Looking for inspiration for your destination wedding? With seemingly endless places to get hitched, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s we’re we come in; we’ve put together a list of 10 IDEAL wedding destinations for you to check out…
Venice, Italy
There is no place that screams (or, should that be demurely purrs?) romance like Venice. An all-time favourite with couples, Venice has always attracted people in love, wanting to celebrate their lives together, through serenades on gondola rides, shellfish shucking, good wine drinking and plenty of sightseeing thrown in for good measure.
If you’re looking for a venue with a bit more pizzazz, one which is free of some of the more romantically-inclined cliches for which the city is so famous, you should look no further than Casino di Venezia which is the world’s oldest casino!
London, UK
Getting hitched in the big smoke can be a whole lot of fun. The scope for unique venues with oodles of personality are pretty big in London. From getting married on a canal boat in trendy Islington to saying ‘I do’ at one of London’s many small, but beautifully formed churches like St Mary of Aldermary, all the way to having a blowout at the Ritz… There truly is something to suit everyone’s taste in the Big Smoke.
That said, getting married in London can also do a whole lot of damage to your wallet. According to the Weiger Times, the average cost for a wedding London reaches a whopping £35,000.
However, with some foresight and planning, it needn’t mean you’re having to honeymoon in Croydon and eat beans and toast and for years afterwards. Yes, it really can be done on-the-cheap. We’ve put together this handy guide on 10 ideal tips for a London wedding that doesn’t break the bank; do check it out.
Skopelos, Greece
Skopelos, a gorgeous Greek island in the Aegean Sea, is famed for its superb dining options, feral cat population and beaches. But perhaps more than that, it’s well known throughout popular culture as the main set of Mamma Mia, referred to as Kalokairi in the movie.
Mamma Mia’s famous wedding scene was filmed here, at the Agios Ioannis Chapel near Glossa, a small village on Skopelos’ northeastern peninsula. You two can get married at this chapel and should you be looking for a hotel for your wedding night – The Skopelos Village Hotel was a popular choice for the stars to bed down during the filming of Mamma Mia. Altogether now, ‘how can I resist you?’.
Read: 6 secret(ish) places in Europe for your IDEAL destination wedding
Kaui, Hawaii
Kaui is one the most popular honeymoon destination Hawaii and also one of the most instagrammed, too. This makes it a pretty ideal place to get married, we think.
Often referred to as the ‘garden island’, Kauai is filled with valleys, mountains and cliffs, which have formed tropical rainforests, rivers and waterfalls over the centuries. If your partner and you are fans of nature, why not explore this gorgeous part of the world together as newlyweds?
Cochem Castle, Germany
Nearly every bride wants her wedding to be like a fairytale, so why not celebrate your marriage in a castle? Cochem is a quintessential German medieval town, complete with it’s very own neo-gothic castle. You could even go the whole hog and celebrate with a medieval style feast – and all the imbibing, debauchery and good cheer associated with the meal and occasion.
Cozumel, Mexico
Whether you’re looking for a beachfront wedding or one set against lush verdant landscapes, Cozumel could well be the destination for you. Due to its long-standing reputation as a great place to tie the knot, there are many vendors, planners and wedding bands on site ready to take the paradox of choice out of the planning stage.
Mid December through late April tends to be the best time to host your Cozumel wedding and while there, guests won’t be bereft of entertainment; it’s a true gem in the Caribbean Sea with some of the best scuba diving on the planet, as well as Mayan ruins, specifically the San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site, offering historical intrigue.
Paris, France
We couldn’t write about wedding destinations without mentioning Paris, the city of lights and of the purest love. To be married under the bright stars, with the lights of the Eiffel Tower behind you, is a dream come true to so many. This is the most popular city on our list by far for weddings and has been for many years. However, due to its high tourist influx each year, it’s important to aware that there will be crowds ready to photobomb even your most exclusive of wedding photos.
Kotor, Montenegro
Montenegro’s ’s reputation as a wonderful wedding destination certainly isn’t hyperbole. Montenegro, which translates as ‘Black Mountain’, is located on the Adriatic and boasts majestic snow-capped mountains, thick forests and mesmerising lakes, all within close proximity. When it comes to get married, the fortified city of Kotor is arguably one of the most charming places in Montenegro and feels like a fairytale town.
You’ll be pleased to hear that to get married in Montenegro, there are no residency requirements, meaning the most romantic of destinations, Our Lady of The Rocks, situated off the coast of Perast, is available for anyone to enjoy.
After you tie the knot in Kotor, why not hop over to Croatia for your honeymoon? Here at IDEAL, we think Dubrovnik is a place that oozes romance. Newly weds can steal kisses in the alleyways and cuddle in cosy local taverns, explore the cobblestoned streets and Botanic Gardens hand in hand and chase sunsets at Buža bar – arguably one of the most romantic ways in the world to watch the sun go down.
Read: 5 of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik Old Town
Koh Samui, Thailand
The Southeast Asian country of Thailand is well known for its lush forests and beautiful, crystal clear waters, its golden sands, gorgeous, ornate temples, bustling markets and of course, spicy, delicious food. It’s also well know as being an affordable place for a destination wedding.
Koh Samui itself is the second largest island in Thailand. Due to its size, it offers a cosmopolitan vibe that you won’t find on some of the smaller islands, with busy bars and 5 star resorts all over the island which are well versed in beach weddings.
Your guests will have plenty to do on the island, such as visiting the Golden Buddha statue, which is 12 metres tall, and only reachable via causeway to Wat Phra Temple, which has its very own tiny island.
Brighton, UK
If you’re looking for a beach wedding closer to home, the consider a seaside wedding in Brighton. Known as London-by-the-Sea for its cosmopolitan yet coastal vibe, Brighton comes alive in the sunnier summer months with sunseekers and day trippers converging on the pebbles, bars, beachside eateries and renowned gig venues. It’s also been been voted as the Happiest City in the UK – why wouldn’t you want to get married here?
There are plenty of licensed places on the beachfront, including the Brighton Beach Club, Patterns and the Bandstand, You can even tie the knot 453ft in the air at Brighton’s i360 observation tower, if you’re keen to raise the bar high for the rest of your married life together!