Destination weddings are now more popular. Couples want a unique, unforgettable experience. A destination wedding is a wedding held away from the couple's hometown. This can be a domestic or international location depending on the couple's preferences.
According to Statista, destination weddings accounted for 27% of all weddings in 2019. Research shows that destination weddings are becoming more popular each year. A destination wedding has many benefits. You can combine the wedding and honeymoon. You can limit the guest list to close family and friends. Plus, you can explore a new, exciting place.
Choosing the right location is key. The location should show the couple's personalities. It must be a beautiful, comfortable place for the wedding. This article will introduce five stunning wedding destinations. From tropical beaches to historic castles, each place is unique. They all promise to make the wedding day unforgettable.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali, the Island of the Gods, is a top wedding spot for couples. They seek a tropical paradise for their big day. Located in Indonesia, Bali is well known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes.
Bali's beaches attract many with their clear waters, soft sands, and calmness. Couples can find ideal wedding spots among the diverse options. Popular choices include Seminyak, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua beaches. Each offers a unique backdrop, from quiet coves to lively surf.
Wedding Planning Tips
Weather
The best time to schedule a wedding in Bali for optimal weather is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. Expect sunny days, low humidity, and little rain. It's perfect for outdoor ceremonies and celebrations. July and August are popular, but they are peak tourist months. So, plan early to secure your preferred venues and accommodations.
Venue Options
Couples can choose from various beach weddings in Bali, from small elopements to large celebrations. Popular styles include bohemian, tropical, and modern. Venues also vary, with options like beachfront villas, luxury resorts, and private estates. Bali has many excellent beach wedding venues and packages. This makes it easy for couples to plan their dream weddings. Top venues include Alila Seminyak, Ayana Resort and Spa, and The St. Regis Bali Resort. They offer services like custom menus and dedicated wedding coordinators.
Budget
The cost of a destination wedding in Bali can vary widely. From $1,500 for a simple wedding to $50,000 for an extravagant event. For budget tips and venue details, check resources like Amora Bali Weddings and Tirtha.
Legal Considerations
Indonesian law requires that all couples getting married must do so under a recognized religion. The recognized religions in Indonesia are Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Confucianism. This can be a bit challenging for partners with different religious beliefs, even though no formal proof of religious preference is required.
As an alternative, we recommend couples to opt for a blessing ceremony, followed by a legal ceremony either before or after their trip back home. For legal tips, check resources like Wedinspire and Baliwedding.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast, known for its cliffs and villages, is ideal for weddings. Situated in southern Italy, it boasts stunning views, lively culture, and a romantic atmosphere. Towns like Positano, Ravello, and Amalfi provide beautiful, unique settings for your big day.
Wedding Planning Tips
Weather
The best time to plan a wedding on the Amalfi Coast is between May and September when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, this is also peak tourist season, so early booking is essential to secure your preferred venue and accommodations.
Venue Options
The Amalfi Coast has many wedding venues. They range from luxury cliffside hotels to villas with stunning sea views. Popular venues include Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, known for its beautiful gardens and historic charm, and Le Sirenuse in Positano, offering luxury and spectacular vistas. Whether you're planning an elegant affair or a relaxed, rustic celebration, the Amalfi Coast has venues to suit every style.
Budget
Weddings on the Amalfi Coast can vary significantly in cost. While a simple, intimate ceremony might start around $15,000, a more elaborate event in a luxury venue can easily exceed $50,000. Costs to consider include venue hire, catering, floral arrangements, and transportation. For budget tips and venue details, check resources like Happybrides and Wild Aisle.
Legal Considerations
Italy requires a Nulla Osta (certificate of no impediment) and other legal documents for foreigners to marry. Couples must present these documents at the town hall before the wedding. Most couples opt to handle the legal ceremony in their home country and enjoy a symbolic ceremony on the Amalfi Coast. For more information on planning a wedding in Italy, check out Italyweddings.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a top wedding destination for couples seeking a romantic Greek island setting. Santorini is famous for its stunning views, sunsets, and blue-domed churches. It has many venues that blend natural beauty with historical charm.
Wedding Planning Tips
Weather
The best time to plan a wedding in Santorini is from May to October, when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. July and August are the peak tourist months, which can lead to higher prices and crowded venues. For a more relaxed experience, consider the shoulder months of May, June, September, or October, which offer ideal weather and fewer tourists.
Venue Options
A top wedding spot in Santorini is the blue-domed churches. They have stunning caldera views. Other popular venues include luxury hotels and villas, as well as beachfront locations. Santorini has wedding venues from cliffside chapels to luxury hotels and villas. They all overlook the caldera. Popular choices include Canaves Oia Hotel, known for its luxury and panoramic views, and Santo Wines Winery, which offers a blend of traditional Greek ambiance and stunning vistas.
Budget
Weddings in Santorini can range from intimate elopements to grand celebrations. A simple wedding might start around $10,000, while more elaborate events in luxury venues can exceed $30,000. Costs to consider include venue hire, catering, photography, and transportation. Resources like Unique & Forever and Ori Wedding can provide detailed budgeting guides and venue options.
Legal Considerations
To marry in Santorini, couples need to obtain a marriage license and ensure all legal documentation is completed before the ceremony. This includes providing certified copies of birth certificates, passports, and a certificate of no impediment. Many couples opt to handle the legalities in their home country and then have a symbolic ceremony on the island.
Riviera Maya, México
Riviera Maya, on Mexico's Caribbean coast, is a sought-after wedding spot. It's famous for beautiful beaches, warm weather, and lively culture. Couples can choose from various venues, including upscale resorts, charming gardens, and historic sites. The area boasts pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and lush landscapes, blending natural beauty with luxury.
Wedding Planning Tips
Weather
The best time to plan a wedding in Riviera Maya is from November to April during the dry season, which offers warm, sunny days and cooler evenings. Avoid planning in the summer months (June to October), as this is hurricane season, which can bring unpredictable weather.
Venue Options
Couples can exchange their vows on the white sand beaches with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea as a backdrop. Other popular wedding spots in Riviera Maya are lush gardens, natural cenotes (underground rivers), and ancient Mayan ruins. Riviera Maya has many wedding venues. They range from all-inclusive resorts to intimate beachfront spots. Popular venues include El Dorado Maroma, known for its overwater bungalows, and Xcaret Park, which offers unique settings like caves and riverside chapels.
Budget
Weddings in Riviera Maya can vary widely in cost. A simple beach wedding might start around $5,000, while a more elaborate event at a luxury resort can exceed $30,000. Costs to consider include travel, accommodations, and venue fees. Resources like Paradise Weddings and Chas Studios can help you budget and plan your wedding.
Legal Considerations
Getting legally married in Mexico requires couples to provide valid passports, birth certificates, and a blood test performed in Mexico. Many couples choose to handle the legal aspects in their home country and have a symbolic ceremony in the Riviera Maya.
Paris, France
Paris, known as the City of Love, is a top wedding spot for couples seeking romance and elegance. Its iconic landmarks, charming streets, and rich culture create an unforgettable wedding backdrop. The city boasts venues from grand palaces and museums to intimate gardens and chic hotels.
Moreover, Paris is famous for its cuisine, art, and fashion, adding luxury and sophistication to weddings. Couples can choose from Michelin-starred restaurants to local patisseries.
Wedding Planning Tips
Weather
The best time to plan a wedding in Paris is from April to June and September to October. These months have mild weather and fewer tourists. They are ideal for outdoor ceremonies and for capturing the city's landmarks.
Venue Options
One of the most popular wedding venues in Paris is the Eiffel Tower, which provides a stunning backdrop for a wedding ceremony or reception. Paris provides a range of wedding venues, from historic châteaux to luxury hotels and intimate gardens. Popular venues include Shangri-La Paris, known for its opulent ballrooms, and Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a grand estate with breathtaking gardens.
Budget
Weddings in Paris can range from €15,000 for a small, intimate ceremony to over €50,000 for a lavish affair at a historic venue. Key expenses include venue hire, catering, and floral arrangements. Resources like Ceremonize and Katerina Meyvial can help you budget and plan your Parisian wedding.
Legal Considerations
To legally marry in France, one of the couple must have lived in the country for at least 40 days before the wedding. Most couples choose a symbolic ceremony in Paris. They handle the legal aspects in their home country or via a service like Courtly.
How Courtly Can Help
Getting legally married in a different country can be confusing and frustrating. Many couples report challenges like different document needs, language barriers, and varied procedures. We always recommend couples legally marry before or after their destination wedding. This avoids the complex marriage laws of other countries. Sorting legal matters first ensures couples' marriage is recognized at home and abroad.
Courtly can assist with the necessary paperwork and even facilitate online marriages at a location of your choice. But, it's best to know the legal requirements before your destination wedding, whether or not you use our services.
If you need further assistance or specific guidance tailored to your destination wedding plans, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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