Destination weddings are now all the rage. They can provide sun, sea, sand, a holiday abroad, a lovely setting for wedding photos and happy guests - all rolled into one. Not that you necessarily need to go abroad; Scotland has many beautiful wedding venues, including romantic castles, stately homes and stunning churches and chapels.

Here are some positive reasons for considering a get-away wedding.

1. Your wedding photos are going to look great

Once you have decided that you want to get marriage out-with Glasgow West End, the choice of location is enormous. Want to be on the beach - waves lapping softly behind as you make your vows, or perhaps a Chapel in Las Vegas, Elvis crooning your favourite tunes - or perhaps a castle in the Scottish Highlands?

All of these will make a stunning location for your wedding, and they are all available once you make your decision to have a destination wedding.

2 A wedding abroad could be cheaper

Despite what you might initially think, it can be actually cheaper to plan your 'away from home' wedding.

The secret is to find a comprehensive wedding package that fits your available budget. A wedding package where everything is included; transport, flowers, music, air fairs, hotels, catering and so on. It will be possible to get discounts for large parties - so take your time to research the options that are available to you.

3. Leave your stresses and strains at home - and let others do the hard work

Whether your choose to wed on an exotic island beach, luxury cruise shop, Las Vegas chapel or romantic Paris church - the local staff will be waiting to server your every wedding need. Your marriage is a special occasion, so staff will be doing their best to ensure everything runs smooth; they will want you to have a happy day.

Start your new life feeling relaxed - miles away from your normal environment - with all the distractions and reminders of work and day yo day obligation.

4. The weather will be more predictable

Often I see wedding parties arrive at Glasgow's Botantic Gardens for their wedding photos - with the rain teeming down. The photographers choice of location is restricted - in such instances - to the Kibble Palace (local Glasgow West End Glass house) - which is lovely - but maybe it wasn't in the initial plan.

It is probably true to say that you can't guarantee good weather - no matter where you go - but it's equally true to say that Scotland is known for it's rain more than most countries. So you can seek the sun by going abroad - or perhaps seek the snow if that happens to be your preference. When you consider your destination wedding, you have more chance of getting the weather you desire.

5. Your destination wedding could be themed? Not the usual traditional Glasgow City wedding.

Traditional weddings are held in a church, but these days - it doesn't have to be that way. How about a medieval themed wedding in an old castle, a gothic theme or 20s Flapper theme or a nautical theme aboard a cruise ship? You are only limited by your imagination. If you go for a Caribbean theme - that will go over much better in the Caribbean than in Glasgow.

Pat Byrne

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