Like the geothermal waters that rise from the earth of Calistoga’s crust, I arrived at Spa Solage bubbling over with the hope of detoxification. I’d spent half the day tasting Napa Valley wines and was primed for a wellness reboot. What lured me to the bathhouse après spa hours was the concept of purification in restorative waters during a floating meditation under the star-lit sky.

Imagine the best run you’ve ever taken on untouched snow. Now imagine repeating this over and over on snow no one has ever skied. Through a new partnership with Powderbird, the Lodge at Blue Sky has a dedicated helicopter for groups to ski deep in the Uinta and Wasatch Mountain Ranges. I joined a group recently and it was an incredible experience to fly over Salt Lake City, which has more than a million people, then head to what seemed like the middle of nowhere. I can’t remember the last time I felt so removed from it all.

Witnessing the Mayflower Inn’s lawn transform from a blank canvas into a grand celebration of love is nothing less than breathtaking. Artfully tucked into acres of sculpted gardens and woodland, the Mayflower Inn’s venue affords an uncompromising wedding ceremony or reception. Two ceremonies? Twice as magical. Brought to life by a bride and groom of Jewish and Kalmyk faith, a past couple celebrated their union with two ceremonies to honor both of their heritages.

Allow the charm and character of Newport’s Trinity Church set a traditional tone for your wedding day. A stunning backdrop for any ceremony, your “I do’s” will be surrounded with the ambiance of immense, deep rooted history that can be felt throughout its tall glass-windowed walls.Trinity Church is a community of Episcopalians that has been welcoming all to gather in its home of worship for three hundred years of service.

Whether it be to mark the moment you proposed or a milestone anniversary date, Hacienda AltaGracia’s Tree For Life offering is a memorable way to bookmark your love story in Costa Rica. Walk hand-in-hand through the wondrous re-forested land that our non-profit initiative has replanted, and adopt a tree to flourish along with your growing love.

Leave our tropical home more lush than when you arrived by joining us in planting mangrove propagules at Nanuku’s onsite nursery. As a part of our Planet Auberge Program, an initiative to decrease each property’s footprint, this eco-conscious activity delights adults, families, and our youngest “tribe members” in the LaiLai Kids Club as they join us in our effort to preserve Fiji's paradise. By getting hands-on in the soil with our community, guests improve the surrounding environment we all so deeply cherish while simultaneously testing out their green-thumb and soaking up Fiji’s majestic, natural splendor.

The collective, deeply-felt emotion that falls over wedding guests as bride and groom walk down the aisle together—beaming in ear-to-ear smiles as newly-weds—is difficult to put into words. Mariachi, however, seems to capture this overwhelming love exceptionally well through its robust, sonorous music. An unforgettable way to transition from ceremony to reception, couple and guests enjoy the option to be lead by vivacious and talented mariachi dressed in exquisitely-embroidered sombreros and traditional attire.

Auberge du Soleil has long been renowned for its legendary views of picturesque vineyards on the valley floor anchored by majestic mountain vistas in the distance. This natural beauty is exclusively accessible for guests of the hotel in a more up-close and personal form via the property’s expansive gardens and nature paths, which, over the years, have undergone an extensive transformation.

On your wedding day, step aboard a helicopter and soar above the clouds to shout your love from the mountaintops! A 10-minute flight over Utah’s Uintas or Wasatch Mountain Range will only make that walking-on-clouds wedding high feel all the more weightless as you soak in sights as expansive and grand as your love. With two helicopters that are each able to hold up to five passengers, the Lodge at Blue Sky offers a unique experience ideal for those who desire an intimate event. Simple tips for taking flight on your special day? Brides, it’s best to keep your wedding attire on the classic and simple side for safety and ease on the helicopter ride. However, if you have your heart set on wearing a veil, we can affix it once on the mountaintop.

One question that we love to ask our couples is, “what do you look forward to the most with your fiance?” Their response is always centered around a lifetime of blessings and meaningful moments. Our "dime in your shoe" tradition represents just that and more. A custom dating back to our British affiliation, brides receive a special dime from their mother or other loved one on their wedding day. The dime is then placed in the bride’s right shoe before she walks down the aisle, symbolizing blessings of wealth and good fortune for the couple.

A romantic Mexican tradition likely to have your wedding party reaching for the tissues, the wedding lasso is a heartwarming way to symbolize your eternal love and incorporate the rich, local culture into your special day. Whether strung with flowers, made of silver, or consisting of ribbons and rosaries, the lasso can be personalized with a material that is meaningful to the bride and groom. Traditionally placed on the shoulders of the couple by family members, the lasso is wrapped in a figure eight form to represent infinite love.

When your love story takes you to Maine, whether to pop the question or to exchange vows, this coastal town is sure to sweep couple’s off their feet with warm hospitality and abundant local treasures. One of these such treasures, Coastal Jewelers, awaits just a three-minute drive from White Barn Inn. A best-kept secret that will make the romantic in you swoon, this jewelry shop offers the unique opportunity to take a piece of our beloved Kennebunk home with you. Step inside and find gorgeous adornments crafted from natural indigenous Tourmaline gemstones that are native to the town of Kennebunk.

Vineyard Vines knows it’s the subtlest of details that can transform your wedding into the polished, picturesque day of your dreams. From ties to clothing crests, our bride and groom’s have adored the boundless customizable attire options for the ultimate in elite style experience. One of our best-kept secrets, this embellishment option is perfect for any couple with timeless taste.

A fine dining wedding menu takes on a whole new meaning at AltaGracia. Here, join Chef Ramces in hand-selecting your special day's ingredients straight from the earth’s soil at “La Huerta,” our 20-acre sustainably-managed farm. As we guide couples through our lesser-known garden gems, from chayote to maracuyá, guests have the opportunity to craft a highly-personalized menu that incorporates the local tastes of Costa Rica.

Upon arrival in Anguilla, where the natural rhythm of rolling aqua waves, slight ocean breeze, and gentle sunshine ease a tension that you didn’t even know you had, it’s hard to believe how this paradise could get any better. However, on your wedding day, white rum begs to differ. A Caribbean tradition, white rum is traditionally sprinkled around bride and groom before their ceremony to ward off evil spirits and start off the celebration with good intentions.

Walk hand-in-hand down the aisle and into your getaway car— a golf cart decked out with wedding decor and ready to whisk you away to your wedding photoshoot location. From fresh-flower garlands to flowing ribbons to an elaborate “just married” banner, style your ride to suit your special day. Post-ceremony, our couples have enjoyed the option to swiftly depart upon a whimsical photo shoot tour to Esperanza's most picturesque, scenic backdrops.

Stephanie Cole and Sarah Drake of Cole Drake Events, a luxury destination Napa & Sonoma wedding planning company, have seen everything from flamenco performances to fire dancers when it comes to unique wedding reception entertainment. It seems dreaming big is trending and there are endless non-traditional entertainment options for the newly engaged to explore. Known for planning exquisite events in the Napa Valley at properties such as Calistoga Ranch, Solage Resort, and Auberge du Soleil, Stephanie Cole & Sarah Drake let us in on the unique, modern wedding elements that will elevate your big day.

Alison Events’ is described as more than just a boutique event-planning firm. “We’re a global team with the creative capacity to design and execute an unforgettable party.” Principle of Alison Events, Alison Hotchkiss, reveals what goes into planning one of these unforgettable parties, giving us a closer look into how one bride and groom’s wedding vision was brought to life. Held in wine country amid Solage Resort’s unique, natural beauty and colored with vibrant hues inspired by the seasonal fruit, exotic spices, and textiles found at an Indian marketplace, this Sangeet (a celebration for Indian families prior to a traditional Indian wedding ceremony) is sure to give soon-to-weds inspiration and make romantic souls swoon.

We specialize in events all over the world. With offices in both Costa Rica and Colorado, we work with clients seeking very different weddings. With the world as your oyster, narrowing down a destination wedding venue can be challenging, albeit exciting. It’s my job as a destination wedding planner to help our clients see their vision come to life in a setting that’s perfect for them. Over the years, I’ve created a formula for getting us to the right place. Follow these guidelines and you’ll be celebrating in paradise in no time!

Jennifer Zabinski of JZ Events shares her most memorable wedding-planning moments, from welcome gifts with altitude kits at Hotel Jerome, to yoga on the pool deck for wedding guests at Malliouhana. Whether emerging trend or tried-and-true detail, the newly-engaged will want to take note of how JZ Events approaches every step of the wedding process with unparalleled creativity, crafting your special day into something that can only be described as magic.