BY CINDY SOSROUTOMO
We’ve heard it before: you finally get to your dream destination only to be swarmed by crowds, forced into long lines and slapped with exorbitant prices. Though popular for good reason, tourist hotspots have become overwhelmed by the masses in recent years, putting enormous stress on local infrastructure, raising costs and, ultimately, diminishing the travel experience.
Now, imagine all this as the backdrop to your destination wedding. The most important trip of your life shouldn’t be spent navigating through congested streets and eating overpriced meals. Overtourism can quickly turn your destination ‘I do’s’ into one big headache, especially if you’re also dealing with the logistics of hosting friends and family. So instead of tying the knot in a pretty-but-packed place, try these alternative destination wedding locales that won’t end up cramping your style.
INSTEAD OF VENICE…
…try Trieste. Located in northeast Italy, just 90 miles east of Venice, Trieste offers all the waterfront charms and culture of the famed floating city but with less crowds and more affordable prices. As the capital of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Trieste is an underrated gem, home to a Grand Canal that runs throughout its centre, gorgeous plazas, ancient ruins and landmarks, and countless cafes that will have you begging for a cappuccino. It also has the added bonus of being at the juncture of Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures, with Slovenia just five miles east and Croatia 19 miles to the south. This melting pot of cultural influences makes Trieste what it is today – a fascinating border city that beckons with the promise of European splendour.
For a wedding fit for royalty, Castello di Spessa is a 13th-century castle surrounded by sweeping gardens and rolling vineyards. Able to host up to 300 guests for the ceremony and the reception, its three frescoed dining rooms set the perfect tone for an opulent celebration, complete with live music, pyrotechnics and more. Spend a day or two before or after the wedding showing your guests some local sights, like the Arco di Ricarrdo, the only remaining portion of the city’s original Roman walls, and the Roman Theatre of Trieste, built between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD and still hosting outdoor summer shows today. Sprinkle in some beach time at Bagno Sticco, which boasts crystal clear waters and nostalgic changing booths from the 1950s.
INSTEAD OF SANTORINI…
…try Zakynthos. Also known by its Italian moniker, Zante, and its nickname of ‘Flower of the East’ due to its lush vegetation, this Greek hideaway is part of the Ioanian islands, beloved for its rocky bluffs and turquoise waters that must be seen to be believed. As a favourite destination for Brits, Zante is only now finding its way onto couples’ radars, thanks to a new crop of luxury hotels and world-class restaurants. Diving and snorkelling are a must while visiting, as is soaking up rays on Shipwreck Beach, where the smuggler ship Panagiotis ran aground in 1980.
If you want nothing but spectacular views of the Ionian Sea while saying “I do,” book your wedding at the adults-only Lesante Blu Exclusive Beach Resort, part of The Leading Hotels of the World. With state-of-the-art suites, private pools, fine dining restaurants, the Essence Spa with Germaine de Cappucini treatments, helicopter and chauffeured transfers, and incredible cruises to the Blue Caves, Lesante has all the elements of a magical destination wedding and luxury holiday rolled up in one. Other wedding-worthy options include Porta del mar, a collection of traditional villas and deluxe apartments that can accommodate up to 120 guests for a beachside reception, and the intimate Estrella Luxury Villa near the village of Exo Hora, featuring an expansive pool area and a wine cellar dug into the mountain rock where guests can sample local varieties by candlelight.
INSTEAD OF BARCELONA…
…try Girona. Known as the ‘City of the Four Rivers,’ Girona, located in Catalonia, Spain, is an absolute stunner, with medieval walls and bridges, colourfully painted buildings, and heavy Roman, Arab and Hebrew influences that make for a rich cultural tapestry. The fact that it’s only 100 kilometres from Barcelona makes it a perfect alternative to the latter’s crowded thoroughfares, as does its prime location between the Pyrenees mountain range and the Costa Brava. You can easily explore the entire province with Girona as your home base, starting at the Força Vella, a mighty fortress built by the Romans in the first century BC that contains a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and patios. Even more? Within its walls, your most eagle-eyed wedding guests will surely notice several streets and buildings from season six of HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones.’ 
Aside from its medieval mystique, Girona has the kind of Old-World beauty that makes it the perfect place to say “I do.” Casa Anamaria, Hotel & Villas, located just on the outskirts of town, is surrounded by fields, forests and 22,000 square metres of gardens and fountains, and offers 28 rooms for timeless, intimate weddings. Couples can choose from several gorgeous spaces to tie the knot, including a private town square and a glass room that lets in the light and opens directly to the gardens. A full hotel buy out is required for weddings, guaranteeing couples complete privacy with the people they love most.
INSTEAD OF BALI…
…try the Gili Islands. Often regarded as Bali’s superior and less-crowded neighbour, the Gili Islands in Indonesia may be small in size but they’re abundant in jaw-dropping beauty, with dazzling coral reefs, white-sand beaches, and a surprising number of hotels to suit every budget. Meaning “islands” in the local Sasak language, the Gilis comprise Gili Trawangan (the largest and most popular with the best nightlife), Gili Meno (the smallest and least inhabited) and Gili Air (the most populated and closest to the mainland), all of which are car-free with their own distinct vibe. The best way to get around is to rent a bike or hop on a horse-drawn carriage. The best way to get there is via a 20-minute speedboat ride from Senggigi or by daily ferry from Bali. Once on the islands, you’ll want to dive headfirst into an array of water sports, from stand up paddling, diving and snorkelling, to surfing, fishing and horseback riding on the beach.
For blissful ceremonies on the beach, Pondok Santi Estate on Gili Trawangan offers personalized wedding packages and on-site coordination, led by an events planning team that handles all the details, from the flowers and photography to catering and entertainment. You and your guests will rest easy in luxurious villas and bungalows featuring upscale touches like outdoor showers, private pools, day beds and even open-air bathrooms.
INSTEAD OF PHUKET…
Couples can book the wedding of a lifetime at the adults-only Layana Resort & Spa on Phra Ae Beach. Packages for Western and Thai Blessing Ceremonies for two are available, as well as a Traditional Thai Wedding that includes Thai silk costumes, a holy water ritual, a groom’s procession and more. There’s also Pimalai Resort and Spa Thailand, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and nestled within a 100-acre tropical forest on 900 metres of breathtaking beachfront. Wedding packages are available on the beach, in a beachside villa or even on a private speed boat, complementing luxury stays that include villa accommodations with private infinity pools, tennis courts, a spa and daily dive tours.
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