Saying "I do" in a picture perfect setting

By Sheila Slater The Daily Republic

Enchanted islands, tropical beaches and far away, destinations.

The destination wedding industry is seeing a rising trend for couples opting to tie the knot at exotic locations with multi-day programs, lavish settings at luxurious properties, or looking to book unique events that can only be enjoyed in the chosen destinations.

Some picks include tequila tastings in Cabo San Lucas, a sunset champagne catamaran excursion in the Caribbean or even taking part in a group cleansing by a shaman. The possibilities have no boundaries.

For Timmi Grablander and Makel Juarez of Mitchell, travelling the world to distant places has always been a passion that unites them. Turning a birthday trip for Grablander and Juarez into the day of their dreams, while visiting the romantic and picturesque Greek island of Santorini, seemed natural.

“It’s your special day,” Grablander said. “So why not make your dreams come true.”

The couple of seven years had packed their birth certificates along with their passports to board a plane towards a new chapter in their lives.

“Timmi had dreamed about this location for many years and we were finally able to go,” Juarez said. “Once we decided we are going to Santorini, one of the prettiest places on this planet, we figured, why not get married.”

for two weeks on the island, nestled in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. With that decision, they said they left behind the worries about inviting a big wedding party.

“What really mattered was the two of us and this beautiful destination,” Juarez said.

Imerovigli is a village on the island of Santorini, about 200 miles south of Greece’s mainland, and is the largest island of a former volcanic caldera. It’s mostly famous for its breathtaking sunsets with the suitable nickname “balcony to the Aegean.”

“It’s beautiful but it did turn out to be a little bit lastminute, although we had talked and planned before the trip,” Juarez said. “In the end, it all worked out. The mayor of one of the villages married us and it was just as formal as any other ceremony could be.”

The journey for a lifetime started for Alysia Tegethoff and Marty Plambeck in the Black Hills in South Dakota during a hike up to Black Elk Peak, formerly known as Harney Peak. The outdoor enthusiasts met seven years ago and enjoy spending their weekends and free time hiking, kayaking and biking as a couple or with friends.

Last fall, the lovebirds headed west to Deadwood to celebrate Tegethoff’s birthday on Sept. 22.

After getting ready for a night out, Plambeck suggested they make their way up Black Elk Peak (formerly Harney Peak) to take a sunset picture before going out for dinner.

“When we reached the trail, Marty suddenly started speeding up and jogging up the hill,” Tegethoff said. “I was freezing and thinking ‘All this for a picture’.”

Plambeck had already reached the peak and started positioning the camera when Tegethoff caught up with him. Plambeck hugged the love of his life while posing towards the camera, when he suddenly got on one knee and proposed.

“It was surreal,” Tegethoff said. “It was so out of character for Marty. He is not one to make big announcements on birthdays or holidays. I was very surprised.”

The Mitchell couple plans to tie the knot in a warmer climate, with their vows planned for Jan. 24, 2020 in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

“Getting married on the beach was always something I wanted to do,” Tegethoff said. “When he actually proposed, I knew right then: I’m planning that dream wedding.”

Tegethoff is working with a professional travel agent to help her with the planning and decision-making process step-by-step.

“I would still be scrolling through pages of resorts if I did not have somebody on my side to guide me through this,” Tegethoff said. “She really wanted to get to know us and our likes.”

For Tegethoff, this will be her first international trip and she is excited to join in with her family and friends for a special vacation.

“It’s just great to be able to say, ‘Yes we have been there, we got married in Jamaica,’ and that was a huge factor in deciding for a destination wedding,” Tegethoff said.

According to survey research by the popular wedding website The Knot, the average cost of an international or destination wedding came in at $25,800, while domestic weddings can average $27,840. But there’s a number of factors that can affect those costs, as well.

The most important thing for both couples was, and is, making lifelong, lasting memories of the first day in the first chapter of their new lives, something they hope to never forget.

“Being able to show Alysia

the island in this beautiful tropical setting will be amazing,” Plambeck said. “It’s a time-warp kind of thing and I am excited to make it special for everybody.”