A destination wedding turns a single day into a long weekend with the people you love, and Europe has settings for every style, from Irish castles to Greek clifftops. Guests can usually fly in on a short-haul ticket and make a holiday of it. Here are ten of the best places to say "I do", with notes on what each does well.
Before you fall for a venue, check the legal side. Some countries make it hard for visitors to marry legally. Many couples register the marriage at home and hold a symbolic ceremony abroad, which gives you total freedom over the setting.
The destinations
1. Ireland
Castle hotels, country estates and wild coastline make Ireland a natural fit for a fairy-tale wedding, and the welcome is famously warm. Couples marrying legally must give the civil registrar at least three months’ notice, and both partners must attend the notification appointment in person. Browse venues in our best castles in Ireland guide.
Best for: Castles, live music and a party that goes on late.
2. Loire Valley, France
The Loire is château country, with Renaissance castles, formal gardens and vineyards on the doorstep. Many châteaux host weddings and can sleep the whole party. In France the civil ceremony must take place at a town hall in a commune where one of you, or a parent, lives or has lived continuously for at least a month, and it must come before any religious ceremony. That’s why many foreign couples choose a symbolic ceremony at the château.
Best for: Grand romance with excellent wine.
3. Rome, Italy
Exchange vows in a frescoed palazzo, a garden villa or a historic town hall, then take wedding photos at the Trevi Fountain or on the Aventine Hill at dawn. Rome works as well for a small elopement as for a big celebration. Our Rome weekend guide helps guests plan their days around it.
Best for: Timeless glamour and a ready-made city break for guests.
4. Sicily, Italy
Baroque towns such as Noto and Ragusa, Taormina’s views of Etna and long, generous dinners make Sicily one of Europe’s most atmospheric wedding destinations. Masserie (country estates) and old palazzi host both small and large parties. Guests can build a holiday around it with our Sicily guide.
Best for: Big-hearted food, history and late-summer warmth.
5. Santorini, Greece
Few backdrops beat a caldera at sunset. Santorini suits small ceremonies on a hotel terrace or at a chapel, followed by dinner overlooking the sea. Look at May, June, September and early October to avoid the peak of summer.
Best for: Intimate weddings and unforgettable photos.
Tip: On island weddings, check ferry and flight schedules for your guests before you fix a date. Connections are thinner at the start and end of the season.
6. Spain
Spain has something for every style: whitewashed Andalusian cortijos, Mallorcan fincas in the Tramuntana mountains, and city venues in Seville or Barcelona. Evenings are long, which suits the late-running Spanish wedding feast. See Spain’s best holiday destinations for regions to explore.
Best for: Sunshine, long dinners and dancing until late.
7. French Riviera, France
Villas above Cap Ferrat, beach clubs in Antibes and hill villages such as Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence give the Côte d’Azur its classic glamour. Nice airport is well connected, which makes it easy for guests flying in from across Europe. Guests can fill the days with beach time, markets and the coastal train between Nice and Monaco. The same French civil rules apply as in the Loire.
Best for: Chic, sea-view celebrations.
8. Croatia
Dubrovnik’s walled old town, Hvar’s island glamour and the quiet stone villages of the Dalmatian coast make Croatia a strong alternative to Italy and Greece. Venues range from forts and terraces above the sea to olive groves. Guests can spend the days before the wedding swimming from the rocks and exploring the islands by boat.
Best for: Coastal weddings with an island-hopping honeymoon to follow.
9. Tuscany, Italy
Cypress-lined drives, stone farmhouses and vineyard views make Tuscany the easiest place in Europe to host a whole weekend. Rent a villa or borgo for everyone and eat outdoors. Our Tuscany guide covers the towns guests will want to see.
Best for: Relaxed, multi-day celebrations with food and wine at the centre.
10. Lake Bled, Slovenia
Couples can marry at Bled Castle on its cliff above the lake, then row out to the island church, where tradition says the groom carries the bride up the 99 steps. Bled Castle is open every day of the year, though weddings are booked through the venue directly.
Best for: Smaller weddings with a fairy-tale setting.
How to choose
- Legal marriage made simple: Ireland is straightforward if you plan three months ahead. In France, plan a symbolic ceremony unless you meet the residence rules.
- Castles and châteaux: Ireland and the Loire Valley.
- Sea views: Santorini, the French Riviera, Croatia and Sicily.
- Whole-weekend house parties: Tuscany and Spain.
- Small and romantic: Lake Bled, Santorini or a Rome elopement.
Planning the honeymoon too? See the best honeymoon destinations in Europe.
FAQ
Can foreigners get legally married in France?
Only if one of you, or a parent, lives in the commune or has lived there continuously for at least a month before the banns are published. Many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in France.
How much notice do you need to marry in Ireland?
You must notify the civil registrar at least three months before the wedding, and both partners must attend that appointment.
What is the best month for a wedding in southern Europe?
May, June and September are popular: warm and bright, but less intensely hot and crowded than July and August.
Is a symbolic ceremony abroad worth it?
For many couples, yes. You sign the legal paperwork at home, then hold the ceremony exactly where and how you like, without foreign registration rules.
