Yes, we still swoon over picturesque European cities like Lake Como, Tuscany, Santorini, Venice, and Paris which are symbolic of the language of love, but these framed destinations do possess the risk of getting swamped with the crowd. Luckily, the Old Continent still hides some of its most storybook-like towns in more remote places – from Italy to the South of France.
Europe’s secret destinations, away from the crowds, await you. Discover the most beautiful places to get married in Europe. Whether you’re a wild-at-heart adventurer or a hopeless romantic, Europe has got everything you could want! Here are the hidden gems to elope in Europe in 2023!
The Faroe Islands, Denmark
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets is the Faroe Islands. But when you see the epic pictures of this place, you immediately know why it’s just out-of-this-world epic. The raw landscape is shaped of steep cliffs, deep fjords, waterfalls and high mountains. If you want an adventurous elopement in a place that few people have been to, this is the place for you.
São Miguel, Portugal
São Miguel, an island in Portugal’s Azores region, is an otherworldly paradise for nature lovers and outdoor adventurers. A wedding surrounded by full nature is possible if you celebrate your wedding in the Azores because you will be, together with your partner, in an environment full of dolphins, whales, volcanic rocks, green and blue lagoons, steaming land and natural vegetation. Charming towns, coast, golf courses, botanical gardens, sports ports, stately homes, palaces with fountains, hills with volcanoes, museums, churches, palaces full of treasures of art and history, green fields, you are sure to find your sweet spot here.
With more than 800 km of stunning coastline, dotted with some of Italy’s most beautiful beaches, you can see why people would want to have their wedding in Puglia. The unique landscapes filled with olive trees and fields meet the sea in a harmonic composition. The variety of locations, the richness of the food and wine traditions, and the local hospitality combined with a mild climate have contributed to making the wedding in Puglia a memorable event, also celebrated by celebrities, show business stars and members of high society. For example, Puglia has been chosen by Justin Timberlake.
Bordeaux, South of France
Bordeaux is calm, beautiful, and oozing with romance. French, royal and rural, like the story of Cinderella, your wedding here can be a fairytale come true. The gastronomy of Bordeaux and its famous wines will not fail to sublimate your festive meal. It really is a perfect region to celebrate a wedding! With River Garonne running through the middle, the city is also surrounded by green sun-drenched vineyards, making it a beautiful wedding venue by the water, and the gorgeous chateaus are something you will instantly fall for.
Gran Canaria, Spain
Elopement is all about intimacy and just the two of you. So imagine saying “YES” on a balcony hanging out over the ocean. Or standing on the top of dunes stretching along the coastline, covered with golden sand. And when the sun sets, the light gives the dunes a magical and out-of-this-world look. Or capture this memorable moment during stunning sunset or sunrise standing on the incredible, iconic volcanic monolith. Gran Canaria is one of the top choices for Canary Island weddings that will impress you with the richness of nature, charming villages with thousands of palms, cottages with covered patios, and narrow cobbled streets.
Mykonos, Greece
If Greece is on your mind, then skip the obvious choice of Santorini and consider Mykonos. This place has everything you could want for a Greek destination wedding – white houses, the old churches, the wells, the narrowly whitewashed alleys filled with pots, the paved terrace overlooking the huge Mill, the champagne, the dance until the dawn are all you’ll live if your wedding takes place down from the sun of Mykonos.
Lapland, Finland
Finnish Lapland has always been considered a magical wedding destination. Spanning over a number of countries the area offers some amazing wedding locations and experiences. If you are looking for something truly different and to give your guests the ‘wow factor’ then Lapland is the perfect location for you! Imagine arriving by reindeer sleigh or snowmobile to your wedding ceremony and later witnessing the spectacular Northern Lights on your wedding night. It certainly is a destination like no other for that magical winter wonderland wedding!
Istria, Croatia
Istria is considered to be one of Croatia’s well-kept secrets. A region with a lot to offer – delicious wines, traditional gastronomy, striking beaches, and rich cultural heritage – it’s a top-rated tourist destination for hedonists. Lately, it’s considered a hidden gem of the destination wedding industry in Croatia. The coast of Istria is kissed by the Adriatic Sea, one of the cleanest seas in the world. The inner part of Istria is full of rocky formations and hills. On the top of these hills lay centuries-old picturesque villages with some of the best views of their surroundings.
Cliff of Moher, Ireland
Featured in many movies, this stunning location in Ireland unrivaled views across the vast Atlantic Ocean whose cool breeze greets you on your wedding day. It’s a convergence of elements, where the land meets the sea, where the spirit is all around you, and you can feel its ancient heart beating with every step you take. Overlooking the Atlantic and soaring above into the sky, it is literally feeling like you are sitting on the edge of the world and an absolutely ideal place to elope and host your incredible destination wedding in Ireland.
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