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4 Unexpected Places Around the World to Elope

By U.S. News & World Report

Between daunting budget estimations, family intrusions and wedding-planning stress, it’s easy to see the appeal of an intimate ceremony in a far-off locale. Plus, an elopement offers a beautiful, exotic and romantic alternative to a traditional affair. But while you can enjoy some spontaneity as you jet off to a remote destination to exchange vows, you will want to do some prior planning. Keep in mind that you’ll still have to get your marriage license back home. If you’re contemplating an overseas weddings, consider checking out the U.S. government’s Marriage Aboard page, which offers an excellent starting point.

With that said, if you’re ready to get hitched in a striking destination, here are four enchanting elopement ideas to fuel your inspiration.

[See: 10 Underrated Destination Wedding Spots Around the World.]

Gozo, Malta

If you want to feel like you’re in the South of France, consider a quiet and intimate wedding ceremony in Gozo. Located 20 minutes by ferry from the main island of Malta, Gozo offers jaw-dropping backdrops and few crowds. Stay at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, where you can recite your vows cliff-side, or stay at Maria’s B&B, a romantic bed-and-breakfast. After you tie the knot, enjoy diving, taking romantic strolls along the beach and archaeological tours. Another must-do: checking out the prehistoric ?gantija Temples, two storied temples that are recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

[See: 10 Romantic Getaways to Cross off Your Bucket List.]

Noto, Italy

Who says you can’t have a romantic Italian wedding? For sublime scenery, excellent cuisine and plenty of culture, consider Italy’s best-kept secret: Noto. You can elope in the idyllic baroque village set in the province of Syracuse, Sicily, and take advantage of charming chapels and storybook palazzos for postcard-worthy wedding photos. Plus, if you’re a history or architecture fan, this destination is perfect for exploring well-preserved 18th-century architecture along with Greek ruins. After getting hitched, you can celebrate with a romantic Sicilian dinner at Trattoria Al Buco or Manna, followed by gelato at Caffe Sicilia. What’s more, on a guided tour, you can take in the history, art and culture of the SS Salvatore, the Church of San Domenico, Santa Chiara, the Ducezio Palace, along with the Nicolaci Palace and the picturesque balconies lining Via Nicolaci.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

While Myrtle Beach is best known as a popular destination for beachgoers, it’s also a unique elopement choice. Rather than say your vows on the beach, you can profess your love on the SkyWheel Myrtle Beach, a Ferris wheel that’s climate-controlled. An out of the ordinary venue option, the SkyWheel offers the chance for a secluded and romantic ceremony. Afterward, you can host a laid-back reception on the beach before touring the Hollywood Wax Museum or Ripley’s Aquarium. While renting a beach house is a great option, consider searching for apartments on Airbnb to jump-start your honeymoon.

[See: 8 Unconventional Honeymoon Ideas.]

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

If you’re looking for an outside-the-box wedding destination, consider a seaside ceremony in Cabo. If you and your better half are intrepid thrill seekers, you can even say your vows while scuba diving. Reputable company Nautilus Dive Tech created a movable railing system that allows wedded couples and guests to remain upright and balanced while the service is conducted, and rehearsals are held in the company’s training pool. What’s more, the wedding can be streamed over the internet via Wi-Fi for those far away. After getting hitched, you explore Cabo’s diverse and romantic attractions. You can dance the night away after playing a round of golf, getting pampered at a spa or lounging along the beach. Consider staying at the Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar for luxurious accommodations.

More from U.S. News

7 Top All-Inclusive Resorts With Affordable Wedding Packages

10 Unexpected Wallet-Friendly Destination Wedding Ideas

13 Secluded Caribbean Resorts for Honeymooners

4 Unexpected Places Around the World to Elope originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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