For as long as you could remember, you’ve always dreamed of holding your wedding at an exotic, tropical locale, close to the beach and ocean that you love so much.

Now, that special day has arrived and it’s time to make your dream come true. For a wedding in paradise, you really should consider a destination wedding in the Caribbean Islands.

At odds as to where to begin your planning or which Caribbean destination sites are most popular? No problem; read on for some helpful advice that will guide you along the planning path to your Caribbean destination wedding.

Location, location, location…
The first thing you need to do is choose your location. The list below names several popular destinations.

• Anguilla – beautiful beaches; popular choice of the rich and famous crowd.
• Antigua – boasts 365 beaches, you’ll have a hard time choosing which ones to visit.
• Aruba – offers a sunny, drier climate than many of the other islands.
• Barbados – nicknamed “Little England of the Tropics” because of its former relationship with Great Britain.
• The Bahamas – renowned for magnificent turquoise water and velvety beaches.
• The Caymans – three lush islands of unparalleled exotic beauty.
• Martinique – French food and culture amid paradise.
• St. Maarten – half Dutch, half French; completely duty-free and tax-free.

Let the planning begin…
When you’ve determined your destination, the real fun begins.

Since the Caribbean is such a popular choice for couples, many resorts have on-staff event coordinators who can assist you throughout the planning process. Organizing a wedding is a big undertaking, especially when you’re doing it long-distance. Having a go-to person on location who can advise you and follow up on all of the little details is a huge benefit.

Wedding coordinators can help you with everything - from choosing a florist to advising you on applying for a marriage license.

Another advantage to using a resort’s planning services is cost. Often, package deals are less expensive than if you did the planning yourself. A myth of destination weddings is the expense; actually, destination weddings generally cost less than traditional ones. And, you save on travel since you can honeymoon there too!

One more way to save is by printing your own invitations. The DIY trend continues to gain popularity, offering brides the advantage of creative control and lower costs while still yielding professional results. There are many online vendors for blank wedding invitations. Be sure to check out LCI's great selection of carribean and beach themed invitations.

If you choose to plan your wedding yourself, realize the added complexity of handling all the details from a distance, unless you can manage to visit your destination spot a couple of times before your big day. If you’re the detail-oriented type, this may be right up your alley.

Researching travel and accommodations for your guests is another task you’ll have. If you book your affair at a resort, you may be able to reserve a block of rooms at a discount. Since guests typically pay for their own hotel and travel, it makes their life easier if you can provide them with reasonably priced options.

So plan your destination wedding in the exotic Caribbean if that’s your dream, and create an abundance of lifetime memories.

Tags: beach invitations, destination wedding, resort wedding