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Last-minute weddings – our favourite destinations

Planning a wedding abroad in six months or less? It can be done – find out how, and where.
Whether your other half has popped the question unexpectedly or you’d rather avoid a big crowd, jetting off to far-flung shores for your nuptials can be the perfect way to celebrate. And, you don’t have to spend months planning your wedding, even if you do fancy having it on the beach. Our expert advisors can sort your last-minute wedding abroad right down to the last bow tie, so all you need to worry about is enjoying your special day.

Let’s take a look at the types of wedding you can book and how much lead-time you’ll need for each one, as well as some of the destinations you can book a legal wedding in with as little as three months until your big day.

Ready to go? Take a look at our weddings page.

First things first: your wedding options

Symbolic wedding: This type of ceremony isn’t legally binding but holds symbolic significance. You’ll need to get legally married in the UK before travelling to your destination for this type of wedding.

Renewal of vows: This is a ceremony where an already-married couple renew or reaffirm their marriage vows to each other. This is also not a legal ceremony, but it can be a beautiful way to mark a milestone anniversary.

Generally, many destinations and hotels can book a symbolic or renewal of vows ceremony with eight weeks’ notice.

Civil/legal wedding: This type of ceremony must be held in an approved building and legally recognised in the UK. It’s often performed by a government official or registrar, and you’ll need all the required paperwork, which will vary by country.

For a legal wedding, there’s more to organise to ensure your legal documents are correct. That said, you could still be getting married in as little as three months in some destinations. We’ve pulled out some options where it’s possible to book a last-minute wedding below to give you some inspiration.
A newlywed couple celebrating.

Last-minute weddings in Mexico

You’ll need a minimum of three months to prepare for a wedding in Mexico, and you’re in for a treat regardless of which coastline you choose to say “I do” on. Think toasting with tequila, walking down the aisle to a live Mariachi band, and smashing a piñata at the wedding breakfast. The Caribbean Coast offers up big names like Cancun and the glamorous Riviera Maya, where luxury five-star hotels are the norm, and there are swathes of sandy beach available for tying the knot. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore Mayan ruins Tulum and Chichen Itza after the big event is over. Meanwhile over on the Pacific Coast, get married with the Sierra Madre Mountains as your backdrop, and spend your first few days as a married couple exploring rainforests and snorkelling in coral reefs.

Find out more about weddings in Mexico
Akumal Bay, Riviera May.

Last-minute weddings in Greece

If you’d rather celebrate a little closer to home, Greece offers up a platter of perfect spots for your big day and you’ll need around six months’ notice to get married here. Santorini is a favourite amongst honeymooners, with sweeping views of the Aegean Sea and winding walkways lined with whitewashed walls. Rhodes tops the chart of sunshine hours across the islands and is home to a World Heritage Site, while Skiathos and Halkidiki show off Greece at its most authentic, with old villages, crumbling ruins, and olives groves stretching for miles. And, if you fancy finishing things off with a big party, head to Kos to celebrate in style.

Find out more about weddings in Greece
A couple walking along along white-washed buildings in Santorini.

Last-minute weddings in Turkey

Got five months to play with? Take a look at weddings in Turkey. Legal and symbolic weddings here are available from May to October, and you can choose from a range of venues – think boutique hotels, lagoons and even clifftops. As for locations, expect a backdrop that will finish your wedding photos off perfectly. Pick from beachside spots near Dalaman and Izmir, and quaint fishing villages around Antalya.

Find out more about weddings in Turkey
A picturesque view of mountains and sea.

Last-minute weddings in Cyprus

To really turn up the romance, get married in Cyprus – the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. Think sunset walks by the marina in Paphos and picnics on the beach under the stars. And, there are plenty of swoon-worthy ceremony spots to choose from, like local chapels and flower-fringed hotel gardens, overlooking the sea. When the marriage certificate’s been signed, head to Ayia Napa for the club scene, and out into the countryside to see sleepy villages and spot historical sights. You can book your wedding in Cyprus with as little as three months’ notice – just enough time to get your big day organised and your documents sorted.

Find out more about weddings in Cyprus
A man lifting woman on a beach during golden hour.

Last-minute weddings in Barbados

You can book a wedding in Barbados with around five months’ notice – proof that a long-haul wedding doesn’t necessarily mean a long wait. And the best news is, you can get hitched here at any time of the year – although spring and autumn tend to be best to avoid the summer showers. Not sure what type of venue you’d like? You’ve got options here. Pick from white-sand beaches, tropical gardens and even atmospheric caves. And after your wedding you’re in the perfect place for an incredible honeymoon, so it’s a best-of-both destination.

Find out more about weddings in Barbados
A beautiful sunset on a beach.

Last-minute weddings in St Lucia

You’ll need about six months’ notice to get a wedding sorted in St Lucia, and this is another destination where you can tie the knot all year round. Weather-wise, the ideal time is between December and May – handy if you want to escape the chilly winter or rainy spring months in the UK. In terms of backdrops, you can have your wedding on a sandy stretch by the Caribbean Sea, or right in the heart of a tropical rainforest next to a crashing waterfall. Either way, your photographer’s going to have a field day.

Find out more about weddings in St Lucia.
A view over the Bay of Castries.
Ready to say “I do”?

Take a look at our weddings page, flick through our weddings brochure or pop in to a TUI store to chat to one of our travel experts.

You can also find out how to have an adults-only wedding abroad, why Italy is the top wedding destination, and read about why our TUI SENSATORI hotels are the perfect place to tie the knot.

Pssst. Head to the Discover homepage for our latest articles.

Author: Lizzie Butler and Katie Gregory

Last updated: 05.02.2026

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