Where to Say ‘I Do’: 10 Best Destination Wedding Locations

If you've always dreamed of going from aisle seat to wedding aisle, this one's for you! Your wedding day should be one of the happiest of your life, and a destination wedding is one way to make sure it's a day you'll never forget. After all, we can't think of a better way to kick off married life than with a vacation.

But how exactly do you find the perfect destination wedding location for your special day? From traditional wedding venues to something a little more exotic, no matter what wedding style you're aiming for, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best destination wedding locations around the world. 

• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• Guanacaste, Costa Rica
• Provence, France
• St. Lucia
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Tuscany, Italy
• Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
• Santorini, Greece
• Sedona, Arizona
• Banff, Alberta

Puerto Vallarta has plenty to offer when it comes to planning a destination wedding. Beautiful beaches set against a backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains along with the charms, culture and colourful buildings of an authentic Mexican town.

Unlike other cookie-cutter wedding resorts, Puerto Vallarta has some serious personality. You can host your wedding ceremony on the golden sandy beaches, throw the reception in a hillside villa overlooking the beautiful Bahía de Banderas and send your guests to explore the romantic Malecón boardwalk in between. With the added bonus of being an affordable destination wedding location, there are a lot of reasons to say "I do" to Puerto Vallarta. 

Plan your wedding for: November–May to avoid hurricane season

Looking for a destination wedding location that's equal parts beachfront villas and lush rainforest? The diverse landscapes of Costa Rica's Guanacaste province are ready to make your wedding dreams come true! This popular destination on the Pacific coast offers beautiful beaches, luxurious resorts and that laid-back pura vida lifestyle that Costa Rica is famous for.

Whether you decide to get married in Tamarindo for its stunning beaches or opt for one of the private villas of Las Catalinas for a more intimate setting, this wedding destination has all the ingredients needed for a beautiful celebration. And the fun doesn't stop at the vows! Costa Rica is the ideal location for adventure, so ask our Group Travel Experts (aka your dedicated wedding planners) to help you organize activities like scuba diving, volcano hikes, wildlife tours and other outdoor adventures for after you've exchanged your vows.

Plan your wedding for: December–April, during the dry season

If your wedding mood board is less sandy beach vibes and more fairytale chateau, you'll love the Provence region in southeast France as a destination wedding location. Think romantic purple lavender fields, rustic Provençal vineyards and historic French chateaux as the backdrop for your dream wedding — a true fairytale setting for your special day. Just make sure you get in early, as popular wedding venues around Provence are known to book out years in advance!

Now, we won't lie to you, tying the knot with a grand celebration in a medieval French castle while your guests sip locally sourced Provence Rosé does come with quite the price tag. But that's where our Group Travel Experts come in. By booking with one of our destination wedding specialists, you'll be able to access the most competitive rates around and flexible payment options for your guests. Our team of personal wedding planners also has a knack for negotiating wedding packages, promotions and upgrades to help stretch your dollars further.

Plan your wedding for: June–September for warm weather and long summer nights

Dreaming of a Caribbean destination wedding that goes above and beyond the typical beach resorts? St. Lucia needs to be on your radar! This eastern Caribbean island gem is home to the iconic Pitons — twin volcanic mountains that rise up out of the crystal-clear waters to create one of the most stunning wedding backdrops in the world.

Picture saying "I do" from one of St. Lucia's clifftop resorts with those UNESCO-listed peaks framing your ceremony. This Caribbean wedding destination will have your guests talking for years. Just make sure you're okay with potentially being upstaged by the scenery on your big day.

Plan your wedding for: December–April, during the dry season

For Caribbean sunshine and white-sand beaches without the luxury price tag, Punta Cana is your answer! This popular Dominican Republic hot spot makes for the ultimate stress-free destination wedding, with all-inclusive resorts and wedding packages ready to handle everything from setting up your perfect venue to music, flowers and your wedding cake.

A big consideration when planning any kind of group trip, including destination weddings, is the cost — not just for you and your partner but for your guests. If you're planning a wedding with a larger guest count, Punta Cana has the advantage of being connected by direct flights from most major Canadian cities and offers budget-friendly access to a Caribbean paradise.

Plan your wedding for: December–February for the dry season, avoiding spring break crowds in March

If your dream destination wedding involves rustic European elegance, beautiful rolling hills dotted with cypress trees and some of the best food in the world, you'll love Tuscany. This magical Italian wedding destination promises stunning landscapes, a built-in romantic atmosphere and authentic Tuscan cuisine that will change your life (no seriously, it's that good).

There are plenty of romantic wedding vendors in Tuscany, from historic estates and rustic farmhouses to working wineries and vineyards. Get in touch with our Group Travel Experts for help finding the perfect Italian wedding packages for your special day.

Plan your wedding for: September–October for fewer crowds, pleasant temperatures and beautiful autumnal colours

If you're willing to splurge on the perfect setting for your wedding day, one of the most beautiful Caribbean islands is calling your name. Providenciales is home to some of the most stunning beaches and luxurious resorts in the world.

Providenciales is a popular wedding destination for couples looking for an exclusive island feel and a more intimate setting to say their vows. That said, it's worth keeping in mind that your guests will need to budget accordingly for this one — Turks and Caicos is on the pricier side of the scale when it comes to destination wedding planning.

Plan your wedding for: December–May, during the dry season

There are few places in the world as charming and photogenic as Santorini — just think how good those white-washed buildings and blue-domed historic churches will look in your wedding album! The epitome of European romance, it's no wonder this beautiful island in Greece is one of the most popular destination wedding locations around. We can't think of a more perfect location to exchange vows than from a clifftop wedding venue overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with a Santorini sunset in the background.

Santorini is another dream wedding destination that often books out well in advance, so make sure you start your wedding planning as early as possible before all the most popular venues become unavailable for your preferred date.

Plan your wedding for: May–June or September–October to avoid the peak tourist season

Want show-stopping natural scenery without the long-haul flights? Sedona's iconic red rock formations create one of the most dramatic wedding backdrops in North America. Imagine exchanging your vows surrounded by those towering rust-coloured rocks with the bright Arizona skies behind you.

Beyond the jaw-dropping views, Sedona is also famous for its spiritual vortex sites, incredible hiking trails and luxury resorts or spas (did someone say pre-wedding pampering?). Plus, with direct flights available from most major Canadian cities to Phoenix (a two-hour drive from Sedona), getting to this beautiful wedding destination is relatively straightforward when compared with other international wedding locations.

Plan your wedding for: March–May or September–November to avoid the hot summer months

Getting married abroad isn't your only option when planning a destination wedding, so why not consider a wedding package in the romantic Canadian Rockies for your big day? Depending on how many guests you're inviting and your budget, there can be lots of perks to picking a wedding venue that doesn't involve international flights, currency conversions or language barriers. Plus, with world-famous destinations like Banff and Lake Louise in our own backyard, you certainly won't have to compromise on beauty when planning your perfect wedding here.

From snowy winter wonderland vibes and alpine ski lodges during the colder months to striking lakeside altars in summer — no matter what wedding style you've got in mind, Banff has the perfect backdrop ready for your special day.

Plan your wedding for: December–February for a magical winter romance or August–September for warmer weather without the crowds

Feeling inspired to take your wedding team on the road? Get in touch with our Group Travel Experts for help planning and booking the destination wedding of your dreams today!