The best locations for the white sand wedding of your clients’ dreams
When it comes to destination weddings, the perfect sandy setting is the stuff of fairy tales. We source the purest beaches for saying “I do”
A wedding or honeymoon on a white-sand beach is an idyll for many, with such images featuring on numerous mood boards and Pinterest pages. Though the Caribbean and Maldives are the go-to for creamy sand, there are many more overlooked options on every continent, so you can switch up the location depending on the couple’s budget and interests.
With the post-pandemic travel trend for bigger spends and bucket-list ticking, it’s also the perfect time to suggest white-sand destinations that offer the prospect of a tour or safari after the “I do”.
VIETNAM AND THAILAND
Several places in Asia can claim white-sand beaches, among them parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sri Lanka, Japan, Cambodia and Vietnam, where Six Senses offers ceremonies.
“Six Senses Con Dao is an exclusive island hideaway resort amidst a pristine marine and national park, a perfect setting for out-of-the-ordinary moments,” says the property’s marketing manager, Trinh My Phuong. “Let your ceremony be harmonised and blessed by Mother Nature on this two-kilometre pristine beach.”
While Vietnam unions are only symbolic for visiting Brits, in Thailand, where Six Senses offers white-sand weddings at Samui, they’re legally binding following formalities in Bangkok.
Book it: Six Senses Con Dao’s Island Escape wedding package costs from $1,500 for two, including basic ceremony decoration, bouquet and buttonhole, barbecue dinner, champagne and wedding cake. A traditional Thai wedding at Six Senses Samui, from around THB200,000 (£4,925) incorporates a Buddhist monk blessing, drum procession and tree planting. sixsenses.com
ZANZIBAR
Off Tanzania’s east coast and easily twinned with neighbouring Kenya, the Zanzibar archipelago is a winner for adventurous couples.
Cheryl Mallon, Africa product and travel specialist for Inspiring Travel, says: “Africa is a magical destination and a wonderful choice for guests wanting to celebrate their special day or honeymoon.
“Unmistakably, one of the most romantic Indian Ocean locations is Zanzibar’s White Sands Luxury Villa & Spa. This exclusive barefoot luxury retreat sits on a fabulous stretch of soft, white-sand beach and nestles among baobab trees and exotic gardens.
“Dual holidays can include an epic safari adventure to make the romantic journey complete.”
Book it: Inspiring Travel offers 10 nights’ half-board in a beachfront villa at White Sands Luxury Villa & Spa from £7,998pp based on an early-September departure, including flights and meet and greet at Heathrow. The hotel has various wedding options, from a ceremony, canape reception, dinner on the beach and spa discount package for $2,000 per couple up to full hotel buy-outs. inspiringtravel.co.uk
MEXICO
Mexico’s white-sand Riviera Maya, stretching from Cancun to Tulum on its Caribbean coast, is an obvious choice for weddings but there are more original options elsewhere.
On the Pacific Coast, Punta de Mita peninsula, part of the lower-key Riviera Nayarit region, also includes white sands, and the Four Seasons and W resorts here both offer weddings. Four Seasons’ ceremonies can take place on the secluded, tree-lined Las Manzanillas beach or larger Las Cuevas beach. The hotel can lay on a lantern-strung alfresco dance floor, a late-night bonfire, mariachi band and, of course, margaritas.
Book it: Abercrombie & Kent is among operators offering both the Four Seasons and W Four Seasons’ wedding packages starting from $4,500 for two with airport transfers, ceremony decor, photography, hair and make-up, a musical duo, wedding cake, four-course dinner and bonfire among inclusions. Larger weddings start from $10,000 excluding food. fourseasons.com/puntamita
SCOTLAND
Closer to home, Scotland may not always have balmy temperatures, but it does have white-sand beaches and, with the landowner’s permission, legally binding outdoor weddings can take place anywhere.
On the scenic west coast overlooking the Paps of Jurra, Crear offers elopement-style “Wee Weddings” and full-scale celebrations. Couples can pick a spot for their “I do” across its 200 acres including woodland or beach, with a bagpiper to accompany them to the ceremony. They may even spot seals or dolphins.
“Sometimes up at Crear, you could think you’re in the Bahamas with the clear water and the sun shining on the white sand,” says sales and marketing manager Lorraine Sorrentino.
Book it: Crear is keen to work with interested agents. For 2023 its all-inclusive weddings, with 12 guests staying at Crear House, a drinks reception, six-course wedding breakfast, flowers, photos and a piper, cost from £9,950 for two nights midweek in low season/£12,950 high season. Day guests can be added for £155/£165. Wee Wedding “elopement” packages cost from £2,895. crearweddings.co.uk
AUSTRALIA
Nuptials can be made extra-special with a long-awaited trip to Australia or New Zealand, perhaps including visiting far-flung relatives. Happily, both boast numerous white-sand beaches, as does the wider South Pacific.
“Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays is difficult to beat for the wow factor. Worthy of its world-renowned status, the brilliant white-sand beach views for four miles and clear blue sea of the Great Barrier Reef make for perfect pictures on the big day,” says Cassie Zuill, America, UK and Europe director for Tourism and Events Queensland.
Whitehaven Beach can be accessed from popular Hamilton Island, which has its own weddings and events team.
Book it: Hamilton Island ceremonies, including photography, cost from AU$4,495 (£2,550) for parties up to 15. It’s a further AU$2,040 (£1,160) for the couple, ceremony officiator, photographer and arrival at Whitehaven Beach by two helicopters, AU$6,500 (£3,690) for a boat charter for up to 12 people. Island accommodation can be discounted by up to 20% for the wedding party. hamiltonislandweddings.com
Caribbean
While the whole Caribbean region has ample choice for beach weddings, some locations excel for white sand.
Marsha-Ann Donaldson Brown, director of weddings and romance at Sandals Resorts, says: “All 17 of our Sandals resorts are set in beautiful beachfront locations. For a classic white sand beach wedding, I would recommend considering either Sandals Grande Antigua, Sandals Grande St Lucian or Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau.”
Set on Dickenson Bay, Sandals Grande Antigua has been consistently voted the Caribbean’s most romantic resort. At Sandals Grande St Lucian, couples can choose the sand, a beachfront gazebo or over-the-water wedding chapel for their vows, while on Nassau, Cable Beach or Sandals’ own offshore island are possible locations.
Standard weddings are free (bar government fees) with a minimum three-night stay, with plenty of options to upgrade and customise. sandals.co.uk
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