What’s not to love about Europe? For us, it’s a continent that has it all: art, architecture, culture, cuisine, and an effortless style.
And it’s easy to see why destination weddings have so much appeal to so many couples. Nearly one in five couples hosted a destination wedding in 2024, and Europe was among the most popular international choices.
And as luxury wedding planners, we also love that it offers some of the most amazing, beautiful, and iconic wedding destinations, whether for a legal or symbolic ceremony.
Our 10 favourite European wedding destinations
Lake Como | Italy
Just north of Milan in Italy’s Lombardy region, the beautiful Lake Como plays host to picturesque villages and grand lakeside villas with formal gardens. And with the incredible backdrop of the snow-topped Alps, it’s the perfect destination for the elegance of a formal wedding in spring or early autumn.
Why we love it: For one of the most unforgettable wedding entrances and the sheer sense of occasion, arriving by private boat to a lakeside villa is hard to beat.
Tuscany | Italy
Renaissance villas, vineyard estates, and restored hamlets (borghi) are what make a relaxed destination wedding in central Italy’s Tuscany region so special. Have your guests stay with you for a multi-day celebration with world-famous cuisine and fine wines, and enjoy it when the countryside is at its best in late spring/early summer or autumn.
Why we love it: A Tuscan wedding is perfect for a long weekend, with friends and family gathering to enjoy lazy days and long, evening dinners under the stars.
Amalfi Coast | Italy
The magnificent Amalfi Coast, along southern Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula in the Campania region, is ideal for intimate or mid-sized weddings. With the season running from April to October, the region’s picturesque villages, including Ravello and Positano, make for an unforgettable destination, though many venues close from November to March.
Why we love it: Relaxing with a sunset aperitivo on a clifftop terrace overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea is the ‘wow!’ moment your guests will talk about for years.
Provence | France
You don't need a year in Provence to appreciate the idyllic charm and beauty of southern France’s most famous region. For a symbolic June or July celebration, a classic château or rustic farmhouse, with the soft scent of inland Provence's beloved lavender fields, can create the perfect fairytale wedding.
Why we love it: For relaxed elegance, what better way to celebrate than dining in a château courtyard with a crisp local rosé, bathed in the golden evening light.
Côte d’Azur | France
The allure of a French Riviera destination wedding in May, June, or September is hard to beat. From luxury villas in Nice to historic Belle Époque hotels in Cap Ferrat, the Côte d’Azur combines the best of beauty, style, and panache. And with seasonal flights direct into Nice from some US cities, it’s easily accessible.
Why we love it: It’s pure glamour. With every setting feeling cinematic and gorgeous, couples can effortlessly move from a luxury wedding to a luxury holiday.
Santorini | Greece
With sweeping views across the Aegean, brilliant white sugarcube buildings, and iconic blue roofs, Santorini’s western coast is a breathtaking wedding destination. Reaching the island via Athens, clifftop venues in the villages of Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia suit intimate weddings, especially in May, June, and September, when the weather is just right.
Why we love it: A ceremony timed to coincide with the famous caldera sunset creates one of the most memorable backdrops.
Sintra | Portugal
Romantic-era architecture, royal palaces, and expansive, misty forest hills make historic Sintra and the nearby Lisbon coast a charming setting for a destination wedding. Just 45 minutes from Lisbon Airport, which offers direct flights from many US cities, Sintra offers wedding venues of all sizes and is a strong alternative to Italy or France.
Why we love it: You can enjoy a vibrant capital city, fairy-tale landscapes, and an extensive coastline, all within 30 minutes of each other.
Mallorca | Spain
With a wedding season running from April to October, Mallorca offers an exceptional choice of venues. From traditional rural hilltop villas and country houses (fincas) in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains to stunning beachfront hotels and Palma's historic streets, Mallorca remains in a class of its own for intimate or lavish weddings.
Why we love it: With mountain scenery, beautiful beaches, and historic charm all on one island, every day of your weekend brings something different.
The Cotswolds | England
As the Heart of England, the Cotswolds have a distinctive character perfect for a more traditional wedding – and only 2 hours from London Heathrow. From rustic stone barns and historic houses to sprawling country estates, the honey-coloured villages and gently rolling hills provide a beautiful backdrop for weddings from May to September.
Why we love it: It doesn’t get more quintessentially English than the Cotswolds, but international guests can also visit London quickly and easily.
Dublin & Beyond | Ireland
From castles to country estates, all with glorious scenery, Ireland offers impressive venues for every type of wedding. May to September is best, with longer days and milder weather. Direct flights from many US cities, with US preclearance at Dublin and Shannon airports, let guests clear immigration before flying home.
Why we love it: For many US couples and their guests, getting hitched in Ireland is a homecoming – and Irish hospitality is in a league of its own.
Visiting from the US? Don’t Forget European Entry Requirements!
If you or your guests are arriving from the US, they should check entry requirements before they travel. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to launch in late 2026 and means eligible visitors, including US passport holders, will need authorisation for short stays in some European countries.
The fee is just €20, and authorisation is valid for up to three years or until your passport expires, giving guests plenty of time to fly into Europe stress-free in the future. Check the official EU ETIAS website for updates. US visitors to the UK will also need an ETA for eligible short visits.
A legal or symbolic wedding ceremony – what’s the difference?
With a legal (civil) ceremony, your marriage becomes official right there and then. When you have a symbolic ceremony, it gives you the full wedding-day experience without the legal paperwork. And that means you take care of all the formalities at home, so you can celebrate your big day in style.
The good news is that some destinations make the process easier than others. Italy is a popular choice and well set up for overseas couples who want to marry legally. But France's residency rules can make a legal ceremony more complicated for non-residents.
Both options can make for an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. But think about which suits you best when you’re deciding where to tie the knot.
So, without further ado, here are the team’s own top picks of European destinations for an unforgettable luxury wedding – and why we love them (and you should too!).
Planning your European destination wedding
Popular European wedding venues can book up years in advance, particularly for peak-season dates, so it’s never too early to start planning. Bringing an experienced destination wedding planner on board to help means they’ll have the experience to secure the right venue and coordinate every detail for you.
When you’re planning your European destination wedding, it should be exciting, not overwhelming. At Matthew Oliver Weddings, we live to help global couples create unforgettable celebrations in extraordinary European locations, handling the details so you can enjoy every moment.
Contact our team to start planning yours.
