THE SAFEST DESTINATIONS FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS IN 2026

Destination weddings are red-hot right now. But with destination weddings come concerns such as demand for venues and concerns about cost. However, one factor that absolutely shouldn’t be overlooked is the need to choose a safe destination for your destination wedding.

With The Knot predicting that 2026 will be yet another record-shattering year for destination weddings, it’s clear that there’s a lot on the line with your wedding – and we’re not just referring to the cost.

Destination Weddings are Expensive Trips that Demand Safety and Deserve Protection

About that cost: The Knot estimated the average cost of a destination wedding in 2025 as $39,000-$41,000.

Thinking of attending a destination wedding? In 2023, weddingforward.com put the cost per guest at $1,032 for domestic weddings and $2,623 for international weddings – and that's, pre-inflation.

That’s a huge investment that needs to be protected – and you can take a huge step toward protecting your destination wedding simply by choosing a safe destination at the outset.

How We Chose the Safest Wedding Destinations

The 10 destinations – five countries and five cities – on this list have made the top 20 of the World’s Safest Countries or the World’s Safest Cities sometime in the last three years, and also appear in more than one of the following:

• The Knot’s list of top 50 destination-wedding sites
• Travel + Leisure’s list of the 20 best destination-wedding locations worldwide
• Harper’s Bazaar Top 23 Places For A Destination Wedding
• TrendSpotter’s list of the 15 Most Beautiful Wedding Destinations In The World

Here are the destination-wedding destinations that sit at the crossroads of safety and desirability – countries first, then cities, ranked in descending order based on safety.

Photo by Paul Gilmore on Unsplash

Countries

Ireland

Safety ranking: #10 on BHTP's list of the World's Safest Countries

Desirability ranking: Harper's #3; T+L #4; The Knot #132 Classic Destination

Comments: Per T+L: “For a fairy-tale wedding in a historic castle surrounded by lush landscapes, Ireland is your best bet. But there's far more to the Emerald Isle than that: You can also wed in an idyllic seaside village, atop an oceanfront cliff, or in a Gothic cathedral.” Makes you want to tie the knot all over again, doesn’t it?

If you opt for the Emerald Isle, you’ll also be choosing one of the world’s safest destinations, according to American travelers in the BHTP survey and organizations like Vision of Humanity and GeoSure Global.

Portugal

Safety ranking: BHTP #12

Desireability ranking: The Knot #64 Affordable; T+L #12; TrendSpotter #15; Harper's #10

Comments: One of the new entrants to the list, Portugal has caught on with everyone from Gen Z to expats as a more affordable yet still breathtaking alternative to Spain.  

France

Safety ranking: BHTP #13 (2026)

Desirability ranking: T+L #6; The Knot #7 Unique Destination; Harper’s Bazaar #6; TrendSpotter #11

Comments: Gee, everyone thinks France is a great place for a destination wedding. Go figure.

Seriously, France is the traditional home of romance – and you don’t have to go anywhere near Paris to tap into that romantic vibe. There’s the Cote d’Azur (a/k/a Saint-Tropez and Cannes), where according to TrendSpotter, “If you envision lush forests, breathtaking cliffs, sparkling blue water, and bright flowers at your wedding, this destination is at the top of your list.” That’ll suffice.

As for safety, France is generally around the top 15 for traveler safety; in 2026, it's one of the safest countries for parents and Gen Z, which makes it an even more perfect wedding destination.

Italy

Safety ranking: BHTP #18

Desirability ranking: The Knot #1 Luxury; T+L #1 (Tuscany); TrendSpotter #3 (Tuscany); Harper’s #1 (Amalfi Coast)

Comments: The country Travel + Leisure calls “one of the dreamiest countries for a wedding” also offers some of the greatest variety in wedding destinations. Whether you choose Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, or Rome (see below), you’re assured of an unmatched setting and a great time.

And since the country is perennially in the top 20 for the world’s safest countries, chances are good that everyone will be safe going to and from the ceremony and traveling through the country (which is highly recommended – why go to Italy only for a wedding?). 

Photo by Carlo Buttinoni on Unsplash

Cities

London

Safety ranking: #13 on BHTP’s 2026 list of the World's Safest Cities

Desirability ranking: Harper’s #5; The Knot #3 Classic

Comments: Getting married in a palace, anyone? As Harper’s Bazaar reports, “With world-class facilities, available international air links, and an unparalleled selection of unique venues—from 5-star luxe hotels to medieval and royal palaces, London offers a truly unique experience for a destination wedding.”

If that’s not enough, the BHTP rankings praise London for its across-the-board safety, particularly on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis.

Honolulu

Safety ranking: BHTP #5

Desirability ranking: The Knot #8 U.S.; T+L #5; Harper's #17

Comments: The Knot says that Honolulu is located on “the liveliest of the Hawaiian islands,” and adds that it’s the “most convenient for a destination wedding because it has the biggest airport and the most frequent direct flights from the mainland.”

You want more and better? Honolulu was a top-five city in BHTP’s latest Safest Cities Rankings. So who’s up for a Hawaiian wedding?

Rome

Safety ranking: BHTP #16 (2025)

Desirability ranking: TrendSpotter #4; The Knot #8 Classic

Comments: According to The Knot, “With more artistic monuments than just about any other city in the world, Rome offers the ultimate wedding photo op.” It beats posing the wedding party in a barn, that’s for sure.

Beyond that, Rome has received high marks for safety from all the experts – not just BHTP, but GeoSure Global and The Economist.

Photo by Andre Hunter on Unsplash

New York City

Safety ranking: BHTP #18 (2025)

Desirability ranking: Harper’s Bazaar #18; The Knot #7 U.S.

Comments: Per Harper’s Bazaar, “The ‘city that never sleeps’ offers plenty to get your guests excited to make the trip: Broadway shows, museums and galleries, four-star restaurants, crazy-fun nightlife, and block after block of shopping, as well as classic tourist attractions, like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and Times Square.” That’s a lot – and doesn’t even get into the ample availability of venues, caterers, and wedding planners.

It’s also a destination that’s become safer over the years, reflected by a BHTP safety ranking as good as that of Paris, Seoul, or Dubai.

Paris

Safety ranking: BHTP #18

Desirability ranking: TrendSpotter #8

Comments: Speaking of Paris, the City of Lights is also a city of neighborhoods, most of which get high safety ratings from GeoSure Global, which provides safety scores on almost a block-by-block basis.

As for its suitability as a wedding destination, is there any question? In the words of TrendSpotter, “Boasting artistic and architectural wonders, lush gardens and, of course, the Eiffel Tower, finding the perfect place to host your wedding in this charming city presents no challenges.” And when it comes to the perfect wedding, who needs challenges?

You don’t need challenges when it comes to safety issues, medical issues, or other travel mishaps affecting your destination wedding.

Destination weddings need to be protected – ideally with wedding or event insurance plus travel insurance from Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.

Our plans fit your plans. Get a quote and see for yourself.