How to Pick a Location for Your Destination Wedding

How to Pick a Location for Your Destination Wedding

Planning a destination wedding is one of the most exciting parts of the entire engagement season — but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re staring at an entire map and trying to choose “the one.” As a Nashville wedding photographer who also travels across the country for couples, I hear the same question year after year:

“How do we even begin choosing our destination wedding location?”

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to guess, and you definitely don’t have to feel overwhelmed.
There is a way to think about this that makes the decision so much easier — and it starts with understanding your experience, not the location itself.

Let’s walk through the steps I use with my own couples to help them find the perfect destination.

1. Start With the Experience You Want, Not the Place

When couples start the planning process, they usually lead with a location — something like, “We’re thinking Mexico,” or “Maybe Colorado?” But that often makes the decision much harder, because it focuses on geography instead of the feeling you’re trying to create.

Before you name a place, ask yourselves:

• What kind of weekend do we want this to be? Relaxing? Adventurous? Luxurious?

• Do we picture soft ocean breezes or crisp mountain air?

• Are we drawn to historic charm, tropical colors, desert landscapes, or vineyard views?

• Do we want something secluded… or something with a lively town for guests to explore?

Your answers reveal far more than you think.
For example:

• If you’re dreaming of an easy, all-inclusive experience where everyone can stay together, destinations like Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, or Jamaica rise to the top.

• If your heart leans toward adventure or scenic backdrops, Sedona, Colorado, or Banff might be a better fit.

• If you want romance with walkable cobblestone streets and incredible food, Italy or a historic Southern town like Savannah could be perfect.

Once you identify the vibe, choosing a location becomes significantly clearer.

2. Consider Your Guest Count — It Dictates What’s Realistic

The difference between a 20-guest wedding and a 120-guest wedding is massive when it comes to choosing a destination. Larger weddings need more infrastructure: easy travel options, enough venues, nearby accommodations, and a place that can handle group transportation.

If you’re having a big wedding, prioritize destinations with:

• Direct flights or easy travel routes

• Venues that host larger parties

• Many hotel or resort options

• Accessible transportation

This is why places like Mexico, Jamaica, Charleston, Colorado, and Florida are extremely popular.

Smaller weddings or elopements, on the other hand, open up your options dramatically. Want to exchange vows on a cliff in Big Sur? In an Icelandic canyon? At a vineyard in Tuscany? Totally doable.

Your guest count doesn’t limit your dreams — it just helps guide them in the right direction.

3. Think About Travel Time and Accessibility for Your Guests

This is one of the most overlooked parts of destination wedding planning. A gorgeous location is wonderful… unless getting there is a nightmare.

Consider:

• Will most guests need passports?

• Do you want everyone to fly direct?

• Is a ferry or long drive involved?

• Are there budget-friendly flight options for the people you love most?

• Will older relatives or families with kids struggle to get there?

For example, Sedona is stunning — but the closest major airport is in Phoenix followed by a two-hour drive. Cabo has incredible views — but flights from the East Coast can be long and expensive. Charleston and Scottsdale, on the other hand, are beautiful, affordable, and easy to reach from almost anywhere in the U.S.

The smoother you make travel, the more likely your guests will come — and enjoy themselves.

4. Don’t Forget the Legal Requirements (Seriously — This Catches People Off Guard)

Every destination has different marriage laws, and some are far simpler than others.

Some require:

• Waiting periods

• Blood tests

• Additional identification

• Residency time

• Government-appointed officiants

This is why many couples choose to legally marry at home, then have a symbolic ceremony in their destination. It keeps the day stress-free and focuses on what matters: celebrating with the people you love.

Before you choose your destination, make sure you understand the requirements (or ask your photographer or planner — we usually know which destinations are the easiest).

5. Know the Weather Patterns for Your Preferred Date

A beautiful place isn’t always beautiful during the month you want to get married.

For example:

• The Caribbean is paradise… unless you’re in the middle of hurricane season.

• Arizona is incredible… unless it’s July and 115°.

• Colorado mountain weddings are dreamy… unless a late spring snowstorm rolls in.

• Italy is magical in May and September… but extremely hot in August.

The weather absolutely shapes your experience, your photos, your travel comfort, and your guests’ enjoyment.

When in doubt, ask your photographer (hi again!) — we can tell you which destinations photograph best during certain months.

6. Think About The Style of Photos You Want

This is one of my favorite parts because it gives such clarity.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we want mountains towering behind us?

• Golden, glowy beach light?

• Moody forests?

• Modern city views?

• Historic architecture?

• Dramatic cliffs?

Your vision for your photos directly impacts the destinations that will fit.

If your dream wedding album shows:

• Soft, warm, sunset tones → beach or lakeside destinations

• Bold, dramatic backdrops → desert or mountain locations

• Romantic old-world charm → Europe or historic U.S. cities

• Lush greenery and classic elegance → botanical destinations or estates

Your aesthetic should guide your location — because these photos are forever.

7. Consider the Guest Experience You Want to Create

Some couples want an intimate, slow-paced celebration where everyone feels relaxed. Others want a full weekend of activities and group experiences.

Think about:

• Do we want everyone in one place (like a resort)?

• Do we want guests to have options for nightlife, excursions, or restaurants?

• Do we want a quiet, peaceful setting?

• Are our guests mostly budget-conscious?

• Do we want to build an itinerary for the weekend?

Destinations like Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica are fantastic for large group experiences.
Places like Napa, Sedona, Charleston, and the Amalfi Coast shine for intimate celebrations.

8. Identify Your Non-Negotiables

Every couple has different priorities, and the right location should support them.

What matters most?

• Incredible food?

• Beautiful views?

• Great nightlife?

• High-end accommodations?

• Easy travel?

• Relaxation?

• Cultural experiences?

• Budget?

Make a short list of your top 3–5 priorities.
Then choose the location that best fits those.

This keeps you from falling in love with a destination that doesn’t fully support your vision.

9. Explore Venues Early — Because They Vary Widely by Destination

Some locations offer hundreds of venue options, while others have only a handful. And depending on your date, things can book out a year or more in advance.

Before committing to a destination, check if:

• The venue style fits your vision

• The capacity fits your guest count

• The price fits your budget

• Backup indoor options exist

• Lighting conditions are ideal (huge for photography!)

A stunning destination doesn’t always mean stunning venues — make sure the two align.

10. Loop In Your Photographer Early (You Will Thank Yourself Later)

As a Nashville wedding photographer who travels for destination weddings, I cannot emphasize this enough:

Involving your photographer early can eliminate so many headaches.

We help with:

• Ideal ceremony times for the best light

• Whether your location needs permits

• Timing for golden hour photos

• Backup plans for weather

• Travel logistics

• Day-before or day-after sessions

• Picking locations that will photograph beautifully

A photographer who understands destination workflows will help your entire day run more smoothly.

Final Thoughts: The Best Destination Is the One That Feels Like “You Two”

There’s no wrong answer — but there is a destination that fits your personalities, your priorities, and your vision more perfectly than the rest.

Your wedding should feel like an extension of your relationship: the places you love, the environment you feel most at home in, and the atmosphere that makes you exhale.

If you want help narrowing down location ideas or want guidance from someone who has photographed dozens of weddings across different destinations, I’d love to help.

👉 Reach out here and let’s start dreaming: