Very few scenes on earth have the splendor and romance of a sunrise or sunset. Stories and poetry have been penned by countless authors, all in awe of the majesty and mystery of the stars. Artists have been inspired for centuries by the hopes and dreams that lie beyond the horizon. The vista lovingly offered by Mother Nature has been the showstopper and scene stealer of millions of photographs from tropical vacations to leisurely walks in the park.
It’s no wonder today’s creative destination wedding couples are featuring the gifts of the sky and its natural counterparts in their wedding celebrations.
With such an expansive backdrop at your disposal, how do you best make these natural phenomena work for you and your moment?
We’re highlighting 5 ways to spotlight the magic of nature as your eternally memorable destination wedding backdrop!
1. Recite your vows in St. Lucia with the Pitons as your jaw-dropping backdrop
The Pitons of St. Lucia are a sight to behold. Two mountainous spires naturally created by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, they jut up from the Caribbean Sea. There is nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world. What a fitting backdrop for a love like nothing else in the world, right?
Say “I do” at the Sugar Beach Resort, nestled between the Gros and Petit Pitons which are visible from any vantage point at this luxury location.
Watch the horizon open up before you when you choose the resort’s Sunset Deck, surround yourself in the lush green space at the Verandah Garden, or imagine giving your toast right on Sugar Beach with the pitons front and center!
St. Lucia has several top-notch all-inclusive resorts such as Serenity at Coconut Bay which also boasts glorious views of the twin Pitons and is an adults-only location.
This natural backdrop fits the vibe, whether you’re looking for a ceremony and reception on the beach or an elevated vista on a flora-filled terrace!
2. Celebrate forever a-top a mountain or nestled in the hills
If you’re looking for a dreamy fairytale venue with views for miles, consider finding a mountainside resort. The Italian region of Tuscany is known for its enchanting landscape. Vineyards, olive groves, towering cypress trees, rolling hills … they all come together to form a natural mural that will stun your guests. Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, an estate set in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia Natural Park, can deliver the magic of sunsets and seductive scenery. I can just about taste the Prosecco toasts from here!
The scenery takes center stage, as well, at Hacienda Na Xamena in Ibiza, Spain! You’ll find terraces on top of terraces at this luxury resort. Would a ceremony at the amphitheater fit your vision? Here, the rays of the setting sun bounce off of Ibiza’s towering rocks and become the ultimate natural decor for your destination wedding!
Take advantage of the spectacular rock formations at an all-inclusive like Secrets Huatulco in one of the most geographically diverse places in Mexico – Oaxaca. Located on a storybook coastline, its private terraces provide draped pergolas that frame out the masses of ancient metamorphic rock that protrude from the Pacific Ocean.
3. Skip the sand and go straight to the pier
For years, the go-to destination wedding backdrop has been of the toes-in-the-sand variety. It gets you close to what you came for: the ocean view, after all!
But, you can’t get any closer to the water than by standing on the edge of a picturesque pier. Jutting out from the shore, this simple piece of architecture has couples really excited.
Just look at how it frames out the most perfect skies for your wedding photos. If your favorite color is blue, this backdrop is for you!
Sandals Grande St. Lucian Beach Resort offers several over-the-water gazebos and chapels that feature spectacular see-through bottoms! To continue the theme, the over-the-water bungalows are a heavenly option for guests, or for your wedding night! The term“bungalow” does not do the upscale amenities justice! You’ll feel the luxury with hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, a king-sized bed, and spa-like bathrooms!
The most jaw-dropping see-through acrylic pier awaits at Dreams Playa Mujeres. The entire structure is clear and open to the sealife below!
The Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru provides a similar experience. Their glass bottom pier is in the Indian Ocean and sits over a turtle enclosure where injured and rescued turtles are housed and nursed back to health at the resort’s Marine Discovery Center.
The sea-salt breezes, spray off the Caribbean waves, blue skies and ocean beyond are surely a unique and unforgettable backdrop for any destination wedding.
4. Mystical and Moody vibes await in an intimate garden setting
Planning a destination wedding might not immediately call to mind a garden, but don’t miss out on the picturesque possibilities that this natural- landscape venue promises!
Couples who are environmentally conscious and looking for an eco-friendly wedding will especially appreciate the living, breathing, viable decor provided by a garden wedding.
From a whimsical and free-spirited garden courtyard wedding at Caserio de Lobones
in Spain to a lush and luxurious garden estate wedding on the grounds of Borgo San Luigi in Tuscany, the backdrop that a wall of cyprus trees, an arch of wisteria vines, and a mossy stone garden wall provides is a true dream come true.
In the Caribbean, Costa Rica offers this effect in spades! Intimate garden courtyards and small estates with gorgeous manicured lawns await you. Or choose the botanical gardens at Jardin Else Kientzler. Open to the public, their 17+ acres also offers unbelievable and other-worldly private wedding spaces. With vegetation brought in from all over the world, your wedding could be an ode to the outdoors! Costa Rican photographers such as Raw Shoots are well equipped to catch you among the majesty of the forest trees. Here, it’s easy to throw an eco-friendly celebration by using what nature gives you: the lush foliage that grows organically all around. Choose catering that uses ingredients that are organic and locally sourced. Look to see if your alcohol can be purchased from local wineries, distilleries, or breweries like Blue Zone Brewery (which has an adorable catering truck, by the way)!
Your wedding favors can even get in the environmentally-friendly game as well with baskets of biodegradable confetti from The Confetti Bar.
Pay your debt to the gorgeous natural backdrop by making big memories but leaving a small carbon footprint.
5. Embrace the Yucatan culture with a cenote ceremony
If your vision is to get married in one of Mexico’s premier Yucatan Peninsula locations, consider one of the many mysterious cenotes (see-NO-tays) unique to this area of the world. Cenotes form when the roof of a cave collapses, exposing itself to the sky. Eventually, it fills with water. The resulting space is truly special, and it’s the magic and fantasy of a cenote that draws couples to it.
A wide range of atmospheres can be achieved, depending on what you’re looking for. Some cenotes are cavernous, deep, dark and moody. At the right time of day, they seem to emit an after-dark glow. Others have no roof and are open-air, letting the Caribbean sun stream in at awe-inspiring angles, or providing the most spectacular view of the Yucatan stars.
One of the region’s most frequented cenotes is Cenote Elvira in Puerto Morelos. It has seen everything from engagements and weddings to family reunions and romantic dinners for two. One of its most striking features is a waterfall which adds to the allure. And, if the convenience of a resort nearby is a must on your list, then try out El Dorado Casitas Royale Resort. The cenotes at their Bonanza Ranch are only a horseback ride away!
And to really go with the flow, try a fairy-inspired wedding dress like the ones highlighted by Brides magazine. Or, opt for informal, yet one-of-a-kind, and invite guests to wear black and white bathing suits as they tread or lounge on nearby rocks for your ceremony! Check out these couture “bridal bikinis” featured in The New York Times. Talk about making a splash!
All things considered, none of these Mother Nature-inspired wedding backdrops will steer you wrong. Any one of the five stunning possibilities will provide destination wedding memories – and Instagram-worthy photos – for a lifetime!
And just think, Travel With Class LLC can make any of these dreams a reality. Book a free consultation to discuss how at www.travelwithclassllc.com!