The best places in the world for a destination wedding
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The best destination wedding locations offer something special, something worth travelling for: a combined flavour of distant surrounds, enchanting traditions and good weather, all with the familiar presence of loved ones. From an authentic church on an Italian hillside to going barefoot on the buttery sands at a beach wedding, the world really is your oyster when it comes to ethereal settings for the big day. They say that true love sets you free, and nothing could encapsulate that unbound feeling like the great expanse of the world’s landscapes.
Here, we’ve curated a collection of our favourite destination wedding locations in the UK, Europe and beyond…
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Lake Como, Italy
At the base of the Alps, Italy’s third largest lake manages to hit that hard-to-find sweet spot between being well-known but still managing to feel like an ethereal secret when you’re there. Lake Como’s shores are magnificently accoutred in lavish villas, with manicured gardens unfurling toward their own jetties, decadent hotels (Hotel Tremezzo, with its floating pool on the lake itself, a long-time favourite for couples after classic nuptials) and a bespeckling of restaurants, open greenery and private residences. The ancient glacial lake spans back to Roman times, where its balmy microclimate and easy glamour has made it a honey pot for the rich and famous ever since. Weddings here come with a natural prestige, with waterfront locations to fit all budgets and briefs (Villa Carlotta, stretching alongside the lake, is a particular favourite) and the rare opportunity for both you and your guests to arrive and leave atop the glittering waters themselves.
Best time for a destination wedding: April – June, September – October
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Santorini, Greece
One of the world’s natural wonders, Santorini draws honeymooners the world over, lured in by the white-washed villages that string themselves around the edge of the volcanic caldera that first created the island. This destination has romance in its very air, with breathtaking views, sunsets that set the sky ablaze and historic richness that weaves together both natural and manmade marvels. And when it comes to weddings, betrothed couples are can choose from lowkey retreats concealed at the end of dirt tracks, cliffside villas that gaze out to the Aegean Sea and hotels shrouded in fuschia flowers that bloom year-round. Ceremonies here are sun-soaked, melting into sunset-backed receptions and dancing long into the night out in the open air. The village of Pyrgos, a lesser crowded sibling of Fira and Oia, nestles in the foothills of Mount Profitis and never fails to enchant those who come to visit its surrounding vineyards and steep, medieval alleyways. Over the years this has made it a particular favourite for couples marrying on the island, not to mention the draw its authentic wine bars, tavernas and boutiques have outside of this. And for those who need that extra nudge, ancient legends also say that the strongest and happiest marriages are made in Santorini.
Best time for a destination wedding: April – May, September – November
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Scottish Highlands, Scotland
The Scottish Highlands have been given vast airtime recently as they span out from Balmoral Castle, the Queen’s final resting place. Beloved by the Royal Family, this vastly wild and untamed area of Scotland can be harsh and unrelenting, yet also unrestrainedly romantic and atmospheric, with its seemingly boundless swathes of forest, undulating cliff tops and twisting rivers. And its diversity gives those waiting to be wed, the opportunity to fulfil even the most specific of wedding visions. The historic, tapestry-clad ballrooms at the heart of the Highland’s many, magnificent castles, some even offering unexpectedly intimate affairs (Forter Castle in Glenisla sleeps 16 guests and can accommodate up to 24 as part of the wedding itself), to windswept clifftop ruins (Urquhart Castle, located on the banks of the Loch Ness) and luxury hotels, dressed in all their finery, on the banks of rivers or clad in thick forest.
Best time for a destination wedding: June – August
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Ibiza, Balearic Islands
For years, Ibiza was reduced to the sum of its parties. Thought of by many as off-limits to anyone who didn’t want to spend their days languishing at celebrity-saturated beach clubs and their evenings in the island’s clubs and bars. However, over the last 10 years, the island’s countryside – which embodies a distinctly calmer, tranquil feel – has ushered visitors, and newly-engaged lovers, to enjoy the fruits of its landscape in the mild year-round climate. A tonic to the punishing pace of urban life, the Mediterranean destination is a, perhaps surprisingly, practical choice too, with balmy weather almost guaranteed, a flight time of just 2.5 hours from London and plenty to entertain guests outside of the big day itself. Plus, the myriad rural retreats dotted around the mountainsides and encircled by greenery make sourcing accommodation for those attending not only easy but effortlessly enchanting. From a sunset beach BBQ or a boutique rural hotel setting – Ca Na Xica, just outside of the northern village of San Miguel, offers a restored finca-style backdrop – to an intimate hilltop chapel, the options here span much further than simply beach clubs.
Best time for a destination wedding: May – September
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Cape Winelands, South Africa
South Africa, despite taking a minimum of 11 hours to reach from the UK, manages to coax those looking for a destination wedding location across the seas and towards its unique brand of hospitality. There are a myriad more obvious options for nuptials to take place here, from the bright lights of the V&A waterfront, fronted by the impressive facade of Table Mountain, in Cape Town, to the provincial capital of Johannesburg, though for many, none stand up to the verdant vineyards and sweeping mountain landscapes of the Cape Winelands. Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town itself, the thread of towns that make up the region are strung together by sprawling private wine estates and the most breathtaking scenery. Each estate boasts its own, unique feel, weaving together the rich heritage of the area and its own contemporary touches. Zorgvliet, for example, offers luxe-country elegance that encapsulates the authentic personality of Stellenbosch – one of the most well-known towns here – while Beau Constantia, with its panoramic views of the mountains, is the most beautiful of blank canvases, with sprawling lawns and various, adaptable buildings across its farmland.
Best time for a destination wedding: November – March
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Provence, France
Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Pablo Picasso are all known to have had a deep and long-sustaining love affair with the sun-soaked region of Provence, and it’s not hard to see why: the chocolate box villages, the rolling olive groves and the amethyst glow of the lavender fields all add to the beauty of the unique tapestry that makes up this area of southeastern France. Here, the ever-enduring appeal of the château wedding is stepped up, with contrasting, though equally as romantic, backdrops of either endless, rolling hills or picture-perfect coastline all within a short drive of each other, and of course, its premium food and wine (most notably Provençal Rosé). And time it right (early July), and the purple-wash of the lavender fields creates a fittingly ethereal setting for your eternal promises to one another. If you’re going this route, then the Lavender Domaine to the north of Marseilles has erected two large nomad tents in the lavender fields themselves, with indoor event spaces to incorporate as well. Meanwhile, across the summer, Château Sainte Roseline can host up to 1,000 people, boasts its own chapel, 12th-century cloister and homemade vin from the winery estate itself.
Best time for a destination wedding: March – May, September – November; early July to coincide with the lavender
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Marrakech & the Atlas Mountains, Morocco
Anyone who has ever visited Marrakech will tell you that it is a place you can’t help but experience with every single one of your senses. From the multi-coloured spices, sold from huge woven sacks, punctuating the area in the cracks and crevices of the labyrinth of streets to the zigzagging bustle of the markets and the blue and green hues of Jardin Majorelle-Yves Saint Laurent Mansion and its surrounding gardens that reflect the vibrancy of the wider city, the former imperial city abounds with life. And in the middle of all this vibrancy, the solace of the riads that pepper the alleyways offer up a setting that reflects the exact reason we often choose to get married in the first place: because we have found our calm in the middle of the chaos. From the traditional riads that encase the authentic spirit of the area to souped-up, luxury iterations, centred around swimming pools or lush courtyards (Rodamon Riad, we’re looking at you), each has something unique to offer, an intimate corner of the city in which to celebrate your love. Hotels such as La Mamounia, once a much-loved haunt of Charlie Chaplin and Churchill, and Royal Mansour, owned by the King of Morocco, also spin the rich tapestry of life here in their own way, with great banqueting halls, myriad outdoor terraces and manicured gardens overlooking the city or the mountains and the opportunity for guests to languish in the sun in utter extravagance.
Then there are the surrounding Atlas Mountains. They’re calmer, embodying a slower pace of life and a history that weaves its way up and down the winding dirt tracks, roads and paths that connect the villages and landscapes. Here too though, private estates and venues offer those keen to head off the beaten track, a perfect sanctuary in which to encase their special day.
Best time for a destination wedding: March – May, September – November
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Split, Croatia
Croatia is fast becoming one of the most popular countries to host a destination wedding, thanks to its proximity to the UK, glittering coastline and historic quarters with old, honey-hued stone centres and spirited culture. And though you can find magical matrimony spots dotted across the islands and mainland, Split is inching its head above the parapet as one of the more standout wedding destinations in the cluster here, and it’s easy to see why. The lively coastal town, stretching for miles along the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, has long been attracting well-heeled visitors thanks to globally-acclaimed events – think Yacht Week, among others – but those looking to marry in Split are after a flavour of its larger-than-life personality, zest for living and atmospheric architecture that anchors it to tradition. Mestrovic Gallery Terrace on the southern padimama Marjan Hill looks out across the sea and the central Dalmatian islands of Solta, Brac, Hvar and Vis. Numerous churches are embedded into the surrounding landscape and post-nuptial dining is taken at tables dotted around the perfectly-manicured lawns. You’ll also find tons of boutique hotels within the city’s parameters (like the Briig Boutique Hotel, a design hotel occupying a prime location beside sandy Bačvice beach) ideal for smaller ceremonies, though those in search of larger venues can exclusively hire the Marvie Hotel, with its rooftop infinity pool and terrace.
Best time for a destination wedding: May – June, September – October
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Bali, Indonesia
Yes, Bali is a 15-hour flight away from the UK, but when you’re flying into paradise, can you really be upset with a longer travel time? We’d argue not, particularly when it’s for a once-in-a-lifetime event. Destination weddings in Bali tend to be more intimate, beach ceremonies populated with only the closest family and friends, small cliff-top nuptials or meaningful blessings and traditional purification ceremonies within temples and Buddhist Viharas under the watchful eyes of a clutch of loved ones. Although, that being said, the province is also home to some of the best hotels in Bali that can – if called upon – host much larger gatherings, like the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, which rises from the paddy fields of Ubud or Amandari, a high-end hotel modelled on a traditional Balinese settlement, looking out over the sacred Ayung Valley.
Best time for a destination wedding: May – June, September
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Lake Bled, Slovenia
Perhaps a wild card into the mix of best destination wedding locations, Lake Bled in Slovenia nestles in the centre of the Julian Alps and is a medieval marvel, for dotted around its dramatic setting, from the tips of the mountains to the first ripples of the ice-blue waters, castles, ruins and monuments command their place within the landscape of modern times. And in the middle of the lake itself – an ethereal-feeling central island – is home to a single Gothic church, dating back to the 1400s, setting the tone for the area’s connection to the symbolism of marriage, and available for couples wishing to get married here. From high to low there is a sense of grandeur beyond glamour here, perhaps the pinnacle of which is Bled Castle, the most popular wedding venue, with an almost birds-eye-view down over the lake and forest-clad mountains surrounding it. Villa Bled, occupying a much lower plot just a minute walk from the shores of the lake, offers a slightly more contemporary affair. Once President Tito’s summer residence, the villa and its parkland beyond have been meticulously kept, to enchant newlyweds and their guests.
Best time for a destination wedding: April – May, September – October
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Fiji
An archipelago of over 300 islands, you’d be forgiven for believing that Fiji was created entirely for the purpose of hosting romantic nuptials. From barefoot beach ceremonies with toes dipped in the honey-hued sands to sunset cliff top weddings and, for those who really want to embrace the culture here, a Tevutevu Ceremony – known as the 'spreading of the mats' – an ancient Fijian wedding tradition, whereby each guest places a mat on the floor to symbolise where the couple will sleep. Many couples choose to stopover with guests in Hong Kong for hen and stag parties, before flying on to immerse themselves in island life.
Best time for a destination wedding: May – mid-October
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French Riviera, France
The French Riviera has been immortalised by film and fiction as a part of the world where ‘chic’ is the natural order of the day. A popular holiday spot for the rich, royal and famous since the 19th century, the destination boasts no less than 310 days of sunshine a year and over 100km of coastline, fringing the cosmopolitan cities of Cannes, Monaco and Saint Tropez. Here, smaller, intimate ceremonies atop the cliffs or in the many waterfront restaurants out of hours, are matched with larger events that take over entire resorts with no expense spared. Grand historical houses are a real draw here, and top of the list, the illustrious Rothschild Villa, with pink Verona marble arches, an oriental dining room which looks out onto the Bay of Villefranche and an impeccably-manicured French Garden dotted with exotic flowers and palm trees, makes for a faultlessly romantic venue.
Best time for a destination wedding: June - September
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Galle, Sri Lanka
Cricket fans will no doubt know Galle, on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, for its international stadium, though outside of its sporting history, the fortified old city is an enchanting place for a destination wedding. Founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th-century and expanded by the Dutch, the stone seawalls encapsulate a unique and heady mix of cultures, people and architecture, from an 18th-century Dutch refined church to an imposig lighthouse on the southeast tip of the fort. Weddings here take on a spiritual quality, drawing on the Buddhist traditions of the area, and drawing on the holistic attitude to life and love that stretches across the country. About 20-minutes drive away, the town of Weligama offers a string of sheltered, quieter beaches, the cliffside Cape Weligama hotel, part of the Relais & Chateaux collection, and On Houses, a set of three Swahili-style houses, perched on the lush hills just a short cycle away from the lush paddy fields and temples in the area.
Best time for a destination wedding: December - March
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Istanbul, Turkey
A rich patchwork of culture, history and grand, golden architecture, Istanbul is perhaps not the most obvious choice for a destination wedding but, as Alphonse de Lamartine said, “If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul,” and we can’t think a more romantic notion than that. An ideal choice for betrothed couples whose family and friends like to seek out adventure and want to turn nuptials abroad into an extended holiday. Plus, with so many artisans, affordable local craftspeople and photo-perfect spots, creating a unique day that really reflects your personal style of romance is only limited by your own imagination. There are the usual smattering of luxury hotels here, all with grand ballrooms, although, for truly breathtaking vistas, book Çubuklu 29, an opulent indoor/outdoor bar and events space – adept at creating magical weddings – with an outdoor pools, views out across the Sea of Marmara and the capacity for up to 1500 people to dance until dawn.
Best time for a destination wedding: February - April, July - November
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Tuscany, Italy
Cypress passageways, rich tapestries of green-hued fields and atmospheric castellos in varying states of enchanting disarray, Tuscany, in the heart of Italy, weaves romance into its every corner. The destination hits that rare wedding sweetspot of being easy to get to, endlessly beautiful and totally geared up to cater for every whim and wish of those soon-to-be married. The capital of Florence is peppered with world-famous architecture, glamorous hotel chains, charming boutique hotels and a clutch of imposing cathedrals and churches. Just outside of the city, the Tuscan countryside – with its rolling hills and undulating vineyards – offers a totally different, yet equally as enchanting, backdrop for nuptials, with sprawling villas, boasting manicured gardens and mosaic courtyards, and vast lakes with ceremonies possible at the water’s edge, the gentle song of cicadas punctuating the air.
Best time for a destination wedding: May - September