In recent years, destination weddings have seen a surge in popularity. And it makes sense…it’s romantic to escape to a beautiful and scenic city or countryside villa and tie the knot with only your closest friends and family.
According to Forbes, the 2023 Destination Wedding Global Market Report found that the destination wedding industry brought in $7 billion more in 2023 than it did in 2022, making it a $28 billion industry. Furthermore, the same reports project that in 2027 the industry will be worth upwards of $78 billion.
We asked our writers and editors to find destinations around the world that offer stunning, welcoming, fabulous places for these special occasions. From tropical seaside resorts to wonderful cultural destinations, these are some of the best places for unique, romantic, memorable celebrations of love and marriage.
GREAT WEDDING VENUES IN THE USA
NEW YORK’S FINGER LAKES
New York State’s Finger Lakes region is a romantic, all-season setting for nuptials, thanks to its magnificent waterfalls, lakes, and gorges, amazing wineries and cideries, scenic inns, farms, and orchards. Among the area’s historic towns and unique settings, one standout wedding venue is the hilltop Crispin Hill on Keuka Lake. Owner-spouses Chelsey Madia and Chef Heather Tompkins curate delightful events, made even more delicious through their firsthand connections to local farmers and other purveyors.
KAUAI, HAWAII
One of the most beautiful and romantic destinations for a wedding is “The Garden Isle” of Kauai. Explore the natural wonders that abound here before or after your big day. Kauai’s lush landscapes and stunning beaches will inspire all nature lovers. If you crave adventure, some of the most exciting experiences here include zip lining through the jungle, kayaking on the open sea, and taking a helicopter ride or hiking along the Kalalau Trail to the Na Pali Coast. Another great location for hikers is Waimea Canyon, a geological marvel known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
SONOMA, CALIFORNIA
Where better to gather friends and family to toast a new union than Northern California’s wine country? The gently rolling hills and endless horizons of Sonoma County provide both a beautiful location for a wedding and a lovely metaphor for marriage itself. Vintner’s Resort in the county seat of Santa Rosa amps up the romance with its Tuscan-style accommodations and 92-acre grounds, complete with working vineyards owned by the Jackson Family Wineries.
INTERNATIONAL HONEYMOON DESTINATIONS
PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
Visualize a dreamy, easy, queer-friendly honeymoon and Puerto Vallarta will probably pop up. The Pacific coast city has long been one of the most welcoming for LGBTQ travelers, delivering the best mix of chill beach vibes and urban sophistication, plus access to outdoor activities by land or ocean. Newlyweds can visit during seasonal events geared for lesbians or bears, or catch the always-spicy Vallarta Pride over Memorial Day week that brings cultural events, pool parties, the annual “drag derby,” and the Pride parade through the old town’s Zona Romantica.
COUNTIES MAYO AND GALWAY, IRELAND
One of the most moving representations of the aspirations associated with a new marriage is Ireland’s traditional Claddagh ring, which features two hands clasping a heart topped by a crown, respectively symbolizing friendship, love, and loyalty. A trip to the vibrant green home of the Claddagh makes for a memorable honeymoon, even more so if the newlyweds give themselves the royal treatment with a five-star stay at Ashford Castle, a stone-walled 800-year-old estate that long served as home to the Guinness family. Canopied beds, tapestry carpets and ornate wallpapers give guest suites a decadent Downton Abbey feel, which is further amplified by the baroque on-site bath house, five-star dining room, ceremonious high teas, and regal activities including horseback riding, falconry lessons, and clay pigeon shooting; more peasant friendly pastimes like golf, biking, and tennis are also available.
BANGKOK, THAILAND
On the top of our list for favorite cities in the world, Bangkok has everything you need for the perfect honeymoon. Book a suite at the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok and indulge in the luxury and romance of this exceptional hotel. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has been an inspiration to many world renowned writers, including Joseph Conrad, Somerset Maugham, Barbara Cartland, John Le Carre, and Noël Coward. Start your day with a swim in the beautiful main pool, then explore the city at your leisure. Bangkok’s many temples are a must-visit, and the temples in and around the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha, and Wat Pho, featuring the Reclining Buddha, are sure to inspire you. Remember to wear long pants and a sleeved shirt to enter these sites, as they are some of the holiest spots in the country.
Read more about Passport Magazine’s favorite wedding and honeymoon destinations here.
Featured Image: Ashford Castle (Photo by Jim Gladstone)
