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Steps

French Style in the Heart of Beijing

Not sure whether you want a romantic French wedding or an exotic Asian wedding? With Sofitel’s new Beijing hotel you no longer have to choose. That’s because the new Sofitel Wanda Beijing, which opened last fall, celebrates the intimate link between Chinese and French cultures. It boasts bold interior design that blends the opulence of T’ang dynasty China with modern French style and features. The hotel’s signature Le Pré Lenôtre restaurant is inspired by the legendary three-Michelin-star-rated Le Pré Catelan in Paris—offering the finest French cuisine in Beijing. The spa also blends French and Chinese roots, with treatments based on local traditions and beauty recipes, as well as treatments from Lancôme. Your wedding here will be the height of elegance, with tailor-made packages that cater to your needs. +86 10/85996666, sofitel.com.

Southwest-Style Luxury

Want a taste of Hollywood, but without the hassle of the paparazzi? Plan your wedding at the Tubac Golf Resort & Spa in Arizona, which was originally owned by Bing Crosby and was immortalized in 1996 as the location for the Kevin Costner and Rene Russo film Tin Cup.

Situated between Tucson and Nogales, Mexico, you and your guests will be able to savor the flavor of the Southwest while enjoying the recent $40 million remodel that included a complete rehab of the main resort area, grounds and golf course. In addition, the resort now offers a new on-site wedding chapel nestled among towering willow trees, as well as a brand-new 4,000-square-foot state-of-the-art indoor/outdoor spa. For an extra dose of luxury, the bride and groom can stay in the Otero House, with a large living room, luxurious bedroom and den with kitchenette, as well as a private patio overlooking the golf course. 800.848.7893, tubacgolfresort.com.

Customized Asian Weddings,
Complete with Local Flavors

If you’re looking for an especially memorable matrimony, you may want a Hindu wedding in India, a three-day celebration in Cambodia or an Iban tribal wedding in Borneo. Any of these celebrations can be yours with the help of Remote Lands, which creates elaborate luxury itineraries exclusively in Asia. Remote Lands will design every detail of your wedding, from photographers and floral arrangements to private jet charters and private chefs. Remote Lands also arranges unique local details for your event, such as a celebratory elephant polo match in India or 10 dress changes for the bride in Cambodia. And, if you want to keep some of your Western sensibilities during the ceremony, Remote Lands will help you find that balance. Remote Lands can also coordinate your wedding in Bhutan, Bali, China, Laos or any number of other Asian destinations. 646.415.8092, remotelands.com.

Tranquil Elegance at the World’s Most Romantic Resort

For the ultimate in romance, plan a wedding at Sandals Grande Antigua in the Caribbean, which has earned the title “World’s Most Romantic Resort” by the World Travel Awards for 10 years in a row. Set on Dickenson Bay, the island’s most famous beach, this getaway offers the refined delights of a world-class luxury resort. And, the resort now offers a new Mediterranean Village, a $70 million expansion that features suites with magnificent ocean views. Have your bridal party stay in this village and take advantage of the suite’s concierge services; or choose a suite with the added pampering of a private butler.

For the wedding itself, celebrate the Caribbean’s natural radiance with the newly designed Sea Mist ceremony. The décor for this celebration features centerpieces of five bouquets accented with pewter sand dollars, sun-dried starfish and bright, white sea urchin votives. Completing the look are alabaster white charger plates on pale-blue, rippled organza linen. The bride’s bouquet is adorned with fine crystals that capture the rays of the sun. The package is part of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts’ Preston Bailey Signature WeddingMoons collection. 1.800.SANDALS, sandals.com.

A Private Tropical Escape in Mexico

For couples who want a wedding filled with tropical romance but not a crowded resort, La Zebra in Tulum, Mexico is the perfect spot. Unlike the beaches of Cancun one and a half hours to the north, La Zebra offers an intimate atmosphere—a secluded beachfront on the sparkling Caribbean surrounded by postcard-perfect coco palms. With nine newly renovated cabañas for guests, which spread from the beachfront through the gardens toward the jungle, this is an ideal location for small, private weddings.

Weddings at La Zebra offer romance and a dose of authentic Mexican traditions. Following a moonlit ceremony on a hardwood deck overlooking the sea, guests can enjoy live salsa music or strolling mariachis and free-flowing fresh-fruit margaritas. For the dinner hour, La Zebra’s authentic Mexican cantina and tequila bar has three eclectic menu options. Or, for the adventurous, a special custom menu can be catered to your specific taste cravings. An on-site wedding planner is available to coordinate all of your needs, including music, flowers and decorations, as well as civil ceremony requirements. And, after the party, guests can dive into activities such as kiteboarding, snorkeling and sea kayaking, or they can simply lounge in a hammock in the shade of a palm tree. +52 998.112.3260, lazebratulum.com.

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