Part of the fun with destination weddings, is the couple gets to choose a dreamy, romantic and vacation-like location for the splendid event. Deciding on one can be daunting, as the world has hundreds of places perfect for destination weddings. To begin your search without circling the globe, are some of the most common destinations:

Amalfi Coast

This stretch of coastline on the southern coast of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula has been one of Italy’s greatest tourist attractions. A ceremony can be held in one of the peninsula’s historic cathedrals or chapels that dot the coast, or on one of the three luxury cruise ships – the “Crystal Symphony,” “Oceania Riviera,” and “Seabourn Quest” – sailing on the crystalline waters.

Aruba

Predictable weather – sunshine all year round – is a major reason why this Dutch Caribbean island is so popular with destination wedding planners. Another benefit is the wedding planning website that the Aruba Marriott & Stellaris Casino offers. Budget- and family-conscious couples should consider the Renaissance Aruba Resort, while the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts is geared towards intimate adult-only affairs.

Ballyfin Demesne

Nicknamed the “Emerald Isle,” Ireland is one of the world’s most favored countries for destination weddings due to the fairy-tale aura of castles and countryside villages. The Ballyfin Demesne resort – a 19th century estate encompassing 600 acres of land and lakes at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains – is one of the country’s most strongly recommended locations.

Drakensberg

Noted for its “Dragon Mountains,” South Africa’s Drakensberg provides a chapel at the Cathedral Peak Hotel for wedding ceremonies. In place is a nine-hole golf course, complete with panoramic views of the central South African plateau, which provides pre-wedding rest and relaxation. And after the ceremony is over, everyone can head for the Durban Safari two hours away.

Los Cabos

Located at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos provides a beautiful view of the merger of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean. Also available are a variety of activities to help people unwind; they include kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and relaxing in high-end spas. The Dreams Los Cabos resort is the perfect spot for families and big groups, while Secrets Marquis provides an upscale couples-only experience.

Paradise Island

Long regarded as one of the world’s top vacation spots, the Bahamas presents Paradise Island, which has emerged as the premier wedding-destination island from this Caribbean nation. Paradise Island’s reputation is attributed to Atlantis, a resort and water park that offers a variety of wedding packages and honeymoon deals.

Santa Barbara

Located less than 100 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara offers an enthralling scene comprising hills, vines and beaches. For swapping vows, there’s the rose-decorated Fess Parker Winery garden. Also included are a swimming pool, a Mediterranean restaurant and an inn for the couple. An oceanfront ceremony is accommodated by the Hyatt Santa Barbara beach. And foodies have the feast of their lives at the nearby Pierre Lafond Montecito Wine Bistro.

Santiago de Compostela

For wedding destination couples who want a more traditional setting, only a few places might be able to match what Spain offers. The northwestern Spanish town of Santiago de Compostela has a cathedral that is famous for housing the remains of Saint James the Great, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Completed in 1211, the cathedral sports a stunning Romanesque structure, with elements of Baroque and Gothic architecture added in later centuries. A reception can be planned for the town’s local dance studio, which is called Escuela de Danza Paso a Paso.