If you’re looking to have a gorgeous destination wedding, but you’re feeling overwhelmed with all the choice, you’ve come to the right article. Whether you want to get married on the beach, in the mountains, in a vineyard or in a city, we’ve got the suggestions for your dream wedding.

 

Beaches

Belize, Central America

Beaches and Belize go together like bees and honey. With over a hundred offshore islands, you’re bound to find a beach that suits your style and taste. If you need somewhere to start, Ambergris Caye is the postcard-perfect tropical beach, with crystal clear water and white sand. Belize also has you covered if you’ve been dreaming of a wedding by a waterfall since you were little (who hasn’t?). Not to mention the barrier reef, centuries old caved and jaguar infested jungle. You’ll be so busy soaking up the beauty that you might just forget to get married.

 

Tahiti

Are you looking for a beautiful unspoiled beach but not the crowds? Tahiti is the place for your wedding. Despite the idyllic beaches, lush rainforests and vibrant flowers, Tahiti gets fewer visitors in a year than visit Hawaii in ten days. So you and your guests will enjoy excellent service and people-free beaches. With your free time, you’ll find surfing, pearl shopping, neon lagoons, and traditional music shows. Famous honeymoon destination Bora Bora falls within Tahiti so you’ll be close to your honeymoon if you choose. A wedding would be best in the dry season but it can still be a bit chilly at night so pack a jumper.

 

Costa Rica, Central America

Costa Rica will satisfy all your destination-wedding dreams. The white sand beaches are ideal for a barefoot beach wedding. However, if you’re undecided on where exactly to set your wedding, you’ll have a bevy of choices. From the breathtaking beaches, mountaintop perches to the edge of a volcano, you’ve got all your bases covered for a last minute location swap. Not to mention, the rainforests and biological reserves will keep you and your guests busy with all the eco-tourist activities. This is one of the most naturally gorgeous and unspoiled places in the world to be married and the rainforest bungalows will assure you of that. It’s best to schedule your ceremony for the dry season so you get those perfect pictures.

 

Amalfi Coast, Italy

You can’t get much more breathtaking than the picturesque view of the Amalfi Coast in Southern Italy. The winding cliff-top road offers jaw-dropping views of the sea and the colourful Italian town, making the perfect setting for your equally stunning wedding. The dark sand beach, excellent food and delicious drinks will take care of your guests while you relax in one of the most romantic spots in the world. There is also a range of interesting day trips available, such as visits to Pompeii or to the Blue Grotto.

Mountains

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

The towering Teton mountain range offers a spectacular background for your wedding photos and you’ll find plenty of rustic locations for the ceremony. There is also a huge range of outdoor activities that you and your guests can enjoy, from skiing to fly-fishing. You can even have a shootout in town! Summer and early fall are the best, unless you want to brave the possibility of a winter storm for the stunning snowy setting.

Kirchberg, Austria

This beautiful area of Austria is surrounded by the breathtaking Kitzbühel Alps, which makes it the ideal location for a unique mountain wedding. If you’re thinking of a winter wedding, Kirchberg is a world-renowned ski resort, so you and your guests can ski yourselves exhausted and get soothing massages afterward. You and your partner can also get horse drawn sleigh rides to and/or from the wedding ceremony if that’s to your taste. If you’re planning a summer wedding, there is a multitude of walking or running trails to take you throughout the Alps and introduce you to the area. The Maierl-Alm Chalets are located directly on the slope of the Kitzbühel Alps, and would make a postcard-perfect wedding location.

 

Aspen, Colorado, USA

This town is so charming that it will feel like cheating. Although it appears rustic, the wealthy inhabitants of the town have ensured many posh amenities so you’ll be able to find beautiful ballrooms and world-class restaurants, if that’s your style. The natural beauty of the town will make the best possible setting for your dream wedding, with stunning mountain peaks and lush forested expanses. Aspen is beautiful all year round, but be wary that winter can be very busy for weddings.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

Although it’s not a mountain wedding per se, a wedding destination list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Swedish Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi. This truly unique wedding location would definitely be an experience you and your guests would never forget. The hotel is made entirely of ice and snow and has its own ice church where couples can say their vows. As the name suggests, this Ice Hotel is only available in Swedish winter, between December and April.

Gardens

Bahamas

If you’re looking for a stunning garden to say your vows, the Bahamas have got just what you’re looking for. Although it’s mostly known for it’s beautiful pink sand beaches and beach barhopping, Nassau is also famous for its Versailles Gardens. The massive gardens are a wedding photographer’s dream, filled with white arches and beautiful stonework. You and your guests will be entertained for days with all of the fun activities in the area, like exploring the mysterious blue holes in Andros Island. This will truly be a wedding you don’t forget.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

The beauty of San Miguel de Allende comes from its charming cobblestone streets, mountainous background and its gorgeous gardens. Not to mention the Spanish courtyards great for holding receptions and the chapels in case anyone insists on a religious ceremony. The flowers are beautiful and will perfectly set off the stunning setting to make your wedding, and your photos, outstanding. Spring is the best time for a wedding here, so you get the full effect of the blooming flowers.

National Parks

You could alternatively consider holding your wedding in a national park. Most countries allow you to marry in the parks as long as you respect their rules and bring your own minister. These are some of the most natural sites in the world, protected by national mandates, and you could celebrate your (equally precious) marriage under the canopy of the glorious redwoods in California, USA or among the glaciers in Patagonia. Check beforehand about permits and marriage licenses, as there are sometimes complications with permits for foreigners.

Castles

Vaux-le-Vicomte, Paris, France

Although France is a wonderland for castles, one of the best for weddings is only an hour out of the City of Love is the gorgeous 17^th-century estate known as Vaux-le-Vicomte. It’s enormous and, coupled with your wedding attire, would make you feel like a French queen. The location is especially handy for a destination wedding because your guests can fly into Paris and find their way down easily. The chateau also has wedding packages that include fireworks, horse carriage rides and a helicopter-landing pad. Extravagance wouldn’t be out of place here. This would be ideal all year round, but spring would probably be the best to coordinate with the spring flowering in Paris.

Ireland

You couldn’t pick a better place for a fairy tale wedding than lush and misty Ireland. You can set your wedding anywhere from the cute seaside villages to the grand castles or the ocean cliffs. If you’re set on a castle wedding, Ireland is the place for you. There are too many gorgeous Irish castles to name here, so you’ll easily find one to meet your needs and aesthetic. At castles like the 13^th century sprawling estate Ashford Castle, you and your guests will be more than comfortable staying in the castle and engaging in activities from cruising on the lake to falconry. Others, like Waterford Castle, will make you swoon with the sheer beauty of the grounds and interior. You’ll be spoilt for choice! As Irish weather is notoriously fickle, the best time of year would probably be spring, but always make sure there are arrangements for rain.

Scotland

Similarly to Ireland, Scotland has a few too many castles to name individually. It also has a magical charm and beautiful folklore that will have you believing that fairies will pop up to bless your wedding and make some mischief. You can get married literally anywhere in Scotland if you have a religious official or registrar and you can even get married under the stars. You can get married in Doune Castle (used as Winterfell in Game of Thrones), on the beach or even on Loch Lomond. There are hundreds of castles to choose from, and they all have their own charms and quirks. You can even get married at Edinburgh Castle! As with Ireland, you can get married all year round but it would be best to avoid the dark winter.

Party/Vineyards

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Las Vegas is not just for quickie shotgun wedding anymore. You can get that if you want, but Sin City also offers grand ballrooms and beautiful resorts that will cater to your every wedding need. Many of the hotels and resorts offer wedding packages for various prices so you can cover all your costs in one hit. Not to mention, the entertainment possibilities are unparalleled! It’s best to avoid the scorching summer heat and any time where there are likely to be giant conventions or holidays.

Loire Valley

Just two hours from the City of Love, the rolling Loire Valley is blessed with charming people, multitudes of castles and, of course, delicious grapes. This destination wedding has it all, with the delicious food and drink, the rustic and historic villages and accommodation. It’s truly the wedding setting that will knock your socks off (so you can go grape pressing). It’s also close to the Chateau d’Ussé, the rumoured setting of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, so it’s the perfect place to start your own fairy tale marriage. Spring and autumn are the best times to organise your wedding.

New Orleans, USA

No other city can party quite like New Orleans, and no city would give your wedding that unique celebratory twist. The vibrant energy of the city will have everyone feeling positive and festive, and the cuisine and culture will add their flavour to your big day. One of the best customs is the second line, which serves as a personal wedding parade. What could be more fun than following a brass band through the streets of New Orleans? The vibrant architecture and iconic streets will make your wedding photos pop, so that you’ll never forget your beautiful wedding day. And a sugary soft beignet the day after will ease your headache like no other!

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Famous for its vineyards and stunning landscape, Waiheke Island will have you swooning from the minute you land. With rolling hills, beautiful bays and white beaches, you’ll have plenty of places to relax before the big day. There is certainly no shortage of vineyards to choose from, so pick carefully. Some of the most picturesque vineyards on the island are Casita Miro (which serves Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine), Mudbrick Vineyard (with stunning views of the Gulf), and Cable Bay Vineyards (with spectacular ocean views). The proximity to Australia is also a drawcard, as it will likely increase the amount of guests able to celebrate your wedding with you.

City

New York City

For the couple that loves a hustle bustle lifestyle, New York is the ideal place to get married. The city that never sleeps will offer a wealth of places to celebrate your union, from the breathtaking New York Library to the expansive Central Park. The Top of the Rock also allows marriages at the top, which would offer arguably the best view of New York City to be had. Other options are the Conservatory Gardens, Grand Central Station and Brooklyn Bridge, but the Big Apple is yours for the plucking! Any time of year would suit for a NYC wedding, but our tip would be to avoid the sweltering summer.

Rome

The Eternal City is the best place to declare eternal love. Ancient history combines with modern drive to create a fast-paced jumble of a city that you can’t help but love. Between all the ancient ruins, churches, fountains and famous monuments, you won’t be able to pick the best place to take your wedding photos. You’re best to take a few days to take lots of photos and soak up the wondrous chaos with a few glasses of Italian wine. Don’t go during summer unless you want your makeup ruined with sweat.

Prague

Full of old world charm and history; Prague is the perfect wedding destination if you want a touch of magic in your wedding. It’s one of the photogenic cities in the world, with it’s cobbled streets and intricate buildings at every turn. You can choose to be married in a centuries old church, fairy tale garden, ornate palace, or on a luxurious cruise through the city. The people are friendly and the city itself is comparatively cheap, so you’ll have more money to splash on the honeymoon. You could marry here at any time of the year but it would be better to avoid the cold winter unless you want a snowy wedding.

This is only a guide to get you started in your search. If you know vaguely what setting you want, these are just few of the many options you have. Enjoy the dreaming and planning!