WMBD/WYZZ TV - Destination weddings used to be for those eloping or celebrating a second marriage.  But now, the number of younger couples tying the knot in tropical locations is on the rise.

Travel agents say in just the past decade, the number of destination weddings has grown by 40 percent.

The smiling happy couple could be from anyone's wedding album.  But not everyone says "I do" to this backdrop.

"I knew I didn't want to be in a big dress with big hair.  That just wouldn't have been me." says Cara Blaudow

When Cara and Jared Blaudow wed last December, they took their whole family on vacation to Jamaica.

"We knew we just wanted to go there and it was going to be simple.  We didn't worry too much about the decorations.  We knew the beach was going to be in the background." says Cara.

From nephews to grandparents, all family members took advantage of Jared and Cara's destination wedding.  The planning was simpler, but the couple still needed direction.

"I think that's the most difficult part of a destination wedding is choosing the right resort and it certainly has something to do with who's attending your wedding, how many people, the ability to take over the whole resort and if there are children coming." says Jennifer Huls-Wayland, with Island Bridal.