Our Complete Guide to Destination Weddings

You don’t need a passport for your event to qualify. A destination wedding is any wedding hosted 100+ miles from where you (or most of your guests) live. But it’s so much more than just geography. 🙄

A real-deal destination wedding includes…

• Travel + Lodging: Yes, your guests are packing bags and booking stays.
• Multi-Day Events: From welcome parties to farewell brunches, it’s a whole itinerary.
• Local Flavor: Think wine from the region, seasonal cuisine, and personalized drinks that go beyond a cocktail named after your dog.
• Venue-as-Vacation: If your venue doesn’t double as a weekend getaway, you’re doing it wrong.

The goal? Give your guests (and yourself) something to remember beyond a 6-hour reception and a sparkler sendoff. This is your chance to turn your wedding into a travel-worthy experience.

“I would surely encourage couples to visit the destination at least once and give themselves two to three days [at the destination] if scheduling allows. This is the perfect time for you to see and feel what your guests will feel and experience. If you can’t make it, hire a professional who is great at details and communication.”

– Darryl Moore, founder of D’Concierge Weddings via Brides

Plan Your Visit

WHY COUPLES REALLY CHOOSE DESTINATION WEDDINGS

You’ve heard the buzzwords: intimate, scenic, less stressful. Cute, but what does all that really add up to? Here’s why couples actually go destination:

1. The Guest List Glow-Up

You are not required to invite everyone who’s ever graduated from college with you or came to your 5th birthday. One of the greatest gifts a destination wedding gives you? Permission to be selective. It’s not “trimming the fat” (we’re not butchers)—it’s curating a vibe. If they’re not willing to pack a bag and raise a glass in your honor, do they really need a seat at your table?

This is your wedding, not a networking event. A smaller guest list means fewer people to wrangle, more quality time with those you adore, and the freedom to splurge on things that actually matter—like multi-course dinners or that epic floral installation you’ve pinned 47 times.

➡️ AKA: A more intimate affair often results in a more relaxed atmosphere, giving you the chance to connect with each guest instead of waving at them across a crowded ballroom.

Click here for more smart ways to save. 💸

If you’re going to travel for your wedding, you might as well do it right. From tropical islands to historic estates, here are some of the most talked-about wedding destinations around the world—and why Black Oak stands out.

Venue	Location	Vibe	Keep in Mind
Black Oak Mountain Vineyards	Northern California	Elevated wine country with total privacy	A modern villa, 160 private acres, edge-of-the-world views. No tourist foot traffic here.
The Royal Hawaiian	O’ahu, HI	Beach resorts meet lush jungle	Gorgeous, but your guests better love long flights and higher humidity.
Château de Villette	France	Old-world opulence	Historic charm, yes—but you’ll trade creative control for preservation rules.
Amanzoe	Greece	Cliffside minimalist luxe	Dreamy… and dreamily expensive. Also, plan on shipping fees for literally everything.
The Chedi	Switzerland	Alpine elegance	Expect snow, spa days, and serious planning logistics. Ideal for winter weddings.
Rosewood Mayakoba	Mexico	Jungle-chic resort vibes	Beautiful but not private—think weddings alongside pool-goers.

Each of these locations brings a unique aesthetic to the table, but let’s be honest: not everyone wants to fly their florist across the Atlantic or risk their ceremony being photobombed by resort tourists. That’s where Black Oak shines.

You get European luxury without the customs paperwork, tropical views without the sweat or random in a speedo, and a full estate that’s yours and yours alone.

Other popular locations

• Paris: Gorgeous but far and $$$.

• Las Vegas: Affordable, but c’mon, a little white chapel… overdone.
• Italy: Dreamy, but your florist may not survive the customs delay. Also Lake Como? Okay, boomer.

• Florida: Humid. Enough said.

Meanwhile, Northern California (hi, Black Oak!) gives you:

• Mediterranean/desert vibes with mountain views, no passport required

• Luxurious venues with SO many different vibes (redwood forests, private villas, alpine lodges, and city rooftops.
• Year-round magic (hello, golden hour)
• Total privacy, zero interruptions

We’re biased—but we’re also right.

Click here for more California venues. ☀️

The Black Oak Difference

Planning a destination wedding shouldn’t feel like prepping for a military operation. At Black Oak, we’ve made ease, elegance, and elevated guest experience our mission. Here’s how we make destination wedding dreams not only possible—but unforgettable.

What You Get When You Book Black Oak…

• A Private Villa for up to 22 of your nearest and dearest (because waking up to vineyard views > hotel hallways)
• Close to Major Travel Hubs: Just 45 minutes from Sacramento International Airport, with easy access to Lake Tahoe, Napa, and San Francisco
• A Full Weekend Experience: Ceremony sites, reception spaces, recovery brunch spots—check, check, and check
• Onsite Coordination Dream Team: We work with seasoned planners who know how to make a multi-day wedding flow like prosecco
• No Other Weddings, Ever: When you’re here, you’re it. No back-to-back chaos or rushed resets

I love seeing the different visions that every couple has for their wedding day and what aspects of Black Oak resonate the most with them. As a planner and designer, it’s so fun to infuse a couple’s personality into the wedding day.

-Sandra Cooper of Savvy Weddings

Welcome to the era of no-copy-paste weddings. In 2025, couples are done with recycled timelines and traditions that make no sense for their lives. Instead? It’s all about crafting weekends that feel rich in story, luxe in detail, and deeply personal in every possible way. And if it doesn’t feel like you? It’s not making the cut.

Let’s examine the biggest destination wedding trends for 2025/26—from sensible guest lists to ceremony aisles that look like fashion runways.

✂️ Smaller Guest Lists, Bigger Moments

Gone are the days of restrained elegance. Maximalism is making a comeback – with intention. Think rich textures, vibrant patterns, and statement-making décor that create depth and personality. The key is to layer elements thoughtfully, creating a bold visual experience that feels fresh, not overdone.

Less isn’t just more—it’s magic. Couples are embracing the power of an intentional guest list: fewer invites, deeper connections, and space to actually enjoy the celebration (without having to play cocktail-hour speed dating with people you barely know).

Black Oak Take: Our private villa fits 22 overnight guests—perfect for that inner circle energy. And with no other weddings on site, your entire weekend stays as intimate as you want it to.

👉 Discover how onsite lodging makes all the difference.

🍽️ Food Is the New Focal Point

No one’s settling for rubber chicken and a sad side salad. Food is the new headline act, and we’re seeing couples lean into culinary storytelling in seriously creative ways.

We’re talking…

• Chef-led tasting stations instead of long plated dinners
• Menus inspired by family heritage, regional ingredients, or your first date meal
• Global bites and late-night snacks that guests still talk about six months later
• Elevated beverages like natural wines, spritz bars, and cold brew carts (yes please)
• Dining is no longer a break in the party—it is the party.

Black Oak Take: Between our on-site organic vineyards, citrus groves, and olive trees, your catering team has options that don’t just taste amazing—they tell a story.

“When it comes to menu selections, we’re also noticing many couples are choosing regional and seasonal ingredients to create menus that reflect the local area and reduce environmental impact.”

– Melissa Williams of B Astonished Events via Brides

 

🌎 Culture, Location, and Storytelling Collide

Your wedding is about you—your background, your humor, your roots, your favorite flavors, your weird inside jokes. In 2025, couples are done hiding that under a layer of Pinterest-neutral beige. They’re bringing their whole story to the forefront.

That means…

• Incorporating traditions from multiple cultures or religions (with context and care)
• Hosting in a location that reflects your vibe—not just what’s trending
• Curating playlists, menus, and even ceremony readings that reflect your shared history

Black Oak Take: We’re a blank canvas with just enough edge. Whether you’re blending families, cultures, languages, or simply have some personalized preferences—we’re all in.

See how Jacq & Ben transformed our space. ✨

Budget Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers. No two destination weddings are the same (and thank goodness for that), so costs can vary wildly depending on where you’re getting married, how many people are coming, and how extra you want to get with the details.

That said, here’s what most couples are looking at in 2025/26:

• Lean & Luxe (40–50 guests): $40,000–$60,000
• Full Wedding Weekend (50–80 guests): $60,000–$90,000
• High-Touch, Fully Immersive (80–100+ guests): $90,000–$150,000+

This isn’t just about covering dinner and dancing—it’s about building a whole world around your story. And for couples choosing Black Oak, the investment goes beyond the basics.

What That Budget Actually Covers

Category	What’s Included
Venue & Lodging	Multi-day access to the entire estate, on-site accommodations, exclusivity
Planning & Coordination	Lead planner, weekend schedule management, vendor wrangling
Design & Florals	Ceremony and reception décor, floral installations, rentals, candles, linens
Catering & Bar	Multi-course meals, late-night snacks, signature drinks, brunch, wine pairings
Photo & Video	Editorial-style photography, content creation, highlight reels
Entertainment	Ceremony musicians, DJs/bands, welcome party sets, surprise performances
Printed Materials	Custom invites, signage, menus, welcome itineraries
Guest Experiences	Welcome bags, transportation, excursions, farewell brunch

 

It’s not just the travel and the timeline—you’re planning a wedding in a whole new location. That comes with some surprisingly unsexy but totally necessary fine print. Here’s what to keep on your radar:

💌 Shipping & Logistics

Your candles, signage, or monogrammed dance floor vinyl may not be TSA-friendly. Consider what’s easier to source locally and what you’ll need to ship (early). We recommend working with a planner or venue (hi, us) who can receive deliveries and help coordinate arrivals.

✈️ Vendor Travel & Sourcing

Out-of-town vendor? You’ll likely need to cover their travel + lodging—and that can add up fast. But the good news: we’ve got a vetted local vendor network that knows our property like the back of their manicured hands. Think high-end floral designers, live musicians, content creators, hair + makeup pros, and chefs that actually care about plating.

📝 Marriage License Realities

Not every state—or country—makes this part easy. California? Fairly simple (especially El Dorado County). But if you’re marrying abroad, legal requirements can vary wildly. Some require residency. Some need notarized translations. Some take weeks.

Moral of the story? Don’t just plan the party. Make sure the paperwork’s airtight.

🛂 International Guests

If you’re inviting people from abroad, make sure they know what kind of documentation they’ll need, and give them as much lead time as possible. Pro tip: include visa timelines + nearby consulate links in your wedding website or welcome email.

🗺️ Weather & Altitude Planning

Some destination venues sit at higher elevations, which can affect everything from alcohol tolerance to makeup longevity. Our team can help you prep emergency kits, hydration stations, and realistic footwear strategies (no stilettos in the grass, babe).