Top spots around the world for a destination wedding

If you’re thinking about a destination wedding, we don’t want you to settle for just any old stretch of sand. We’re sharing our picks for some of the tops spots around the world to tie the knot.

We asked romance travel specialist Brenda L Young, who specializes in destination weddings and honeymoons to exotic beach destinations, for her insight into some of the top spots to get married.

If you want to stay close to home and have a hassle-free wedding, Jamaica is a great option. “After 24 hours, $50 for a marriage license and certified copies of both of your birth certificate and passport, you can be legally married on the beach or in the mountains,” says Young. “There are locations and resorts to accommodate all tastes and budgets.”

For an unforgettable location and ease of wedding legal requirements Hawaii is another great choice — and a popular one. “A fee of $60 and a photo ID are all that are required to legally marry in the 50th U.S. state, and since there are no passports required for U.S. citizens it makes it very easy for guests to travel,” notes Young. “The wonderful choices of locations include marrying on a cliff overlooking the ocean, at the foot of a volcano or at one of their many botanical gardens.”

Although getting married in Puerto Rico requires a blood test as part of the marriage license requirements, most of the wedding planners onsite can handle it easily so you don’t need to worry, says Young. “Perfect for couples that want to get married on an island not far from home and don’t want too much of a hassle, Puerto Rico is perfect as it is just a few hours from the East coast and passports are not required,” she adds. “Ideal for history buffs, couples can marry on an Old Spanish Fort at sunset or on one of the many beautiful golden beaches.”

Although not legally binding since you’ll still need to legally get married at home, the Maldives is still a great spot to celebrate with your close friends and family. “You can have a symbolic ceremony overwater or even underwater at one of the many underwater restaurants or clubs,” suggests Young. More and more couples are choosing the exotic Maldives as a top spot for luxe beach honeymoons, anniversaries and of course, weddings.

Without any residency requirements or blood tests, marrying in South Africa is very easy. Why choose this spot? It offers a great range of venues and impressive locations, depending on what you’re after. “Perfect for couples that love the outdoors and are adventurous, you can marry on a mountaintop or in a game preserve complete with lion’s roars in the background,” says Young.

A very popular country for adventure travelers and nature lovers, Costa Rica makes it easy on marrying couples due to the minimal hassle tying the knot there requires. It’s also a diverse location that offers something different without having to go too far, explains Young. “Costa Rica blends the perfect balance of an exotic location that includes rain forests, volcanoes and plenty of activities for your guests.”

Aside from having what Young describes as the friendliest people on the planet, Fiji’s marriage requirements are easy to obtain. “The beautiful island landscape along with the wonderful people make it difficult to leave,” she notes. “Not to mention an excellent currency exchange in favor of the dollar makes it a good location as far as value.”

For couples looking for something different and memorable, Young says that the Seychelles Islands can offer exactly what they’re looking for. “Best known recently as the location of Prince William’s honeymoon, the Seychelles are a truly magical location. From the huge granite boulders that decorate some of the most photographed beaches in the world, to unique hilltops overlooking ocean coves, the wedding locations available are incredible,” she tells us. Simple marriage requirements also make it another easy location to get married, as there are no blood tests required and the residency requirement is only two days.

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