Great Destination Weddings

celebrate your love in stunning sri lanka

Yours is no ordinary wedding and this is certainly no ordinary wedding locale. Sri Lanka brings together incredible natural beauty and a rich local culture and cuisine with gracious hospitality and a touch of colonial elegance. Whether you’re planning a party by the pool or on a scenic terrace, a sunset beach celebration or even a lagoon or garden event, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. Family-owned hotelier Jetwing Hotels has hand-picked some of the most breathtaking locations on the island to create their renowned resorts and villas. Which will be your perfect match? Say ‘I do’ at sunset Wedding dreams come true at Jetwing Blue. This breathtaking tropical hideaway is located in Negombo, home to one of the finest stretches of sand on the island. Experience the splendour of sunset over…

editor’s letter

Welcome to our eighth annual edition of Great Destination Weddings. The same team that first launched GDW has also been producing Australia’s leading romantic travel magazine, Holidays for Couples for the past 23 years. So, you could say we’ve learned a thing or two about romance and travel! One thing we’re certain of – no holiday could be more romantic than a destination wedding. Congratulations on taking the first step towards planning the most epic trip of your lives. It’s amazing to think that when we started this magazine, destination weddings were regarded as a ‘trend’. Travel, particularly the international kind, is so much more affordable and easier than it was even a decade ago and this has helped shape the evolution of destination weddings. The traditional celebration where a couple…

the ultimate destination wedding checklist

Ten months to a year out: ◯ Define your budget. Be sure to include essentials such as airfares, visas and a buffer for any unexpected costs. ◯ Narrow down a wedding location and research the marriage requirements. ◯ Choose a date. Consider your destination’s holiday (peak) seasons and weather patterns to avoid any dramas. ◯ Many resorts include a wedding planner, but if you can afford your own dedicated wedding organiser to help you plan the ultimate stress-free destination wedding experience, now is the time to start researching your options – lock them in! ◯ If possible, schedule a trip to your chosen destination. Suss out the accommodation, work out how easy it is to get around and consider what guests might love (or not love) about it. ◯ Create the guest list. Try and be…

let it snow

IT’S A KIND OF MAGIC: trees dusted in powder-white snow, icicles sparkling, snowflakes softly falling as you pledge your vows in the pristine mountain air. Later, celebrating in a cosy lodge or chalet, illuminated by candlelight, with red wine and Champagne flowing and the fire roaring – who could resist that fantasy? Perfect for lovers who would happily swap sun and surf for snow and après ski, a winter wonderland wedding is pure romance. You’re spoiled for gorgeous photo opportunities, theming is a cinch and that ‘just married’ embrace takes on a new intensity when you’re actually trying to keep warm! Considering tying the knot somewhere chilly? Here are just a few options for an unforgettable wedding in the snow. A heli wedding in New Zealand With a helicopter as your wedding transport, a…

lead the way

OKAY, SO WE GET THAT IT’S YOUR SPECIAL DAY (or week, whatever you fancy), but your guests are kind of important too – especially when they’re choosing to travel at their own expense to celebrate with you. Luckily, it only takes a little thought and planning to ensure #goodvibesonly for everyone involved. Give plenty of notice Receiving an invitation for an event a year in advance might seem a little ridiculous, but for a destination wedding it’s totally justified. Whether you send them out 18 months, a year or six months in advance, make sure you give the guests you intend to invite plenty of notice (a simple heads-up by email is enough for the initial ‘save the date’ notice). Planning an overseas holiday can take time (securing annual leave, saving funds…

fall in love with the philippines

WHILE YOU MIGHT RECOGNISE THE POWDER-WHITE SANDS OF BORACAY, there is so much more of the Philippines to explore. With a history shaped by Spanish and Western influences, this southeast Asian archipelago has a captivating natural charm all its own. In fact, it’s the dazzling natural attractions and warmth and humour of the Filipino people that make this a wedding destination to watch. The beauty of Boracay lives up to the hype, with a lively nightlife and wide choice of gorgeous resorts. Camera-shy couples will love the translucent waters of low-key and lovely Palawan Island – home to pristine jungle and beaches, incredible wildlife, seriously luxe hotels, and the dramatic limestone cliffs off the resort town of El Nido. Look just beyond the Philippines’ vibrant beach culture and you’ll find the…