This post was written by Wedding Hashers, a creative team that creates personalized wedding hashtags for couples which I thought was the most clever idea! Thank you Wedding Hashers for sharing this post, and make sure to go check them out if you’re struggling to come up with a wedding hashtag! Now let’s get into the post 🙂
There’s no shortage of amazing destination wedding ideas out there for couples looking to make their big day even more special. A destination wedding can be an incredible way to combine the vacation of your dreams with the most important day in your life.
A destination wedding can give you an opportunity to spend more valuable time with your guests, particularly if you’re all sharing some quality time in a specific resort or hotel. What’s more, you’re almost guaranteed to get some phenomenal wedding photos this way.
Not only can you get your photographer to snap some amazing shots of your perfect wedding scenery, but you’re sure to generate plenty of social pictures from friends and family, too. You can even use your own wedding hashtag to keep track of all the incredible content.
The question is, where exactly is the best place to have a destination wedding?
Here are 12 destination wedding ideas to get you started.
12 Destination Wedding Ideas
1. Aruba
Aruba is one of the most phenomenal places to choose for your destination wedding if you’re looking for the traditional beach ceremony. With gorgeous white sandy beaches and palm trees galore, you can have a stunning outdoor wedding in the sun of the Caribbean.
Aruba is easy to access from the United States, and it’s home to a ton of beautiful locations for your ideal wedding, such as Eagle Beach, one of the top three beaches in the world. Or, if you’re looking for a more family friendly wedding, try Palm Beach instead!
Best for: Traditional beach weddings
Recommended wedding location: Eagle Beach
2. Tulum
Tulum is a fantastic location for a destination wedding if you’re looking for a variety of different tropical settings to choose from. While you can definitely find some stunning beach environments here, like the Tulum beach strip, there are various other unique locations to choose from, like the Tulum ruins, for a more exotic vibe.
With settings combining lush tropical acres, beautiful colonial architecture, and stunning white sand, you’re sure to get some amazing photos. Check out the phenomenal Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa for amazing architecture.
Best for: Exotic destination weddings
Recommended wedding location: Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa
3. Iceland
If you’re looking for a little more drama in your destination wedding location, it doesn’t get more breath-taking than the stunning scenery of Iceland. Iceland is home to the amazing Reynisfjara black sand beach, as well as the incredible Northern Lights.
While you might not be able to guarantee the Aurora Borealis will appear when you’re getting married, you can definitely bet on some unforgettable backdrops for your photos. Consider a wedding on the Basalt Sea stack for some super dramatic photos.
Best for: Winter weddings
Recommended wedding location: Basalt Sea Stack
4. Mexico City
Mexico City is brimming with beautiful architecture and plant-filled locations where you can have a truly phenomenal destination wedding. If you like the idea of getting married somewhere unique and exotic, but you don’t want the standard beach wedding, Mexico City is the perfect choice.
There are plenty of incredible locations to choose from, including eye-catching hotels covered in Ivy and Monstera plants. Plus, you’ll be able to dance the night away with some phenomenal Mexican music after the ceremony.
Best for: Beautiful architecture
Recommended wedding location: Nima Local Hotel
5. Sedona, Arizona
Stunning red rock formations and sandy desserts make Arizona a phenomenal place for any destination wedding. If you’re an art lover, or an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll fall in love with the phenomenal backdrops you can discover in Sedona.
For from the standard beachy destination wedding, Sedona is a good choice for couples who want to do something a little differently with their big day. Make sure you check out the L’Auberge de Sedona for post-card-worthy views in your wedding pictures.
Best for: Beautiful desert landscapes
Recommended wedding location: L’Auberge de Sedona
6. Florida Keys
If you’re a fan of family-friendly wedding environments and beautiful weather, it’s hard to go wrong with a wedding at the amazing Florida Keys. Here, you’ll find endless palm trees and beautiful sandy beaches to form the setting for your wedding of a lifetime.
With tons of docks and a boat-friendly harbor landscape to explore, this is likely to be one of the best destination wedding locations for people with a love of sailing. It’s also an ideal pick if you’d like to bring a marine vibe to your big day. The Isla Bella Resort offers a stunning seaside destination for relaxed, but classy weddings.
Best for: Sea-themed weddings
Recommended wedding location: Isla Bella Resort
7. Malibu, California
California has no shortage of amazing locations to explore if you’re looking for destination wedding ideas. Malibu is perhaps one of the most eye-catching locations of all if you’re a big fan of sunny, beach-themed weddings, as well as wide-open spaces, and vineyards.
With Malibu, you can create a wide range of different wedding experiences, from ceremonies set on top of their own mountainous hilltops, to weddings on the beach. Plus, you’re almost guaranteed an amazing nightlife experience once the nuptials are over. Check out the Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards for the ultimate luxury wedding experience.
Best for: High-class weddings
Recommended wedding location: Malibu Rocky Oaks Estate Vineyards
8. Turks & Ciacos
Turks & Caicos is an interesting archipelago of low-lying islands in the Atlantic Ocean. If you’re looking for the perfect small wedding ideas, this could be the perfect place for something more intimate. You can find a huge range of different wedding venues, catering to all kinds of groups, large and small.
If you want an ultra-romantic beach wedding, there are countless golden sandy beaches to explore, all with beautiful, turquoise waters you’ll be dying to dip your toes into after you say, “I do.” This could be the perfect paradise location for any destination wedding. Visit COMO Parrot Cay for your very own private island wedding experience.
Best for: Intimate weddings
Recommended wedding location: COMO Parrot Cay
9. Yosemite
Yosemite is home to one of the world’s most beautiful national parks, making it perhaps one of the most iconic locations for an unforgettable wedding. Thanks to the wide range of wedding companies in the region, you can easily find something to suit virtually any taste.
Get married right in front of the Yosemite falls if you don’t mind the sound of falling water behind you, or consider hiking to the top of Glacier Point for some amazing views while you say, “I do.” You can even check out the Yosemite valley chapel if you like the idea of a quieter destination wedding.
Best for: Natural scenery
Recommended wedding location: The Yosemite Valley Chapel
10. Big Sur
Why settle for sea and sand in the background of your destination wedding photos, when you could have incredible mountains instead? If you and your partner are the more adventurous, outdoorsy type, then you’re bound to love a destination wedding at Big Sur, in California.
No matter where you decide to tie the knot in Big Sur, you can expect some amazing views. Just make sure your guests are all comfortable with heights. If you want to feel even more on top of the world when you’re saying your vows, check out the exclusive Point 16 wedding venue.
Best for: Adventurous couples
Recommended wedding location: Point 16 (managed by A Big Sur Affair)
11. Whistler BC
The best destination wedding ideas don’t have to be defined by sun and sand. Whistler, a town a little north of Vancouver, in British Columbia, offers a beautiful winter wonderland location for your wedding. Although there can definitely be a lot of snow and colder weather in this region, you can still enjoy some amazing outdoor experiences.
If you want a rustic style wedding, the Whistler Blackcomb, the largest ski resort in North America, could be the perfect place. There are plenty of different rustic-style spaces available here, including “The Steeps” which holds up to 80 guests.
Best for: Rustic weddings
Recommended wedding location: Whistler Blackcomb
12. Lake Como, Italy
Few things say romance quite like a trip to Italy. Lake Corno is one of the most versatile places to go for your ideal wedding, because there are so many different kinds of venues to choose from. You can get married at a lakeside hotel, or create a rustic vibe with a historic villa.
If you’re looking for a more traditional, romantic wedding location for your destination wedding, Lake Como is a phenomenal choice, with plenty of vineyards and attractive locations to explore in your free time. Check out the amazing Villa Pizza for the ultimate fairy-tale princess wedding.
Best for: Fairy-tale weddings
Recommended wedding location: Villa Pizzo
Planning Your Destination Wedding
There are plenty of amazing destination wedding ideas out there for all kinds of couples. Whether you’re looking for the classic beach wedding, or something a little more exotic, there’s something to suit every taste.
Hopefully, the options above have given you some inspiration as you start planning the wedding of your dreams.