The number of American couples choosing destination weddings has tripled in the last 10 years and the trend continues to grow. The notion of a wedding ceremony that combines the allure of travel, a wonderful, maybe exotic location, and an extended celebration with family and friends. Well... what's not to love?

Is a Destination Wedding Right for You?

While destination weddings have definitely captured the imagination of American couples, what exactly does the term mean? Put simply, a "destination wedding" takes place away from home, it involves travel, and it usually extends beyond one day. At the same time, because of the travel element, a destination wedding can be more complicated to plan than a hometown marriage ceremony.

Lisa Light, founder and CEO of Destination Bride, a New York wedding and international events planning company that specializes in destination weddings, is perhaps the foremost authority on destination weddings. She has just published the first comprehensive book on the subject, DESTINATION BRIDE: A Complete Guide to Planning Your Wedding Anywhere in the World. This invaluable resource offers a step-by-step description of the planning process, with suggestions, tips, and advice along the way, as well as practical, area-specific information about wedding resources and venues in over fifty regions worldwide.

But, are destination weddings for everyone? Lisa Light has outlined some of the common considerations concerning destination weddings and suggests doing the following exercise as a couple:

• With destination weddings, the possibilities are endless. Does this give you a giddy "the world is our oyster!" feeling--or a daunting, overwhelmed feeling?
   
• A destination wedding promises a memorable experience. Either you don't mind facing the unexpected, and "unforgettable" is just what you're looking for . . . or you'd rather control every aspect of the experience rather than risk the "wrong kind" of "memorable"!
   
• A destination wedding is often a longer celebration than at home, lasting a few days. You and your chosen one love the notion of spending some time away together! On the other hand, you may feel that one day is plenty for the "group" portion of the festivities.
   
• A destination wedding typically involves fewer guests. You are either okay with the idea of having only your closest family and friends, or you won't feel as though it's really a wedding without your fourth-grade school bus driver or second cousin there to share the fun.
   
• Because of the travel factor, a destination wedding typically is more challenging to plan. You see the difficulties of planning as a fair price to pay for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Or, your focus is already beyond the wedding; you'd prefer a simple ceremony and less hassle.

Lisa further suggests that after a couple has thought through some of the foregoing questions, they should ask the "must-haves" on their prospective guest list whether they would be agreeable to the idea of a destination wedding.

With the pros and cons considered, and the guests on board, the answer to the question--Is a destination wedding really right for you?--may well be yes!

In any case, according to Light, a destination wedding can be a wonderful adventure. "When you combine the allure of travel, a remarkable occasion, and an extraordinary cause for celebration," she says, "the mix is rich with meaning, memories, and opportunities for bonding."