How to Have a Fabulous Same-Sex Wedding in Three Beautiful Countries

Who can help if you want to get married on a unique island, in a peninsular paradise or by a beach on the other side of the world?

South Africa

Gay marriage has been legal in South Africa since 2002. Cape Town is often recognized as one of the world’s most gay-friendly travel destinations. Looking to tie the knot against a stunning backdrop? Choose a beachside ceremony facing the cliffs at Table Bay. Or you can head to the slopes of Table Mountain for panoramic views of the city and bay. Gay Unity Abroad (gayunityabroad.com), a Cape Town-based event planning company, specializes in coordinating complete wedding travel packages. They can arrange everything from legal fees to accommodations to photography. Guests may enjoy a stay at one of Cape Town’s “pink” hotels like the Glen Boutique Hotel (glenhotel.co.za) or the Pink Rose Guesthouse (pinkroseguesthouse.com).

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Portugal

In the southernmost region of the country, you’ll find Algarve. The region is home to the city of Lavos and known for its beaches and luxury resorts. It offers a variety of ceremony sites. Wed on the beach, aboard a luxury yacht or in a local boutique hotel. Wedding planners at Gay Weddings Algarve (gayweddingsalgarve.com) help couples not only secure their venue of choice, but also help handle details, like booking the officiate and transportation. You can stay in Lavos at the gay-friendly Aqualuz Suite Hotel (aqualuz.com). Or escape to the nearby hills of Monchique, known as “the Garden of the Algarve.” There, Monchique’s Longevity Wellness Resort offers a luxurious spot to relax (longevitywellnessresort.com).

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Iceland

Iceland said yes to marriage equality in 2010. Now, the gay wedding planners at Pink Iceland (pinkiceland.is) specialize in finding ceremony sites throughout within the country’s breathtaking natural surroundings. As a full-service travel agency catering to LGBT travelers, Pink Island can also create custom itineraries for guests, booking gay-friendly hotels and arranging activities, including from tours of glaciers and geysers to city walks and helicopter rides.

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