10 Most Unique Destination Weddings

Celebrating 10 years as a destination wedding photographer, I wanted to share my 10 most extraordinary destination weddings. Not the best or my favorites, but weddings that were a little bit different.

Elephant Camp Elopement in The Golden Triangle

Let’s begin with Billy and Viv’s unforgettable Golden Triangle Elopement in Thailand. Known for being the world’s largest opium-producing region, it has seen an incredible transformation.

Today, there are enchanting elephant trekking experiences and breathtaking retreats. Like the Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, a perfect location for a destination wedding.

Billy & Viv | Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle

Côn Đảo Prison Island Elopement in Vietnam

Next is Stephanie & Jeff’s elopement on Con Dao prison island In Southern Vietnam. Con Dao Island, located off the southeastern coast of Vietnam, has a history dating back over a century as a prison complex. The island’s use as a prison began during the French colonial period in the late 19th century. It continued through the Vietnamese independence struggle and the later Vietnam War.

Today, Con Dao Island is a popular tourist destination known for its natural beauty and historical significance. The former prison buildings stand preserved as a museum, enabling visitors to learn about the island’s dark past.

Stephanie & Jeff | Six Senses Con Dao Island

Motorbike Adventure Wedding in Northern Vietnam

Thuy and Digby’s incredible motorbiking destination wedding trip was in far northern Vietnam. Pan Hou Village Ecolodge is in the heart of the High Song Chay mountains. Ha Giang province offers some of the most striking scenery in Vietnam.

Thuy and Digby organized 70 guests, 35 motorbikes, and 4 jeeps from Hanoi to Lao Cai on the China border. After an overnight train journey, we met our new form of transport for the day’s ride to Hoang Su Phi. A rainy start didn’t dampen anyone’s enthusiasm; the sun shone on their motorbike wedding day. It kept shining for their honeymoon ride back to Hanoi. It is one of the most unique and spectacular wedding trips I have ever joined!

Digby & Thuy | Ha Giang Motorbike Wedding Adventure

Bedouin Camp Elopement in the Jordan Desert

‘Vast, echoing, and God-like’ are the famous words that Lawrence of Arabia used to describe Wadi Rum. An Arabian fairy tale, this protected desert wilderness in southern Jordan is home to nomadic Bedouin tribes. Hollywood depicts it as Mars in several feature films.

Brian and Aneela’s story began in 2010 when I photographed their elopement in Khao Lak, Thailand. I photographed my first wedding in Thailand. Trinidad Weddings Magazine, from Aneela’s hometown, featured their wedding.

Brian & Aneela | Wadi Rum Jordan Elopement

Stone Age Cave Wedding in Northern Vietnam

Their magical Halong Bay Vietnam wedding was inside Hon Trong. According to researchers, Drum Cave is also an archaeological site of Soi Nhu Culture, dating from 7,000 to 18,000 years ago.

Legend has it that long ago, a beautiful woman and a hard-working fisherman fell in love in a floating fishing village in Halong Bay. Despite their poverty, the woman’s family arranged for her to marry a wealthy man in the village, but she disagreed and fled to a deserted cave. On a stormy day, she was overcome with fear and turned to stone.

Van & Cody | Bhaya Cruises Halong Bay Wedding

Laotian Wedding in a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Like all Laos weddings, the festivities began with the Baci ceremony. The wedding guests gathered at the enchanting Sunset Villa, awaiting the groom’s arrival. The groomsmen did the Hae Keuy Human Block ceremony, which led to the Baci ceremony.

As night fell, the celebration continued with a Western-style wedding at Villa Bankhoy on the beautiful Mekong River. The couple exchanged their vows, combining traditional Lao and Western customs.

Phalakone & Chansouda | Laotian Luang Prabang Wedding

Buddhist Floating Wedding on Inle Lake Myanmar

The Inle Lake region is one of Myanmar’s most beautiful destinations. Imagine a vast and peaceful lake surrounded by marshes and floating gardens. In this tranquil setting, stilt-house villages and Buddhist temples stand above the water. Here, Intha fisherfolk maneuver their boats using their distinctive leg-rowing technique.

We rode a boat from the Inle Princess resort to Nga PheKyaung Monastery in the floating village of Ywama. After enjoying some entertaining door games, the couple entered for their Buddhist ceremony. After feeding the monks, we took the boats around the lake before returning to Nyaungshwe. Wow, what a wedding!

Kyle & Taylor | Inle Lake Buddhist Wedding Nyaungshwe

Dinosaur Museum Wedding in Melbourne Australia

Dan and Sam’s choice of venue for their Melbourne destination wedding was inspiring. The ceremony took place in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The church had beautiful architecture and high ceilings. The Melbourne Museum’s amazing exhibits and lovely surroundings were ideal for their reception.

The Carlton Gardens, with the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building in the background, was a great spot for the couple’s photo shoot.

Dan & Sam | Melbourne Museum Wedding Australia

Disneyland Wedding in Lantau Island, Hong Kong

I had a great time at this amazing wedding. It was my first time shooting a wedding at Hong Kong Disneyland. It was also my first time photographing a wedding for 17 hours nonstop!

I wouldn’t usually post many photos of the wedding car, but it was the first time I have seen, let alone photographed, an HK$80 million Maybach 62S! But most importantly, it was my first traditional Chinese wedding and a real privilege to be part of.

Ivy & Ben | Hong Kong Disneyland Wedding

Private Island Elopement in Southern Cambodia

Welcome to the enchanting world of Song Saa, a luxurious and sustainable haven tucked away in the hidden gem of Cambodia’s Koh Rong Archipelago.

Katie, Nick, and their son Luca didn’t let the pandemic ruin their dream destination wedding. Despite the challenges, they made it from the UK to have an intimate beach wedding.

Nick & Katie | Song Saa Private Island Elopement

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About the Author

Aidan Dockery

Originally from the UK, Aidan Dockery has photographed all over the world and captured countless weddings with his easy-going style and energizing spirit.