If you wish to have a destination wedding, you may be thinking about having it outside the country in a tropical Caribbean paradise or historic European town. You can have a destination wedding, spend a lot on travel expenses and inconvenience your guests, but you'd be missing out on nearby destinations that can provide an equally memorable experience. From the big city to the remote countryside, the Midwest is chock full of delightful wedding locations. These five locations will make your big day everything you've imagined, and more.

1. Get Hitched in the Windy City: A Chicago Wedding

If you want to host your wedding in an urban environment, then there is no more suitable choice in the Midwest than Chicago. The Windy City has tons of wonderful venues, like the Grove Redfield Estate, Newberry Library and Loyola University. There are countless lovely hotels that can host the wedding, too. You could even get married while cruising Lake Michigan; the views of the city from the boat are phenomenal. Best yet, guests can explore the city during free time. Provide an activity guide with suggestions that include trying some Chicago deep dish pizza, ascending to the top of Willis Tower and strolling through Lincoln Park. Your friends and family will love to come see you say, "I do," in Chicago; one of America's finest cities.

2. Tie the Knot in a Small Town: A Saugatuck, Michigan Wedding

A small resort town located on Lake Michigan, Saugatuck boasts original art galleries, a diverse array of delicious dining establishments, charming boutiques and more in its cozy downtown area. Saugatuck will sweep you off your feet and it makes the perfect atmosphere for a wedding. Get married at a cute bed and breakfast like The Belvedere Inn, or go all out and book a place like the luxurious Felt Mansion. Your guests will love coming to Saugatuck because it really is one of America's best small towns. Additionally, you get easy access to Oval Beach, where your guests can sunbathe, fish, swim and boat.

3. Say Yes Next to a Scenic Lake: A Put-In-Bay Wedding

Located on South Bass Island in Ohio, the village of Put-In-Bay is one of the best destinations for exploring Lake Erie. With local pubs, quaint eateries, historic homes and all sorts of water recreation, there are few livelier and more beautiful places in the Midwest to marry. Popular wedding venues include the Doller House Mansion, a gorgeous Victorian-Italianate villa located near downtown, the massive Put-In-Bay Resort and Conference Center and Ashley's Island House, a cute bed and breakfast. If you want something overlooking the harbor and downtown, DeRivera Park Gazebo is a popular choice. No matter where you choose to get married, it's going to be beautiful. And with so much to do and see in town, your guests won't get bored between events.

4. Exchange Vows by a National Park: An Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Wedding

If you want to get hitched with a serene and breathtaking landscape as the backdrop, look no further than Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Wisconsin. There are numerous wedding venues near this magical area, like Apostle Highlands Golf Course and Bayfield Inn, both of which overlook the jaw-dropping lakeshore. As soon as you arrive, you'll be in awe as you witness the past meet the present at this natural scene. And when you say yes beside windswept cliffs and beaches, you'll be on top of the world. Before and after the ceremony, guests can enjoy a myriad of activities, like checking out lighthouses, hunting, golfing, hiking and scuba diving. In short, a wedding at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore will have your guests talking, before the event and after.

5. Scream 'I Do!' on Top of a Mountain: A Wedding in the Sawtooth Mountains

If you're into skiing or mountain scenery, the Sawtooth Mountains in Minnesota are calling your name. One of the most gorgeous mountain ranges in the Midwest, these rugged mountains host a good deal of resorts, especially by the Lutsen Mountains, a popular skiing area. You can have your big day at a place like the Caribou Highlands Lodge, a snug and warm venue that showcases exceptional vistas from atop Moose Mountain. Or, for another scenic locale, try The Summit Chalet at Eagle Ridge Resort, with its views of Superior National Forest and easy access to activities on the mountain. An event here will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

These five Midwest locations go toe-to-toe with any other destination wedding spot in the country, or the world, for that matter.