Where We'd Fly for Love: Destination Wedding Spots That Look Unreal on Camera

We have a confession: we're a little addicted to boarding passes. Our team is on a plane at least once a month, and some of our favorite weddings have happened thousands of miles from our home base in Southern California.

If you're dreaming of a destination wedding but haven't picked the destination yet, consider this your shortlist: the places we've photographed and filmed and would happily return to, plus a few on our wish list. Fair warning: you may start browsing flights.

Places we've been (and would go back to tomorrow)

Pakistan

For many of our couples, Pakistan isn't a destination. It's home. And there's nothing like a wedding with centuries of Mughal architecture as the backdrop: carved red sandstone, white marble domes, terraced gardens and walled-city lanes that glow at dusk. Lahore in particular is a photographer's dream, and the energy of a Pakistani wedding, from the dholki to the walima, is unmatched. We have so much to say about this one that it got its own guide.

Vietnam

Lantern-lit streets in Hoi An. Limestone islands rising out of Ha Long Bay. Long golden beaches near Da Nang. Vietnam delivers romance, drama and texture in a single trip, and the food alone is worth the flight. The weather changes a lot from north to south, so pick your season by region, not just by country.

Canada

If your love language is mountains, Canada delivers. Think glacier-fed lakes in impossible shades of blue, evergreen forests and peaks in the Canadian Rockies that make every portrait look like a movie poster. Prefer city energy? Toronto and Vancouver bring skylines, waterfronts and venues built for big guest lists. Just know that many national parks require permits for ceremonies and professional photography, so plan ahead.

Ukraine

Golden domes, pastel facades, cobblestone streets and old-world architecture that looks made for a love story. Ukraine has some of the most romantic backdrops we've ever worked with. If it's on your list, check current official travel advisories before you plan anything, since conditions there can change quickly.

Mexico

Mexico is the overachiever of destination weddings. Turquoise water on the Riviera Maya, desert-meets-ocean cliffs in Los Cabos, and the colonial streets and famous pink church of San Miguel de Allende. You get easy flights from the US, incredible food and venues that know how to host. Just keep hurricane season (roughly June through November) in mind when you pick a date.

Across the United States

You don't always need a passport for destination-level photos. From our base in Southern California, some of the best wedding backdrops in the country are a short flight or a scenic drive away: the mid-century cool of Palm Springs, the vineyards of Napa and Sonoma, the cliffs of Big Sur and the alpine blue of Lake Tahoe. Farther afield, New York City and Chicago bring big-city glamour, and Hawaii brings, well, Hawaii.

The wish list: where we're dying to shoot next

We're always up for somewhere new. If you're planning a wedding in any of these places, call us. Immediately. We'll pack tonight.

• Lake Como, Italy. Lakeside villas, terraced gardens and boat rides at golden hour. Basically a perfume ad, except it's your wedding.

• Santorini, Greece. Whitewashed walls, blue domes and caldera sunsets your guests will still be talking about at your tenth anniversary.

• Marrakech, Morocco. Riads, lanterns, mosaic tile and rich color everywhere you look. A dream setting for a mehndi.

• Bali, Indonesia. Cliffside ceremonies, rice terraces and jungle greenery for days.

• Cappadocia, Türkiye. Sunrise portraits with hot air balloons drifting over the fairy chimneys. Yes, it's as surreal as it sounds.

• Iceland. Black sand beaches, waterfalls and moody skies for the couple who'd rather elope at the edge of the world.

How to choose your destination (without starting a family group-chat war)

• Start with your guest list. Twenty people can go almost anywhere. Four hundred people need a city with a major airport, plenty of hotels and venues that can handle a crowd.

• Be honest about travel. Can your grandparents handle a 20-hour journey? Will guests need visas? The most beautiful place in the world isn't worth it if the people you love can't get there.

• Match the place to your traditions. Planning a mehndi, a baraat and a reception? Make sure the venue can host multiple events, music late into the night and possibly a horse. (Ask early.)

• Check the season. Weather, local holidays and peak tourist months all affect your budget and your photos.

• Think about the light. Mountains, beaches, deserts and old cities all photograph differently at different times of day. A good photographer will help you plan around it.

Once you've picked the place, our no-panic destination wedding planning guide walks you through the rest.

Let's go somewhere beautiful

Whether you're dreaming of Mughal arches in Lahore, a beach in Tulum or a villa on Lake Como, we'd love to hear about it. Tell us where you're headed, and if you need a little more inspiration first, wander through our portfolio.