Popular Beach Wedding Venues

Dreaming of soft sands beneath your feet, turquoise waves as your witness, and the golden sun lighting your vows? For European couples, a beach wedding is more than a ceremony — it's a romantic escape, an adventure, and a memory of a lifetime. With easy flight access and growing demand for unique wedding experiences, 2025 is set to be a banner year for destination weddings.

Here are the top beach wedding destinations for European travellers in 2025 — where love meets paradise.

Santorini, Greece – Whitewashed Romance

• Short flights from most European capitals
• Legendary sunsets and volcanic beaches
• Iconic blue-domed chapels for ceremonies
• Legal weddings are easy to arrange

Santorini is a postcard-perfect island made for lovers. Imagine a ceremony overlooking the caldera, with the Aegean Sea as your backdrop. The volcanic Red Beach and quieter Perissa Beach offer dramatic locations for barefoot weddings.

Santorini’s beaches are striking and dramatic, born from volcanic fire rather than coral reefs. Red Beach, with its rust-colored cliffs and dark pebbles, feels otherworldly, while Perissa and Kamari are known for their black sand and deep, cooling waters—more rugged than relaxing. In contrast, the beaches of Seychelles are soft poems of white powder and turquoise calm. Anse Lazio and Anse Source d’Argent shimmer with crystalline shallows and granite boulders sculpted by time, offering a sense of serene paradise. Where Santorini’s coastlines awe with bold contrast and elemental drama, Seychelles seduces with gentle beauty and untouched tranquility.

Best time to wed: May to September

Amalfi Coast, Italy – Elegant Seaside Charm

• Unparalleled mix of culture, cuisine, and coastal scenery
• Historic seaside villas and terraced gardens
• Easily accessible from Naples or Rome
• Civil and religious ceremonies legally recognized

Although not a classic beach destination, the Amalfi Coast offers cliffside romance and Mediterranean beaches. Ceremonies in Positano or Ravello are deeply atmospheric, with luxury woven into every detail.

The beaches of the Amalfi Coast are a striking blend of rugged Mediterranean beauty and intimate charm. Nestled beneath towering cliffs and painted villages, spots like Spiaggia Grande in Positano offer dramatic pebble-strewn shores where the deep blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea meets the colorful vibrancy of seaside life. The beaches here are often compact and framed by steep terraces, olive groves, and fragrant lemon orchards, creating a sensory experience where nature and culture intertwine. These pebbled shores invite quiet moments of reflection, swims in crystalline water, and the pleasure of dining in nearby historic seaside villas or cafes. Unlike expansive sandy beaches, Amalfi’s coastal retreats feel exclusive and timeless, offering a sense of seclusion amid luxury and history.

By contrast, the beaches of Seychelles embody a lush tropical paradise defined by soft, white powder sand and crystal-clear turquoise lagoons. Famous spots like Anse Lazio or Anse Source d’Argent extend invitingly, with gentle waves lapping shores lined by sculpted granite boulders and swaying palm trees. The Seychelles’ beaches are expansive and tranquil, perfect for barefoot walks, snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs, or simply surrendering to the gentle rhythms of island life. Where the Amalfi Coast’s beaches impress with dramatic elevation and cultural richness, Seychelles captivates with its pristine natural beauty and relaxed tropical charm. Each destination offers a unique seaside experience—one shaped by Mediterranean elegance and storied heritage, the other by untouched serenity and island magic.

Best time to wed: April to June, September to October

The Algarve, Portugal – Sun-Soaked Simplicity

• Direct flights from all over Europe
• Golden beaches with dramatic rock formations
• Affordable and laid-back
• Friendly local wedding planners

The Algarve offers one of Europe’s sunniest coastlines with beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia do Camilo ideal for weddings. It’s a favorite for couples seeking a warm, budget-friendly alternative with authentic character and great wine.

The Algarve’s beaches are a sun-soaked spectacle of golden sands framed by striking cliffs and sculpted rock formations that plunge into the Atlantic’s sparkling waters. Beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia do Camilo offer intimate coves and natural arches, where the warm sun and gentle waves create a relaxed yet breathtaking backdrop for any wedding. The coastline’s rugged charm and vibrant blue waters invite exploration, while nearby quaint villages provide an authentic Portuguese touch. In comparison, Seychelles’ beaches are a world apart in their tropical lushness—soft white sands stretch wide under the shade of towering palms, bordered by calm, crystal-clear lagoons and iconic granite boulders. While the Algarve enchants with its dramatic cliffs and sunlit Atlantic spirit, Seychelles captivates with its serene, postcard-perfect island paradise. Both destinations promise unforgettable beach weddings, yet each reflects a distinct rhythm of nature’s beauty—one shaped by rugged European coastline, the other by timeless tropical serenity.

Best time to wed: May to October

The Maldives – Luxury Barefoot Weddings

• Private island resorts
• Lavish all-inclusive honeymoon packages
• Idyllic overwater ceremonies
• Direct or one-stop flights from Europe

Though legal weddings may not be recognized unless arranged abroad first, symbolic ceremonies in the Maldives are among the most romantic on earth. The islands are perfect for couples who want privacy and five-star intimacy.

The beaches of the Maldives are the epitome of luxury and seclusion, with powder-white sands that stretch beneath endless skies and crystal-clear turquoise waters so calm they seem almost glass-like. Many resorts boast private beaches and overwater villas that open directly onto the lagoon, creating an intimate setting for barefoot ceremonies where the ocean gently laps at your feet.

Unlike the Seychelles, where the beaches are framed by dramatic granite boulders and lush tropical vegetation, Maldivian shores are defined by their soft coral atolls and expansive, tranquil lagoons. While Seychelles offers a more varied and rugged natural landscape along its beaches, the Maldives captivates with minimalist elegance and unparalleled privacy—making both destinations perfect for lovers, but with distinctly different moods: Seychelles pulses with vibrant island life, and the Maldives whispers a serene, exclusive escape.

Best time to wed: November to April

Bali, Indonesia – Exotic & Spiritual

• Unique Hindu ceremonies and lush beach temples
• Affordable luxury and villas on the sand
• Excellent for extended honeymoons
• Great value for long-haul

While further from Europe, Bali is a beloved destination for adventurous couples. Seminyak and Uluwatu offer clifftop ceremonies, while beaches like Jimbaran or Nusa Dua give you space to celebrate by the sea.

Bali’s beaches are a vibrant blend of tropical energy and spiritual serenity, where golden and black sands meet rolling waves beneath ancient sea temples. Beaches like Jimbaran and Nusa Dua offer wide, soft shores perfect for celebrations, while the clifftop vistas of Uluwatu bring breathtaking drama and a sacred atmosphere to ceremonies. The surf-rich coasts buzz with life, from traditional fishing boats to beachside cafes serving fresh seafood. In contrast, the beaches of Seychelles evoke a more untouched, tranquil paradise—white powder sands bordered by calm, crystalline waters and iconic granite boulders that seem sculpted by nature itself. While Bali pulses with cultural vibrancy and a mix of natural contrasts, Seychelles feels like a quiet sanctuary, where every beach invites peaceful reflection. Both destinations promise unforgettable seaside weddings, yet Bali combines exotic spirituality and lively coastal charm, whereas Seychelles offers timeless island tranquility and pristine natural beauty.

Best time to wed: April to October

Croatia – Adriatic Beauty Meets Culture

• Short flights from central Europe
• Crystal-clear beaches and islands like Hvar and Brač
• Historic towns and dramatic coastline
• More affordable than western Europe

Croatia offers a blend of cultural depth and sun-drenched elegance. Couples can say “I do” with the Adriatic at their feet, and follow it with a cruise through Dalmatian islands.

Croatia’s beaches along the Adriatic coast are known for their crystal-clear, cool waters and charming pebble shores that shimmer under the Mediterranean sun. Islands like Hvar and Brač offer secluded coves and charming waterfronts lined with historic stone villages, where beach days blend effortlessly with cultural exploration. Unlike the soft sandy expanses of Seychelles, Croatian beaches tend to be more rugged and pebbly, offering a different tactile experience and a cooler embrace from the sea. Seychelles, by contrast, boasts powdery white sands and calm, warm lagoons sheltered by towering granite boulders and lush tropical foliage. While Croatia’s coast entices with its blend of pristine waters, historic charm, and vibrant island life, Seychelles captivates with its untouched tropical serenity and soft, sun-drenched beaches. Each destination offers a unique seaside wedding backdrop—Croatia for its cultural elegance and crystalline clarity, Seychelles for its idyllic paradise and natural softness.

Best time to wed: May to September

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Tips for Planning Your Beach Wedding Abroad

• Legal Requirements: Always check the legal marriage requirements for your nationality. Some destinations require paperwork in advance or translations.
• Travel Insurance: Consider coverage that includes wedding-specific clauses (e.g., event cancellation, dress, rings).
• Local Planners: Use a wedding planner with experience in destination ceremonies — especially if you don’t speak the local language.
• Symbolic vs Legal: In countries like the Maldives or Bali, many couples legally marry at home and hold a symbolic ceremony on the beach.

Conclusion: Let the Sea Be Your Witness

For European couples ready to celebrate love with the sea as their witness, these destinations offer more than beauty — they offer a story. A beach wedding is not just a ceremony; it’s the beginning of a journey. Whether it's the wild allure of the Seychelles, the volcanic beauty of Santorini, or the rustic charm of Portugal, each location brings its own kind of magic.

So take your partner’s hand, choose your beach, and let the adventure begin.

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Looking for help planning your destination wedding? Our team specializes in creating seamless, romantic beach weddings across the world’s most stunning coasts. Contact us to begin your journey.