Choosing to do a destination wedding vs a traditional wedding has become more popoular in recent years. Nearly 20% of US couples chose to do a destination wedding in 2023.

Planning a wedding is complex when you’re just doing it down the street. If you choose to do a destination wedding, it’s going to affect every other aspect of the wedding planning process. That said, there’s no better way to celebrate and memorialize your union than with your favorite people in a beautiful place.

Certain locations just lend themselves to perfect weddings. In today’s post, we’ll look at some of the best tropical wedding locations. The Tropics have hosted countless weddings over the years because they provide amazing scenery, fantastic weather, and the comfort you need to enjoy a relaxing wedding day.

It can be overwhelming to select exotic wedding destinations when you’ve got so much else to consider. Keep reading and we’ll help you narrow down the best wedding venues abroad.

1. Punta Cana

The Dominican Republic has multiple exotic locations and resorts perfect for any destination wedding. You and your guests will get to enjoy lounging on beaches straight out of postcards.

Bavaro Beach is lined with world-class resorts that give you every amenity you could ever need for your big day. Most of these offer all-inclusive perks and a wide variety of excursions that let your guests explore the crystal clear waters, deep caves, and lush green forests.

Secrets, Breathless, and Dreams are just a few of the top resorts in the area, each one offering unique amenities, such as private pools, world-class dining, and swim-up bars. You can’t go wrong with a Punta Cana wedding.

2. Turks & Caicos

In the past few years, Turks & Caicos has become one of the world’s top wedding destinations. It has long been a hot spot for celebrities and other elites – some of whom have hosted their own weddings – so you’ll be in fine company when you have your wedding in Turks & Caicos.

You’ll get everything you expect out of an exotic tropical wedding – sandy white beaches, clear water, and multiple islands to choose from. Each island has a unique atmosphere; Providenciales is home to Grace Bay Beach, while Grand Turk has plenty of churches for Catholic weddings.

There are also several more secluded islands for a more private wedding getaway. You choose what you want when you decide to wed in Turks & Caicos.

3. Cozumel

Cozumel is an underrated Mexican wedding destination and one of the more affordable locations on this list. It’s a relatively small island that sits about 10 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

With plenty of beautiful beaches and bright turquoise water, there’s plenty to like about Cozumel as a wedding destination. When you’re not engaging in wedding festivities, the area also boasts the second-largest coral reef in the world, making it a world-class spot for scuba divers to spot flora and fauna.

You’ll find several resorts on Cozumel, each one boasting multiple wedding venues to choose from. Whether you’d like to have your nuptials on the beach or in a tropical forest, you’ll have plenty of options on Cozumel.

4. Cayman Islands

Like all the other destinations for luxury tropical weddings, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman allow you to get married on a warm, sandy beach. What sets Cayman apart is the option of having a traditional religious ceremony at a beautiful old church, of which there are many options.

The Cayman Islands are also home to gorgeous tropical gardens and several unique historical sites that make for great wedding backdrops. If you like, however, you can take the path of least resistance and have your wedding at one of the many fully-equipped luxury resorts on each island.

5. St. Lucia

You could have the perfect wedding photo-op when you choose to stage your wedding in St. Lucia. The island nation’s iconic and dramatic conical mountains make for the ideal background for any wedding.

Below, you’ll walk upon volcanic beaches beside some of the top reef-diving sites on the planet. This quaint country is home to several resorts and is dotted with countless tiny fishing villages. Take your party inland to the lush rainforests, where you’ll find waterfalls and natural gardens.

St. Lucia is the perfect destination for a smaller wedding focused on exploration, so don’t miss this opportunity for an unforgettable wedding.

6. Hawaii

Hawaii is the one place on this list where you can get tons of variety in a single destination. You can enjoy a wedding in the middle of Honolulu and enjoy all of the comforts of city life or you can have a secluded getaway on Niihau with a small group of family and friends.

These volcanic islands present a backdrop and atmosphere unlike anything else you’ll find on the planet. You can have a beach wedding with lush, green mountains directly in the background.

There’s plenty for your guests to do, as well, from hiking trips to surfing and golfing. Once your wedding is done, you won’t want to leave.

7. Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands include St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. St. John is accessible by plane from every major airport in the country, making it one of the most convenient destinations for a wedding. Your guests won’t need their passports and they can arrive in St. Thomas within a few hours, regardless of where they are.

All of the islands are home to world-class luxury resorts. Villa Serenita on St. Thomas can accommodate small wedding parties and up to 80 wedding guests on the big day. You can go even smaller by taking the ferry to St. John’s Calichi resort, where you’ll experience unforgettable scenery during your ceremony.

Choosing from the Best Tropical Wedding Venues

These are some of the top tropical wedding venues in the world. You can’t go wrong with choosing any of the ones we’ve discussed here or any of the countless more locations available in the tropics. At the same time, being presented with so many options can make the decision even more difficult.

If that’s the case, you may need help choosing dream destination wedding spots and planning your big day. At Bliss Honeymoons & Destination Weddings, we’ve helped countless couples pull off unforgettable destination weddings surrounded by their loved ones.

To talk to us about your wedding plans, don’t hesitate to contact us today.