At the most recent wedding I attended, the bride spoke about how she had always dreamed of having a lavish destination wedding outside the country. Amidst her planning, she ended up deciding not to have a destination wedding, mostly because she didn’t want her guests have to deal with some of the hassles that accompanies traveling outside the country.
After leaving the wedding, and thinking about some of the beautiful places around the the US, I thought, who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?! If you’re thinking of doing a destination wedding but don’t know where to go yet, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of 10 fabulous destinations that won’t have you scrambling to renew your passport!

{A Note From The Editor: As a local wedding blog, we did not have many wedding photos from these locations, so we’ve created a Pinterest Board with photos from a few of the locations, thanks to Style Me Pretty‘s galleries. Niagara Falls wedding photo in this post courtesy of Weddings At The Falls.}

• Niagara Falls, New York
  Niagara Falls is a great place to tie the knot for all kinds of reasons, but the number one reason has got to be the scenery. Niagara Falls will provide you with a backdrop for your wedding photos that will blow you away with all of its natural beauty. There is a variety of wonderful wedding venues that can cater to the exact experience you are looking to have. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can actually say “I do” upon a boat as you travel under the Bridal Veil Falls!

• Scottsdale, Arizona
  If you want to get away from the cold of winter and enjoy some of the best of what nature has to offer, Scottsdale is the perfect wedding destination for you! The Camelback Mountains accompany one of the best sunsets you will ever set eyes on. The winter months in Scottsdale average a comfortable 63 degrees and less than an inch of rainfall! Your guests can turn this destination wedding into a fun family vacay, enjoy some nice weather and also venture to the Grand Canyon!

• San Juan Islands, Washington
  The San Juan Islands, located in Washington State, are not your typical islands. Sure, these islands can offer you the same things that any other island can, sandy beaches and a laid back feel – but they can also provide you with Orca watching and kayaking trips that are sure to make your destination wedding one to remember! You can reach the islands by flying or taking a ferry from Washington. Once you get to the islands you can island hop all day on the ferries that run all day long!

• Redwood Forest, California
  The great state of California has an abundance of gorgeous wedding venues up and down the coast. There are bountiful vineyards and beautiful beaches, but one of the most unique wedding locations in California would have to be the Redwood Forest. The Redwood National Park is home to some of the oldest, tallest trees on earth! Some say that getting married surrounded by the oldest, strongest roots in the world can provide a good foundation for a prosperous marriage.

• Sea Island, Georgia
  Sea Island is one of the most desired wedding destinations in the south and when you see all it has to offer it’s no surprise! Are you looking for a small, intimate ceremony with less than 20 guests? Or a bigger wedding of 400 people? Sea Island has breathtaking venues and locations to accommodate every bride’s wishes! The coast of Sea Island enjoys a gorgeous sunset each night with ancient Oak Trees and sandy beaches that will give you and your guests the ultimate wedding experience!

• Alaska
  Alaska might be one of the most underrated places to wed. The magnitude of natural beauty is awe-inspiring. You can keep warm next to your honey as you wed on the face of a glacier! Too cold? Not to worry! You can also say your “I do’s” on the Gastineau Channel with all of your friends, family as well as humpback whales and sea otters!

• Puerto Rico
  Don’t forget about Puerto Rico! As an unincorporated part of United States territory, American citizens don’t need a passport to travel there. Puerto Rico can give your wedding a unique taste of Latin flavor. From hundred year old cathedrals and rainforests to beautiful stretches of beaches, Puerto Rico has hundreds of gorgeous wedding venues that can accommodate any bride’s personal style.

• Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
  The destinations on this list have all been chosen for their one-of-a-kind experience and the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia is no different. On the surface you can enjoy a jaw dropping view of the Blue Mountains- but underground is where you will find your greatest view of all. Beneath the Blue Mountains are a plethora of massive, limestone caverns that you can wed in! Enjoy the flawless beauty of the caverns as well as the caves reflection pools.

• Kauai, Hawaii
  As cliché as it may be, no one can deny the beauty that is Hawaii. Kauai encapsulates all that Hawaii has to offer. It’s soft, white sand beaches; coral reefs and pristine blue ocean make Kauai one of the most desirable wedding destinations in the United States. Most traditionally, Hawaii is a honeymoon destination, but why not let your guests in on a little slice of heaven and save yourself the long flight after your wedding? Kick the shoes off your put and put a lei around your neck!

• Florida Keys, Florida
  While Hawaii is typically the number one wedding destination in the United States, the travel costs and hotel fees can be financially restrictive to wedding party and guests. The 5 Florida Keys earned their number one spot for having equivalent (maybe even more!) natural beauty in their beaches and being less taxing on your guest’s wallets! The Keys are surrounded by crystal clear waters and stretches of beaches that are truly immaculate. Walk down the aisle with sand beneath your toes and palm trees over your heads!
  

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the photo gallery on Pinterest, here!