Sealing the love of two people in a setting that breaks away from convention is, fortunately, an increasingly common choice among couples all over the world. A lot has changed since the old fairy tale ending when picturing a wedding abroad meant dressing up as Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley in a Las Vegas chapel.
Now the catalog of destinations where love can be sealed is practically endless, with almost as many experiences as there are couples. Walking down the aisle with your partner can now be done in countless ways: luxurious, bohemian, with the sea as a backdrop, or under a unique setting. A wedding abroad is the perfect choice for those who want to escape tradition and turn that special day into something truly personal.
There are countless reasons to travel across the globe if the goal is to say “I do” in the perfect destination. Iberostar knows this, which is why it offers different wedding hotels all around the world — let’s take a look!
Getting married abroad is relatively simple depending on the destination, but it is true that it may involve a bit more paperwork than if we do it in our own country, and it’s important to keep in mind that each place has its own rules and requirements.
When planning a wedding abroad, it is advisable to consult the consulate for information. Even though they cannot officiate the wedding, they increasingly provide more detailed guidance due to the high volume of requests.
Many couples worry that in the chosen destination, the marriage might not be legally valid in Spain. However, in numerous cases, the solution is to opt for a symbolic wedding ceremony and then have the legal marriage back home.
Ultimately, it’s just a matter of formalities, far outweighed by the reward of getting married in a truly unique destination like the ones we’ll show you below.
MARRAKECH: A WEDDING IN THE DESERT
Few destinations offer the chance to go from walking through one of the world’s busiest squares to sleeping in a legendary oasis where even the walls are scented with orange blossom. Marrakech is truly a city of contrasts.
One of the most original choices nowadays is getting married in the desert, recreating a traditional Berber wedding. From the bustle to tranquility, just by crossing a street.
Feel like you’re in One Thousand and One Nights while staying at our exclusive all-inclusive hotel in Marrakech.
MARRAKECH: A WEDDING IN THE DESERT
Since London ‘it-girl’ Poppy Delevingne chose Morocco as the setting for her second wedding, the North African country has never been more fashionable when it comes to travel in general and weddings in particular.
A destination where you can feel like the true protagonist of One Thousand and One Nights, at least for a day, in the middle of a unique oasis (quite literally).
Perfect to visit 365 days a year, Marrakech captivates in every way.
NEW YORK: TOUCHING THE AMERICAN SKY
The favorite destination for many couples on their honeymoon is stepping up and proving to be an equally seductive option as a wedding location.
Unforgettable places such as the Conservatory Gardens or the Angel Orensanz Foundation stand out as unique venues to celebrate the wedding of your dreams. While the first, located in the heart of Central Park, offers a more romantic option, the second is a spectacular mid-19th century synagogue situated in Manhattan’s trendy Lower East Side.
This iconic building is one of the most popular for parties and film shoots, and the list of celebrities who have said “I do” here is not a short one (Sarah Jessica Parker married Matthew Broderick within the historic walls of its main hall).
But if you still think the city is perfect for your honeymoon, stay in the heart of New York with Iberostar.
NEW YORK: TOUCHING THE AMERICAN SKY
We also couldn’t leave out the legendary Empire State Building as a unique setting to celebrate love.
The city’s most iconic building does not allow private wedding ceremonies, but —attention lovebirds— for more than two decades it has hosted a popular annual Valentine’s Day wedding contest, where 14 couples are selected to marry on February 14 in the most romantic building in the world.
A legendary movie backdrop, the Empire State Building has witnessed chance encounters, heartfelt declarations of love, and unforgettable marriage proposals — all framed by the charm of the fabulous views over the city that never sleeps.
BUDAPEST: YES, I DO IN THE ‘PEARL OF THE DANUBE’
The two great cities of Buda and Pest come together to create one of the most romantic cities in Europe to celebrate a wedding.
And while it may not be the most conventional choice —nor does it need to be— a wedding in Budapest can become a truly unique option. Why? The attractions of the so-called ‘Pearl of the Danube’ are nearly endless, as is the beauty of its buildings, squares, and bridges.
And if there’s still any doubt, it will quickly disappear after a visit to the impressive Buda Castle.
Celebrate love in style at our luxury hotel in Budapest.
BUDAPEST: YES, I DO IN THE ‘PEARL OF THE DANUBE’
To reach what was once the residence of the Kings of Hungary, the best way is to cross the Chain Bridge, the oldest in Budapest and perhaps also the most beautiful and popular of all those spanning the Danube.
On the way up to the castle, mesmerizing views accompany visitors along the path, and once you arrive at the hilltop, the imposing ensemble it forms together with the Chain Bridge is a complete postcard image, especially at sunset.
Here, you’ll say “I do.” Just as you will at the Fisherman’s Bastion, Heroes’ Square, the Budapest Opera House, or the Central Market Hall, as well as at the iconic Gerbeaud.
A meeting point for bohemians, writers, artists, and politicians, even Empress Sissi of Habsburg was a devoted admirer of its sweet creations — as much of the famous confectionery as of the city itself.
CARIBBEAN BEACHES: FOR LOVE (AND ALSO) FOR THE SEA
Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica… Weddings by the sea and in a Caribbean setting have become some of the most popular choices for couples from all around the world to seal their love.
It may be the charm of its beaches, the sound of the waves, the warm light, or simply the feeling of being in paradise that makes a beach wedding the queen of weddings abroad.
In the Riviera Maya, for instance, many couples choose to put a unique spin on their vows by celebrating under the Mayan rite.
And since almost everything has already been invented, it’s not hard to find a shaman who will officiate the symbolic ceremony.
CARIBBEAN BEACHES: FOR LOVE (AND ALSO) FOR THE SEA
It may be thanks to the peace-and-love aura of singer Bob Marley that lingers over the island that idyllic Jamaica has become one of the most popular Caribbean destinations to exchange vows at sunset.
The singer of “No Woman, No Cry” remains one of the island’s greatest icons and a reason to visit Jamaica, as do its spectacular Blue Mountains, where one of the best —and most expensive— coffees in the world is produced, along with its paradisiacal beaches.
Beaches like those proudly showcased by dazzling Dominican Republic, where couples can also choose to marry barefoot in the sand or in a church ceremony — a wedding in the very essence of the Caribbean, with paradise as the backdrop.
