Destination wedding bookings jumped 278% for this New England island

More couples are looking closer to home for destination weddings, and one coastal favorite is seeing a major surge.

Destination weddings don’t necessarily mean getting on an international flight anymore. According to Fora’s inaugural Wedding & Honeymoon Trend Report, 53% of its travel advisors saw an increase in U.S.-based destination weddings over the past year.

One destination stood out in particular: Martha’s Vineyard, where Fora bookings jumped 278%. That was easily the largest increase among the New England destinations included in the report, ahead of Rhode Island at 136%, Maine at 130% and Cape Cod at 89%. Fora compared booking data from March 2025 with February 2026.

I recently looked at how cruise weddings and safari honeymoons are gaining traction, but that 278% increase made Martha’s Vineyard worth a closer look.

Why Martha’s Vineyard makes sense for a destination wedding

The appeal is pretty easy to understand. Couples get beaches, lighthouses, historic towns, and a destination that feels like a real getaway without asking guests to travel internationally.

Edgartown is especially well suited to a wedding weekend, with its harbor, historic homes and Lighthouse Beach. Harbor View Hotel, which overlooks the water and Edgartown Lighthouse, is one of several venues on the island that hosts weddings.

There’s also plenty for guests to do outside the ceremony, including biking, sailing, beach days, and exploring Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven.

The obvious downside

Getting everyone to an island takes more planning.

Martha’s Vineyard is accessible by ferry or plane, and accommodations and transportation can fill quickly during the busy summer season. Guests bringing cars on the ferry may also need to reserve well in advance.

Still, Martha’s Vineyard wasn’t the only domestic destination climbing in Fora’s data. South Carolina bookings increased 157%, Las Vegas rose 145%, and North Carolina was up 141%.

But 278% is hard to ignore. For couples who want a destination wedding that still feels like a major trip without leaving the U.S., Martha’s Vineyard clearly has some momentum.

Cruise Weddings Are the New Big Thing — With Safari Honeymoons Right Behind Them

New travel advisor data shows couples are rethinking traditional weddings and putting more focus on travel, wellness, and once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon plans.

Read more: Cruise Weddings Are the New Big Thing — With Safari Honeymoons Right Behind Them