A destination wedding is an exuberant and beautiful way to celebrate, and sometimes you want to leave home turf behind to immerse yourself and your guests in more exotic and magical backdrops. It almost always guarantees you great weather and means that you can take advantage of local or regional delicacies and spoil yourselves and your loved ones with great local food and drink.
There is an abundance of stunning locations all around the world that regularly host weddings for international couples, here are 5 of the most breathtaking, in no particular order.
LAKE COMO
Lake Como, in Northern Italy’s Lombardy region, is an upscale resort area known for its dramatic scenery, set against the foothills of the Alps. It has been a luxury destination since Roman times, and it's a popular retreat for aristocrats and prosperous Italian families.
As a tourist destination, Lake Como is popular for its sprawling landscapes, but it's also home to several of Italy's most beautiful and luxurious wedding villas.
This means that the only problem you'll have with planning your Lake Como Wedding is deciding which one of these venues you want to choose.
For a practical guide on planning your wedding at lake como, here’s a great blog by the guys at perfectvenue.eu
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Iceland.
Iceland is one of the most volcanic landscapes in the entire world, making this wedding destination perfect for adventuring souls.
Minerals and rich lava fragments break down and create stunning black sand beaches, and the waterfalls make for truly otherworldly backdrops.
There's beauty to be found in rugged nature, but it could also mean that it's not for the entire family or large amounts of guests, so this one might be more suited to elopements or smaller, more intimate weddings.
Planning your iceland wedding takes a bit of work, but there are some wonderful planners out there who specialise in helping couples plan their weddings in these areas.
For more information on planning a black sands beach wedding in Iceland, this blog is an absolute must.
THE ISLE OF SKYE
Ok, so Skye might not be an international wedding destination in the strictest sense, especially not for U.K couples, but it deserves its place on this list.
Known as 'The Misty Isle', Skye gives you backdrops that are like no other.
Much like Iceland, it offers rugged and wild and cinematic beauty that is truly breathtaking.
SkyeWeddings.com states;
"From cosy ceremonies in the lounge at Toravaig to outdoor garden ceremonies in the grounds of Duisdale, many styles of wedding are possible. The introduction of Skeabost in 2015 provides the option for a ceremony on the shores of Loch Snizort or in our very own Chapel.
Whether you opt for an intimate elopement wedding for two or a traditional Highland celebration with up to 150 family and friends, our venues have beautifully decorated reception facilities to make sure our bride and groom's dreams come true".
For even more information on weddings on the misty ilse of skye, then the guys over at SkyeWeddings.com are worth a visit.
MARRAKECH
The colourful and vibrant city of Marrakech makes a wonderful setting for a destination wedding.
Colourful souks, Moorish architecture, intimate gardens and boutique hotels all make a visit to Marrakech and unforgettable experience, and weddings in Marrakech are often a 2 or 3-day affair.
Boutiquesouk.com had this to say:
"The magical city of Marrakech is a dream location for a destination wedding. Known as a special oasis between the Atlas Mountains and the desert, the landscape rich in palm and olive groves, citrus and rose farms offers breathtaking views, surroundings and endless photo opportunities."
For more information or help planning your destination wedding in Marrakech, head on over to Boutique Souk.
NEW YORK CITY
We all know New York! The city that never sleeps...The big apple!
A unique and vibrant city with a very specific energy that appeals to stylish and contemporary couples.
There is a wealth of incredible places to get married in New York, with central park being one of the most popular spots for a ceremony.
It's a city that is beautiful no matter what season it is, so winter weddings are particularly popular here.
This excerpt from The Knot sums it up nicely:
"From the Adirondacks and the Catskills to Lake Ontario and the Atlantic, New York is a land of diversity. The Empire State is a place where cultures meet and create the melting pot of American society. Filled with beautiful natural landscapes and exciting urban areas, New York is an exciting place to get married.
Whether you want to have a ceremony in the serene resorts and ranches Upstate or prefer something special like a New York Public Library wedding, you have plenty of New York wedding venues to choose from for your celebration".
