Canary Hotel Rooftop Reception (Source: http://www.canarysantabarbara.com/plan/special-events.php)

With friends and family scattered all over the country, your wedding is going to be a destination for some – or even most – of your guests. Why not plan your day in a city everyone would want to visit even if you weren’t getting married? Check out three of my favorite wedding cities.

1. Sedona – Best destination for wedding photos. Towering red rock formations contrast against a deep blue sky to make for awe-inspiring outdoor ceremony sites and phenomenal photo-ops. Sedona is perfect for nature-lovers and spiritual seekers – free spirits are welcome – and also for guests who enjoy active vacations. Hiking,white-water rafting, rock-climbing, horseback riding – and a number of day-spas – are within easy reach. Sedona is sure to please all ages and interests.

2. Santa Barbara – As close to Europe as you can get, in California. Some visitors compare Santa Barbara to Monaco, and it does have that wealthy coastal European vibe from a distance. Up close though, it’s more of a sandal and sundress town, with quirky family-owned shops next to chic wine bistros, and run-down Victorian homes blocks away from newly-minted Spanish-style hotels. Santa Barbara weddings are pricey, but you can cut costs byhaving your ceremony on the lawn of the beautiful Santa Barbara County Courthouse for just a$625 site fee. Then, head over to the Canary Hotel’s rooftop for a reception with a view of the city and sea.

3. Las Vegas – When you want to put the “party” in “wedding party,” think of Vegas from your guests’ perspectives. Hotel rates are constantly discounted, automatically giving them better value for their dollar, and even Grandma can find a cozy chair in front of the slots. Cutting costs in Sin City is easy, and a little research pays off big time. Most resorts offer discounts for Sunday or weekday weddings, which can save you a few hundred dollars. Considering room rates also drop on those days, having a mid-week wedding is the easiest way to keep prices down for the entire wedding party – as long as your guests can skip work for a few days.