“Your weekend wedding was the most memorable weekend of my life.” How would you feel if your wedding guests had that feeling? Not only would your wedding be the most memorable event in your life, but for your guests as well. More and more brides and grooms are realizing the benefits of planning a wedding abroad.

There are many reasons to have a destination wedding. Here are just a few.

They are amazingly accommodating for all budgets. You can run off with just a few friends or throw a gala event for more than 200 guests. Your guest list, location and number of activities will determine the cost of your wedding. More often than not, you will find that the complete weekend wedding can be less expensive than a traditional wedding. Generally this is because you have fewer guests, there are many all-inclusive deals available, and the location serves as a dramatic backdrop to your event.

Because the guest list is typically smaller than a traditional wedding, you automatically create a more inviting and intimate experience for you and your guests. You will find that there are many opportunities for your guests (friends and family) to get to know one another. Many describe the experience as having a vacation with family and friends.

With the proper planning and competent help, you won’t find an easier way to marry. You might be skeptical and think that it is incredibly difficult to plan a wedding a thousand miles away, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. The smart bride leaves the details to someone else. Many resorts have a standard wedding package and if you are hoping for a more customized feel for your event, there are many creative destination wedding planners who are quite adept at making the arrangements for you.

Here are some things to consider.

Location…location…location; it’s everything. It’s your “wow” factor. It doesn’t matter if you are in a secluded beach in the Caribbean, or the Colorado Rockies. Keep in mind not everyone has the desire or the means to travel to the other side of the world and as soon as you accept that fact, the easier the planning will be.

If you chose to marry in a foreign country, make sure your marriage will be legally recognized in your home country. Many countries have various requirements to ensure that your wedding is a valid one; this can include residence requirements and/or notarized documents from your native country verifying your legal right to wed.

Plan early, it’s very important that you invite your guests early! Save the date cards sent at least 6 months in advance is a must. It is also advisable to have a wedding website so you can easily update your guests on travel details and other important information.

Just remember it doesn’t matter if you’ve dreamed of marrying in a small chapel on Cape Cod, the cliffs of Positano, Italy or on a small yacht docked in the shallow waters off Phi Phi Island, Thailand; your dream can be a reality.