Destination weddings – we bloody love ’em! There are so many pros to getting hitched on holidays – as a guest, it’s a chance to take two of life’s greatest joys in the world – aka holidays and celebrating the love of the peeps you adore – and roll them into one deliciously juicy package. And for the couple, your big day becomes one incredible celebration/holiday which lasts waaaay longer than just the wedding. But a lot of couples worry about the logistics of hosting an event somewhere faraway, and we get it… it’s not easy to plan a party in a place you don’t know that well. Luckily, there’s vendors out there that specialise in just that, and we’re about to let you in on the best of the best from some stunning spaces close to home and around the world.
We’ve kept this list fairly local, cos let’s face it we are absolutely spoilt here in Oz, with the most phenom party-perfect places, ranging from white sand waterways to the wild and rugged. But you’ll also find usual hotspot suspects (for a very good reason) where the sun shines year-round and guests easily slip into vacay mode as soon as stepping off the plane, plus a couple of boujee options (because… FUN!)
Get that Pinterest board at the ready, and keep your Wedding Planner & Notebook handy, because there is plenty to ponder below.
PS. GUYS! We have (very excitedly) partnered with one of the epic venues below for a special giveaway, which will launch Monday on Instagram. Set your alarms, you don’t want to miss this one!
AUCKLAND
If New Zealand is on the card for your nups (yes to that!), then we can’t recommend chic coastal venue Kauri Bay Boomrock highly enough. Set on a stunning private 500-acre property on the North Island with expansive seaside views over the Hauraki Gulf, the venue can host from 10–250 guests and put focus on outstanding local food and booze. If you need a bunch more New Zealand vendor recommendations, then head here to our recent round-up of the best of the best, then check out Laura & Oren’s wedding here.
BALI
Bali, along with it’s gorgeous beaches and friendly locals, has long been a popular wedding destination with Aussie couples. With reasonably short and affordable flights from any of Australia’s capital cities, it’s easily accessible as far as a destination wedding goes and ensures the majority of your friends and families can make the trip. But where to even begin? Hitch’d Weddings is literally your one stop shop for all of your wedding needs and know all of the best vendors. Lucy & Jonno’s Bali wedding also offers up a load of inspo, and you’ll find an epic Canggu day printed in the 2024 Real Wedding Special.
Image: Susannah Blatchford
THE RIVERINA
Country NSW might not immediately spring to mind when you think ‘Destination wedding’ – we get it, poolside pina coladas may not be on the menu here, but hear us out… All your favourite people staying onsite at the luxe-AF and D.R.E.A.M.Y Kimo Estate to celebrate you for the whole weekend and beyond, surrounded by the most breathtaking landscape. Does it get much better? We think not! This 7000-acre working sheep and cattle farm in Gundagai is the ultimate backdrop to your perfect rural wedding, with a homestead and grain shed serving up the goods for your reception space and then accomodation options like the above off-grid wonder. Check out Emma & James’ wedding here and Belle & Jack’s wedding here to see a glimpse of what a beautiful wedding at Kimo Estate can look like. Then jump over here for a bunch of country NSW vendors who can make the magic happen.
Image: Milton Gan Weddings
CENTRAL COAST
Sydneysiders, rejoice! When choosing a destination wedding location, usually the travel time it requires springs to mind. Thankfully, there’s 40 majestic beaches of the Central Coast on our doorstep (or a 90-minute drive from the CBD if we’re being specific). From Patonga up to Lake Macquarie, the area is bursting with both oceanside and bushside venues, including HM personal fave The Ridge Estate. What’s more is your loved ones can save on those pesky airfares while still being transported to that vacay feeling. Check out Paris & Jack’s wedding for their local vendor recs or here , and click here for the ultimate Central Coast area guide.
Image: Carmen Glenn
THE GREEK ISLANDS
Okay guys, so this one may be a bit boujee BUT we love a little daydream. And for those of you seriously considering a European wedding day, then Dani & Ant’s Greek Islands wedding puts forward a damn-good argument for adding Greece to the hitlist. Picture this: whitewashed buildings, crystal-clear waters, exchanging your vows while watching the sun set over the Aegean Sea, followed by a feast of fresh Mediterranean flavours and dancing under the stars. Ummm… sign. us. up!
Image: Maegan Brown Moments
NORTHERN TERRITORY
We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding destinations here in Oz, but NT always comes in towards the top of our list. From the viewing areas of the desert plains, to the balmy rainforests of Kakadu National Park and the tropical coast of Darwin, there’s no shortage of epic backdrops to host your nuptials. Need some inspo to plan your own? You’re going to want to see Stella & Ryan’s outback vows in the latest Real Wedding Special (grab your copy here!) and Caroline & Christian’s wedding here. Then get in touch with one of our fave photographers Emma Macaulay who is 100% your gal for getting the most gorg wedding snaps in the Top End.
Image: Emma Macaulay
THE WHITSUNDAYS
What can we say about The Whitsundays… except DREAMY. This cluster of majestic islands off the coast of Queensland is the most glorious spot for a holiday and an even more magical place for your lovefest. There’s a whole host of gorg spots in the tropical area to plan your party, but our pick of the bunch is Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef. This slice of paradise isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a whole mood, guys! Think oceanfront infinity decks, outdoor terraces, a stunning glass facade chapel, an underwater observatory, and a range of versatile event spaces with breathtaking views over that iconic turquoise water. From stunning photo ops to unbeatable vibes, a wedding at Daydream Island is a bloody. good. time. Need some more inspo? Have a perv at Amy & Lachlan’s Whitsundays wedding and Rachel & Chris’s day here.
TASMANIA
Ahhh Tassie, how we love thee. The unparalled wild beauty of the place, the romantic moodiness, the natural uniqueness make it such a spesh place to say I do… and a bloody good spot for a holiday, too. When we talk natural Tasmanian beauty, we can’t go past the extraodinary Cradle Mountain – and if you can’t either, then adding Cradle Mountain Lodge to your venue hitlist would be a smart decision. Tucked in the heritage-listed Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, this venue offers a breathtaking backdrop and panoramic views. Make it offish surrounded by ancient forests, followed by a reception in a rustic-chic lodge with roaring fires and locally sourced delicacies. So. In! Before you start planning your own nups in the Apple Isle, check out a tonne of Real Wedding inspo right here, and a list of rad vendors we can’t recommend highly enough here.
Image: Jon Gazzignato
THAILAND
It’s vacay vibes all round if you wanna get hitched in this south-east Asian paradise. But planning a celebration overseas can often be a little anxiety-inducing. Enter Phuket Romance! These guys help couples all over the world plan their dream wedding in Thailand. They offer up a carefully curated list of highly recommended venues, as well as topnotch vendors and wedding planning services. If you’re keen to explore hosting your lovefest in Phuket, get in touch. Brittany & Eoin can also tell you firsthand how fun getting married in Thailand can be – you can catch up with them here.
Image: Trent and Jessie
GOLD COAST
A wedding on the Goldie is a surefire winner as far as we’re concerned. It’s an easy flight from all of Australia’s capital cities, there’s a tonne of phenom places to stay, delish spots to eat and a heap to do if you’re planning a week-long soiree with your nearest and dearest. While we do love the stretched sandy beaches the region is known for, it’s the Gold Coast hinterland we’re obsessing over right now for beautiful wedding celebrations. And Kwila Lodge is right up there as one of our favourite venues in the area. Nestled amidst lush rainforest, this idyllic space (run by the same team responsible for another Gold Coast fave, The Bower Estate) is a tranquil garden oasis with photo ops aplenty. Need a list of red-hot Gold Coast vendors to help plan your dream day. We gotchu!
Image: Wylde Folk Studio
FIJI
How could we sum up our fave destination wedding hot spots and not include Fiji? Fiji is practically Australia’s neighbour – that friendly neighbour who everybody loves, and always makes you feel welcome to have a cocktail by their gorgeous pool on a hot summer day. Bronte & Adrian’s wedding at the Marriott at Momi Bay was the perfect example of how to pull off a destination wedding in style! If this looks like your dream day, we also highly recommend checking out the Intercontinental Fiji – their glorious wedding pavilion overlooks Natadola Bay, and they have dedicated planners and years of experience so you can chill out and soak up the tropical vibes with your lover and pals.
Image: Peachylini