Destination wedding season is upon us. Eman Bare jets off to far-flung locations in search of the perfect place to say ‘I do’.
I’ve always flirted with the idea of a destination wedding, largely because I come from a culture where your first grade teacher, pediatrician, and babysitter are all expected to make the guest list. A destination wedding, by nature, does the editing for you. The guest list shrinks to the people who truly matter and the celebration becomes something far more intimate for it.
Whether you’re dreaming of Moroccan moonlight, a Mexican jungle lagoon, or the shimmer of the Bosphorus at dusk, these six destinations are some of the most beautiful places in the world to get married.
Castell d'Enfesta, Catalonia, Spain
Perched on a hilltop in the heart of Catalonia, Spain, Castell d’Enfesta is the kind of place that looks like it was conjured from a fairytale. Dating back to the 10th century, the castle offers sweeping views that stretch all the way to the Pyrenees on a clear day. The property is intimate by luxury standards, which means weddings here feel deeply personal, never overwhelming. Ceremonies take place on the castle’s outdoor terraces, framed by ancient stone walls and the kind of golden-hour light that renders every photograph extraordinary. Inside, vaulted ceilings, original stonework, and an exceptional wine cellar set the scene for a reception that lingers in memory long after the last dance.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
One of the first things I noticed when I landed in Istanbul was the sheer expansiveness of the wedding industry. It seemed like entire neighbourhoods were dedicated to bridal wear, with crystal-encrusted gowns and decadent lace trains embellishing window displays. You’d be hard-pressed to spend a day walking around the old city without stumbling across an elaborate wedding shoot. The city loves love, and you see it and feel it. I found many wedding venues of my dreams in Istanbul, but the one that stood out to me the most was Çırağan Palace Kempinski. With rooms that can host up to 2,000 guests, the palace offers a lavish experience that can be customised to your choosing. From ballrooms to the palace terrace overlooking the Bosphorus, this is a majestic experience steeped in history, culture and luxury.
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, Morocco
It’s impossible not to fall in love with the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech – I certainly did the first time I stayed here. With the Atlas Mountains acting as a pristine backdrop and lush greenery enveloping the property, romance feels embedded in the air, making it a dream destination for a fairytale ceremony. The property offers luxurious, customisable bridal packages within the 231-hectare estate, with 134 suites, and premium amenities. Ideal for grand destination weddings, the Fairmont specialises in multi-day celebrations that can accommodate high guest counts without sacrificing intimacy – with tailored catering, world-class accommodation, and a range of stunning on-site venues to choose from. Whether you envision an intimate candlelit dinner beneath the Moroccan stars or an elaborate reception for hundreds, the property’s dedicated wedding team shapes every detail around you.
Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa Del Carmen, Mexico
There’s something about the Yucatán Peninsula that makes the world slow down. Rosewood Mayakoba sits within a protected ecological reserve on the Riviera Maya, where jungle-lined lagoons weave between overwater villas and powdery white sand gives way to the turquoise Caribbean. It is, in every sense, a place that feels untouched by time – and impossibly romantic for it. Ceremonies can be held on the beach, on private docks over the water, or within the resort’s lush tropical gardens, with the sounds of the jungle as your backdrop. The resort’s dedicated wedding team crafts fully bespoke celebrations, with access to world-class cuisine, private butler service, and some of the most breathtaking suites in Latin America. For couples seeking something wild, intimate, and unforgettable, Mayakoba delivers on every count.
San Ysidro Ranch, Santa Barbara, California
Few places in the world carry as much romantic mythology as San Ysidro Ranch. Nestled in the foothills of Montecito, with the Santa Ynez Mountains rising behind it and the Pacific shimmering in the distance, the ranch has hosted some of history’s most celebrated love stories — John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned here; Laurence Olivier married Vivien Leigh on the grounds.
JFK & Jackie Kennedy on their honeymoon at San Ysidro Ranch in 1953
That legacy of love is woven into every stone cottage, every citrus-scented garden path, every candlelit corner of the property. Weddings here are intimate by design – the ranch accommodates smaller, exclusive celebrations that feel more like a gathering of your closest people than a formal affair. With just 38 cottages spread across 500 acres, the property is entirely yours to inhabit for the occasion. There are few places in the world where nature, history, and luxury converge so effortlessly.
Suiden Terrasse, Tsuroka, Yamataga Japan
Japan does not do things halfway, and Suiden Terrasse – the Kengo Kuma-designed resort rising from the rice paddies of Tsuruoka – is proof of that. Reflected perfectly in the still waters of the surrounding wetlands, the hotel is one of the most visually arresting properties in the world, a marriage of architecture and nature so seamless it feels inevitable. Tsuruoka itself is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, meaning the culinary experience woven through any celebration here is extraordinary in its own right. Weddings at Suiden Terrasse are quiet, contemplative, and deeply considered – the antithesis of the grand ballroom affair, and all the more moving for it. For couples who find beauty in stillness, in craft, in the understated, there is nowhere quite like this corner of northern Japan.
Lead image: Castell d’EmpordÃ
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