The 4 Best Locations for an Incredible Destination Wedding or Elopement

#1:The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento

Can we talk about this gorgeous Italian coastline for one second…? Really, it’s some of the best coastline I’ve ever seen and it’s definitely like nothing you’ll have seen back home. Located in southern Italy, near Naples, the coast stretches over 34 miles. It’s got everything. From clifftop resorts to historic hotels and stunning castles perched high up in the most incredible scenery you’ve ever seen. There are 13 seaside towns along its length and 100 beaches. And when it comes to getting married, you can choose from a huge mix of different venues—villas, castles, churches, gardens and beaches. The possibilities are endless for an Amalfi Coast wedding!

Favourite Features

The Amalfi Coast is well-known for its 500-foot cliffs and the multi-coloured houses embedded into them. And, in a region that’s famous for its Limoncello, there are tons of olive groves and citrus trees for some really unique backdrops for your wedding photography.

Top Tips

* It’s a little under a 2-hour drive from Naples (the nearest airport) but I wouldn’t recommend hiring a car. Stick with public transport, or book cars and ferries, as driving this stretch of coast is busy and the parking fees are hideous. Or, for the more adventurous of you, hire a scooter! You can’t get more Italian summer than that. 

* Check the location of your accommodation. Given the nature of the landscape, there might be a lot of stairs up to your hotel. This might prove difficult for any older or less-abled guests you’ve invited.

#2: Iceland

For something completely different and wild, you’ve got to look at an elopement in Iceland. This Nordic island is cold, remote and a little bit crazy (think active volcanoes and ice floes for a start). It might seem like an odd choice for a wedding, but it’s the perfect place for bold, adventurous couples who love to get off the beaten track and do something different. Iceland definitely lends itself well as an elopement venue rather than somewhere you’d invite a big group of family and friends. For one thing, moving a big group of people around would be a bit of a logistical nightmare. For another, those windswept vistas and you two in your wedding outfits will make the most incredible photographs, dontcha think? The only way to describe Iceland is… it’s a mood. Mountains, volcanoes, black sandy beaches, waterfalls and so much more. It’ll be amazing!

Favourite Features

Iceland is super easy to get to from the UK with lots of low-budget airlines flying there. And, once you’re there, you can rent a car or a camper van and explore. If you’re lucky, the aurora borealis might even show up. Could you imagine your wedding photos with that in the background?! And then, of course, there are the Icelandic horses hanging out by the side of the road. So much fun!

Where to stay

1. The bubble hotel– This is a bucket list kind of hotel. Sleep in a bubble under the stars, could anything be more romanitc?

2. Golden circle cabin– A gorgeous cabin in Icelands famous Golden circle. This is a great location to stay if you plan to see some of Icelands most famous sites.

3. Foss Glacier Hotel – This luxury hotel is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking to elope at Jokulsarlon Icelands famous Glacier lagoon.

Where to elope within Iceland

EVERYWHERE. Honestly there are no bad options, everywhere you turn is jaw droppingly beautiful. My favourite spots include Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, Vik black sand beach, Seljalandsfoss Waterfall, Skogafoss Waterfall and Thingvellir National Park.

Top Tips

* The clue is in the name but the country is pretty cold all year round. It only reaches highs of about 14 degrees even in the summer months, so you’ll need to make sure you’ve got warm clothing, coats and thick socks to keep you warm between locations and pictures. 

* While there are lots of ways to get about, for an elopement I’d recommend hiring a car so you’re not tied to a tour group or rushing for time. And I promise to bring car snacks to keep the journey interesting!

#3: Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled has a reputation. It’s considered to be one of the most spectacular lakes in Europe and, as a glacial lake with crystal blue waters, it’s not hard to see why. Located in the northwestern region of Slovenia, this 1.3 miles long by 0.8 miles-wide lake isn’t huge but it is picturesque and the views around the lake are breathtaking. Mountains and forests are visible in every direction and high above the lake sits Bled Castle, the oldest in the country, dating back to the 11th century. A Lake Bled wedding is definitely one your guests will remember for a long time to come.

Favourite Features

In the middle of Lake Bled, there’s a tiny island with a gorgeous church. You can totally get married in this church if that’s your thing! And can we talk about that historic castle perched high up above the lake? It’s an incredible sight and will look amazing in the background of your wedding photos. There is an interesting tradition about weddings that are taking place on Bled island. According to the tradition, the groom must carry the bride through all 99 steps that lead up to the church. 

Top Tips

* There’s no such thing as a bad season to get married here. The summers are stunning, but so are the autumns with all the glorious colours in the trees. And in winter the place turns into a snowy, magical landscape. Whatever time of year you choose, it’ll always be looking its best.

* If you get the chance, walk around the lake to get the best experience of its beauty. It’s just shy of 4 miles all the way around and pretty flat so it’s an easy trek. There’s also lots of lovely bars and restraunts dotted around the lake to stop at along the way.

 #4: Croatia

Along the Adriatic coastline sits Croatia, a jewel of a country that, despite its growing popularity, is still managing to stay relatively untouched, making it a great choice for your wedding day. I couldn’t pick just one part of Croatia, having visited Dubrovnik, Hvar (one of the islands off the coast), Krka National Park near Zadar and Plitvice Lakes National Park further north. And that was just a tiny part of it! The country is STUNNING and wherever you choose for your wedding venue here will be the most beautiful place. Croatia is an easy place to get to from the UK and it’s still relatively low-cost in comparison to many other European destinations. It’s packed with history, culture and stunning coastlines. And, being a Mediterranean country, it’s lovely and warm throughout most of the year, but especially in the summer months.

Favourite Features

There’s something about that glorious Mediterranean light that gets us photographers all excited. Imagine what we can do with it and your wedding photos! There’s also an abundance of scenery here. It’s impossible to take a bad photograph in this country and that bodes well for your wedding album.

Top Tips

*Croatia is an excellent place for a road trip, so think about incorporating that as part of your big day when you go there. Hire a car and go off on a wild adventure. You won’t regret it! It has 8 national parks and there are plenty of gorgeous waterfalls to check out, too. Then there are the cities. And did I already mention the islands and coast? There’s something for everyone here.

* The best time of year to visit (so also the best time for your Croatian wedding) is either side of the hottest summer months (July and August). Not only is it a bit cooler, but it’s also a lot less busy.

*Istria (north Croatia) has a very simliar look and feel to Italy and is a great budget alternative to an Italian wedding.

Other Things to Consider When Booking a Destination Wedding or Elopement

Check, double check and check again that you have the right paperwork and that it’s all in order before your big day. There’s nothing more disappointing than arriving at your destination only to find you can’t legally get married.

Try to visit your chosen location before you book anything. There’s only so much you’ll get from pictures on the internet and a pretty website or brochure. 

Give yourself plenty of time, especially if you’re planning a wedding that you want your friends and family to attend. People will need lots of notice to be able to book time off work, flights and accommodation to be there with you. 

Book your destination wedding photographer well in advance, too. We need plenty of notice to make it work, as we may have to factor in other weddings we’ve got booked around the same time.

Consider hiring a destination wedding planner. It’ll make it much easier to ensure everything is being done properly, especially when you’re trying to plan from another country.

Destination Wedding Bucket List Offer

Did I mention I love to travel? I also love to capture gorgeous weddings in different locations! So, I have a very special offer for anyone who might be planning a wedding or elopement at one of the above locations in 2023. If your wedding is at one of the places listed in this blog post and you’d like to book me to capture it for you, I’m offering a 20% discount off the price of my wedding packages. Now how’s that for an epic offer? Mention this post when you enquire!