15 Best Destination Wedding Venues Around the World

castle wedding venue — Photo by Jessica Mangia Photography

A cliffside resort in Positano, a rural retreat in the Tuscan countryside, a castaway resort in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef—if you dream of getting married in a far-flung locale, an international destination wedding may be in your future. The reasons for planning a wedding abroad are as personal as they are endless: Maybe you got engaged in Europe and imagined returning for the big day; perhaps your fiancé’s family has cultural ties to the Middle East; or, you always dreamed of walking down an aisle of white sand somewhere in the Caribbean. No matter your motivation, hosting an international destination wedding is an excuse to create lasting memories, together with your loved ones, in an epic locale.

As you dig into planning, there are a few important factors to consider: the venue, travel requirements, and budget. When it comes to the venue, focusing on hotels, resorts, and estates that offer onsite accommodations and a reliable staff promise to lighten your load in the long-run. Next, consider how long it will take the majority of your guests to travel there and whether you’ll need to arrange transportation (such as airport transfers and shuttles to offsite party locations)—just because a destination seems perfect doesn’t mean it’s always worth the journey. Lastly, even couples with unlimited budgets need to always keep their guests’ wallets in mind; a five-star luxury resort sometimes comes at an untenable price point, so aim to offset costs by subsidizing guest rooms and/or hosting multiple events throughout the weekend.

Whether you opt for a full-service resort, an exclusive-use villa, or a castle-turned-hotel, the options for an international destination wedding are endless. Here are our bucket-list venues to inspire your biggest, most important getaway yet.

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Castello di Reschio, Umbria, Italy

reschio estate castle in italy — Photo by Eric Kelley

Reschio is a thousand-year-old castle and estate, once completely abandoned and forgotten, that was lovingly restored over two decades by its owners, Count Benedikt Bolza and his wife, Nencia. Nestled on 3,750 acres of Umbrian countryside—renowned for the white truffle, in season every fall—this undiscovered retreat is both tranquil and amenity-packed. From the authentic, 36-room castle-hotel to the 20 private farmhouse villas and the serene bathhouse (complete with a hammam, sauna, and plunge pool), your guests will spend the weekend feeling like Italian royalty.

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Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, Italy

wedding venue set into italian countryside — Courtesy of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Set on 5,000 acres of rolling Tuscan countryside, the Ferragamo family’s former private estate and vineyard is as picturesque as it is luxe. Exchange vows in a charming medieval church or on a verdant lawn with ancient castle ruins in the backdrop—just like celebrity brides Kate Upton and Caroline Wozniacki. No matter which reception venue you choose, couples are guaranteed panoramic views of the Montalcino hillside—and lots (and lots) of delicious house wine.

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InterContinental Hayman Island, Queensland, Australia

oceanside resort in the carribean with huge pool — Courtesy of InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, an IHG Hotel

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, this castaway retreat offers everything you need for an intimate elopement or large-scale event of up to 300 guests. Exchange vows on crescent-shaped Hayman Beach, with views of the famed Whitsunday Islands in the backdrop, or barefoot beneath an arbor of orchids and anthuriums on powdery Coconut Beach. Move to Coconut Grove for a reception filled with dining and dancing beneath twinkling stars and tropical palms.

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Villa Balbiano, Lake Como, Italy

Baroque frescoes, antique furnishings, marble floors—the opulent details at this exclusive-use villa will impress even the most discerning guest. The historic lakeside villa, featured in House of Gucci, can accommodate up to 30 guests, but if your headcount is higher, nearby five-star resorts—Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Passalacqua, and Villa d'Este—can hardly be considered “spill-over accommodations.” Round out the wedding weekend’s festivities with a welcome party at Una Finestra Sul Lago, a boat outing to Bellagio, and a beach picnic on Lido di Lenno.

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Villa Treville, Positano, Italy

villa treville in positano with pool overlooking water — Courtesy of Villa Treville

The former home of famed Italian director Franco Zeffirelli is now a cliffside boutique hotel that promises to turn your dolce vita fantasies into reality. While it’s possible to secure preferred venues with a semi-private commitment, couples who buy out the hotel’s 17 rooms are guaranteed exclusive use, plus on-site accommodations for up to 34 guests. That means: exchanging vows on the panoramic Rotunda, sipping spritzes on the tree-lined terraces, dining beneath bougainvillea garlands at the Terraced Restaurant, and dancing the night away in the Lounge Bar.

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Adare Manor, Ireland

adare manor castle in ireland — Photo by Eric Kelley

From whiskey tastings at a pub to falconry, archery, and golf, your guests will get a crash-course in Irish culture throughout a weekend celebrating at this grand castle-hotel. After you say “I do” at your choice venue (there are both Christian churches and nondenominational sites), hire a traditional bagpiper or Irish drum troupe to lead your guests in a memorable, music-filled march to the reception.

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La Fortaleza, Mallorca, Spain

la fortalenza wedding venue with stone archway and ceremony florals on either side — Photo by Eric Kelley

One of the most exclusive venues in all of Spain, La Fortaleza is sought-after for its combination of arresting natural beauty and stately historic architecture. Originally built in the 17th-century as a military fortress, the grand estate (which includes a mansion and guest villas) has been featured in popular cinematic sagas, such as BBC’s “The Night Manager” and Paramount+’s “Lioness.” While there are more than 25,000 square-feet of immaculately manicured gardens in which to wed, the pool terrace—featuring a series of original arches and breathtaking ocean views—maxes out on wow-factor.

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Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, France

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France — Courtesy of Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc

The storied Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc—the setting for Sophia Richie and Elliot Grainge’s recent viral nuptials—is as star-studded as it is luxurious. Set on a cliffside promontory in the tony French Riviera town of Antibes, the famed resort promises to impress guests with its meticulous grounds, glistening seaside, and white-glove service. Make your event as memorable as Richie’s: Walk down the hotel’s grand allée for a 6 p.m. ceremony fronting the Mediterranean, followed by an elegant ballroom reception that transforms into a dance-'til-dawn after-party.

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Le Mas Des Poiriers, Provence, France

<p>Farmhouse venue</p> — Photo by Ross Harvey

The picturesque “Pear Trees Estate” is a timeless, exclusive-use venue, located on 65 private acres near Avignon. Host your immediate families in the nine bedrooms of the exquisitely designed 18th-century farmhouse—but be sure to save the light-filled corner suite for your getting-ready moment. Plan a fun-filled weekend itinerary that includes wine tastings in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and a bacchanal pool party on the estate grounds (it’s already outfitted with SONOS surround sound). Make your walk down the aisle between two dramatic rows of cypress trees in the front garden, followed by a candlelit reception on the outdoor patio.

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Amanzoe, Porto Heli, Greece

amanzoe resort with pool in front of mountains — Photo by Sarah Falugo

While Santorini stuns with whitewashed architecture and Mykonos crushes the party scene, this five-star resort on the eastern Peloponnese offers couples a little bit of everything—in a class all its own. With individual guest “Pavilions” and spacious villas spread across the grounds, Amanzoe feels intimate enough for elopements and small-scale affairs. But the sweeping views and dramatic event spaces also fit the bill for grand celebrations. Take your guests back in time with a candlelit rehearsal dinner in the sunken Amphitheater, inspired by ancient Greece. Then walk down the aisle for a ceremony in-the-round atop the fire pit before dancing until the sun comes up at the private beach club.

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Fairmont Banff Springs, Alberta, Canada

fairmont hotel in banff, canada, set amongst snow-covered trees and mountains — Courtesy of Fairmont Hotels

Couples hoping to wed amidst untouched wilderness need only fly their guests a few hours north to the Canadian province of Alberta. At its epicenter lies Banff National Park, renowned for its vibrant lakes, majestic mountains, and easy-access outdoor adventures. Host your nuptials at its most luxurious lodge, Fairmont Banff Springs, where you’ll exchange vows on a stunning outdoor deck overlooking the Canadian Rockies. During down time, guests can ski three world-class mountains or make day trips to emerald-hued Lake Louise (where you could, alternatively, host your wedding at sister property Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise).

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One&Only Palmilla, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

scenic beach resort with pool and villas set into mountain — Courtesy of One&Only

Set on the mesmerizing Sea of Cortez, this oceanfront luxury resort features five gourmet restaurants, two infinity pools, a 27-hole golf course, 24-hour butler service, surf lessons, seasonal whale watching, and more. Before you say “I do” at the charming onsite chapel, take a dip in the Pacific—the resort is home to one of Cabo’s only swimmable shores off Pelican Beach. Get ready with your girls in the Casita Suite, a secluded one-bedroom retreat that touts traditional-meets-contemporary Mexican décor, a spacious lounge for glam, and infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

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Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico

overhead view of bridal processional at outdoor wedding in mexico — Photo by Erich McVey

From the shimmering shores of Mexico’s Caribbean coast to the verdant mangroves of its inland jungles, Mayakoba’s unique setting has diverse landscapes that are a cut above the cookie-cutter beach wedding. Start the weekend with a banquet-style welcome dinner at La Ceiba Garden, followed by a morning golf outing or cenote excursion. For the big day, say “I do” in the mission-style chapel, on the beach, or in front of the lagoon, before toes-in-the-sand dinner and dancing at Aquí Me Quedo.

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Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

green stone pool with ocean in background — Courtesy of Belmond Hotels

This show-stopping retreat—set on the serene, white sandy shores of Anguilla’s Maundays Bay—offers total escapism for wedding parties both big and small. Guests can take their pick of 108 rooms and suites, each featuring a private veranda or balcony overlooking the beach. Jumpstart the festivities with a boat excursion and traditional Anguillan barbecue. The “night before” calls for an intimate rehearsal dinner in one of the private pool villas or music-fueled party at a nearby restaurant, like Blanchards. For the main event: Recite vows on the beach, dine beneath a tent on the Great Lawn, and dance the night away in the covered rotunda. Continue the celebrations with a mini-moon at sister property La Samanna on St. Martin, just a smooth, 25-minute boat ride across the Caribbean Sea.

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Mandarin Oriental Canouan, St. Vincent and the Grenadines

villas built into side of mountain — Photo by Laura Gordon Photography

The eastern Caribbean archipelago of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is oft-overlooked for buzzy isles like St. Barths. But prepare to be lured away when you learn about its crown jewel: Canouan, an island paradise that’s home to sugar-soft beaches, secluded coral coves, and the ultra-exclusive Mandarin Oriental, Canouan. This luxe resort has 26 suites and 8 villas, accommodating a total of 142 guests, with additional accommodations available at Canouan Estates and Soho Beach House Canouan—in case your mother-in-law refuses to cut down the guest list. Expect 24-hour butler service, island-hopping catamaran cruises, clifftop sunset cocktails, and dazzling events on your choice of five white- and pink-sand beaches.

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