Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/201540
away AISLES Saying "I do" to a destination wedding is easier than ever by Roseanne Dela Rosa Associate editor at Weddingbells magazine M onths of planning, a thorny guest list, an army of bridesmaids and groomsmen, a hall filled with distant relatives, a bank-breaking taffeta gown – and a final tab the size of a townhouse down payment. It's no wonder so many couples are opting out of a traditional wedding at home and getting hitched on foreign soil. And they're taking friends and family along with them. Destination weddings now account for around 20 per cent of North American nuptials. The appeal? Weddings away can cost as little as $1,000, a far cry from the average $23,330 spent in Canada (based on an annual survey conducted by Weddingbells magazine). Leaving the country to get married also keeps the guest list lean. And there's usually less stress – the travel industry has caught on to the destination wedding trend, and couples can 20 w e s t w o r l d p20-23_Dest_Weddings.indd 20 >> winter 2013 now sit back and rely on a travel agent, wedding planner or all-inclusive resort to take care of the details. It all adds up to a relaxing getaway that feels more like a reunion with close family and friends than a vow exchange. With that in mind, here is a rundown of three top destination wedding spots, sure to please engaged couples and their guests to boot. Destination: Dominican Republic Ah, the Dominican. This Caribbean country, which shares an island with Haiti in the West Indies, has long been a favoured spot for winter-weary Canadians seeking a beach flop – Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are the two big resort areas. Hundreds of private and public beaches make up the country's 1,288-kilometre coastline, where visitors can fish, sail, kiteboard, windsurf and surf at their leisure. For sports Getty Images 13-10-18 10:16 AM