STARS City of

Like it or not, many of us look to celebrities to set trends when it comes to fashion, travel and even weddings. Hollywood stars often venture to unbelievable destinations to exchange vows, and while you may not have the bank account of a celebrity, it is possible travel to their favourite places and create the destination wedding of your dreams.

Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker – PORTOFINO, ITALY

While the reality star and Blink-182 drummer initially tied the knot in Vegas, that ceremony came with no marriage license and therefore wasn’t legal, technically speaking. The two eventually legalized things in Santa Barbara, CA, but truly celebrated in Portofino, Italy.

The small fishing village located on the Italian Riviera might be one of the most stunning and romantic places to be married. The tiny, beautiful harbour is dotted with colourful boats and lined with vibrant homes. You’ll have epic views of both the Mediterranean Sea and the Italian countryside. There is no shortage of gorgeous venues, including churches, hotels and outdoor terraces, where you can take advantage of the crisp, clean air. Kardashian and Barker opted to exchange vows at a private villa, and then celebrate at Castello Brown, a centuries-old castle overlooking the Gulf of Portofino.

Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardem –BAHAMAS

This private celebrity couple were secretly married at a friend’s home in the Bahamas in 2010. And that’s the great thing about the Bahamas, you can choose a large resort or a private venue. There’s no shortage of options.

The islands of the Bahamas are known for crystal clear waters and its various islands, all with different vibes. While New Providence is the more popular island of tourists (it’s where you’ll find the capital of Nassau), you can also be married on the more intimate Islands like The Grand Bahama Island or Harbour Island. And we can’t forget Paradise Island, which is home to Atlantis (worth a visit, even if you don’t get married there).

No matter which Island you choose, you’ll be greeted with stunning beaches and colourful backdrops. The best part is that you can be married on one island and then move to a second island for your honeymoon, so you’ll truly feel like you’re on vacation.

Ross Matthews & Dr. Wellingthon Garcia –PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO

If the name isn’t quite ringing a bell, picture Ross Matthews judging your favourite drag queens on RuPaul’s Drag Race, or beside Drew Barrymore on her talk show, probably watching her sit much too close to a guest.

Ross married his now-husband in 2022 at Almar Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Among the 110 guests was Drew Barrymore herself, as the flower girl! Matthew welcomed guests to the wedding with gift bags of skincare, including toner, sunscreen and lip balm.

Puerto Vallarta has been a long-time favourite destination for Canadians and an ideal place to tie the knot. There are numerous all-inclusive resorts, many with dedicated wedding planning staff. Additionally, there are various private villas available for rent, as well as smaller beachfront properties that can accommodate fewer guests, but allow for a romantic ceremony in the sand. And of course, there are a number of churches available as well. For the best weather, plan your day between October and April to take advantage of the dry season. By the end of May, you’re heading into rainy season (with rain nearly every single day), so you’re taking a risk with a summer wedding date. But no matter which season you choose, be sure to be ready with an indoor back-up plan.

Keleigh Sperry & Miles Teller – MAUI, HAWAII

While Keleigh Sperry is an actress herself, you’re probably more familiar with Top Gun star Miles Teller. The two were married in 2019 at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Hotel in Maui. The couple chose the location as it held a special place in the bride’s heart as the setting of her childhood family vacations.

Maui is truly a magical place. The air smells like sweet fruit. The island is overwhelmingly green and lush. The white-sand beaches are pristine (although, the black volcanic sand beach is a must-see as well). And you’re almost guaranteed to see rainbows nearly every day. Maui is tropical and romantic, and perfect for a small or large-scale wedding.

Host your ceremony and reception at Haiku Mill, a gorgeous old sugar mill that has been transformed into a wedding venue recognized around the world as one of the best. Be adventurous and get married at sunset aboard the Pride of Maui, a 65-foot catamaran. Stand hand-in-hand cliffside, overlooking the ocean as you exchange vows. Or, book with one of the many 5-star resorts and hotels on the island.

While in Maui, your family and friends will love the relaxed vibes, but also the many unique activities, like the Road to Hana tour – an 8-hour drive through the island, visiting majestic rainforests, taking in incredible views and maybe jumping into a waterfall.

Sophie Turner & Joe Jonas –PROVENCE, FRANCE

France just might be the most romantic country in the world – the food, the wine, the language, the music. Most people automatically think Paris, but Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner and boy-bander Joe Jonas selected Provence to say, “I do.”

After a very surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, the couple chose Château de Tourreau in Provence to truly commemorate their vows. The 20-acre property is the definition of lavish, so not exactly achievable for the average pair of newlyweds, but there are other possibilities in the south of France.

Provence is home to gorgeous wineries, private estates and lush gardens, all perfect for ultra-romantic wedding ceremonies. When it comes to photos, the rolling lavender fields provide a magical backdrop.

La Lauren, for example, is a whimsical garden that can accommodate 80 guests, and you have the option to be married in the garden itself, or in the lavender fields. Baumanière Les Baux-De-Provence is a lovely farmhouse surrounded not only by lavender, but also rose gardens. The Provence countryside is simply like no other.

Chrishell Stause & G Flip – LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

The question about the legality of this marriage was still present at our press date, but we’ve seen the photos (just not the license). Either way, Las Vegas is a go-to for celebrity nuptials and it was no different for Selling Sunset’s Chrishell when she married Australian singer G Flip. It seems to be a trend for celebs to tie the knot in Sin City without the government documentation, and then make it legal in a second ceremony at a later date.

When you think Vegas, you think tacky chapels and Elvis impersonators dressed in white, most likely. And while it’s totally fine if that’s your thing, Vegas is actually a town of luxury. Hotels like The Venetian, Caesars Palace and Aria all have stunning wedding venues. Many hotels have their own in-house florists, hair and makeup stylists, jewelry retailers and everyone else you’d need for your big day.

If you’re interested in a truly unique experience, couples can be married on the High Roller Ferris Wheel, 550 feet above the ground. Or maybe exchange vows at the Mob Museum, a popular tourist attraction geared toward the history of organized crime. (They also have a speakeasy in which you can order cocktails hidden within books, so not to be caught breaking any prohibition laws.) And The Neon Museum – a graveyard for retired flashy signage found on the Vegas strip – provides a one-of-a-kind, Instagrammable wedding venue.

And of course, you can also be wed in a helicopter, at a Taco Bell, in the faux Eiffel Tower, or in the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay. The options are endless.

Amal Alamuddin & George Clooney –VENICE, ITALY

Famous for being a bachelor, it was surprising when George Clooney finally said, “I do,” but he became a married man in 2014 in Venice, Italy, when he exchanged vows with Amal. Family and friends joined the couple for a three-day celebration, starting things out with separate bachelor and bachelorette parties.

The two were married in a brief civil service and then joined for a reception at the Aman Canal Grande, which is one of Venice’s most recognizable palazzos on the Grand Canal. The elegant and sophisticated venue suited the stars perfectly.

Hosting a destination wedding in Venice is no easy feat; it’s a pretty glamorous location and will definitely take some planning. But the scenery, the photo ops by the Rialto Bridge and the beyond-stunning architecture are all well worth the planning process. While it may seem like a good idea, and definitely unique, getting married in a gondola isn’t the best concept. It is small, obviously, and the canals can get crowded. The last thing you want to do is share your first married kiss as another gondola knocks into you. Instead, focus on the many opulent hotels, lavish churches and magnificent palaces that exist in the city.

After the wedding events come to a close, you and your guests can tour the city, exploring Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basilica, indulging in pasta and gelato, and sipping wine in cafés.

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