Believe it or not, 2025 is right around the corner. And while we can’t look into a crystal ball to predict the future, we can tap into industry experts to get the scoop on some of the hottest trends as we prepare to head into a new year. With VAX VacationAccess’ annual Destination Weddings campaign well underway, romance is on our mind here at The Compass, so we asked three travel pros from across the industry for their insights regarding 2025 destination wedding trends. From where their clients are going and the types of venues they’re booking to everything in-between, read on to learn how travelers are saying “I do” in 2025.
What’s Trending?
After chatting with our experts, there are a few significant trends advisors can expect to see among their destination wedding clients heading into 2025. And while there were some standout mentions of things like “buddymoons,” a concept where couples honeymoon with their family and friends, words like “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” “intimate, “locally inspired” and “remote” came up the most.
“Destination wedding couples love to show their guests a good time, and nowadays, they are going above and beyond to ensure their reception entertainment is unforgettable,” said Jenn Avey, vice president of marketing for DestinationWeddings.com. “Rather than the standard fireworks display, couples are getting creative and taking inspiration from their destinations — think cigar rollers in the Dominican Republic, steel drum bands in Jamaica and luau dancers in Hawai’i. Beyond the reception, couples are ensuring each day in the itinerary is filled with something special that shows off the local culture, such as a tequila tasting, salsa-making class or excursion to a nearby landmark.”
Gina Johnson, senior manager of destination weddings and celebrations for Hilton All-Inclusive, seconded this notion, stating guests booking destination weddings with Hilton are on the hunt for ways to embrace local culture. “Couples are eager to create unique experiences for their guests that go beyond just the wedding day. While welcome and farewell parties are still popular, we’re seeing a growing interest in locally inspired activities like tequila tastings or guacamole-making classes,” she said.
Building on the theme of sustainability, Delia duPlessis, travel designer for Dream Destination Travel, says small weddings are on the rise. “There seems to be an interest for understated luxury, with couples seeking high-end, elegant venues that embody refined minimalism. Eco-friendly options and intimate garden celebrations are also popular.” Johnson agreed stating, “Sustainability has also become a significant focus, with more couples prioritizing eco-friendly options such as locally sourced décor and minimizing waste during their celebrations, which aligns with Hilton’s Travel With Purpose initiatives. These trends aren’t surprising, but it’s wonderful to see couples embracing experiences that foster connection and a rise in responsible travel.”
Lastly, in our social media-fueled world, capturing videos and photographs of the big day has become more important to couples than ever. And, according to Avey, destination wedding clients are investing in multi-day photographers and even content creators to help document every moment. “Instead of hiring a photographer to capture just the day of the wedding, couples are splurging on multi-day content packages where photographers and/or videographers are capturing everything from the welcome party, group excursion, wedding day and afterparty,” she said. “We’re (also) starting to see more couples invest in a content creator as part of their photography/videography package. These creators are there to help capture social media-worthy content as opposed to traditional wedding photos.”
Where Are Couples Going?
Unsurprisingly, sun and sand favorites continue their reign as favorite destination wedding locales heading into 2025 with places like Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica acting as hotspots for couples looking to tie the knot. However, a few unexpected contenders are climbing their way to the top according to our experts.
“The Dominican Republic remains a strong contender, with emerging destinations like Miches, where several brands are expanding,” said Johnson. “This includes our exciting new Zemi Miches, set to open in 2026. Couples are always looking for something fresh and new, so I predict Miches will quickly become a top location in the coming year.”
But it's not all about beaches and all-inclusive resorts, duPlessis shared her destination wedding couples are eyeing far-flung places like Botswana, South Africa, Marrakech and Croatia for their nuptials. She also mentioned the Land of the Rising Sun is getting some love among her clients, “Japan, particularly The Ritz in Tokyo and Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto, seems to be an interesting destination for couples.”
Leaning into the idea of going somewhere off the beaten path, Avey shared remote destination weddings are on her clients’ wish lists. “We’re seeing a spike in tropical locales that may not be on everyone’s radar,” she said. “Couples are wanting to provide a truly unique experience for their guests and themselves, so instead of heading to the touristy Cancun Hotel Zone, they’re opting to get married in more remote settings such as Isla Mujeres, Holbox or Tulum.”
This trend transcends destinations and translates to venues too, with Avey saying: “When you think of a destination wedding in Mexico, most people envision a beach ceremony with their toes in the sand. But we’re seeing more and more couples exchange the traditional beach setting for a more secluded, private space. Lush gardens, rooftop terraces and panoramic piers are becoming popular settings for couples getting married at a destination wedding resort.”
Expert Picks - Locations and Venues
When asked to name their all-time favorite destination wedding locations and venues, travel pros had a hard time deciding but narrowed it down to a few outstanding contenders.
“My personal favorite is split (between) a winery wedding in South Africa and then a safari honeymoon (with) four days in the Kruger National Park, four days in Botswana and four days in Kenya, ending with two or three days snorkeling in the Comoros OR a winery wedding in France (Epernay) and honeymoon on the Windstar sailboat with stops at Spain, Sicily and Greece and hopping off to spend a week in Paros,” said duPlessis.
When asked the same question Avey said, “That’s like picking a favorite child, it’s simply impossible,” before settling on an up-and-coming standout. “Cap Cana, Dominican Republic is newer on the scene, but (is) quickly becoming one of my favorite places to see couples get married,” she said. “The expansive white-sand beach and luxurious gated community give an upscale, secluded vibe.”
Finally, Johnson gave a shout out to one of her favorite Hilton properties. “While I love all of our locations, one of my current favorites is Hilton Tulum, Mexico,” she said. “It offers the perfect blend of vibrant culture, stunning beaches and relaxed elegance.” Regarding her most-loved venue, the Beach Club at Hilton Vallarta Riviera stood out. “It’s a gorgeous beachfront venue that offers plenty of space for all your events and is in a great location, making each wedding feel uniquely intimate and special.”
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