13 Best Destination Wedding Locations in SE Asia!

What are the key elements a bride looks at when selecting a wedding venue? 

A quick survey conducted by Hitchbird, a global destination wedding planning website, revealed that pricing, prompt responses, and quality of responses, are the top three items they place importance on.

We asked a bride that recently had a destination wedding in Boracay about how she and her husband selected their wedding venue. 

Mitzi Logronio, 37, shared, “They (the hotel) replied faster than everyone else (other venues). Also, their package was complete and competitive.”

When she said complete, she meant that it included most of the things she needed for her destination wedding — wedding planning, day-of coordination, decorations, flowers, and wedding cake, just to name a few. “We sent them pictures of what we wanted for the decorations. When we saw it on that day, it was exactly what we wanted,” Mitzi added.

Which Wedding Venue Really is the Best of the Best? 

There is an abundance of beautiful destination wedding locations all across Southeast Asia. But how does a couple, living in a different country, know what sets each one of them apart from the rest? Pictures on websites paint a picture of how a wedding can possibly look like. But how does one truly know what the service quality and staff competence are like? 

Co-founder of Hitchbird, Hoi Cheung, said: “It’s not just about how beautiful a wedding venue is. The service level matters a lot as well.”

Things like location, competence of the wedding planning team, and quality of the wedding spaces, are essential for a bride. 

Luckily, Hitchbird recently conducted its inaugural Hitchbird Wedding Awards to identify the cream of the crop when it comes to destination wedding locations in SE Asia.

5,000 hotels across SE Asia, 30,000 votes from couples across the globe, 32 notable judges, and 13 prestigious awards. This just about sums up the 2019 Wedding Awards by Hitchbird.

The top destination wedding venues were selected based on the following criteria:

• Accessibility

• Transportation 

• Location

• Hotel amenities 

• Hotel service & hospitality

• Accommodation standards

• Quality of wedding packages

• Quality of wedding spaces

• Quality of food & beverage

• Competence of wedding planning team

• Value for money

• Overall experience 

Best Destination Wedding Location in Indonesia: Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort

Located at a cliff’s edge, this five-star resort in Bali offers a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean. Service quality, location, and value for money, are among some of the reasons why this is a highly recommended venue by approximately 84% of their guests. 

For weddings, couples have multiple intimate/ private venues to choose from, including the beautiful glass-panelled Dewa Dewi chapel (as seen in the pic). 

Their world class amenities include their contemporary Balinese suites with private pool and/or garden/ ocean views and private dining options on a clifftop/ by the beach. Plus, your stay here will come with a complimentary 30-minute shoot with the resort’s photographer! 

Best Destination Wedding Location in Malaysia: The St. Regis Langkawi

Found in the Northwestern part of Malaysia is a beautiful island called Langkawi. Located at the southern part of the island is St Regis Langkawi, one of Marriott Group’s luxury resorts on the island. It is tucked next to lush green rainforest and offers glimmering beach views of the Andaman Sea ⁠— marginal sea of the Indian Ocean. 

Apart from its prime location, their amenities are worth shouting about too. They have a private beachfront access, signature butler service, luxury chauffeured limousine service, and delectable cuisines, just to name a few. 

For those who always wanted to live above water, the St Regis has villas above the water that comes equipped with a private pool and a beautiful view of the sunset and Andaman sea. Sounds just like the perfect honeymoon suite!

Best Destination Wedding Location in Maldives: SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton

If you want to stay on a private island, this is the place to go. Located on Emboodhoo Lagoon, the resort is accessible by a 15-minute boat ride from Malé International Airport.

The island is even equipped with world-class shopping outlets and various sorts of entertainment. You can scout for dolphins, watch sharks in action, go on a sunset safari, and try your hand at parasailing! 

The wedding package at SAii Lagoon Maldives includes things like a master of ceremony, 60-min couple’s facial treatment, bodo beru drum performance, decorations for your wedding venue, wedding cake, and even a romantic dinner with a 4-course menu!

Best Destination Wedding Location in the Philippines: Club Paradise Palawan

Did you know that Palawan is the least populated area in the Philippines? So, if you’re seeking for a place that has a smaller crowd, then this is the place. Club Paradise Palawan is a resort to look out for if you’re keen on having a private wedding.

To get there, you would have to take a 40-minute boat ride to Dimakya Island in Coron. Owned entirely by Club Paradise Palawan, this 19-hectare island resort is located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — an area that comprises terrestrial, marine, and coastal ecosystems.

In a blog post, Matthew and Jocelyn — a married couple who got married in Palawan — said they liked the fact that they could share the entire island with their loved ones and celebrate their special day in an intimate and gorgeous setting. 

Best Destination Wedding Location in Thailand: InterContinental Koh Samui Resort

Located in a secluded enclave of Taling Ngam Bay, the resort is hailed for its privacy, beachfront view, and gorgeous sunsets. Guests would need to take a 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui and get on a 45-minute drive or boat trip, to get to the resort. 

Their world class amenities such as the Air Bar (with a view of the ocean), award winning Baan Thai Spa, competitive wedding packages, and high quality services, are why this resort has received numerous awards. 

What’s unique about this venue is the option for couples to have a wedding on water! The Infinity Love Wedding Package comes with beautiful floral displays, rose gold tiffany chairs, petal confetti, a wedding arch, plus hair and makeup for the bride, to name a few. 

Best Destination Wedding Location in Vietnam: Naman Retreat, Danang

Apart from its impressive traditional bamboo architecture and exquisite interiors, this hotel is known for its high quality and authentic Vietnamese hospitality. Not only is the hotel secluded, but it is also conveniently located between two of the finest golf courses in SE Asia. 

The hotel is also very close to various tourist spots such as the ancient Hoi An town, Danang city, The Marble Mountains, and such. It is a perfect venue for couples who are looking not just for a place that looks beautiful, but that also provides holistic wellness treatments that can enrich the mind, body, and soul. 

Best Beach Destination Wedding Location: Intercontinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam

Located on Vietnam’s ‘Pearl Island’, this 70-year-old luxurious hotel offers old-world glamour, elegance, and heritage unlike any other hotel on the island. 

Aside from their legendary Vietnamese service, the hotel is known for the HARNN Heritage Spa which won Global Spa of the Year in 2017. They use natural resources derived from the island such as bamboo, pearl, and black pepper in their therapies, therefore making the spa sessions truly unique and memorable for guests.

What’s also interesting is that their treatments are carried out in bamboo huts built on placid waters! Pretty cool, huh?

Best Boutique Destination Wedding Location: Rocky's Boutique Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

Rocky’s in Koh Samui is well known for its serenity and mediterranean cuisine. What’s unique about the place is that couples get to dine on the rocks by the beach. 

The hotel is located in the far south of Lamai, where the crowd is smaller. 

However, it is also within close proximity to the best of Koh Samui’s nightlife on Lamai Beach and Chaweng beach.

The hotel’s restaurant, The Dining Room, is said to serve really good beef Rossini and grilled sea bass with Mediterranean vegetables and lobster bisque sauce, according to The Telegraph. 

Best Value For Money Award: Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Thailand

Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is located at Kamala Bay of Phuket Island and offers a spectacular view of the Andaman Sea. Their wedding packages include accommodation for the couple, floral arrangements, decorations, and photography.

Custom-designed menus, high quality cuisine, and wedding cake choices, are among the other package inclusions. The couple will also have the luxury of working with a team of competent wedding specialists who will assist them with wedding details. 

What’s great is that the hotel also offers Deluxe and Premium packages at an affordable price. They have an all-inclusive Ultimate Indulgence package as well which includes wedding reception choices, a 60-minute romantic couple’s massage, and a room night voucher for the couple to celebrate their first-year anniversary. Sounds like a good deal!

Best Wedding Villa in Asia: Impiana Private Villas Cemagi, Bali, Indonesia

Rich black sand, calming sea breeze, seclusion, and serene beauty, are what you’ll get if you stayed at Impiana Private Villas Cemagi in Bali. With a beachfront 6-bedroom private villa, guests can get a view of their well-maintained tropical gardens, swimming pools, and sunset. 

There is a Balinese temple, Pura Gede Luhur Batungaus, which sits on a volcanic rock. Surrounding the temple are black solid rocks where the water from the Indian Ocean hits. When the sun sets, the temple and the ocean offer a breathtaking view guests will really appreciate. 

Impiana is a great place for couples who want to get away from the hustle and bustle that city life has to offer. What’s also unique about the villa is the Balinese architecture found on its buildings, its traditional thatched roofs, antique furniture, and high ceilings. 

Most Instagrammable Wedding Location in Asia: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, Vietnam

Spun out of a fairytale, this resort is built to look just like a university campus with different buildings catered to different “departments’’. It is also designed to look just like a village and comes equipped with retail shops and lantern-lit streets. 

For those of you who appreciate culture, you’ll love the fusion of European and Asian designs found all over the resort. The Hoi An houses on the street are examples of this. You’ll also see hints of the Vietnamese culture dotted all over the place as well. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog for example, can be seen in ornaments, paintings and even as statues. 

It’s no wonder that the resort was awarded the best resort in SE Asia and ranked second in Asia by Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2019!

Most Unique Destination Wedding Location: Keemala Phuket, Thailand

For those Lord of the Rings lovers out there, Keemala is the place for you. The villas here are either dangling from a tree or perched on a tall pillar! Cool huh? 

Keemala consists of 38 pool villas and is set amidst the forest of Kamala in Phuket. The design and architecture of the entire place was inspired by the culture of four fictional Phuket tribes, the ‘Pa-ta-Pea’ (Earth), the’Khon-Jorn’ (Wanderers), the ‘We-Ha’ (Sky), and the ‘Rung-Nok’ (Nest) people.

Each villa also has a host that will deliver personalised services to its guests. 

Top Destination Wedding Location of the Year in Asia

This award-winning resort is built amidst a lush mountainous region and is approximately 30 minutes from Danang International Airport. Designed by renowned architect, Bill Bensley, the resort is built over four levels—Heaven, Sky, Earth and Sea. The place also has a funicular train, Nam Tram, running through the area. 

“...large white maisons with shuttered windows and black-tiled roofs, huge citrus-coloured silk chandeliers, hand-carved stone elephants, gardens overflowing with enormous scented blooms, and a quaint funicular making its way up and down the hillside” was howThe Telegraph described the set-up of the resort. 

Guests have the privilege of experiencing top-notch personalised service from staff throughout their entire stay at the resort. On top of that, guests will get to indulge in the culinary delights of world-acclaimed chef Pierre Gagnaire.

Bringing It All Together

There you have it — the 13 best destination wedding locations in SE Asia, based on votes by couples across the globe, highly talented judges, and the Hitchbird team. 

For brides reading this, once you have screened through the list of destination wedding locations for the one that fits yours needs, it all comes down to your gut feeling. 

Your mother may say one thing, your friends may say another. Ultimately, it’s your wedding, not theirs. The ball is in your court. 

This is your big day. Make it a destination wedding to remember by selecting the right venue that fits your capacity, style, and budget. 

Once again, our heartiest congratulations go out to all the award winners!