The 8 best places for a destination wedding in 2025

06.01.2025 - 18:25 / lonelyplanet.com

Jan 6, 2025 • 8 min read

Who hasn’t dreamed of saying “I do” in a far-flung locale?

Hosting your wedding abroad lets you create a totally immersive experience for you and your guests, combining the romance of travel with the joy of celebrating your true love in front of your loved ones.

Whether or not you’ve attended a destination wedding yourself or just seen dreamy photos on social media, several destinations – from Jamaica to Croatia – remain perennial favorites. Yet a number of spots are emerging as particularly noteworthy for the coming year, due to glitzy new openings, improved travel links or exposure from high-profile cultural events. 

Since legal requirements for marriage can be complex in different countries, many choose to tie the knot in their home countries, then throw the big party overseas afterward. However you choose to do it, consider this list of eight of the best places for a destination wedding in 2025.

HBO’s anthology TV series The White Lotus has been a boon for tourism from its previous seasons, set in Hawaii and Sicily. Similarly, its upcoming season, filmed at the Four Seasons resort in Ko Samui and slated for release in February 2025, is expected to drive a similar surge in demand for the Thai island, with its tropical sunsets, fresh seafood and pristine beaches fringed with palm trees. 

“Ko Samui is the perfect destination for couples who are looking for a more secluded, quiet location while still having the opportunity to celebrate with beachfront weddings or ocean views,” says Wannida Kasiwong, founder of Wonders & Weddings. “The weather here is different from the rest of the country – the weather is still nice during the middle of the year, while it is monsoon season in Phuket and Krabi.”

Planning tip: “Nearby are the famous Ko Pha-Ngan, known for wellness and relaxation, and Ko Tao, one of the best places in Thailand to dive,” Kasiwong explains, noting that day trips to these islands can be easily arranged. Alternatively, there’s plenty to explore within the bounds of Ko Samui: she recommends visiting one of the beautiful temples such as Big Buddha, taking a waterfall tour or going to the Elephant Sanctuary.

Marseille had a starring role in the Olympic Games as the host of the sailing competitions, for which the city received significant investment. And in 2025, visitors can enjoy the Provençal capital without the crowds.

No longer in Paris’ shadow, France’s second city has attracted a stylish set thanks to its growing prominence in the fashion world, as the hometown of Instagram’s favorite designer Simon Porte Jacquemus and the site of Chanel’s cruise 2025 show last May. The port city also has a proud multicultural heritage, composed of immigrant communities from Algeria,