As a travel writer who loves nothing more than wayfaring around the world, going on adventures and seeing the cultural beauty of different places, I have also been lucky enough to be a part of some beautiful adventure-inspired weddings around the world. Surrounded by natural beauty and picturesque backdrops, there are many underrated adventure wedding destinations around the world that often get overlooked.
If you’re with someone who shares your love for adventure and are looking for a breathtaking destination wedding location, here are my top 10 underrated wedding destination choices that can make your special day even more memorable.
10 Underrated Adventurous Wedding Destinations Around The World
Lake Como, Italy
If you’re planning to have a gorgeous destination wedding, nestled in the natural beauty of Italy, visiting Lake Como is the perfect spot. As the third largest Italian lake, the place offers lush landscapes, and a perfect backdrop for panoramic views. The best time to visit this Italian retreat depends on what kind of adventures you’re planning to have.
Spring time, especially from April to June is perfect for outdoor activities that involve water, while Autumn season, lasting between September and October is perfect for both indoor and outdoor activities. It’s also less crowded during these months, so you can plan your wedding around this time.
You can also include certain cultural aspects of Italy to your wedding for some memorable moments. For example, it’s very popular among the locals to get married on Sunday as it’s considered the luckiest day of the week. It’s also common for the groom to buy the bride’s bouquet. Alternatively, the length of the bride’s veil depends on how long the couple have been together. Adding some of these elements to your special day can make a big difference! After all, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo is one of the most adventurous places in Mexico, making it a great destination wedding location in Latin America for couples who love adventure and thrilling wedding experience. From hiking to hot springs, and luxury stays to local flavors, Cabo is an adventurous amalgamation of everything that’s amazing about Mexico.
The natural beauty of Cabo is well beyond words. The feeling of soaking up the sun as you enjoy a day on the pristine beaches is as special as swimming in the warm water during the day. If you want to turn your nuptials into an unforgettable experience, plan your wedding close to April, as it’s the best time for whale watching. Alternatively, May and June are perfect for enjoying the scenic beauty and dramatic landscapes.
I personally enjoy diving with marine life at Cabo Pulmo. But if you want to enjoy the local delicacies against a gorgeous backdrop on your wedding day, book a luxurious resort in Cabo San Lucas and you’ll never be disappointed. If you plan to get married in Cabo, don’t forget to visit Arco de San Lucas, lovers beach, whale watching cruises, mount Solmar, and zippers beach.
Malibu, California
Malibu is a gorgeous coastal city situated in SoCal. The location is a popular travel destination, but it also offers many underrated attractions for people looking to have an adventure-inspired wedding ceremony. With picturesque waterfront views, stunning beaches, pleasant Mediterranean weather, and naturally wonderful backdrops like the famous Santa Monica Mountains, it’s an ideal location for couples who want to combine their love for adventure with romance.
And if that wasn’t enough of a reason to host a wedding at this gorgeous Californian location, the diverse wedding venues in Malibu, ranging from luxurious and classy indoor estates to fancy outdoor beach and rustic ranch setups, give couples an opportunity to customize their wedding day and venue to suit their preferences for adventure and romance.
Owing to the presence of famous locations like El Matador State Beach, Zuma Beach, The Getty Villa, Malibu Pier, and Solstice Canyon, the location is perfect for couples who want to enjoy a whole week of activities and things to see before their big day. Moreover, the availability of luxury food, facilities and recreational activities, makes it perfect for an event as crucial as a wedding.
Maui, Hawaii
Do you want to combine your love for traveling with a destination wedding location with a boho chic wedding theme? Then there’s nothing more perfect than the second largest Hawaiian island. Apart from the fact that the island has stunning beaches, and humpback whales, it also makes for a striking venue for boho-chic themed weddings. So wear your tattoos, and lip rings with pride as you celebrate the most important day of your life in Maui.
If you want to experience more than just the natural beauty and palm trees of this stunning location with sandy beaches, it might be worth it to include some Hawaiian traditions into your beach wedding. For instance, the lei ceremony is a famous tradition that you’ll find in all Hawaiian weddings.
Both the groom and bride present leis to each other as a symbol of their everlasting love. I experienced this tradition first-hand in one of my close friend’s weddings and it was a beautiful spectacle to watch as a wedding guest. Imagine being a part of the ceremony as a bride or groom and creating a core memory like this against the stunning backdrops of Maui.
Apart from being respectful of traditions and adding some elements into your ceremony, it’s important for you to also choose the right time to visit the place. The weather is nice during the summer months of May and June. It’s also the time when flight prices are cheaper. You can also visit Maui during January and February to experience the stunning beaches and whale watching.
Great Barrier Reef, Australia
If you want to be swept away by the rugged beauty of blue waters that encompass the Great Barrier Reef, you must plan your wedding at this breathtaking destination. With thousands of marine species, and one of the world’s most complex ecosystems, the location is a haven for thrilling adventure lovers, and a beautiful place to get married in, making it one of the destinations you must visit once in a lifetime.
There are multiple islands surrounding the azure waters which host resorts and other wedding venues for couples looking to host their nuptials in the natural beauty of this famous sanctuary. Some famous names include Heron Island, Alamanda Great Barrier Reef Chapel, and Mantra Amphora Palm Cove.
However, before planning a wedding in Australia, you must remember a few things.
May to October is considered the perfect time for a visit to Great barrier reef as it isn’t too hot or too cold, making it possible to experience the water activities offered on the great lagoon. To travel around, you can hire a car as the location is too large to be explored on foot. Some of the best accommodations surrounding the great barrier reef include Lizard Island Resort, the towns of Cairns, Port Douglas, and Whitsunday Islands.
Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora, also known as the Jewel of the South Seas is the perfect backdrop for weddings that are as unique as the place itself. Famous for its beautiful beaches, turquoise water lagoon, vibrant culture, and numerous water activities, this location is the perfect choice for couples seeking a luxurious and thrilling travel experience on their special day. One of the most unique aspects of this French Polynesian beauty is that it offers mountain views along with stunning white sand beaches, making it a perfect wedding as well as honeymoon location in French Polynesia.
If you want to get married at the beautiful beaches amidst the crystal-clear waters of Bora Bora, you may need to book a flight around the months of May through October. The pleasant weather of the destination combined with opportunities to partake in activities such as jet skiing, snorkeling, sport fishing and visiting the famous Matira beach.
Also, if you want to incorporate elements of the cultural heritage of this beautiful island country into your wedding, you can find a Tahu’a or Tahitian priest to bless your union. You can also wrap the bride in Tifaifai, which is a traditional red quilt that symbolizes love and prosperity for the couple in their married life. While there aren’t many strict rules for weddings, it’s important to be respectful of the new culture that you’re visiting and do your research to avoid any culture shocks
Grand Canyon, Arizona
For the adventurer in you who never shies away from making new memories, Grand Canyon Village in Arizona can be a beautiful spot to get married. You can turn your wedding into a camping trip if that’s something you and your partner are interested in. You can stay at the historic El Tovar as you prepare for your nuptials, the elegance of the place will make your heart soar. After getting married at the grand canyon, you can hike across the bright angel trail, take a skywalk, and get an Imperial air tour to admire the beauty in front of you.
Depending on the kind of adventure wedding experience you crave, you can plan your wedding around spring months. That’s usually the best time for hiking, sightseeing, and engaging in outdoor activities. You can also plan a fall wedding as both the temperature and the flight prices are reasonable then. The national park is suited for smaller guest count and more intimate gatherings, so if you plan to renew your spiritual connection to the place as you start your new life, this is the perfect place to do so.
Ojai, California
If you’re usually an adventurous couple but want to keep your wedding day lowkey, the beautiful Ojai is the perfect place to be. While you still will get multiple opportunities for hiking, the overall ambience of the place is calming and relaxing. Ojai is home to artists and musicians, organic agriculture, the famous Ojai retreat which is also a perfect wedding venue, Ojai valley museum, meditation mount, Bart’s books, and Ojai vineyard. I have personally enjoyed going to the meditation mount with my partner. There are also many spa and relaxation centers in Ojai making the whole experience a retreat.
Having personally been to Ojai, I’d suggest that you only consider this destination for your wedding if you prefer an amalgamation of outdoor activities and spirituality. The place is known for its historic charm, making it a perfect choice for those who love mountain destinations. While the weather is pleasant all year round, you can plan a spring wedding if you want to enjoy the pixie month and the farm-to-table rustic vibe. Some of the best hotels to stay in Ojai are Ojai Valley Inn and Capri Hotel.
Henderson, Las Vegas
I have never met an adventurous person who hasn’t gone to Las Vegas at least once in their life. The bubbling nightlife, casinos, fine dining experience, and entertainment scene makes it a part of every adventurer’s bucket list. So if you and your partner enjoy having fun and want to make your wedding day memorable, get hitched in one of the chapels of Vegas. You can elope or invite your close friends and family to the wedding, and then have a reception right in Sin City! Some of the most famous wedding venues in Vegas include Graceland Wedding Chapel and Caesars Palace Las Vegas Wedding Venue.
To make the most of your trip, you can find a luxurious stay at The Venetian Resort or Skylofts at MGM Grand. All of the resorts in Las Vegas are known for their capacity to accommodate a large guest count, making them perfect for hosting a wedding. Fall and Spring make the best time of the year for enjoying a beautiful wedding filled with adventurous activities in Las Vegas. The luxurious catering options offered by popular venues in Las Vegas will have your guests enjoying fresh seafood, white-sand beaches, and wedding ceremonies, all in one place!
Venice, Los Angeles
If you want your union to be blessed by angels, head downtown to the city of angels, LA for a fun-filled wedding ceremony with your boo. Venice beach can be a beautiful place to host a summer wedding, or you could go head over to hollywood for a picturesque ceremony. There’s a lot of places worth visiting in LA, so don’t forget to check out the Griffith observatory, hollywood museum, santa monica pier, malibu, and universal studios hollywood for a good time.
While the stunning beaches are one of the biggest attractions of LA, it’s also a perfect place for hosting weddings with stunning views. If you’re someone who enjoys the bustling nightlife and want to make your wedding ceremony unique, you can host your wedding at any of the famous resorts like Maybourne Beverly Hills. However, be ready to dish out big bucks for this experience.
Alternatively, if you want an affordable wedding, you can have a beautiful summer beach wedding at any one of the hundred beaches in LA. The months between June and September are perfect for planning an outdoor wedding. Follow it up with scrumptious delicacies from Langer’s or Philippe The Original. The cheapest time to get flights to LA is right after Labor day. It’s also less crowded at this time of year, so try to make your arrangements around this time if you want a memorable but affordable wedding in LA.
It’s A Wrap
I hope I could help you find the perfect destination wedding location to quench your adventurous spree. Here are some final tips before you make the decision to have your destination wedding at any of the places above as an adventurous couple.
- Create a realistic budget to fund your destination wedding. While the pristine beaches and rustic charm of new places can seem lucrative, it’s essential to budget wisely for the wedding to ensure that you aren’t in debt after the big day.
- Find the right team to translate your vision into reality. Planning and preparing for a destination wedding requires a lot of time and effort. Whether you want to hire a wedding planner, or assemble a team of your closest friends and family members, find people who can take some burden off your shoulders and help to make the day special. They’ll also be responsible for managing any last minute changes on the big day, so find people that you can trust in an unknown location.
- Don’t wait until the last day to plan everything. Visit your wedding location a few days before the big day. Find a comfortable and affordable accommodation for your stay. Make sure it is close to your wedding venue so that you can keep an eye on the arrangements. If possible, find some essential services like a tailor, and makeup artist nearby in case you need some help before your big day.
- Weather can be unpredictable, so keep a backup option in case the first arrangement falls through. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, it might be wise to find a place that offers both indoor and outdoor venue options so that you can keep the ceremony going even if the weather isn’t in your favor that day.
Congratulations on finding your perfect partner. I hope you find the perfect destination wedding location soon!
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