3. Destination wedding locations around the world
Here are some top destination wedding locations, including Las Vegas, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica.
Top U.S. locations for destination weddings:
Hawaii🌴✈️💰🏞️🌟
Florida Keys 🌴🛫💵🤍🏞️
Virgin Islands ✈️💵🌴🏞️
Colorado 🏔️🛫❄️💰🏞️🌟
Las Vegas 🛫💵🤍🌟
Top international locations for destination weddings:
Mexico 🌴💵🏞️✈️🌟
Jamaica 🌴✈️💵🏞️🤍🌟
Dominican Republic 🌴✈️💵🏞️🤍🌟
Bali 🌴✈️💰🏞️
Greece ✈️💰🏞️🌟
Emoji Key:
🌴 = Beach Wedding
❄️ = Winter Wedding
✈️ = Long Flight
🛫 = Short Flight
💰 = Pricy
💵 = Affordable
🏞️ = Nature
🌟 = Luxurious
🤍 = Simple
4. It doesn’t have to be a beach wedding
Destination weddings aren’t limited to beach weddings. Couples can choose from mountains, historic venues and more. While beach weddings are most popular, here are some other exciting venue ideas for destination weddings:
🌿Garden Weddings
- Perfect for nature lovers and those who enjoy the outdoors
- An eco-friendly option that can incorporate sustainable elements
- Natural beauty enhances your décor, with blooming flowers in the spring and early summer, and red and gold leaves in the fall
My parents marked their 30th wedding anniversary at a charming garden venue. It’s a simple yet romantic choice for nature lovers.
🌇 Rooftop Weddings
- Stunning city or landscape views
- Perfect for a modern, stylish and intimate celebration
- Ideal for sunset or evening weddings with a magical city lights ambiance
Celebrate your wedding under the stars and enjoy the views of a new destination. During my trip to Bangkok, I visited amazing rooftop venues perfect for a special occasion.
⛪Chapel Weddings
- A traditional, sacred setting for a timeless ceremony
- Décor with historical influences
- Ideal for religious ceremonies or spiritual moments
There are countless beautiful chapels around the world. Have you been to Italy?
⛰️ Mountain Weddings
- Perfect for nature lovers and those who enjoy the outdoors
- Offers a peaceful, secluded setting for a private ceremony
- Great for all-year-season weddings
The breathtaking views on top of the mountain will confirm that the journey was worth it.
🏝️Island Weddings
- Perfect for couples who love the beach and a laid-back vibe
- Offers privacy and seclusion for an intimate ceremony
- Easily customizable with beach-themed décor and local touches
When looking for a small and intimate wedding with your favorite people like me, this is a great choice. In case I haven’t mentioned before, Fiji is a great island destination.
⛵ Boat/Yacht Weddings
- Twist on beach weddings
- A unique and adventurous setting for couples who love the sea
- Celebrate with a moving backdrop, whether it’s the open ocean or a scenic coastline
- Combine your wedding with a fun, on-the-water reception or cruise for guests to enjoy
If only I had a friend who could lend me their boat…
>> LEARN MORE: Still dreaming of a beach getaway?
5. It’s not up to the bride and groom to pay for their guests
Guests attending destination weddings are responsible for covering their own travel expenses, including flights and accommodations.
Guests also pay for personal extras, like meals outside of wedding events and activities during their stay. This applies also to close family members and members of the wedding party, such as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Make sure to inform your guests ahead of time so they can plan their finances accordingly—and don’t expect everyone to be able to attend. Many resorts have a destination wedding planner that can help with coordinating your family’s travel logistics.
Extra fact: Wedding guests spend between $700 and $1,400 to attend a destination wedding.
6. The average number of guests is 50
![A bride shares a dance with a wedding guest.]()
Create intimate moments with your guests at a destination wedding.
The average destination wedding in 2023 had 50 guests, compared to 115 guests at a typical U.S. wedding. Guest attendance usually depends on their ability to travel rather than the number invited. Factors like passport requirements and travel costs lower attendance, with only about 40% of invited guests typically attending.
Extra fact: Livestreaming the wedding on social media has become a popular option for all your guests who can’t make it in person.
7. A destination wedding combines your wedding and honeymoon
A destination wedding also combines your dream wedding and honeymoon. This gives you a 2-in-1 deal and lowers the overall cost of a wedding.
Many resorts offer all-inclusive wedding packages that include honeymoon excursions, making planning easier for multi-day celebrations.
![A beach resort with palm trees, where a couple shares a kiss in the midst of paradise.]()
Honeymoon time at La Valise, Mexico.
8. You should get legally married in your home country to avoid complications
Most couples prefer to legally get married in their home country before having a symbolic wedding at a destination. This approach saves time, reduces stress and avoids complications.
![United States passport with wedding rings displayed on a white background.]()
Don’t forget your passport when traveling overseas!
When a legal marriage abroad is required or desired, research the specific requirements for your chosen destination wedding location in advance. Each country has its own legal regulations for obtaining a marriage license. Some require residency, while others may require specific documents, such as birth certificates or divorce decrees, to be translated and authenticated.
Having gone through the bureaucratic challenges of getting married in South Korea myself, I can say it’s not worth the hassle if you can avoid it. My partner is Korean, and I’m German, so we spent months sending documents back and forth for translation and approval. My advice for international couples: Consider getting legally married in Denmark. About 10,000 foreign couples do it each year and the process is much simpler.
>> LEARN MORE: How to Get a U.S. Passport in 2 Weeks or Less
9. In some countries, you must publicly announce your wedding before the legal ceremony