Top Island Weddings - U.S. and Canada

When most Americans think of an island, their first thought is usually the Hawaiian Islands. Certainly Hawaii is a fabulous place to hold your wedding. But, did you know there are wonderful, romantic islands in the Continental United States and Canada that are just as romantic for your wedding and may be a little closer to home? Here are some you might want to consider:

5 Top Romantic Islands for Weddings in the Continental U.S. and Canada

1. Catalina Island - California

Located 26 miles from the coast of Los Angeles, Santa Catalina Island is and always will be "the island of romance." Although Catalina Island was hit by a wildfire in 2007, the city of Avalon was untouched and is still one of the most romantic spots in Southern California to have your wedding, just the two of you or with friends and family.

Catalina Island abounds with great spots to hold your wedding. If you wish a larger ceremony, you might want to choose some of the more formal venues like the Descanso Beach Club or the Catalina Country Club. If you wish a small, intimate ceremony, you can hire an officiant to perform a wedding at such places as Buena Vista Point on Mt. Ada overlooking the ocean, the beach, or the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. Of course, you will have to get a permit for the public areas.

2. Sanibel Island - Florida

Located off the coast of Southwest Florida and about 30 minutes from Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is world renowned for its white sand shelling beaches, which provides visitors with an abundance of seashells from the Gulf of Mexico. Sanibel Island is a place to get away from the high-rises of other beach tourist communities and just relax.

If you'd like a beach wedding, check out Casa Ybel Resort's Thistle Lodge, which has been hosting weddings for more than 100 years. You can choose to have your wedding in one of the many resort locations such as a secluded white-sand beach, the lakeside gazebo, or the grand Thistle Lodge. Call them at 866-748-8958 for more information.

3. Mount Desert Island - Maine

What's so special about Mount Desert Island in Maine? The beaches, the vistas, and Acadia National Park are just a few of the reasons why you should consider Mount Desert Island. Another reason is the number of "Best of" lists which Mount Desert Island finds itself on year after year.

Bar Harbor is the most popular town on the island, with Frenchman Bay being a sought-after spot for many weddings. If you want to get away from the crowds of Bar Harbor, you might want to consider the town of Southwest Harbor, on the island and 20 minutes from Bar Harbor.

You can even have your wedding at Acadia National Park, which also tops many "Best of" lists. You will have to pay a permit application fee of $50, and there are certain restrictions. For more information you can visit the National Park Service site at nps.gov and find information for Acadia National Park.

4. Cape Breton - Nova Scotia

If you're located outside Canada or the Northeastern United States, you might not be familiar with Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. But, apparently enough people have visited this beautiful destination to have voted it one of the "Top North American Islands" in the 2006 Reader's Choice Awards for Conde' Naste Traveler magazine. In 2006 Travel + Leisure ranked Cape Breton Island as the #1 island in the Continental U.S. and Canada.

If the two of you are into outdoor activities, Cape Breton Island is the place for your wedding and honeymoon. There you will find the world-famous Cabot Trail, considered by some as one of the most beautiful scenic destinations in the world.

For a small wedding of just yourselves or up to 18 guests, check out Castle Moffett, which overlooks the Bras d'Or Lakes. Castle Moffett has earned both Canada select's Five Star and AAA Four Diamond ratings. Call them toll-free at 888-756-9070 for more information.

5. Vancouver Island - Vancouver

Vancouver Island has also made the Travel + Leisure and Conde' Naste Traveler's lists for 2006. Known as "Canada's Paradise on the Pacific," Vancouver Island is known for its beauty – year-round blooming gardens, lush rainforests, beaches, rocky shorelines - as well as the "quintessentially-British" city of Victoria, with its high teas, double-decker buses and horse-drawn carriages. A wedding here will certainly give couples a wide range of experiences.

As for your wedding venue, you have many outstanding choices on Vancouver Island, from public parks to elegant hotels. Do check out the Sooke Harbour House on Whiffen Spit Beach, which offers weddings on the beach and in gardens with 180 degree Pacific Ocean views. Sooke Harbour House has the distinction of winning the Wine Spectator Grand Award for 2006, offering one of Canada’s five best wine lists. Call them at 250-642-3421 for more information.

Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of a destination wedding website, where you can learn about such wedding venues as Maine Weddings and Weddings in Jamaica.

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