When you imagine a destination wedding, you probably think of some luxurious island on a beach in the middle of the Caribbean or maybe on a sailboat in sparkling waters off the coast of Greece. But the truth is, destination weddings don’t always have to be so far off the beaten path. There are a wide array of beautiful locations where you can still get away without having to leave the country. You can tie the knot under the lights in Las Vegas, in a high-rise in the middle of New York City or even in a rustic winery in Napa Valley. Many couples are ditching their passports to fly somewhere within the United States.
In fact, according to TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, domestic destination weddings are far more popular than international wedding locations. In 2011, 70 percent of couples chose a continental U.S. destination for their nuptials, up from the 60 percent who opted for stateside nuptials in 2009. Only 30 percent of couples married in an international locations, down from 40 percent who traveled internationally in 2009. Instead of the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe, couples are tying the knot in places such as Florida, California, Nevada, Colorado, New York and more.
Why are so many couples making the switch? There are a number of reasons. With a domestic destination wedding, you don’t have to drag your favorite wedding dress, favors and all of the guests overseas, which can become a bit pricey. Instead, for a much less expensive big day, you can still get the same breathtaking scenery, diverse settings and luxurious amenities in the U.S. as you would expect to find if you traveled abroad.
If you’re looking for a beach, you don’t have to go a long way to find one. There are miles of gorgeous beaches on both coasts, giving you plenty of locations for the seaside wedding you’ve always dreamed of. One of the top states for domestic weddings is South Carolina, where you can exchange vows on Myrtle Beach, amid pristine white sand and breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
