Hot Destination Wedding Spots

More and more couples craving romance, exoticism, and breathtaking surroundings for their destination wedding are migrating in one hot direction: south of the border. Check out our inside tips on the top places to get hitched, great guest activities, and everything you need to make your marriage legal.

HAWAII
Hawaii definitely epitomizes the word "Paradise". There are sandy white beaches, cascading waterfalls, and lush tropical area backdropped with beautiful mountains

Maui - Wailea Beach-Your wedding ceremony or vow renewal can be performed at one of two locations fronting the Four Seasons Resort, Wailea, Maui. We perform breathtaking beach weddings or if you prefer, there is a grassy Knoll overlooking the ocean and beach. This is located to the right of the hotel resort.

Kauai - Westernmost and oldest of the eight major Hawaiian Islands, Kaua'i is by far the most tropical. Famous for its movie set landscapes, the island abounds with lush foliage and magnificent seaside cliffs. On the island's northern side, Mt. Waialeale, with almost 500 inches of rain annually, is the wettest spot on earth. Whether it's sunny Poipu Beach, the verdant hills of Princeville or the lovely eastern coast, Kaua'i is alive with the spirit of the islands.

Oahu - Waikiki Beach- On the island of Oahu there are sandy white beaches as well as a tropical paradise. You will find luxury resorts, great shopping, fine dining and many hot night spots.

Lanai - This Island has a slow pace about it that makes your vacation so much more relaxing. You can visit one of the largest pineapple plantations or golf at a championship course for fun. This is the Island to go to when you want to get away from it all.

Kona - Known as "the Big Island", Kona has many places to have a beautiful destination wedding. Some of popular places to get married are: Paradise Cove, Green Turtle Beach, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, Anaeho'omalu Beach In Waikaloa , and Beach 69.

Fun Things to Do
Snorkel in the warm water of Molokini, helicopter around the islands and the majestic mountains, learn to surf, go to an authentic Polynesian luau, or visit the active Kilauea Volcano on the Big Island.

Legal Requirements
Obtaining a marriage license in Hawaii is easy!
  • You must have a valid marriage license to he married in Hawaii.
  • There is a $65.00 state fee paid directly to the agent.
  • The license is good for thirty days.
  • Both partners must be at least 19 years of age or have written parental or legal guardian permission.
  • There is no waiting period, no residency requirement and no blood tests or shots required.
  • A Picture ID is all that is required for U.S citizens and non-U.S citizens. (State Driver's License or Passport) Foreigners can be married in Hawaii with a passport or Visa.
  • If a divorce was finalized for either partner within the last three months, please bring the final decree.
  • The certified copy of the marriage certificate is mailed to the married couple approximately 120 days after receipt from the officiant.
  • If the certified copy is needed sooner, the marriage license agent will provide a request form, which can be mailed to the Vital Records Section along with a $10 fee charged by the Department of Health for this service.

    MEXICO
    Mexico exudes romance, convenience, and laidback luxury, which helps to explain why it's one of the most popular wedding destinations for altar-bound couples. With a convenient international airport, and slew of luxury hotels lining soft sands, Cabo San Lucas is an ideal spot for a wedding.

    Popular Ceremony Spots:
    Los Cabos
    There are a ton of vow-worthy locations, but Cabo's Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) stands out. Flanked by towering rocks, the beach has access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Bahía de Cabos San Lucas. Hovering above the water, the natural rock outcrops and arches at Land's End are one of Baja's most treasured landscapes. Just imagine the snapshots for the wedding album.

    Puerto Vallarta
    A variety of locations ranging from beautiful private beaches to luxury villas are available to you for the perfect wedding in Puerto Vallarta. The ceremony can be performed almost anywhere the couple chooses; at their hotel, on a beautiful beach, at a restaurant, or any other location - Puerto Vallarta wedding.

    Riviera Maya
    Would you like to get married on a sandy beach with the Caribbean on one side and the jungle on the other? Then the Mayan Riviera is the perfect spot for you! The Yucatan coast is south of Cancun and is a tropical paradise with a clear blue ocean and fine white sandy beach. Some noteworthy places to get married: Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal and Puerta Aventuras.

    Other Popular Spots in Mexico:
    Ixtapa
    Zihuatenejo
    Mazatlan

    Fun Things to Do
    Pre- and post-wedding activities can include world-famous scuba diving, snorkeling, whale watching, windsurfing, sea kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, and cycling. If "mellow" is more your guest's speed, they can relax over poolside dinners, stroll along the beaches, or go horseback riding on the beaches or through the jungle to watch the sunset. You can even play with sea lions, explore shipwrecks, or bungee jump seaside - all fun, bonding activities to bring your guests together.

    Legal Requirements
    It's really pretty easy to get hitched in Mexico, and the cost is $230. There are no residency requirements, but you'll have to adhere to the following:
  • Waiting period of 2-4 days
  • Certified copies of birth certificates previously "legalized" and translated by the
  • Mexican consulate with jurisdiction over the place of birth
  • Driver's licenses or passports
  • A copy of tourist card or visa
  • Proof of divorce or death certificate previously "legalized" by the Mexican consulate with jurisdiction over the place of filing
  • Citizens under age 18 need parent or guardian's consent
  • Names, addresses, ages, nationalities and tourist-card numbers of four witnesses
  • Mexican-performed blood tests and X-rays
  • Judge's form Note that requirements in Mexico do vary from city to city and judge to judge, so the Mexican Ministry of Tourism recommends that you budget two to four days to complete all requirements. Contact the Mexico Tourism Board at (800) 446-3942 for more information.

    DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
    A veritable mix of old and new, the Dominican Republic offers countless opportunities for romance and makes tying the knot in unspoiled nature or European elegance equally easy. The Dominican Republic's tropical climate provides the surroundings for a wedding to remember.

    Top Ceremony Spot
    One of the best spots for a lovely low-key affair is Punta Cana, which lies along the eastern coast and is famous for its palm-lined beaches.

    Fun Things to Do
    Hiking, surfing, diving, cycling, and whale watching will keep your guests busy from dawn to dusk, or they can simply choose to luxuriate on the gorgeous shores. The festive capital of Santo Domingo bustles with fine hotels, museums, dining, architecture, nightclubs, and casinos, so your guests can enjoy the finer things

    Legal Requirements
    Making it official in the Dominican Republic is a breeze and costs just $20. You'll just need to abide by the following:
  • US citizens are required to write to the American Consulate in Santo Domingo requesting permission to marry
  • Two witnesses need to be present (with photo I.D.)
  • Passports for the couple and for any foreign witnesses as well as birth certificates
  • Proof of divorce or death certificate if applicable
  • Parties must be at least 18 years of age
  • Notarized letter from an attorney, legalized by their embassy, stating that each person is single
  • All documents must be translated into Spanish upon arrival Please contact the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic (212-768-2480) for specific information.

    PUERTO RICO
    With miles upon miles of white-sand beaches perfect for exchanging vows, English as the official language, and the U.S. dollar as the official currency, Puerto Rico is an easy, romantic, and convenient spot for a wedding.

    Top Ceremony Spot
    San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, is a cosmopolitan city with high-rise beach strips and a colonial heart (it's the second-oldest city in the Americas). Just 30 miles away sits Rio Grande, a favorite among love-struck travelers. Its premier golf facilities, romantic horseback riding opportunities, and proximity to El Yunque tropical forest makes it a perfect place to wed - and play afterwards.

    Fun Things to Do
    Friends and family can enjoy luxurious spas, first-rate snorkeling, scuba diving, and hiking trails, but the beaches are usually the top spot for revelers.

    Legal Requirements
    The cost of getting married in Puerto Rico is a $2 stamp fee for a certified copy of license and a $20 fee to process all certificates (private ceremony or hotel fees average around U.S. $150 - $350).
    There are no residency requirements for U.S. citizens, but you'll need the following:
  • Driver's license or passport
  • Two witnesses over age 21 must be present
  • Proof of divorce or death certificate
  • Documented parental consent if either party is under 21 years of age
  • Health certificate from a resident practitioner in Puerto Rico
  • Blood tests are required, although a test conducted on the U.S. mainland within 10 days of the ceremony will suffice. A doctor in Puerto Rico must sign the license.
  • Both the bride and groom must appear in person at the time of applying Marriage license papers may be requested in writing (allow two months):

    Demographic Registry
    P.O. Box 11854
    Fernandez Juncos Station
    San Juan, PR 00910
    Phone: 787. 728. 7980