A-listers always know what’s hot, which is why summer is such a suitable time for a celebrity wedding. But it also translates well for the hoi polloi, as those who decide to tie the knot in June, July or August are savvy enough to realize that tropical locations are picture-perfect backdrops for sensational wedding photos.
Drew Barrymore had the right idea when she married art dealer Will Kopelman in the glamorous seaside town of Montecito, California this month. Matthew McConaughey selected a somewhat less tropical (though equally steamy) environment, choosing to wed longtime girlfriend Camila Alves in his native Texas.
Last year’s crop of celebrity summer nuptials were just as diverse. Kate Moss swapped rings with The Kills guitarist Jamie Hince in the Cotswolds, while Dancing With the Stars host Brooke Burke said ‘I do’ to former Baywatch star David Charvet in St. Barts. Nick Lachey and Vanessa Minnillo might have had privacy in mind when they chose to say their vows in the British Virgin Islands on Richard Branson’s very private Necker Island, but later aired a special about their happy day on TLC.
A-list couples Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel and Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, as well as Britney Spears and Jason Trawick all got engaged this year. Should they opt for a summer wedding, where in the world should they go? They’ve got the money, they’ve got the means and even if they don’t have the time, private jets are at their disposal to whisk them straight back to whatever film set they happen to be working on. So without further ado, here are the locations for a summer wedding where the seas shine just as brightly as Angelina’s $1 million diamond sparkler.
1) North Shore – Oahu, Hawaii
The North Shore is paradise personified. There is no better backdrop for a destination wedding than a Hawaiian sunset over the Pacific Ocean – unless you’d rather have a perfectly arced rainbow preside over your nuptials instead. Its residents are laid -back, and more concerned with surfing than celebrity, which means that a celebrity’s hush-hush ceremony will stay a secret.
Stay at: The Turtle Bay Resort. There’s a private chapel pavilion on site that specifically caters to couples planning beachside weddings. Guests have other options as well, and can tie the knot at the resort’s Kuilima Point, on one of its beaches or on the 18th green of its golf course.
2) Santorini, Greece
Santorini has long been dubbed the island of lovers, and it isn’t hard to see why. With its stunning sunsets, whitewashed buildings, domed churches and magnificent ocean views, it’s a spot that embodies romantic love.
Stay at: On the Rocks. If you choose Santorini for your wedding, definitely say ‘I do’ to staying at On the Rocks, a hotel set in the world’s only inhabited volcano crater. You’ll also have a private veranda, where you can dreamily gaze out at the Aegean Sea and admire all of the rocks – not just the ones on your finger.
3) Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
A-listers flock to Martha’s Vineyard to escape reality. This means, of course, that it’s the perfect place to host a fantasy wedding. It’s rustic New England feel is unexpectedly homey given that its frequent visitors include the likes of President Obama, Bill Clinton, Jake Gyllenhaal and Meg Ryan.
Stay at: The Beach Plum Inn. The Beach Plum Inn is a romantic hideaway set amidst gorgeous gardens and pristine pastures, where you’ll also be treated to a prime view of the Massachusetts island’s famous Menemsha sunset. The happy couple-to-be should definitely opt to book the Inn’s Bridal Wreath Cottage but be warned – do so far in advance, as it sells out quickly during the summer months.
4) Capri, Italy
Ah, Capri. Just the word alone invokes moonlit strolls through Piazza Umberto, a stolen kiss by the Blue Grotto, Kim Kardashian’s super-romantic honeymoon to Kris Humphries. Although their love was short lived, they did pick a supreme location to celebrate their romance. If Kim, who loves all things glitz and glamour, could fall in love with Capri, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the rest of the jet set should feel the same.
Stay at: Scalinatella, Capri. Those that want only the best for their nuptials should check into the five-star Scalinatella hotel. It’s exclusive – there are just 30 rooms on premises – and features stunning open-air living rooms affording its guests killer views of both the sea and the bay of Marina Piccola.
5) Madagascar
Celebrities crave luxury, anonymity and peace, which is what makes Madagascar such an ideal wedding destination during the summer months. Serenity can be found while taking a moonlit stroll on an unspoiled white sand beach, exploring the coral reefs or gasping over the wildlife on this island off of Africa’s southeastern coast. For those who are constantly bombarded by paparazzi and hounded by fans, Madagascar will no doubt feel like their very own private slice of heaven.
Stay at: Constance Lodge Tsarabanjina. Should an A-lister opt to host their wedding at the Constance Lodge Tsarabanjina, he or she will be afforded even more exclusivity and privacy, as this resort rests on its own secluded island. Those who stay may feel like they’re in their very own version of Eden, as they’ll have limited access to the outside world: there aren’t even TVs on premises!