What makes the most beautiful day of your life even more beautiful? Of course: spending it in an absolute dream location. So it's no surprise that the Destination Wedding trend is becoming increasingly popular. It's not just Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber celebrating in the Bahamas, or Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker choosing Portofino as their wedding location. The mainstream has also taken a liking to Destination Wedding.

Getting married in tropical climes. © Christian Diaz

Destination Wedding: A brief explanation

A Destination Wedding is a wedding that takes place in a location outside of the couple's home country. Guests often travel from different parts of the world to attend the wedding.

To the history of the wedding tourism

The first destination weddings took place as early as the 19th century, when wealthy families held their weddings in exotic countries. Of course, it was to demonstrate their status and wealth. However, as you can already guess, this practice was limited to the rich and famous. As travel became easier and more affordable starting in the second half of the 20th century, more and more people took a liking to the trend. 

A Destination Wedding in Venice. © Shutterstock

Then in the 1980s, destination weddings became really popular. Couples left their hometowns behind and invited their families, friends and acquaintances to destinations like the Caribbean or Hawaii. In the face of dream beaches and volcanoes, they then said yes to each other. The fact that air travel became even more affordable in the following decades had a strong impact on wedding tourism. The rise of destination weddings is now joined by Bachelor and Bachelorette travel.

Marriage in Rome. © Maria Saggese

Celebrity inspiration

Then as now, the beautiful, rich and famous do not miss the opportunity to celebrate the most beautiful day in their lives in the most beautiful places in the world. In 2014, George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin got married in Venice. Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas traveled to Jodhpur, India, in 2018 - where they married at the opulent Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace.

The gorgeous Borgo Egnazia resort in Puglia. © Jacob Sjöman Photography. www.sjomanart.com

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel chose today's trending destination Apulia for their destination wedding in 2012: there, they said yes at the Borgo Egnazia Resort.

3 popular hotels for a destination Wedding

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora on the island of the same name is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. The gorgeous beaches, crystal clear waters and luxurious accommodations make this resort one of the best places for a Destination Wedding.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora
Bora-Bora 98730, French Polynesia
Tel: +689 40 60 31 30
Web: fourse.com
Price: Doubles from € 2,395

Aman Tokyo

Modern elegance meets traditional Japanese cultural awareness: The Aman Tokyo impresses with its spectacular views of the city and its elegant atmosphere.

Aman Tokyo
The Otemachi Tower, 1 Chome-5-6 Ōtemachi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
Tel.: +81 35 224 3333
Web: aman.com
Price: Doubles from € 569

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali

If you want to get married among breathtaking beaches and tropical gardens, head to the Ritz-Carlton in Bali.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali
Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan, Lot Iii, Sawangan, Nusa Dua, Bali, 80363, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 8498988
Web: ritzcarlton.com
Price: Doubles from € 483