A destination wedding is one where you get married at a location different than where you or your families live. They are particularly popular for second marriages or with those couples that are a little older and don't want a lavish affair. The most common destinations are beach locations, like Cancun, Hawaii, or the Caribbean. If you are considering getting married at an exotic location, here are some things to contemplate.

1. Consider what time of year to have your wedding. Hurricane season lasts from June through November, with the most active period from mid-August through October. The chances of a hurricane actually hitting during wedding aren't that great, but if a major hurricane hits the location within a few months of your wedding, there could be significant damage, which could affect your ability to have your ceremony (not to mention the hardship for the people that actually live there). If the possibility that your wedding could be disrupted makes you nervous, consider an area less prone to hurricanes, like the Pacific side of Mexico or Hawaii. You should also carefully check the typical weather conditions (including the temperature and average rainfall) at the locations you are evaluating. In general, the northern Caribbean (e.g., Bahamas) can be a little cool in the winter, while other areas such as Cancun might be too hot in the middle of summer.

2. Evaluate your guest list. If you want to make sure some of your older relatives (grandparents, great Aunt, etc.) can be there, make sure they are able to travel conveniently to the location where you wish to have your wedding. If you live on the East Coast, you can get to the Caribbean fairly easily, but Cabo San Lucas or Maui would encompass a whole day's travel. Keep in mind that many of your friends and quite a few relatives will not be able to make it, even though they would no doubt love to go. Finding the time to get off of work and paying for the trip will be a major expense for your guests. The more advanced notice you can give people, the more likely it is they will be able to come.

3. Have an itinerary or suggested list of activities for the days before and after your wedding. At a traditional local ceremony, the bridal party expects a rehearsal dinner the night before, and the wedding ceremony and reception, and that's it. For a destination wedding, your guests will likely be there for several days, and you will want them to enjoy themselves while you attend to any last minute wedding details. Although they are there primarily to support you and witness your marriage, most will also want to squeeze in some vacation time after traveling a long distance. Coordinate with the local wedding planner for golf outings, snorkeling, trips to local sites, etc. Your guests will appreciate your efforts to make their time enjoyable.

4. Carefully check the legal rules. If you are getting married in another country, or even another state, make sure you double-check the laws regarding making your marriage legal. Most wedding planners or event locations will be familiar with the laws in their area, but it pays to double-check, just to make sure. You don't want to return from your honeymoon, only to find out you aren't legally married.

5. If you decide you'd rather have your ceremony locally after all, you can still have a "beach" themed wedding any time of the year. Incorporate the theme into your reception hall decorations by using sand, sea shells, island-style decor and bright colors like blue and green. Dress up the reception tables with some beach themed wedding favors such as floating flip flop candles or sea shell bottle openers and your guests will be transported directly to the sun and sand. Use exotic flowers like Birds of Paradise, and give your reception menu a tropical flair by offering selections like grilled chicken with pineapple salsa. You can always jet away to the warm sun and blue ocean on your honeymoon!