars dinner, welcome amenity, and a personal Four Seasons wedding specialist to guide them. Elopement packages start from $8,300. The Napili Kai Beach Resort on nearby Maui is my favourite hotel in the state, tucked into a corner at beautiful Napili Beach. The Sea House restaurant is just steps from the water. They also can accommodate small groups for weddings or a dinner at romantic Na Hoku point, with dramatic coastal views and some of the best sunsets on the planet.
BERMUDA The soft pink Fairmont Southampton rests on one of the highest points along Bermuda’s south shore and features pink-sand beaches, lush flower displays and turquoise waters. Weddings also can be set up on the Great Sound Lawn, or in one of the meeting rooms and suites. The full-service Willow Stream Spa can provide hair styling, manicure and pedicure for the newlyweds and their guests. The resort has created a Bermuda Shorts “Temperature Guarantee” offer for guests staying at the resort between now and March 2018. If the temperature doesn’t reach a certain daily high, guests who booked the offer will get the night for free.
NEW ZEALAND Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit can get themselves hitched at the Hobbiton Movie Set. You can voice your vows among the beautiful Hobbiton gardens or enjoy the “Yard Flat” location, which offers great views over the movie set and the iconic “Party Tree.” Both locations can be completed with canvas tents and a handcrafted “barrel bar.” Receptions can be held inside the Green Dragon Inn from the movies or at the spacious Party Marquee.
CALIFORNIA The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa is in Rancho Mirage, just a couple minutes from Palm Springs. The resort has seen a big increase in destination Indian weddings, as the celebrations often involved large animals such as camels and elephants and the resort has plenty of space. It’s also a beautiful spot for traditional North American-style weddings, of course. Up the coast a bit, Santa Barbara has been a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons over the years, hosting folks from JFK and Jackie Kennedy to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. Check out the new Hotel Californian.
ICELAND Pink Iceland is a boutique destination wedding outfit that started as a same-sex destination wedding company but now gets about half their business from mixed-gender couples. You can do adventure weddings at an Icelandic waterfall or something more traditional. Pink Iceland takes care of the legal paperwork and often organizes
pre and post-wedding tours as well as arranging the wedding itself.
THE CARIBBEAN AND MEXICO Marriott Caribbean & Latin America Resorts has launched a “Vows and Vacations” promotion, offering guests of destination weddings 30 %savings plus a complimentary excursion when extending their stay three nights pre or post-wedding. The promotion is available at six participating properties in Aruba, Cancun, Los Cabos, Frenchman’s Reef, Grand Cayman, Puerto Vallarta, and San Juan. The offers vary per property, ranging from a sunset catamaran sail and 30% savings at the Aruba Marriott to up to 30% off and a tour to Chichen Itza at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.
DEAL OF THE WEEK Air Canada is offering 15% off tickets to select sun destinations through Dec. 15, including flights to Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii and Jamaica. https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/book/special-offers/sunoffer.html?promocode=YR7ECUP1&acid=em|61193370|357175962
Email: jim@jimbyerstravel.com
