Weddings are magical and they’re never complete without the perfect wedding venue. While holding the ceremony and reception in your city or hometown seems practical, a destination wedding takes this momentous occasion to an entirely different level.
Destination weddings are intimate, private, exclusive, and the perfect way to create unforgettable memories with the people who matter most. So if you’re thinking of whisking your family and friends away to a beautiful spot somewhere in the Philippines, let us help you choose the best places for a destination wedding in the country.
Batangas
Oh Batangas, you are the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the hectic Manila traffic, the chaotic streets, and the stressful fast-paced urban life. Only two hours from the city, its laid-back atmosphere makes for the perfect destination wedding that doesn’t break the bank.
Choose from different spots around Batangas, from the countless picture-perfect beaches to the luxury resorts that give you impeccable service and the wedding of your dreams – Batangas has it all. Rustic, dreamy, and with the perfect backdrop, places such as the Meditation Point at Kawayan Cove Nasugbu or Cape Santiago Beach in Calatagan makes Batangas a definite go-to place for your beach wedding away from the metro.
Tagaytay
Hands down, one of the top spots for destination weddings in the country, Tagaytay offers picturesque views and exquisite cuisine which makes it an ideal place for special occasions. Overlooking the picturesque Taal Lake, imagine getting married to your partner with the famous Taal volcano in the background, or riding a horse as you make your way to your groom who’s waiting for you at the altar – it’s spectacularly beautiful.
A holiday town known for its all-year cool weather and magnificent scenery, Tagaytay’s stunning landscapes will serve as the perfect backdrop to your romantic wedding photographs.
Ideal for couples who want a rustic wedding, venues like Antonio’s, Fernwood Gardens, and Hacienda Isabella feature sophisticated garden settings and world-class culinary offerings. Taal Vista, The Lake Hotel, and Clear Water Resthouse, on the other hand, are venues where you can have a breathtaking vista of the Taal Lake as your backdrop during your special day.
Boracay
Some say Boracay is the perfect place on earth to have a spectacular beach wedding. Dubbed as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, its powder-like white sand beaches, swaying coconut trees, and a wide selection of luxury resorts make for the ultimate dream beach wedding.
Set up your ceremony right on the beach and kiss your new spouse just as the sun rises or sets, then have your reception right on the sand with low tables and cushions for seats. It’s intimate, raw, and really defines what a beach wedding should be.
Most of the luxury hotels and resorts in Boracay feature scenic spots and first-rate facilities that guarantee an absolutely breathtaking wedding celebration to remember. Some of the favorite wedding venues in this popular beach destination are Discovery Shores and Shangri-La Boracay.
Palawan
Having been voted as the best island in the world, Palawan boasts of spectacular beaches and private islands. El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa are the best locations for beautiful weddings, where your guests and entourage can enjoy the spoils of nature while anticipating your special day.
With jungle-like surroundings, perfect white sand beaches, and the clearest waters you can ever see, what better way to have a destination wedding than at the most beautiful spot on earth?
Luxury resorts in Palawan such as Club Paradise in Coron and Sheridan Beach Resort in Puerto Princesa also have a dedicated team that will take care of everything for you so you won’t have to lift a finger for your wedding. That means your honeymoon will have already begun even before the wedding started!
Discover the world-renowned beauty of Palawan, Philippines.
Subic, Zambales
Formerly a US Navy base, Subic is now a much-coveted resort town with plenty of choices to hold your wedding, whether indoor or outdoor. Luxury resorts are aplenty, and so are beautiful beaches that offer absolutely picturesque spots to take your vow.
Only two hours away from Manila via the SCTEx, it’s yet another destination that won’t take up so much time traveling so your wedding party can start as soon as possible. Choose from an array of venue options such as The Lighthouse Marina Resort, Subic Bay Yacht Club, and the El Kabayo Stables.
Another great thing about Subic is that it has a lot of tourist attractions such as the Zoobic Safari and the Subic’s Ocean Adventure so you have the opportunity to spend some precious quality time with your friends and family before officially stepping into married life.
Check out our list of the Philippines’ most amazing lighthouses.
Baguio
The summer capital of the Philippines, a destination wedding in Baguio is a complete respite from the stresses of daily life. Cool weather, pine trees, and offering a completely different vibe than the rest of the country, Baguio is perfect if you want to have that relaxing autumn feel to your wedding.
With verdant gardens, woodlands, and mountains in this scenic location, you can choose from different settings of nature for your postnup pictures. There are a lot of beautiful venues in Baguio where you can have your wedding such as The Manor at Camp John Hay, Baguio Country Club, and Frangeli House.
Read more about Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines.
Mactan, Cebu
Dubbed as the Queen City of the South, Cebu is the perfect combination of city and nature. You have malls, business centers, and 5-star hotels in the heart of the city, but also only 20 minutes away are equally luxurious 5-star resorts that have private coves and beaches that are absolutely breathtaking.
Mactan Island boasts of the Shangri La Mactan, Crimson Resort & Spa, Movenpick Mactan, and other luxury resorts that can arrange for you the most spectacular beach wedding you can imagine. During the days leading up to your wedding, you can take your family and friends on an island-hopping adventure and discover the many beautiful beaches that dot the Mactan waters.
Find out more topics about the beautiful Cebu.
Panglao, Bohol
Another popular tourist destination in the country, Panglao is a bustling and booming island packed with luxury resorts like the South Palms Resort and Henann Resort Alona Beach where villas and picture-perfect venues for weddings are to die for.
For fun-filled activities days before your special day, Panglao offers a lot of options for things to do and see on the island. There’s the famous Chocolate Hills, the tarsier sanctuary, or the Loboc River Cruise. This island is definitely an ideal place for some fun family bonding time while you wait for the day you tie the knot with the love of your life.
Read more articles about the wonderous island of Bohol.
Vigan & Pagudpud, Ilocos
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Vigan Heritage Village will bring you back a hundred years in time with its stone houses and cobbled streets. Vigan’s cobbled streets and beautiful heritage structures make a charming background that will help you achieve that perfect shot for your first photo as husband and wife.
House your family and friends in authentic Spanish mansions such as the Hotel Salcedo de Vigan where four-post beds from the Spanish era are still being used. For churches where you can hold your ceremony, Vigan is absolutely teeming with centuries-old churches that are just stunningly beautiful.
Check out our rundown of the top 10 historical sites to visit in the Philippines.
For a beach wedding, Pagudpud definitely hits the spot for that tranquil wedding day in Ilocos. The area’s iconic coastal windmills serve as a backdrop while the waters of the West Philippine Sea caresses the shore.
Batanes
Instagram and Pinterest-worthy, a Batanes destination wedding is fast becoming a popular way to spend that hard-earned money for an unforgettable union.
Breathtaking scenery, raw and untouched landscapes, and having the perfect Chapel on a Hill setting, Batanes is your dream wedding destination that delivers. Because it’s relatively far and locals are few, privacy and exclusivity are yours to enjoy, along with naturally organic Ivatan food that defines what farm-to-table cuisine is all about, Batanes is a perfect place for this special, once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Balesin Island, Quezon
Located on the eastern coast of Luzon and reachable through a 20-minute private plane ride, Balesin is an exclusive, members-only private island beloved by many celebrities. Don’t fret, you don’t need to be a member to have your wedding here. A simple endorsement or letter from a member can have you enjoying your dream wedding on this beautiful 500-hectare private island.
With unbelievably stunning beaches and villas, nothing gets more exclusive than having your dream wedding on this enviable island.
……
The Philippines is one of the most beautiful tropical countries in the world, and with a lot of luxury resorts in its most scenic locations, your dream destination wedding is really just a short plane ride or car drive away.
This article is a collaboration with Event Planner Philippines.
