By Fathima Rukaiya,

Dreaming of saying “I do” against a breathtaking backdrop? In 2025, destination weddings are more popular than ever, offering couples the chance to blend romance, culture, and travel into one unforgettable experience. This guide to the Top 10 Destination Weddings will help you find the perfect place to begin your forever.

1. Sri Lanka

Why couples pick it: stunning beaches, historic sites, wildlife backdrops, and good value.

Rates: The average cost of destination wedding packages in 2025 is between £2,000 and £5,000 for smaller events, while the cost of larger hotel or villa weddings increases according to the number of guests and the location.

Best time to host:

• South/West coasts (Galle, Bentota, Colombo): late November – April
• East coast (Trincomalee/Arugam): April – September
• Inland hill country has micro-seasons, so plan by region.

Facilities: Safari lodge experiences, historic hotels and colonial halls, seaside resorts with ceremonial gazebos, and villa buyouts. Cultural processions, drummers, and poruwa rites can be arranged by organizers.

2. Santorini, Greece

Couples choose it for the breathtaking views of the caldera, the terraces on the cliffs, and the sunsets.

Rates: Simple civil packages start at about €1,200 to €2,000, while full-service venue + décor + coordination costs between €5,000 and €15,000+, depending on the number of guests and venue exclusivity.

Best time to host: late April – June and September – October (warm, less peak-crowded than July – August).

Facilities include: licensed ceremony terraces, vineyards and boutique hotels for receptions, in-house audiovisual equipment and food at numerous locations, skilled local coordinators, and photo/video crews that are experienced for cliff-top operations.

3. Lake Como, Italy

Why couples pick it: lakefront villas, traditional gardens, and boat arrivals.

Rates: site costs for historic villas often range from €10,000 – €32,000+; sample overall expenses for 50 – 150 guests typically approach between €55,000 – €110,000, depending on rentals and meals.

Best time to host: For outdoor gatherings, May to September is the ideal time to organize (make reservations in advance).

Facilities include: luxury cuisine and rentals, on-site docks, marquee possibilities, private villa exclusivity, and multilingual planners experienced in handling paperwork from around the world.

4. Riviera Maya (Cancún/Playa del Carmen/Tulum), Mexico

Why couples pick it: Easy plane access, all-inclusive resorts, great guest value.

Rates: Ceremonies typically cost between US$2,000 and $10,000 in 2025, while all-inclusive resort packages typically cost between US$5,000 and $12,000. There are also some “under $5K” choices available for small groups. For many couples, the average cost has been around $10,000 USD (package + add-ons).

Best time to host: December – April for the driest weather (avoid peak spring-break if you want quiet).

Facilities: onsite beachfront gazebos/chapels, bundled decor/flowers/AV, group room blocks, dedicated resort wedding teams, easy rain backup ballrooms.

5. Bali, Indonesia

Couples choose it because: of the rainforest homes, cliff-top chapels, and vibrant vendor scene.

Rates: Budget weddings cost between $1,500 and $8,000, mid-range weddings cost between $8,000 and $20,000, while luxury weddings cost between $20,000 and $50,000+. Simple elopements typically cost between US$2,300 and US$2,500.

The best months to host are: April – May and September – October (dry, but outside of the most expensive months of June – August/December).

Facilities include: beach clubs, villa buyouts, cliff chapels, skilled planners, Hindu and Bengali blessing options, and a wide variety of hair, beauty, and décor vendors.

6. Phuket, Thailand (also suits Krabi/Koh Samui)

Why couples pick it: white-sand beaches, island resorts, Thai hospitality.

Rates: In 2025, beach ceremony settings at local planners often cost between $1,500 and $2,000+; resort packages vary according to the number of guests.

Best time to host: The dry season, November through April, is the ideal time to host. Rainy and shoulder If you don’t mind weather risks, May through October gives 20 – 40% cheaper lodging rates.

Facilities include: island excursions, group rates, Thai or Western ceremonies, resort gazebos and ballrooms, fireworks and lanterns.

7. Maldives

Couples choose it because: of the ultra-romance, overwater photographs, and private-island vibe.

Rates: depending on the island and extras, 10 guest resort wedding packages typically cost between $3,500 to $12,300.

Best time to host: For dry and bright weather, November through April is the ideal season to host; late November or early May might strike a compromise between cost and weather.

Facilities include: spa/wellness add-ons, sandbank dinners, private boat transfers, and symbolic ceremonies (the majority of which are illegal) that are organized by the resort.

8. Marrakech, Morocco

Couples choose it because: of the food, color, desert camps, and riad courtyards.

Rates: Venue rents for riads and villas typically cost between US$2,000 and $12,000; full palace buyouts cost between US$15,000 and US$20,000+; and catering typically costs between US$30 and US$100+ per guest.

Best time to host: The warmest, most comfortable months to host are March through May and September through November.

Facilities include: rooftop terraces, desert expedition activities, traditional musicians, private riad exclusives, and generally accessible halal friendly cuisines.

9. Hawaiʻi (Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Big Island), USA

Couples choose it because: of its dramatic quality, US legal simplicity, and variety of sites.

Rates: varied widely, from basic civil beach/elopement services for less than US$2,000 to complete weddings that cost between US$20,000 and $150,000, depending on the island, location, and number of guests.

The best seasons to host are:  April – May and September – October because of the pleasant weather and greater availability and cost compared to the busiest summer and winter holidays.

Facilities include: hotel ballrooms, botanical gardens and estates, authorized beach ceremonies, cultural components (lei exchange), and a robust merchant economy.

10. Dubai, UAE

Why couples pick this: Winter sunshine, desert glam, and elegant metropolitan locations

Rates: mid-range AED 8,000 – 15,000; luxury events significantly higher based on location and entertainment; simplified civil/small event packages from about AED 3,000.

Best time to host: For moderate outdoor temperatures (around 20 to 25 °C), December to March is the best time to host; make reservations in advance during the busiest event season.

Facilities: ballrooms with advanced AV, rooftop terraces, desert camps, 5-star catering, concierge-style planning.

Choosing a destination wedding isn’t just about the venue, it’s about the memories you’ll create with the people you love most. Each of these 10 destinations offers its own mix of stunning scenery, tailored wedding services, and flexible price ranges to suit different dreams and budgets. The secret lies in timing: book during off-peak seasons, lock in group rates early, and always plan for weather backups.

Here’s wishing you a magical celebration and a lifetime of love, laughter, and unforgettable journeys together.