Of course, just because something is trendy doesn't make it the right choice for everyone. If the only reason you're considering a destination wedding is because it's what all the cool brides are doing, stop in your tracks and ask yourself these questions:

• What is your idea of an absolutely perfect wedding?

• Is it important for you to spend lots of time with your guests?

• Is vacation time a precious commodity in your life?

There is a lot of meaning behind your answers. If you've always dreamed of having a traditional wedding in the church where you were baptized or in the synagogue where you celebrated your bat mitzvah, think long and hard about how you'll feel about a change of scenery. You can plan a destination ceremony that's very traditional and religious, of course, but if you have a hard time imagining yourself walking down a foreign aisle, you may be better off keeping your wedding local.

Spending time with your guests is one of the big perks of planning a destination wedding. Families are flung far and wide these days; college friends, once inseparable, end up going where the jobs are — which means that you may only see your loved ones and friends over an occasional holiday. If, however, you feel that you already spend way too much time with your family and friends, planning a week's worth of activities with them just prior to your wedding might be too much to handle. It's not as though you're going to get rid of them if you stay home to get married, but at least you have your own place and an established routine there (in other words, you can escape from them without feeling terribly guilty).

A destination wedding is perfect for couples who really need a vacation — but it's also great for couples who love to travel. Try not to shortchange yourself on time. The whole point of a destination wedding is to lighten up a little bit, to take a break from everyday stress, to try new things, to spend time relaxing and laughing — and, yes, to come home married. If your workload is so heavy that you know you won't be able to leave it behind, or if you're just one of those people who despises travel, then buck the trend and stay home. You'll be happier (and ironically, less stressed) when the big day arrives. You can always plan a honeymoon for a later date, when work lightens up. If you're not the travelin' type, you can plan a special weekend at a four-star resort in town.