By Keith Evans
The
United States is a diverse land with numerous beautiful and
romantic destinations for couples to live out their storybook wedding. From the glitz and adrenaline of
Las Vegas to the serene shores of Hawaii and the breathtaking mountains of the Appalachians, there is a wedding destination for everyone.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Long the king of destinations for eloping couples, Las Vegas has become an icon for American wedding destinations. Each year, more than 100,000 couples choose "Sin City" to join one another in holy matrimony. Many of them take advantage of the dozens of short-notice wedding chapels. For more romantic (though more expensive and involved) packages, consider a wedding at one of the city's name brand resorts such as the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay or the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Billed by locals in the wedding chapel industry as the "Las Vegas of the Smokies," Gatlinburg offers a number of wedding chapels and on-call officiants ready to perform services anywhere in the beautiful mountain town. For a memorable wedding, consider scheduling the ceremony during the peak autumn leaf season, which happens during the first two weeks of October.
Hawaii
For a unique island-themed wedding, couples may consider getting married in Hawaii. Because island customs and practices may be unfamiliar to visitors -- and many couples cannot afford a series of jaunts to the islands during the planning period -- several companies have created an industry out of planning the perfect island wedding. Companies such as Kona Weddings and Hawaiian Island Weddings work with couples to plan the ideal Hawaiian marriage ceremony within the couple's budget.
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is not just a popular destination for adventurous Americans. It is also, according to wedding planning website Excellent-Romantic-vacations.com, one of the most popular honeymoon destinations for Canadian couples. A varied selection of night life, restaurants and attractions blend with dramatic scenery to create an enthralling location for couples to exchange vows.
Florida
From the old Southern charm of Jacksonville in the north of the state to the bustling metropolis of Miami down south, all of Florida is an excellent choice for a wedding destination. Central Florida specifically caters to tourists and travelers, creating easily accessible wedding-and-honeymoon packages. The state is also marriage-friendly, with no residency requirement, blood test or waiting period for non-residents (Florida residents must complete either a three-day waiting period or a state run pre-marital counseling course).
About the Author:
Keith Evans has been writing professionally since 1994 and now works from his office outside of Orlando. He has written for various print and online publications and wrote the book, "Appearances: The Art of Class." Evans holds a Bachelor of Arts in organizational communication from Rollins College and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration in strategic leadership from Andrew Jackson University.
