When a couple decides that they do not want to have a traditional wedding, but would rather have a wedding that “shakes things up” a little, they may consider any number of exotic weddings. An exotic wedding can be anything from getting married on a tropical beach at sunset to getting married on the top of a mountain. Although the term “exotic” conjures up images of tropical places, an exotic wedding can really just be any type of wedding that is far from ordinary.

Beach wedding – Beach weddings are extremely popular, especially in places where the weather is nice most of the year. Getting married on the beach in front of the ocean at sunset can be a memorable experience not just for the wedding couple, but for the rest of the wedding party and the guests as well. Of course, if you are planning a beach wedding on the east coast of the United States or somewhere like the Bahamas, you want to make sure that you don’t schedule your wedding during hurricane season! The weather is never predictable enough during hurricane season to make it safe to plan a wedding then. The southwest coast of the United States is fairly temperate all year round and can be ideal for a beach wedding, but care must be taken if planning a wedding on the central or northwest coast of the United States, as the weather can be harsher there in the winter, spring, or fall.

Nature wedding – Another popular type of wedding, especially for those who love nature, is a “nature” wedding. These usually take place in the mountains or near lakes or rivers, in a clearing or meadow that is large enough to accommodate the guests and wedding party. If you would like to plan a wedding in this type of setting, you need to make sure that you get all the necessary permits to do so. Unless you are using a friend or family member’s private land, you will need to get permission from the proper authorities to have your wedding ceremony outdoors in a natural setting. Places like national parks and camp grounds are popular for this type of wedding, but if you have a wedding in one of these places you need to follow the rules or risk having your wedding or reception broken up and guests asked to leave – something that nobody would want!

Sport/hobby wedding – Just about everyone has seen one of these on television; a couple reciting their vows as they and their wedding official are dropping through the sky after jumping from a plane (and of course, before pulling the parachutes that they are wearing.) Other sport/hobby weddings that are popular are rock climbing weddings, where the ceremony takes place on the way up or once the couple and the wedding official and guests get to the top; horse back riding weddings where the bride, groom, wedding party and sometimes even the guests are all on horseback; scuba diving weddings, where everyone is underwater, and skiing weddings, in which case the couple usually skis down the mountain together after being pronounced man and wife. Sport/hobby weddings are very popular with people who are fanatics about what they do, and they can be extremely entertaining for everyone.

The thing to consider when you are planning your wedding is to decide what is best for you as a couple. Nobody should be able to tell you what type of wedding you should have - if you want an exotic wedding, then, by all means go for it!