9 Unique Destination Wedding Locations - The Extraordinary and Unexpected
Well wouldn’t you know it, it’s engagement season once again!
Which means a whole raft of happily engaged couples venturing forth into the exciting new world of wedding planning. Having planned our wedding last year out in the Canaries, we wanted to shine a light on some unique wedding destination locations that you might not have considered.
We love an international wedding, and that’s exactly why we planned one for ourselves. There’s something so amazing about having all your friends and family join you for a short (or long) holiday with you at the centre. Or heck, don’t invite anyone and spend your money on yourselves - we only had 16 at our wedding and it was great!
Anyway, this blog isn’t about the regular culprits. Everyone in the UK has heard of the Italian wedding industry, and of French chateaus, so there’s no point mentioning the Loire Valley, or Tuscany… It doesn’t have to be a jungle wedding in the ‘The Democratic Republic of Congo’ to count though (although we’re definitely keen).
How we selected these unique wedding venues:
There are a number of things that go into making a fantastic destination wedding location so in order to make this list we considered a few factors. We’re talking
Accessibility - how easy and cost effective is it to travel to these countries?
Do they have a robust wedding industry that can provide things like catering, floristry, transport etc.?
And of course from a photography perspective… are they also stunningly beautiful?
(p.s We’ll be updating links in this blog as we write up the appropriate weddings. Get in touch if there’s one you want to see sooner!)
Without further ado, lets go!
Shirley Heights in Antigua - overlooking Nelson’s Dockyard
Denmark
Ok, we we’re starting relatively close to home - still in Europe, but definitely not a regular one on our enquiry forms!
Denmark is beautiful, the people are lovely, and Copenhagen has a wonderful coffee culture which we personally love!
What’s not to like?
If you’re into a stripped back minimalist vibe and city getaways then you’ll find some incredible venues out here. We shot at Koldinghus Castle just outside Billund and (to paraphrase our incredible couple: ‘it was about the same price as a pub in London’… I know which I’d choose…
Featured Wedding: Julie and Alex at Koldinghus Castle
Kenya
Right, let’s spread our wings and hop to another continent.
Definitely not on the top of most people’s initial list… but definitely worth considering if you like adventure. There’s so much range in Kenya: from stunning white sand beaches to the wealth of safari parks such as Lake Naivasha or the Masai Mara. You can definitely go luxury out here, or keep it boutique and really enjoy in the scenery. You can even stick around for honeymoon, or take a short(er) flight over to Sri Lanka or the Maldives.
Featured Venue: Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha
The Alps
Italy, France, Switzerland - Pizza, Baguettes, Cheese with holes in it - what’s your flavour of wedding? There’s some stunning settings out in the alps, and as an outdoorsman myself it’s hard to say no when someone drops us a line for a trip to the mountains. Easy to access (getting into country at least… hiking ability might affect the final approach!), stunning backdrops, and delicious food. Honestly, what’s not to like?
Featured Venue: Refuge de Doran
Some Unique Wedding destinations in South East Asia - Bali, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam
While we’re talking about unusual wedding destinations, it’d be rude not to mention the incredible countries out in Asia. It’s definitely a long way to go for those in the UK though, so maybe a better location for those of you who have a shorter guest list!
Thailand, Bali, and the Philippines to name a few.
There’s regular flights out there, and your money goes a mile - so you can find some amazing hotels and backdrops for your friends and family to experience with you. You’ve got a pretty good chance of decent weather (assuming you don’t go during the rainy season), and once again - you’re in prime position to stick around for honeymoon afterwards.
Featured Location: Koh Tao & Koh Samui
Greece (Crete)
We’ve all heard of Santorini with its beautiful white and blue buildings. But there’s more islands in the aegean than you can shake a stick at!
I won’t lie - they might be a little less instantly identifiable, but when considering accessibility - Crete, Rhodes, and Zante have pretty well maintained industries. If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve, then maybe consider a trip to Pathos, Ios or Tinos? Some are not accessible directly by plane, but organising a boat trip for the wedding party to arrive on is certainly memorable!
Featured Location: Rethymno
Unique Wedding destinations in The Balkans
With their rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, the Balkans are rapidly becoming the dark horse of European wedding destinations. Here are some notable locations gaining attention. If you’re into mediterranean architecture, then definitely consider checking out some of the beautiful venues out here. There’s all the aesthetics of Italy or Greece, but as the industry continues to grow there are some great opportunities out this way!
Check out Montenegro, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, & Albania for some jumping off points.
America - (National Parks)
I could write a whole separate post about US destinations, but for this list I’m just going to mention the national parks. Yosemite & Yellowstone for those starting with Y, and Death Canyon for those looking to put off people from attending. If you’re not afraid of a little logistical management, then you’ll be hard pressed to find more stunning backdrops with such a strong industry behind them. This year we’re heading to Red Rocks just outside of Vegas, and then onward to Zion National Park.
Featured Locations: Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks
South Africa - Cape Town and Stellenbosch
The worst kept secret in weddings? With Nordic Airlines new flights to Cape Town, you can actually get to South Africa both quickly and reasonably cheaply. Stellenbosch is then just a short drive east and you’re in one of the best wine regions on earth. Go north and you’re right by Namibia, Botswana, and the Kalahari.
Once again - there’s a strong industry, beautiful scenery, and these little sandwiches called roosterkoek that are just incredible.
Featured Venue: Molenvliet & Tokara Vineyards, Stellenbosch region
Caribbean (Antigua/Jamaica)
Soft sand, warm seas, palm trees, sunny skies, sailboats, and a wonderful mix of modern and colonial architecture.
I don’t think I really need to sell the Caribbean - but it makes me smile when I say all those words.
One of the best reasons to get married out there (unlike france, spain, greece etc.) is that it’s actually pretty easy to do the legal bit while in the country without being resident for 50 years! We’ve shot weddings in both Antigua and Jamaica and can heartily recommend both! There are some great planners out there… just be prepared for a bit of a more laid back approach than your typical British efficiency 😅.
Check out the BVIs, Antigua/Barbuda/Barbados for some jumping off points - or drop us a line - we’re always happy to offer advice.
Featured Venue: Ellie and Tyler in Shirley Heights & Jolly Harbour Antigua
Featured Wedding: Lucy and Dalton at Patoo Castle, Negril, Jamaica
If any of these unique destinations have inspired you and you’re planning to book your wedding at one of them, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re looking for photography services or need help planning your dream destination wedding, feel free to reach out. We’re always excited to hear about your plans and assist however we can.
To explore photography from some of the weddings featured in this blog, click on the links in the relevant sections, or check out more of our work here on our portfolio.