Destination weddings have become all the rage
Destination weddings are big business these days, with brides and grooms getting married in exotic places around the world. Jim Byers looks at dreamy destinations that allow couples to combine their nuptials with vacations, and share the experience with f
BRITAIN
You probably aren’t getting an invitation to the wedding of the year, that being Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, but you can still get married at a castle in Britain, if you like. Set in 110 hectares of countryside within Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a luxurious country estate with 60 bedrooms and 22 lodges. You can have a formal wedding in the double-height Cathedral Room in the main house or something more casual out on the lawn. The hotel can even arrange for owls to act as ring-bearers.
WHISTLER, B.C.
From lavish galas to casual, intimate gatherings, Whistler can accommodate a variety of wedding styles in one of the most beautiful settings in Canada. The area offers great restaurants in the village and on Blackcomb Mountain (Christine’s is excellent), as well as luxury hotels and fabulous spas such as Scandinave Spa Whistler. You can get married at the sparkling, new Audain Art Museum or the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. Or try one of the big-name hotels, such as the Fairmont Château Whistler, Four Seasons Resort or Nita Lake Lodge. A wedding ceremony at the top of a snow-capped peak also can be arranged.
HAWAII
The recently revamped Four Seasons Resort Lanai provides everything a couple needs for their special day — a non-denominational ceremony officiant, flowers and leis for the bride and groom, miniature two-tiered wedding cake, photographer, Hawaiian musician, Dining Under the Stars dinner, welcome amenity and a personal Four Seasons wedding specialist to guide them. Elopement packages start from US$8,300. The Napili Kai Beach Resort on nearby Maui is my favourite hotel in the state, tucked into a corner at beautiful Napili Beach. The Sea House restaurant is just steps from the water. They also can accommodate small groups for weddings or a dinner at romantic Na Hoku point, with dramatic coastal views and some of the best sunsets on the planet.
BERMUDA
The soft pink Fairmont Southampton rests on one of the highest points along Bermuda’s south shore and features pink-sand beaches, lush flower displays and turquoise waters. Weddings can also be set up on the Great Sound Lawn, or in one of the meeting rooms and suites. The full-service Willow Stream Spa can provide hair styling, manicures and pedicures for the newlyweds and their guests. The resort has created a Bermuda shorts temperature guarantee offer for guests staying at the resort between now and March. If the temperature doesn’t reach a certain daily high, guests who booked the offer will get the night for free.
NEW ZEALAND
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit can get themselves hitched at the Hobbiton Movie Set. You can voice your vows among the beautiful Hobbiton gardens or enjoy the Yard Flat location, which offers great views over the movie set and the iconic Party Tree. Both locations can be completed with canvas tents and a handcrafted “barrel bar.” Receptions can be held inside the Green Dragon Inn from the movies or at the spacious Party Marquee.
CALIFORNIA
The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is in Rancho Mirage, just a couple minutes from Palm Springs. The resort has seen a big increase in destination Indian weddings, as the celebrations often involve large animals such as camels and elephants and the resort has plenty of space. It’s also a beautiful spot for traditional North American-style weddings, of course. Up the coast a bit, Santa Barbara has been a popular spot for weddings and honeymoons over the years, hosting folks from JFK and Jackie Kennedy to Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. Check out the new Hotel Californian.
ICELAND
Pink Iceland is a boutique destination wedding outfit that started as a same-sex destination wedding company but now gets about half their business from mixedgender couples. You can do adventure weddings at an Icelandic waterfall or something more traditional. Pink Iceland takes care of the legal paperwork and often organizes pre- and post-wedding tours, as well as arranging the wedding itself.