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Great Places To Get Married World-class nuptials... By Margot Weiss from Forbes.com

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes did it with wildly publicized extravagance in a 15th-Century Italian castle, while Bill and Melinda Gates preferred the low-key intimacy of a private Fijian island. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban returned to Australia to take their vows, and Pink headed to Costa Rica with Corey Hart.

Celebrities and the well-heeled have been seeking out exotic wedding destinations for years, and these days the trend is catching on with the masses. According to a recent study by The Conde Nast Bridal Group, approximately 16 percent of first marriages take place in a far-flung destination. Include second marriages and that figure jumps to 60 percent. These days a destination wedding can be a way to save money. The cost of a traditional wedding in a big city like Sydney might start at around $28,000, while a ceremony in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands is more likely to cost around $7,000. Many couples designate a portion of those savings toward defraying the costs of the trip for their guests.

Villa D'Este, Lake Como, Italy

It's hard to oversell the appeal of the Villa D'Este, a 16th-century princely residence surrounded by 25 acres of lakeside gardens. As one of the world's most enduring and exclusive hotels, the Villa D'Este has hosted everyone from Mark Twain to Madonna. You can't ask for a more dramatic backdrop for your wedding photos than these glorious Renaissance gardens. Each of the villa's 152 rooms is individually decorated, but all feature oil paintings and period furniture, and the hotel has a variety of public rooms where you can hold your reception. The hotel also rents two private villas with either four or five bedrooms. Extras include three pools, butler service, a private helipad and a private chef. Click here to see video of another romantic Italian hotel - Hotel Cipriani

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

During the rainy season from December to June, wildebeest and zebra make their home in lush plains below Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater , the world's largest unbroken caldera. When the dry season arrives, up to two million beasts migrate toward Kenya, following the rain. The crater is home to some 25,000 animals, so the game viewing is always excellent, but if you time your wedding to coincide with the Great Migration, you'll truly feel part of the circle of life. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge can house up to 60 guests and weddings can be held overlooking Lake Eyasi or the crater itself. Each suite has a personal butler. Click here to see video of Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia
	The Aboriginal people, who have made Australia their home for thousands of years, consider Uluru--a supremely spiritual site. Whether or not you agree, this brilliantly hued, massive rock looming from Australia's red center exerts a mysterious pull. What better place to make lifelong promises that speak to the power of love than before this ancient, enduring stone? Several resorts bordering Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park can help you plan a wedding; the most luxurious of these is Longitude 131, where the 15 elevated "tents" have balconies, views over Uluru, private bathrooms, and air-conditioning. Click here to see video of Kakadu, Northern Territory

Hotel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France
	Remember that iconic shot of Sex in the City's Carrie Bradshaw leaning over the balcony of her hotel and catching sight of the Eiffel Tower in the distance? That was the Hotel Plaza Athénée Paris, one of the world's most romantic hotels in one of the world's most romantic cities. If you're the type who gets bored on a beach, consider marrying here, within easy reach of some of Paris's top attractions. Those in search of culture can visit the Louvre or the Musée d'Orsay; shoppers can head to the high-end stores on the Avenue Montaigne; and for music, theater and ballet fans, several theaters are nearby. For a truly special stay, rent the Royal Suite (at 5,000 square feet, the largest in Paris) with views of the Eiffel Tower, a private office, eight televisions, and two luxurious bathrooms. The hotel has two banqueting rooms and can host a wedding reception for up to 120 guests. Click here to see video of the Romantic Tuileries Gardens in Paris

The Wakaya Club, Fiji
	With a 12-to-1 ratio of staff to guests, this luxurious beachside resort can make your every wish come true. Hold your ceremony by the sea or in the small Wakaya Village Church. A wedding here is by necessity a private affair, as the entire island accommodates only 12 couples. The most basic accommodations, called bures, have two private decks, a wet bar and a private garden. Upgrade to the governor's bure and you can enjoy your own private Jacuzzi, a private garden with a waterfall, and an open-air, lava-rock shower stall. But those who truly want to experience the high life should ask if the owners' "house in the clouds" is available. This 12,000-square-foot mansion--the largest house in Fiji--has wraparound decks, a private swimming pool, a tennis court, a fitness room and a staff of six, including an on-call limousine driver. Both Celine Dion and Bill Gates honeymooned here. Click here to see video of Vomo Island, Fiji

Click here to see a slideshow of 10 Great Places to Get Married