What is your dream wedding? Is it at a romantic castle? Or maybe it's by the sea? Some couples want to keep family traditions, like getting married in the same church as their parents or grandparents. Other couples want adventure -- something new and unique. How do you decide? Your wedding day is going to be one of the most important days of your life, and you want it to be memorable.

Many couples want their wedding to stand out, to be uniquely them. Some will decide to plan a destination wedding at a historical venue, a beautiful outdoor setting or any unique place that makes the day truly special. Perhaps they'll choose to marry at a place relevant to their cultural heritage, a memory of where they met, somewhere that expresses their passion or even somewhere they can do an activity they've dreamed of doing together. Destination weddings are typically defined as venues more than 100 miles from the couple's home location, and they require guests to make a sometimes lengthy journey. While there are beautiful venues chosen around the world, there are also many sites within the U.S. that American couples choose -- which eliminates the problem of making sure the couple and their guests have passports and visas.

Choosing a faraway destination can affect your guest list; not everyone may have time for the trip or be able to afford the travel expense. Destination weddings are not as easy on the guests and usually require hotel accommodations for at least one night. Generally, unless there is a unique financial situation, the bridal couple should offer to pay for their bridal party and parents' room accommodations, or, at the very least, try to arrange a group discount for travel. If the couple has elderly grandparents, they may not be able to attend at all. Of course, with the popularity of livestreaming events, you might be able to "include" some guests to at least observe the nuptials.

You should plan a few events for your guests. Find out if the hotel or venue has any local activity packages available, and turn the wedding into a family vacation. This can work out especially well if you are beginning your married life as a blended family with children. If you've chosen your honeymoon spot to get married in, make sure that any activities you plan will also allow you and your new spouse some privacy.

If you want a large wedding, picking a local venue will allow more of your guests to attend, and from a more selfish standpoint, your guests will be able to put more money into a wedding gift with the money they would otherwise be spending on travel expenses.

You will have more of an opportunity to be involved with planning your wedding if you can visit the site beforehand and actually consult with your caterer, officiant, entertainment and photographer. If you've chosen a distant venue, find out if they offer wedding planning services to oversee all the details that will go into making your day special. In addition to asking the destination wedding planner/coordinator for information, do your own research as to wedding requirements -- licenses, waiting times, blood tests, etc. And it is especially important to consider the paperwork and vaccines required for travel outside of the country.

Whether you plan your wedding at a local site or a faraway destination, you should always find a local hotel for out-of-town guests and arrange for a special guest rate. Leave gift packages in your guests' booked rooms, and make sure to give them local information to make their stay more enjoyable. Arrange a breakfast or brunch the next day, either in the hotel or at a local restaurant, and if you will have already left for your honeymoon, arrange for a friend or relative to host the event. No matter where you say, "I do," these tips will make the day memorable for you and your guests.