42 Destination Wedding Invitations From Real Couples

Destination wedding topical invitation — Photography by Rebecca Yale Photography / Design and Planning by Moana Belle Events / Stationery by Lotus & Ash

There’s no better way to get guests excited about your destination wedding than with your invitations, which always set the tone for the big day. And your wedding locale is a bevy of inspiration when it comes to designing destination wedding invitations. Include a hand-painted watercolor illustration of your chateau venue, a blind-embossed map of the campgrounds of your woodsy wedding, bold colors and palm leaves depicting your tropical destination, or a drawing of the mountains portraying your cliffside ceremony.

You can also make a less explicit, more subtle nod with your destination wedding invitations. Focus on one color from your destination—like an emerald green for a mountain wedding or bold teal for a beach wedding—and color block it with white for a minimalist invitation. Or create a color palette infusing several hues from the locale, like muted beiges and greens for a wedding in the desert. If you’d rather focus on prints than color, consider incorporating a design that portrays the local florals or fauna.

Here’s a bit of destination wedding invitation inspiration from real couples who said “I do” all over the world.

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Wow With Watercolors

Watercolor destination wedding invitation — Photography by Amber Gress Photography / Stationery by Alison Murray

One of our favorite ways to evoke a destination wedding on an invite is with a watercolor illustration of the venue. That’s exactly what this bride did for her wedding at Sound View Greenport on Long Island. The artist incorporated the site’s architecture and coastline with clusters of bougainvillea.

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Showcase Mountain Silhouettes

Blue and white destination wedding invitations — Photography by Ashley Sawtelle; Design & Planning by Lucky Penny Events; Stationery by BRYLO Wed

If you’re getting married in the mountains, have the outlines of the mountain ranges drawn onto your invites—the rural version of a skyline. Silhouettes of Mt. Crested Butte and Gothic Mountain in Colorado are layered onto this minimalist invitation suite, featuring blue-and-white color blocking. It also comes with a blind-embossed map of the venue area.

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Include a Fun Message

Destination wedding invitation with fun font — Photography by Olivia & Dan Photography / Design & Planning by Daniela di Cesare of The Lazy Olive / Stationery by Mount Street Printers

Sometimes, you don’t need to bother with prints, designs, and colors to get guests excited about your destination wedding. A modern block font and a bold script combine to say all that needs to be said: "Pack your suitcases and join us in Italy." Simple, fun, and to the point!

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Emphasize Gilded Details

Gilded destination wedding invitation — Photography by Rebecca Yale Photography / Design & Planning by Matthew Oliver Weddings / Stationery by Fourteen Forty

For an elegant château wedding in Europe, a classic invitation suite featuring gilded line drawings and a weekend itinerary schedule in gilded thematic icons will do. The look evokes a vibe of old-world romance.

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Pick a Palm Print

Pink and green tropical destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Rebecca Yale Photography / Design & Planning by Moana Belle Events / Stationery by Lotus & Ash

For a tropical wedding like this one in Hawaii, look to the surroundings for inspiration. A contemporary palm print in green and pink plays up a tropical locale. We love how this couple added a customized touch by including a photo strip with images taken there from a previous trip.

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Create Countryside Vibes

French-inspired destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Rebecca Yale Photography / Stationery by Valentina Glidden

A French countryside wedding calls for an invitation suite boasting illustrations of soft greenery and a pen-and-ink drawing of the château venue, finished with a ribbon wrap and a gold wax seal.

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Focus on Florals

Hand-painted destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Julia Wade / Design & Planning by Reagan Events / Stationery by Arzberger Stationers

Hand-painted invitations boasting colorful florals in coral and light blue set the tone for a late summer garden party, perfect for a wedding down south.

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Illustrate Scenery

Pink and grey tropical destination wedding invitation — Photography by Steve Steinhardt / Design & Planning by Duet Weddings / Stationery by Paper Birch Designs

Instead of going for the standard palm trees and tropical feel for Hawaiian-themed destination wedding invitations, play up the state’s mountainous beauty. This invitation suite features a stunning watercolor of Hawaii’s volcanoes.

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Mimic the Ocean

Wedding invitation suite for Mexican destination wedding — Photography by Norman & Blake / Design & Planning by Alison Events / Stationery by Southern Fried Paper

Beach weddings tend to trend laid-back, while others are more elegant. This bride’s Mexico wedding was a bit of both, and her invitation suite mirrored that perfectly. The paper reinterpreted the classic style of chinoiserie in the form of a contemporary watercolor design in blues as a nod to the ocean.

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Show Off Woodsy Scenery

Mountain destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Edward Winter for READYLUCK / Design & Planning by Pink Bowtie Events / Stationery by Minted

Evoke your mountain wedding with an illustration of scenic views in varying shades of green, which will undoubtedly get guests excited for the woodsy magic awaiting them. This couple also included a program featuring cartoons of them in their wedding outfits, accompanied by explanations of Indian wedding customs—a creative idea if you’re having a cultural wedding.

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Accentuate One Element

Minimalist destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Katie Ruther / Design & Planning by Destination Weddings Tulum / Stationery by Swell Press

Destinations provide a ton of inspiration, but you don’t need to pack it all into your invitations. Pick one element and focus on it. This minimalist invitation suite kept a simple teal and white palette with a subtle palm leaf imprint to accentuate Tulum vibes. Bonus: It comes with a packing list!

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Employ a Seaside Palette

Seaside destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Elizabeth Lanier Photography / Design & Planning by Lindsey Boyce / Stationery by Swell Press

If you’re throwing a seaside wedding, consider a soft nautical palette of blue, seafoam green, yellow, and cream. Such a color scheme mimics the peacefulness and serenity of the beach.

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Make Custom Clutches

Western-themed destination wedding save the date — Photography by Aaron Delesie / Design & Planning by Easton Events / Stationery by Yonder Design

A wedding out west requires some serious Western vibes. This bride was inspired by a wool Ralph Lauren pattern, which was used to make custom clutches for her save the dates. The invitation itself boasted a rendering of a landscape at Brush Creek Ranch, which was printed on wood and included a stand so guests could display it at home.

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Play With Cacti

Cactus-inspired destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Erich McVey / Design & Planning by Penzi Weddings / Stationery by PS Paper

Cacti illustrations allude to a desert wedding locale, providing a pop of lime green and coral on white paper. Matching typography accents the vivid palette.

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Incorporate a Taste of Home

Yellowstone destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Norman & Blake / Design & Planning by Bash Bozeman / Stationery by Ice Pond Press

The invitation suite for this Montana wedding stuck to a color scheme of blue and yellow, while a vintage postcard gave a nod to the old Western days. The bride and groom also elevated their envelopes with an interior illustration of the landscape, and they included a packet of wildflower seeds for an extra taste of home.

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Evoke Southern Charm

Destination wedding invitation with elegant calligraphy — Photography by Davy Whitener / Design & Planning by Mariée Ami / Stationery by Arzberger Stationers

Bring out some serious Southern charm with a classic invitation suite that features scrawling, elegant calligraphy on the invitation itself, and a watercolor pattern of magnolia flowers for the envelope lining. The bride carried the pattern throughout all the other elements of the wedding, from gift tags to the draped fabric of the reception tent.

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Feature the Locale’s Colors

Watercolor monogram destination wedding invitations — Photography by Kate Holstein / Design & Planning by Laurel & Rose / Stationery by Shannon Kirsten Studio

A stunning wedding in colorful Santa Barbara called for an equally vivid invitation suite. A watercolor monogram featuring palm trees and the couple’s dog makes both a bold and personal statement in hot pinks and blues. Pair your invitations with a matching illustrated map of the locale, as this couple did.

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Add Local Wildflowers

Pressed flowers destination wedding invitation — Photography by Erich McVey / Design & Planning by Laurel & Rose / Stationery by Lotus and Ash

This bride wanted her Malibu wedding to feel true to the untouched location. She scanned flowers to border the invitation, while the stationer added a handful of real pressed flowers to each suite.

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Get Bold and Bright

Bold campfire destination wedding invitation — Photography by Jenn Emerling Weddings / Design & Planning by Ashley Smith Events / Stationery by Wesley & John Yates-Parietti, Ashley Smith Events, Bourne Paper Co

This couple took it back to summer camp with a weekend camp wedding in Boulder Creek, Colorado. A bold invitation suite calls to mind starry nights by the campfire, lit up by white lettering with a neon glow for an eclectic punch of fun.

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Look to Architecture

Architecture-inspired destination wedding invitation — Photography by Lance Nicoll / Design & Planning by Clark & Kelly / Stationery by Poinciana Paper Press, Minted

Let your destination wedding’s stunning architecture inspire your invitation suite. That’s what these grooms did for their New Orleans vows. Their blue-and-gold invitation suite infused the scrollwork of their venue’s iron fences and natural motifs that recalled the city’s lush gardens.

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Design a Crest

Destination wedding invitation suite with crest — Photography by Ryan Ray / Design & Planning by Jill LaFleur of LaFleur Weddings / Stationery by Evr Paper

These invitations for a California destination wedding have a light and airy vibe, boasting a custom crest inspired by the tiles and orange groves of the venue, Ojai Valley Inn.

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Create a Custom Suite

Woodland-inspired destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Natalie Watson Photography / Design & Planning by RT Lodge / Stationery by Share Studios, Cherish the Moment, Marisa Made, Artisaire, TreasureFox

This bride worked with her stationer to create a super-custom design with handmade paper and lots of detail, including different colors and sizes for each piece as well as handmade, hand-folded envelopes. The blue-green color scheme perfectly replicated the night skies of her lodge wedding, accented with vintage stamps and a map of the grounds. Consider taking note for a woodland-inspired wedding of your own.

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Incorporate Travel-Based Texts

Gold leaf destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Heather Waraksa of the Wedding Artists Co. / Design & Planning by Karen Gables / Stationery by Fourteen-Forty

A safari camp wedding in Kenya may sound wild, but this one was completely chic. Look no further than these bespoke invitations for evidence. The design and text were inspired by the Lewis and Clark journals and a vintage copy of Karen Blixen’s ‘Out of Africa,’ while a map drawn in gold leaf foil completed the suite.

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Play Up the Season

Jewel tone destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Carina Skrobecki Photography / Design & Planning by Greenwood Events / Stationery by Jessica Lee Calligraphy & Design

Not all destination weddings are held in the summer months. If yours is in the fall or winter, infuse the season into your invitations as well. This suite takes on rich fall tones by bringing the wildflowers of the surrounding Montana scenery to life for a rustic-meets-elegant autumn vibe.

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Make Tropical Modern

Miami-inspired destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Merari Photography / Design & Planning by Guerdy Abraira / Stationery by LetterHeads Miami

This contemporary design on steel blue paper in gold ink is very Miami Beach. Combined with palm illustrations, the deep-hued suite is the perfect nod to the South Florida beach locale.

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Use a Vegetable Print

Farm-inspired destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Cassidy Carson Photography / Design & Planning by Fête Nashville

Floral prints are a tried-and-true classic, but a farm wedding deserves a printed garland of vegetables instead. Lettuce, radishes, grapes, and plums adorn this invitation suite in an ode to a rustic Tennessee wedding—all designed by the bride herself!

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Take on Retro Beach Vibes

Sky blue and yellow destination beach wedding invitation — Photography by Sasithon Photography / Stationery by Printerette Press

Sky blue and sunshine yellow emit a fun and low-key feel in this retro-inspired invitation suite that carries an underlying ‘60s vibe—perfect for the laid-back charm of Shelter Island.

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Opt for Neutral Tones

Beige beach destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Ana Hinojosa, Sergio Sandona / Design & Planning by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants / Stationery by Julie Song Ink

It’s a natural inclination to play up the blues of the sky and the sea in a beach wedding invitation suite, but try opting for a neutral palette of beige and gray instead. The tones mimic the soft movement of the sand.

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Be Playful

Blue butterfly destination wedding invitation suite — Photography by Mallory Dawn Photography / Design & Planning by Green Apple Event Co. / Stationery by Pirouette Paper Company, Yellow and Lace

An invitation suite for a downtown Los Angeles wedding gets funky with tropical colors and floral motifs, incorporating butterflies and chameleons. The playful look got its inspiration from the artsy and equally tropical venue, Valentine and Grass Room.

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Blind-Emboss the City

Blind emboss destination wedding invitations — Photo by Anna Marks Photography

Blind-emboss your invitation with an elevation drawing of your destination. This timeless invitation does just that with a drawing of San Francisco’s coastline, including the area where the couple got engaged. The envelope featured a custom wax seal of the Golden Gate Bridge in emerald green to add a dash of color that would become the wedding’s signature hue.

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Feature Botanicals

English countryside destinations wedding invitations — Photography by Emilie White / Design & Planning by Pocketful of Dreams / Stationery by Stephanie Fishwick

Yellow flowers and vines of greenery dance around the edges of these botanical invites, setting the tone for a wedding in the English countryside. Scripted calligraphy and a bold typeface combine for a traditional look.

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Bring In Icons

Destination wedding invitations with icons — Photography by Lacie Hansen Photography / Design & Planning by Callista & Company / Stationery by Claire Goldschmidt

Who said only one location can inspire your destination wedding invitations? This couple has lived in different cities over the years together, so they incorporated that into their stationery. The simple, modern invitations feature small icons depicting their home—San Francisco—and their wedding location—Big Sur.

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Focus on Color

Color-focused destination wedding invitation — Photography by Lucy Cuneo / Design & Planning by Brooke Keegan Special Events / Stationery by Cecile's Paper Co.

Playing up the scenery in your invitations is a classic choice for a destination wedding in the mountains, but emphasizing the colors gives a more subtle nod to the location and is just as beautiful. Here, rich emerald green takes over this invitation suite, from the envelope lining to the custom logo, setting the tone for a chic mountain wedding.

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Get Edgy

Black and White topical wedding invitation suite — Photography by Forged in the North / Design & Planning by Signature Mexico / Stationery by Studio BDR

This couple had a destination wedding in Cabo, but instead of incorporating Mexico’s festive side into the invites, they took inspiration from the venue instead. The Cape featured a chic and edgy design, which carried over into the envelope’s black-and-white palm print and the invite’s abstract design.

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Include a Map

Blush destination wedding invitations — Photo by Lauren Fair Photography / Stationery by Barely Blush Ink

Marrying in a tropical locale? Be inspired by the local foliage. This invitation from a Costa Rica wedding is a perfect example, as it includes a map of the Nosara coastline and an itinerary of the activities, along with custom stamps and calligraphy in white ink.

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Set the Tone

Green and white destination wedding invitations — Photo by Ryan Ray / Stationery by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants

For a sophisticated look that's both minimal and elegant, consider looking to this Palms Springs invitation suite by Lehr & Black for inspiration. Here, the green-and-white color scheme alludes to a sophisticated evening, while the envelope design mimics the facade of the wedding venue, the Parker Palm Springs.

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Look to the Landscape

Magical themed destination wedding invitation — Photo by Laurken Kendall / Stationery by Cara Plena

If you have a wedding theme, make it the focal point of your invitation suite. This couple did just that, customizing their suite to reflect their "magical" theme in the details and design. Each invitation was designed to honor the wedding location with embossed topography and images of the canyons at Amangiri and the couple's relationship, including a quote from the book that the bride was reading when they first met.

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Utilize Unique Textures

Destination wedding invitation with fall colors — Photo by Joel Serrato / Stationery by The Idea Emporium

Tailoring an invitation to the fall season doesn't have to be totally obvious. Case in point: This custom suite includes a slight nod to the fall season with colors such as rust and dusty rose and fresh, modern typography that could work for any season or location.

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Don't Forget About Postage

Destination wedding invitation with special stamp — Photo by Kate Headley / Stationery by Steph B and Co

For a subtle hint at your wedding destination, look to creative postage stamps, as this couple did by including postage stamps with images of past presidents for their neighborhood-inspired wedding in Washington, D.C. And the bride's sister painted the watercolor background!

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Create a Custom Font

Traditional destination wedding invitation — Photo by Heather Waraksa / Stationery Design by Emily Snyder / Stationery Printing by Ellis Hill

While classic scripts and fonts are favorites for a reason, there's no reason to include a traditional note if that's not your style. For instance, this bride worked with Emily Snyder to hand-calligraph the design for their invitation suite, which she calls both classic and wild. "It reminded me of the Spanish moss, the vines of ancient oaks dripping, and the historic architecture of The Cloister," she says. "It was that juxtaposition of natural wildness and polished elegance that I hoped to capture in our design."

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Go Graphic

Art-inspired destination wedding invitation — Photo by Kate Headley; Stationery by Minted

Seeking unexpected inspiration? Look to the art displayed on the walls of your venue for design and color ideas, as this couple did at the Shinola Hotel in Detroit. “The spaces were modern and gorgeous, with a classic-vintage twist, and filled with an impressive art collection with works by some of our favorite artists," says the bride of the venue. Their invitation suite can be described as the same.

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Make It Your Own

Custom destination wedding invitation suite — Photo by Whitney Neal Studios / Stationery by Lotus and Ash / Calligraphy by Calligraphy Katrina

When creating a custom invitation suite, emphasize the word "custom." Any design can illustrate your desired vibe, whether it's something obvious like your color palette or wedding location or an element that's more subtle like nods to your relationship or cultural heritage. For her own wedding, Ashling Loh-Doyle, founder of creative studio Lotus & Ash, did both with paper elements that reflected both her heritage (Chinese-Malaysian and Irish) and her groom's Southern roots, as well as their shared graphic sensibilities and wedding theme, which she describes as "Black Tie and Mai Tai"—in other words, classic with colorful nods to Kentucky and Southeast Asia.

What to Include in a Wedding Invitation Suite