Content…From island and beach settings to ancient Maya temples, from tropical gardens to lush rainforests, from ancient cave formations to natural jungle waterfalls, every bride’s dream for her special day is possible in Belize.

And to make sure your destination wedding goes off without a hitch, several experienced resident wedding planners are ready to assist couples looking for that one-of-a-kind wedding day experience, whether it is a romantic escape for two or an elegant ceremony complete with all the reception trimmings.

Recent changes in the law have created an express marriage license application procedure. With this option, there is no residency requirement for the couple prior to their paperwork being processed. This means couples can arrive in the morning in Belize and be whisked away to their idyllic ceremony setting and have the rest of the afternoon free to start their honeymoon in paradise. There is also the regular wedding license application that allows couples to wait three days after arrival in the country before starting the paperwork. Processing takes a day, so couples and their guests can enjoy the splendors of Belize before vows are exchanged.

For a typical Belizean experience, go with vibrantly colored local tropical flowers such as ginger lilies, local heliconias and birds of paradise for your floral arrangements. There are also delicate, elegant local orchids as well. All these flowers hold up well in the tropical conditions and create stunning backdrops to your pictures. The wedding cake is always a centerpiece for receptions. Again, the humidity of the tropics can create challenges for elaborate cake designs. Your wedding planner will be able to advise you on some of the best options.

If you are planning a beach wedding, remember high heels don’t work well on sand. Embrace the beach and sand and go with flats or wedges, or be creative and go with barefoot sandals for you and your bridal party. Your wedding planner in Belize can advise you on where these can be purchased to match your color scheme.

When planning your reception, ask for what you don’t see. These events can be distinctly Belizean in the menu and decorations. But local chefs are also able to whip up the finest international cuisine you may have in mind. This also applies to your entertainment options. Choices include energetic local bands, fire eaters and the most popular—fireworks displays. You and your guests can also enjoy local drumming, steel pan band music or a fun filled night with a deejay playing the latest hits from his or her collection or from your playlist.

With your professional wedding planner taking care of all the details of the destination wedding of your dreams, your hardest decision might just be trying to decide where to say “I do” in the long list of beautiful Belizean choices.