Destination weddings are hotter than ever, and the options keep evolving. Couples aren’t simply picking pretty places—they’re crafting an entire experience. From exchanging vows beneath centuries-old olive trees in Tuscany to hosting barefoot dinners on hidden jungle platforms in Bali, this year’s weddings are about stories, not just aesthetics.
The shift has been building. Two or three years ago, the trend was big, bold, and all-inclusive. Now, the focus is on connection—connection to place, to culture, to the people invited. The venues that stand out in 2025 don’t just offer a backdrop; they invite your guests into something meaningful. They offer a sense of place, a reason for the gathering, and plenty of unexpected moments that linger long after the final dance.
Some places aren’t just beautiful—they hold a kind of magic that makes a wedding unforgettable. These venues aren’t chosen for the photos alone, but for the way they make people feel when they arrive, stay, and celebrate.
Just outside Florence, a couple hosted their wedding in a small village where the entire guest list was able to walk from the stone villa to the vineyard ceremony. There were no taxis or shuttles—just laughter echoing down cobbled lanes. Dinner was served under a canopy of grapevines, with local truffle risotto and Chianti from the land around them.
In previous years, weddings in Italy gravitated toward grand estates and more commercial venues. Now, couples are booking family-run vineyards and farmhouses where the hospitality feels like home and the food is grown just steps away. It’s not just about saving money or escaping crowds—it’s about curating something grounded and honest.
High in the hills of Ubud, nestled in the emerald shade of palm forests, a couple invited 40 guests to stay for three nights in a bamboo-built eco-resort. Each suite overlooked the river, and the ceremony took place beside a waterfall that thundered gently beneath a canopy of white orchids. There was no sound system, just the natural acoustics of the valley.
Bali is not new to destination weddings, but in 2025, the focus has turned away from beachside resorts. Today’s couples are choosing experiences that tread lightly on the land and offer something soul-stirring. These jungle retreats are built sustainably, host locally trained chefs, and often include cultural elements like Balinese blessing ceremonies or gamelan musicians at sunset.
Rather than choosing the caldera-facing cliff hotels crowded with tour groups and cruise ships, couples in 2025 are uncovering quieter corners of Santorini. In one wedding, the couple stayed in a tiny guesthouse in Pyrgos, where their ceremony was held at a small 18th-century monastery. Dinner spilled into the village square, with a local trio playing bouzouki music while guests sipped Assyrtiko wine.
What’s changed is the desire for depth. Two years ago, the focus was on that “money shot” photo with the sunset and the domes. Now, it’s about creating a multi-sensory celebration—one where the memories aren’t just digital, but lived.
Outside of Mérida, a couple booked a 300-year-old hacienda where the ceremony took place in a crumbling chapel lit by candlelight. Horses grazed nearby, dinner was cooked by a local family, and guests stayed in antique-filled rooms surrounding a central courtyard lined with orange trees.
While Mexico’s beach resorts have long dominated wedding wish lists, 2025 sees a renaissance in landlocked heritage venues. These haciendas offer space, history, and a deep connection to the region. With fewer tourists and more flexibility, they’re ideal for multi-day events full of warmth, food, and storytelling.
Cloud Forest Escapes in Costa Rica
In Monteverde, a couple hosted their wedding inside a reserve surrounded by mist and orchids. The ceremony took place on a platform suspended in the trees, and the reception featured local coffee and chocolate alongside live folk music. The venue supported a wildlife sanctuary, and part of the wedding budget went directly into conservation.
Costa Rica’s beaches were once the main draw, but this year, the forest is taking the lead. Cloud forest venues feel otherworldly, giving guests a true escape. These locations offer built-in adventure: zip-lining, hikes to waterfalls, and even nocturnal tours where sloths might just crash the party.
Wedding Trends Shaping the Destination Scene
Sustainability Without Compromise
Weddings in 2025 aren’t just beautiful—they’re conscious. A couple in Portugal opted for a venue that filtered its own water, sourced all produce locally, and used dried flowers to reduce waste. Guests were gifted wildflower seed packets instead of plastic favors.
This kind of thoughtfulness has gone from rare to expected. It’s not about sacrificing luxury—it’s about redefining it. More couples want their wedding to reflect their values, and venues that don’t align are quietly fading out of the picture.
Small Guest Lists, Big Heart
A wedding in the Azores earlier this year had only 22 guests. Every person stayed on the same property, and the couple hosted a week of shared meals, hikes, and bonfires. By the end of the trip, everyone knew each other. Strangers had become extended family.
Intimacy is the new extravagance. Smaller guest lists mean more meaningful conversations, more budget flexibility, and less pressure to entertain a crowd. In 2025, couples are trading “bigger is better” for “closer is best.”
At a wedding in Morocco, the couple incorporated traditional Gnawa music, and local mint tea ceremonies, and wore attire designed by a local artisan. Nothing felt staged—it all felt integrated, intentional, and respectful.
Today’s destination weddings aren’t just about exotic scenery—they’re about presence and participation. Guests don’t just show up—they’re invited to learn, taste, and be part of something real. This kind of cultural storytelling wasn’t as prevalent in 2023, but now it’s a defining feature.
Technology With a Purpose
One vineyard in South Africa offered a live broadcast for guests who couldn’t attend. The connection was crystal clear, the sound flawless, and the digital guests even gave a toast through a mounted screen at the reception. The couple had family on three continents, and this tech made it feel like everyone was in the same room.
The novelty of virtual weddings has matured. In 2025, tech isn’t a band-aid—it’s an enhancement. The best venues now come wired for hybrid setups, digital guestbooks, and even immersive video experiences that extend the magic well beyond the day.
Is it better to hire a local planner or bring someone from home?
A skilled local planner can be your best-kept secret. They know the ins and outs of regional logistics, have long-standing relationships with trusted vendors, and can navigate local customs and permits like a native—which, of course, they are. For couples planning from abroad, this kind of ground support is invaluable, especially when language barriers or cultural nuances could otherwise cause hiccups.
That said, some couples feel more comfortable having someone from home who knows their personality and priorities inside out. This person can act as the bridge between the couple’s vision and what’s feasible on the ground. Increasingly, couples are opting for a hybrid approach: their main planner handles creative direction and planning at home, while a local coordinator executes those plans in the destination country. It’s the best of both worlds—your dream wedding, brought to life with local precision.
What countries offer unique yet affordable wedding experiences?
For couples dreaming of a destination wedding without draining their savings, several lesser-known gems around the world offer unforgettable experiences with exceptional value. Portugal’s Douro Valley, for example, is a serene escape with sun-drenched vineyards, historic estates, and riverside venues that cost a fraction of what you'd pay in France or Italy. Local wine, hearty cuisine, and warm hospitality seal the deal.
Colombia’s coffee region, particularly around Salento and Manizales, offers a colorful backdrop of lush hills, colonial charm, and vibrant culture. Here, you can host a multi-day celebration at boutique fincas or haciendas, with costs that are refreshingly modest compared to Caribbean islands or coastal resorts.
Northern Thailand—think Chiang Mai or Pai—delivers jungle views, stunning temples, and rustic luxury that feels far more expensive than it actually is. Plus, the service quality is sky-high, and your money stretches much further than in more saturated wedding markets. These hidden corners offer something priceless: character, culture, and authenticity without the inflated cost.
Wedding destinations in 2025 are anything but ordinary. They’re places that pull you in, places that become part of your story—not just the setting for a celebration. Whether you’re drawn to the rolling hills of Italy, the canopies of Costa Rica, or a tucked-away hacienda in Mexico, this is the year to go deeper.
More than ever, couples are planning not just a day, but an experience. The most memorable weddings now focus on meaningful details—those small, unrepeatable moments that happen when you bring the right people to the right place and allow the destination to breathe life into the love story. If you’re planning your wedding this year, start there.
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