Having a wedding and honeymoon to plan is super exciting, although when you’ve got things to consider like the venue, what family to invite and all the little touches such as the cake, flowers and transport, popping the question can seem like the easy bit. So no wonder you’re searching for the best place to get married abroad!
We offer lots of stunning destinations that are perfect for weddings and honeymoons, and an array of hotels to suit everyone’s budget. Some hotels host weddings themselves, complete with wedding planners, florists and lush catering. While in other places you might find yourselves exchanging vows in a gorgeous town hall. Or maybe even down at the beach!
To make it that little bit easier, we’ve picked out some of the most romantic spots for destination weddings and honeymoons, along with a few of our favourite hotels.
The Caribbean
A warm climate, plenty of sunshine, delicious food and friendly people that are always up for a celebration; what could be better than a wedding in the Caribbean? With beautiful beaches everywhere from the Bahamas to Mexico, you’ll soon be dreaming about walking down the aisle on pearly white sand with the faint sound of the calypso gently playing in the background. Honeymoons in the Caribbean can also be great value for money, as many resorts offer All Inclusive packages and special upgrades for couples tying the knot – so you can have your dream nuptials no matter what your budget.
Best for weddings and honeymoons on a budget: Ocean Point Hotel & Spa, Antigua
Best for weddings and honeymoons with children: Iberostar Dominica, Dominican Republic
>> I’m in love with the Caribbean! >>
Italy
Undoubtedly one of the world’s most romantic locations, can you imagine a more beautiful place for newlyweds than Italy? There are some truly stunning places for weddings and honeymoons here, from Sorrento to Lake Garda – stroll hand in hand through cities, countryside, coastlines and castles while falling in love with this enchanting destination.
Best venue for historical weddings: Museo Correale di Terranova – honeymoon at Michelangelo, Sorrento
Best venue for picturesque weddings: Sorrento Cloisters of San Francesco – honeymoon at Grand Hotel Europa Palace, Sorrento
>> Get me some Italian romance! >>
Mauritius
Mouthwatering food, secluded beaches and world-class attentive service; Mauritius is a tropical paradise made for intimate weddings and divine honeymoons. It’s one of the most luxurious destinations to get married in, and offers some of the best quality hotels in the world. Most hotel wedding packages include venues within lush gardens or idyllic beaches, guaranteeing gorgeous photos. Tie the knot just before sunset and your first kiss will be set against a stunning backdrop of red and orange skies.
Best for romantic weddings and honeymoons: Maritim Resort & Spa Mauritius, Cote Nord
Best for beach weddings and honeymoons: Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort, Cote Sud
>> Mauritius is The One for me! >>
Cyprus
Known as the island of love, a wedding or honeymoon in Cyprus is for the true romantics. As well as secluded coves and golden sands, there are plenty of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that will make stunning backdrops for your wedding album. Plus there’s a fantastic range of honeymoon hotels and ceremony settings to choose from; whether you’d like a religious church wedding, a relaxed hotel-based one or something extraordinary, like getting married at the stunning Paphos Medieval Castle.
Best for adult-only weddings and honeymoons: The Ivi Mare, Paphos
Best for family weddings and honeymoons: Coral Beach Hotel and Resort, Coral Bay
USA
If you’ve always planned on your own American dream, there’s a wedding and honeymoon to suit your style! Keep it short and sweet at one of the famous chapels in Las Vegas and have Elvis give you away at the end of the aisle – honeymoon highlights include the Grand Canyon! Or, choose a beautiful garden as the backdrop to your ceremony in Orlando, followed by a fun-eymoon exploring the theme parks, Everglades and Florida beaches. And as anything goes in New York, you could even say ‘I do’ with breathtaking views of one of the world’s most famous cities from the Rockefeller Center’s observation deck.
Best venue for no-fuss weddings: A Little White Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas – honeymoon at Bellagio
Best venue for unique weddings: Top of The Rock observation deck, New York – honeymoon at The Plaza Hotel
Greece
Have your own big, fat Greek wedding surrounded by golden beaches, an abundance of olive groves and lush, mountainous hillsides. Then spend your honeymoon admiring breathtaking sunsets from the top of tall cliffs, wander cobbled streets and enjoy delicious local dishes from rustic restaurants. From the incredible family-friendly resorts of Rhodes to the swankiest locations in Mykonos, and plenty more to choose from besides, romance definitely lingers in the air here.
Best for weddings and honeymoons on a budget: Marelen Hotel & Apartments, Zante
Best for romantic weddings and honeymoons: Caldera’s Dolphin, Santorini
>> We’ve got the hots for Greece! >>
And there's more...
Make sure you check out our guides to the best LGBTQ+ destinations and holidays for couples, too!
About the author
Lucy spent 18 years writing about all kinds of holidays at the old Thomas Cook, and, after a stint as a freelance copywriter, is very excited to be back on the team!