Can a wedding be any more beautiful than at a destination? Sunset glistening off the Amalfi Coast as you and your spouse clink post-wedding champagne glasses. Cobalt blue-white domes overlooking the Aegean Sea as you pose with your red bridal lehenga in Santorini, those ultra-luxurious Arabian desert romances in Dubai that dial up drama, and recently, the stunning Mediterranean coast as seen at Kaviya Maran and Anirudh Ravichander’s wedding. From panoramic sea views and private beaches to architectural framing, this is the event where the landscape plays formidable host!
More than that, the destination wedding is also the perfect opportunity to turn a single ceremony into a multi-day vacation experience. For wedding photographers, little comes close to the intimacy of such a multi-day getaway celebration.
But which destinations are set to have their moment in 2026? At Manifest, we speak to some of India's leading wedding photographers about what makes these celebrations so irresistible through the lens and that one destination they would recommend to couples planning their nuptials in 2026.
I think destination weddings have evolved beyond just choosing a beautiful location to get married. They're about creating an experience that brings people together, away from the familiarity and distractions of everyday life.
As luxury destination wedding photographers, what makes destination weddings particularly exciting is the visual and emotional diversity they offer. You get to tell a story that unfolds over multiple days, across different landscapes, cultures, settings and intimacy. The architecture, natural light, local culture, and journey to the destination all contribute to the narrative. There's also something beautiful about the intimacy of it all. When people travel together, spend a few days in one place and celebrate without the usual rush, you get to witness some incredibly honest, unfiltered moments. And those are often the moments that make the photographs timeless.
For us, it's not just about documenting a wedding at a beautiful location; it's about documenting the feeling of being there.
Hot in 2026: I like Kashmir for its pristine beauty, Folegandros, which makes for a stunning Cycladic island. And unlike Santorini, it’s less crowded and best suited for smaller, intimate guest lists. But Napa Valley is an absolute canvas dream when it comes to destination wedding photography. Think green rolling vineyards, quaint estates with stone facades and that warm California sunshine which presents diffused light beautifully in those wedding couple portraits.
Destination weddings bring people together in a way that's quite different from weddings back home. Everyone is away from their usual routines, spending more time together, and that often leads to some of the most natural and memorable moments. As photographers and filmmakers, we also love how each destination adds its own character through its landscapes, architecture, culture and light.
Hot in 2026: Europe would be our top pick for destination weddings in 2026, particularly Greece. The beautiful coastlines, Mediterranean light and charming architecture make it a fantastic place to photograph weddings. Greece has a certain relaxed elegance that we really love. With such beautiful natural settings and a wide variety of venues, it works equally well for intimate weddings and larger celebrations. Italy is another one of our favourites; the vibe is brilliant! People enjoy themselves to the fullest, and we get our shots. What else does a photographer need?
Destination weddings are such a draw because they allow us to tell a story beyond the wedding itself. As photographers, we get to immerse ourselves in a destination, its culture, its architecture, its light and most importantly, the people. There is something incredibly special about celebrations that unfold over multiple days, where families travel together, spend quality time and create memories beyond the wedding rituals. Jaipur will always remain one of my favourite destinations for its rich heritage, exceptional hospitality and incredibly self-sufficient wedding ecosystem. The palatial properties, food, architecture and overall experience make it a destination where beauty comes naturally, without having to overcomplicate anything.
Hot in 2026: For 2026, my picks would be Bahrain and Sri Lanka. Bahrain is an incredibly accommodating destination, offering flexibility, wonderful hospitality and beautiful weather between November and March, making it a fantastic choice for weddings. Sri Lanka, however, is particularly exciting for 2026, given its breathtaking landscapes, beautiful luxury properties and extremely competitive price points. It offers couples an opportunity to experience a spectacular destination wedding without necessarily stretching their budgets as much as some traditional luxury destinations. I think destinations that offer a combination of beauty, hospitality, flexibility and value will really stand out in the coming year.
I think destination weddings are special because they give families and friends the chance to spend time together beyond just the wedding day. Having photographed weddings across different destinations, I've realised that some of the most beautiful moments happen outside the main celebrations. It's in the conversations, the laughter, the family coming together and all the little things that happen when everyone gets to spend a few days with each other.
From a photographer's point of view, every destination brings something different to a wedding. The architecture, the surroundings, the local culture and the overall atmosphere all become a part of the story. But at the end of the day, it's the people and their emotions that make the photographs meaningful.
Hot in 2026: If I had to pick a destination for a wedding in 2026, it would be Tuscany, Italy. We recently had the opportunity to photograph Karishma and Mahesh's beautiful wedding there. I particularly loved the old-world charm of the place, the beautiful landscapes and the relaxed atmosphere of the celebrations. It was one of those settings where the surroundings naturally became a part of the wedding story.
As guest lists shorten, couples are taking the time to plan and curate experiences, making the wedding more memorable for everyone present. Most weddings now have guests from all around the world, and couples are opting to incorporate heritage, either through the venue or through the food and experiences that define the celebration.
A palace remodeled into a 5-star hotel is popular, especially with ample open spaces. Interestingly, countries like the UAE and Sri Lanka are also becoming popular choices due to their quality of hospitality and architecture, along with their proximity to India. Many couples these days are also picking Kovalam and Kumarakom in Kerala to showcase Southern Indian heritage and bring a different flavour to otherwise grand palatial themes of Rajasthan. We have also seen couples choose destinations purely based on ease of travel, airport connectivity, pricing, and the other experiences the destination offers to their guests.
Hot in 2026: Dubai has become one of the most compelling destinations for Indian weddings, and much of that comes down to its world-class infrastructure. Visually, the city is extraordinary. Wherever you place a camera, there’s a frame waiting. Pair those aesthetics with some of the finest hospitality in the world, and you have a setting that elevates every celebration.
Being a short flight from most Indian cities means entire families can be part of the celebration with ease. For many of our couples, Dubai feels like home away from home: familiar and welcoming, yet still special. It’s no surprise that every wedding we shoot in Dubai makes it to our social media grid.