by Jose Luis Zapata, a Belizean photographer

Destination weddings are so common nowadays that they are taking place all over the world and Belize is no different than other popular destination wedding locale. In fact, Belize may even exceed your expectations since it boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world, English is the official language, it’s considered to be the center of the Maya civilization, and it is home to many islands and private beaches than can transform your wedding dream into a beautiful real wedding experience. You can choose to have your dream wedding at any of these stunning locations and I would be more than happy to travel to any corner of our exotic country to document and capture your memories.

Here are ten reasons why you should choose to get married in Belize and say I DO to the one you love in paradise!

Destination weddings usually happen in easily accessible countries and Belize is one of them. We are only a two to three hour flight away from the main airports in the USA and all main airlines have direct flights to Belize. You can even fly in from Cancun, Mexico.

Once you arrive, you can easily hop on a van or small plane that can take you to the various destinations in Belize. If you made arrangements with your resort, they will be waiting for you to pamper you with their warm hospitality. So don’t worry, relax and let loose!

Belize was recently named one of the friendliest places in the world. You can feel safe to walk around and ask for directions or recommendations from the locals who will greet you with a warm smile and point you in the right way.

There is something magical about having your destination wedding on the beach, and in Belize, Ambergris Caye is where most beach weddings take place. Ambergris Caye is also only a few feet away from the world’s second largest barrier reef where you can also get married aboard a catamaran or sailing boat. It’s no coincidence that Ambergris Caye was recently rated the number one island in the world by TripAdvisor.

Other small islands where people can get married include Caye Caulker, St. Georges Caye, Royal Palm Island, Turneffe Island, South Water Caye and even Lighthouse Reef to name a few.

Placencia is also another great location that you should consider to host your destination wedding. It is a peninsula in the southern part of the country.

Start your new life with that special someone by getting close to nature. Belize’s pristine jungles and rainforests are astonishingly beautiful and full of life. You can choose to get married near a meandering river with a waterfall as your backdrop or under a moonlit Caribbean sky serenaded by creatures of the wild.

With Belize being the center of the Maya civilization, in 2012 we saw an increase in Maya Ruin weddings. Actually there are only a few countries that allow people to get married at Maya sites and Belize is one of them. These ancient sacred temples are a magnificent location to seal your love. They are easily accessible from anywhere in Belize including all of the islands. In fact, I always do Maya Reef Wedding packages for couples staying in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. We flew to the mainland where they got married at Altun Ha and then flew back to La Isla Bonita to also have a beach photo shoot.

Whether you are eloping on a budget or having a full blown luxury wedding with friends, family and the whole nine yards, Belize can accommodate both. Belize offers world class service no matter how intimate or grand your wedding is. Just do a little research and you can have your perfect wedding regardless of what your budget is.

Whenever you are choosing your destination wedding locale, you are obviously looking for a beautiful place and Belize has the kind of natural beauty that can complement any taste, whether it be on beach, jungle or even underwater.

Wondering if getting married in Belize is legal? Worry not; your wedding will be official everywhere in the world. Keep in mind that you have to be in the country at least three days before the wedding day and you will need two witnesses. You can usually ask your wedding coordinator, a friend that you have met while on your stay or even your photographer. Yes, I have signed as a witness for many couples.

You just got married in beautiful Belize, what’s next? It’s time for an exotic honeymoon! Belize is the perfect place for a destination honeymoon; you can do it all or do nothing at all. For relaxation, choose to spend your days sunbathing on white sandy beaches, have long Spa days and go on sunset sailing trips. For adventure, go on fishing expeditions, snorkel and dive the Belize Barrier Reef or go on eco jungle adventures which involve exploring caves, ruins and rivers in the mainland.

So there you have it, ten absolutely great reasons why you should choose to have a wedding in Belize. You will certainly have an unBelizeable experience.