When you plan a destination wedding, you’re not only preparing for your nuptials; you’re also planning a trip for all of your loved ones. You have the opportunity to transport your guests to a place of meaning to you as well as take them on a beautiful adventure.
A destination wedding is often more complex to plan; it means coordinating multiple gatherings and keeping track of many little details to help your friends and family prepare for the weekend, or weeklong, celebration ahead. In addition to hiring a skilled event planner, it’s important to communicate plans with your guests.
There’s no better way to get your family and friends excited for the journey ahead than by sending a well-designed invitation. We love the custom destination wedding invitation suites below because, in addition to conveying vital information, their designs nod to far-off locales. Whether it’s a watercolor painting of a vineyard or layered laser cut cacti for a desert wedding, these invitations beautifully inform and excite guests.
Read on to get inspired by destination wedding invitations for real weddings at gorgeous locations that include domestic and European spots, cities and beaches, as well as deserts and mountains.
European Destination Wedding Invitations
1. Intimate Italian Wedding
Ferentillo, Umbria
Guests at this destination wedding in Italy were invited by colorfully elegant invitations from Gourmet Invitations. They set the scene for an intimate soirée in the hilly countryside of Umbria.
Click through to see how a long king’s table laden with lavender hydrangea and sprigs of rosemary created a feast for the senses in a dreamy courtyard.
2. Chateau Celebration in France
Condécourt, Île-De-France
The planners at Fête in France say of the chic chateau venue, “The orangerie has beautiful light during the day, and in the winter, it is full of lemon trees being stored away from the cold. These deep green leaves and citrus colors were used as inspiration for the unforgettable décor.”
We can’t help but notice how the hues inspired the greenery-infused destination wedding invitations from French Blue as well. Click to see unique water-color inspired cookies and striking green tables.
3. Italian Destination Wedding – In Palm Beach
We adore this Italy-inspired wedding so much that we dedicated an entire article to it. The old-world European mood began with the luxe invitation suite from HH Design. Each custom letterpress card featured a gold icon and each envelope, an elegant lining.
Click through to see how towering trees made for wow-worthy centerpieces and a wedding cake that recreated (in edible elements) details from the invitations.
Desert Destination Wedding Invitations
4. Palm Springs Soirée
This custom-illustrated and designed destination wedding invitation suite featured a laser cut band holding all of the glorious pieces together. Who Drew NY provided custom illustrations including a tropical crest and deeply hued map on stunning invitations from Méldeen.
Click to see the wedding’s beautiful use of on-trend millennial pink.
5. Elegant Palm Springs Wedding
According to the planners at Michelle Garibay Events, “The accordion-style invitation suite design centered around shimmering pool water to build excitement for a vacation-vibe weekend celebration in Palm Springs at the Avalon Hotel.”
We adore how Méldeen created a chic suite in a California-perfect palette. Don’t miss how desert inspiration found its way onto the tabletops and in the bouquet at this clear-tented wedding.
6. Delightful Desert Design
This modern tropical wedding began it’s pink and rose-hued mod vibe with its gorgeous custom invitations from Swell Press. We adore everything from the cool font to the letterpress desert-chic graphics.
Don’t miss all the fun boho details like pink and maroon velvet lounge areas, wicker thrones for the happy couple, and an so-clever-you-have-to-see-it place card display.
7. Chic Cacti
We love the three-dimensional detail on these invitations from (fittingly) The Detail Department. And what’s more evocative of a desert-set soirée than cactus and undulating sand?
Make sure to see other clever details like a live cactus seating chart, fresh citrus place cards, and wood slab chargers.
8. Bright & Bold Bash
This colorful intimate wedding set a luxe desert tone starting with custom invitations from Idieh Design. We adore how the invitations combine dusty blue a bright pink and desert icons like cacti and horned skulls.
Click through to see a truly stunning king’s table (one long table for all guests) with its own arch of bright bougainvillea.
9. Succulent Soirée
We adore so many details at this outdoor desert wedding, from the wow-worthy succulent-decked wedding cake to the mini terrariums for each guest.
Don’t miss how the custom invitation suite from Be In love Designs inspired a totally original bar design, seating chart, and menus.
Beach Destination Wedding Invitations
10. Luxurious Tropical Wedding
Noord, Aruba
This stunning wedding featured bright green palm fronds and white floral décor that popped against the deep blue sky. Lucky guests were invited with truly tropical invitation from the team at VS Invitations.
Don’t miss how the wedding arch perfectly frames the couple, sky, and sea for epic photos.
11. Bright Beach Wedding
Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Mexico
We can’t get enough of how this invitation suite from A Good Day evokes turquoise water, tropical florals, and miles of beachfront sand.
Don’t miss how a bright orange menus create a chic focal point at each modern table setting.
12. Tropical Palm Beach Setting
When you’re getting married in as gorgeous of a locale as Palm Beach, in as iconic of a venue as The Breakers Palm Beach, it makes sense to get guests dreaming early. We love how Alpine Creative Group used the tropical beauty of the historic venue, along with gold print to set an elegant tone.
Don’t miss the couple’s stunning oceanside nuptials and unique wedding arch.
13. Magnificent Mexico
Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
We adore how aqua ocean spray served as beachy inspiration for this destination wedding invitation suite from My Urban Invites.
Don’t miss a unique polished wood aisle stretched across soft sand leading to the sea and the couple’s fun entrance — by boat.
14. We Heart the Hamptons
Bridgehampton, NY
This Hampton’s wedding combined a modern black-and-white palette with pampas grass and other beachy elements. We love how the invitation suite from Minted evoked the rolling ocean waves.
Click through to see this Fourth of July weekend wedding and its clever beach-inspired place cards and driftwood and floral centerpieces.
City Destination Wedding Invitations
15. Artistic City Soirée
Ashley Frye Studio evoked Chicago’s iconic skyline in an artistic way to set the scene for this beautiful city-set wedding that took place in a glass art studio.
Click to see how glass art formed a colorful backdrop to this couple’s ceremonial chuppah.
16. Chicago Charm
We love how this Chicago wedding employed the city’s skyline as inspiration for the invitation suite from Bella Figura. The motif is carried through every card, creating a cohesive design.
Click through to see the city-perfect locale, rich with history, and the clever seating card solution.
photographer: Cristina G | event planner: Big City Bride | décor: Blumgarten & Co | venue: Chicago History Museum | linen: BBJ Linen | print goods: Bella Figura
Vineyard Destination Weddings
17. Wine & Dine
Hollister, CA
18. Vineyard Vines
Virginia plays host to not only hilly vineyards, but also lush weddings. This rustic-chic vineyard wedding invited guests with custom invitations from Just Write Studios, featuring leafy elements.
Don’t miss the charming barn reception featuring foliage and candle table runners and high and low floral centerpieces.
Mountain Destination Weddings
19. Mountain Magic
These winter wonderland nuptials were held at the happy couple’s favorite mountain in Colorado, and their wedding invitations from Sarah Drake Design set the snowy scene months in advance. We love how the custom suite beautifully pictured the special locale.
Don’t miss the stunning reception décor, with its suspended floral installations and birch trees surrounding the whole room — and all of the bridesmaids donned in icy blues. Winter wonderland, indeed.
20. Lovely Lodge
This stunning wedding was beautifully set at a resort nestled against the majestic Cascade Mountains — and the picturesque invitation suite from Katie Hoffman Ink makes that perfectly clear. These destination invitations feature evergreens, water, and fields that get guests dreaming.
Other not-to-be-missed details from this mountain wedding include its unique cake with mountains and trees rendered in white frosting and a clever guest book/photo album combo. Click to see now.
People Also Ask…
How can I get started planning my destination wedding?
A destination wedding requires an especially high level of planning skill, attention to detail, and responsiveness. We suggest beginning your wedding planning by hiring a top wedding planner. An event planner will advise you every step of the way from lodging blocks to selection and coordination of your vendor team. Ideally, choose an event planner who has experience in curating destination celebrations, or look for a local planner on the ground at your dream destination.
Also see some of PartySlate’s destination wedding resources below.
featured venue
RITZ-CARLTON, ARUBA
We love how this luxury Aruba hotel sets the scene for everything from stunning nuptials exchanged in the sand to an unforgettable milestone bash in The Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba is bound to impress both party host and guests with premier service, world-class amenities, and gorgeous event spaces. photographer: Muñoz Photography
featured event planner
NICOLE ALEXANDRA EVENTS & DESIGNS
Nicole Alexandra Events & Designs creates stunning events filled with hundreds of unique, beautiful details. We love the artistry and creativity that she brings to each picture-perfect celebration. photographer: Miki and Sonja Photography