The sub-zero temperatures that roared across the country last week got a lot of just-engaged couples dreaming about weddings in places where the sand is talcum-soft, the water is as clear as acrylic, and tropical flowers perfume the trade winds.
Exotic escapes like these aren’t a frugal wedding choice, but they do pack plenty of punch: You can wrap the wedding and honeymoon into one dream trip, and spend a few blissed-out days with the people who mean the most to you. Talk about an excellent return on investment.
Word to the wise: While most event planners agree that destination weddings cut down on the guest list, places this seductive tend to get a lot of “yes” RSVPs. Something to keep in mind when deciding whether to invite those college friends you haven’t spoken with in the last year or more.
Dream Destinations & Dresses
Together with my favorite fashion guru, Rachel Leonard, I put together a shortlist of five stunning beach locations for a tropical wedding—Bora Bora, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Maui, and Barbados—and paired each with a dress that looks as though it had been designed just for that spot. You can read all about it here on Observer.com.