15 of the Best Destinations for LGBTQ Weddings

1. Queenstown, New Zealand

Since 2013, same-sex marriage has been legal in New Zealand, and it’s still considered to be an incredibly queer-friendly vacation spot. This is why LGBTQ couples looking to tie the knot overseas often choose to do so in Queenstown — a welcoming and accepting metropolis surrounded by heart-pounding outdoor excursions like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, and skydiving. Queenstown also holds an annual Winter Pride Festival, in which queer people from all over the world attend a week full of skiing, dance parties, and mountain walks.

2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The beaches of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic are among some of the best in the world — and happen to be an accepting place for members of the LGBTQ community to get hitched. Aside from taking a dip in the legendary neon-blue lagoon, Hoyo Azul, you can book your unforgettable wedding ceremony at Jellyfish, a seaside restaurant that actually helps you plan your perfect beach wedding — from the food to the first dance.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

The laid-back attitude in the Big Easy is the perfect backdrop for an LGBTQ destination wedding. If you decide to have your destination wedding in New Orleans, then it’s essential that you celebrate your impending nuptials with a Second Line parade — a celebration of your love with a brass band and a large crowd of supporters following you through the city. And say your “I dos” in the Bourbon Orleans Hotel — a historic and elegant hotel in the heart of the French Quarter.

4. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nine years ago, Argentina became the first South American country to legalize same-sex marriage — a feat that’s representative of the open-minded and accepting nature of this country. This is especially the case in Buenos Aires. To experience the full richness of the culture of the city, seek out wedding venues in Puerto Madero, a chic neighborhood with plenty of waterfront views and event spaces. After your ceremony, spend your honeymoon soaking in the luxurious accommodations at the gay-friendly Faena Hotel.

5. Ireland

Back in 2015, Ireland became the first nation in the world to legalize same-sex marriage (as opposed to civil unions). While Dublin is an ideal destination for queer couples, it’s actually worth heading west to the restored medieval Ashford Castle near Cong. This 83-room luxury hotel is full of fine restaurants, a spa, and expansive grounds. For those couples seeking the ultimate romantic destination wedding, Hideaway Cottage, a former boathouse, can be rented and provides a private retreat with lush gardens and lakefront views.

6. Trancoso, Brazil

While Rio de Janeiro may seem like the obvious choice for a destination wedding in this accepting and open-minded country, don’t overlook the city of Trancoso, a beach town that contains two LGBTQ-friendly hotels. For the best views and historic accommodations in Trancoso, look into UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa as a place to say your vows and enjoy your first few nights together as a newly married couple.

7. Iceland

If you find wedding planning to be a stressful activity on your own, enlist the help of Iceland-based and lesbian-owned Pink Iceland — a company that specializes in gay wedding and honeymoon planning. From quaint church weddings to scenic mountain vistas, this agency will help you score the most gay-friendly and unforgettable wedding that the country of Iceland has to offer.

8. New Brunswick, Canada

Since 2005, Canada has made marriage equality a top priority — which is why heading to this welcoming nation is a must for your impending nuptials. You’d be especially wise to head to New Brunswick to tie the knot at the world-famous Algonquin Resort, a queer-friendly retreat with a unique history and sprawling gardens that prove to be the most romantic backdrop in the country.

9. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Despite the fact that only civil unions are legal in Mexico — not same-sex marriages — the city of Puerto Vallarta offers a romantic retreat on the beach. For your wedding ceremony, look no further than the city’s own “luxury LGBTQ” Almar Resort — where the in-house wedding planner and stunning views make this destination well-worth the plane ride. After you exchange your vows, leave all of the stress of wedding planning behind with a venture to the gay-owned Oceano Sapphire Beach Club, where you can enjoy delectable cuisine surrounded by unforgettable ocean views.

10. Manchester, England

Right in the center of Manchester lies the world-famous Gay Village — with the LGBTQ Heritage Trail that leads visitors to important civil rights locations around the city. For those of you who wish to simultaneously celebrate your love for your partner and your status as a member of the LGBTQ community, heading to Manchester to tie the knot is surely the way to go. After you’ve walked along the paths that other LGBTQ trailblazers once have walked, tie the knot at the gay-operated Hope Mill Theatre — a truly breathtaking space with a unique history.

11. Sitges, Spain

Considered to be one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, Spain provides a serene destination wedding in its enchanting coastal city of Sitges. Located just south of Barcelona, this city has a stunning coastline and a colony of artists that have occupied the land for decades. And, thanks to both of these positive attributes, Sitges is the ideal romantic location — especially if you decide to have your ceremony at Dolce Sitges, a resort that offers LGBTQ-specific wedding coordination and amazing views of the Mediterranean as you say your “I dos.”

12. San Francisco, California

For over 50 years, San Francisco, California, has served as the epicenter for the queer culture in America. Especially in the Castro District, a number of restaurants, bars, hotels, and yes, even wedding venues, cater to the LGBTQ crowd. To find the perfect wedding venue, you have to venture out of the Castro District and into Fisherman’s Wharf to exchange your vows at The Argonaut. Located in the historic Haslett Warehouse, this boutique hotel combines the best elements of Gold Rush architecture with elegant wedding planning designed just for LGBTQ couples. To celebrate your new life together, take a walk through the Garden of Shakespeare’s Flowers in Golden Gate Park — bonus points if you can recite a few lines of poetry.

13. Civita di Bagnoregio, Lazio, Italy

Purchased in 2011 by architect Patrizio Fradiani and his partner, this 14th-century medieval home is now a private retreat atop a volcanic plateau with underground caves. Though same-sex marriage is still not legal in Italy, commitment ceremonies have become a regular accommodation at Domus Civita, which feels like a castle at your disposal, complete with an indoor cave pool.

14. Boston, Massachusetts

It makes perfect sense that the city of Boston would hold promises of romantic magic for LGBTQ couples — seeing as the fact that the state was the first to legalize same-sex marriage. That’s right, despite its history, Boston is home to a plethora of LGBTQ-friendly wedding planners and venues. For a truly magical wedding, the XV Beacon will provide a cozy and historic ambiance for your impending nuptials. After that, take advantage of all that the city has to offer by embarking on a wine tour with your partner.

15. Mykonos, Greece

Since former First Lady Jackie Kennedy claimed Mykonos to be a chic escape, the city has witnessed an astounding amount of destination weddings — and it’s easy to understand why couples of all sexual orientations seek the beginning of marital bliss in this seaside town. Even though same-sex marriage is not legal in Greece, a commitment ceremony amid the endless blue and rocky scenery of Mykonos’s San Giorgio Hotel (with its inner gardens, impeccable cuisine, and whitewashed exterior) will give you a true taste of what falling in love in Greece truly feels like.