February 26, 2024 / Destination Resources Wedding
Top Beach Wedding Destinations
Top Beach Wedding Destinations | In The Alpenglow
Spending your days this Spring dreaming about warmer climates? Sandy beaches under your toes and vivid sunsets? SAME. As you know, I love helping my couples dream up unforgettable ways to spend their wedding day. I LOVE encouraging couples to think outside of the box and explore all types of locations and experiences! A destination wedding is one of those unique options that will leave your family + friends with memories they’ll cherish forever. As a result, I created a complete guide on the top beach wedding destinations for you to plan your own incredible beach destination wedding. My goal is to make the planning process less stressful and help you and your partner see all the amazing possibilities ahead of you!
I really believe in the type of rich experience this kind of celebration gives. It can be such a rich memory for you and your guests and give you space to spend a significant amount of time together. Instead of a wedding day that is so quickly over, you’ll have an amazing, extended vacation with all the people you love most!
But once you’ve made the choice to explore a beach wedding, the planning process can be pretty dang daunting. Where do you go? Where do you stay? What time of year is best? I hope this guide helps ease the stress and brings excitement and peace back to the wedding planning process!
Top 5 beach wedding destinations
+ Mexico
+ Amalfi Coast
+ Santorini
+ Vietnam
+ Hawaii
Mexico Destination Wedding
Ahhhh, Mexico. This is my favorite to recommend, simply because there are SO many breath-taking spots. Added bonus is that it’s definitely the most affordable option for a tropical wedding! You’ll enjoy endless iconic beaches that feel like an oasis, and you can often find cheaper all-inclusive resorts with private beaches that make hosting a wedding a thousand times easier. I also love experiencing the rich culture of this country. There are so many beautiful beach towns that aren’t overrun by tourists and have some of the most delicious food, thriving local art scene, and some of the kindest communities of people. See below for a few of my top spots!
Best Places to Visit
Tulum: This amazing coastline has everything that makes a beach wedding amazing: white sand beaches, cobalt water, warm breezes, and incredible Mayan ruins to explore nearby. There are also countless aesthetic, boutique lodging options close to the city if you’re wanting less of a tourist-ey resort feel!
Todos Santos: Todos Santos is a small coastal town in the foothills of Mexico on the Pacific coast side of the peninsula. It is a quant + historic area, with rich culture and heritage. You’ll find white sand beaches, romantic restaurants, charming cobblestone streets, art galleries, and more to explore in the region around it. Truly one of my favorites!
Puerto Vallarta: This area is known for being the more lively destination for wedding! It has a really vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and is a great spot for adventuring out for some water activities.
Want more information and inspiration for a beach destination wedding in Mexico? Check out these blogs:
Best time to visit
The December through April time frame is the most popular (lots of tourists escaping the winter!) but you’ll deal with crowds, so I definitely recommend hitting the shoulder months. These are anytime between October through November. You’ll still have lovely weather AND have gorgeous beaches to yourself.
A Destination Wedding on the Amalfi Coast
Location Overview
The Amalfi Coast has taken over social media in the past year or so, and for good reason! It’s an absolutely stunning coastline in Italy filled with charming beach towns that are endlessly romantic and peaceful. I really believe that the Italian culture in general is a perfect ambiance for celebrating love and while it may be on the more expensive and touristy side, it can be absolutely worth it for the scenery and culture. You’ll have endless sights to work with for photos of your day, from giant coastal cliffs, quaint stone alleyways, vibrant architecture, and vivid blue water. This is an unmatched destination for weddings and it’s worth exploring! Here are a few of my favorite places along the Amalfi Coast:
Best Places to Visit
Positano: Positano is a smaller but extremely picturesque town on the coast between the Mediterranean Sean and Latteri Mountains, which means it’s perched on a hill with beautiful views on both sides. It has the traditional look of the Amalfi Coast, with colorful buildings and neon water. You’ll also find perfect beaches for photos or for just lounging with a drink and a pizza!
Capri: Capri is a romantic island in the Bay of Naples and is famous for its dramatic cliffs, beautiful sea, and the most incredible lemon orchards! If you pick this area, check out the blue grotto — a sea cave with water that glows with blue light!
Cinque Terre: Cinque Terre includes five picturesque villages on the coast, each with its own charm, history and culture. This is a great place to pick if you’re looking for really great scenic hiking and local adventures, as well as some amazing wine, seafood, lemon products, and iconic colorful buildings.
Sorrento: This seaside resort town on the coast is also known for its food, wine, and lemon products. You have all the beauty of the coastline and its beaches, but you’re close to other famous Italian cities, like Naples and Pompeii if you want to keep exploring. It also used to be a target for pirates back in the day, so there are some really cool castles you can visit!
If you’re leaning toward an Italian beach wedding, you’re in luck! I have more blog content for planning:
Top 5 Places to Elope in Italy
Best Time to Visit
Similar to other warmer destinations, the summer months are amazing but a bit overrun with travelers. May and September are amazing months to visit Italy — you’ll avoid crowds but still have weather in the 70-80 degree range and plenty of sunshine for a gorgeous wedding day!
Santorini, Greece Destination Beach Wedding
Location Overview
If you ever see that classic, picturesque Greek screensaver — the one with the white domed buildings and vibrant (almost neon) blue water — you’re looking at the amazing island of Santorini! It’s a favorite for travelers with lively culture, charming architecture, incredible sunsets, and the BEST food and drinks. I truly think it is one of theeee best places for a destination wedding for all of those reasons and for being an epic backdrop for your photos. The culture is homey and relaxing, but it looks and feels luxurious — painting your wedding in elegance.
Best places to Visit
Oia: Oia is a small village on Santorini that has the beautiful white homes, amazing seafood, and stunning sunsets that make this part of Greece so beloved. It’s a hub for art and culture, with many painters, photographers, and architects coming here from the mainland to find inspiration. If you pick this spot, you’ll have lots of wine tasting, boat tours, great shopping, and picturesque alleys and churches.
Fira: Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and its the most luxurious spot. It has the whitewashed homes and facing the west, it has some beautiful sunset-watching spots. It’s vibrant, elegant, and has some amazing arts and culture to experience.
Firostefani: This is a village on the northern side of Santorini, on the highest part of Fira. Because of this, it has some amazing views of the town and a volcano. It’s a great alternative to other spots in Santorini if you’re looking for a more peaceful setting!
Best Time to Visit
Similar to Italy, I think the best time to visit this area of Greece would be May or September! Beautiful weather, warm sun, lively culture, but without the massive tourist influx during summer months.
A Destination Beach Wedding in Vietnam
Location Overview
Vietnam is definitely a bolder choice for a destination wedding, but if you’re looking for an epic and unforgettable location — this is the move! It’s truly the trip of a lifetime with a unique culture and some of the most other-worldly scenery. The coastline has giant rocky islands surrounded by emerald water and feels so wild and rugged. It’s a harder destination to get to, but if you’re looking for an unparalleled destination wedding that will stand out in your memory and the memories of your loved ones, you definitely won’t regret taking the trip! Here are a few of my favorite places to check out if you’re planning a wedding in Vietnam:
Best Places to Visit
Hạ long bay: This part of Vietnam is a wedding photo dreeeam. It’s a seascape of over 1,000 limdstone islands and islets in the gulf, so some incredible views and great options for adventure — cruises, kayaking, snorkeling, beautiful swimming holes, and caves to explore. The islands are mostly uninhabited, so the whole area feels wild and rugged.
Cát Bà Island (Cát Bà National Park): This is the largest and most diverse island in Halong Bay, Vietnam and it has a really rich history and culture. It’s a top destination for nature lovers, with lots of kayaking, hiking, rock climbing, cave exploring, and beautiful waterfalls. There’s also a really great little beach town with a lively waterfront, lots of seafood, and a national park nearby!
Lan Ha Bay: This is a great option if you’re looking for something a bit less touristy! Lan Ha Bay is more relaxed and serene, with stunning natural beauty and unspoiled beaches.
Best Time to Visit
Vietnam can have slightly more extreme weather in the summer and winter, so I’d highly recommend planning your trip either in the March through April window, or September through October. Their springs and autumns have really beautiful weather and make for a lovely trip with loved ones, as well as more freedom to explore nearby areas in your time before or after the wedding!
Hawaii Beach Destination Wedding
Location Overview
And finally, a common spot but a REALLY great spot for a beach wedding: Hawaii! This location often comes to mind when you think about a destination wedding, with its famous islands and so many beautiful beaches that make for a memorable tropical getaway for anyone and everyone. Every island has a thriving community with tons of tried and true vendors and venues that are experienced in hosting destination weddings, so once you pick a spot — you’ll be SO well taken care of in the rest of the planning! No matter where you choose, you’ll have access to volcanoes, deep and gorgeous lush forests, stunning canyons, and more. Each area has so much to offer, but listed below are a few of my favorites:
Best Places to Visit
Kauai: This is the fourth largest island of Hawaii and is often called the “garden island” due to its beautiful emerald valleys, rugged mountain peaks, and scenic cliffs. It’s less populated and a great choice for more adventurous couples. 🙂
Maui: Maui is the perfect mix of adventure and tourism — lots of great hiking and outdoor spaces to enjoy, but with the luxury of resort amenities and spaces (and vendors) for hosting a larger wedding! I definitely recommend this if you want the scenery of the Hawaiian islands, but plenty of convenience and wedding planning ease.
Oahu: Oahu is home to the state’s capital of Honolulu, has the site (and museum) of Pearl Harbor, and the world-famous Waikiki beach. It can be a bit touristy, but its rich in history and a great place to experience the culture of the islands.
Best Time to Visit
Honestly, any time in Hawaii is incredible. Even the rainier seasons provide so much beauty and vivid greenery, so you truly can’t go wrong. If you’re looking for a combination of warm temps, lots of sunshine and less tourists though — I’d recommend May, August or September!
And that’s all for my top beach wedding destinations! I hope this guide helped you think beyond a close-to-home vow exchange and dream about a unique, memorable experience for you and your loved ones. This is such a significant time in your life and a moment you won’t get back — why not plan something incredible? A trip that not only honors and commemorates this beautiful commitment you’re making, but also immerses you in the world and its incredible diversity of culture. I’m cheering you on always and wishing you an easy planning experience and beautiful memories ahead!
If you’d like more help as you plan — and a professional third wheel to capture the beauty of your day — I would love to come alongside you. Head to the link below to start a conversation with me:
