Destination weddings by their very nature lend an adventurous element to your wedding that just can’t be captured by affairs arranged in your hometown. Being in an exotic locale allows wedding guests to let go of everyday worries and become immersed in the wedding setting.

Because of their element of fun and air of carefree romance, destination weddings create special memories that will last a lifetime for the bride and groom and wedding guests too. Not only are wedding guests sharing the cherished moments of the wedding with the happy couple, they are also sharing the experience of a fabulous vacation.

Statistics show that destination weddings are quickly growing in popularity. Today, one out of every ten couples chooses to tie the knot in a destination wedding. With destination weddings becoming more and more mainstream, the choices for wedding locations are also growing.

But with so many choices, where are the best places to have a destination wedding? Each different location has its own benefits, but some locations are definitely more favored by brides and grooms than others are. Read on and you’ll learn this year’s most popular destination wedding spots so you can decide on the best place for your destination wedding.

The hottest spots for destination weddings in 2007 are:

The Mayan Riviera, Mexico

Encompassing Cancun, the island of Cozumel and other areas on the eastern coast of Mexico, the Riviera Maya is an inexpensive and exotic location for destination weddings. Couples who choose Mexico for their nuptials will not only be surrounded by amazing natural beauty, but they will also be immersed in the rich culture of the region.

Another reason why the Mayan Riviera is a superb choice for destination weddings is because it is less expensive overall than other locations. You can get more for your money there than you can elsewhere. The extra bang for your buck mixed with the stunning beauty and welcoming culture of Mexico makes the Mayan Riviera a very hot spot for destination weddings.

The Bahamas

Not far from the coast of Florida, the islands of the Bahamas are full of sandy beaches and lush vegetation. The Bahamas are perfect for couples who seek a tropical paradise for their destination wedding. Consisting of over 700 islands, the Bahamas offers a wide variety of wedding sites. You can get married on a white sand beach or in a garden surrounded by hundreds of tropical flowers.

Jamaica

Home to gorgeous beaches and natural gems like Dunn’s River Falls, Jamaica is a tempting place to plan a destination wedding. With over 7 resorts in Jamaica, Sandals and Couples Resorts dominate the destination wedding market on the island. And with the aid of wedding planning services provided by Sandals and Couples, brides and grooms can enjoy the beauty of Jamaica and plan their destination wedding effortlessly. Offering all-inclusive wedding packages to brides and grooms, both Sandals and Couples make it simple and affordable to plan destination weddings.

Hawaii

For couples who live in the Western United States, Hawaii is a perfect location for a destination wedding and can be reached via short flights from California and other West Coast states. From the sizzling nightlife of Waikiki on Oahu to the stunning waterfalls of Kauai, each Hawaiian island holds its own special treasures. Hawaii brings dramatic natural beauty and the exotic Polynesian culture to destination weddings.

As soon as you decide to have a destination wedding, you’ll find that you are faced with a multitude of location choices. Now that you know the most popular spots for destination weddings, you can narrow down your choices and make it easier to pick the perfect spot for your wedding.

A wedding expert, Elizabeth Reuth offers wedding reception ideas online for brides and grooms and is the author of the popular wedding vow book Perfect Wedding Vows in Minutes.