Top Island Weddings - U.S. And Canada

When most Americans think of an island, their firstweddings. If you want to get away from the crowds
thought is usually the Hawaiian Islands. Certainly Hawaiiof Bar Harbor, you might want to consider the town of
is a fabulous place to hold your wedding. But, did youSouthwest Harbor, on the island and 20 minutes from
know there are wonderful, romantic islands in theBar Harbor.
Continental United States and Canada that are just asYou can even have your wedding at Acadia National
romantic for your wedding and may be a little closer toPark, 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 theare certain restrictions. For more information you can
Continental U.S. and Canadavisit the National Park Service site at and find
1. Catalina Island - Californiainformation 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 islandIf you're located outside Canada or the Northeastern
of romance." Although Catalina Island was hit by aUnited States, you might not be familiar with Cape
wildfire in 2007, the city of Avalon was untouched andBreton Island in Nova Scotia. But, apparently enough
is still one of the most romantic spots in Southernpeople have visited this beautiful destination to have
California to have your wedding, just the two of you orvoted 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 yourTraveler magazine. In 2006 Travel + Leisure ranked
wedding. If you wish a larger ceremony, you mightCape Breton Island as the #1 island in the Continental
want to choose some of the more formal venues likeU.S. and Canada.
the Descanso Beach Club or the Catalina CountryIf the two of you are into outdoor activities, Cape
Club. If you wish a small, intimate ceremony, you canBreton Island is the place for your wedding and
hire an officiant to perform a wedding at such placeshoneymoon. There you will find the world-famous
as Buena Vista Point on Mt. Ada overlooking theCabot 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 publicFor a small wedding of just yourselves or up to 18
areas.guests, check out Castle Moffett, which overlooks the
2. Sanibel Island - FloridaBras d'Or Lakes. Castle Moffett has earned both
Located off the coast of Southwest Florida and aboutCanada select's Five Star and AAA Four Diamond
30 minutes from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is worldratings. Call them toll-free at 888-756-9070 for more
renowned for its white sand shelling beaches, whichinformation.
provides visitors with an abundance of seashells from5. Vancouver Island - Vancouver
the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel Island is a place to getVancouver Island has also made the Travel + Leisure
away from the high-rises of other beach touristand 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 Ybelknown for its beauty - year-round blooming gardens,
Resort's Thistle Lodge, which has been hostinglush rainforests, beaches, rocky shorelines - as well as
weddings for more than 100 years. You can choosethe "quintessentially-British" city of Victoria, with its high
to have your wedding in one of the many resortteas, double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages.
locations such as a secluded white-sand beach, theA wedding here will certainly give couples a wide
lakeside gazebo, or the grand Thistle Lodge. Call themrange of experiences.
at 866-748-8958 for more information.As for your wedding venue, you have many
3. Mount Desert Island - Maineoutstanding 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 areHarbour House on Whiffen Spit Beach, which offers
just a few of the reasons why you should considerweddings on the beach and in gardens with 180
Mount Desert Island. Another reason is the number ofdegree Pacific Ocean views. Sooke Harbour House
"Best of" lists which Mount Desert Island finds itself onhas 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, withbest wine lists. Call them at 250-642-3421 for more
Frenchman Bay being a sought-after spot for manyinformation.