Dream Destination Wedding Locations
Your wedding is one of the biggest events of your life.
Many of us have dreamed of our wedding day since we were little kids - making veils out of Kleenex and playing pretend with our Barbies. One thing that I love about planning romance travel like honeymoons, anniversary trips, and destination weddings, is learning about the couple! Each wedding or trip is just as unique and one-of-a-kind as the couple, and it is so cool to see their personalities shine through their wedding, honeymoon, or celebration of love trips!
So what kind of wedding did you dream up as a kid? Some of us fantasized about twirling a poofy dress in a ballroom. But beachy, and sometimes even casual, destination weddings are becoming more and more prevalent.
Destination weddings are a great option if you want to elope, going straight from the alter right to the honeymoon with nobody but your spouse and maybe a handful of family and friends. Alternatively, resorts can accommodate large groups and parties, and it’s also become popular to relocate the big wedding of your dreams to an island or bucket-list destination, giving your guests an opportunity to celebrate your love and then extend their trips into their own vacations if they wish.
Whether you’ve always dreamed of a destination wedding, or are exploring alternative options to a large, local wedding, we’ve put together some of our favorite dream destination wedding locations! Plus, keep an eye out for Pro Tips while reading for our most important destination wedding advice!
Pro Tip: Wedding and event postponement is top of mind more than usual right now…
If you have to postpone your destination wedding for any reason, consider either moving to around the same time as the original date the following year. Most resorts will try to keep your guests room rate around the same price as much as possible. (You and your guests should all be purchasing travel insurance as well!) In any case, you should aim to postpone rather than cancel which typically makes the resort more flexible. Pandemic or not, resorts start booking destination weddings at least 10 months in advance, so it's not a bad idea to have at least 2 alternative wedding dates in case your date isn't open.
St. Lucia
Hideaway at Royalton, St. Lucia
Hideaway at Royalton St. Lucia is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located in the tropical paradise of St. Lucia! This exquisite resort offers a separate hotel check-in for Hideaway guests, nestled away from the hustle and bustle of the full Royalton Saint Lucia Resort, however, Hideaway guests still gain access to the full grounds.
Guests can also take advantage of Royalton’s All-In Luxury® concept, giving you a truly immersive and sophisticated experience by offering reservation-free world-class dining and endless entertainment including daily water sports, fitness programs, yoga on the beach, mixology classes beside the pool and sunset champagne toasts.
Hideaway’s team of professional wedding planners can help tailor the perfect wedding package for your taste and budget, allowing for both small and large parties in a breathtaking and unique setting.
If you’re looking for a luxurious and sophisticated location for your destination wedding, look no further than Hideaway Royalton, St. Lucia!
Jamaica
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, Montego Bay
Iberostar Grand Rose Hall can make the perfect Jamaican wedding of your dreams a reality! They can accommodate small, intimate groups, but if you decide to elope with your honey, Iberostar provides the witnesses for your union.
Iberostar offers a wide array of wedding packages as well as a la carte services so you can craft the perfect package for your dream wedding. Plus, you can get pre-ceremony spa pampering right on site! The detail-oriented wedding planning staff at the Iberostar will give help you make your vision a reality with no stress! (Not that you could be stressed in Jamaica!)
Couples Resorts
True to its name, Couples Resorts remain one of our most favorite resorts for couples - and when it comes to destination weddings they do NOT disappoint!
Catering to both newly-wedding couples and vow renewals, Couples Resorts offer a beautiful setting for your big commitment. Plus, when you get married at Couples Resorts, you have an incredible selection of venues - everything from garden gazebos, to oceanfront vows, and even a tropical treehouse! (Limitations on wedding size exist for certain venues)
If you’re looking for a destination wedding straight out of a fairy tale, check out Couples Resorts in Jamaica!
Pro Tip: Make sure EVERYONE has a passport!
From guests, to wedding party members, and YOURSELF (yes, we've even had to remind a few couples who almost couldn't attend their own weddings!) Once you select your date, suggest to all guests and wedding party members start the process of getting a passport, or renewing if necessary. The passport processing delays as a result of COVID-19 have been a wonderful reminder that you never know what may happen to cause a delay in the process of getting a passport.
Turks + Caicos
The Sands at Grace Bay
The Sands at Grace Bay pride themselves on designing affordable and customizable packages with your dream wedding in mind. Their intimate wedding day package also has many a la carte options to ensure your vows are everything you dreamed they’d be. Comprehensive packages including photography, officiant, and cake make planning your wedding a stress-free breeze, and upgrades with their preferred vendors are available including fireworks, hair/makeup, limousine service, and more!
The Sands at Grace Bay is ideal for small, intimate weddings. This is a perfect destination for an incredibly romantic wedding and honeymoon!
Cancun
Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
The Barcelo Maya Grand Resort offers a great variety of inclusive wedding packages depending on your number of guests, and for a wide range of budgets! With some including sound equipment, hair/makeup/nails, cocktail hour, private dinners, and plenty of other amenities, you’re sure to find a wedding package that’s perfect for you. This resort has wedding-planning down to a science, and no detail of your special day will go overlooked.
With the beautiful white beaches and crystal blue waters of Cancun, the resort offers a breathtaking setting for your wedding. Plus, if your guests book 25 rooms, you can earn a FREE wedding!
Haven Riviera Cancun
Haven Riviera Resorts and Spas in Cancun is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort located between Cancun and Riviera Maya. This romantic, tranquil, and secluded resort offers sophisticated design and stunning views making it the perfect backdrop for your big day.
Their on-site planner will make sure no detail is overlooked, and you’ll get the full bridal VIP treatment as you get ready in their gorgeous bridal suite! This resort only books one wedding per day, so you know you’re the star of the show when you say “I do!” Their world-class hospitality team will take great care of your guests during their stay.
If you’re looking for exclusive treatment and a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for your big day, look no further than Haven Riviera Cancun!
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is one of our go-to destination wedding recommendations for those couples that are looking for a beautiful wedding day on a tighter budget. While a traditional wedding stateside can cost anywhere from $20k - $30k, many Puerto Rico resorts offer destination wedding packages as low as $2000! Plus, this destination is just a short flight from the US making it easy for friends and family to join you for your big day.
Some of our favorite Puerto Rico wedding destinations include:
Pro Tip: Regardless of where you decide to have your destination wedding, keep in mind that the time of year you choose to marry can affect your rate and the weather.
Resort group pricing for guest rooms is typically different from season to season. Mid-December to late April/early May is the best time of year for weddings in Puerto Rico. Springtime weddings in March through May, and Summer weddings in June through September may have different weather patterns in your chosen destination than you're used to at home.
To escape the cold of Ohio winters while avoiding a super hot summer shindig, consider having your wedding October-February. Plus, pricing is generally reasonable during this time period. Remember to stay away from major Holiday weekends to avoid high flight costs.
The wedding of your dreams could happen anywhere in the world!
There are so many gorgeous and unique places that you and your boo can tie the knot. You can pick somewhere that makes sense logistically while still customizing everything to your liking and personality. Or, do something completely off the beaten path that reflects your individuality as a couple!
Whether you’ve always dreamed of a destination wedding, or like many others are exploring alternatives after a COVID-related change of plans, remember that regardless of where you tie the knot, the most important thing is getting to start the rest of forever with the person you love the most by your side.
If you’re having a hard time settling on the perfect location for your destination wedding, Social Butterfly Express can help! We would be honored to help you plan the destination wedding, honeymoon, or trip of your dreams. Click here to fill out a short form and we’ll be in touch to schedule a complimentary call.
