11 Destination Wedding Ideas: Dreamy Locations, Invites & Tips

With a destination wedding, you can truly create something magical for you, your partner, and your beloved guests. It’s an opportunity to experience a new culture, take in new sights, and say “I do” in a special location. 

If you’re planning your wedding somewhere far away or exotic, we have the perfect destination wedding ideas for you. We’re sharing top tips for planning a destination wedding, plus revealing some gorgeous destination wedding locations to consider. You’ll find inspiration for every type of getaway, from tropical beaches to mountain retreats and adventurous locales.

Destination Wedding Ideas: Your Starting Checklist

We know you’re excited to start turning your destination wedding ideas into reality. Here are some must-have elements to help you create a magical wedding ceremony and reception. 

Hire a Wedding Planner

When you’re planning a destination wedding in a faraway location, you can’t just drop by the wedding venue to discuss options or pop into the local flower shop. To make your destination wedding an easier endeavor, hiring an expert is the way to go. 

Wedding planning is an art, especially when you add in complications like exotic locations, large guest lists, or complex wedding packages. With a wedding planner in charge of your nuptials, you’re free to get excited about the details — without worrying about the logistics, negotiations, and setup. 

A wedding planner who’s located in your destination of choice is a great way to make sure you get the best out of your decision to marry abroad. They’ll be able to speak the local language, know the best vendors, and offer practical support that you can’t manage from a distance. 

Make It a Group Vacation

You’re flying all the way out there for your wedding, so why not transition the event into a group getaway as well? Surround yourself with your loved ones for a wedding weekend, week, or even longer. 

Spend the days after your wedding exploring the local attractions, embracing the great outdoors, or simply relaxing by the beach. Rent a villa for everyone to stay in together, or block rooms or suites at your favorite resort. 

This might not be an option if your guest list is large or your budget is on the smaller side, but you can still give your guests some suggestions of great all-inclusive resorts in your online invitations if they want to stay a little longer. 

Embrace the Local Culture

Whether you’re jetting off across the world or heading to a different part of your own country, each destination wedding location has its own unique local culture. While you’re there, it makes sense to experience as much of it as possible. 

Ask your wedding planner, friends, family members, or local guides for their best ideas on how to spend your leisure time. They might suggest a great fishing spot, somewhere gorgeous to take family photos, or the perfect authentic restaurant for your rehearsal dinner. Bring some of the local culture, atmosphere, and food to your wedding too with a menu inspired by delicious local favorites, traditional live music, and lively party games. 

Get Creative With Your Wedding Attire

Every destination wedding is different, but something that many have in common is that they’re often more laid-back events. While you can go ultra-luxe or sophisticated and formal, many destination weddings take place by the pool, on the beach, or with a beautiful mountain backdrop — calling for more creative wedding attire. 

It’s your wedding day, so wear whatever makes you feel the most comfortable. That might be a flowing white wedding dress or a casual, colorful jumpsuit. Think about what you’d love to look back on in your wedding photos and bring them to life through your creative clothing choices, stunning backdrops, or fun prop ideas from your wedding photographer.

Planning on a wedding locale that’s more adventurous, but still want the glamor shots during the ceremony? Consider more practical attire to access the location and then do an outfit change once you get there. This works well if you’re saying “I do” at the top of a mountain after a hike.

Create Personalized Welcome Gifts

People often travel long distances for destination weddings because they’re thrilled to spend your special day with you. Help them settle in and feel comfortable with thoughtful, personalized welcome gifts.

Work with your wedding planner to source gift ideas, or see if it’s something your resort hotel offers as part of a wedding package. Think about the kinds of things that would be useful for guests. For example, if you’re having a beach wedding, you could provide guests with a goodie bag featuring a pair of flip-flops, beach towel, SPF, and lip balm. Create an extra special welcome gift for your wedding party too — after all, they’re playing a key role in your ceremony and reception. 

11 Drop-Dead Gorgeous Destination Wedding Locations

Destination weddings are all about celebrating your big day in a stunning location, surrounded by the ones you love or simply with each other. The destination wedding location you end up choosing will depend on your tastes, budget, availability, and what style of wedding you’re going for. To help you create a shortlist of destination wedding ideas, here are some of our favorite cities and locations. 

We love the idea of sending themed destination wedding invitations to your nearest and dearest. It’s a fun way to let them know what to expect ahead of the big day. To inspire you, we’ve included invitation inspiration for each of our featured locations.

1. Jamaica, the Caribbean

Design: Jen Montgomery

There are many reasons Jamaica is one of our top destination wedding ideas. The Caribbean island is filled with beautiful beaches brimming with clear, turquoise water and white sand, plus you’re never far from mountains. Other Caribbean destination locations to consider include the Dominican Republic, Barbados, and the Bahamas.

If you want to combine your destination wedding with some thrill-seeking, Jamaica is a great place to do it. The island is known for its outdoor fun, with activities like horseback riding and snorkeling, giving you plenty of ways to spend the days after your dream wedding ceremony. 

Add local flair to your big day by serving classic foods like jerk chicken and curried goat or spin up some reggae tunes to set the mood during the dance hour. Set the scene for the destination affair with a tropical invite featuring gold and red accents.

2. Cancun, Mexico

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Cancun is an ideal destination wedding location if you simply can’t choose between a bustling city location and a beachside ceremony. The city offers plenty to choose from when it comes to nightlife and eateries, as well as stunning beaches and resorts outside your doorstep. 

While the area does experience a rainy season in the fall, Cancun is known for its generally stable climate. You probably won’t need to worry about rain on your wedding day or spending your reception getting cold by the oceanfront. Instead, you can enjoy the beautiful views from wherever you host your big day — whether that’s at your resort by the pool, down on the beach, or in a city hotspot.

For other popular Mexican wedding destinations, head south to Playa del Carmen or Tulum in the Riviera Maya or opt for the Pacific Coast where you’ll find options including Cabo San Lucas and Sayulita. 

We love the idea of using this Mexican-inspired invitation for your destination wedding in Mexico. There’s something so beautiful about the combination of colors and floral elements that make this design ideal for both casual and more formal ceremonies.

3. Napa Valley, California

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Napa Valley is among the most popular destination wedding locations in the U.S. for a good reason. This top winemaking region is home to gorgeous vineyards and stunning views that offer you the perfect backdrop for your outdoor wedding. 

If you’re a foodie and love wine, hosting your destination wedding here makes perfect sense. For a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, opt for early summer — or consider combining your trip with the chance to immerse yourself in the local scene by heading to a festival, golf course, or vineyard tour.

This Spanish Vineyards Invitation couldn’t be any more of a perfect match if you’re heading to the Spanish-inspired Napa Valley region, the stunning fields and vineyards of Spain itself, or any wine country. The watercolor illustrations work with warm colors to evoke the cozy atmosphere of Spanish villas and wineries. 

4. Maui, Hawaii

Design: National Park Foundation

Maui remains a popular destination wedding location, thanks to the island’s generous hospitality, jaw-dropping natural beauty, and relaxed approach to celebrations. If you want a laid-back and breezy yet cozy destination wedding, a Maui wedding could be perfect. 

There’s nothing more beautiful than a stunning sunset by the water on this Hawaiian island, and the food is spectacular too. Opt for freshly caught seafood, ribs, tacos, and other local dishes for a delicious culinary experience. 

Guests will be saying yes to your invite when you choose a design like this sunset-inspired one. Featuring a Hawaiian coastline dazzled by sunset rays, it’s a surefire way to create a magical introduction to your destination wedding.

5. Rome, Italy

Design: Signature Greenvelope

Rome is the perfect place to host your Italian destination wedding if you love the idea of a city break. One of our favorite destination wedding ideas is to use your Rome ceremony or elopement as the first stop on a honeymoon tour of European cities, taking in the culture as you travel across the continent. Or you can pop down to the Mediterranean to hop on a cruise of the Greek islands.

There are lots of stunning fairytale wedding venues in Rome. You could book a historic building with plenty of eye-catching decor, or go for something simple with a minimalist ceremony at a countryside villa. After the wedding, there’s no end to amazing cultural sights for you and your loved ones to explore in the city — like the Colosseum, Sistine Chapel, and Pantheon.

To invite guests, choose a design like the Sorrento Tile Invitation with blue and gold tones that are inspired by Southern Italy. The gorgeous script font and romantic details are ideal for a sophisticated destination wedding. 

6. Telluride Ski Resort

Design: Stacey Meacham Design, LLC

Located in the stunning mountains of Colorado, Telluride is a world-class ski town right out of a European storybook. Nestled in the valley beneath towering peaks, the town has a laid-back vibe with plenty of bars and eateries to explore before and after your nuptials.

Plan the ceremony at the Telluride Ski Resort where you’ll swap vows in front of a gorgeous mountain backdrop. Make it more fun and adventurous by skiing down afterward in your wedding garb. It’s the perfect idea for couples who love winter and doing things a little differently, on their own terms.

This wintry invite is the perfect fit for icy royalty who want to exchange vows in a frozen landscape. Frosted pine boughs glitter with metallic foil accents in simple color schemes for a modern look.

7. France

Design: Inspired by Luly Yang

What’s more magical than a wedding in a castle in Europe? France is home to more than 45,000 castles, hundreds of which you can get married in. From quaint countryside manors to elegant centuries-old castles once inhabited by royalty, there’s a wedding venue for just about any budget. Plus, it’s easy to find boutique hotels for wedding guests to stay nearby if the castle can’t accommodate everyone.

Incorporate local French culture into your ceremony by choosing a traditional cake known as a croquembouche. Featuring a tower of choux puff pastry balls drizzled with crispy threads of caramel, it’s a delightful treat and a unique way to celebrate.

An intricate invite like this one featuring lace and satin accents pays homage to the French culture of couture and offers a preview of an elegant ceremony. With glimmering accents, it’s perfect for castle weddings and nuptials with French-inspired accents.

8. Bali

Design: Becky Nimoy Stationery

One of the best destination wedding locations, Bali is the perfect place to exchange vows. With beautiful sand beaches and great weather year-round, it’s the perfect backdrop for beach weddings. 

Beachfront accommodations are fairly affordable and you’ll have no problem finding large houses that can accommodate most of your guests on the same property. You can also book luxurious resorts with on-site caterers and wedding planners to handle everything for you.

If you want a few alternatives in the region, consider saying “I do” in Thailand or hop over to Malaysia where you’ll find plenty of beach wedding locations with fewer crowds.

Want to feature one of your beautiful engagement photos on your wedding invites? If so, this tropical frame invitation is ideal — especially if you’re heading off to an exotic island to tie the knot. 

9. Costa Rica

Design: Lissa Anglin

Costa Rica has it all, whether you want to tie the knot in the cloud forests of Monteverde, in front of a volcano in Arenal, or along the beaches of Puerto Viejo. In addition to stunning backdrops, you’ll find affordable accommodations and high-end resorts to fit any budget. 

Best of all, extending your stay and making it your honeymoon is as easy as pie. Head down to Pavones to catch the longest left wave, tour the Costa Ballena to see toucans, and be adventurous by taking a rafting trip on the Pacuare River.

Invite guests to your destination wedding with this tropical invitation. With bold colors reminiscent of a toucan and vibrant flowers, it’s the perfect way to set the tone for a cheerful celebration in a tropical locale.

10. Ireland

Design: Kid Collective

Love the idea of saying “I do” on an emerald green isle? Pick Ireland as your destination wedding location. Keep in mind though that all of that green comes at a price: lots of rain. Best for couples that consider rain on their wedding day a good thing, you’ll want to be sure you have contingency plans for the weather.

Plan on getting hitched in an Irish manor or schedule the nuptials in an enchanted garden with tents to protect against the elements. Consider incorporating Irish wedding traditions like a handfasting ceremony to pay tribute to the local culture.

Get guests excited for the big day with a design like the Painted Grove Invitation. Featuring a whimsical painting of the green countryside, it imparts magical vibes (just like the beauty of Ireland!).

11. A National Park

Design: National Park Foundation

Most National Parks allow people to get married, giving couples the opportunity to say “I do” and get incredible photos in front of icons like Half Dome. To plan a National Park wedding, be sure to visit the park’s website to see what types of permits and permissions you need to get beforehand.

Top national parks to consider for your nuptials include Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Acadia. You can also consider some less touristy options like national monuments and less visited national parks like the National Park of American Samoa and Kobuk Valley National Park.

Celebrating somewhere magical in a national forest, beneath towering trees? This soaring sequoias invitation couldn’t be any more perfect. We love the rich tones and gorgeous illustrations on this sumptuous design.

Destination Wedding Ideas You’ll Love

The best destination wedding ideas are the ones that feel right for you, your partner, and the way you want to celebrate the moment together. Take inspiration from these ideas and take a look at some of these top destination wedding locations.

Once you’ve made a decision, get ready to invite guests to the big day by choosing among a selection of stunning destination wedding invitations. They’re customizable and match every theme and destination so you can share the wonderful news with your favorite people.