Updated August 2026
Back in 2020, destination weddings largely followed one irresistible formula: beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and resorts where couples could bring everyone together for a few days in paradise. At the time, we named Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cancun, Hawaii and The Bahamas among the destinations to watch. Fast-forward seven years and those favourites haven’t exactly lost their appeal – but the destination wedding map has gotten a whole lot more interesting.
For 2027, couples are looking farther afield and thinking beyond the traditional beach-resort wedding. Historic cities, private villas, desert landscapes, centuries-old estates and destinations known as much for their food and culture as their scenery are giving couples more ways to make the wedding feel like an experience from beginning to end.
So, before we get to the places we’re watching for 2027 destination weddings, let’s check in on the destinations that made our original list.
Jamaica: Still a destination wedding favourite
Jamaica made our original list for all the obvious reasons: spectacular beaches, lush scenery, waterfalls, warm weather and an enormous range of wedding-friendly resorts.
Seven years later? We’d keep it.
What makes Jamaica destination weddings particularly appealing for destination weddings is the sheer variety. Couples looking for the ease of an all-inclusive resort have plenty of choices, but that’s hardly the only way to celebrate here. Private villas, boutique hotels, tropical gardens and oceanfront properties can create something much more personal.
Guests also have plenty to do once they arrive. Beach days, boat trips, waterfalls, local restaurants and excursions can easily turn a wedding into several days of celebrating.
Then vs. now: Jamaica hasn’t disappeared from the destination wedding conversation. Couples simply have more ways to make the experience their own.
Costa Rica: Maybe even better than we thought
Costa Rica was one of our favourite picks in 2020, and it’s one we’d arguably rank even higher for 2027.
Rainforests, beaches, waterfalls, mountains and incredible natural scenery mean couples aren’t locked into one particular wedding aesthetic. A ceremony can happen overlooking the Pacific, tucked into the jungle or surrounded by lush tropical gardens.
Costa Rica also makes sense for couples who want the destination itself to be part of the entertainment. Guests can surf, hike, explore waterfalls, head out on wildlife adventures or simply spend a few extra days at the beach.
For couples who love the idea of a tropical wedding but don’t necessarily want a traditional Caribbean resort celebration, it remains a standout.
Then vs. now: The scenery hasn’t changed. The way couples want to experience their destination weddings has – and that makes Costa Rica an even better fit.
Cancun: Still popular, but Mexico has much more to offer
Cancun was an obvious pick in 2020. It’s relatively easy to reach from many U.S. cities, there are resorts everywhere and that Caribbean water doesn’t exactly need a sales pitch.
Those advantages aren’t going anywhere.
But the conversation around destination weddings in Mexico has expanded considerably. Couples aren’t automatically limiting themselves to Cancun and the surrounding resort corridor anymore.
Riviera Maya, Costa Mujeres and Tulum offer alternatives along the coast, while completely different parts of the country are beginning to appeal to couples who want something beyond the classic resort wedding.
And there’s one Mexican destination in particular that we’re watching for 2027 – but we’ll get to that shortly.
Then vs. now: Cancun is still a contender. Mexico simply gives couples far more choices than it once seemed to.
Hawaii: A classic for a reason
Hawaii doesn’t need much reinvention.
Ocean, mountains, lush landscapes, dramatic coastlines and ridiculous sunsets have kept the islands on destination wedding wish lists for years.
For American couples, there’s also the appeal of getting that far-away feeling without planning an international wedding. Guests can turn the trip into a vacation and couples have several islands – and very different settings – to choose from.
The biggest shift is perhaps how couples approach a Hawaii wedding. Rather than flying everyone across the Pacific for one event, it makes far more sense to build time around the wedding for everyone to actually experience where they’ve travelled.
Then vs. now: Still breathtaking. Still unmistakably Hawaii. And still worthy of a place on the list.
The Bahamas: Easy island glamour isn’t going anywhere
The Bahamas earned its original spot thanks to turquoise water, white-sand beaches and one very practical advantage – proximity to the U.S.
That’s still a powerful combination.
When guests are paying for flights and hotels, accessibility matters. Couples can create a tropical island wedding that feels wonderfully removed from everyday life without necessarily asking everyone to spend an entire day travelling.
And because The Bahamas offers everything from large resorts to quieter islands and secluded properties, couples aren’t limited to one type of celebration.
Then vs. now: Some things simply work. Beautiful islands relatively close to home are one of them.
So, where are 2027 destination weddings headed?
Here’s where the list gets really fun.
The traditional favourites aren’t disappearing. But couples have become much more adventurous about what qualifies as a dream wedding destination.
Beach lovers still have endless options, but we’re also seeing the appeal of old-world architecture, desert landscapes, private estates, energetic cities and places where an incredible meal can be every bit as memorable as the view.
These are the destinations we’d add to our watch list for 2027.
Egypt: For couples who want something truly extraordinary
Egypt isn’t the obvious choice – and that’s precisely part of its appeal.
Few wedding backdrops could compete with the drama of ancient landscapes, desert scenery and historic architecture. For couples drawn to travel, history and celebrations that look nothing like the destination weddings they’ve attended before, Egypt offers something genuinely distinctive.
A wedding here calls for thoughtful planning and experienced local professionals, particularly when coordinating guest travel, transportation and events. But for the right couple, that’s part of what makes it exciting.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Couples are increasingly willing to travel farther for a setting and experience their guests will never forget. Egypt certainly checks that box.
Spain: Romance without choosing just one personality
Spain could easily produce five completely different destination weddings.
Barcelona brings architecture, art and city energy. Mallorca offers Mediterranean views and beautiful estates. Andalusia delivers courtyards, historic properties and sun-drenched scenery. Madrid brings sophisticated city celebrations, while the countryside opens the door to vineyards and private estates.
Then there’s the food. And the wine. And the fact that dinner starting late isn’t exactly going to ruin anyone’s evening.
For couples who want Europe without automatically choosing Italy, Spain deserves serious consideration.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Variety. Spain gives couples culture, coast, countryside and city celebrations without forcing them into one particular wedding style.
Marrakesh: Colour, texture and serious atmosphere
For couples tired of seeing the same wedding aesthetic over and over again, Marrakesh destination weddings can feel like a jolt of creative energy.
Courtyards, gardens, tiled architecture, lantern-lit dinners, richly layered interiors and the surrounding desert create endless possibilities for a celebration that feels immersive rather than simply decorated.
This is also a destination where working with knowledgeable local professionals matters enormously. The best destination weddings don’t parachute a theme into another country – they take inspiration from the place itself.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Marrakesh offers something couples increasingly want – a wedding that could only have happened there.
Mexico City: The other side of a Mexico destination wedding
Here’s the Mexico destination we hinted at earlier.
Mexico City couldn’t be further from the classic Cancun resort wedding – and that’s exactly why it’s exciting.
Historic architecture, contemporary design, incredible restaurants, rooftop spaces, grand hotels and vibrant neighbourhoods give couples the ingredients for a sophisticated city wedding with enormous personality.
It’s also perfect for couples who care deeply about the guest experience. Instead of everyone spending three days inside one resort, the destination itself becomes something to explore.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Mexico City shows just how much the definition of destination weddings has expanded. Beach optional. Great food absolutely not.
Bali: Destination wedding fantasy turned all the way up
Bali has been on the destination weddings radar for years, but it still deserves a place in the 2027 conversation.
Clifftop venues, jungle settings, tropical gardens and private villas give couples an enormous range of possibilities. It’s particularly well suited to smaller celebrations where guests are prepared to make a significant trip and stay long enough to make that journey worthwhile.
That’s the catch, of course. Bali isn’t a casual weekend hop for most North American guests. Couples considering it need to think carefully about travel time, budget and who will realistically be able to attend.
But when the guest list and circumstances fit? It can be spectacular.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: As couples become more interested in intimate, experience-heavy celebrations, long-haul destinations become much more realistic for the right wedding.
The South of France: Effortless elegance with room to make it yours
The South of France has all the ingredients couples love about a European destination wedding – historic estates, vineyards, coastal scenery, charming villages and long outdoor dinners that somehow look impossibly chic without appearing overly styled.
Provence offers countryside romance and lavender-season beauty. The French Riviera delivers glamour and Mediterranean views. Private châteaux and estates make it possible to gather everyone in one place for an entire wedding weekend.
And unlike a ballroom that could theoretically be anywhere, the setting does much of the design work for you.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: It fits beautifully with the move toward celebrations that feel elegant and luxurious without being overly formal.
Italy: Still impossible to ignore
Italy isn’t exactly an emerging wedding destination, but leaving it off a list of 2027 destination weddings would be ridiculous.
Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Sicily and cities such as Rome and Florence each offer completely different versions of an Italian wedding.
What keeps Italy so compelling isn’t only the scenery. It’s the entire experience around it – the food, architecture, history, wine and ability to stretch a wedding into several days without struggling to find things for guests to do.
Why we’re still watching it: Couples may discover newer destinations, but Italy isn’t giving up its seat at the table anytime soon.
Greece: There’s much more than Santorini
Those famous white buildings and blue domes aren’t going anywhere, but Greece offers far more possibilities than one very photogenic island.
Crete, Corfu, Mykonos and other islands and coastal areas give couples different scenery, venues and atmospheres while retaining that unmistakable Mediterranean appeal.
It’s another destination that naturally encourages guests to stay longer, which works beautifully for couples planning a wedding that feels more like a shared vacation than a single event.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Greece combines scenery, food, history and honeymoon potential in one very convincing package.
Portugal: Europe’s not-so-secret-anymore wedding darling
Portugal has become difficult to overlook.
Lisbon and nearby Sintra offer historic architecture and extraordinary estates. Cascais brings the coast into the equation, while Porto and the Douro Valley give couples an entirely different setting. Head south and the Algarve delivers cliffs, beaches and sunshine.
That range makes Portugal especially interesting for couples who want a European destination wedding but aren’t necessarily sold on the usual suspects.
Why we’re watching it for 2027: Portugal has the ingredients couples want from Europe while still feeling like an alternative to destinations they’ve seen a thousand times.
What makes a great destination wedding location in 2027?
The prettiest view doesn’t automatically win.
When comparing locations for destination weddings, think about what you’re actually asking guests to do. How difficult is it to get there? How expensive will flights and accommodations be? Can guests stay at different price points? Will they need complicated transportation once they arrive?
Then think beyond the wedding.
What can everyone do together the day before? Is there somewhere fantastic for a welcome dinner? Will guests enjoy exploring on their own? Does the destination give you opportunities to create moments that simply wouldn’t happen at home?
Weather and seasonality matter, too. So do local wedding requirements, venue availability and access to experienced wedding professionals who understand the destination.
And don’t choose somewhere simply because you’ve seen a thousand beautiful wedding photos from there. The best location is the one that feels right for your celebration.
The destination wedding map is getting bigger
Looking back, our 2020 picks weren’t wrong. Jamaica, Costa Rica, Cancun, Hawaii and The Bahamas are still fantastic options.
But 2027 destination weddings are showing just how broad the possibilities have become.
Maybe it’s cocktails overlooking the Mediterranean in the South of France. A courtyard dinner in Marrakesh. A celebration surrounded by the energy of Mexico City. A private villa in Bali. An estate in Spain. Or a setting in Egypt that leaves guests wondering how on earth they’re ever supposed to top this wedding.
And maybe it’s still barefoot on a beach in Jamaica.
There isn’t one destination everyone needs to suddenly rush toward. That’s what makes this new era of destination weddings so good – couples have a bigger world to choose from, and the best location isn’t necessarily the one everyone else picked first.
