Are you considering a destination wedding? If so, you've come across the right article.

This isn't another redundant article about destination wedding locations. Every year, the editors at The Knot consult with wedding professionals, travel advisors, and industry experts, along with their own data, to determine the top destination wedding locations. So, whether you're dreaming of a destination wedding stateside or a wedding weekend abroad, you can gain much-needed inspiration.

Instagram-worthy destination weddings are all the rage, but it's important to choose a destination that works well for you and your guests. A wedding's purpose is to unite a couple, but a couple's guests deserve love and consideration, too. So, a Mediterranean estate in Italy would make for an Instagram-worthy destination wedding, but there are other destination wedding locations. Read on for the full list to make your own decision.

According to The Knot's Real Weddings Study, 18% of couples threw a destination wedding in 2024. 44% of weddings took place in Mexico, 18% were in the Caribbean, and 20% were in Europe, per The Knot's data. However, a destination wedding is anything that's held outside of a couple's hometown or current location. Believe it or not, the majority of destination weddings are hosted stateside.

Luxury wedding planner JoAnn Gregoli told The Knot, "I'm seeing the top locations for destination weddings are Hawaii, Mexico, and Napa Valley, California. They're all still going very strong in the US."

"Newcomers in the US, however, include Maine, Newport, Rhode Island, and Arizona. Globally, Italy still holds very strongly. However, we are seeing requests for Spain and Greece taking a giant leap."

As you and your future spouse narrow down your list of locations to get married, you should tie that location to sentiment. If you're living in the United States, you might want to consider Miami, Florida. Miami is a great alternative to the Caribbean or Mexico, thanks to its vibrant art scene, unique architecture, and white sand beaches. Miami is also an international hub with a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene.

If Miami isn't your ideal US-based location, then New York, New York, also known as "the city that never sleeps," could be a great alternative to the hustle and bustle in the London, United Kingdom, or Charleston, South Carolina, aka "the holy city," resembles various European cities, such as Rome, Italy, and nearly cities.

If you're still dead set on an international location, you shouldn't just settle for an Italian wedding, just because other couples host Italian weddings in Italy. Portugal is a European country known for its low cost of living, and a Portuguese wedding can be an exceptional choice for American couples looking for a Spanish-inspired location that will help their guests to experience culture and a unique environment while staying on their wedding budget. Spain would also be a European possibility, as Spanish food is similar to Portuguese food, but the former is seafood-centered, while the latter tends to incorporate beef, chicken, and pork.

For an offbeat international location, Jamaica is a great alternative to the French Creole-inspired New Orleans, Louisiana, or the rustic Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Contrary to popular belief, Jamaica is more than just beaches and palm trees. Jamaica is steeped in culture from reggae tunes to indigenous spices. Jamaica is also home to many all-inclusive resorts, such as Excellence Oyster Bay in Saint James Parish, for couples seeking affordability, along with luxury resorts, such as Secrets Wild Orchid in Montego Bay, for couples searching for a luxurious stay. Costa Rica would also be an eco-friendly, sustainable option, thanks to its dense rainforests, biological reserves, and national parks. Costa Rica's waterfalls, along with eco-lodges, are naturally stunning and equally luxurious, respectively.

At the end of the day, you gather inspiration — and information — to make the right decision for you, your future spouse, and your guests. So, you and your future spouse could choose a destination wedding stateside and a honeymoon abroad if that's what you two prefer.

For example, a destination wedding in Maui, Hawaii, widely known as "the most romantic city" in Hawaii, and a honeymoon in Bali, Indonesia, a versatile province with something for everyone. Maui is still recovering from the devastating wildfire that ravaged West Maui in 2023, while Bali continues to allow partying every day at the "World's Best Beach Club" and getting down and dirty with the friendly Sumatran elephants.

Whatever you and your future spouse decide upon, it's important to remember to pack clothes, toiletries, and medications for both the wedding and honeymoon, and put passports in carry-ons. Even if you plan a star-studded wedding and a romantic honeymoon, you cannot afford to forget a necessity, and if you're hosting an outdoor ceremony, you cannot expect your guests to sit through the heat without serving water, offering access to restrooms, and sending reminders to apply sunscreen.