The Top Places for a Destination Wedding in 2022
From tropical beaches to peaceful countryside and dramatic mountains, here are the best places to tie the knot
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The beauty of planning a wedding is that you get to really make it your own. Whether you’re looking for warm weather, mountain views, beautiful architecture, or simply want to add an element of travel and adventure into your celebrations, a wedding away may be just what you need. Some couples choose a location they’ve already visited, whereas others use it as an opportunity to explore somewhere new. Here at Plum Guide, we’re experts in all kinds of travel, and we happen to know a thing or two about destination weddings. To help you decide where to get hitched, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best wedding locations around the world, with something for every kind of couple.
Tuscany, Italy
A view of Castiglione della Pescaia in the distance by the sea in summer, Tuscany, Italy
With its verdant valleys, mist-covered hills, vineyards, olive groves, and 15th-century architecture, Tuscany was made for romance. The relaxed vibe of this particular region is perfect for weddings - the Italian saying il dolce far niente or ‘the sweetness of doing nothing’ certainly applies here. Tuscany is home to some of Italy’s finest produce, so be sure to incorporate local specialties such as olive oil, mushrooms (porcini and truffles), roasted meats, cheeses, and exceptional wines to your menu.
Breathe The Green, Plum Guide home in Tuscany, Italy
Marrakech, Morocco
A group of birds flying around Koutoubia Mosque, Marrakech, Morocco
For couples seeking a unique destination for a memorable wedding, Marrakech is the magical place to proclaim your love. The city has intricate patterns and ancient architecture everywhere you look, which provides plenty of eye-catching photography opportunities. Venturing out further you’ll find dramatic desert landscapes, perfect for those after a boho-desert vibe. Guests who decide to stay on longer will find plenty to do in the form of hiking the Atlas Mountains, shopping in souks, or trying local cuisine at the bazaars.
Aspen, USA
A large mountain with orange and yellow trees by a large lake in fall in Aspen, USA
If you’re looking for a combination of natural beauty and luxury, the mountain town of Aspen is one of the best places for your destination wedding. Whichever season you choose, the majestic peaks and lush valleys serve as a magnificent backdrop for exchanging vows, and are there for you to explore on a little post-wedding adventure. For guests who aren’t outdoor enthusiasts, Aspen has a great selection of high-end shops and trendy establishments to keep them entertained.
Lark Bunting, Plum Guide home in Aspen, USA
Bali, Indonesia
A view of the Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple by a lake in Bali
For a wedding in paradise, you can’t go wrong with Bali. From verdurous rice terraces to soaring volcanoes and sunny beaches, breathtaking scenery is all around you. You’ll find beautiful wedding spots around the island, but Uluwatu is particularly scenic - with limestone cliffs and glittering sea. Bali is known for its handicrafts, and our advice is to team up with local artisans who can help provide a unique touch to your wedding, in the form of decor like textiles or flower arrangements.
Los Cabos, Mexico
A large parasol and sun loungers on a sandy beach, Cabo San Lucas beach, Mexico
Those seeking a beach wedding will love the golden sands and blue waters of Los Cabos. Located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, this region stretches from the town of Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo. It makes for the perfect place to unwind after the wedding - spend lazy days on the beach (perhaps nursing a hangover), snorkelling in clear waters, or whale watching. Given its hot weather, the dress code will be a little different here - think cocktail chic, loose and linen fabrics.
Margarita Moment, Plum Guide home in Mexico
Australia
A bird's eye view of orange plains and blue water, Francois Peron National Park, Australia
In search of somewhere truly incredible for your nuptials? Australia is one of the top places for a destination wedding. Featuring a variety of gorgeous landscapes, you’ll have to think long and hard if you want a wedding under palm trees, or surrounded by the moon-like outback. If you and guests are adventurous types, there’s plenty to do all around the country, from scuba diving and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, to white-water rafting and trekking through the outback. Australian wines are world-class, so make sure you have a local Shiraz or chardonnay (or both) on the menu.
The Edge of the Earth, Plum Guide home in Australia
Loire Valley, France
An aerial view of trees and a tower against a red sky at sunset, Loire Valley, France
What could be better than celebrating your love in one of the most romantic places on earth? The Loire Valley is French romance at its finest, characterised by elegant châteaux, fairytale villages, and bucolic countryside. Known as the Garden of France, it won’t be difficult putting together a menu for your big day. The region’s rich soil means you’ll find some of France’s best produce here, as well as phenomenal wines and local delicacies like Rillettes de Tours and nougats de Tours.
A Grand Affair, Plum Guide home in Loire Valley, France
Antigua
An aerial view of a large green island in the blue sea by boats and beaches, Antigua
Palm trees? Check. Sandy beaches? Check. Warm cerulean waters? Check. When it comes to tropical beach destinations, Antigua ticks all the boxes - the hardest decision you’ll have to make is deciding which one of the 365 beaches you want to say ‘I do’ on. This Caribbean island is famous for its fresh seafood, so it would be a crime not to have it on your post-wedding dinner menu. Wash it down with a glass of local Antiguan rum, distilled on the island.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
An aerial view of families kayaking on the clear blue sea by cliffs and the city, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Croatia may not be the first place that comes to mind, but once you lay your eyes on Dubrovnik’s Adriatic coastline, you’ll soon be convinced. With its limestone streets, monasteries, palaces, fountains, and beautiful Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architecture, we can’t think of anywhere more romantic to have the wedding bells ringing. Scenic backdrops for wedding photographs are to be found around every corner, and you won’t have to worry about the weather either - Dubrovnik boasts 2,554 sunny hours per year, on average.
Kingdom Of Westeros, Plum Guide home in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Cape Winelands, South Africa
A mountain behind stunning vineyards, Cape Winelands, South Africa
Cape Winelands is the place to make your marriage last like a fine wine. Surrounded by sprawling vineyards, this beautiful region is home to South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious wine farms - with some even dating back to the 1650s. Sweeping valleys dotted with historic towns and charming villages, with ragged mountains in the background - it’s a postcard-perfect place for your nuptials. Why not stay on for your honeymoon and join a South African safari?
Barbados
An aerial view of clear white sand a bright blue water at Crane Beach, Barbados
The island nation of Barbados offers everything you could’ve dreamed of in a beach wedding - sparkling turquoise waters, soft-sand beaches, dreamy waterfalls, bright tropical flowers, and lush jungle. The best time for a wedding in Barbados is between December and April, when the weather is sunny and dry. This is also when you’ll get spectacular sunsets - the reds, pinks, and oranges make for a stunning background as you begin your happily ever after.
Moonpool, Plum Guide home in Barbados
Dubai, UAE
A view of skyscrapers by a beach at sunset in Dubai, UAE
For high-end glitz and glamour, you’ll be hard-pressed to find somewhere better than Dubai. Whether you want to have your wedding in the gilded ballroom of a luxury resort, or head out into the surrounding desert to profess your love under the Arabian sky, the choice is yours. The fun never stops in Dubai, so we recommend booking time before and after your wedding to enjoy all the activities the city has to offer. Expert tip: be sure to time your wedding between September and April, as the summer months are notoriously hot. Too hot.
Style & Sophistication, Plum Guide home in Dubai, UAE
The Turquoise Coast, Turkey
A bird's eye view of a woman in the sea at a sandy beach, The Turquoise Coast, Turkey
If the name alone doesn’t lure you in, perhaps its sweeping bays, striking cliffs, lush green mountains, and ancient cities will. Although you’ll find unforgettable views all along the coastline, resort towns like Antalya or Muğla are particularly attractive choices for a wedding. When you’re not busy getting married, you and your guests can chill out on the beach, explore historical ruins, or hike part (or all) of the scenic Lycian Way.
The Fayans, Plum Guide home in Turkey
Saint Lucia
A boardwalk on the sand in front of a small mountain on a beach in Saint Lucia
There’s nothing quite like tying the knot with your toes in the sand. This island nation in the Caribbean has all you need for a memorable day, and the views certainly don’t disappoint. Natural beauty is everywhere you look, from iconic Pitons towering over the azure sea, to the laid-back, powder-white beaches. When they’re not busy watching you get married, there are plenty of ways your guests can stay entertained - whether it’s snorkelling, hiking, or visiting the sulphur springs.
