You Can Get Married in These Crazy Spots All Around the World
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you're a travel addict and can't sit stay put long enough to exchange vows, a destination wedding might be for you. And you wouldn't be alone. A 2017 trend report estimated that one out of every five engaged couples plans a destination wedding — and if you've got a stash of points and miles, there may be no better time to cash in than on your international nuptials.
Though the top destination wedding spots are typically scattered across the Caribbean and Mexico, travelers don't need to tie the knot under a thatched roof palapa. To really wow your wedding guests, consider one of these over-the-top ceremonies.
In a Hot Air Balloon
We're all obsessed with planes and aviation here at The Points Guy — so the idea of getting married up in the air has us all swooning. Couples can plan a sky-high ceremony with various companies, including operators based in Arizona and New Mexico. Some of the balloons are large enough to accommodate 12, meaning the bride and groom can bring the whole wedding party along to witness the union.
TPG Tip: Brides may want to swap stilettos for a more comfortable 'ballooning' shoe, such as a flat sandal or sneaker.
On a Vintage Plane
AvGeeks, pay attention: you can get married (and dance the night away) on a retired Boeing 747 at Cotswold Airport. Both the plane — as well as the operational control tower — are able to host civil ceremonies, so while you won't actually be able to kiss the bride or groom in the air, it's still a one-of-a-kind experience ideal for serious aviation enthusiasts. The reception can also be held onboard the 747, or the event can continue at the airport's on-site restaurant, AV8. The 747 has space for a stage, makeup and dressing rooms, too.
TPG Tip: Civil ceremonies in the control tower can't start until after 5:30 p.m. (outside of operating hours).
At a National Park
If you want to tie the knot in the great outdoors, you can do so at many national parks around the United States. Some of the most famous sites for destination weddings include Yosemite, Crater Lake, Arches and Glacier. Before booking, however, make sure to consider factors like the age and mobility of your guests; your flexibility with the weather; and specific park rules. Many reserves don't allow food, flowers or speakers.
TPG Tip: You'll most likely need to secure a permit to hold your ceremony at a national park.
In the Middle of the Desert
Starwood's Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort and Spa, located in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, offers weddings of all kinds: on the desert dunes, on horseback (Arabians, of course) and even on camels. The resort is only an hour from bustling Dubai, but the property feels completely isolated, as though it's only visited by the onyx and gazelles that roam the desert grounds.
TPG Tip: Although you can't pay for the wedding festivities with points, you can use them to book your room. Expect to spend 60,000 SPG points per night, but the all-inclusive rate covers your meals and two activities per day.
Near Ancient Mayan Ruins
If a standard destination wedding in tropical Belize just isn't enough, you can get married at the foot (or on top) of Mayan Ruins such as the Altun Ha temple. With the impressive monuments and lush Central American jungle as your backdrop, you won't miss traditional banquet hall decor. In some cases, you — and your guests — may have to ford rivers and follow moderate hiking trails to reach the ruins: an important consideration for couples.
TPG Tip: Warn your officiant to speak loudly, as guests may have trouble hearing your vows over the sound of howler monkeys in the background.
Inside Caverns and Caves
Want to hold your destination wedding in a natural church? Try Cathedral Cave, part of the Capricorn Caves in Australia. You'll walk down a candlelit aisle and your music will resonate throughout the space — after all, caves have some pretty impressive acoustics. If Australia is just too far to manage, there are several cave venues in the United Kingdom, such as Wookey Hole Caves in Somerset.
TPG Tip: Travelers can also get married in the underground chapel at the SPG Design property, the House Hotel, in Cappadocia. This way, your first wedding gift will arrive in the form of Starpoints.
On a Pirate Ship
You can always get married on a boat, but if you want a truly unconventional wedding, why not have one on a pirate ship? Treasure Island Hotel in Las Vegas offers wedding services on their pirate ship in Sirens Cove. The only kicker? You're not actually out on the open seas. Consider this an ideal way to prevent seasickness from interfering with your wedding day.
TPG Tip: The ship wedding packages don't include room rates. That means you can get married at Treasure Island Hotel, but bed down at a nearby property where you can use your hotel points for award nights instead.
In a Fairytale Castle
If you want to feel like a prince or princess on your wedding day, get married in a castle. Close to home, of course, getting married in front of the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World is a popular option. But if it's a real castle you're after, head to Europe. Castle weddings are fairly common in France and Spain, where châteaus and castillos are scattered across the countryside.
TPG Tip: You can't get married inside Germany's Neuschwanstein Castle (thought to be the real-life inspiration for the aforementioned Cinderella Castle) but you can use it as your magical backdrop. Another option? The Ashford Castle hotel in Ireland, which you can book with you Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card through Hotels.com for 10x miles on your stay — equal to a 10% return through Jan. 31, 2020.
Up in a Treehouse
Embrace your inner child (while making a very adult decision) in a whimsical treehouse wedding. Various treehouse-style venues all over the world host weddings, but our favorites include Alnwick Garden in the United Kingdom, which can accommodate 65 people at a ceremony held beneath a woodland canopy, and the Kanopi House in Jamaica. Here, you can tie the knot in a treehouse with sweeping ocean views.
TPG Tip: Make sure to ask about accessibility options at your treehouse if any of your guests will require special assistance.
Under the Sea
Captain Slate is a well-known underwater officiant in the Florida Keys, and he's even in the Guinness Book of World Records for having presided over the largest documented underwater wedding (110 costumed guests were present). But many venues in destinations such as the Bahamas and Thailand also offer underwater weddings if you'd like to scuba your "I Do's" farther away from home. As an added bonus, brides won't have to worry about selecting (or packing) a dress, as many venues provide white neoprene suits for the special occasion.
TPG Tip: Just because you want to get married underwater, doesn't mean your guests have to get wet, too. They can typically watch a live video stream of the ceremony from a boat or on shore.
Check out the TPG guide on maximizing your points, miles and credit cards for your wedding and honeymoon.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.