Beach weddings are known and loved for their sheer simplicity and natural beauty, allowing couples to say "I do" amidst the sun and the sand. While they can be held anywhere in the world, beach weddings most often involve sunny ceremonies in tropical destinations.
Tropical beach weddings offer up gorgeous natural scenery, warm weather, and plenty of fun for everyone in attendance. Couples have countless world-renowned beaches to choose from. So, here we have the top beach wedding destinations perfect for a 2021/22 wedding.
The Bahamas
Exchange your vows on the golden sandy shores of the Bahamas, which has a stunning backdrop of azure Blue Ocean on one side and tropical fauna on the other. This collection of 700 paradise islands has a beach wedding for every taste. You can enjoy complete privacy by renting your own island, or host hundreds of your favorite people at a mega-resort!
Sophisticated luxury abounds in the resorts on the capital Nassau and nearby Paradise Island and with some of the world’s most glamorous casinos, restaurants and spas, you can enjoy the high life! Explore a slower pace in the Out Islands. Meander hand in hand along miles of soft, sandy beaches or retreat in an exquisite waterside cottage. So, the Bahamas are a desirable destination for couples that love to explore the ocean, from scuba diving and snorkeling to exploring the underwater caves and greeting the pigs on Big Major Cay!
Bali
A beautiful island within the Indonesian archipelago, Bali enchants with its vibrant character and tropical charm. Bali is a paradise island with breathtakingly beautiful beaches, soaring mountains and verdant rice terraces. There’s so much to explore, too, from bustling markets to temples. Southern Bali is one of the nation’s most popular spots where you’ll find excellent beach resorts. Venture inland, amid the lush rice terraces, dramatic valleys and volcanoes, and you’ll discover artsy, atmospheric Ubud.
So, weddings in Bali offer the chance to explore an incredibly diverse landscape. Culture and history combine seamlessly with beautiful beaches, jungle forests, gourmet eateries and luxury spa retreats. So, Bali is a spectacular blend of dramatic natural beauty and charming culture.
Cyprus
Basking in the Meditteranean sun, Cyprus is one of the most popular wedding locations in the world! Nicknamed ‘the island of love’, it boasts breathtaking beaches, picturesque coastal villages, and fantastic food. This Mediterranean island is also perfect for adrenaline-junkies, culture-vultures and beach-lovers with golden sands, historical sites and sublime mountainscapes.
Whether you want to bike winding trails, explore an ancient city or chill out soft sands, there’s something for you. So, if you have a diverse guest list, you’ll be able to keep everyone happy! Relax on Blue Flag-awarded beaches, savour mouth-watering cuisine or put on your hiking shoes and explore Aphrodite’s island. So, Cyprus is absolutely perfect for couples dreaming of a romantic beach wedding followed by partying the night away at a fun-filled wedding reception!
Fiji
Made up of about 300 islands, Fiji is the definition of tropical paradise. Fiji lies at the heart of the South Pacific and is one of the most postcard-esque places on Earth. Make the trip here and you’ll discover pristine white-sand beaches, breathtaking leafy landscapes and a wonderfully diverse culture spanning indigenous, Indian, European and Chinese heritage. It is also known for its friendly people, lush foliage and rich sea life; creating an alluring, castaway tranquility.
Though the glorious beaches are famous around the globe, there’s more to the islands than the stunning views from the shore. Fiji is also home to some of the world’s best soft-coral reefs. The islands also have many untouched surfing hideouts with beautiful pacific waves, serving as the perfect backdrop for Fiji weddings. Or, for a more relaxing excursion, try kayaking, yachting, or a boating trip. So, Fiji is the ideal destination for couples seeking exotic culture and unspoiled beaches for their beach wedding.
Greece
Greece remains one of the most popular travel spots in Europe thanks to its extensive history, beautiful coastline, and enviable Mediterranean climate. It has countless spots that are ideal for an unforgettable wedding celebration. If you get married on one of the Greek Islands, you can choose from stunning beachside locations, with breathtaking backdrops and gorgeous sunsets too. So, Greece offers you relaxed and informal settings within traditional Greek surroundings. As well as the delicious cuisine and clear-blue seas, breathtaking settings such as Santorini offer some of Greece’s prettiest beaches for a luxurious beach wedding.
Hawaii
Formed from under-sea volcanoes, this Pacific island chain is geographically diverse and breathtaking, covering all but two of the world’s climate zones. Hawaii has jagged mountain spires, active volcanoes, rural farmland, lush waterfalls and sweeping canyons. The beaches here are on a logic-defying color wheel, with a palette of jet black, green, gold, red, and stark white hues painting the many coves and inlets.
Hawaii is made up of many beautiful islands. The Big Island is (of course) the largest island and offers incredibly diverse locations. The landscape varies dramatically, so you'll have your choice of backdrops to your beach wedding. For example, the Kona coast to the west has a lunar-like landscape, while the north and east coasts are wet and super-lush.
Maui is perhaps the most romantic Hawaiian island, thanks to its numerous waterfalls. But it also has some of the best beaches in the world, ideal for a beach wedding. Kauai is known as the "Garden Isle" for its incredibly lush tropical landscape. Perfect for those looking for a more secluded wedding spot to tie the knot, the island's southern coast is perpetually sunny, making it ideal for beach weddings. Oahu is the liveliest island, home to Honolulu and Waikiki. Despite these metropolitan areas, Oahu is still packed with lots of natural beauty and native culture.
Italy
With outstanding natural landscapes, a world-famous artistic heritage and a culinary soul that’s quite simply off the charts. With an incredibly diverse landscape, Italy weddings offer couples the Alps, fertile vineyards, historic cities to explore and, of course, Mediterranean cities. Romantic and historic, Italian weddings charm with their extraordinary natural diversity, world-renowned art, rich cultural heritage and mouth-watering cuisine. Fabulous food, stunning scenery of sandy beaches ringed with mountains, and delicious wine – elements that all help to make a destination wedding to remember!
The Maldives
Imagine private white-sand islands fringed by crystal blue waters… the Maldives is the ultimate luxury island escape. The Maldives have long been recognised as a dreamy destination for a honeymoon. Have your wedding here then slip into newlywed-mode with ease! The Maldives is where colour comes to life. Expect to lose all sense of time and what’s going on elsewhere as you sink into your overwater villa’s private pool and drink in the views. Or, venture beneath the ocean’s surface to glide alongside turtles and whale sharks; sip Champagne on a luxury cruise as the sun sets; or escape to an uninhabited island for an unforgettable evening-for-two under the stars.
Mauritius
A spectacular island paradise, Mauritius has stunning volcanic landscapes, sandy, tranquil beaches, and Tiffany-blue waters. You’re guaranteed picture-perfect photos to keep for the rest of your life. Mauritius holidays can be lazy days on the beach, but they can also be marine adventures and island explorations. Pre or post-ceremony activities can include scuba diving, boat trips to deserted islands, and trips in rainforest-cloaked mountains.
The island’s diverse history has created a remarkably varied culture; quite something for a country that is just a bit smaller than Devon! The descendants of European, African, Indian and Chinese immigrants make up the majority of the population and each group has made their mark on the island. So, the food is magnificent, a heady mix of French, Creole, Indian, Chinese and African cuisines. Mauritius is an island of tranquil shores, backed by mountains cloaked in vibrant shades of green.
Mexico
Your dream destination wedding in Mexico will be an unforgettable experience, as you say “I do” take in the stunning scenery of white sandy beaches and a backdrop of turquoise waters that will stay with you for a lifetime. So, Mexico boasts several perfect wedding destinations. Los Cabos stretches along the southernmost coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and is made up of a string of cozy hotels, winding horse trails, and white-sand beaches. You can also take a boat ride to a private beach or cove to say your vows.
Looking for something a little different? Enter your beach ceremony by horse, or make the release of baby sea turtles part of your wedding program! Or, the coastal stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula along the Mexican Caribbean mixes ancient Mayan ruins with palm-fringed beaches to give your wedding a real tropical feel. Whether you want to relax or have an adventure, Mexico is ideal for a beach wedding!
Tahiti
Tahiti is a magical place, famous for its picturesque landscape packed with palms, vivid blooms and stunning rainforests. Of course, there are also glorious beaches just perfect for a beach wedding. From its undulating interior of carved valleys and mystical mountains to sweeping stretches of palm-lined sands, volcanic Tahiti paints a spectacular South Pacific picture.
Head to French Polynesia’s largest island and discover a tapestry of green terrain, sugar-white and black beaches, colourful coral reefs and turquoise lagoons, plus a medley of activities ranging from music and dance to thrilling watersports. As a bonus, it gets relatively few tourists. For example, more people visit Hawaii in 10 days than visit Tahiti in a year! So you can enjoy your beach wedding in blissful solitude. Tahiti is the sort of magical and far-flung paradise that you have to look at, preferably in person, to understand why there is nothing else like it on earth.
Thailand
Explore otherworldly temples, jungle-clad national parks and beautiful islands scattered across a glistening emerald sea. Thailand is an exotic gem filled with ornate palaces, tasty food, and rich wildlife. So, you can whizz between gleaming golden temples in a tuk-tuk; devour combinations of salty, sweet and spicy street food at a night market; and watch elephants wander through an ancient national park – Thailand is a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.
Thailand also offers couples a dreamy wedding location with gorgeous white sandy beaches with stunning backdrops of emerald waters and limestone cliffs for a tropical beach wedding in paradise. The beautiful beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxe resorts of destinations like Phuket and Koh Samui are why Thailand is an absolutely magnificent destination for a beach wedding.
Turkey
Turkey is an increasingly popular wedding destination. Resorts host thousands of beach weddings every year for couples seeking an idyllic location. Turkey’s glorious Turquoise Coast has had a real renaissance in recent years, with deliciously stylish resorts, chic bars and must-try restaurants growing in number. The beaches are first class, but what really sets the area apart is the rich history and culture. Relax on golden sands, barter for a bargain in one of many buzzing bazaars or wander in the shadows of ancient monuments such as Side’s Temple of Apollo. Ancient ruins, glorious beaches and vibrant centres – Turkey’s coastal resorts make for charming beach wedding destinations.
Spain
Soak up incredible cliff top views, discover beautiful island beaches and enjoy incredible sunny weather at a beach wedding in Spain. The country has a top range of beaches, with calm waters lapping the soft golden sands of its sun-kissed Canary and Balearic Islands. Dig a little deeper into one of Europe’s most loved destinations and you could be browsing cobbled old-town streets, exploring UNESCO-listed nature reserves or climbing a volcano. All on the same island and on the same day! You’ll be guaranteed slick service, fantastic food and an unforgettably warm welcome for a perfect beach wedding.
St Lucia
St Lucia is a truly spectacular setting for a beach wedding, there’s beauty everywhere you look! The island is a blanket of lush forest, emerald-cloaked mountains, and palm-fringed beaches crowned by the magnificent Pitons. With 98 miles of pristine coastline, your beach wedding in St Lucia will be memorable with a range of utterly romantic resorts for an intimate affair. This Caribbean island also has a laidback vibe with an emphasis on enjoying nature.
Largely covered in tropical forest and home to soft, sandy beaches and natural harbors, there’s plenty to explore. While it’s tempting to simply relax and soak up the incredible views, St Lucia’s natural landscapes provide the perfect setting for adventure activities, from hiking through the rainforest and horse riding on the beach to exploring protected coral reefs and soaking in hot mud pools. One of the world’s most romantic destinations, St Lucia is a perfect beach wedding destination.
The UK
You don’t have to travel abroad to have a beautiful wedding by the sea! The UK has plenty of fabulous seaside wedding venues that have everything you need for a romantic wedding by the sea. So, if you want something a little more lowkey but with a view of the sea, venues in Cornwall, Wales or Norfolk are all perfect for a beach wedding. We have many incredible coastal wedding venues right here in the UK for you to choose from.