The Best Destination Wedding Locations in the World

What Makes a Destination Wedding Location Great

A destination wedding is a once in a lifetime experience for you, your spouse-to-be, and your guests. Many things have to be considered when choosing a location. Not all venues are suited to host multiple events, no matter how visually stunning they are. Likewise, not every location is conducive to creating the wedding images you envision — no matter how incredible the hospitality is there. When thinking about what your dream destination looks like, it’s imperative to think about the aesthetic and experience a location will offer.

When To Start Planning Your Destination Wedding

For starters, I recommend visiting the city and venue of your potential destination wedding at least once — and ideally, as close to the season of your wedding date as possible. You’ll have the advantage of envisioning exactly what you (and your guest) are likely to experience, such as the location’s weather, sunlight, and any special seasonal events or activities available. The internet is an amazing resource, but it’s not a substitution for real experience.

Once you’ve decided on a location and venue for your destination wedding, it’s recommended you book your venue 12-16 months before your wedding date. This gives you, your partner, your family, and your wedding planning team a reasonable amount of time to suss things out fully, and put plan Bs in place — should you need them. To achieve the experience you desire, it’s best not to rush planning your destination wedding.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Destination Wedding Location

Travel distance

How remote do you want your destination wedding to be? How long will it take guests to get there? How many planes, trains, buses, or cars will they need to take to reach their hotel and the venue? How much do these factors matter to you and your guests? Take the time to really consider the experience of getting to your destination, as it sets the stage for your entire event.

Amenities

What kind of amenities do you and your destination wedding guests need access to? How far is the nearest town, restaurant, or spa? Do you want your guests to have easy access to a variety of guided activities? Or are you more interested in being surrounded by nature? You’re choosing a destination wedding for a reason… consider how you can blend the comforts of home with the unique experience you desire.

The Heart Connection

Perhaps most important to consider: what does the location inspire in you? Does it make you feel alive? At peace? Or have you just always dreamed of going? Certainly the most touching celebrations I’ve captured are the ones where the couple has a heart connection to the destination wedding location in one way or another. Get clear on your heart connection… and use this to create a one-of-a-kind celebration you (and your guests!) will cherish forever.

My Top Destination Wedding Location Recommendations

(In No Particular Order)

1. The Maldives

I’ll never forget my first destination wedding in the Maldives. We traveled for days! We left on a Monday and arrived at one of the small, remote islands that make up the country on Thursday. After several international flights, a water plane, and a speedboat, we finally arrived. The four days of travel were suddenly all worth it.

There is nothing quite like being transported so far from home that you feel a bit nervous. The excitement and the rush of a new culture is one of my main sources of inspiration. After nearly two decades as a destination wedding photographer, it still hasn’t gotten old. I’ll always remember the Maldives as the first destination wedding location that changed my career (thanks, Martha Stewart!) — and life — forever.

PEAK SEASON: between December and April.

“And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity, and ready to be transformed.” 

– Pico Iyer

2. Italy

Italy’s seas, lakes, architecture, terrain, cuisine, language, and people make it one of the most popular destination wedding locations in the world. It’s certainly one of my favorites. From historical villas to regal hotels, Italy seems to have something for everyone. There’s a reason Italy is one of the most traveled destinations in the world.

My top two recommendations for booking an Italian destination wedding are the Lake Como region and Venice. These areas make for some of the most dramatic, stunning, and elegant photography backdrops you could possibly hope for. Check out my Lake Como wedding guide for more of my Italian destination wedding recommendations.

PEAK SEASON: summer is beautiful, but any time is a good time to be in Italy.

3. Marrakesh, Morocco

Marrakesh is an excellent destination wedding location. The city photographs beautifully — the muted colors of the desert landscapes juxtaposed with the vibrant colors of the architecture, textiles, markets, and even food make for very dramatic, complex, and interesting photographs. The city is also so much fun to explore. I can’t recommend the Amanjena resort in Marrakesh enough — any Aman resort is worth traveling for.

PEAK SEASON: March through May and September through November.

4. St. Barts

If white sand beaches, aqua waters, open-air cafés, designer boutiques, fine dining, and a lively nightlife is more your speed, I cannot recommend St. Barts enough. It might be the most opulent Caribbean island for a destination wedding. If you want to avoid the crowds, opt for a private villa like Le Toiny. Or, for a luxury hotel experience, I’d recommend one of the island’s top stays like Le Sereno or Cheval Blanc. 

PEAK SEASON: December
RAINY SEASON: September through November (note that many businesses close during the rainy season).

5. Mexico

While I’m all for traveling across the world, there are so many breathtaking destination wedding venues just south — in beautiful Mexico. The beaches, the historical and colorful architecture, the delicious cuisine, the authentic charm, the incredible people… it’s such a special place. 

Two stunning and luxurious destination wedding resorts I cannot recommend enough in Cabo are the One & Only Pamilla and Las Ventanas. 

For a totally immersive hotel experience, I recommend traveling to the Eastern shores of the Yucatan peninsula — to the Be Tulum hotel in Tulum — where you can either be enveloped in tropical forests or given your own little private beach oasis. They have individual rooms as well as private villas. 

North of Tulum, in Xpu Há, is the widely acclaimed, historical, and luxurious Hotel Esencia — which was originally built as the private home of Italian royalty. Xpu Há is largely untouched by development, and therefore retains much of its captivating wildness.

If you’re a fan of golf, I recommend venturing slightly north from Xpu Há to Playa del Carmen, where you’ll find the beautiful Rosewood Mayakoba resort. There, you can choose from lagoon, ocean, or beachfront suites and villas. 

Over on the western Yucatan peninsula, in picturesque Mérida, is the iconic and chic Coqui Coqui Hotel & Perfumery — as well as the boutique Casa Lecanda. You really can’t go wrong with a destination wedding in Mexico.

PEAK SEASON: November through April.

6. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Perched on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, and known for the charm of its ‘Old Town,’ this ancient city provides a dramatic and breathtaking backdrop for a destination wedding. It’s no wonder the fantastical Game of Thrones was partially filmed in Dubrovnik — it looks straight out of a fairytale.

If you love boating and sunny, warm weather, this is an excellent option. Dubrovnik boasts over 1200 islands and an impressively rugged coastline complete with cliffs, castle-like buildings, and old-world charm right on the sea. There’s a reason Dubrovnik is known as ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’. 

“This is an amazing country to charter a boat, with over 1200 islands and a beautiful coastline.  There are also many incredible hotels like Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery, Little Green Bay Hotel, San Canzian Village & Hotel, Villa Dubrovnik, and many more.”

— Katie Jacobson

Yes, please.

PEAK SEASON: July through August.

7. Africa

Africa is one of my absolute favorite places in the world. I’ve spent the most time in Kenya and Tanzania pursuing my passion project, Render Loyalty — where I photograph African wildlife and help support the conservancies who dedicate their lives to protecting these beautiful and endangered animals. I’ve also photographed some of my favorite destination shoots in Africa.

I can’t say enough about luxury safaris. They’re once in a lifetime experiences you cannot pass up if you choose to plan your destination wedding on this gorgeous continent. Seriously, if  you’re going to be in Africa, you kind of have to go all out. My top luxury safari recommendations are Time + Tide and Bushtops. Once you’re booked, check out my safari packing tips here.

There truly are endless destination wedding options in Africa. With over 50 countries, over 18,000 miles of coastline, 6 islands, and over 50 national parks, there’s something for everyone. Check out our experience in Miavana, a luxury private island off the coast of Madagascar.

Next on my African travel bucket list is Lamu Island. It would be perfect for a pre-wedding shoot! Also on my list is Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda and staying at some new properties like, One & Only Gorilla’s Nest or visiting Zambia or Namibia. So much to explore!

PEAK SEASONS: vary across African countries.
The best time to go on a safari in sub-Saharan Africa is in its dry season – between late June and October.

8. The UK

From the castles spanning the entire island country to the rugged, green coastlines, there’s something classic about a destination wedding in the UK. Whether you’re looking to explore historical sites, lush landscapes, or big cities, there’s something for you in this island country.

If you’re a fan of horseback riding, I can’t recommend Liberty Trails enough.We went on a three-day ride with them in Dartmoor, Britain, and had the time of our lives. The tour was actually guided by Olympic legend Mary King.

If you’re looking to have more of an old-world, classic, and opulent destination wedding, check out the Dunnottar Castle in Scotland and the historical Ballyfin in Ireland, a 5-star luxury country house that was home to a string of Irish royalty.

With horseback riding, clay shooting, or sipping whiskey by the fire when you fancy, the historic stays in the UK harken back to simpler times.

PEAK SEASON: mid-June through mid-September

9. Hawaii

As far as tropical landscapes go, Hawaii is a clear standout. Volcanoes, lush cliffs, tall mountains, crystal blue waters, and a beautiful, poetic culture rooted in dance and music. Hawaii is a fantastic destination wedding location. We shot a wedding in Maui  and were blown away by the natural beauty and the level of luxury at the Montage Kapalua Hotel.

But there are endless options to choose from in Hawaii. Check out the famous Halekulani Hotel on the south shores of Oahu in Honolulu — which features a suite designed by Vera Wang and has been a popular location for over a century. Wherever you choose to plan your destination wedding in Hawaii, it’s sure to be unforgettable.

PEAK SEASON: December through March and mid-June through August.

My Love Letter to Destination Weddings

The world is a beautiful and magical place. Exploring it is the ultimate privilege. In my opinion, traveling to new places is one of the best parts of life — the other being love. I think destination weddings are so special because they celebrate both love and travel. And for me, no two things fill me up with more positivity, hope, and inspiration. Here’s to planning your destination wedding!

Get inspired by my favorite destination engagement sessions: