| When most Americans think of an island, their first | | | | weddings. If you want to get away from the crowds |
| thought is usually the Hawaiian Islands. Certainly Hawaii | | | | of Bar Harbor, you might want to consider the town of |
| is a fabulous place to hold your wedding. But, did you | | | | Southwest Harbor, on the island and 20 minutes from |
| know there are wonderful, romantic islands in the | | | | Bar Harbor. |
| Continental United States and Canada that are just as | | | | You can even have your wedding at Acadia National |
| romantic for your wedding and may be a little closer to | | | | Park, which also tops many "Best of" lists. You will |
| home? Here are some you might want to consider: | | | | have to pay a permit application fee of $50, and there |
| 5 Top Romantic Islands for Weddings in the | | | | are certain restrictions. For more information you can |
| Continental U.S. and Canada | | | | visit the National Park Service site at and find |
| 1. Catalina Island - California | | | | information for Acadia National Park. |
| Located 26 miles from the coast of Los Angeles, | | | | 4. Cape Breton - Nova Scotia |
| Santa Catalina Island is and always will be "the island | | | | If you're located outside Canada or the Northeastern |
| of romance." Although Catalina Island was hit by a | | | | United States, you might not be familiar with Cape |
| wildfire in 2007, the city of Avalon was untouched and | | | | Breton Island in Nova Scotia. But, apparently enough |
| is still one of the most romantic spots in Southern | | | | people have visited this beautiful destination to have |
| California to have your wedding, just the two of you or | | | | voted it one of the "Top North American Islands" in the |
| with friends and family. | | | | 2006 Reader's Choice Awards for Conde' Naste |
| Catalina Island abounds with great spots to hold your | | | | Traveler magazine. In 2006 Travel + Leisure ranked |
| wedding. If you wish a larger ceremony, you might | | | | Cape Breton Island as the #1 island in the Continental |
| want to choose some of the more formal venues like | | | | U.S. and Canada. |
| the Descanso Beach Club or the Catalina Country | | | | If the two of you are into outdoor activities, Cape |
| Club. If you wish a small, intimate ceremony, you can | | | | Breton Island is the place for your wedding and |
| hire an officiant to perform a wedding at such places | | | | honeymoon. There you will find the world-famous |
| as Buena Vista Point on Mt. Ada overlooking the | | | | Cabot Trail, considered by some as one of the most |
| ocean, the beach, or the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. | | | | beautiful scenic destinations in the world. |
| Of course, you will have to get a permit for the public | | | | For a small wedding of just yourselves or up to 18 |
| areas. | | | | guests, check out Castle Moffett, which overlooks the |
| 2. Sanibel Island - Florida | | | | Bras d'Or Lakes. Castle Moffett has earned both |
| Located off the coast of Southwest Florida and about | | | | Canada select's Five Star and AAA Four Diamond |
| 30 minutes from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is world | | | | ratings. Call them toll-free at 888-756-9070 for more |
| renowned for its white sand shelling beaches, which | | | | information. |
| provides visitors with an abundance of seashells from | | | | 5. Vancouver Island - Vancouver |
| the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel Island is a place to get | | | | Vancouver Island has also made the Travel + Leisure |
| away from the high-rises of other beach tourist | | | | and Conde' Naste Traveler's lists for 2006. Known as |
| communities and just relax. | | | | "Canada's Paradise on the Pacific," Vancouver Island is |
| If you'd like a beach wedding, check out Casa Ybel | | | | known for its beauty - year-round blooming gardens, |
| Resort's Thistle Lodge, which has been hosting | | | | lush rainforests, beaches, rocky shorelines - as well as |
| weddings for more than 100 years. You can choose | | | | the "quintessentially-British" city of Victoria, with its high |
| to have your wedding in one of the many resort | | | | teas, double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages. |
| locations such as a secluded white-sand beach, the | | | | A wedding here will certainly give couples a wide |
| lakeside gazebo, or the grand Thistle Lodge. Call them | | | | range of experiences. |
| at 866-748-8958 for more information. | | | | As for your wedding venue, you have many |
| 3. Mount Desert Island - Maine | | | | outstanding choices on Vancouver Island, from public |
| What's so special about Mount Desert Island in Maine? | | | | parks to elegant hotels. Do check out the Sooke |
| The beaches, the vistas, and Acadia National Park are | | | | Harbour House on Whiffen Spit Beach, which offers |
| just a few of the reasons why you should consider | | | | weddings on the beach and in gardens with 180 |
| Mount Desert Island. Another reason is the number of | | | | degree Pacific Ocean views. Sooke Harbour House |
| "Best of" lists which Mount Desert Island finds itself on | | | | has the distinction of winning the Wine Spectator |
| year after year. | | | | Grand Award for 2006, offering one of Canada's five |
| Bar Harbor is the most popular town on the island, with | | | | best wine lists. Call them at 250-642-3421 for more |
| Frenchman Bay being a sought-after spot for many | | | | information. |