Undoubtedly one of the first decisions an engaged couple have to make is where to hold the ceremony. What could be more perfect than a destination wedding on a beautiful island replete with sandy beaches, exotic tropical flowers, and the crystal blue sea as your backdrop?

Just a short plane ride from almost anywhere in the continental United States is one of the most beautiful and romantic settings you can imagine for your destination wedding...the Dominican Republic.

There was a time when this type of setting was beyond the reach of most couples, but that no longer holds true. A destination wedding in a romantic setting on the beautiful island of the Dominican Republic can be the perfect place for a special day, and companies such as Island Villa Weddings can arrange the full day letting you relax and enjoy the setting.

The Dominican Republic enjoys sunny weather most days out of the year, with an average temperature of around 77 degrees and boasts some truly breathtaking scenery in which to get married outdoors. In fact, the weather is pretty temperate the whole year round, and even the “rainy month” of May only brings showers rather than the monsoons experienced in other tropical areas. However, if you are bothered by the heat or humidity of the summer you may want to plan your wedding during the cooler (but busier) Winter season of December through April.

The island has a strong cultural flair from it's French, Spanish Haitian, and African influences and the local music and traditions can add to the flavor of any destination wedding held there.

Whether you’ve always dreamed of a beach wedding at sunset or a ceremony in a private mansion, there are plenty of amazing locations. (The Island Villa Weddings website features breathtaking photos of either option to fill you with ideas; so lovely you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a picture postcard. )

Along with a photo gallery, you’ll find information on legal requirements, on-site wedding coordinators, testimonials, and a choice of affordable wedding packages. The site also highlights a variety of fun activities and adventures for the couple and their guests, such as golfing, horseback riding, and surfing -- you can even go on safari!

The whole island is often referred to as “paradise” because of the lush forests, waterfalls and pristine beaches. TrekEarth has some great photo galleries of the Dominican Republic that will have you drooling over your copy of Bride magazine and calling your travel agent within minutes!

Although the thought of struggling with red tape or the hassle of arranging things long distance can put some brides off of a destination wedding as long as you look for an experienced local wedding planner who can take care of all of the details for you there is no reason not to consider a wedding in the Dominican Republic.

For more information about what this lovely island has to offer for weddings and honeymoons check out this fact filled website.