Destination Weddings in 2026: Top Locations and Unforgettable Experiences

In 2026 and beyond, destination weddings remain as desirable as ever. Couples are increasingly looking to transform their “I do” into an immersive travel experience for themselves and their guests. In fact, roughly one-third of engaged couples are planning destination weddings, often opting for weekend-long celebrations away from home. Rather than a single-day event, these celebrations span multiple days and locations, allowing everyone to soak in the culture, scenery, and adventure of a special place. From the sun-kissed coasts of Europe to far-flung exotic locales, here are the top destination wedding spots to consider – each offering stunning venues and unique experiences for an unforgettable celebration.

Villa Cetinale, Tuscany, Italy | Photo Credit https://www.villacetinale.com

Immersive Multi-Day Wedding Experiences

Modern destination weddings are all about taking it slow and savoring every moment. Couples are hosting multi-day wedding weekends that unfold like a festival of love: welcome parties, tours and excursions, rehearsal dinners, vibrant ceremonies, after-parties, and farewell brunches. This approach lets you showcase different locations and vibes: perhaps a chic welcome soirée in a city, a romantic ceremony on a cliffside, then an after-party at a beach club nearby.

Couples want to immerse guests in the local culture and experiences of the place they’re in. From wine tastings in Tuscany to flamenco shows in Spain or cooking classes with Moroccan chefs, immersive add-ons give everyone a true taste of the locale. To justify asking loved ones to travel, couples extend festivities with extraordinary activities: guided city tours, spa days, hot air balloon rides, or a post-wedding yacht excursion.

Pulling off this level of detail takes an experienced planner. As global tastemakers and travelers, we bring intentionality to every destination wedding we produce. From local vendors and travel logistics to design and guest experience, our team ensures no stone is left unturned. Our clients trust us to deliver world-class celebrations – and we do, time and time again.

Top Destination Wedding Locations for 2026

French Riviera, France

Credit: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Top Venues:

  • Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild: Iconic pink villa with world-renowned gardens.

  • Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, Four Seasons: Historic luxury with sweeping sea views.

Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière | Credit Travelguide.com

Saint-Tropez, France

Top Venues:

  • Château de la Messardière: Historic palace with stunning gardens.

  • Hotel Villa Belrose: Hilltop hideaway with bay views and refined exclusivity.

Shangri-La Paris

Paris, France

Top Venues:

  • Château Vaux-le-Vicomte: Fairytale château with French gardens.

  • Shangri-La Hotel Paris: Luxury meets Eiffel Tower views.

Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco

Tuscany, Italy

Top Venues:

  • Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco: 5,000-acre vineyard estate.

  • Villa Cetinale & Borgo Stomennano: Classic Tuscan villas with historic charm.

Barcelona, Spain

Castell de Sant Marçal - Barcelona

Top Venues:

  • Castell de Sant Marçal: Castle estate just 20 minutes from the city.

  • Finca Mas Solers: Grand Belle Époque mansion with timeless architecture.

Marbella, Spain

Finca la Concepción

Top Venues:

  • Finca La Concepción: Estate with palm trees and event space for 500 guests.

  • Villa del Mar at Marbella Club: Seaside villa with Andalusian elegance.

Portugal (Lisbon, Sintra, Douro Valley)

Valverde Palácio de Seteais

Top Venues:

  • Palácio de Seteais, Sintra: 18th-century palace with expansive gardens.

  • Six Senses Douro Valley: Five-star manor house amidst vineyards.

Marrakech, Morocco

La Mamounia, Marrakech

Top Venues:

  • La Mamounia: Legendary palace hotel with regal gardens.

  • Royal Mansour: Lavish riads commissioned by Moroccan royalty.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel | Luxury Hotel in Peru

Top Venues:

  • Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado: Luxurious riverfront resort.

  • Tambo del Inka: Andean luxury with spiritual cultural elements.

Los Cabos, Mexico

One&Only Palmilla

Top Venues:

  • One&Only Palmilla: Cliffside luxury and whitewashed chapel.

  • Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Private tunnel entrance and ocean views.

Diane Sotero Photography

Beyond Weddings: Luxury Retreats, Honeymoons & More

One trend we love: our clients don’t stop at the wedding. From luxury honeymoons to destination bachelorettes and milestone retreats, our team crafts once-in-a-lifetime group travel experiences with the same signature polish as our weddings.

Think Amalfi Coast yacht adventures, Provence vineyard tours, private chefs in Bali, or safari-style birthday retreats in Kenya. We partner with the best resorts, chefs, and experience curators around the globe to design travel that inspires.

Whether it’s a destination wedding or a luxury retreat, we believe in creating layered, immersive, and seamless experiences tailored to your story.

Ready to Plan Your Destination Celebration?

Collin Pierson Photography

We’d love to bring your dream celebration to life – whether you’re planning a romantic ceremony in Tuscany or a bold, culture-rich wedding weekend in Marrakech. Click below to explore our:

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Akeshi Akinseye
Akeshi Akinseye

Founder & CEO of Kesh Events | Event Planner, Designer, Author & Hospitality Expert

Akeshi Akinseye is the founder and CEO of Kesh Events, a Chicago-based event planning, design and production company creating high-end weddings, destination celebrations, private events and brand experiences worldwide.

With more than 15 years of experience, her work centers on thoughtful hospitality, guest experience, cultural intelligence and the planning, design and production of highly considered celebrations.

Akeshi is also the author of The Art of Celebrating, a book about meaningful gatherings, thoughtful design and creating more intentional moments around the table and at home.

Her work and perspective on weddings, celebrations, design and hospitality have been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Brides, People and other leading publications.

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