Congratulations! You've found yourself a partner and are ready to take the next big step in your personal life. Whether or not your partner is the same sex as you, marriage is a major milestone. With all of the planning that goes into getting married, it can be difficult to decide where to have your wedding ceremony and reception. There are many factors that go into this decision: budget, time-frame for planning and logistics for guests, etc... The good news is that choosing an island location for your destination wedding can help alleviate some of these issues.


What are the best islands for a destination wedding?

With so many islands around the world, narrowing down a destination can be daunting. But fear not! We've broken down the best islands for a destination wedding and how to choose the perfect one for you.

Here are our top picks:

  • Bali - one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, this island is home to beautiful beaches and resorts that can accommodate large groups of guests. It's also known for its Hindu culture and lush landscape, making it an ideal setting for any colorful celebration!
  • Maui - located in central Hawaii, Maui is known for its great weather year-round (with average temperatures ranging from 70°F - 75°F). This translates into beautiful sunny days when planning your wedding photos on Hanauma Bay beach. If you're looking for something more intimate though, consider having your ceremony at sunset by Kapalua Bay or elsewhere on this tropical paradise island.

While many couples choose to skip a honeymoon in favor of a shorter and more affordable mini-moon, a small number of couples are becoming inspired by the concept of the "wed-cations."

For the most part, couples who have a mini-moon are saving up for a bigger and more extravagant honeymoon later on. A mini-moon can be anything from an overnight stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast to a weekend getaway. It's not uncommon for you to travel with family or friends after your wedding for some bonding time before you settle into married life.


While many couples choose to skip a honeymoon in favor of a shorter and more affordable mini-moon, a small number of couples are becoming inspired by the concept of the "wed-cations." These weddings offer their guests an opportunity to experience some destination weddings that would otherwise be too costly for them (such as those held in exotic locations). As such, this trend is also motivating couples who wish they could afford these types of vacations but aren't sure how they could make it happen financially.


When you are planning your wedding, the one thing that you can count on is that there will be a lot of options to look at and consider.

When you are planning your wedding, the one thing that you can count on is that there will be a lot of options to look at and consider. But when it comes to choosing a location for your destination wedding, it's important not to get overwhelmed by all the different options. Instead, think about what you want from your wedding.

  • Are you looking for an intimate celebration with close family and friends? If so, then camping on a private island might not be right for you!
  • Do you want a more formal affair where everyone will be dressed up in suits and gowns? A beachfront resort could work well here.
  • Are budget constraints an issue? A tropical paradise isn't necessarily cheap — but some resorts offer more affordable packages than others.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest reasons that people decide to have destination weddings.

Now that you know why people choose destination weddings, let’s take a look at some of the biggest reasons that people decide to have destination weddings.


The Location:

One of the most important factors of any wedding is where it's held. Many couples want their wedding day to be an experience for all their guests and one way to do this is by choosing a location that has something special about it. Whether it’s an amazing view or incredible food, couples can find something unique in almost every place on earth!


The Beauty Of The Location:

When choosing your dream spot for your ceremony remember that there are many different factors involved in making sure everything goes smoothly - from weather patterns and lighting conditions through to cultural customs and religious beliefs (and everything else in between!). It might seem like something which would be difficult but trust us when we say there’s no better way than looking at things through rose-coloured glasses when selecting somewhere which will make everyone happy! Plus even if things don't go according to plan then at least you'll still have lots fun memories afterwards so no need worry too much about getting stressed out over small details such as these."


Wedding Destination: Aruba

Aruba is a popular destination for weddings. Known for its beautiful weather and beaches, Aruba has everything you need to make your wedding a success. The island has many resorts to choose from that offer a variety of amenities such as pools, restaurants, bars and more! You can also visit nearby Curacao or Bonaire for an extended stay so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of multiple islands in just one trip.


Wedding Destination: Grand Cayman Island

The Grand Cayman Island is a beautiful place to get married. The beaches are amazing, the island is very clean and the people are friendly. There is also a lot of great food on this island that you can enjoy before or after your wedding ceremony.

In addition to being a great place for a destination wedding, Grand Cayman is also an affordable destination when compared with other popular destinations such as Hawaii or Mexico.


It's easy to get there from the United States which makes it an ideal location for many couples looking for a beautiful site that won't break their budget.


Wedding Destination: Jamaica

Jamaica is a beautiful island in the Caribbean, just off the coast of Cuba. It's home to warm, white sand beaches and a tropical climate that makes it ideal for weddings. There are many wedding destinations on the island. The Montego Bay area has several resorts with buildings designed to mimic old colonial Jamaica, giving you a sense of history while you celebrate your love. If you'd rather have your ceremony on a private beach or other location, Jamaica has plenty of options as well with planners who can help tailor every aspect of your wedding day down to the last detail!

Jamaica's most popular honeymoon destination: Ocho Rios


Wedding Destination: Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is one of the most popular wedding destinations in the world, and for good reason. The country offers a wide range of beautiful beaches, hotels and resorts that are perfect for your destination wedding.


Many couples choose to hold their weddings in Punta Cana because it has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. The sand is soft and white and each wave breaks gently onto shore so you can relax while enjoying an epic sunset with your loved ones. If you want to add some extra sparkle to your ceremony, don’t forget about adding fireworks!


With all this natural beauty around you at every turn, there isn’t much else needed when it comes to decorating your venue or reception space! With all these options available at affordable prices (including free!), why not take advantage of them?


Wedding Destination: Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a beautiful island with a tropical climate, and it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Puerto Rico is one of the most popular destinations for destination weddings. The tropical weather makes it easy to enjoy yourself at any time of year. If you are looking for an exotic location where you can experience great weather year round, Puerto Rico should be on your list!


Puerto Rico has everything you need for a wedding celebration: restaurants, hotels and accommodations for your guests who will join you on your special day as well as great activities like scuba diving or parasailing if you want something more adventurous than dinner at an elegant restaurant followed by dancing under the stars at a gorgeous beachfront resort!


Wedding Destination: Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with natural beauty. It’s a great place to get married, whether you want to do it in a church or on the beach. There are many options for the ceremony and reception.


You can have your wedding at an eco-resort or hotel where there will be plenty of things for your guests to do while you enjoy your time together with family and friends. You can also have your wedding at one of the many beautiful beaches around Costa Rica like Tamarindo Beach or Playa Conchal, which has amazing beaches surrounded by mountains, rainforests and tropical vegetation including palm trees and coconuts on some parts of the beach!


The Caribbean offers many beautiful locations for a wedding.

The Caribbean offers many beautiful locations for a wedding. Whether you are looking to get married on an island with white sand beaches, or in a city that offers something different than your hometown, the Caribbean has it all. Some of the most popular islands for weddings are Aruba, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.


If you are planning to visit one of these locations for your honeymoon but want to incorporate your wedding into it, then opting for a destination wedding is perfect! The most common type of destination weddings is where you have your ceremony at some point during your stay and then go on vacation afterwards without having to worry about returning home after just getting married (or worrying about how much time off work should be taken).



Don't let that overwhelm you though!

You don't have to let that overwhelm you though! There are plenty of things you can do to ensure that your destination wedding plans go smoothly:

  • Find a location that suits your needs.
  • Find a location that is affordable.
  • Find a location that is beautiful.
  • Find a location that is perfect for your wedding


Hopefully, this has given you some inspiration for your own wedding planning. With so many beautiful destinations to choose from, it's not hard to fall in love with the idea of a destination wedding. You can spend as much or as little time there as you like (and afford) but still have an amazing experience with all the benefits that come with it including an intimate feel and plenty of time to celebrate with family and friends before heading back home again!

If you're interested in learning more about budget-friendly options for your wedding photography, please contact us today! We'd be happy to chat with you about our packages and discounts. Thank you for reading!


Affordable Wedding photography by Fungirlwithacamera Photography.


Hope from Fungirlwithacamera Photography specializes in affordable wedding photography as well as backyard wedding photography and small intimate weddings. Currently accepting weddings in East Brunswick, Highland Park and surrounding areas in New Jersey.

@glitteringmoonlightphotos