Many young girls love to dream about their wedding — from the dress they will wear, to the type of flowers on the tables. But one of the most important things that girls dream about is where they get married. Destination weddings are a dream in themselves, but before you book a flight, make sure you know what you are doing.

There are many different factors to consider when planning a destination wedding. The first thing to consider is where to go. The most popular destinations are Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico. People enjoy these areas because of the climate and beautiful scenery and some couples also like the cultural differences, and cuisine.

These locations are fairly close to the United States, yet deciding whom to invite can be a hassle. When making a guest list, it is completely up to a couple on who receives an invitation or not. Some couples will invite only close family and friends, whereas others will invite everyone they know.

Once the guest list is made it is a good idea to send out save-the-date cards right away — some experts say even a year in advance. Sending them out earlier is better, since that will give your guests time to save money, take off work and book their tickets and rooms. When you send out your save the dates, be sure to let your guests know of any discounts or deals the location has to save them some money. Providing any airline information or cheaper hotels in the area is a good idea as well.

Some guests may want to do something while they are at this destination, so having a list of activities for them or even planning one group activity so everyone can spend time together may also be a good idea.

Something to keep in mind when your wedding day arrives is that your guests have traveled a long way for you and your special day. A nice gesture would be to leave a small gift, such as a wedding favor, so they know that you are grateful for them being there with you.

Some of your guests may not be able to come to your destination wedding for various reasons. Many couples have a hard time deciding what to do when loved ones can’t make it to their wedding. One solution is to have a separate celebration back in your hometown where anyone who could not make it to the destination wedding has a chance to celebrate with you.

Another solution is to help guests, who you and your fiance both agree should be at your wedding, pay for a part of the trip. Even simply paying for the hotel room could help this person, or even a few people, be there.

Whatever you decide when planning your destination wedding, the most important thing is for you and your spouse to agree on the decisions being made. Choose a place that will help you celebrate your love in a way that speaks to you and your spouse. There may be a few hiccups down the road when planning, but don’t let that stop you from having that wedding you dreamed of since you were young.