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