10 of the Best: Wedding Destinations

After the elation and euphoria of the marriage proposal, now comes the excitement of planning your dream wedding. Whether you’re looking for city or beach, mountain or even desert, join me as I walk you through the most spectacular and romantic locations, for nuptials you’ll never forget.

Breathtaking beach weddings

CELEBRATE LOVE IN THE SEYCHELLES    

If you’ve always pictured your wedding day as an island paradise, then Kempinski Seychelles Resort will be perfectly on point.

Think tropical forests, turquoise waters, pristine beaches, coral reefs and palm trees on the idyllic Indian Ocean archipelago of Mahé. Ceremonies can be held on the beach, at the jungle lagoon or in the grand ballroom and afterwards, you can indulge in tantalising gastronomy and dance the night away under the stars with waves lapping in the background.

Trust me when I say every couple needs meticulous and thoughtful wedding planners who will take care of every detail before you’ve even considered it. Here, the team will press your wedding gown and craft a bespoke beachside breakfast the morning after your nuptials. If you’re looking for added wow factor, they’ll even arrange for you to arrive by helicopter or take a scenic sunset flight from the onsite helipad.

FIND HAPPINESS IN BLISSFUL BALI

For me, one of the most entrancing and ethereal wedding destinations is Bali, a true oceanfront oasis.

With an array of clifftop chapels at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, each with panoramic views of white sands and sparkling seas through magnificent glass walls, a wedding here is dazzlingly dramatic. You can also choose the beach, tropical gardens or ballroom for ceremonies and receptions. And what makes this place stand out even more is the creative options for couples looking for a sustainable celebration.

A honeymoon here is heavenly too, thanks to stunning villas with private infinity pools and divine local cuisine and cocktails.

Click here to browse our honeymoon-approved destinations in the Caribbean. 

Momentous mountain settings

A UNIQUE UNION IN BERCHTESGADEN

Perhaps you want your wedding to have an alluring alpine ambience. Then let me recommend Kempinski Hotel Berchtesgaden in Germany. Perched high in the Bavarian Alps, relish the towering peaks, tranquil pastures and emerald lakes.

Get married on the helipad with majestic mountain views, enjoy a gala dinner in the two-star Michelin Gourmet Restaurant PUR then party in the cosy atmosphere of the Vinothek.

Everything here is about bespoke tailormade details – the pâtissier will design your dream wedding cake, the executive chef will craft your perfect menu and the sommelier will provide personalised wine recommendations.

ELEGANT EXTRAVAGANZAS IN ENGELBERG

If a mesmerising mountaintop marriage is on your mood board, Engelberg with its glaciers, valleys and charming villages should be top of your list. And it’ll get bonus points from your guests for easy connections courtesy of nearby Zurich airport.

Whether your vision is winter wonderland or spring meadow, Kempinski Palace Engelberg is romance personified. There’s even a monastery church in which to exchange vows and an enchanting fairytale Belle Epoque banquet hall. It can all be effortlessly decadent as well – the team can throw bachelor and bachelorette parties, source gifts for guests and arrange your arrival via carriage or even golf cart.

Chic city destinations

YOUR NEW CHAPTER IN ISTANBUL

Perhaps being at the epicentre of an exhilarating city is on your wedding wish list. Well, how does an imperial palace on Türkiye’s Bosphorus sound? If you’re looking for a venue steeped in history that is timeless and bursting with grandeur, yet intimate, Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul is the one.

Twinkling river and city views, enchanting interiors and picturesque terraces make for gorgeous wedding photos, plus there are ballrooms and function rooms to suit any celebration, large or small. Follow in the footsteps of royalty and celebrities who have chosen this wedding venue and make your glamorous entrance by yacht, helicopter or limo.

THE BUZZ OF BUDAPEST

Another captivating city that’s top of my list for weddings is Budapest, with its fascinating architecture and culture. At the very heart is Kempinski Hotel Corvinus Budapest. A marriage of the grandiose and the modern, the entire event space has been refurbished so it’s gleaming and stylish.

And if you’ve fallen in love with a venue outside of the hotel, you can still savour the taste of Kempinski’s gastronomy as the hotel’s catering team can come to you.

Waterside wonders

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS IN VENICE

Venice has long held the trophy for romance – so where better to make a lifelong pledge of love than at San Clemente Palace Kempinski?

‘Spellbinding’ is the only word to describe this destination. A magical seven-hectare private island on the Venetian lagoon, it includes a 300-year-old palace and 900-year-old chapel.

There are so many spaces to host your wedding, from the lovingly restored San Clemente chapel to the myriad of Mediterranean gardens, courtyards and terraces with cypress, magnolia and lime trees. This is the ultimate fairytale destination – no wonder it’s won so many coveted wedding awards. And it’s not a bad place to start the next chapter of your lives in spacious, luxurious, secluded honeymoon suites with private piers so you can hop across to iconic landmarks.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER IN BEIJING

For an alternative waterside wedding, how about Beijing? There are very few venues that seamlessly blend tranquil lakeside vistas with ambitious modern architecture, which is what makes Sunrise Kempinski Hotel extra special. On the shores of Yanqi Lake and with a design resembling the rising sun, it’s the perfect symbolic sentiment for the dawn of a marriage.

Here you can celebrate your love surrounded by natural beauty on an outdoor viewing platform, or at any of the opulent indoor spaces, including the grand ballroom. Close enough to bustling Beijing to make travel easy, this is also a peaceful haven with gorges, forests and temples.

Nature lovers

TIE THE KNOT IN KENYA

For a wedding that’s utterly unique, how about exchanging vows in the African wilderness on Kenya’s Masai Mara?

With rolling savannah and a glorious array of wildlife, Olare Mara Kempinski is a luxury tented camp available for exclusive use. Think campfire cocktails, game drives, guided walks, balloon safaris, horse riding, spa treatments and exotic menus for an intimate celebration.

Weddings or blessings can be staged in the bush, by the river or in the camp and you can have a traditional twist with a Masai guard of honour, singers and dancers.

YOUR PERFECT MATCH IN SLOVENIA

Another charming wedding destination is Slovenia with the lush greenery of the Istrian countryside and the Adriatic Sea.

At Kempinski Palace Portorož, enjoy an outdoor ceremony and banquet in the 100-year-old park surrounded by roses and lavender swaying in the Mediterranean breeze, or opt for the elaborate terrace or impressive Crystal Hall ballroom. With a palpable sense of splendour and history, even Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the aristocracy celebrated ceremonial events here.

Top tips for finding ‘the one’

Whatever your wedding style and whichever continent you choose, when you’re looking for venues, remember experience is everything for something this big. You want to put your trust in passionate people who know the minutiae of wedding planning because they’ve hosted thousands of these momentous celebrations. From décor to entertainment, the experts at Kempinski can artfully orchestrate an occasion you’ll treasure forever.

My second piece of advice is to embrace the process. There are, sadly, all too few occasions where you get to design an event encompassing everything you desire and everyone you love. So enjoy! Sampling delectable menus, choosing fine wines, tasting wedding cakes and indulging in pre-marriage spa treatments… the countdown to your wedding has an aura almost as special as the day itself.

Finally, remember with Kempinski, the magic continues long after the big day as there are offers for honeymoon couples as well as invitations to anniversary dinners and even vow renewals. So you’ll always have a reason to come back to your special place to reminisce about your breathtaking wedding day.

If you enjoyed this, start dreaming about your honeymoon, with a little help from this piece about Luxury Travel Advisors.