Looking to tie the knot abroad? We’ve teamed up with wedding web specialists www.marryabroad.co.uk to bring you the top five beaches for a wedding – all a little different from what you might expect.
Lake Zell beach, Zell am See, Austria
Forget the Caribbean or the golden sands of Sri Lanka, our top choice beach is right in the middle of land-locked Austria. The lakeside beach is surrounded by the Austrian Alps, meaning you’re guaranteed to get some stunning memories when it comes to photography. Wedding planner Kajsa Reisenbauer says: “It is magical, and beautifully situated – perfect for an Alpine celebration.” If you want to add a unique reception to a stay here, the MS Schmittenhöhe, which cruises on the lake, can be hired by couples after their ceremony.
Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies
Our second choice is another lakeside beach, this time in the idyllic surrounds of one of the world’s most iconic lakes, Lake Louise in the middle of the Rockies. In summer the lake projects a turquoise hue, due to pure water running in from surrounding glaciers. In winter, when the water is frozen over, horses can pull newlyweds on sleighs across the lake. Planner Lauren Laming gives this tip for perfect pics: “The couple should stand on the shores of the lake with the Victoria Glacier facing them, for the most magnificent views, especially when the lake is calm, offering beautiful reflections in the water”.
Grootbos beach, Western Cape, South Africa
Tie the knot on a private game reserve on a beach that is at the tip of South Africa where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. Grootbos is near Hermanus, and the areas is quite different to the typical safari lodges of South Africa. Couples can choose a beach wedding on the Cape Town or Atlantic Ocean side of the beach. Hermanus is also known as the best land-based, whale watching site in the world, so you might even spot a humpback as you get hitched. Planner Fiona Gordon says the beach’s location opens up dozens of possibilities for honeymoons: “With the vineyards on the Garden Route, or further east the coast north of Durban that overlooks the Indian Ocean all close by, couples are spoilt for choice.”
Le Morne Peninsula, Mauritius
With Le Morne mountain as a backdrop, the beach bordering the Le Morne Peninsula on the south west of the island is simply magnificent. Miles of turquoise sea and soft white sand make it a true paradise wedding location. Bordering the beach, the Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa resort enjoys this romantic backdrop. Wedding specialists Beachcomber Tours claims that getting married here is the closest you can come to Paradise.
Sønderborg beach, Denmark
Another surprise pick is this beach in Denmark’s South Jutland. Denmark has relatively simple wedding legalities – earning it the nickname ‘the Vegas of Europe’ – so it’s a great choice for those who don’t want to fill in reams of paperwork, and this beach offers great views over to a grand old castle. Planner Anne Kathrine Rasmussen says: “The most popular type of wedding we organise at Sønderborg, is when a couple get married by the water and then have a Danish-style reception at the seaside hotel next door”.
