The Best Countries for Destination Weddings—And the U.S. Didn’t Even Crack the Top 40

A new study compared weather, hotel prices, and venues…and the results aren’t what most couples expect

Destination weddings aren’t just for celebrities and reality TV couples anymore. According to DressPreservation.com, 25% of U.S. weddings are now considered destination events.

But the “dream” location can get expensive fast. The study ranked countries by factors like weather, five-star hotel costs, luxury hotel density, and search interest.

10. Philippines

The Philippines ranked tenth, helped by some of the lowest luxury hotel prices in the study. The median cost for one night in a five-star hotel was $94.

That price is a major selling point for couples who want a tropical wedding without asking guests to spend Italy-level money. The flip side is that planning can depend heavily on which island or resort you choose, so this is one where doing your homework matters.

9. Morocco

Morocco landed ninth, with strong sunshine numbers and a median five-star hotel cost of $181 per night. For couples picturing tiled courtyards, rooftop dinners, or a desert-side celebration, the appeal is obvious.

It may take more planning than a resort wedding in Greece or Thailand, especially for a larger group. But for couples who want a setting that feels different from the usual beach wedding, Morocco has a lot going for it.

8. Australia

Australia tied with New Zealand for seventh place, though it appears eighth in the ranking. The country scored well for search interest and has no shortage of wedding-ready scenery, from beaches to wine regions.

For American couples, the biggest drawback is the flight. Even if the hotel rates look reasonable on paper at $152.50 per night for a five-star stay, airfare and travel time could be a dealbreaker for some guests.

7. New Zealand

New Zealand also tied for seventh, ranking well thanks to mild temperatures and strong destination interest. The study listed the median five-star hotel cost at $169.50 per night.

This is the choice for couples who care more about scenery than convenience. It’s beautiful, but it’s a long haul from the U.S., and that matters when you’re asking friends and family to come along.

6. Qatar

Qatar ranked sixth, helped by nearly 3,900 hours of sunshine a year and a high density of five-star hotels. The median five-star hotel cost was $143.50 per night, which is lower than many people might expect.

Still, Qatar had very low search interest compared with several countries in the top 10. The numbers are strong, but it may not be the first place many American couples picture for a destination wedding.

5. Thailand

Thailand ranked fifth, and the value is hard to ignore. The median five-star hotel cost was $121.50 per night, while the country also scored well for warm weather and hotel availability.

For couples who want a beach wedding, resort help, and a trip that can double as a honeymoon, Thailand makes a lot of sense. (If I were to get married again, I would totally do it at the Naka Island Resort featured in the video above!) The main thing to watch is timing, since heat and rainy seasons can make or break the experience.

4. Turkey

Turkey came in fourth, with a median five-star hotel cost of $137.50 per night. It also scored well for climate, with an average annual temperature of 19 degrees Celsius.

The appeal here is range. Couples could look at coastal resorts, historic cities, or something along the Bosphorus, but guests may need more travel guidance than they would for more familiar wedding destinations.

3. China

China ranked third, which may surprise couples who usually picture Greece, Italy, or Mexico first. The study gave China strong marks for hotel cost, with the median five-star stay coming in at $131.50 per night.

That said, this ranking feels more data-driven than trend-driven. China may have the infrastructure and pricing, but it’s not likely to be the default choice for many U.S. couples planning a wedding abroad.

2. Greece

Greece came in second, which feels about right. It has the sunshine, the island views, and a strong supply of luxury hotels, especially compared with many other countries in the ranking. (I, mean, you really can’t beat Santorini for a romantic wedding!)

The cost is where things get less dreamy. The median five-star hotel rate was $365.50 per night, making Greece far pricier than Portugal, Thailand, or Turkey.

1. Portugal

Portugal took the top spot, and this one makes sense. The study found a median five-star hotel cost of $176.50 per night, along with solid sunshine numbers and comfortable average temperatures. (It’s also home to some incredible castles you can get married in.)

It also has the kind of variety couples want for a wedding trip: Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, wine country, historic towns, coastal views. Compared with more expensive European picks, Portugal gives couples a lot to work with before the budget starts getting silly.

Why the U.S. Ranked So Low

The U.S. landed at No. 42 in the study. It had decent search interest, but the median cost of a five-star hotel was $817 per night, which dragged down its overall score.

That number makes the ranking easier to understand. A wedding in the U.S. may feel simpler on paper, but if couples are already asking guests to travel, a country with lower luxury hotel costs and better weather odds can start to look a lot more appealing.

It also helps explain why wedding travel is getting more creative. Some couples are moving beyond traditional venues altogether, looking at cruise weddings or pairing the ceremony with a bigger honeymoon-style trip. I recently covered that shift, including the rise of cruise ceremonies and safari honeymoons, and it fits right in with this broader move toward weddings that feel more like full travel experiences.

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