When you think of wedding destinations, people dream of far off places like Bali, Costa Rica, Thailand and other locations. Those are all beautiful romantic wedding destinations but the truth is, there are some idyllic wedding destinations just around the corner, so to speak. In keeping with the Five Day Trip theme, I have a list of 10 memorable and chic wedding destinations that won’t break your budget, are easy to get to and can be the perfect setting for the perfect wedding.

What’s not to love about Mexico? Warm people and beautiful beaches make for a close by wedding and honeymoon destination. Getting there is easy and quick; usually just a half day of travel gets an early check in. Make a note of these two romantic wedding resorts: Hacienda De San Antonio in Colima, Mexico. Built as a coffee plantation close to 200 years ago near the foot of Volcan de Fuego (an active volcano) this 25 suite chic mini resort offers couples a rare opportunity to buyout the entire resort for an affordable price. Go to one of the coolest hotel sites at www.haciendadesanantonio.com. A beautifully executed Flash site, but a little slow to load.) My second recommendation, Esperanza Resort Cabo, San Lucas is a one of a kind, 56-room retreat where you may see celebrities and includes amenities found only in more expensive resort hotels. Plush rooms feature floor to ceiling windows, comfy king size beds, tall ceilings, hammocks, artsy candles and water views adding to the ambience already present in this posh setting. Wedding packages from $2000. www.esperanzaresort.com.

The Caribbean has its share of breathtaking islands and one is St. Lucia. Visit www.stlucia.org/ and click the ‘interactive’ map for a tour. Highlights are: Castries/Rodney Bay, Anse Chastanet and Soufrie. Pigeon Island National Park is also highly recommended for an unforgettable wedding scene.

Watch Out! Monkey Crossing… reads a bright yellow sign tacked to a mahogany tree. Where is this you ask? It’s the island of Nevis: one other highly popular Caribbean wedding destination. This 36-square-mile island lies near the top of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, about 200 miles south of Puerto Rico, and just west of Antigua. For more info about Nevis go their official site www.nevisisland.com.

How about a ‘lil southern charm, ya’ll? You might consider Kiawah Island in South Carolina www.kiawahresort.com/weddings/ or the epitome of southern hospitality, Charleston. Visit the official Charleston Visitors Bureau site and click the icon to the right for wedding planners at www.charlestoncvb.com.

One of my favorite cities to visit is Key West, Florida. With it’s coastal setting and New Orleans style atmosphere (the party never stops) Key West is a natural destination for planning your wedding. The architecture surrounding Duval Street is right out of any well known southern city. Graceful anti-bellum homes have been renovated into quaint bed and breakfast inns. And, if you want something more resort like, there’s multiple choice in vacation rentals and luxury hotels. The Key West entertainment menu includes, fishing and scuba charters, ghost walks, and of course the famous bars and eateries along Duvall Street. Find out more at… www.keywest.com.

Our own heartland has thousands of great locations for weddings and honeymoons, but this particular destination always seems to leave lasting impressions: Napa Valley, California with its rolling hills and beautiful vineyards. How can you go wrong saying your vows under the branches of a beautiful weeping willow tree? So beautiful, and ,so much to see. www.napavalley.org

This might be pushing it a little for a five day trip, but it’s easy and can be done affordably. Set your sights on Maui, Hawaii. Always pictured and remembered as a premier wedding destination, Maui might be stretching your budget a bit, but the lush emerald hillsides, majestic cloud rimmed mountains and beautiful beaches make for a wedding and honeymoon setting that will remained etched in your memory for a lifetime. For more info… www.visitmaui.com.

Can you keep a secret? A US Territory, (no passport needed) the US Virgin Islands are famous for their beautiful white sand beaches and aquamarine water. Any one of the three islands (St. Tomas, St. John, St. Croix) that make up this lush tropical setting is perfect for a ‘barefoot in the sand’ beach wedding. Megan’s Bay on St. Thomas, Hawks Nest Bay in St. John and Hibiscus Beach at St. Croix all offer awesome wedding settings. Check out my friend Michelle Smothers at www.islandweddingservices.com for a perfect wedding experience.

Rounding out my ten wedding destination recommendations is the Island of Puerto Rico, 40 miles west of St. Thomas. Puerto Rico includes just about all the amenities wedding couples could ask for and it’s easy and affordable to get there. Chose from a drive through Puerto Rico’s beautiful rainforest, marlin and other charter fishing trips, a nighttime swim in a phosphorescent bay, where every movement illuminates the water in an iridescent glow. There are countless scuba and snorkel trips available for water enthusiasts, too. A favorite wedding and honeymoon destination is the Rincon Beach and Resort. Located on the world famous Rincon Beach, this 4-star resort caters to every whim and fancy. For more information on planning your wedding, follow this link… www.rinconbeach.com/pages/tropical_weddings.html.

Article by: Terry Hudson