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Updated Oct 14, 2024Our Favorite Celebrity Destination Weddings of All Time
From Lake Como to St. Lucia, these international nuptials will give you a serious case of wanderlust.
Getty Images; Cindy Crawford/Instagram; Kate Upton/Instagram; Sophie Turner/Instagram; Priyanka Chopra/Instagram; Ciara/Instagram; Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram; Keleigh Teller/Instagram
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There's something incredibly captivating about a celebrity destination wedding. While we're always enthralled when an A-list duo ties the knot, we can't help but love when it happens in a unique location. From the scenic coastline of Portofino, Italy to the vibrant village of Jodhpur, India, we've seen quite a few celebrity destination weddings at venues around the world that fuel our wanderlust unlike anything else. If you, too, love discovering beautiful wedding settings, you're not alone. Here, we're looking back at 16 famous nuptials that took place in the most picturesque locales. Take a trip down memory lane as we relive the best celebrity destination weddings, from Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner's idyllic French soirée to Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber's barefoot beach microceremony.
George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin: Venice, Italy
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It's hard to forget the fanfare surrounding George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin's multi-day Italian wedding spectacle in 2014. At the time, Clooney was considered one of the most eligible bachelors in Hollywood, so it's no surprise that his nuptials to Alamuddin, a successful human rights lawyer, delighted watchers around the world. The A-listers invited their nearest and dearest to Venice, a historic Italian city known for its woven waterways, for a four-day celebration that exuded elegance and glamor. Despite their attempts for secrecy, the duo's wedding plans were leaked—so by the time the bride and groom arrived in Venice on a boat from Clooney's neighboring Lake Como villa, they were met by scores of paparazzi and fans desperate for a glimpse of the lavish soirée.
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The weekend began with separate bachelor and bachelorette parties for the couple on Friday, September 26. The following day marked their formal wedding ceremony, which took place at Aman Venice, an opulent luxury resort nestled in the heart of the city. The bride wore a timeless Oscar de la Renta gown for the occasion, while the groom looked dapper in a Giorgio Armani tux. Following the vow swap, the newlyweds treated their loved ones to a decadent five-course dinner, including wild mushrooms, lobster risotto and a four-tier art deco cake, reportedly paired with 250 bottles of champagne and 100 bottles of Clooney's Casamigos tequila.
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Although the reception didn't wrap up until 5 a.m., the newly-minted Mr. and Mrs. Clooney kept the fun going with a pool party at the Cipriani Hotel the next day. Guests indulged in a picnic-style buffet, followed by more champagne. Later that night, the exclusive group enjoyed another dinner in the hotel's restaurant. As their guests departed on Monday, the couple had one final event on their schedule: a civil ceremony to officially seal the deal at Ca'Farsetti, Venice's town hall. They arrived at their destination by water taxi, and this moment was instantly deemed iconic thanks to the bride's chic ensemble—a memorable cream-colored Stella McCartney pantsuit and a wide-brimmed hat. The legal proceedings, which only lasted about 10 minutes, marked the culmination of one of our favorite celebrity destination weddings.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker: Portofino, Italy
When a Kardashian gets married, we know the famous family will pull out all the stops to celebrate—and this was certainly true of Kourtney Kardashian's Italian wedding to Travis Barker. The couple, who got engaged in October 2021, had two ceremonies leading up to their Italian fête. First, they secretly swapped vows in a Vegas chapel following the Grammy Awards in April 2022. The ceremony was, of course, presided over by an Elvis impersonator, though it wasn't legally binding, as Kravis didn't have a marriage license. They made it official a month later in May at a Santa Barbara courthouse.
That intimate legal celebration served as the precursor for their extravagant destination wedding in Portofino, Italy. The star-studded party, which was hosted by design house Dolce & Gabanna, kicked off with a boat day and a welcome dinner for the couple and their guests, which featured a classic Italian menu with pasta, seafood, and coffee parfaits. The next day, the couple's gothic Catholic wedding ceremony took place at L'Ulivetta, a villa owned by the fashion brand. Notably, the bride wore a mini dress and an ornate veil featuring a large depiction of the Virgin Mary and the words "family loyalty respect," inspired by one of Barker's tattoos.
Kardashian later changed into a black lace mini reception dress with matching black lace gloves and stockings for the reception, held at the medieval castle Castello Brown. Music fueled the late-night party, and guests were captured dancing to hits from Beyoncé, the Jackson 5, and Barker's own band Blink-182.
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra: Jodhpur, India
Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra hosted a fusion wedding for the ages in December 2018. The famous couple invited their loved ones to a three-day bash in Jodhpur, India, as an homage to Chopra's heritage. The weekend was packed full of traditional wedding events, starting with a Haldi ceremony: an Indian tradition where turmeric paste is applied to the to-be-weds in an effort to cleanse their bodies and bestow good luck ahead of their nuptials.
Next was the Mehendi, a ritual where the bride received a red-orange mehndi "stain" on her palms, back of her hands, and feet. "An important part for the girl in an Indian wedding is the Mehendi," Chopra wrote on Instagram. "Once again we made it our own and it was an afternoon that kicked off the celebrations in the way we both dreamed. The theme for the event was an ode to the host city, Jodhpur, and had a sea of blue, yellow and white palette running across the poolside."
Closing out the prewedding festivities was the Sangeet, a celebratory event with music and dancing that was attended by the couple, as well as their family and friends. "It all began as a fierce song and dance competition between the families but ended, as always, as a huge celebration of love," Chopra reflected on Instagram.
Finally, the couple had two wedding ceremonies: first, a pheras on December 1 to honor the bride's Hindu roots; followed by a Christian ceremony at Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the grandest and most opulent private residences in the world.
Ciara and Russell Wilson: Cheshire, England
When it comes to secret celebrity weddings, Ciara and Russell Wilson had one of the best. Although the power duo was originally set to wed in North Carolina, they later changed their venue to the Peckforton Castle, a 19th-century palace in Cheshire, England. The singer wore an ethereal bohemian lace gown designed by her close friend Peter Dundas, the creative director of Roberto Cavalli, while the NFL star opted for a Giorgio Armani tux.
Plenty of famous friends attend the exclusive soirée—in fact, Ciara's wedding party included La La Anthony, Kelly Rowland and Jennifer Hudson. (While Serena Williams was also supposed to be a bridesmaid, she was unable to attend due to Wimbledon.) After the big day, the newlyweds hard-launched their wedding news by sharing a selection of photos on Instagram, writing, "We Are The Wilsons!"
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas: Provence, France
Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas had not one, but two celebrity destination weddings. Their first—a Las Vegas vow swap following the Billboard Music Awards in May 2019—made their union official. And while it was supposed to remain under wraps, word quickly spread thanks to an accidental live stream from one of their guests, DJ Diplo.
Weeks later, Turner and Jonas invited their VIPs to the City of Love for a formal sequel wedding. This destination celebration began with sightseeing and day drinking in Paris. After a few days of fun, the group traveled to the French countryside for the bride and groom's second vow swap at the breathtaking Le Château de Tourreau, a charming estate set on 20 sprawling acres in the heart of Provence.
In a slideshow of photos shared on their two-year anniversary, Turner gave a glimpse into the lavish celebration, which included snaps of the bridesmaids getting ready, a pool party, and a multi-tier wedding cake seemingly inspired by the bride's role on HBO's Game of Thrones.
David and Victoria Beckham: Dublin, Ireland
Where did Posh Spice get married? A castle, of course. The musical sensation wed soccer star David Beckham on July 4, 1999, at Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin, Ireland. They began their destination wedding by hosting a vow ceremony at a nearby chapel before ushering their guests—including Victoria's Spice Girl bandmates and David's Manchester United and England teammates—to the 15th-century palace.
The whimsical wedding was reportedly inspired by Disney's Robin Hood, which influenced the couple's attire. The bride first wore a strapless Vera Wang ball gown with a corset top and full skirt. She also carried a bouquet of vines, twigs and apples, leaning into the woodland theme. For the reception, the bride and groom both changed into purple ensembles: a fitted one-shoulder dress for her, and a matching suit for him.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel: Puglia, Italy
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Although celebrity destination weddings have been happening for decades, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's elusive Italian nuptials served as the blueprint for secret soirées in the 21st century. The uber-famous Hollywood power couple tied the knot on October 19, 2012, in the then-little-known region of Puglia, Italy. While the couple still remains tight-lipped about their big day (and have yet to release their own photos), details about their international celebration have since trickled out.
The couple began their wedding weekend by having their guests (including Jimmy Fallon, Andy Samberg and Beverly Mitchell) fly to Frankfurt to await further instructions. Once they arrived, they were told they'd be heading to the south of Italy, where they were accommodated at the Borgo Egnazia resort, a luxury retreat with 63 rooms and 28 villas. The couple's dedication to secrecy paid off, as the location was a complete surprise to guests and they evaded paparazzi attention.
The nuptials were a smashing success. Biel made a statement in a custom blush Giambattista Valli Haute Couture ball gown, which was unheard of for wedding dresses at the time. As she walked down the aisle, her former boy band husband serenaded her with a custom song he wrote for the occasion. Reflecting on their fairytale wedding day, Timberlake told People, "It was an unforgettable evening."
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend: Lake Como, Italy
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Lake Como is a favored destination among celebrities looking to enjoy the Italian countryside with the utmost privacy, which is why it was the perfect backdrop for Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's romantic nuptials. The couple got married on September 14, 2013, at the luxurious Villa d'Este overlooking Lake Como in front of 125 loved ones. Despite the idyllic locale, getting there proved to be a challenge for some guests. In fact, the ceremony was delayed for a few hours until everyone arrived. "[The guests] had a lot of cocktails, because the ceremony was running about four hours behind," Teigen previously told The Knot in 2017.
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Timing woes aside, the wedding turned out to be one of the most beautiful at the time. Celebrity planner Mindy Rice oversaw the ethereal design, which included lush pink and white roses covering the altar and the aisle. Years later, the bride also revealed she bought five wedding dresses for the big day, though she ultimately wore three, all by Vera Wang: a full-skirted ball gown for the ceremony, a figure-hugging mermaid silhouette for dinner, and a red trumpet dress for dancing at the reception.
Miles Teller and Keleigh Sperry: Maui, Hawaii
While Hawaii remains a popular honeymoon destination, it makes for a stunning place to swap vows too, as proven by Miles Teller's wedding. The actor married his model girlfriend, Keleigh Sperry, on September 1, 2019, at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua Hotel in Maui. The destination location was rooted in sentimental value, as it was inspired by one of Sperry's family traditions. For years, Hawaii was the chosen spot for their annual family vacation—and once Teller began joining their trips, it was a given that they'd ultimately swap vows on the island.
The wedding day began at a Catholic church before the new Mr. and Mrs. Teller treated their guests to a beachside reception. A 12-piece band played the couple's favorite songs, including their first dance tune "If I Didn't Have You" by Vince Gills. The good times didn't end when the sun went down, though. For the after-party, guests headed to an indoor ballroom that was transformed into a lush, tropical jungle-themed oasis for even more dancing late into the night.
Kate Upton and Justin Verlander: Tuscany, Italy
For model Kate Upton and MLB pitcher Justin Verlander, selecting a city for their destination wedding was an easy decision. One of their very first vacations as a couple was to Italy, so they knew they'd head back to the country for their nuptials. The problem? They almost didn't make it to their own wedding. Per Vogue, they set their date for November 4, 2017—but on November 2, Verlander (who played for the Astros) was in Los Angeles for Game 7 of the World Series. Upton, of course, watched his team's championship win over the Dodgers from the stands as their guests FaceTimed them from their first wedding event.
Luckily, the two made it to the Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco resort in time for their rehearsal dinner the next day. The couple's florist, Tuscany Flowers, created a spectacular "secret garden" on the property for the wedding ceremony, which overlooked the vast Tuscan countryside. Later, once the reception festivities kicked off, fireworks illuminated the night sky as two live bands played music late into the evening. The next day, the new Mr. and Mrs. embarked on their honeymoon in Puglia. When speaking to the publication about their venue selection, Upton said, "It was really important to Justin and me that it felt like we were on vacation with our closest friends and family."
Nicky Hilton and James Rothschild: London, England
Kensington Palace isn't just a residence for British royals—it can also be a wedding venue for the world's most elite couples. Such was the case for hotel heiress Nicky Hilton, who selected this regal castle as the location for her destination wedding to British financier James Rothschild. The two got married on July 10, 2015, in front of a plethora of distinguished guests, including Chelsea Clinton, Kate Beckinsale, Pavlos and Marie Chantal of Greece, Naomi Campbell and Vera Wang.
The bride stunned in a Grace Kelly-esque long sleeve lace Valentino couture gown. Both the bride's sister, maid of honor Paris Hilton, and her mother, Kathy, wore blue dresses for the occasion. The wedding day began with a ceremony in the Orangery, an onsite restaurant often used for tea parties and elegant luncheons, followed by cocktail hour in the palace gardens. Dinner took place under a sprawling tent on the lawn. According to Vogue, guests indulged in a wide array of canapés, cocktails, desserts, and late-night snacks, including french fries, sliders, mac and cheese and mini pizzas
Ross Mathews and Wellinthon García: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Of all the celebrity destination weddings we've seen, we're partial to that of our very own cover star Ross Mathews. The beloved television host, who graced the cover of The Knot's Summer 2022 issue, married Dr. Wellinthon García on May 6, 2022, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Their wedding location was deeply sentimental, as it's the exact spot the couple first met back in 2020. After getting stood by a friend for breakfast at a resort, García headed to the pool where he noticed two people staring at him—and it just so happened to be Mathews and a friend. The RuPaul's Drag Race personality ultimately went up to introduce himself and, well, the rest is history.
The couple wanted to go back to their roots for their wedding day, leading them to select Almar Resort as the venue, an LGBT beachfront oasis. They taped celebrity wedding planner Mikie Russo to plan their "classic and chic with a tropical, festive flair" nuptials, inspired by their West Coast lifestyle. They were joined by 110 guests, including Hollywood icon Drew Barrymore (who also served as the couple's flower girl). Family also played a large role throughout the day; García's father walked both his son and Mathews down the aisle, while García's sister, Racquel, served as the pride of honor. Mathews' brother, Eric, was the best man, and their nephews served as the ring bearers. After the emotional ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner as local artists performed live music during the reception.
When thinking about their big day, Ross told us that he had one main goal for the celebration, which revolved around their guests: "I want them to understand how important they are to us," he reflected. "And how important our wedding is, in general. This is for us. This is the one time we'll ever do this."
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber: The Bahamas
Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber have one of Hollywood's most endearing love stories, and it all began at a destination wedding in 1998. The supermodel jetted off to the Ocean Club in Nassau, Bahamas, to marry Gerber, a businessman. And while you might expect the wedding of one of the world's most recognizable runway stars to be an evening of glitz and glamor, Crawford's was the complete opposite. Her laid-back beachside party included just 90 guests—and the couple's florist, Michelle White, told People, "It was the simplest wedding I've ever done."
The barefoot bride opted for a relaxed wedding look, wearing an off-the-rack white lace John Galliano mini dress, which she accessorized with a Valentino shawl. She carried a small bouquet of white flowers and wore her hair in effortless beach waves. The groom, for his part, wore an untucked white dress shirt and black slacks. Crawford reflected on how they broke tradition in her 2015 book Becoming, writing, "Rather than have my dad walk me down the aisle and give me away, Rande and I chose to walk each other down the stairs that led to the beach and the ceremony." Later in the evening, the couple changed into black swimsuits and plunged into a pool for a late-night dip to close out their big day.
Salma Hayek and François-Henri Pinault: Paris, France and Venice, Italy
Despite her status as a renowned actress, Salma Hayek keeps the details of her personal life out of the public eye. In fact, although she's been married to her husband, French businessman François-Henri Pinault, for over a decade, we still don't know much about their nuptials. One thing we do know, however, is that they hosted two celebrity destination weddings.
The couple first tied the knot on Valentine's Day in 2009 in Pinault's hometown, where they legalized their union at a courthouse in Paris. A few months later, they invited more friends and family to celebrate their marriage a second time in Venice, Italy. According to reports from People en Español, the newlyweds hosted their sequel ceremony at Palazzo Grassi, a marble palace that has been owned by the Pinault family since 2005. The venue was a heartfelt choice for the couple, as it was where they first met in 2006.
While Hayek never publicly shared wedding photos, her photographer, Mario Testino, took to social media to tease his book, "I LOVE YOU," a celebration of weddings, which includes snaps of Hayek's big day. In the images, the bride is seen wearing a strapless corset wedding dress while getting ready to walk down the aisle. "For the last 10 to 15 years I have given most of my friends who have gotten married the pictures of them just before they go into the church," Testino wrote on Instagram. "This has been the perfect wedding gift: that magical moment when the couple is about to celebrate their union, surrounded by people who love them."
Matt Damon and Luciana Barroso: St. Lucia
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Celebrity destination weddings aside, we have a soft spot for destination vow renewals as well. This is how actor Matt Damon marked the 10-year anniversary of meeting his wife, Luciana Barroso. They first crossed paths in 2003, and two years later were married at a New York City courthouse. They never had a larger celebration until April 2013, when they renewed their vows on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.
The couple rented out the Sugar Beach Resort for their 50 guests, including Jimmy Kimmel, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner. The duo invited their four daughters to stand at the altar with them as they renewed their vows. While photos of the ultra-private party weren't ever publicly released, paparazzi images show the bride in a blush pink tulip gown, while guests dressed in shades of white and ivory.
Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo: British Virgin Islands
British entrepreneur Richard Branson kindly offered up his private residence on the British Virgin Islands as a wedding venue for Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo, who tied the knot on July 15, 2011. The famous couple invited just 35 special guests to celebrate their nuptials with them, though they did film the occasion for a TV special on TLC too. The bride and groom enlisted the help of celebrity wedding planner Sharon Sacks to bring their tropical party to life… in just two months, that is.
For four days leading up to the ceremony, the bride- and groom-to-be soaked up as much beach time as possible before swapping vows. During the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Lachey danced barefoot in the sand under a grand fireworks display.
