Luxury nuptials planners, Oliver’s Travels, have revealed the standout trends for 2025 destination weddings based on its internal booking data.
From agricultural settings to intimate events, the company’s Destination Weddings Report highlights the trends of the coming year and beyond.
1. Wed-cations
Multi-day wedding celebrations are becoming more and more popular, particularly for marriages abroad, and it is a trend that will continue to grow throughout 2025. Couples are moving their focus towards a more ‘holiday’ style of celebration – dubbed a ‘wed-cation’ –
“We’re seeing lots of wedding parties now booking for a whole week and hosting the celebration mid-stay.”
In fact, as many as half (48%) of all wedding bookings Oliver’s Travels has for 2025 have been for a full 7 days, which is the highest figure it’s seen over the last five years.
2. Micro-Destination Weddings
Micro weddings and elopements are becoming increasingly popular and is a clear trend for 2025 – something accelerated by the pandemic but is continuing to rise due to people prioritising more intimate events with their loved ones.
“Our new average guest list size is closer to 60 people whereas the average guest list was nearer to 100 people before the pandemic.”
For example, 20% of wedding bookings Oliver’s Travels had in 2020 were for properties with 20+ bedrooms, whereas this figure is just 8.4% this year.
3. Off season, on trend
Oliver’s Travels have seen a big shift in seasonality too, with many couples for 2025 and beyond considering getting married outside of the peak summer months.
“There has definitely been a big shift in favour of the shoulder seasons, especially September. A big contributing factor is that summer is peak season and prices are undoubtedly higher, so people are keen to avoid this.”
Booking data shows that
upcoming bookings for June and September currently mark a staggering 143% rise over summer months’ bookings for 2025.
4. Rustic, Outdoor Settings
“Outdoor weddings became a big thing during the pandemic – because, essentially, they needed to be like that. However, couples appear to be sticking with more alfresco settings that reflect nature and a simpler lifestyle.”
Oliver’s Travels has reported an increase in enquiries for rustic farmhouse venues in recent years, with at least 75% of 2025 bookings having a rustic agricultural setting for their destination wedding.
“Not only does this type of venue offer a romantic vibe, they also provide more of a blank canvas for creativity and allow couples to transform the space how they want.”
5. Farm-To-Table Feasts
Keeping on the agricultural theme, Oliver’s Travels shares that couples looking to get married abroad in 2025 and beyond are heavily prioritising the food and drink served on their big day.
“Informal dining, regional produce and local wine have become top priorities, and we’re seeing a lot of interest for properties located on a vineyard or working farm.
Please do let me know if you need any further information or would like exclusive quotes.