Want to turn your big day into a week-long celebration? Here are the best destination resorts for the wedding of your dreams.
So you or your partner just popped the question; congratulations! Now comes the fun part, planning out all the details, from the flowers to the food.
You check out a venue (or a dozen) in your area, and your mind starts to drift toward thinking about the tropical honeymoon you’ve always imagined. And then you ask your true love, what about a destination wedding? They answer with a resounding yes. Hurray!
But where do you even start? Don’t panic, we’re here to help.
Read on to learn about choosing the right location, organizing all the details,and finding the perfect location for wedding resorts for your destination wedding.
What Is a Destination Wedding Exactly?
You’ve more than likely heard of destination weddings before. Maybe you’ve even been to one.
But for couples needing an explanation, a destination wedding is like a dream honeymoon and a perfect wedding rolled up into one tidy package.
Top destination wedding resorts specialize in handling many of the details and provide the perfect location and elopement packages to make your walk down the aisle go swimmingly.
Are Destination Wedding Resorts Popular
All-inclusive resorts wedding packages and D.I.Y. destination weddings and honeymoons on the beach are getting more and more popular all the time.
Maybe it was the lack of travel for so many of us the past couple of years – or the fact that smaller weddings are gaining traction recently anyways – but the fact is, resorts for destination weddings are busier than ever before.
So what do you need to know before planning yours? Let’s take a look.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Destination Wedding Resort
Location and Accessibility
Location, location, location. We can’t stress it enough – you need to know where you want to go before planning a destination wedding.
The good news is, planning a destination wedding should be fun and maybe even a reason to take that extra trip to the Caribbean or Alaska (cold-weather weddings are a thing, too) before your big day.
But you’ll need to lock in on your dream destination before choosing the best resorts to get married at.
Accommodations and Amenities
You found your perfect location, whether it was the beaches of Mexico or an overwater bungalow in the South Pacific.
Now you need to narrow in on how big you want to go with your suite, meals and spa treatments before and after you tie the knot.
Wedding Packages and Services
One of the advantages of choosing the best hotels for destination weddings is you can arrange wedding packages and services that handle all the important details.
From flower arrangements to expertly prepared cocktails and meals, the best all-inclusive resorts for destination weddings have wedding planning down to a science.
Resort Reputation and Guest Reviews
We can’t stress enough how important it is to research the best destination wedding resorts before booking.
Our guide has some of the top destination wedding resorts, from Jade Mountain in St. Lucia to Belmond Hotel Caruso in Italy. But do your homework and read reviews and feedback carefully, too.
Budget and Cost Considerations
Lastly, before you plan your destination, make sure it’s a choice that makes sense within your budget. For example, a Bora Bora destination wedding doesn’t match up with everyone’s savings account balance.
You can save money by choosing the best all-inclusive wedding resorts during shoulder season or only inviting the closest people in your life.
Other ideas like having a more casual party or forgoing that elaborate wedding cake can help you plan a wedding within the budget of your savings and honeymoon fund.
Let’s look at destination wedding resorts ranging from mid-range retreats to opulent celebrations fit for royalty.
Top Destination Wedding Resorts Around the World
Destination Wedding Resorts in the Caribbean
Planning a destination wedding in the Caribbean? We can’t think of many better places. Here are a few of the best destination wedding resorts in Caribbean locations.
Sandals Emerald Bay – Great Exuma, Bahamas
Location and Setting
Located in the dreamy jungles and beaches of the Bahamas, the 5-star resort is on a one-mile stretch of white sand beaches, perfect for walking down the aisle in flip-flops.
Accommodation and Amenities
One of the best all-inclusive resorts for weddings, the rooms and suites can be as extravagant as you want them to be, and some even come with private butler services.
Unique Selling Points
Unlimited dining and unforgettable activities like an on-site golf course and scuba diving excursions offer plenty of opportunities to celebrate with your guests after your big day.
Wedding Packages and Services
The expert team at Sandals has wedding planning down pat. Register online, and you can customize every intricate detail, from the food to the flowers. A virtual meeting gets the ball rolling, and the wedding planning team handles the rest.
Jade Mountain Resort – St. Lucia
Location and Setting
Nestled along one of the most picturesque beaches in St. Lucia (Anse Chastanet Beach), Jade mountain resort is the perfect wedding destination for couples who want to scuba dive and snorkel after walking down the aisle.
Accommodation and Amenities
Most rooms (or sanctuaries) have private infinity pools, and each is specially designed and features unrivaled views of the Gros Piton. Enjoy the popular bars and restaurants on-site or at the sister-resort Anse Chastanet.
Unique Selling Points
With only one wedding permitted daily, the expert staff is committed to making your wedding the focal point without any distractions.
Wedding Packages and Services
You can customize an experience at Jade Mountain Resort or Anse Chastanet with a backdrop of your choice, including waterfalls, coral reefs, and lush tropical gardens.
Sanctuary Cap Cana – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Location and Setting
Located in the vibrant Punta Cana, this adults-only hotel is ultra-private on over 30,000 acres of beautiful beachside property.
Accommodation and Amenities
Recently renovated, guests can take full advantage of the state-of-the-art spa and dining options, including pan-Asian Italian, and Argentinian cuisine.
Unique Selling Points
You can visit the hotel at a discount leading up to the wedding to help set up the details for your big day.
Wedding Packages and Services
Work with the team at Sanctuary Cap Cana to plan your perfect wedding, and choose from several packages (with freebies sprinkled in for extended stays and groups) at one of the best destination wedding resorts in the Caribbean.
Destination Wedding Resorts in North America & Mexico
Weddings in North America are a great choice any time of year. From beachside paradises to mountain retreats, here are some of the best destination wedding all-inclusive resorts in the USA and Mexico.
One&Only Palmilla – Los Cabos, Mexico
Location and Setting
Plan your wedding on the idyllic beaches at Los Cabos, where the rocky shores and deep blue waters provide the perfect scenery for wedding photography and fun in the sun afterward.
Accommodation and Amenities
Oceanfront rooms and suites have private balconies and elegant decor, providing the perfect landing spot after dancing your wedding night away.
Amenities include dining at acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Seared and plenty of activities for you and your loved ones on land or out at sea.
Unique Selling Points
How about arriving at the chapel on a horse-drawn carriage? We thought so, too.
Wedding Packages and Services
Plan a wedding indoors or outdoors, with the popular on-site chapel being a fabulous choice for smaller traditional ceremonies. Work with One&Only to pick the perfect location and plan all the details at one of the best resorts for destination weddings.
The St. Regis Aspen Resort
Location and Setting
Winter weddings can be magical, and there’s no better place to say your vows with snow falling outside than at Aspen Mountain Ski Resort.
Accommodation and Amenities
Rooms at this five-star luxury retreat are modern and cozy, perfect for snuggling up after walking down the aisle or carving down the famous ski slopes outside.
Unique Selling Points
Head out to the Rocky Mountains with your friends and family at one of the premiere ski resorts in Colorado.
Wedding Packages and Services
Opulent spaces like The Fountain Courtyard and The Grand Astor Ballroom provide the perfect setting to plan a unique honeymoon and wedding with the experts at St. Regis Aspen Resort.
Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Location and Setting
Situated near Playa del Carmen, the resort is ideally set along the white sand beaches along the Mexican Riviera with close access to Tulum and Cancun.
Accommodation and Amenities
Rooms at this AAA-5 Diamond resort range from cozy garden accommodations to casitas set in the jungle, with several restaurants plus numerous on-site activities, giving your guests plenty to do throughout the week.
Unique Selling Points
Fairmont Mayakoba is one of the best destination wedding resorts in the Riviera Maya, with a sprawling setting with varied settings like lagoons, mangrove forests, white sand beaches and opulent ballrooms.
Wedding Packages and Services
Choose a wedding package, small or large, on the beach or in the traditional chapel (el pueblito) with banquet dining and luxury service.
Destination Wedding Resorts in Europe
Europe is home to some of the most romantic honeymoon destinations, from popular choices like France to newly trendy locations like Iceland. Naturally, some of the best destination wedding resorts are here, too.
Belmond Hotel Caruso – Ravello, Italy
Location and Setting
The gorgeous Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello, Italy, is perched high above the picturesque Amalfi Coast.
Accommodation and Amenities
The 50-room hotel features many of the best views in Ravello from the infinity pool, bars, and restaurants, and a daily boat tour free of charge.
Unique Selling Points
Imagine eating some of the best Italian food with a few of your closest friends and family high with million-dollar views of the Amalfi Coast. Enough said.
Wedding Packages and Services
When working with Belmond Hotel Caruso experts to plan your wedding, nothing is impossible.
From a private ceremony at the historic Duomo of Ravello to dining under chandeliers al fresco, they help plan some of the best destination weddings in Italy.
Amanzoe – Porto Heli, Greece
Location and Setting
Planning a destination wedding in Greece? The gorgeous resort town is the perfect location.
Accommodation and Amenities
Private pavilions with luxurious amenities like infinity pools and courtyards, some leading right out to the beach, provide a majestic setting for your destination wedding.
Unique Selling Points
The traditional ceremony of “crowning” the bride and groom doesn’t get more romantic than when performed on the beaches of Porto Heli at sunset.
Wedding Packages and Services
Work with the expert planners at Amanzoe to create an experience just for you, no matter how casual or elaborate you want.
Château d’Esclimont – Saint-Symphorien-le-Château, France
Location and Setting
If your dream is a destination wedding in the countryside of France, this idyllic castle in the small village of Saint-Symphorien-le-Château has your name on it.
Accommodation and Amenities
Stunning property grounds feature a moat, perfectly manicured gardens, and an imposing castle that will make for stunning photos.
Unique Selling Points
Staying at the medieval castle is an experience you’ll never forget; add a destination wedding to the occasion, and you have the stuff dreams are made of.
Wedding Packages and Services
Contact the staff at +33 2 37 31 15 15 for more information.
Destination Wedding Resorts in Africa
Want to plan a destination wedding in Africa? Check out this slice of paradise in Seychelles.
Four Seasons at Desroches Island Seychelles
Location and Setting
We love the idea of walking down the aisle with the sound of gentle waves interrupting your aunt and uncle hiding their sniffles.
A destination wedding and honeymoon in Seychelles is the perfect setting on the idyllic Desroches Island.
Accommodation and Amenities
Suites and villas overlooking the Indian Ocean and an impressive lineup of restaurants, including Japanese izakaya and Mediterranean fare, should keep you and your guests plenty happy.
Unique Selling Points
How about having your wedding on a private island? Four Seasons is the one and only resort on picturesque Desroches Island.
Wedding Packages and Services
Fancy a cocktail hour at a lighthouse or barefoot exchanges of vows? Let the staff at the Four Seasons plan your perfect destination wedding.
Destination Wedding Resorts in Asia
Ready for a destination wedding in Asia? Check out these stunning properties.
The Mulia Bali – Bali, Indonesia
Location and Setting
This hotel is next to the gorgeous beaches and picture-perfect golf courses in the heart of Nusa Dua.
Accommodation and Amenities
The grand property with over 500 rooms and 9 dining outlets, and 4 pools have more than enough space for your friends and family no matter how many long-lost relatives RSVP “yes.”
Unique Selling Points
A wide array of choices for your wedding include beachside spaces and a chapel large enough to host 250 guests.
Wedding Packages and Services
Choose from numerous carefully curated wedding packages for groups of nearly any size.
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai – Chiang Mai, Thailand
Location and Setting
Hidden in a tranquil setting amongst the rice fields in Chiang Mai, the location is perfect for a tropical destination wedding.
Accommodation and Amenities
Pavilion suites are perched above the jungle setting below, some with private pools and multiple residences inside.
Unique Selling Points
Your guests can select from luxury packages and participate in the romantic vibe with spa treatments and champagne.
Wedding Packages and Services
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai organizes both modern and traditional Thai wedding experiences, including ceremonies where a monk can bless your marriage.
The Oberoi Udaivilas – Udaipur, India
Location and Setting
Situated amongst the forests and lakes of the stunning Udaipur, the hotel boasts ornate architecture and gardens inspired by the temples and parks in the nearby city.
Accommodation and Amenities
You and your guests can enjoy fine dining for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, private yoga lessons, and henna tattoos.
Unique Selling Points
You’ll be staying at one of the best resorts for a destination wedding anywhere in the world.
Wedding Packages and Services
Contact the five-star resort for information on planning your perfect destination wedding.
The Oberoi Udaivilas – Udaipur, India
Location and Setting
You know how much we love the idea of a honeymoon in the Maldives, but a destination wedding on a private island just takes it up to a whole new level.
Accommodation and Amenities
Looking for the best all-inclusive wedding resorts? The breakfast buffet with a globally-inspired menu, food credits for dinner or drinks, and a wide array of activities, including snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours, make this a legitimate crowd-pleaser.
Unique Selling Points
How does drifting out to sea on a Maldivian boat sound for your wedding? Book below.
Wedding Packages and Services
The team at Ayada Maldives knows a thing or two about planning a wedding to remember. Work with them to choose the perfect setting, decorations, and entertainment for your destination wedding of a lifetime.
Practical Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding
Working With a Wedding Planner
We can’t stress enough the importance of arranging details ahead. Our advice? Hire a wedding planner and allow them to do what they do best.
Managing Guest Logistics and Accommodations
Your guests are just that, your guests.
There’s nowhere they’d rather be than celebrating your big day (or week in the case of elopement packages and destination weddings). But do everyone a favor and send as much information about accommodations as possible ahead of time.
Legal Requirements and Documentation
Each destination may have specific rules and regulations for the marriage license and required documents like passports or birth certificates. Study up ahead.
Incorporating Local Culture and Traditions
Part of the magic of a destination wedding is learning more about the place you’re getting married.
There are endless options for planning an unforgettable honeymoon or destination wedding, each with its own customs and traditions. Familiarize yourself with any social norms related to wardrobe, food and alcohol before traveling, and alert your guests.
Setting a Realistic Timeline and Budget
Planning a wedding isn’t easy. But there are some ways you can make it go smoothly.
Start planning out your honeymoon and destination wedding long ahead and set up a honeymoon fund. You’ll be happy you did.