The most popular wedding venues around the world

From iconic buildings in some of the world's biggest cities to beachfront resorts on beautiful tropical islands, there is a venue to suit every couple’s taste and style, but which wedding venues are the most popular?

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When it comes to the big day, some couples go all out and get married at their dream location, whether this be abroad or a little closer to home. From impressive ceremonies overlooking the beach in Hawaii to celebrating in style in an iconic London hotel, rich in history and full of character, there are plenty of impressive venues to cater for those looking to go big on their wedding day. 

However, some couples want to keep things a little more simple when it comes to the special occasion, with plenty of couples choosing to marry in their local city hall and even Las Vegas chapels - saying ‘I do’ somewhere they’ll always remember.  

If you’re planning your dream wedding and want to make sure you have everything in place to make it a day to remember, consider a 0% purchase credit card to help spread the cost. 

To find the most popular venues, our wedding finance experts investigated which locations had reviews on TripAdvisor mentioning ‘wedding’ the most in cities worldwide. The wedding financial experts at money.co.uk then looked at the number of hashtags each of the venues had on Instagram, to reveal which ones were most popular. But which cities are home to the top venues?

Toronto in Canada topped the list as the city with the world’s most popular wedding venue with Casa Loma having an impressive 189,980 Instagram hashtags and 358 mentions of ‘weddings’ on TripAdvisor reviews. Canada is home to three of the world’s 20 most popular wedding venues with both Toronto and Vancouver being home to the most popular Canadian venues. 

The USA also featured heavily in the world’s most popular wedding venues, with seven American venues ranking in the top 20, including venues in Honolulu, San Francisco, San Antonio, New Orleans, Miami and Los Angeles. 

The UK also features twice in the top five, with London’s Claridge's hotel and The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales ranking in third and fifth place respectively. The only other UK-based venues to feature in the top 20 is The Savoy (seventh on the list) in London and Durham’s South Causey Inn, which is 20th.

RankCityCountryMost Popular VenueNo. of TripAdvisor MentionsInstagram #'s
1TorontoCanadaCasa Loma358189,980
2HonoluluUSMoana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach50479,459
3LondonEnglandClaridges26278,117
4BarcelonaSpainW Barcelona7271,477
5NewportWalesThe Celtic Manor Resort41155,823
6San FranciscoUSSan Francisco City Hall20848,413
7LondonEnglandThe Savoy30543,631
8San AntonioUSHotel Emma at Pearl18526,580
9AntalyaTurkeyTitanic Beach Lara5924,587
10New OrleansUSHotel Monteleone33219,940
11ParisFranceLe Bristol Paris3219,491
12MiamiUSMandarin Oriental Miami6416,313
13VancouverCanadaFairmont Pacific Rim19816,206
14ParisFranceThe Peninsula Paris3015,652
15TorontoCanadaEdwards Gardens12115,106
16IstanbulTurkeyFour Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus8812,980
17San AntonioUSLa Cantera Resort & Spa19712,906
18Los AngelesUSVibiana8612,551
19BarcelonaSpainHotel Miramar Barcelona3612,180
20DurhamEnglandSouth Causey Inn41211,738

When it comes to popular UK wedding venues, London topped the list with Claridge's hotel ranking in first place. The hotel has an impressive 78,117 Instagram hashtags and has been mentioned as a wedding venue in 262 TripAdvisor reviews. The five-star luxury hotel, located in Mayfair, is a beautiful venue for couples looking for next-level elegance. The hotel goes the extra mile for couples looking to wed here, where the dining room is adorned with floral decorations and the guests are treated to a delicious dinner. 

The Celtic Manor Resort is second place for UK venues, with the Welsh venue having over 55,000 hashtags on Instagram and over 410 mentions on TripAdvisor. The resort, located just outside of Newport, benefits from breathtaking views over the Usk Valley and is a great destination for those looking for a venue hidden away in the countryside, but still easy to reach for guests. The venue itself caters for weddings of all sizes and tastes, offering woodland weddings to magical marquees, there’s something to make everyone's day super special. 

Ranking in third place is yet another London hotel, The Savoy, which has over 43,000 hashtags on Instagram and over 300 reviews mentioning weddings. A truly magnificent wedding venue set in the heart of London, this hotel is steeped in history and has hosted some seriously elegant parties since it opened in 1889. The hotel is the perfect backdrop for those looking to marry in an iconic London venue, and the hotel makes sure to take care of every detail for the big day. From stunning floral displays to making sure guests are wined and dined in style, this is one elegant wedding venue.

Making up the rest of the top five are The South Causey Inn, Durham and The Carden Park Hotel in Chester. Durham’s South Causey Inn, ranking in fourth place with 11,738 Instagram hashtags, is a beautifully unique wedding venue, where the exposed beams and quirky features are put to good use. With a slightly rustic feel, this venue offers couples a truly magical wedding experience. Ranking in fifth place with over 8,700 Instagram hashtags, is the Carden Park Hotel, located near Chester, this venue is set within 1,000 acres of beautiful countryside, where couples and guests can enjoy the stunning scenery throughout the big day. 

RankCityCountryMost Popular VenueNo. of TripAdvisor MentionsInstagram #'s
1LondonEnglandClaridges26278,117
2NewportWalesThe Celtic Manor Resort41155,823
3LondonEnglandThe Savoy30543,631
4DurhamEnglandSouth Causey Inn41211,738
5ChesterEnglandCarden Park Hotel6118,784
6LiverpoolEnglandTitanic Hotel Liverpool3127,686
7SwanseaWalesFairyhill1667,208
8Newcastle upon TyneEnglandJesmond Dene House2846,812
9EdinburghScotlandPrestonfield2316,364
10BathEnglandPriston Mill886,025
11NorwichEnglandDunston Hall4584,313
12SwanseaWalesOxwich Bay Hotel5434,052
13ManchesterEnglandThe Midland5284,047
14BristolEnglandThe Bristol2173,926
15BelfastNorthern IrelandThe Merchant Hotel2583,794
16BrightonEnglandThe Grand Brighton5613,616
17ManchesterEnglandGreat John Street Hotel4483,596
18DurhamEnglandRamside Hall Hotel4243,554
19SwanseaWalesOldwalls Gower3003,339
20LeedsEnglandWoodlands Hotel Leeds2963,291

The magnificent Casa Loma ranks as the most popular North American wedding venue, with a staggering 189,9801 Instagram hashtags it’s by far the most tagged on social media - and it’s easy to see why. Originally built in 1914, the building is rich in history and currently owned by the City of Toronto as a treasured heritage landmark. The majestic castle is an unforgettable wedding venue, with the unique characteristics it makes for a breathtaking venue for any couple looking to make a statement on their big day. 

Second place with 79,459 Instagram hashtags, is the Moana Surfrider hotel, a stunning spa resort on the Hawaiian island of Honolulu. The hotel is a perfect beach destination wedding venue, where couples have the choice of a stunning outdoor ceremony where they can make the most of the sandy scenery. The hotel offers guests a top-rated stay and the impressive building makes the perfect backdrop for a wedding party, ensuring it is a celebration everyone will remember. 

San Francisco’s City Hall is the third most popular wedding venue in North America, with the historic building having just under 50,000 hashtags on Instagram. Not only is the building rich in history, but the iconic building also guarantees standout wedding photos, with couples getting classic wedding shots on the stairs. Whilst the venue itself doesn’t cater for the wedding party after following the ceremony, it does provide couples with an unforgettable setting and is perfect for those looking to do their wedding their way. 

Canada is home to three of the top 10 wedding venues, with venues in both Toronto and Vancouver featuring. Casa Loma ranks in first place, followed by Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver ranking in seventh place with 16,203 Instagram hashtags and Edwards Gardens in Toronto following in eighth place. Whilst two of the three Canadian venues are top-rated hotels, the third most popular in Canada is the Edward Gardens, a stunning botanical garden offering picturesque scenery to make any wedding day extra special. 

For couples looking for a more unique way of getting married, the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas also made the top 20, with 648 TripAdvisor mentions and 7,112 Instagram hashtags. Vegas has been a popular destination for celebrities in recent years, with Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez being the latest celebrity couple to tie the knot in the city. The Graceland Chapel has hosted several celebrity weddings, including that of UK singer-songwriter, Lily Allen and Stranger Things star, David Harbour who were married in the Chapel in 2020 in a very intimate service. 

RankCityCountryMost Popular VenueNo. of TripAdvisor MentionsInstagram #'s
1TorontoCanadaCasa Loma358189,980
2HonoluluUSMoana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach50479,459
3San FranciscoUSSan Francisco City Hall20848,413
4San AntonioUSHotel Emma at Pearl18526,580
5New OrleansUSHotel Monteleone33219,940
6MiamiUSMandarin Oriental Miami6416,313
7VancouverCanadaFairmont Pacific Rim19816,206
8TorontoCanadaEdwards Gardens12115,106
9San AntonioUSLa Cantera Resort & Spa19712,906
10Los AngelesUSVibiana8612,551
11HonoluluUSThe Kahala Hotel & Resort25311,606
12San DiegoUSLa Valencia Hotel20411,556
13New YorkUSArcher Hotel New York649,322
14San DiegoUSRancho Bernardo Inn3128,957
15HonoluluUSOutrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort2658,916
16New YorkUSThe Pierre1068,037
17AustinUSThe Driskill1927,941
18San FranciscoUSFairmont San Francisco1357,461
19Las VegasUSGraceland Wedding Chapel6487,112
20PhoenixUSArizona Grand Resort and Spa1266,080

For UK couples looking for a destination wedding a little closer to home, Europe is a great choice. Not only do most European destinations offer better weather on the big day, but they also offer guests the chance to combine a wedding trip with a little holiday too.

The most popular European wedding venue (excluding the UK) is the W Barcelona, with a mammoth 71,477 Instagram hashtags and an impressive 72 TripAdvisor reviews mentioning weddings at the venue. The stunning hotel offers uninterrupted views across the beach and the ocean and provides a truly breathtaking backdrop to any wedding celebration. The city is also a great gateway for guests and provides a fantastic mix of beach and city life, perfect for those looking for a long weekend of celebrations. 

The Turkish hotel, the Titanic Beach Lara ranks in second place, with almost 25,000 Instagram hashtags and just under 60 wedding mentions on TripAdvisor. The unique design of the hotel, which is heavily inspired by a ship, is certainly eye-catching and will be a wedding venue guests will always remember. Whilst Turkey is one of the longer European destinations to fly to for Brits, with a flight time from London of just over four hours, the weather and stunning coastline are worth travelling for. 

Ranking in third place with 19,491 Instagram hashtags, is the Le Bristol Paris, set in the French capital this hotel is the epitome of elegance when it comes to wedding venues. With a very beautiful, almost regal, interior the hotel offers couples a very classy set up for their big day, with a gorgeous dining room to wine and dine their guests and an exquisite courtyard for the wedding party to mingle until late. The hotel also provides views across the city, which is great for getting those charming wedding shots, helping to capture the most perfect day. 

Italian venues also deserve an honourable mention, as they make up five of the top 20 European wedding venues. With beautiful landscapes, delicious food and wine, and a lovely romantic atmosphere, it’s easy to see why Italian venues are so popular. It is the Tuscan Villa Cora taking the top spot for Italian venues, with the five-star hotel located in Florence ranking in seventh place overall thanks to the 10,600 hashtags on Instagram. Chateau Monfort in Milan, Borgo di Tragliata in Rome, Villa Catignano in Florence and Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio in Palermo are all stunning Italian wedding venues ranking in the top 20. 

RankCityCountryMost Popular VenueNo. of TripAdvisor MentionsInstagram #'s
1BarcelonaSpainW Barcelona7271,477
2AntalyaTurkeyTitanic Beach Lara5924,587
3ParisFranceLe Bristol Paris3219,491
4ParisFranceThe Peninsula Paris3015,652
5IstanbulTurkeyFour Seasons Istanbul at the Bosphorus8812,980
6BarcelonaSpainHotel Miramar Barcelona3612,180
7FlorenceItalyVilla Cora6810,601
8ParisFranceHotel Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris889,987
9SevilleSpainHotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville669,924
10LisbonPortugalPestana Palace Lisboa377,523
11LisbonPortugalPenha Longa Resort1977,391
12DublinIrelandThe Westbury1205,700
13MilanItalyChateau Monfort2005,447
14DublinIrelandThe Shelbourne2015,172
15AthensGreeceFour Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens885,029
16CopenhagenDenmarkCopenhagen City Hall724,881
17CologneGermanySchlosshotel Kronberg304,621
18RomeItalyBorgo di Tragliata1874,408
19FlorenceItalyVilla Catignano1434,234
20PalermoItalySanta Maria dell'Ammiraglio (La Martorana)793,950

The most popular venue in Australia and New Zealand is the Calile Hotel, located in Brisbane North of the Gold Coast. The hotel has over 7,400 hashtags on Instagram and has 147 mentions in TripAdvisor reviews of weddings, making it a popular choice for those getting married on the East Coast. The stunning hotel has a modern feel and features gorgeous arch windows and a simplistic interior, the perfect venue for those looking for a minimalist vibe. 

Ranking in second place, with over 6,100 Instagram hashtags is the incredible Palazzo Versace, known for being the hotel that hosts the cast of the popular TV show, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. The spectacular hotel makes for a luxurious wedding venue, with the five-star hotel offering couples everything they could dream of needing to make their wedding day the best day of their lives. 

Sydney features within the top 10, with the Four Seasons Hotel ranking in ninth place for Oceania. Overlooking Sydney Harbour and the iconic bridge, this hotel has plenty of incredible views to wow guests with. The hotel has over 1,230 Instagram hashtags and 226 TripAdvisor wedding mentions, making it the most popular Sydney wedding venue overall. 

RankCityCountryMost Popular VenueNo. of TripAdvisor MentionsInstagram #'s
1BrisbaneAustraliaThe Calile Hotel1477,491
2Gold CoastAustraliaPalazzo Versace1216,145
3Gold CoastAustraliaMeriton Suites Broadbeach1485,272
4MelbourneAustraliaPark Hyatt Melbourne2214,978
5BrisbaneAustraliaStamford Plaza Brisbane3643,896
6MelbourneAustraliaThe Langham, Melbourne3682,567
7AucklandNew ZealandLavender Hill962,119
8CanberraAustraliaHotel Kurrajong Canberra1001,836
9SydneyAustraliaFour Seasons Hotel Sydney2261,234
10AucklandNew ZealandSofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour1001,096

So if you’re currently planning your big day and have been inspired by some of the world’s most popular wedding venues to look for the perfect setting for your big day, you can use a 0% purchase credit card to help cover some of the costs. But remember, while you can spread the cost interest-free for a set period, you’ll need to make all your payments on time or you’ll be hit with fees and damage your credit rating. 

Whether you are looking for your dream wedding venue or want some tips and tricks on how to save money on your big day, our experts have put together a series of getting married guides to help.

Methodology and sources

By analysing 'All things' and searching specifically for 'weddings' on TripAdvisor, money.co.uk scraped the data to reveal the venues with the most mention of 'weddings' on the platform. Those with the most mentions of 'weddings' being named the most popular venue in the area. Instagram hashtag data was then collected for the most popular venues to reveal which were shared most on social media. 

Data was analysed for each major city in the United Kingdom, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and US.

Cities whose most popular wedding venue had less than 20 mentions were discounted from the study. 

All data correct July 2022.

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About James Andrews

James has spent the past 15 years writing and editing personal finance news, specialising in consumer rights, pensions, insurance, property and investments - picking up a series of awards for his journalism along the way.

View James Andrews's full biography here or visit the money.co.uk press centre for our latest news.