Any suggestions for a destination wedding -- we're in the southeast US so that area or Caribbean might be a choice. Thanks

FWIW, My suggestion is to consider those friends and relatives who would love to join you on the important day, but cannot afford the destination. I'd rather have their company (back home), and head to whatever destination afterwords, then expect the guests to come to the destination.

What is your budget? From what city are most of your guests coming from?

Without knowing any of the above, I suggest Litchfield Plantation in Pawleys Island South Carolina. I've been to four weddings there and it is breath taking.

www.LitchfieldPlantation.com

I've been to a few weddings at Lake Tahoe - one on a boat, one right next to the water, and one in a Stateline hotel/casino in a room with big windows overlooking the lake. All were wonderful.

From the Southeast? Lake Tahoe would cost your guests a fortune and multiple flights. Go for somewhere easy to get to.

I always wonder about destination weddings unless they are very small.. My friend went to one in Puerto Vallarta--yes it was cheap for the bride and groom but can you imagine how much it cost the guests?

Jwallace - I bet you had NO idea that the destination wedding would cost your guests more than a home town wedding, did you? Well, you have come to the right place! Not only will you learn that it will costs your guests more money (that WE know they can't afford) but right here on fodors you will also learn how inconsiderate YOU are being for having YOUR wedding where YOU want it. And, if you are lucky you may even get a few ideas on where to have it! ;-)

I wish I were invited to a destination wedding.

My sister and her husband got married in Las Vegas. The whole family had made plans to attend, and it was going to be great. Unfortuantely, 1 week before the wedding, the groom's parents had to back out because they had unexpected, expensive home repairs. The rest of us went, and we tried to make the best of the situation, but we could all tell that the groom was sad because his family wasn't there.

I went to a wedding last September (from New York City area) at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas and we all had a blast. I shared a spacious room with 2 female relatives and it worked out fine. We used up miles on Delta but if that hadn't worked out JetBlue had good fares. This September I'm going to another family wedding in Nashville. By the way about 60 people were in attendance for the wedding in Vegas.
So, jwallace, how about New Orleans or San Juan? Those are farely large markets so reasonable rates are usually available and they're in locations where people can explore before and after the wedding.

A friend of mine also had a desination wedding in Las Vegas at a ranch outside of the city, it was just lovely, and about 50 people made it, not a bad turn-out, but many also couldn't afford it. My niece is having hers at a lodge in Maine, but after the accomodations @ $200 pp per night and finding childcare for the weekend, it doesn't leave much $ for a gift. Luckily it's within driving distance (2-3 hours)and we don't have to pay for airfare and rental car. You may consider having one within reasonable driving distance of most of your guests. I think you'd have a better turn out and your guests won't have to shell out a fortune to see you get married. I also had thought of a desination wedding and didn't want anyone to feel left out if they couldn't afford to go, so we decided to have it at home and invite the guests to join us on our cruise honeymoon a few months later (second marriage). Whatever you decide, have a great wedding!

What's the difference between going to a friend's or relative's wedding in their hometown that is far away from you or going to a destination wedding? You have to travel either way. I would suggest Key West (because it is one of my favorite places) or Puerto Rico because it is easily accessible from many major cities. Other thoughts might be New Orleans, Charleston or Savannah.

Oops - I read southwest rather than southeast. Sorry.