From the prospect of exchanging your vows against scenic white mountains, or hosting your rehearsal dinner against a scenic ocean backdrop, to the dream of having your reception at a lavish historic palace, international weddings have become the next big thing. People no longer want to settle for a boring wedding location as the place where they enter the next big phase of their lives! An increasing number of couples are opting to tie the knot around the world, in delightful, picturesque places. We, Shaandaar Events, have compiled a hotlist of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India to which couples are choosing to get married.
Why International Destination Weddings Are Gaining Popularity Among Indian Couples
Over the years, international destination weddings are no longer just about indulgence and luxury - it has become a lifestyle choice for today’s Indian couples. With more people opting for moments over material things, experiential weddings are becoming the new normal — ones where travel, celebration and intimacy meld to create a rock-your-socks-off experience that is finally unforgettable. International venues provide privacy, intimate guest lists and a new interpretation of age-old wedding traditions without the worry of getting overwhelmed in big, local weddings.
Professional wedding planners share that the most important thing to couples today is a personalised guest experience, privacy and standout photography spots rather than having the whole package of sit-down banquets. What’s more, several foreign locales have warmed up to Indian weddings with Indian chefs, customised venues for rituals and cultural decor being provided as part of packages. This international exposure, coupled with the aspirational travel trend, is what has made destination weddings abroad a feasible and feel-good option for Indian households.
Things Indian Couples Must Know Before Planning a Destination Wedding Abroad
A destination wedding is more than just a pretty place. There are a few logistical things that Indian couples will need to consider for a flawless celebration.
For one, legal marriage requirements and the process vary from country to country. Symbolic Destination Weddings are becoming popular, where couples have a beautiful ceremony abroad and get legally married in India to avoid the hassle of paperwork. Second, budgets should factor in travel and lodging as well as decoration logistics, vendor communication (seeing if they will cross borders, for instance) — not just venue costs. 4) Couples should also make sure they have Indian food, especially for multi-day/ritual-based celebrations.
Guest convenience is equally important. Also, flight connections, visa laws, weather and elderly family-member accessibility are all things to consider for a painless destination wedding. Save valuable time. Last but not least — the benefits of working with an experienced destination wedding planner are many, including seamless coordination with local vendors, permits and cultural considerations (this can be taxing if you don’t have on-ground knowledge).
Why Hiring a Professional Destination Wedding Planner Is Crucial
For the bride, an overseas wedding is more than decor and venues. In terms of interpreting local marriage laws and vendor contracts and managing guest logistics across borders, hiring a professional becomes crucial. A good destination wedding planner is going to save you all the time for endless research that may not even pan out, keep your dreams and your vision ‘real’ (do-able), anticipate things that you haven’t considered and ensure your cultural understanding of the destination so there are no surprises.
Given the complexity of wedding rituals, guest expectations and family dynamics for Indian couples, that’s a real difference. Firms such as Shaandaar Events undertake total destination wedding consulting, allowing couples to be free from the hassles of their party, while all travel plans are managed efficiently.
Maldives
Starting the list of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India, we have the Maldives. The white beaches, blue oceans, and picturesque skies. This exotic territory has more than 1200 beautiful islands. No wonder, Maldives is ranked first on our list of Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. This heavenly location offers many luxuries for the perfect destination wedding. Be it luxury cruises for ceremonies or exchanging vows right on the beach, the Maldives has all the elements of a perfect destination wedding, making it the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It is a dream spot for a couple wanting a beautiful beach wedding outside India. It also has ample recreation activities that the guests can indulge in. Because of this, the Maldives is considered one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India.
Best Time - Between November to April is the best time to visit this beautiful island for a destination wedding.
Best Picks - Four Seasons Maldives, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort, One&Only Reethi Rah, Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
Italy
Next on the list of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India, we have Italy. It has become a top favorite marriage destination for the newly engaged after Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli’s marriage in 2017, followed by Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone’s marriage in 2018 in the same European heaven. Italy is among the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It is the perfect location for someone who finds the union of the traditional and the modern. Set against the archaic Stone Age aesthetics with the modern floral sceneries, Italy plays the role of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India.
Best Time - The best time to plan a destination wedding in Italy is in spring, between March and May, and in autumn, between September and November.
Best Picks - Abbazia La Cervara, Villa Il Balbiano, Villa Sola Cabiati, Villa Pizzo
London
For someone who enjoys the majestic glamour of the 21st century, London behaves as one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It embodies royalty with a hint of modernism. It has a great collection of palaces, castles, and archaic churches that won’t shy away from making the bride feel like a Queen. This place is indeed a cultural hub for so many communities, which is evident in its cuisine. It is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. There are various tours and other recreational activities that the guests can enjoy, making London one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India.
Best Time - The best time to plan a wedding in London is from March through May when the sun is in favor.
Best Picks - No. Fifty Cheyne - Chelsea, The Foundling Museum - Bloomsbury, Strawberry Hill House - Twickenham, Petersham Nurseries - Richmond
Morocco
The boho aesthetics of Morocco, which is famous for its eastern influence, is renowned for its chic destination weddings. It is the sunshine of a place where many couples are willing to get married. Morocco is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. The Arabian night sunsets and dramatic Arabic architecture can provide for a dream wedding for someone who enjoys traditional preparations.
Best Time - From spring (mid-March to May) to fall (September to October), this is the best time to plan a destination wedding in Morocco.
Best Picks - Hotel Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses, Mandarin Oriental - Marrakech, Sofitel Agadir Thalassa Sea
Bali
The Island of theGodss or Bali, where you can enjoy its picturesque beaches and plan the best destination wedding at one of its holy wedding chapels. It is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It is a cost-effective alternative to other expensive destinations. It is exotic, magical, and feels like a page straight out of a fairytale. No wonder it is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India.
Best Time - April to October is the best time for a wedding destination in Bali Paradise
Best Picks - Wiwaha Wedding Chapel, Conrad Hotel & Resort, Le Meridien Bali Jimbaran
Portugal
Next on the list of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India is Portugal. The country famous for its wines and cuisine, this destination is a charming place for couples to take vows. It has a rich history, magnificent architecture, and gorgeous beaches, making it one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It has a classy, extravagant vibe that millennials prefer now. Its vibe and essence make it one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India to plan a wedding.
Best Time - The best time to plan a destination wedding in Portugal is between March to May, and also, September to October.
Best Picks - Palácio de Queluz, Palácio Marqueses da Fronteira, Douro Six Senses
Dubai
Next on the list of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. For couples planning extravagant weddings, Dubai is the place to be. From beaches to deserts, private island weddings to city weddings, Dubai has it all. It is among the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. With a vast culture and numerous activities for the guests to indulge in, getting married under the Arabian sky will be nothing short of a dream. It stands in the list of Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India.
Best Time - Between October and April is the best time to plan a wedding in Dubai.
Best Picks - Al Maha Desert Resort, Atlantis The Palm, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Emirates Palace
Thailand
With its exotic and enchanting white beaches with greenery all around, Thailand is a tropical paradise that has proved itself as a luxurious wedding destination, making it the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. Thailand’s tourism and hospitality industry has made great strides over the past decade. The clear sunny skies and the exotic beaches make it worth the while. It has the perfect all-year-round exotic weather for wedding festivities, from the grand wedding day itself. It is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. It also has an abundance of recreation activities for the guests to enjoy themselves, be it snorkeling, scuba diving, or even Thai cooking classes. The cultural heritage of Thailand is reflected in its cuisine as well, which has gained recognition worldwide. Apart from being the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India, Thailand is also a top favorite honeymoon destination outside India.
Best Time - The best time to plan weddings in Thailand is between November and early April, when temperatures are in the low 30s.
Best Picks - The Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Anantara Riverside Bangkok, Shangri-La Chiang Mai
Oman
Oman is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. The spectacular culture of Arabian countries, paired with their splendid touch of modernity and traditions, makes weddings in Oman feel like a utopian dream. The Middle Eastern paradise is not boastful of its magnificence and opulence; it is evident through the beauty that is present in its natural scenery. This is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India to get married, for it has such a rich culture like India. Oman showcases itself as one of the best destination wedding locations for couples planning a culturally rich wedding surrounded by their loved ones. Apart from being the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India, it also makes for one of the best honeymoon destinations outside India after Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas spent their honeymoon in this exotic country.
Best Time - October to April is the best time to visit the country for a wedding.
Best Picks - Shangri-La Burr Al Jassah Muscat, Millennium Resort Mussanah, Grand Hyatt Muscat, Al Bustan Palace
Sri Lanka
Famous for its pristine beaches, lush greenery, and exotic food, Sri Lanka is one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. Its exotic flora and fauna have the proper touch of cultural heritage and traditionality. The majestic Indian Ocean adorns this beautiful country. It makes up for one of the most beautiful beach weddings outside India, making it one of the Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India. In addition to that, this Island country offers great options for a couple to plan the most beautiful destination wedding outside India.
Best time - Between December and April is the best time for a destination wedding in Sri Lanka.
Best picks - Avani Kalutara Resort, Taj Samudra, Shangri-La Colombo
Conclusion
We at Shandaar Events can help you in making your wedding the most memorable day of your life, as we believe that your wedding day is one of the most special days in your life. Our narrowed-down list of Best Destination Wedding Venues Outside India can help you in making your wedding an unforgettable event for anyone who’ll be a part of it, because we believe in the best and want to deliver the best.
FAQs About Best Places for Destination Weddings
What makes couples choose to have a destination wedding abroad?
Because it is like a vacation and a celebration together. You will have beautiful scenery, seclusion, and a different experience. In fact, 85% of couples in India cite that they would rather get married at a destination wedding, not in India.
What countries are popular?
The most popular locations include the Maldives, Italy, London, Morocco, Bali, Portugal, Dubai, Thailand, Oman, and Sri Lanka - each offering a different atmosphere from tropical beach to royal palace.
When is the season to have a destination wedding?
This depends on where you are going:
Maldives: November-April
Italy: March-May and September-November
Thailand: November-April
Being aware of seasonal trends can add to the experience and get the best photos!
How far in advance should you plan?
Ideally, you want to plan 8-12 months. A destination wedding will include travel, accommodation, permits, and decorations, so the sooner you plan, the better opportunities you have for venue, decorations, and flight prices.
How many guests should I expect?
Most couples keep it small, around 50-150 guests. There is also value in the number of guests you invite; the smaller the number, the easier it is to travel, and you will have a more personal experience with your guests.
Are destination weddings more expensive than weddings in your local area?
Not necessarily. Locations such as Bali, Thailand, and Sri Lanka can be 30-40% less expensive than weddings in major Indian cities (depending on the number of guests and the type of wedding).
Which destinations are considered wedding-friendly on a budget?
Bali, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are the top wedding-friendly budget options for a luxury experience. They have beautiful venues, Indian food options, and are relatively reasonable to travel to.
How common are international weddings for young Indian couples?
Very common. Surveys show that 49% of Gen Z couples who are engaged are thinking of having a destination wedding overseas - they value experiences and travel, rather than having a traditional wedding set up in their city.
What is the most difficult aspect of planning an overseas wedding?
Logistics. Coordinating flights, hotels, local vendors, a marriage license, and legal permissions can get tricky - which is why when a couple decides to have a wedding overseas, they often rely on a professional wedding planning company like Shaandaar Events to sort all of those things out for them.
Why hire a wedding planner for an overseas wedding?
Because they know the destinations, vendors they trust, and the legalities of getting married in a different country. A wedding planner helps you relax through the entire wedding day - meaning they are managing all the details like decor and vendor travel for the couple.
