Egypt, Scotland or Andaman Islands? These are the hottest offbeat wedding destinations of 2023

Jade Crasto 

These days choosing a destination wedding is rapidly becoming a hot trend. However, determining the ideal location for your wedding is still a difficult challenge. And while you can always choose the same stereotypical locations for your big day, for instance, Goa or Udaipur, that shouldn’t be the case given the abundance of alternative possibilities. Numerous uncharted and unusual locations exist that are not only aesthetically pleasing but may hold special meaning to the couple.

 To gain insight into some of the more unexplored wedding destinations, LuxeBook spoke to luxury wedding planners and stylists. Shreem Events is a luxury wedding and event planning company specialising in destination weddings and artist /entertainment curation; Weddings by ESL is a client-focused wedding planning agency with a strong creative twist, dedicated to meticulously curating extraordinary experiences that reflect the unique love stories of couples to perfection; and To The Aisle is a wedding design company that caters to weddings across the globe, specialising in unique concepts, offbeat locations, and sustainable productions.

According to Devanshi Patel, Founder of Shreem Events, “Every client wants to do something new apart from what is existing. They are open to experimenting a little bit. If I tell them, about Kashmir, they are open to the idea, unlike five years ago, when nobody wanted to plan a wedding in Kashmir. Now people are ready and open to the idea”. She further mentioned that places like Rajasthan and Goa have become costly as the demand for them rose to an extreme, and they’re also well overdone. Ekta Saigal Lulla, Founder and Partner of Weddings by ESL has a similar view. Earlier a barrier of inconveniences like transport, good locations and vendors blocked people from planning beautiful wedding destinations, but now that barrier has been broken down with wedding planners making use of the resources around them. People are willing to explore new places as they want to do something no one has done before.

Themes and Symbols 

Now that people have their minds set on having a destination wedding, another question arises, How do you choose the right theme for you wedding? Prerika Puri, the founder of To The Aisle, said, “It depends on the destination. If I’m doing a wedding in Manali, we come up with ideas to do a sustainable wedding, maybe like a campfire wedding or a riverside campfire setting, which we recently did in Manali. It entirely depends on how our clients are and what their destination is.” On the other hand, Ekta Saigal Lulla, Founder and Partner of Weddings by ESL said that people want a more experience-driven wedding. Instead of just having a normal sit-down dinner or cocktail party at a hotel, people want unique experiences at the destination. People want to explore the destination, rather than just stay bundled up in the hotel. For example, if a wedding is held in Jim Corbett, she would perhaps curate a safari experience. Devanshi from Shreem said that when curating a wedding theme, she likes to make use of the nature around her. If a wedding is being held in Greece, she’s going to limit the number of Indian elements in the wedding and add elements and resources from the destinations. She stated that, if the wedding is in Greece, and a client wants royal Rajasthani elements, then they should have it in Rajasthan itself. “We want to give a local flavour to the guests who are coming in. By local flavour I don’t mean, the food. I mean the décor elements, the nature, you want to give them the cultural activities or dances or performances.”

When it comes to planning the destination wedding, a top priority for planners is to do their research on the destination. Ekta from Weddings by ESL and Prerkia from To The Aisle, say that after choosing the destination, doing a recce is very important. They do a minimum of 3 recces if they are familiar with the place and more if it is an unexplored one.  Devanshi from Shreem said, “As planners, we have to first see where it is located, which are the best months to recommend these places. Every place will have its limitations according to the local climate.”  

Andaman

It hurts to say this, but if you want the perfect tropical wedding, then forget Goa and say hello to Andaman. According to Devanshi and Prerika, people are slowly heading towards Andaman as the islands are a perfect location for beach wedding sites because of the naturalistic coral reefs, the beautiful turquoise waters, and the white sand beachfront. By choosing the best possibilities, the unique settings on these islands may make your wedding unforgettable. One can explore Havelock Island since it has a wide variety of adventurous activities that will make wedding memories even more exciting. The Taj Exotica’s serene atmosphere makes it easier to relax and enjoy every wedding event. One won’t discover poky noses on the isolated terrain, barring the disruption of the many species of creatures. 

Kashmir 

Kashmir is the ideal location for a destination wedding, whether you are searching for a wedding in a winter wonderland or the genuine punch of being serenaded by the wonderful spirit of the highlands. When it comes to the opulent affair of this place with unmatched natural beauty, Jammu & Kashmir’s summer capital is also the capital of destination weddings. There are a number of wedding locations in this city, which is home to the magnificent Dal Lake. Srinagar is unquestionably the most suggested location for a destination wedding in Kashmir, including attractions like Asia’s largest tulip garden and charming Shikara rides ideal for pre-wedding photographs. 

Rishikesh 

Rishikesh, which lies snuggled at the base of the Garhwal Himalayas, is enticingly attractive and undoubtedly a feast for the eyes. This place has a calm yet melancholy atmosphere. The distant ringing of temple bells is like melody to your ears. The sacred Ganges River, which flows through the city, is a veritable haven for wildlife. There’s always something positive about the pervasive, endearing company of yogis and the enduring smell that permeates its wind. The most bizarre event of all time, destination weddings in Rishikesh might include all of these components justly. Devanshi from Shreem recommends The Westin Rishikesh. The resort has 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens with concentric circles that are modelled after water droplets and tree bark. The variety of lodging options available to guests includes garden suites, private villas, and balcony rooms. The interior decoration of the apartments is modern, elegant, and organic while utilising natural resources. 

Aramness in Gir

If you love wildlife, you ought to get married in Gir National Park’s captivating setting. Having the most anticipated destination wedding of your life would be a unique concept and an unforgettable event. In the midst of nature, you may not only take stunning wedding photos but also have an amazing experience. After seeing your wedding, guests will undoubtedly consider a destination wedding in the woodlands. Aramness was inspired by the founder, Jimmy Patel’s passion for Sasan Gir National Park. The resort is a peaceful, village-inspired lodge in this wild and remote region. At Aramness Gir, they strive to acquaint visitors with Gujarat’s genuine way of life as well as its natural surroundings. Consider early morning game drives into the park, jungle hikes through the teak forest, visiting a Maldhari family in their home, indulging in delectable Gujarati cuisine, unwinding in the spa, working out in the gym, or, even better, doing as little as you can while taking in the natural beauty of the park and the lodge surroundings.  

International Destinations 

Cannes, Château de la Croix des Gardes

Swiss businessman Paul Girod constructed the Château de la Croix Des Gardes in 1919. The “jewel” of the opulent “Quartier des Anglais” is a home in the Florentine style that is perched on the top of the hill and encircled by gardens and woods. Visitors’ privacy has been taken into consideration when remodelling the building. The grounds have a tranquil, safe, and private seclusion about them. The home is accessible through a protracted private approach that loops around the exclusive trees and gardens that top the Croix-des-Gardes Hill. The Château de la Croix Des Gardes is a beautiful location for inviting guests to private events and hosting some of the most intimate and exclusive parties. Embrace the Château lifestyle and all that it entails to become one of the select few who may see their perfect wedding come true in the most renowned area of the French Riviera. Immerse yourself in a vast universe to have extraordinary, life-altering experiences. 

Vietnam

“Vietnam is the next Thailand”, says Devanshi, founder of Shreem Events. Vietnam is a fantastic destination because it has everything you could possibly desire from a trip, a fascinating culture, delicious food, and stunning natural scenery mixed with vibrant, chaotic cities. Vietnam has additionally emerged as a fantastic location for destination weddings in recent years.   The most well-liked resorts for weddings in Vietnam are found in magnificent spots like Phu Quoc Island, Mui Ne, and Hoi An, which are also excellent places to go on a honeymoon.  

Egypt

The most memorable and distinctive locations in the world are yours to pick from if you get married in Egypt. The nation mixes culture and romance with thousands of years of legacy and tradition, with the River Nile serving as the backdrop. Choose between a private ceremony outside beneath the stars or a lavish tent covered in luxurious silks. One of the benefits of having a wedding in Egypt is the sunshine. Egypt is a fantastic place to visit for a honeymoon after the wedding. In Egypt, there are several locations where you may be married. While some couples prefer to exchange vows amid venerable temples and tombs, others may decide to wed at a posh hotel on the Nile. You may also select between beach weddings and weddings in the desert, so you can truly customise the event to your preferences. 

Scotland

Scotland is renowned for having some of the most picturesque lochs and landscapes in the whole northern hemisphere. There is really nowhere else like it to ensure some beautiful wedding shots. There is a Scottish wedding venue out there for everyone, from romantic castle wedding venues to rustic locations and charming forest getaways. Scone Palace is the perfect location for a fantasy wedding in Scotland. This charming castle wedding location is located just outside of Perth and has the Long Gallery, which is properly titled, being the longest chamber in Scotland. Just picture how lovely a wedding ceremony there would be. There is only one location you’ll want to have your reception, and that is in the breathtaking State Dining Room, following your ceremony, which may be conducted in any number of magnificent chambers throughout the castle. The ideal location to celebrate your wedding’s conclusion is Scone Palace. A fireworks show may be held in the grounds, which look out over Perthshire’s countryside. 

Cambodia

Cambodia is a fantastic choice if you want to have a beautiful wedding in a location that is rich in history and culture. The Kingdom of Cambodia, a stunning and fascinating nation in Southeast Asia, is quickly gaining popularity as a venue for Indian weddings searching for a novel and unique location. Cambodia is a country with a lot of heart and character, with everything from historic Khmer temples, lively towns, and lush mountains to lovely hotels and restaurants. It is a relatively short flight—a little under five hours—from Mumbai and Delhi to Phnom Penh, the country’s capital. With its distinct, intricate, and deep cultural identity, Cambodia may add its very own flavour to the culture and traditions of Indian weddings, making your special day a lovely affair with lots of depth. In Cambodia, luxury and pleasantly rustic elements are combined with modern and ancient elements. In this dynamic and fascinating nation, you have a variety of locations to have your fairytale wedding, including beaches, forests, waterfalls, pagodas, private enclaves, and villas. 

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