Imagine this: your wedding isnβt confined to just one day. Instead, it unfolds over a long weekend in a place so beautiful and unique that the venue itself becomes part of your story. From an alpine spa in the Dolomites to a cliffside villa in Bali, couples are embracing wedding weekends that feel more like retreats β a time to gather everyone they love in one extraordinary setting.
As a wedding and elopement photographer, Iβve witnessed how intentional environments shape celebrations. The right venue isnβt just a backdrop; itβs an experience that slows everything down, invites connection, and gives you space to savor each moment. Below, Iβve gathered some of the worldβs most stunning properties β places where architecture, landscape, and hospitality combine to create unforgettable multi-day weddings.
Locations We Will be Exploring:
Europe
Nordics & Iceland
Asia & Oceania
Africa
Middle East
Americas
EUROPE β
Chalet Mirabell β South Tyrol, Chalet Mirabell β South Tyrol, Italy
A modern alpine sanctuary above Merano, Chalet Mirabell blends clean design with sweeping Dolomitic views. Imagine saying your vows beside the natural bathing pond, celebrating with a candlelit dinner on the terrace, then unwinding in the panoramic infinity pool. Itβs an intimate yet extravagant escape where every detail feels cinematic.
Best for: Couples who want alpine luxury with wellness woven in.
Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco β Tuscany, Italy
Set on a 5,000-acre estate in the Val dβOrcia, Castiglion del Bosco has it all: castle ruins, vineyards, a medieval church, and luxury villas. Host your rehearsal dinner under the Tuscan sky, your ceremony in a historic chapel, and your day-after brunch beside the pool with rolling hills as your backdrop.
Best for: Wine lovers and history buffs wanting deep Tuscan charm.
Borgo Egnazia β Puglia, Italy
Borgo Egnazia isnβt just a resort β itβs an entire white-stone village that you and your guests can take over. Courtyards, olive groves, and traditional Apulian architecture create a dreamlike atmosphere, while the on-site chapel and reception halls make planning seamless. Itβs a place where your wedding feels like a storybook.
Best for: Couples seeking full-immersion Italian romance and design.
Castello di Vicarello β Tuscany, Italy
Perched on a hilltop surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, Castello di Vicarello is a 12th-century castle turned boutique retreat. With just ten suites, two infinity pools, and panoramic terraces, it feels like your own private kingdom. A wedding here is intimate yet regal β vows exchanged in a rose garden, dinners beneath the stars, and quiet mornings overlooking the Tuscan hills.
Best for: Couples who want a fairytale castle wedding with modern intimacy.
Villa Honegg β Switzerland
Perched high above Lake Lucerne, Villa Honegg is famous for its mountaintop infinity pool β where misty mornings and golden sunsets feel like a painting. This boutique property can be reserved for intimate gatherings, offering privacy, sweeping alpine views, and unmatched luxury.
Best for: Couples dreaming of cinematic Swiss landscapes.
Cervo Mountain Resort β Zermatt, Switzerland
Blending alpine tradition with sleek modern design, Cervo Mountain Resort sits at the foot of the Matterhorn. The property feels like a contemporary alpine village β chalets with floor-to-ceiling windows, terraces that open to panoramic mountain views, and a spa designed around natural elements. Imagine a welcome dinner with the Matterhorn glowing at sunset, an outdoor ceremony framed by peaks, and a weekend of cozy fireside gatherings.
Best for: Couples who want a chic, design-forward alpine wedding with iconic mountain views.
The Chedi Andermatt β Andermatt, Switzerland
A bold blend of Swiss chalet warmth and Asian-inspired minimalism, The Chedi Andermatt is a statement in design and luxury. Picture towering timber beams, fire-lit lounges, and spa pools that open to the snow-capped peaks. With dedicated event spaces, Michelin-starred dining, and suites that feel like private sanctuaries, The Chedi transforms a wedding weekend into an elegant alpine retreat.
Best for: Couples who love architecture, design, and refined alpine luxury.
SΓ£o LourenΓ§o do Barrocal β Alentejo, Portugal
A restored 19th-century farming village turned luxury retreat, SΓ£o LourenΓ§o do Barrocal is set among olive groves, vineyards, and meadows in Portugalβs Alentejo region. With whitewashed buildings, stone courtyards, and expansive fields, the property feels both timeless and contemporary. Weddings here unfold in a slower rhythm β welcome dinners under strings of lights, ceremonies framed by ancient oaks, and day-after brunches by the pool with sweeping countryside views.
Best for: Couples seeking understated elegance, farm-to-table feasts, and a soulful European escape.
Vivood Landscape Hotel β Alicante, Spain
Set in the rolling hills of southern Spain, Vivood Landscape Hotel is a minimalist eco-retreat designed to disappear into the landscape. Its glass-fronted suites open directly to panoramic valley views, and infinity pools stretch into the horizon. Weddings here feel modern and elemental β sunset vows framed by mountains, starlit dinners on sleek terraces, and mornings waking to uninterrupted silence and light.
Best for: Couples who want a design-driven, eco-conscious wedding with dramatic Spanish landscapes.
Naturhotel Forsthofgut β Leogang, Austria
Nestled at the edge of the Austrian Alps, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is a nature-inspired retreat where wellness and mountain luxury meet. With infinity pools facing the peaks, a forest spa built into the landscape, and elegant alpine design, itβs the perfect balance of modern comfort and rustic charm. Weddings here flow with ease: an outdoor ceremony surrounded by mountain meadows, a reception featuring organic farm-to-table dining, and mornings spent rejuvenating in the spa or hiking alpine trails.
Best for: Couples who want an eco-luxury alpine wedding that feels both restorative and breathtaking.
NORIDCS & ICELAND β
Nusfjord Arctic Resort β Lofoten Islands, Norway
Nusfjord is a preserved fishing village turned design-forward retreat. Celebrate in rustic red cabins nestled between granite cliffs and shimmering fjords. The light here changes by the hour, offering endless golden tones for portraits.
Best for: Couples drawn to Nordic minimalism and raw natural beauty.
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon β Iceland
Tucked into a private lava field, The Retreat offers access to its own exclusive section of the iconic Blue Lagoon. Picture your guests soaking in turquoise waters, a ceremony framed by volcanic rock, and a reception dinner in the subterranean spa dining hall.
Best for: Couples wanting futuristic design with natural wonder.
Eleven Deplar Farm β Troll Peninsula, Iceland
With turf-roof architecture blending into the hillside, Deplar Farm is a fully private lodge that feels like a secret. Geothermal pools, Northern Lights in winter, and rolling green landscapes in summer create endless opportunities for a multi-day wedding adventure.
Best for: Couples seeking privacy and Icelandic wilderness luxury.
ASIA & OCEANIA β
Alila Villas Uluwatu β Bali, Indonesia
Cliff-edge cabanas hover above the ocean, creating one of the most iconic ceremony backdrops in the world. Alila Villas Uluwatu is minimalist, design-forward, and breathtaking. Stay in private villas with infinity pools and gather for sunset receptions where sky meets sea.
Best for: Modern romantics who love clean lines and bold views.
NIHI Sumba β Sumba, Indonesia
Voted among the best resorts in the world, NIHI Sumba is wild luxury at its finest. Horses run along the beach at sunset, villas open to the ocean, and the entire property can be booked for private weddings. Itβs remote, soulful, and unforgettable.
Best for: Couples craving adventure, intimacy, and barefoot luxury.
Rayavadee β Krabi, Thailand
Rayavadeeβs crown jewel is The Grotto β a natural limestone cave on the edge of the sea. Ceremonies here feel mythic, framed by towering cliffs and turquoise water. Guests can stay in lush pavilions and villas, creating a wedding experience that is both exotic and easy.
Best for: Couples who want tropical magic with a dose of legend.
Hoshinoya Kyoto β Japan
Accessible only by private boat, Hoshinoya Kyoto sits on the banks of the Oi River. Minimalist Japanese design, serene gardens, and intimate ryokan-style suites make this a space for couples who want deep cultural immersion and quiet elegance.
Best for: Couples who value design, tradition, and intimacy.
Amanpulo β Palawan, Philippines
Accessible only by private plane, Amanpulo feels like a secret island reserved just for you and your guests. Powdery white sand beaches stretch endlessly, villas open directly to the ocean, and every detail is infused with Amanβs signature understated luxury. Imagine hosting a barefoot welcome dinner on the beach, exchanging vows at sunset with nothing but sea and sky around you, and ending your weekend under the stars with waves as your soundtrack.
Best for: Couples who want complete privacy, island seclusion, and the ultimate luxury beach wedding.
Rosewood Matakauri β Queenstown, New Zealand
Glass-walled suites overlook Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountains, creating a cinematic backdrop for a wedding. With dedicated event spaces and endless opportunities for adventure nearby, Matakauri blends luxury with the wildness of New Zealand.
Best for: Couples who want an adventurous, yet elegant, escape.
AFRICA β
Amanjena β Marrakech, Morocco
Amanjena, meaning βpeaceful paradise,β is an oasis just outside Marrakech. Inspired by ancient Moorish architecture, the property features rose-hued walls, reflective pools, and grand archways surrounded by palm trees and olive groves. Picture a candlelit welcome dinner in the courtyards, a ceremony beside serene reflecting pools, and a wedding weekend wrapped in Moroccan artistry and warmth.
Best for: Couples who want exotic elegance, architectural beauty, and a cultural experience infused with romance.
Grootbos Private Nature Reserve β South Africa
Overlooking Walker Bay, Grootbos blends conservation with luxury. Celebrate your vows on a deck surrounded by fynbos, then retreat into glass-walled villas that frame the ocean and mountains. Itβs wild, eco-luxury at its best.
Best for: Eco-conscious couples craving connection to land and sea.
&Beyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge β Namibia
Glass-and-stone suites open directly onto the worldβs most cinematic dunes. At night, the on-site observatory brings the desert sky alive. Weddings here feel surreal, intimate, and unlike anywhere else on earth.
Best for: Couples seeking a cosmic, elemental experience.
Casa Cook β North Coast, Egypt
On Egyptβs Mediterranean shore, Casa Cook North Coast blends laid-back luxury with modern, bohemian design. Think whitewashed architecture, private pools, and desert-meets-sea landscapes. A wedding here can flow from a sunset ceremony on the beach to a reception with Mediterranean flavors and music under the stars. The vibe is relaxed, chic, and effortlessly cool.
Best for: Couples who want a stylish coastal escape with a modern boho edge.
MIDDLE EAST β
Our Habitas AlUla β Saudi Arabia
Set in the breathtaking desert canyons of AlUla, Our Habitas blends sustainable design with raw natural beauty. Villas and gathering spaces are scattered among towering sandstone cliffs, creating an atmosphere that feels both ancient and futuristic. A wedding here is an immersion in landscape and culture β golden-hour vows in the desert, feasts inspired by Middle Eastern flavors, and nights of music and connection under an endless starry sky.
Best for: Couples seeking an extraordinary desert wedding that fuses modern design with timeless natural wonder.
Bulgari Resort β Dubai, UAE
Set on its own seahorse-shaped island, the Bulgari Resort Dubai is an ultra-modern retreat with a private marina and sleek Italian design. Weddings here can move from a beachfront ceremony to a glamorous ballroom reception, with villas available for complete privacy. Itβs a mix of contemporary luxury and Middle Eastern flair, designed for couples who want a bold, polished celebration.
Best for: Couples looking for high-fashion sophistication and seamless five-star service.
Alila Jabal Akhdar β Oman
Perched on the cliffs of Omanβs Al Hajar mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar is both dramatic and serene. Built from local stone, the resort blends seamlessly with its canyon setting. A wedding here means panoramic ceremonies overlooking the rugged landscape, intimate courtyard dinners, and spa rituals rooted in local tradition.
Best for: Couples who want dramatic natural beauty paired with eco-luxury.
AMERICAS β
Acre Resort β Los Cabos, Mexico
This Baja oasis is playful and artistic: treehouse suites, palm forests, and farm-to-table dining. With Michelin Green Star recognition, Acre offers an eco-luxury wedding experience rooted in creativity and connection.
Best for: Couples who love design, food, and festive energy.
One&Only Mandarina β Riviera Nayarit, Mexico
Perched above the Pacific, Mandarina offers rainforest treehouses and clifftop villas with private pools. Full wedding programs allow you to create a seamless three-day celebration in paradise.
Best for: Couples who want elevated resort luxury with natural immersion.
Hotel Fasano Boa Vista β SΓ£o Paulo, Brazil
Just an hour outside SΓ£o Paulo, Hotel Fasano Boa Vista sits on a 2,470-acre estate of rolling hills, lakes, and preserved forests. Designed by renowned Brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld, the property is modern yet warm, with floor-to-ceiling glass that frames lush landscapes. Weddings here can include lakeside ceremonies, chic open-air receptions, and a weekend of golf, horseback riding, and spa indulgence.
Best for: Couples who want modern architecture, Brazilian warmth, and a countryside-meets-contemporary wedding retreat.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge β British Columbia, Canada
Accessible only by seaplane or boat, Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge is an off-grid luxury resort tucked into the temperate rainforest of Vancouver Island. With safari-style canvas tents outfitted in five-star comfort, itβs a rare blend of wilderness and indulgence. A wedding here might include vows beside a rushing river, feasts around a long wooden table lit by lanterns, and day-after adventures from whale watching to horseback riding.
Best for: Couples seeking an adventurous yet luxurious escape in Canadaβs wild beauty.
Nayara Tented Camp β Costa Rica
Nestled in the rainforest near Arenal Volcano, Nayara blends eco-luxury with intimacy. Think private plunge pools, howler monkeys at sunrise, and a ceremony surrounded by lush greenery.
Best for: Couples who love adventure and tropical immersion.
Why Choose a Venue Like This?
Choosing a venue that is an experience in itself transforms your wedding into a retreat. Instead of rushing through a single day, you create a flow: a welcome dinner that feels like a reunion, a wedding day that lingers in every detail, and a farewell brunch where everyone soaks in the last moments together.
These venues offer privacy, ease, and a backdrop that amplifies your story. Every detail β from infinity pools to historic chapels β invites slower pacing, deeper connection, and the kind of atmosphere that makes your celebration unforgettable.
FAQs
What is the best luxury wedding venue in Europe?
Italyβs Borgo Egnazia and Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco are among the top choices, offering full-estate buyouts and unforgettable landscapes.
Can you book an entire resort for a wedding?
Yes β many properties like NIHI Sumba, Acre Resort, and Chalet Mirabell offer full buyouts so your wedding becomes a private retreat.
What makes a destination wedding venue unique?
Look for venues where design and landscape intertwine β cliffside cabanas in Bali, lava-field lagoons in Iceland, or dune lodges in Namibia.
How many days should we plan for a destination wedding?
Most couples plan 2β3 days: a welcome dinner, a wedding day, and a farewell or adventure experience.
Whether your heart is drawn to Tuscany, Bali, Iceland, or the fjords of Norway, these venues prove that your wedding can be more than a single day β it can be a full experience. As a destination wedding photographer, my role is to capture not just the events, but the atmosphere and connection that make your celebration one of a kind.
π© Dreaming about an international celebration? Letβs connect and start planning how to document it.
All images on this blog post were sourced directly from venuesβ websites.