Destination weddings offer not just the couples, but also their friends and family, a good reason for another beachside holiday. With stunning locales aplenty throughout South-east Asia, here’s a low-down on six places, recommended by Kayak.sg, that are perfect to exchange your vows or have a romantic honeymoon at.
1. Bali, Indonesia
Tanah Lot, the iconic Balinese temple on the sea, is one of the most beautiful backdrops to hold a wedding against. The awe-inspiring sunset views will add an extra depth to the ceremony. One of the properties in the area, Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali, overlooks the scenic site and is a great choice for those who want Bali’s cultural heritage and natural beauty to be captured in their wedding photos.
Aside from the wedding festivities, there’s plenty to keep the guests entertained on this beauteous island. Some activities include temple tours, visits to local museums, art galleries and pottery factories.
2. Phuket, Thailand
Its sublime beaches with rugged mountain outcrops and aquamarine water make Phuket a destination for any time of the year. But to celebrate one of the most memorable moments of your life here is a dream come true for any couple. The Aleenta Phuket Resort & Spa (below), with its beachfront location, is a perfect venue for those wanting to hold an intimate ceremony. What could be more romantic than feeling the breeze in your hair and sand between your toes as you say “I do”?
For attendees, there is Phuket’s famous party scene, or learning how to cook Thai food in one of the many local cookery schools.
3. Koh Samui, Thailand
It’s hardly a wonder why another Thai destination makes it to the list. With its picture-postcard environs, Koh Samui exudes an exotic vibe that will make you want to get married if you haven’t already done so. Unspoilt, bone-white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and amazing food and spas make it a clear winner. If you want to have a laid-back beachside wedding with added pizzazz, check out Conrad Koh Samui on the southern tip of the island. Its over-the-water ceremony, where couples walk down a transparent aisle (below) right out to the middle of the resort’s infinity pool, makes for a surreal setting.
Apart from the wedding, guests can visit the nearby fishing village and monasteries as well as enjoy spa treatments.
4. Baa Atoll, Maldives
The Maldives is one of those destinations you have to visit to believe the hype – no words can do justice to this tropical paradise in the Indian Ocean. A short seaplane fight from the capital Male, Baa Atoll is a breathtaking location offering plenty of options for weddings as well as for newly-married couples. Anantara Kihavah Maldives (below) has a range of choices such as a scuba ceremony, which lets you exchange vows while you marvel at the underwater world.
Guests can watch bottlenose dolphins frolicking in the ocean or go snorkelling.
5. Nha Trang, Vietnam
An up-and-coming destination of choice for wedding or honeymooning couples is Vietnam. While Nha Trang itself is a buzzy seaside town dotted with, ironically, skyscrapers and a cosmopolitan dining scene, there are properties located away from the hustle and bustle in more serene surroundings. Amiana Resort Nha Trang (below), ringed by a rugged coastline, overlooks a chain of hills, making it a quaint location for intimate events.
There are water activities for adventurous guests and spiritual sites such as the Po Nagar Cham Towers, a Buddhist place of worship dating back to the 7th century.
6. Pangkor, Malaysia
Pangkor’s natural beauty is stuff that legends are made of. Its pristine beaches and an exclusive magical quality has made it a favourite among many famous people – the late Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti is said to have been a fan. The well-known Pangkor Laut Resort (below) is a dreamy property that looks like it was made for such special once-in-a-lifetime events. A beachside ceremony here will likely be the subject of many collective gasps.
Wedding attendees can pick from water sports to incredible spa treatments or visit the local attractions like the 17th-century Dutch Fort and the Fu Lin Kong.
PHOTOS: SUPPLIED, ALEENTA PHUKET-PHANG NGA FACEBOOK PAGE, ANANTARA HOTELS RESORTS & SPAS FACEBOOK PAGE, AMIANA RESORT NHA TRANG FACEBOOK PAGE, PANGKOR LAUT RESORT FACEBOOK PAGE
This article was originally published by Singapore Press Holdings.
