Travel is back, which means when it comes to a destination wedding, the sky’s the limit. If you’ve always dreamed of a ceremony beyond the beach, these world-class destinations deliver on all fronts, from history and beauty, to romance and intrigue.
BY CINDY SOSROUTOMO
IRELAND
No doubt romance can be found in every country in the world, but only one can lay claim to being the final resting place of St. Valentine himself. Ireland’s Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin has housed the remains of the patron saint of love since 1836, and today, it draws countless couples each year seeking his blessing of their union. But this is just one of many reasons why Ireland ranks among the world’s most romantic destinations. Aside from its legendary love stories (Google the tragic tale of Diarmuid and Gráinne if you want a good cry), Ireland is famous for its fairytale castles and gorgeous manor houses, not to mention the rolling, green hills (said to come in 40 different shades) that have become the country’s hallmark.
For a storybook Irish destination wedding of the ages, Killyleagh Castle in County Down, a 365-acre estate overlooking the Ring of Gullion, Mourne and Cooley Mountains, offers several wedding packages complete with a fairy light canopy, Chiavari chairs and a red carpet and Prosecco welcome for the wedding couple. Other incredible wedding venues include the 800-year-old Ashford Castle in County Mayo, the iconic Guildhall in Derry-Londonderry known for its stunning stained-glass windows, Cliff at Lyons in rural Kildare that’s home to a collection of historic rose-clad buildings, and Killruddery, an 800-acre estate and bio-diverse farm south of Bray, just 40 minutes from Dublin Airport
ireland.com
ICELAND
A country known for being ‘the land of fire and ice’ is sure to bring the drama. Home to some of the world’s largest glaciers and most active volcanoes, Iceland draws a gasp at every turn, stunning visitors with its awesome natural beauty. From mid-May to mid-July, the midnight sun illuminates the entire country, leaving it in a perpetual twilight glow. Then, from September to April, during Iceland’s winter months, nature’s most incredible phenomenon – the aurora borealis, or what we commonly call the Northern Lights – illuminates the night sky with a spectacular light show that must be seen to be believed.
If you want a destination that matches your vision for a one-of-a-kind wedding, Iceland would be hard to beat. Imagine saying ‘I do’ at the famed Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in southeast Iceland, known for its near-black beach and free-flowing icebergs. Or tie the knot at Godafoss Waterfall, or ‘Waterfall of the Gods,’ a mythical marvel in the north that spans 100 feet and plummets 39 feet into a serene pool. For even more drama, the Church of Búðir on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland has become a favourite among photographers for its tiny stature and all-black exterior. And bonus? It’s located right beside the ultra-lavish Hótel Búðir.
visiticeland.com
MOROCCO
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, Morocco, also known as ‘the land of the distant sunset,’ dazzles in a million different ways. Surrounded by Mediterranean waters, it’s home to incredible desert sands and lush green plains, gorgeous lakes and deserted volcanic plateaus, wild beaches and ancient civilizations and, among the High Atlas mountains, the highest peak in all of North Africa. From the capital city of Rabat, to the 9,000-plus alleyways of Fes, to the bustling markets of Marrakech, Morocco is every intrepid traveller’s dream come true.
For the most ultra-luxe wedding, the 100-year-old La Mamounia Palace in Marrakech is nothing short of spectacular, with luxury suites and riads that combine Moroccan craftsmanship with modern décor, a 2,500-square-metre spa with an indoor pool, and a full team to help plan weddings of all sizes. High in the Atlas Mountains, just 35 minutes from Marrakech’s airport, is Kasbah Bab Ourika, which offers 360-degree views of the olive groves below, 41 individually-decorated rooms, a spa nestled in the gardens, and a new ensuite bedroom retreat designed for parties and weddings. And if you want to wed under the stars basked in moonlight, Scarabeo Camp in the Agafay Desert can set the stage with elegant white tents and thousands of candles and lanterns.
visitmorocco.com
HONG KONG
In the city that never sleeps, there’s bound to be an endless number of ways to entertain and be entertained. This makes Hong Kong, with all its exotic flavours and cosmopolitan flair, a standout choice for a destination wedding. Located on China’s southern coast, it’s world-renowned for amazing nightlife (think rooftop bars, chic clubs and bustling night markets), incredible shopping (its famed shopping streets are brimming with bargains and one-of-a-kind finds), and cutting-edge art (the new M+ is Asia’s first global museum of contemporary visual culture). But perhaps where Hong Kong steals the hearts of most is at its award-winning restaurants and dai pai dongs (open-air food stalls). Dining is a cultural pastime here, so be sure to dig in!
For out-of-this-world nuptials, say “I do” at Sky100 on the 100th floor of ICC, the tallest building in Hong Kong, which offers floor-to-ceiling views of Victoria Harbour and wedding packages that range from intimate cocktail receptions to stylish dinners in the sky. A quintessential Hong Kong experience, you can also charter the iconic aqualuna Chinese junk boat, which accommodates up to 80 guests and sails to a number of nearby destinations like Lamma Island and even Disneyland. And if it’s peak luxury you’re looking for, Hong Kong’s legendary hotel, The Peninsula, offers a fairytale setting for weddings complete with full flower arrangements, custom menus and Rolls-Royce Phantom transport.
discoverhongkong.com
NEW ZEALAND
It’s often said that Mother Nature did some of her best work in New Zealand. Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, it’s made up mainly of the North and South Islands, both vastly different, each worth a visit. The North is generally warmer, known for its white-sand beaches, beautiful hot springs and authentic Maori experiences. In the larger South Island, you’ll marvel over giant glaciers and fjords, sample world-class food and wine, and try your hand at any number of extreme sports, from skiing in the Southern Alps to ice climbing at Aoraki/Mt. Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. And though it takes a better part of a day to travel to, New Zealand is the ultimate pay-off that’s worth the time and distance.
When it comes to unique wedding venues, New Zealand has no shortage of them, from Tree Church, a living, breathing chapel made of trees in Ohaupo, to any number of mountain peaks, made possible with Heli Weddings NZ and its fleet of helicopters. Movie buffs can opt to exchange vows at one of six venues on the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata, while oenophiles can book an intimate underground wine cellar ceremony at Black Barn in Hawkes Bay. And for a storybook wedding of the ages, the five-star Stoneridge Estate near Queenstown offers a range of packages, from heli-weddings to a chapel by the lake.
newzealand.com
CHILE
Oh, Chile, be still our heart. From the extreme north with the driest desert in the world, to tranquil lakes and dramatic volcanoes in the south, Chile has a charm that instantly pulls you in. In one trip, you can hit the beaches of Viña del Mar, sample world-renowned wines in Santiago, learn how to cattle ranch in northern Patagonia, sail through the fjords on your way to Cape Horn, and go horseback riding in Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, one of the most isolated parts of the world. A landscape of contrasts, Chile is a four-season destination, a tricontinental country and, for those planning a destination wedding, the perfect setting for love and romance.
If you’re going all out for your destination wedding, Singular Patagonia, Puerto Bories Hotel in the heart of Chilean Patagonia feels like a dream, with luxury rooms decked out with heated floors and 500-thread count Egyptian linens, several restaurants that highlight the region’s heritage, and a spa with breathtaking views of fjords and glaciers below. Casa del Bosque, one of Chile’s most prestigious family wineries, offers outdoor wedding celebrations in the Casablanca Valley, just one hour from Santiago, complete with a carefully crafted menu. And for a grand affair, The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago can host anywhere from 30 to 250 guests, with an entire team that takes care of all the details, from in-house audiovisual to flowers and catering.
chile.travel
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