Friday, September 22, 2006

Dreamy locations for outdoor weddings

A tropical paradise

There are literally hundreds of beautiful locations for an outdoor wedding in Hawaii, but perhaps the most popular is the stunning Haiku Gardens on Oahu. The Gardens sit on a hillside at the foot of the Koolau Mountains where cool breezes blow, island birds abound and brightly colored
fish laze in a lily pond below. The Chart House restaurant is nearby for receptions. Many brides and grooms, however, opt for a traditional luau. . Another option is to have your ceremony onboard one of the many pleasure boats based in Waikiki. A wedding at sea with the Hawaiian sunset as a backdrop can make wedding photos appear as if out of a fairy tale.

The Wild West

Getting married in the shadows of the majestic Grand Tetons of Jackson Hole Wyoming may appeal to adventurous brides who are inspired by the outdoors and Wild West. Imagine standing beside a pristine lake, surrounded by a field of wildflowers, or taking a romantic trek back to the days of the Old West, with a horseback adventure into the backcountry. The beautiful scenic vistas will make your wedding photographs unlike any others. The Jackson Lake Lodge is available for receptions year round, but the owners advise making reservations far in advance.

A Country Affair

The 200 year old Miles River Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is famous for lush meadows, woodlands and marshes. The Inn, with its sweeping lawns, terraces and woodland walkways, is graced by 10 gardens and two ponds. The Miles River flows past the property. Wedding guests can stroll the lawn that sweeps from the front door down to open marshes, on across meadows, on along paths under 70- to 100-foot-high beech trees. The property includes a stretch of river, two ponds, and no fewer than 10 distinct gardens.

Ancient Spanish Monastery

While it's a bit of a drive, brides and grooms who choose to tie the knot in Miami's Ancient Spanish Monastery, say it's worth the wait. In addition to wedding in the oldest (reconstructed) building in North America, the gardens are magnificent and the view is splendid. The Ancient Spanish Monastery, originally built in Segovia, Spain, in the 12th century, was bought by William Randolph Hearst in 1925 and eventually reconstructed in Florida as a tourist attraction. Grounds include a formal garden and an exterior walkway with arched columns. There are up to five outdoor locations to choose from for both wedding ceremonies and receptions.