Wedding Locations: where will you walk down the isle?

So you’ve met the man or woman of your dreams and you’ve decided to make the ultimate commitment; but how will you choose the perfect location for your special day? You want your wedding day to be as memorable as possible - after all, it’s a once in a lifetime occurrence (or at least you hope it is!). But with so many places and styles of wedding to choose from, it’s difficult to know where to start.

The traditional church wedding is still the most popular way of tying the knot, and with good reason. Walking down the isle in a beautiful old church, with the organ filling the airwaves and the church bells ringing is the archetypal wedding that many have dreamed of from an early age. Add plenty of confetti and a classic car to whisk you away after the ceremony and you’ve got a recipe for the perfect day.

However, if you find the idea of a church wedding a little too traditional and you’re looking for something a bit more unusual then why not choose an exotic wedding? More and more couples are now saying their vows in all manner of bizarre locations - from snowy mountain tops with skis attached to their feet, to underwater coral gardens, whilst dressed in scuba gear.

If that’s a little over the top for your taste, how about getting married abroad in a place you both love? Some couples choose to combine their marriage with their honeymoon and get hitched in exotic locations such as Jamaica, Thailand or Les Vegas; and surprisingly, these types of weddings can actually be cheaper than a traditional British wedding.

If you don’t want to spend a large amount of cash on a single day, which could otherwise be spent on perhaps more needy causes, then consider a marquee wedding. In a backlash against overindulgent and extremely extravagant weddings, many couples are choosing more modest gatherings. By erecting a marquee in the back garden and offering simple but delicious buffet food, your wedding can be low-cost - but meaningful and fun at the same time.

But, for some couples, nothing but the best is good enough for the big day - and why not? Your wedding is a public display of your love for each other and you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. However, if you choose to hold this type of wedding, it's a good idea to get sufficient help in arranging it. Many hotels for example, offer luxury wedding planning services, which can be tailored to fit your every whim and desire. From intimate gatherings to glittering galas, specially trained wedding staff will be available to ensure that the event runs smoothly, leaving you and your guests to enjoy the proceedings in the most luxurious of surroundings.

Weddings can be stressful, but with some forward planning you’ll be able to find the wedding location that is perfect for you and your partner.

Andrew Regan is an online, freelance journalist.