BY CINDY SOSROUTOMO
Love knows no borders – and increasingly, neither do weddings. For many LGBTQ+ couples, destination weddings aren’t just about the view – they’re about freedom and the joy of celebrating without hesitation, surrounded by the people who matter most, in a place that welcomes every kind of love. From beachside vows in Mexico to rainforest rituals in Costa Rica, these love-filled weddings are proving that romance shines brightest where it’s free to be itself.
A GROWING WAVE OF WANDERLUST
John Hawks, Executive Director of the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialists Association (DWHSA) is seeing steady demand for destination weddings among LGBTQ+ couples for 2026 and even 2027, saying the uptick reflects both a love of travel and a desire for more meaningful, inclusive experiences.
“Compared to other couples, they’re generally more experienced travellers and they want to get away and spend time with friends and close family on these trips,” says Hawks. “Plus, there’s so much flexibility with the ceremonies – they can go very informal or dress things up as they wish.”
LOCATION IS EVERYTHING
Mexico continues to top the list for LGBTQ+ destination weddings, especially Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, along with the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Puerto Rico, says Hawks. These wedding destinations are convenient, affordable and home to an array of resorts that welcome same-sex couples. “As LGBTQ+ travel has become more mainstream, destination wedding couples find it’s easier for their guests to get to and from these destinations,” says Hawks.
For couples dreaming of a European flair on their wedding day, Malta continues to lead the way in inclusivity. According to A3M’s 2025 Risk Map, the Mediterranean archipelago ranked as the world’s safest destination for LGBTQ+ travellers for the tenth consecutive year. Located between Sicily and the North African coast, Malta legalized same-sex marriage in 2017 and reports minimal hate crime, with inclusive hotels that make every guest feel welcome. Rounding out the top five safest destinations for LGBTQ+ travellers are Iceland, the Netherlands, Canada and Spain.
THE RIGHT RESORTS
A welcoming resort can make or break the destination wedding experience. Hyatt Inclusive Collection, Hilton All-Inclusive and Iberostar properties rank among the most LGBTQ+ friendly, says Hawks, with inclusive ceremony packages, experienced coordinators and staff trained to serve diverse couples with respect and care.
“It’s critical to get a definitive answer on whether a property truly welcomes openly LGBTQ+ visitors,” Hawks emphasizes. “In 2026 and beyond, there are simply too many welcoming resorts out there to get stuck on a property that’s lukewarm about hosting you for your wedding.”
Amber Lynn Hernandez, owner of Enchanted Vacation Travel in Texas and a DWHSA member, recommends Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara and RIU properties to her LGBTQ+ clients. She also notes that couples should be asking their travel advisors the right questions prior to booking their destination wedding. “Has the advisor planned destination weddings before? Are they certified in destination wedding planning? Which safe destinations would you recommend? Asking the right questions will help couples find an advisor who understands their vision, respects their needs and can guide them to destinations and resorts that truly celebrate love in all its forms.”
DWHSA now offers two certifications that help couples identify qualified specialists. The Certified LGBTQ Romance Travel Specialist (in partnership with the Equality Institute) and the Certified Destination Wedding Ceremony Planner. DWHSA currently has 850 travel advisor members, including 80 based in Canada. For more details, go to dwhsa.com.
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