Destination Wedding Meaning
By definition, destination wedding is a wedding that is held at a good distance away from the couple’s home town. It doesn’t have to be a certain distance away, say 100 miles or so, just a fair distance away at a certain destination of choice.
Reason it is called destination wedding is because a specific destination for the wedding is chosen to suit certain need of the couple. For example, a couple might choose to have their destination wedding held at Venice or Paris because they are deemed to be romantic. Or a couple might pick Switzerland for their wedding as it is scenic.
Destination wedding photography is a big part of the selection process. Almost always, the destination chosen offers killer photoshoot opportunity. All of the top destination wedding locations or resorts offer this amazing once in a lifetime photoshoot opportunity.
Below are 11 top destination wedding locations to consider.
1. New Zealand Destination Wedding
New Zealand is such a stunning place, that almost every corner in the country deserves to be featured in wedding photography. Lake Tekapo, known for its colorful lupins that line the entire lake during Summer, is the perfect backdrop for couples in love. For those who prefer something mysterious, the Arrowtown House is a great choice. Located right in the middle of the woods, the house gives off a mysterious feel, with a bit of a fairytale vibe. The other stunning locations for a wedding photoshoot in New Zealand are Lake Wanaka, Coromandel Peak, and Snow Mountains.
2. The Maldives Destination Wedding
Aside from being a popular destination for a honeymoon, Maldives is also a top destination for wedding photography opportunity. Its white-sand beaches and crystal clear blue waters can make for a perfect backdrop for a romantic photo op. Photographers will have plenty of ideas for a wedding shoot in this beautiful tropical paradise. The Maafushi island is a popular spot for wedding photography in The Maldives. But if you prefer something unique and daring, an underwater photoshoot is highly recommended. This would require lots of preparation, but it’s all worth it. Your background will feature colorful corals and swimming fishes, which are truly unique and stunning.
3. Japan Destination Wedding
Japan’s interesting culture makes it a popular tourist destination. Aside from its rich culture, this Asian country is also home to several beautiful parks, which makes for a perfect backdrop for a wedding photoshoot. The best time to hold a wedding photo session in Japan is during the Cherry Blossom Season when the lush foliage turns into a sweet pink color. But if you want to capture the country’s rich culture, you can have the temples, shrines, and tatami houses as your background. Have the couple wear the traditional kimono to make the photos look more authentic.
4. South Korea Destination Wedding
South Korea is another popular Asian country for destination wedding photography. Just like Japan, South Korea has a rich culture and interesting tradition. The country has so much potential for a romantic photo op, from ancient palaces to scenic parks and beautiful forests.
If you’d prefer something more traditional and cultural, the palaces would be a great site for your wedding photography. There are many to choose from, but the most popular ones are Changgyeonggung and Changdeokgung. Seoul’s parks are also an ideal location for a photo session. You can choose from Yeouido Park, Olympic Park, or Haneul Sky Park. The Seoul Forest offers great scenery for romantic wedding photography. Located just outside of Seoul, the place exudes a serene and peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by symmetrical rows of trees. And if you visit during the cherry blossom season, your photos will look even more magical.
5. Bali, Indonesia Destination Wedding
Bali is Indonesia’s most famous island and a popular destination for honeymooners. The island is famous for its beaches and stunning sunsets. Couples who love nature will find Bali a great place to have a wedding photoshoot. Aside from the beautiful beaches, the island is home to waterfalls, lakes, lush jungles, rice terraces, and interesting temples. Some of the most popular sights to have wedding photography in Bali are in Ulun Danu Temple, Jimbaran Beach, and the Tegallalang rice terraces.
6. Paris, France Destination Wedding
Dubbed the city of love, there’s no other city in the world that exudes romance like Paris. And it is for this reason why this city is considered one of the top destinations for destination wedding photography. While most couples would have their photos taken in front of the famous Eiffel Tower, the city has lots of hidden gems that make for a perfect backdrop for wedding photography.
If you want to have a romantic sunrise view in the background, then the Louvre Courtyard is a great place for this. The golden hues of sunrise would bounce around the sandstone buildings of the Louvre Palace and will make your photos look amazing. Another romantic spot for a wedding photoshoot in Paris is the Tuilleries Garden. The late afternoon light reflects through the gardens coming from the Louvre buildings, which make for a stunning backdrop to your wedding photos.
7. Venice, Italy Destination Wedding
Venice is another popular city in Europe that exudes romance. You’ll find that most of the wedding photos in Venice are taken in a gondola ride over the Grand Canal. But if you look around the city, you will find several amazing sights for a romantic photoshoot. The iconic San Marco Square and St Mark’s Basilica are among these. These famous attractions may be busy with tourists, but try to schedule your shoot early morning or late in the evening. Other amazing spots for a romantic photo session in Venice are the Doge’s Palace, the bell tower in Saint-Mark, Caffè Florian, and the Rialto Bridge.
8. Prague, Czech Republic Destination Wedding
Prague is another charming city in Europe that’s often visited by couples who wanted to have a romantic photo session, and it’s easy to see why. It has some of the world’s grandest buildings, from castles, towers to museums and churches. Every building in this city is definitely a work of art, which makes for a perfect background for wedding photography. Your wedding photos from Prague will look like they are taken from the pages of a fairytale book, leaving spectators to wonder if such an enchanting place truly exists!
9. Switzerland Destination Wedding
With its snow-capped mountains and awesome glaciers, Switzerland is a real gem for wedding photographers. The Swiss countryside is especially favored for pre-wedding photoshoots, as there are plenty of scenic locations in these areas. Fortunately, Switzerland has a great transport system, which makes it easy to shoot from one location to another. The best place to shoot wedding photos in Switzerland is in Lauterbrunnen, which is set in one of the most impressive valleys in the Alps. Other sights to check out are Chateau de Chillon, The Jungfrau Region, Lake Geneva, Matterhorn, and the snow-capped mountains in Zermatt.
10. Cappadocia, Turkey Destination Wedding
Cappadocia is a popular tourist destination in Turkey, famous for its cone-shaped rock formations and colorful hot air balloons flying in the sky. Given its enchanting scenery, it’s no wonder why so many couples would fly to this Turkish region for a romantic photo opportunity. An outdoor pre-wedding shoot in Cappadocia is truly amazing, given the plethora of colorful hot air balloons flying amidst the picturesque valleys. The open-air carpet shop is also a great spot for a colorful wedding photo in Cappadocia. Other picturesque sites are the Bronze Age homes that were carved into valley walls by cave dwellers during ancient times.
11. Banff, Canada Destination Wedding
Banff is a picturesque town in Canada famous for its breathtaking glacial lakes and stunning mountains blanketed with evergreens. With such majestic scenery, it’s no surprise that more and more couples are choosing to have their wedding photos taken in Banff. There are various locations in Banff that you can choose for a romantic photoshoot, from the magical views of Moraine Lake to the stunning Emerald Lake. You can also choose to have your photos taken at the Norquay Chairlift, overlooking the breathtaking views of the Bow Valley.