While not located on an island, Santa Fe is still a perfect destination for romance, especially when it comes to those legendary New Mexico sunsets. And while the city might not be at the top of your list of perfect backdrops for a marriage proposal and romantic engagement celebration, the four-diamond La Fonda on the Plaza wants New Mexico’s old world charm and two of the fanciest margaritas you’ve ever seen to change your mind.

The hotel’s new $2,000 “Blingarita” proposal package offers couples one night in the Sunset Suite, which is highlighted by a wraparound balcony that offers views of the Plaza, as well as — you guessed it — the incredible sunsets. But the key to this engagement concept is a private reserved area under La Fonda’s bell tower, where lovebirds will watch the sun set while sipping on two top-shelf, ultra-premium margaritas made with Don Julio 1942 tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice and Grand Marnier, served in glasses made by Southwestern designer Jan Barboglio. Oh, and they are topped off with a 24-karat gold flake rim.

With the engagement ring discreetly provided to hotel management upon arrival, it will then be safely secured to one of the margarita glasses to complete this unique surprise. Or, if the plan comes together as a spur-of-the-moment proposal, the hotel concierge can also assist with choosing other locations (the Bell Tower Bar is only open April through October) or even sourcing an engagement ring locally.

The only hotel in the historic Santa Fe Plaza, La Fonda on the Plaza boasts 180 rooms and suites, including 15 luxury suites that are built around a rooftop terrace offering unobstructed views of Santa Fe, the Plaza and the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. For guests not ordering Blingaritas for that moment of a lifetime, the Bell Tower Bar also offers the Mana Margarita and Ethel’s Blue Margarita.

The most devoted margarita enthusiasts can also find love on Santa Fe’s Margarita Trail, which lets guests sample 45 of “Santa Fe’s finest margaritas,” which were all custom crafted just for this tour.

The post This Engagement Package Includes Some of the Most Lavish Margaritas in the World appeared first on Islands.

Want to know where in the world is hot, hot, hot for destination weddings this year? Choose one of these 10 swoon-worthy wedding locations, pack your bags and get ready to say, “I do.”

Cayman Islands

With its miles (almost seven, to be exact) of coral-sand beach, Grand Cayman enticed Empire co-stars Grace Gealey (who was raised on the island) and Trai Byers to marry there in April. Befitting Hollywood is Seven South, the new penthouse suite at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, which at 19,000 square feet (with its own elevator, assistant and cabana) may just be the largest and most luxe hotel suite in the Caribbean. For something more boutique-y, Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa opened in November, with 266 design-centric guest rooms along a 500-foot stretch of Seven Mile Beach. Its ballroom serves up to 500 island-goers, but the best idea may be a ceviche bar right on the sand. Need some local inspiration? Cayman wedding planner JoAnne Brown of Celebrations showcases the best of the Cayman Islands in her book, Caribbean Wedding Style, from Pedro St. James Castle to Seven Mile Beach. Pop down for a go-see: Travel is easier than ever thanks to recent renovations at both international airports.

St. Lucia

Locally made chocolate and rum plus grand views of the Pitons equal all you really need for wedding success. Jumping on the spa-wedding trend, Capella Marigot Bay introduced serene ceremonies in its celestial little garden sanctuary of Auriga Spa. To add to its sweet white sand, Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, has a new beach at the southern end of the property prime for a vow exchange, plus seven new luxury villas to kick off the honeymoon. To offer days of dining options to wedding guests, Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort recently opened three new restaurants, from Asian to Caribbean. On the Northwest coast, the couples-only, all-inclusive Rendezvous, fresh off a $12.5-million renovation and in July, introduced “Stolen Time” to ease the transition off the grid.

Tahiti

Tahiti synonymous with romance itself, but 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of the overwater bungalow, invented in this South Pacific haven. The first new luxury resort on the island in nearly 10 years, Conrad Bora Bora Nui debuts in March 2017 and ups the overwater bungalow ante with the only two-story designs in the destination. To ease wedding preparations, Tahiti In Style villa and property rental now offers a concierge service to help organize a ceremony in private locations like Motu island or Villa Miki Miki on Moorea. If you’re more the private yacht type, Island Escape Cruises is returning to Tahiti in 2017 with all-inclusive experiences to exchange vows on board.

Riviera Maya, Mexico

A-listers like Heidi Klum, Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo poured down to Playa del Carmen last March for the wedding of country singer Jason Aldean and former American Idol contestant Brittany Kerr at Mahekal Beach Resort, whose $16-million update included the new beachfront Celebre wedding space and open canopied garden chapel. Nearby, groups that want to feel of a buyout will dig Thompson Playa Del Carmen‘s new bohemian-inspired, oceanfront Beach House with 27 guest rooms and suites, its own pool, private cabanas and an oceanfront restaurant. To continue the VIP vibes, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya partnered with celebrity wedding designer Colin Cowie for three customized wedding experiences — Cowie himself handpicks the details. Stay tuned for the adults-only, all-inclusive UNICO Hotel Riviera Maya, scheduled to open early this year.

Hawaii

Kate Hudson, Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer were among the first guests at Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, a 642-acre that opened in May 2016 on the island’s west coast 17 miles from Honolulu. Couples looking to make a grand wedding entrance can take advantage of the hotel’s baller fleet including a helicopter, yacht and luxury cars. Closer to the action of Waikiki, the Surfjack Hotel opened in May with a dose vintage 1960s Hawaii, down to its painted murals and birds of paradise wallpaper by local artists that are just begging for an Instagrammable wedding photo session. On Maui, do as The Bachelorette‘s Desiree Hartsock Siegfried and husband Chris Siegfried did for their one-year wedding anniversary in February, and celebrate with an intimate canopy dinner on the beachfront lawn at The Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort Villas.

Turks and Caicos

It’s where stars go to celebrate: Last summer both Kylie Jenner (who rented a $50 million villa on Airbnb) and Emily Ratajkowski (who stayed at the luxe Amanyara Resort) held their birthday festivities on the islands. The next glitterati hotspot may be The Shore Club, the only development on Providenciales’ Long Bay Beach with 106 ocean view suites and six luxury villas on a nine-acre stretch. On popular, pristine Grace Bay Beach, Grace Bay Club‘s tropical-chic redesign led by interior designer Thom Filicia includes redesigned lobby and guest rooms, the new Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar and The Residences, a trio of freestanding, beachfront villas.

Antigua

It’s been said that there are 365 beaches on Antigua, one for each day of the year (we wonder which stretch of sand Oprah, who has a house on the island, tends to frequent). Antigua remains slightly under the radar, even though it’s one of the closer Caribbean islands — and major upgrades to the airport in 2015 now ease any travel hassles (though it’s worth it for a bite of sweet Antigua Black pineapples). Here, builders are abuzz: This spring will see the opening of Royalton Luxury Resort, a 500-room all-inclusive resort on the famed white sands of Deep Bay. The private island resort Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort, continually upgrades itself, now with the Together package filled with romantic excursions perfect for a post-wedding minimoon.

Florida Keys

Hemingway mystique meets laid-back Jimmy Buffet — such is life on the string of islands dangling off the southern tip of the U.S. And private jet is the best new way for VIP wedding guests to travel: Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, now offers direct seaplane air service with Key West Seaplanes from Florida airports to the property’s private beach pier. Farther north on Key Largo, Playa Largo Resort & Spa debuted in the summer with signature Sunshine State coral reefs and sea glass, plus 144 rooms and suites, 10 secluded bungalows and a standalone luxury guest house — saunter down its tree-lined path to a private beach to say I do.

Fiji

Firewalkers, diving with sharks, jungle hikes — Fiji is for couples in search of drama. The country is coming back strong after 2016’s Tropical Cyclone Winston, the most severe on record, and is returning to its roots as a romance mecca. The quintessential Fijian Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort on Savusavu Bay reopened in September with 25 newly thatched houses known as bures. For total seclusion, guests are ferried via seaplane to the remote Kokomo Island, a new collection of 21 bures and five villas on uninhabited Yaukuve Island.

New Orleans

Could the Big Easy be the next hipster hotspot? The opening of the trendy Ace Hotel, a nine-floor boutique property in an Art Deco former furniture store in the up-and-coming Warehouse District, seems to suggest it — though the style of its Barnett private dining room remains classic, charming old New Orleans. Also a mix of modern and Southern elegance, The Henry Howard Hotel opened with the signature crown molding and floor-to-ceiling windows that make a picturesque Garden District wedding background. In the historic French Quarter, completed renovations at Chateau LeMoyne (named for the city’s founder Jean Baptiste LeMoyne) offer added romance to a suite with a balcony overlooking the action. For those who’d rather sail than dance through the streets, the Carnival Triumph is the latest addition to The Port of New Orleans, with 4- and 5-day cruises to wed at sea (or sail off right after I do).

The post Best Wedding Locations of 2017 appeared first on Islands.

St. Lucia

St. Lucia is so romantic that The Bachelor has filmed here twice. Just as 2015 came to a close, The BodyHoliday added ITAL, an eight-seat organic experience in a garden, plus new treatments to the spa menu and fresh turquoise-and-driftwood guest-room decor. Twenty minutes away, Malabar Beach Club, a new locavore eatery at the 100-room Rendezvous, debuted in 2015. Other upgrades: a new swim-up bar, a refreshed main pool and renovated suites. Flying to this lush, volcanic isle from Chicago is a breeze on United‘s new nonstop route, introduced in December 2015.

Dominican Republic

The Caribbean’s most-visited island is capitalizing on its popularity. After a $40 million face-lift in summer 2015, the artsy Renaissance Santo Domingo Jaragua Hotel & Casino is sleeker than ever for small weddings; the hotel’s transformation is part of Renaissance Hotels’ new global Wanderlust design initiative. New digs arrived in Cap Cana in 2015 as well: AlSol Tiara Cap Cana treats guests to a swim-up bar and lessons in Spanish and cooking. Eden Roc at Cap Cana is undergoing a multimillion-dollar reno in 2016, including 52 new beachfront suites, a new infinity pool, a new restaurant and a spa expansion. Aman Resorts revealed Amanera along the North Coast in November 2015 — gaze at the ocean from your posh casita above a 60-foot cliff. Coming to Punta Cana in 2016, the 500-suite Excellence El Carmen will cater to foodies with 12 restaurants and 16 watering holes. Plus, getting to Punta Cana is easier than ever, thanks to three new American Airlines routes (from Dallas, Chicago and Charlotte, North Carolina).

St. Kitts

St. Where? Flying under the radar (for now), St. Kitts, pop. 45K, sits just east of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The island’s first-ever five-star resort, the 125-room Park Hyatt St. Kitts, debuts in 2016 on Banana Bay. Share your first newlywed kiss overlooking The Narrows, a strait dividing St. Kitts and its neighboring island, Nevis. Or go off the grid at the 400-acre Belle Mont Farm on Kittitian Hill, opened December 2014. The “farm” in the name is for real: The property grows fruit that’s delivered to each villa, guesthouse and farmhouse daily. Host a reception feast for 20 in a field.

Jamaica

The birthplace of the all-inclusive is still a leader in the field: Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts will bring its signature Zen to Montego Bay in December 2016. Book your wedding one year in advance, and a cocktail party for up to 50 is included at no cost. Other all-inclusives that launched in 2015: the 700-plus-room Moon Palace Jamaica Grande in Ocho Rios (offering six themed wedding collections) and the 287-room Melia Braco Village, with two wedding gazebos. In December 2015, Couples Resorts’ founders introduced six new villas, designed with families in mind, at Idle Awhile on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach.

Los Cabos, Mexico

After Hurricane Odile slammed Los Cabos in 2014, area resorts paused for a refresh and emerged sexier than ever. That includes the new Champagne Terrace at The Resort at Pedregal, introduced at the start of 2015. Feeling more Manhattan than Mexico, 161-room The Cape, A Thompson Hotel arrived in June 2015; host your wedding in its two-story Surfer Villa. Set to debut later in 2016, the 77-room Cachet Beach hotel (soon to be Cachet Corazon) on Medano Beach is already lining up rooftop nuptials.

Aruba

Twilight actress Nikki Reed and hubby Ian Somerhalder of The Vampire Diaries sunk their teeth into Aruba on Valentine’s Day 2015. What’s new: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort & Casino celebrated its 25th anniversary by redecorating all 357 rooms in 2015. Palm Beach newcomer Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino arrived summer 2015 with 24,000 square feet of outdoor event space; commence your torch-lit reception with seafood chowder. Host the rehearsal dinner at BLT Steak, serving up prime cuts at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba since August 2015. Flight alert: As of 2015, Southwest services Aruba.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale generated media attention in 2015 when it celebrated marriage equality by hosting the country’s largest mass same-sex wedding. And JetBlue‘s new routes from Baltimore and Philadelphia, launched in November 2015, make the area even more accessible. Big-city grandeur meets a casual beachfront vibe at the 290-room, 24-story Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, opening summer 2016 — swap I do’s on the oceanfront terrace, and spend your wedding night in a yacht-inspired guest room with a marble soaking tub, all designed by Michael Graves. Or party with up to 350 besties on the 11th-floor License to Chill pool deck of the 349-room Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, which entered the scene in nearby Hollywood in September 2015. Premiering mid-2016, the 487-room B Ocean Resort will have five venues (yes, the beach is one).

Florida Keys

The birthplace of the Rum Runner naturally specializes in laid-back luxury, including Key Largo’s Playa Largo Resort & Spa, premiering spring 2016. Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the resort encourages marrying couples to plant a coral reef as a memento. Or anchor your love by the historic lighthouse at Marathon’s Faro Blanco Resort & Yacht Club, launched December 2014. That same month, 96-room The Marker Waterfront Resort opened off Key West’s Duval Street; serve some Key West pink shrimp at your reception. Another new Key West property — The Saint Hotel, which debuted March 2015 in Old Town — lures guests with its 36 bright blue-and-white rooms. Renovations also breathed new life into two Islamorada resorts in 2015: The 63-room Pelican Cove, with three beach sites for I do’s; and Amara Cay Resort, where Sparrows Tiki Deck (seats 20) channels the tropics.

Costa Rica

This pura vida jungle country boasted 99 percent renewable energy in 2015. Two new properties premiered at the close of 2015: In the surf town of Nosara, the 17-suite Olas Verdes is primed for a buyout. And on Papagayo Bay, the 202 suites at adults-only Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica are mere steps from volcanic sand. In Guanacaste, the town of Las Catalinas unveiled a Beach Club in December 2015; two hotels and a chapel will be added by the end of 2016.

Belize

Caribbean Sea meets jungle in this tiny English-speaking nation. The largest development ever to hit Ambergris Caye, the 60-acre Mahogany Bay Village will introduce a hotel (195 cottages and suites), a beach club, a spa, retail and dining in 2016. In 2015, Las Terrazas Resort & Residences began hosting sandbar receptions — lounge furniture included. Premiering 2016 on the Placencia peninsula, Itz’ana Resort & Residences will entertain private groups in the Rum Room, captained by a rummelier. Bonus: Southwest‘s new daily flights to Belize City via Houston make travel to Belize a breeze.

Oahu, Hawaii

The Obamas have spent Christmas on Oahu for the last eight years — and if it’s good enough for the first family, then it’s good enough for us. Hold a beachfront ceremony at The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki, built in 1927 and used as a film location in season 6 of Mad Men. The famed Pink Palace introduced the reimagined, 17-story Mailani Tower in spring 2015; receive concierge-level service, gratis mai tais and a nightly spread of snacks. Also in 2015, two new rooftop experiences landed in Waikiki: Sky Waikiki is a 7,000-square-foot nightclub and lounge with a fire pit; and Tommy Bahama Restaurant Bar & Store flaunts a sand patio area, vintage surfboards and a 55-foot-wide living wall of native tropical plants. On the “sunset coast,” the 358-room Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina is on track to open in June 2016.

Puerto Rico

Celebs from Johnny Depp to JLo have sought R & R on the Isle of Enchantment, and development is booming. Book a ceremony at Doubletree by Hilton San Juan‘s new beach club, premiered in May 2015, and private golf carts will whisk guests to your I do’s. Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa added new family-friendly suites (sleeping six people each) in early 2016, and a director of romance has joined the staff. The 319-room Condado Vanderbilt, whose extensive reno wrapped year-end 2014, flaunts Puerto Rico’s first (and only) hammam; use the Bon Voyage brunch as a proper send-off. Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort‘s fresh look, unveiled in 2015, extends to the ballroom and Adirondack chairs on the beach. Copamarina Beach Resort & Spa‘s 2015 revamp introduced a new pool deck and updated villas on 20 tropical waterfront acres in Guanica.

Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico

More than 100 new hotels have surfaced in the Riviera Maya in the last 15 years, and the trend isn’t slowing down. At the all-inclusive Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, opened early 2015, wedding packages include late checkout and breakfast in bed, plus fun reception add-ons like late-night grilled cheese sandwiches. The Pyramid at Grand Oasis — a hotel-within-a-hotel concept unveiled in April 2015 — grants access to Cancun’s largest pool, a spa and a cigar bar. Two resorts also launched in 2015 near Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue: the 92-room Thompson Playa del Carmen (stage your wedding on the rooftop, on a private beach or in the boho Beach House); and the 314-room Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort (stay for the honeymoon package, with a candlelit dinner). In November 2015, Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, a 434-suite all-inclusive, premiered in the fishing village of Akumal. And at Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ adults-only El Dorado Seaside Suites, revealed December 2015, each of the 192 rooms has its own pool or swim-up access.

Turks and Caicos Islands

With Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello posting up at COMO Parrot Cay resort for their 2015 honeymoon, TCI is more tantalizing than ever. Send your guests on JetBlue‘s new daily direct service from Fort Lauderdale, launched in November 2015. The Residences, a new collection of five-bedroom beach villas, joined Grace Bay Resorts in July 2015; tie the knot under the glow of tiki torches.

Italy

Since George and Amal’s media-blitz Venice bash in 2014, Italy’s romantic heat has grown into a five-alarm fire. Marry at the 137-room Sheraton Lake Como, not far from Casa Clooney; open since March 2015, the hotel hosts welcome drinks by the sun-splashed pool. Spring 2015 welcomed the 266-room JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa on the private island of Isola delle Rose. Nearby, San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice will premiere in March 2016; on its 17-acre grounds are gardens and a 12th-century church. Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco Resort & Spa‘s $16 million 2015 reno updated its 180 rooms, lobby and restaurants; event spaces include a ballroom, terraces, piazzas and gardens. Debuting December 2016, a 120-room, five-star hotel at Toscana Resort Castelfalfi will be tucked into an 800-year-old medieval village.

Napa, California

Blend it like David Beckham — the sexy former footballer owns a vineyard in this tony wine region — and exchange vineyard vows. Celebrity chef Charlie Palmer took over St. Helena’s Harvest Inn in 2014, rebranding it to Harvest Inn by Charlie Palmer (shown) and introducing Harvest Table; a revamp of the 78 rooms is slotted for 2016. Get married in the Wedding Garden at The Carneros Inn (spruced up spring 2016 to the tune of a cool $1 mil), and greet guests with award-winning local pinot in the Hilltop Dining Room, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.

The post Best Wedding Locations of 2016 appeared first on Islands.

1. Dream Big
Before you get bogged down in wedding planning, let yourself dream big. This is your chance for your vision to come true.

Do you want to say your vows on a sandy beach at sunset or in the majesty of secluded mountains? What does your ideal setting look like, and where in the world is it? The possibilities are endless, and if an exotic location is what you prefer, DestinationWeddings.com can help you through all the options.

2. Sign Up with a Destination Wedding Service
Pro tip: Sign up with a destination wedding service, like DestinationWeddings.com, before you wade any further into planning your big day.

Why? You’ll get to work with a Destination Wedding Specialist, who is an expert and has experience with all destinations, resort venues and budgets. They can even help you save money through incredible deals they negotiate with their resort partnerships. And when you work with an all-inclusive resort, you can get some incredible, customizable wedding packages for a fraction of the price of an at-home wedding.

You’ll get white glove service for every aspect of wedding planning, and you’ll feel so much better knowing there’s a destination wedding planning pro who can answer every question for you or your guests.

3. Select Your Destination and Set Your Wedding Date
By signing up with DestinationWeddings.com, you’ll be matched with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist, who will be with you through the whole planning process. Working with your specialist, you can discuss your requirements and review all the resorts in your dream country until you find one that’s the perfect fit. Maybe you want a chapel or a gazebo as your setting or simply the beach. You’ll know when the fit feels perfect.

Once you decide on a destination, resort and date, your specialist will do all the coordinating with resort, and then the fun starts

4. Take Care of the Details
Customize your big day with the help of the resort venue and your destination wedding specialist. Some brides like to plan a pre-wedding trip to the venue to see everything firsthand, but this isn’t necessary. It’s up to you.

Decide on everything from the ceremony site (venues often have a few you can choose from) to the menu, flowers, linen colors, signature cocktails, photographer, and much more.

Let the resort and the wedding specialist help with this. For example, the resort can schedule airport shuttles or taxis for you and your guests so no one has to worry about transit after getting off the plane.

This is where you get to show your personality and taste, so be creative to come up with a celebration that reflects your style! Check out some resort inspiration at DestinationWeddings.com.

5. Get Your Wedding Website Running
A wedding website is a must these days. But it’s really important when you’re hosting a destination wedding.

Your guests will have a lot of questions — about everything from suggested attire to hotel amenities and dietary restrictions.

Make it easy for your guests to plan by putting all the need-to-know info on your wedding website. Include information on transportation from the airport, what’s included with accommodations, wedding activities, and commonly asked questions.

This way, guests can get the info they need without overwhelming your inbox. DestinationWeddings.com provides a customizable wedding website, and it’s free!

6. Pack Smart
Once your big day is almost there, pack smart to make sure you have everything you need.

In addition to your wedding outfit — don’t forget about shoes, undergarments, makeup, and accessories — you’ll need clothing for rehearsal dinner, brunch, and other events. If you’re going on your honeymoon right after the wedding, take along everything you’ll need for that.

Toss sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, and other sundries in your bag. These things tend to cost extra at resorts, so bringing your own is one way to save money. While this sounds like a lot, many brides actually find it’s easier to plan a destination wedding because there are so many helping hands. Relax, trust the resort staff (who does this every day) and focus on celebrating your romance with your closest friends and family.   Thinking of a destination wedding, but unsure where to start planning? Here’s everything you need to know to have a DestinationWeddings.com.

The post Steps to Plan a Destination Wedding   appeared first on Islands.

With a plethora of wedding venues throughout Mexico, it’s hard to choose the one that’s best for your destination wedding, but The Luxury Collection stands out among the rest. With five Haciendas, three located in Yucatan and two in Campeche, you’ll find unique settings and experiences that fit your special day.

1. Hacienda Uayamon
Built in 1700, Hacienda Uayamon reflects the sophistication of a luxury resort while still highlighting the natural beauty of Campeche. For those looking for a mystic, energizing and peaceful wedding, this is the ideal location. Get married in the vestigial chapel, celebrate under the Ceiba tree or host a rehearsal dinner in a terrace overlooking the jungle. Uayamon is an experience no one will ever forget.

2. Hacienda Santa Rosa
A 19th-century building is the perfect place to host your special day. Hacienda Santa Rosa is a former nobleman´s private estate featuring hand-carved finishes and custom-made settings. Whether you are looking for a small and private wedding or a grand event, Hacienda Santa Rosa offers a memorable gathering to be treasured forever.

3. Hacienda Temozon
A hacienda built of coral walls and white moldings awaits you in the tropical rainforest of the Yucatan peninsula. Host your special day with the beauty of ancient Mayan architecture with venues like breathtaking terraces, horse stables and gardens. Hacienda Temozon provides a perfect scene that your wedding guests will never forget.

4. Hacienda San Jose
Magical walkways of gracefully cut flowers and dirt pathways welcome you to Hacienda San Jose. Exquisite colors pop at every corner of the hacienda, making days brighter and nights more mysterious against the flickering of candles. Host your wedding in the gardens, palapa, bar or restaurant. Venues provide the opportunity to watch the starry nights and listen to the sounds of wild life.

5. Hacienda Puerta Campeche
Create everlasting memories in the Hacienda Puerta Campeche, an architectural collection of colonial houses dating back to the 17th century. Hacienda Puerta Campeche is a magical and historical place to host your special day. Between colorful labyrinthine walls and a roof-top lounge surrounded by stunning views, this beautiful Hacienda has everything you need to create a memorable wedding celebration.

Learn more about The Haciendas Luxury Collection here.

The post 5 Unique Wedding Locations in Mexico appeared first on Islands.

Staying in an overwater bungalow is a no-brainer for a romantic honeymoon, but we say take it one step further and host an overwater destination wedding, as well. These resorts all offer over-the-water wedding chapels that allow you to do just that. Say, “I do,” in an over-the-water chapel, then start the honeymoon in an overwater villa – it’s a win-win.

Sandals South Coast – Jamaica

Sandals South Coast, an all-inclusive, couples-only resort in Jamaica, features a quaint, thatched-roof wedding chapel set on the water. Three glass panels in the floor lead to the altar where you’ll exchange vows in front of an expansive, 360-degree ocean view (due to its location, the spot can be windy, so we suggest skipping the veil for your ceremony).

Once you’ve said, “I do,” start your honeymoon in one of Sandals’ new overwater bungalows, appropriately situated on a heart-shaped pier.

Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa – Bora Bora

Polynesian love songs and ukuleles welcome you and your loved one to the glass-bottomed chapel at Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, which overlooks Mount Otemanu. A Polynesian priest performs the wedding ceremony, incorporating unique touches like handmade flower crowns before baptizing you with your new Polynesian names.

Dancers then surround you with a traditional tifaifai (polynesian wedding quilt) and perform to celebrate your union. Marriages at the resort are purely ceremonial and not legally binding, but the staff can arrange a legal ceremony at Bora Bora’s city hall, if desired.

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru – Maldives

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru

Imagine riding a traditional Maldivian boat, known as a “dhoni,” to an overwater chapel in the middle of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The intimate wedding pavilion at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru comes in at just under 500 square feet and allows for just 16 guests.

Say your vows atop a glass aisle with views of colorful fish and sea turtles, surrounded by floor-to-ceiling glass doors on three sides. The resort’s wedding packages include photography as well as Maldivian Bodo Beru drummers. Be sure to have a legal ceremony back home, as weddings in the Maldives are not recognized in the U.S.

Le Méridien Bora Bora – Bora Bora

From the moment you approach the stained-glass doors of Le Méridien Bora Bora’s Heremiti Chapel, you know you’re in for something special.

The chapel itself sits in a lagoon facing Mount Otemanu, which means your ceremony will be punctuated by breathtaking views of the peak. The chapel’s interior is warm and wood-toned with traditional pews and woven bamboo walls. Glass panels line the floor, creating a dramatic entrance and exit as you’re whisked away across the lagoon on rafts decorated with local blooms.

Ceremonies that take place at the resort are not legally binding, but the staff can arrange for a legal ceremony off-property.

Gili Lankanfushi – Maldives

Gili Lankanfushi’s overwater wedding pavilion, Lagoon Champa, is only reachable via private boat from the resort and offers a cozy setting for your vows. The Secret Wedding Experience, an intimate package for two, includes a four-night stay, a wedding ceremony for two with a special blessing from a Maldivian cleric, photography, a cake, a sunset cruise on a traditional “dhoni,” a romantic dinner beachside and your own personal butler (dubbed Mr./Ms. Friday).

International weddings in the Maldives are not legally binding, so you’ll need to have a ceremony stateside to make it legal.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian – St. Lucia

The glass-walled Serenity Chapel at Sandals Grande St. Lucian overlooks Rodney Bay on the resort’s southwestern end. A glass aisle leads to the river stone altar where you can take your vows in front of up to 20 guests. Enjoy an indulgent, all-inclusive honeymoon after your ceremony in one of Sandals’ recently opened overwater bungalows, with Butler Elite service and an outdoor tranquility soaking tub for two.

The post 6 Best Overwater Wedding Chapels appeared first on Islands.

Above: A beach wedding ceremony setup using the Sophistication theme, one of eight options in the “Aisle to Isle” wedding program at Sandals Resorts. Having a destination wedding at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean is easy and efficient, right? But what if that ease and efficiency could be less cookie-cutter and more elegant or edgy — and totally individualized? That’s what’s being offered by Sandals Resorts’ new “Aisle to Isle” wedding program, which is focused on “Insta-worthy” inspiration that’s creative and captivating (both in person and in photos). And Sandals also offers the ideal spot to embrace Caribbean romance: Sandals South Coast in Whitehouse, Jamaica. Photogenic aquamarine water, gorgeous sunsets and great weather — they’re all reasons to host a wedding there. Here are seven more.

1. The Perfect Tropical Wedding Location

Set on 2 miles of white-sand beach backed by 500 acres of lush gardens, Sandals South Coast feels like its own tropical oasis. The largest of the company’s seven adults-only resorts in Jamaica, it’s located about 90 minutes’ drive from Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay (transport is included), and is comprised of 372 rooms and suites set amid three European-inspired beachfront enclaves — the Italian, French and Dutch villages — each with their own pool and pool bar. (Note: Accommodations in the Italian village are newly renovated and there are some ongoing upgrades to Dutch rooms and suites, but the French Village has yet to be renovated and this is reflected in room rates.)

2. Mix-and-Match Options for Wedding Decor

If you’re a bride-to-be you’re probably obsessed with wedding details, and the new “Aisle to Isle” program offers many. There are eight themes — Romance, Tropics, Passion, Sophistication, Islands, Gardens, Nature and Sand & Sea — each with 18 décor details for aisles, ceremony structure, chair backs, flowers, table settings, cakes, etc. Perhaps the crisp blue and white of Sand & Sea is you. Or maybe the shimmering details of Romance or the beautiful botanicals of Garden. Like a few elements from one theme and some from several others? No problem, you can mix and match any of them to create your own unique vision of passionate, sophisticated, tropical romance. And you can do it based on your budget — spend on what’s important to you to enhance what’s already included in every Sandals wedding.

3. The Overwater Chapel

Let your aisle be the ocean, a pathway of brilliant blue shimmering beneath your feet in the picture-perfect, glass-floored over-the-water chapel, which opened in late 2016. It can accommodate up to 20 seated inside and 10 more outside.

4. Beach or Garden Setting, Martini or Mimosa Bar — the Choice is Yours

Yes, you’re having a wedding at a beach resort, but if you don’t want to actually get married with your toes in the sand, Sandals South Coast offers a whimsical and dreamy Garden option. Think the standard cocktail hour is boring? Then host a chic, tiki-torch-lit beachfront soiree with fun themed cocktail bars (martini, mimosa, whiskey, rum and beer) and rhythmic drummers. Other entertainment choices include violin soloists, piano duos and lively local bands — or add a bit of an edge with fire dancers.

5. The More the Merrier

The more people you invite and the more nights you stay will earn you on-property perks that can add to the merriment of your multi-day wedding event. By booking as few as 12 guest rooms, couples can earn “bells and whistles” that can be used for accommodation upgrades or to offset wedding costs and entertain guests.

6. Your Guests Won’t Be Bored

Aside from the ease of an all-inclusive stay (your guests won’t need to take out their wallets unless they want to enjoy a massage or make a purchase in the boutique), Sandals South Coast offers plenty to keep everyone active, relaxed and happy: four pools, tennis courts, watersports (including free diving), nine restaurants and seven bars (including the sexy over-the-water Latitudes Bar with double hammocks for lounging).

7. Honeymoon in an Overwater Bungalow

Plan ahead if you want to experience the most recent addition to Sandals South Coast: one of the 12 Over-the-Water Honeymoon Butler Bungalows, which make an ideal post-wedding hideaway. Tahitian-inspired with sleek contemporary decor, they opened in December 2017 and are so popular, they should be booked at least three months in advance.

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There are many benefits to having a destination wedding, but one of the best is the price tag. With an average cost of less than $10,000, here are some simple ways planning a destination wedding with Destination Weddings can help you save money and still have the time of your life!

Reduced Venue Costs

Set in some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable, a destination wedding lets the scenery do the talking at a fraction of the cost. Bundled packages for destination weddings often include services you’d otherwise have to cover separately. For example, if you plan your celebration through Destination Weddings, you could score ceremony and reception decor, food, and floral arrangements at a lower cost than booking individual vendors for each service. And, depending on the resort, you could even get an entirely free wedding package!

Combined Wedding and Honeymoon

With a destination wedding, you can combine your wedding and your honeymoon into one occasion. Bundling a wedding and honeymoon can lead to significant savings. Often times, when you book a wedding package, honeymoon perks are included like free, extra nights or a room upgrade. Check out the amazing deals Destination Weddings can negotiate for you.

More Intimate Wedding Size

While a destination wedding can still be a large event, sometimes destination brides and grooms travel far from home in hopes of keeping their guest list small. With hundreds of guests, even small costs can add up quickly, such as save-the-dates, invitations, favors and other considerations. With fewer guests, it’s possible to provide a luxurious experience on a much smaller budget.

The Hidden Costs of Time and Stress

It’s no secret that conventional weddings can have a hefty price tag, but have you ever considered the time and stress that also accompany the planning process? Instead of enjoying their engagement, brides and grooms spend their time visiting venues, sampling cake, coordinating minor details, and much more. Although an official planner can help, this person comes with their own significant price tag.

Instead of stressing about cost and details, imagine handing these tasks to a trusted expert. That’s exactly what happens when planning a wedding with Destination Weddings. With a destination wedding, you share your vision and preferences with your Specialist, and then let the experts take care of the rest.

Whatever your needs, a destination wedding can fit any budget, any wedding party size and any theme from rustic to glamorous. A destination wedding is an opportunity to enjoy a vacation of a lifetime with your closest friends and family. Explore how Destination Weddings can help you along this journey.

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1. Ceremony and Reception Venues

Let’s get right to the main reason this resort shines for weddings: the ceremony and reception venues. With a prime location on Kaanapali Beach, you can choose to host your event with your toes in the sand. However, all Hawaii beaches are public, so that means curious (uninvited) onlookers — sometimes even in their swimsuits.

Our pick for ceremony spots is the newly revamped Halona Kai, a lawn space that can accommodate up to 500 guests. Say I do with a gorgeous view of the ocean (and Lanai in the distance) without the pesky sand, plus the venue is much more private.

The space doubles as a reception setup, so you can toast your married status as the sun sets and tiki torches light up, and then dance the night away under the stars. And don’t worry about your plan B: as a rain backup, the ballroom is equally gorgeous, with a lighting concept that can be customized to your wedding colors.

2. A Romantic Greeting

Every wedding couple deserves to check in to their room and find a bed covered with rose petals, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. This resort has got you covered.

3. Luau Welcome Dinner

The best way to get your guests right into the spirit of Aloha? The Drums of the Pacific Luau, held onsite at the resort. Wedding groups get the red-carpet treatment and special VIP seating, and the Polynesian-themed dinner is all-you-can-eat and drink. A few Blue Hawaiians and your guests will be ready for the main event.

4. Marilyn Monroe Spa

On the big day, get glam with your maids at the oceanfront spa: the full-service salon can do hair, makeup and mani-pedis. After tying the knot, melt away wedding stress with a much-needed couples massage.

5. Authentic Hawaiian Touches

All of the resort’s wedding packages include a non-denominational officiant who will begin the ceremony by the blowing of the conch shell, or pu in Hawaiian. Also included: two traditional Hawaiian leis to exchange in honor of the couple’s commitment to each other.

6. Pool Area

The two main pools don’t disappoint, with a 150-foot water slide, a hot tub and a swinging rope bridge. There’s also a children’s area with a smaller water slide, fountains and a beach play area. Need a break from the little ones? Head to the adults-only infinity pool at the neighboring Hyatt Residence Club, open to resort guests.

7. Penguins! In the lobby!

The property is home to seven African Black-Footed penguins. Your guest will love to watch them swim, sunbathe and interact with each other. Don’t miss their daily feeding at 9:30 a.m.

8. Kaanapali Beach Location

Wake up to the sound of waves outside your private balcony. Stroll along the beach walk to visit shops and restaurants fronting the beach. Take advantage of the water sports offered at the property including stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and snorkeling. And be sure to catch the nightly sunset ceremony held at Black Rock, where a cliff diver plunges into the sea as a tribute to King Kahekili.

9. Group Outing to Lahaina

Catch the daily shuttle to explore Lahaina. Your group can learn the history of the quaint harbor town, which was once a whaling village, and see the banyan tree that dates back to the 1800s. Front Street is also lined with shops, restaurants and art galleries — grab some shave ice and spend the day perusing. In the winter months, this is one of the best spots on the island to see whales, or go on a group whale-watching tour.

10. Farewell Brunch at Japengo

This oceanfront, award-winning Asian restaurant is only open for dinner, which makes it the perfect spot to host a private farewell brunch for your group. The resort will tailor a buffet of local cuisine to your guests (think macadamia nut-crusted bacon, petite frittatas and lavender-seasoned beef tenderloin).

11. Your Wedding Can Pay for Your Honeymoon

Perhaps the biggest perk of hosting your Maui wedding at this resort is that you can earn World of Hyatt Bonus Points. Depending on how much you spend, you can score between 60,000 (two free nights) and 150,000 (five free nights) at any Hyatt hotel around the world. It’s a win-win.

The post 11 Reasons to Have a Destination Wedding at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa appeared first on Islands.

Shopping around for your dream island wedding? You have to check out Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort. Not only will you be surrounded by some of the most scenic views in the Virgin Islands, you’ll also have a wide array of once-in- a-lifetime activities, right at your fingertips. From rum tasting and night kayaking to sunset dinner cruises and snorkeling – you won’t run out of unique, custom options to bring your ultimate island wedding to life.

Rum Tasting

Your wedding guests are going to love you for this. And nothing says “island party” quite like rum. Treat your guests to a rum punch bucket on arrival (with affordable refills) or liven up your beer and wine station with fruit and rum punch.

Night Kayaking

If you’re looking for a unique photo op and a pretty exciting adventure – night kayaking is a popular choice among guests. Located in Charlotte Amalie, you’ll get upfront and personal with wildlife (picture sea turtles, stingrays and more) – with kayak lights fitted to attract harmless wildlife. You can also enjoy a duo kayak for a more romantic twist.

Sunset Dinner Cruises

Time to really impress your guests for the rehearsal dinner. How about a Catamaran sail in the harbor complete with an open bar and dinner? Activities range from power snorkeling to a beach BBQ, making it a top choice for an evening of fun, food and drinks before your big day.

Snorkeling

If you haven’t had your fill of snorkeling on the dinner cruise, try out the half-day swim and snorkel. Enjoy a day on board the Cat, which conveniently departs from our dock. Once you arrive at Turtle Cove, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with wildlife, including sea turtles, stingrays and coral reef.

St. Thomas Island Tour

If an excursion is what you’re looking for, check out the St. Thomas Island Tour, departing right from our lobby. Here, you’ll take in the sights and sounds of the Estate St. Peter Greathouse & Botanical Gardens. And if you’re looking for some hydration (and a shopping break), stop at Mountain Top for drinks and shopping – the perfect combo.

We haven’t even touched the surface on all you can do here, right in the comfort of the resort or close nearby. So if you’re on the hunt for that perfect mix of romance and adventure, think Marriott Resort Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star for your dream island wedding.

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