While a lot of individuals opt to tie the knot in their childhood hometowns, a lot more prefer to jet off to another city or country for an amazing destination wedding. There are a lot of perks that come with getting married at home where you are surrounded by memories and everything familiar. However, nothing beats a carefully planned destination wedding.

Destination weddings are once-in-a-lifetime experiences that combine the beauty of traveling with the romance of tying the knot. Indeed, who wouldn’t want to make the single most important commitment of their lives while experiencing a new culture with their closest and dearest?

Destination weddings are an excellent choice for couples that are not as manic with their wedding planning. With these weddings, the couples often have to make major decisions from miles away. They also have to entrust the planning process with someone as they don’t enjoy opportunities to do certain things like view the venue or meet all the vendors in person before the big day.

Even though this can become unnerving sometimes, the great thing about destination weddings is that they can be any size that you want them to be based on your budget. Some weddings only involve the eloping couple or the couple and a few of their friends. Others are blown out affairs that require elaborate planning for months.

Whether you are in the market for a beach wedding or a snowy one in the Alps, here are 5 cities that you should consider for your destination wedding:

Baltimore

While destination weddings are becoming a more popular choice for couples, not everyone feels comfortable asking their guests to spend hundreds on travel and accommodation expenses just to watch them tie the knot. But you don’t actually have to travel miles and miles to enjoy a beautiful destination wedding. There are numerous locations all over the country, one of them being Baltimore.

Boasting bustling cities, golf courses as far as the eye can see, and stunning bays that make for perfect backdrops, Baltimore has it all for couples looking for an affordable but great destination for their wedding. The landscape in Baltimore offers more variety than you can imagine so couples will have an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues, both indoor and outdoor, to choose from.

Boston

If you are big on history, then Boston is a great pick for history buffs to get married in. As one of the oldest cities in the country, there are lots to choose from in this city. Choosing a wedding venue may even require more work than expected because you will be spoilt for choice.

Because it is the largest city in the state, Boston is an attractive option for couples planning their wedding notable for its culture and jaw-dropping skyline. From gorgeous forests to bustling cities and quaint little towns, Boston will offer you a variety of options for your Big Day.

If history is what you are after, fine museums and some of the oldest neighborhoods in the country are all the more reason to choose Baltimore as your destination of choice. Indeed, history and natural beauty interweave enchantingly in Boston. All couples are unique, so wedding planning will vary greatly.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the Lonestar State so it offers couples an eclectic atmosphere, a perfect blend of urban and country undertones with lots of great things to do. All marriages are permitted and legal in Austin include same-sex, religious, as well as civil marriages.

And don’t even get us started on the stunning range of wedding venues and vendors available. From barns and gardens to hilltops and unique buildings, the city has it all. The weather in Austin is also great all through so you can tie the knot at any point of the year whether spring, summer, winter, or autumn, and you are still guaranteed to have the best wedding experience.

Cape Cod

With its pristine beaches, grassy dunes, shimmering waters, and verdant countryside, Cape Cod is made up of a series of smaller towns each offering its unique personality. Collectively, each of these small cities will offer couples a range of settings that ran the gamut from luxury resorts to quiet getaways consisting of rustic fishing villages.

Surrounded by impressive views, you and your guests will feel like royalty on your special day whichever town you choose for your special day. If you are interested in a venue that offers a charming oceanfront venue promising wraparound views of the coastline, then it might take you a little longer to settle for a venue owing to the broad variety of options.  You simply won’t find charm like it in any big city so if you’ve always wanted a venue on the water, you should seriously consider Cape Cod.

Charleston

There is no denying that Charleston is one of the most beautiful cities in the country. Thus, the city is a hot spot for couples looking to have a destination wedding. Offering couples a taste of Southern hospitality, numerous luxury hotels at affordable costs, and a plethora of delightful wedding venues, it doesn’t get any better than Charleston.

It’s also worth mentioning that Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the country. As such, if you are also looking for a destination with lots of history, then you will be pleased with what Downtown Charleston has to offer. Here, couples will be treated to cobblestone streets, colonial horse carriages, and all types of architectural designs that will provide the perfect setting for your wedding photography.

Couples really do get to enjoy the best of both worlds in Charleston, whether they are interested in a bit of city life or beautiful beaches. For those who would love to venture out of the urban area for a laid-back atmosphere, there are several options available too.

Final Thoughts

Saying yes after the big question was popped was easy. Embarking on a wedding planning? Slightly harder. But fear not, with these great destinations, it should be a little easier to plan the destination wedding of your dreams.