6 Destinations For a Dream Wedding

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Everyone wants their special day to be truly incredible. They want the most spectacular pictures, the prettiest gown, the best food and the happiest day of their life. Some couples know that they want a church wedding or a casual reception. There are not many couples, however, that share a single, perfect vision for their wedding day. They both may have some basic ideas, but they may disagree on specifics. They might also know what sort of cake they want but not what kind of music they want to play at the reception.

One of the first things that needs to be decided upon when planning a wedding is the location. That will determine the size and type of reception that can be held as well as what the wedding party can or should wear. An outdoor wedding, for example, should either be held in summer, or the bride had better give up any thoughts of a sleeveless dress.

Given how important a wedding’s location is, it makes sense that people would want one that was truly spectacular. Most people manage to find beautiful areas to hold their wedding, but there are always those places that truly manage to take the guests’ breath away. Here are six destinations for a dream wedding.

Seaside

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The ocean is always changing. Anyone who has spent more than a day at a time at the sea can attest to that. The shape and slope of the beach changes from year to year. The currents and waves vary with the tides, and the color of the water itself can shift several times in a single day. All of this can happen at the same place. Now, think about how many beaches there are in the world.

A seaside wedding can have dozens of different moods. A ceremony that takes place on a tropical beach with the bride barefoot in white sand and the reception shaded by palm trees will have a very different feel than a wedding held at the top of seaside cliffs where the land drops dramatically away into churning waters and explosive waves. Any of the wide variety of ocean backdrops will make for a stunning wedding, regardless of whether the ocean is calm and warm or a wintery sea where frost and salt mingle on the shore.

Mountainous

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Mountains always form stunning scenery. Tall, jagged mountains like the Rockies have a harsh sort of beauty and lend themselves to images of snowcapped peaks towering above deep valleys. Rolling, ancient mountains such as the Appalachian Mountains have an air of mystery and magic about them, especially when fog settles between the low peaks in areas such as the Great Smokey Mountains. Single, volcanic peaks are not exceptions to this rule either. The lone, steep sided cones are stunning where they jut out of otherwise flat lands.

Like seaside weddings, ceremonies held in the mountains can create a variety of different moods among the guests and wedding party. A reception held on steep, bare slopes can have a feel that varies greatly from a wedding that takes place surrounded by trees. Be sure to consider the time of year as well as the location when planning a mountainous wedding. Colder temperatures and deeper, if cleaner, snow are common during the winter, and mountains tend to be a riot of color during the fall. Also take care to think about what sort of wildlife may inadvertently be drawn to the wedding. High peaks give more dramatic views, but they are more likely to contain mountain lions and stubborn moose during certain months of the year. Lower peaks may tend to have fewer large creatures, but do not underestimate the problems a nosy fox or ornery hawk can cause.

Salt Flats

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Salt flats are unlike any other landscape on Earth. Flat, empty and often bordered by mountains, they look like something from an alien planet. Some salt flats are a brilliant, pure white that resemble a perfect dusting of snow. Others have a network of cracks or subtle ridges that form a natural mosaic. Arguably, the most incredible salt flats are perfectly flat and eerily smooth. This combination works to create a perfect, naturally formed mirror. The sun, clouds, stars and any natural formations nearby are reflected perfectly on the ground. This gives the impression that a person is standing in the middle of the sky or walking on air. Salt flats are normally protected areas and often require a bit of a drive to reach, but they will allow for wedding scenery that is completely unique. Just be sure to consider the weather before making wedding plans. Salt flats are usually found in deserts, and any wedding party will likely need to plan for extreme temperatures. They will also need to make sure that they are allowed to hold the ceremony there, as salt flats can be national parks or areas where natural resources are mined.

Historical

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There is something to be said for having a wedding in a place that is rich with history. The backdrop will be recognizable for those that see pictures after the ceremony. Those who love history will also enjoy knowing that their special day took place in a location that is rich in meaning for many other people.

Historical sites are often carefully maintained and filled with great beauty. Depending on what a bride and groom prefer, they can be married indoors or outdoors in equally historical locations. Many historic American homes have beautiful gardens attached to them. Other buildings had multiple uses during their heyday and include a chapel. Certain churches themselves have been the site of important religious events.

Before planning a wedding at a historic location, be sure to clarify if that location allows for wedding ceremonies. Some historical sites do not permit weddings to be held on their grounds, while others, such as Williamsburg’s Wren Building, embrace them. Make sure to plan for any transportation or wardrobe concerns as well. Not all historical sites have neatly paved driveways leading up to the doors, and walking down a dusty lane in heels is no fun for anyone.

Architecture

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Some people prefer to be surrounded by manmade beauty on their wedding day. They wish to be married in cathedrals with intricate stained glass windows and have stunning architecture in the background of their wedding photos. They want towering columns, sweeping skylines and the careful work of human hands. Some people may prefer ancient, classical architecture, while others might favor the more modern look of chrome and glass. Regardless of which a person desires, there are ample opportunities to have a wedding ceremony in or near a beautiful building. Just be sure to fully consider the effects the building might have on the ceremony. A chrome skyscraper might look beautiful alone, but it could overshadow the wedding party. Similarly, an old gothic revival house might be the perfect setting for the ceremony, but be awfully short on space for the reception.

Natural Wonder

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Some people want the best of both worlds. They want the recognizable aspect of a historical location as well as the pristine beauty of untouched wilderness. For such people, natural wonders are the perfect combination. Famous natural landscapes such as the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park or the Great Smoky Mountains are excellent choices that will make the location of the ceremony immediately obvious while still allowing for nature to be present in the wedding photos.

When planning a wedding at a natural wonder, be sure to research the guidelines for the area. Many phenomenal natural locations are in the middle of national parks each of which has its own set of rules and laws governing the area. Others natural wonders, such as Niagara Falls, are often crowded and so may not be the best for a wedding unless the bride and groom want tourists in the background.