Where's that wedding?

Let's face it: the big fat Indian wedding isn't for everyone. Hosting a wedding in your home town means having to invite everyone and the kitchen sink, which isn't exactly wallet-friendly. What if there was a happy solution where you could inject all the joy of a wedding into a new location and maybe pay less for the whole shebang? Luckily, there is. Destination weddings are all the rage with more and more couples opting to wed out of town. We've thrown together a list of the hottest places to host your nuptial shindig so you and your family can make the best of the occasion.

Goa Beachside weddings have a charm to them that's unforgettable and Goa's beaches speak for themselves. Luxury hotels like the Leela - near the secluded and exclusive Morbor beach - do a great job of planning weddings and ensure you have the best of services. If you're looking to plan a church wedding, Goa's historic baroque churches make the perfect venue. The Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, is a particularly popular choice with couples.

Jaipur The mere mention of Jaipur conjures up images of royalty. For a bride and groom who'd like to feel like the king and queen on their big day, Jaipur's the place. The options are vast and varied. The Alisisar Haveli is a good 'budget' option. Built in 1892, it captures the romance of another century. If you want to go all-out-regal, there's the luxurious Rambagh Palace, the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and now a Taj hotel, or the spectacular Neemrana Fort-Palace, established by Raja Dup Raj in 1467.

Thailand Thailand has plenty of wedding location options with the added benefit of being close to home, affordable and a great shopping destination. Bangkok's atmosphere is buzzing with potential. Most hotels offer excellent wedding packages. For the 'wow factor' you can't beat the rooftop bar at the Lebua at Sky Tower. Stunning views set the backdrop of your wedding while your guests wet their whistles at the bar.

Pattaya, 165km south of Bangkok, has some great deals for weddings, too. The three-kilometre coastline provides the ideal setting for a beach wedding, and there are plenty of hotels and resorts that cater to special wedding needs, most with special wedding packages. If you're looking to splurge, the Sheraton Pattaya Resort is the ticket to a lavish wedding on their private beach. Just offshore, Phuket is also a great place to let your hair down. Do things a little differently and get married over the water. At the Laguna Phuket resort, you can exchange vows on the Chapel-On-The-Lagoon. Get a 360° view from the quaint chapel that sits on stilts over the water.

Bali With its varied landscape Indonesia's visitor-friendly island of Bali has an endless list of wedding locations. Couples can opt for an exotic cliff-top ceremony with a BBQ dinner overlooking the Indian Ocean, or a traditional wedding with Balinese costumes at the Khayangan Estate. The Villa Infinity Bali is located among rice terraces and is also a spectacular location for a wedding. If you want to do something adventurous, why not get married under water? Scuba Dive Bali organises underwater weddings for both certified and non-certified divers.

Mauritius The island of Mauritius has some exciting options, too. Hire a private catamaran and exchange vows as you sail across the Mauritian lagoon. Want to go underwater without getting wet? Opt for a submarine wedding that will let you enjoy the world underwater without ruining your wedding dress. Once the wedding is done you and your guests can indulge in fun activities like water sports, safari adventures, hiking trips, or the hugely-popular big game fishing.

Dubai Think Dubai, think opulence. Make like the Sheikhs and go all out in Dubai. If beach weddings are too cliché, the Al Maha Desert Resort does desert weddings among beautiful sand dunes. For a nuptial extravaganza head to the Atlantis – The Palm. They're fully-equipped to take on Indian jamborees so get out the choreographer and the mehendi cones. Remember though, that for a wedding to be official in Dubai it must be conducted in a place of worship, and certain nationalities must head to their local embassy to tie the knot.

Tip: It's a good idea to do your research on the legal matrimonial formalities of the country you've chosen. It is also advisable to hire a professional wedding planner who will take care of permits (beaches, palaces and public spaces often require these for large gatherings) and legalities in their respective countries.