Top 7 Destination Wedding Locations of 2024
While there are many amazing wedding venues in the UK, some couples prefer to get married abroad. If you’re longing to get away with your other half to have a memorable wedding somewhere far from home, you’re going to have to decide where you want to go. If you’re feeling spoiled for choice and need some wedding planning inspiration, here are the top 7 destination wedding locations of 2024.
The Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coast is a popular choice for destination for weddings. From the scenic coastal towns, you’ll have the best view of the cliffs and of the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. Some of the most popular venues are the Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel in Amalfi, a 5-star hotel in what was once a 13th century monastery which offers clifftop views; the Villa Oliviero in Positano, a charming Italian villa which is just a 15-minute walk from Santa Maria Assunta church; and Casa Privata in Praiano, a seafront venue which has its own private garden and rocky beach. The summers can be uncomfortably warm on the Amalfi Coast, so many couples choose to have their destination wedding in the autumn.
Marrakech, Morocco
Marrakech is the perfect location for couples who want a unique destination wedding and adventurous honeymoon. Spring and autumn weddings are preferred by most couples as it helps them avoid the soaring summer temperatures. If you choose to have your wedding at La Mamounia hotel, you can boast to your friends back home that you’re getting married in a majestic palace and will have dreamy photos to prove it. At Beldi Country Club, you can have your ceremony in the glasshouse, get photos in the rose garden, and have your reception in the ballroom. Villa Taj is known for hosting elegant and timeless multi-day destination weddings, with 6 areas available during the festivities, including an olive grove, a rooftop terrace with views of the Atlas Mountains, and a pool house.
Manhattan, New York, USA
If you’ve been dreaming of a fancy Manhattan wedding, you’ll need to find an iconic venue. Do you want a high-class wedding on Park Avenue or would you like a rooftop view of the Manhattan skyline? The New York City Hall is perfect for low-key elopements, and there are some unconventional and contemporary Manhattan wedding venues, such as the New York Public Library, the Central Park Boathouse, and the Maxwell Social Club. Any guests who arrive early can keep themselves occupied with sightseeing, and New York is a fantastic place for a honeymoon.
Côte d'Azur, France
The French Riviera, also known as the Côte d'Azur, is one of the most beautiful areas of France. The Côte d'Azur encompasses towns such as Nice, Cannes, and Antibes, and you’ll find many châteaux and rustic venues in the towns and cities along the Mediterranean coastline. One of the most popular French Riviera wedding venues is the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez, a 19th-century château that overlooks the Bay of Pampelonne. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, the Château de la Napoule in Mandelieu-la-Napoule is known for its magnificent garden and courtyard. Another lavish venue is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It’s pink façade and garden fountains make for enchanting wedding photos.
Santorini, Greece
This Greek island isn’t short of wedding venues. The whitewashed buildings and captivating views of the Aegean Sea are just a couple of reasons why Santorini is chosen by many couples for their destination wedding. Le Ciel in Imerovigli is a top luxury venue offering sunset views on the terrace. Set just above the caldera and the port of Athinios, Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori is another venue that captivates the hearts of UK couples every year. Cavo Ventus in Akrotiri is a private cliffside villa that is the ideal setting for an intimate wedding and evening celebration. There are plenty of activities and excursions for honeymooners in Santorini or you can go island hopping to one of the other Cyclades.
County Mayo, Ireland
For couples who are longing for a destination wedding but don’t want their guests to have to travel far, County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland is dotted with historic castles that can accommodate fairy tale weddings. Ashford Castle in Cong is the epitome of grace and sophistication, and hosts various activities, such as horse riding, boating, and picnicking on Chief’s Island, which are perfect for newlyweds. Belleek Castle Hotel in Ballina is an award-winning venue that hosts grand weddings and intimate elopements. The Mount Falcon Estate, also in Ballina, specialises in hosting destination weddings and offers couples the use of an in-house wedding planner to aid in organising their wedding from afar.
The Bahamas
The dry season in the Bahamas is from November to April, and many couples have their destination wedding in the Bahamas during this time to get away from Britain’s wet and dreary winter weather. Bahama House in Dunmore Town on Harbour Island is a wonderful setting for a Caribbean wedding. The hotel can accommodate up to 22 guests, and you can have your ceremony at the nearby church and return to the hotel for a reception with your nearest and dearest. The Ocean Club is located in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, on Paradise Island. This is another 5-star hotel with multiple onsite locations to host your wedding. For example, you could have your ceremony and reception on Beach Deck with views of the ocean or you could have your ceremony in front of the 12th century Cloisters and your reception in the Versailles Gardens or in the Pavilion.
Many couples get so excited about choosing the location and venue for their destination wedding, they forget many other important details, such as researching the legal requirements of getting married abroad, getting travel insurance with wedding cover, and hiring a wedding planner to help them arrange everything from the UK. It’s best to get these things sorted sooner rather than later so your special day will go without a hitch.
