By eVentGuru Team 
Ah! To just elope to a destination, with you and the significant other saying “I do” in a place that’s as epic as your love story. It’s a priceless experience! Priceless? Well, they do have a price tag these days, and what better than to exercise this choice, to flip through postcards of Images: Whether it’s a beach in Mexico, a castle in Ireland, or a vineyard in California. “The right wedding location can turn your big day into a vacation vibe that guests will rave about for years.” At least, that’s what your travel agent will say. And we won’t deny that here. We’ve helped plan a few of these far-flung fêtes, from a cliffside bash in Santorini to a desert chic wedding in Joshua Tree, and let us tell you, nothing beats the magic of a well-chosen spot.
These 15 destination wedding location ideas will spark your wanderlust and help you craft a celebration that’s as unique as you are. Tropical shores, mountain retreats, hmm, hmmm, here’s how to find the perfect wedding destination ideas, straight from our passport-stamped, love-fueled playbook.
Destination Wedding Location
1. Riviera Maya, Mexico
White sand beaches, turquoise waves, and all-inclusive resorts. Every detail is taken care of. Riviera Maya is a top pick for destination wedding location ideas. Blending luxury with laid-back vibes. A wedding such as you want there at a Playa del Carmen resort is going to be a bash, with guests singing and sipping margaritas by the day turning to night, and it will be pure magic.
Why it’s awesome: Affordable resorts and stunning beaches make it a crowd-pleaser for wedding destination ideas.
How to plan it: Book at resorts like Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya for all-inclusive packages. After that is done, your next step is to plan a sunset ceremony for golden-hour photos. Include local tacos and tequila tastings. Check with our directory listing for vendors and venue deals.
Love Hack: Gift guests sunscreen and flip-flops as welcome bags for beach-ready fun.
2. Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is like a wedding postcard come to life—colorful villages, cliffside views, and so much clear white, a peaceful and serene joy with hills in the backdrop and the sea-facing cliffs over which your “I do” shall echo for years to come. Or a church, an old one, in the open, can also serve as a great place for your wedding to come.
Why it’s a hit: Romantic scenery and world-class cuisine enhances your wedding location ideas. And that’s why Amalfi coast hits the right notes.
How to make best use: Choose venues like Hotel Santa Caterina for cliffside ceremonies. Hire a local planner to navigate permits. Serve limoncello favors. Plan 12-16 months ahead.
Love Hack: Arrive by boat for a grand entrance that screams la dolce vita.
3. Maui, Hawaii
Woohoo! Maui’s lush rainforests, black sand beaches, and aloha spirit make it a dream for destination wedding location ideas. Hawaii and ukele tunes are so cool, you can’t think of one without the other! You can make this imagination come true as you plan your Maui wedding with a ukulele player strumming wedding tune as guests watch whales breach the surface of the seas in excitement as “I Do” follow one after another!
Why it’s awesome: Tropical beauty and activities like snorkeling keep guests happy.
How to execute the plan: Book a venue like Olowalu Plantation House for intimate vibes. Plan a luau rehearsal dinner. Use eVentGuru for palm-themed e-invites. Check weather to make plans workable (May-October is best).
Love Hack: Host a sunrise yoga session for a chill pre-wedding vibe.
4. Santorini, Greece
Santorini is whitewashed beauty rivalling Amalfi coast for wedding vibes. A tough competition indeed! The Villas and blue-domed churches are a bucket-list backdrop for wedding destination ideas. There is nothing as spectacular as this! Imagine a clifftop ceremony with the bluish Aegean Sea sunset as a backdrop! Priceless!
Why it’s stunning: Because it has such stunning views and intimate venues, it becomes a perfect getaway for a romantic wedding.
How to Plan it: Book venues like Dana Villas 12 months out. Hire a planner for local logistics.
Love Hack: Schedule a pre-wedding boat tour to volcanic islands for guest bonding.
5. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston’s Southern charm—filled with historic manors and oak-lined aisles, welcoming the Bride & Groom to walk up to the pedestal where heaven and earth witness the Two becoming One. Charleston makes it to the top U.S. picks for destination wedding location ideas. Imaging a downtown wedding at The Dewberry will not be an illusion anymore.
Why it’s Romantic: Accessible and packed with charm for wedding location ideas.
How to realize it: Book The Dewberry or Boone Hall Plantation for history-soaked venues. You can also plan a Lowcountry boil rehearsal dinner. Use eVentGuru for floral e-invites. Spring or fall is ideal season and theme.
Love Hack: Hire a horse-drawn carriage for a romantic exit.
6. Tuscany, Italy
Tuscany’s rolling hills, vineyards, and rustic villas are begging you to visit them for a romantic once-in-a-lifetime wedding experience, you shall condense in beautiful photographic images. Deal? You can very well plan your wedding at a Florence vineyard, and arrange a sipping of Chianti under fairy lights. It will be pure bliss, we’d agree.
Why it’s a must: Wine-soaked elegance for foodie couples. If you are a wine-lover, you have to try this place!
How to achieve it: Book Borgo Stomennano for vineyard vibes. Include a pasta-making class for guests. Use eVentGuru for olive-branch invites. Plan for September-October. Best season.
Love Hack: Gift mini olive oil bottles as favors for a Tuscan touch.
7. Banff, Canada
Banff, Canada. Who would have thought Canada too can make it into this list? Oh boy! The turquoise lakes and snowy peaks are a mountain lover’s dream for destination wedding location ideas. Which is why this is on our list here. As an example, a Lake Louise wedding is a good way to hike before the wedding ceremony, and the photos are jaw-dropping.
Why it’s fantastic: Epic scenery and adventure for nature-loving couples.
How to make it come true: Book Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for luxury. Plan a group hike or gondola ride. Use eVentGuru for mountain-themed invites. Summer or winter works well.
Love Hack: Set up a hot cocoa bar for cozy winter vows.
8. Jamaica
Hey Rasta, if yuh waan a wedding, dis a di place. Kidding! We were trying the rasta way of speaking. It’s fun with Google translate. Jamaica’s reggae vibes, beaches, and all-inclusive resorts make it a lively pick for wedding location ideas. You have a great choice, if you want to try this place. A Montego Bay wedding is a great idea, and with jerk chicken and a steel drum band, you and your guests can dance till midnight.
Why it’s a Trip: Affordable and.. ahem.. trippy for destination wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book Sandals Montego Bay for all-inclusive ease. Plan a sunset ceremony in Negril. Use our directory to find great travel packages. December-March is best season.
Love Hack: Include a reggae playlist for a dance floor that pops.
9. Ireland
Ireland is next in this list, and we are very amazed by unique places to see. Ireland’s castles, cliffs, and green hills are all fairy-tale material for wedding destination ideas. We witnessed a Galway wedding at Ashford Castle. It was great and felt like a royal affair, complete with falconry for guests.
Why it’s a novelty: It’s a country with many historic venues and warm hospitality for romantic wedding location ideas to become true.
How to plan for it: Book Ashford Castle or Carton House 12-16 months in advance. Serve the local beverage Guinness at the reception. A great way to bring authenticity. Use eVentGuru for clover-themed e-invites. Spring or fall is ideal season.
Love Hack: Hire a bagpiper for a dramatic ceremony entrance.
10. Napa Valley, California
If California is inviting you, then you should head out to Napa’s vineyards and sunny hills. Even better, they are perfect for wine-loving couples seeking a perfect destination wedding location. For example, you can arrange a winery wedding at Sunstone Villa, toasting under oak trees. It will be pure class.
Why it’s a vibe: Scenic and sophisticated for U.S.-based wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book Sunstone Villa or Auberge du Soleil for vineyard charm. Plan a wine-tasting welcome party. Use Zola for grape-themed invites. Fall is prime time.
Love Hack: Gift guests a bottle of local wine as a favor.
11. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is a beautiful city. Just follow the trail to the top of the Table Mountain and Cape Town’s beaches, mountains, and winelands are such an amazing sight, you’d want an adventurous trail upto where you stand, from where the guests can see the city as a backdrop for an “I do” in your wedding vows. Or you can opt for Stellenbosch vineyard wedding at Babylonstoren. It is a cultural feast with epic views.
Why it’s a vibe: Unique and vibrant for bold wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book Babylonstoren for winery vibes. Plan a safari or Table Mountain tour for guests. Use eVentGuru for savanna-themed invites. November-March is best time for visiting and exploring Cape Town.
Love Hack: Serve local braai (BBQ) at the reception. Authentic South Africa!
12. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is an exotic place to visit. As the last native culture left in SE Asia, it’s lush jungles, beaches, and temples are a dreamy backdrop for those who like to have the Gods as silent and approving witnesses. As an example, an Ubud wedding can have a rice paddy ceremony, and the wedding atmosphere would be a serene and peaceful affair.
Why it’s a vibe: Exotic and spiritual for unique wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, for luxury. Include a Balinese blessing ceremony. Use eVentGuru for lotus-themed invites. May-September is ideal.
Love Hack: Gift guests handwoven fans for a tropical touch.
13. Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe’s crystal waters and pine forests are a nature lover’s dream for wedding destination ideas. How about an Edgewood Tahoe wedding with a lakeside ceremony? And after that, how about some kayaking the next day?
Why it’s a vibe: Scenic and accessible for U.S. wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book Edgewood Tahoe for lake views. Plan a group kayak or ski day. Use eVentGuru for pine-themed e-invites. Summer or winter works.
Love Hack: Set up a s’mores station for a cozy evening vibe.
14. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is a great place for pristine beaches. The best part about it is that you’ll find all-inclusive resorts who have budget-friendly packages for wedding events. It’s a great pick for a perfect destination wedding location. You can head to Dreams Punta Cana, where you’ll find a steel drum band and sunset vows ready-to-go! Pure paradise!
Why it’s cool: Affordable and vibrant for wedding location ideas.
How to grab ‘em all: Book Dreams Punta Cana for all-inclusive ease. Plan a catamaran tour for guests. Use eVentGuru for palm-themed invites. December-April is best time.
Love Hack: Gift mini rum bottles for a Caribbean send-off.
15. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans’ jazz, cuisine, and French Quarter charm make it a lively U.S. pick for wedding destination ideas. You’ll love the classic jazz, because it was born and grown here. And the Mardi Gras festival? Oh ho ho, you gotta check it out! Are you planning a Big Easy wedding? Well, this is the place to go for. It will be the most fun you can ever have at a reception.
Why it’s a love: Cultural and festive for unique wedding location ideas.
How to nail it: Book The Roosevelt or a French Quarter venue. Plan a jazz band parade. Use eVentGuru for Mardi Gras-themed invites. Spring or fall is ideal time for wedding.
Love Hack: Serve beignets at a farewell brunch for NOLA flair.
Planning Your Destination Wedding
These wedding destination ideas shine bright, at least in words, but you do need to do things from your end to make them work. So, pick a location that sparks joy for you and your partner. It may be a place you’ve visited or always dreamed of. Budget-wise, Mexico and the Caribbean (e.g., Jamaica, Punta Cana) are wallet-friendly with all-inclusive resorts, costing $5,000-$20,000 for 50 guests. While Italy or Bali can run $20,000-$40,000. It makes sense to plan 12-16 months out for international spots, 9-12 for U.S. venues. Hire a local planner (try our vendor & venue directory at eVentGuru.com) to handle logistics like permits or language barriers. Invite 20-50 guests for an intimate wedding affair or go big with 100+ for a party style wedding. It’s all up to you!
Venue Scouting: Beaches need backup plans if it rains; castles or vineyards offer indoor elegance, but lack exterior views. Visit your venue beforehand if possible. It will give you an idea of how the place is, and where do you see yourself.
Dining: Lean into local cuisine. It gives an authentic and unique experience as guests keep remembering that special day which was your wedding event. Tacos in Mexico, pasta in Italy, gumbo in New Orleans.
Flow: Plan a 3-day weekend with a welcome party, ceremony, and farewell brunch. Include activities like wine tastings or hikes to keep guests entertained.
Wrapping It Up
And so we take leave for today, as you plan your great wedding bash, with all the wonderful moments captured on screen. Destination wedding location ideas are all about blending love with adventure, whether it’s a beach bash in Punta Cana or a castle affair in Ireland. From Riviera Maya’s all-inclusive ease to Tuscany’s rustic romance, these 15 wedding location ideas will make your big day as unforgettable as your first kiss. So, grab your passport, rally your loved ones, and say “I do” in a place that’s as epic as your love story!
