In recent years, destination weddings have become more and more popular. A destination wedding is one where you travel to the area your wedding will be held. It is also a vacation and wedding all rolled into one. These top five wedding locations are U.S. destinations that see a lot of wedding traffic. Most have special wedding plans that include everything from flowers to honeymoon suite. All you add is bride, groom and guests. Others may require a lot more planning.

Central Park - New York, N.Y.

With 843 acres of beautiful scenery, Central Park is New York City’s (and the nation’s) top wedding destination. There are literally dozens of places to hold your ceremony and reception, both in and just around the park. Imagine arriving at the ceremony in a horse-drawn hansom cab, saying your vows in front of the Dancing Maidens Fountain and toasting in your new life at Tavern on the Green. While there are lots of requirements – including a permit for special events, and filing a disaster plan with the Park – Central Park has its own Wedding Planning staff that can work with you and hold your hand all the way through the wedding planning process. They will even contact all the vendors and make arrangements for you so you do not have to do any of the coordination.

Chapel of Love - Bloomington, Minn.

If you are going to the chapel to get married, the Chapel of Love is one location to consider. Wedding packages start at under $300 for use of the wedding chapel, an officiate and music to $1,800 plus a la carte food and drink for a wedding and reception. You can make arrangements for wedding flowers, video and photography through the Chapel of Love, and spend the day at one of the largest tourist attractions in the United States.

Columbia Gorge Hotel - Hood River, Oregon

Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River Oregon has been booking weddings for couples from all over the world since 1921. The venues available to the wedding couple include a beautiful terrace ballroom with a stunning view of the 208 foot Wah Gwin Gwin Waterfall. Prices for wedding reception and ceremony packages start at $95 per person, and include an "Elopement Package" for parties of 25 guests or less.

Disneyland - Anaheim, Calif.

Disneyland is easily one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world. Disney offers a variety of wedding packages. Fairy Tale Weddings are everyday business at Disney, and they make planning your wedding simple. Whether you are inviting 20 guests or 2,000, there is a ceremony and reception venue to suit your personal fairy tale dream. The Disney bride can choose from the stunning outdoor court at the Rose Garden, in any one of several Grand Californian Hotel ballrooms or at Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

Empire State Building - New York, N.Y.

The Empire State Building has been holding a special Valentine’s Day Wedding for a small number of lucky couples every year since 1994. This year, 14 couples were married in the gala event held 1,000 feet above the ground. Unfortunately, the Empire State Building is not available for private weddings outside of that single event. If you are able to become a part of this event it is highly recommended, and it can create a sense of awe due to the size of the building. Your wedding is a very special day and being able to say your vows in the same location as several other lucky couples is quite an amazing experience.

And One More Favorite…

Couples who choose to say "I Do" at the Higgins Armory Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts have the use of the Great Hall, and guests have access to all areas of the museum. They may choose to have a fencing demonstration or invite their guests to step up and be "knighted" by the King. The museum works with a number of local caterers who can provide meals suited for a historical wedding or for a more modern event. It is the ideal wedding site for anyone who dreams of a medieval wedding with all of its trappings.

Keep in mind that all of these venues are extremely high in demand. If you hope to have your wedding at one of the top five wedding locations in the nation, be sure to book early! These locations can add something quite special to your wedding that you may not receive anywhere else. Memories will be created that last a lifetime, but if any of these locations do not fulfill your dream wedding, many other locations are available. With proper research into other locations, you are sure to find a wedding location that can provide the memorable experience you may be seeking.