“Where should we get married?” It’s the first real question almost every couple asks me. Not the date. Not the budget. The location. After ten years of planning weddings in the Dominican Republic, I have opinions. Strong ones. The north coast from Puerto Plata to Samana offers an unusual amount of variety for a destination wedding. From historic streets to secluded beaches, from oceanfront villas to mountain backdrops. So the honest answer to “where” depends entirely on the wedding you actually envision.
Here are the six settings I keep coming back to, and the reasons they continue to stand out.
That’s the word Stefanie used to describe how planning a destination wedding felt at the beginning. Not “exciting.” Not “magical.” Nerve-wracking.
And honestly, I think more couples should talk about that part.
Because the version of destination weddings you see on Instagram rarely includes the moments spent sitting at your kitchen table in the US, wondering whether you’ve made the right decisions, trusting vendors you’ve never met in person, and planning an event thousands of miles away.
Located directly on one of Las Terrenas’ beautiful stretches of coastline, Villa del Mar offers the rare combination of a private villa setting and immediate beach access. The property feels relaxed and exclusive, allowing couples to host an entire wedding weekend surrounded by family and friends while enjoying the natural beauty of the Samaná Peninsula.
Who it’s for: Couples seeking a private beachfront celebration with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of space for a multi-day wedding experience.
Perched above the coastline in Cabrera, Villa Cantamar is known for its breathtaking ocean views and dramatic setting. The property feels secluded and peaceful, with tropical gardens, elegant architecture, and a sense of privacy that is difficult to replicate in a traditional resort environment.
The views are the real highlight here. Whether for a ceremony overlooking the ocean or a sunset reception under the stars, the setting leaves a lasting impression.
Who it’s for: Couples seeking a private villa wedding with spectacular ocean views, a tranquil atmosphere, and a setting that feels both exclusive and naturally beautiful.
Casa Colonial is one of the few venues in Puerto Plata that combines a beachfront location with the feel of a boutique luxury hotel. Its striking architecture and beautifully landscaped tropical gardens give the property a distinctive character, while its location just steps from the beach offers the best of both worlds. For couples drawn to lush greenery as much as ocean views, the gardens provide an exceptional ceremony setting.
Who it’s for: Couples seeking an elegant and intimate destination wedding with boutique hotel charm, exceptional service, striking architecture, and the flexibility of both tropical garden and beachfront ceremony options.
Villa Coco Mar offers something many couples struggle to find: complete privacy directly on the ocean. Located in Cabarete, this private villa combines expansive sea views, open-air event spaces, and the flexibility that comes with hosting a wedding on a private estate rather than at a hotel.
The atmosphere feels relaxed and exclusive, allowing couples to create a celebration that reflects their own style while enjoying uninterrupted views of the coastline.
Who it’s for: Couples looking for a private oceanfront venue with a relaxed atmosphere, exclusive use of the property, and the freedom to create a highly personalized wedding experience.
Casa Rosabaya combines tropical gardens, Caribbean character, and a warm, intimate atmosphere that feels distinctly different from a traditional resort wedding. The property offers beautiful outdoor spaces for both ceremonies and receptions, creating a setting that feels private, lush, and connected to its surroundings.
Who it’s for: Couples who love tropical scenery, a relaxed atmosphere, and a venue that feels personal rather than commercial.
Located in Cofresí, Esmeralda Villas offers a collection of private luxury villas surrounded by tropical landscaping and just minutes from the ocean. The property combines the privacy of a villa wedding with the convenience of nearby accommodations and amenities.
With spacious grounds and multiple event areas, it allows couples to create a wedding weekend experience that feels personal and relaxed while comfortably hosting family and friends in one location.
Who it’s for: Couples who want the privacy of a luxury villa, the convenience of hosting guests nearby, and a wedding experience that feels intimate, comfortable, and entirely their own.
Here’s what I tell every couple: don’t start with the venue. Start with the experience you want to create.
Think about how you want the wedding to feel. Think about where your guests will spend their time. Think about the days surrounding the celebration, not just the ceremony itself.
The right venue is usually the one that supports that vision naturally.
And sometimes, it’s not the venue couples initially had in mind.
Considering a destination wedding on the North Coast and not sure which location is the best fit? I’d be happy to help you explore the options. Get in touch →
If you’re planning a destination wedding in the Dominican Republic and want clarity before committing to a resort package (Click here) , working with a local planner early can change the entire experience.
You don’t need more options.
You need the right structure.
Contact us for more information: hello@anniroth.com
See other interesting Blogposts:
When couples start planning, they think they're choosing a location. In reality, they're choosing a structure. Here's how to decide.
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The real luxury at a destination wedding isn't the venue or the flowers. It's how your guests feel — and what they remember.
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Every year I watch the flowers change before anything else does. Before the dresses, before the color palettes, the florals tell me where weddings are heading. And in 2026, they’re heading somewhere I love: away from the soft, symmetrical bouquet and toward something bolder.
This year, the flowers aren’t decoration. They’re architecture.
For years, the question was always the same: how do we fit everyone in?
Lately, I’m hearing the opposite. Couples come to me and say: we want it small. Really small. Twenty people, maybe fewer.
A Caribbean wedding at Melody Village, Puerto Plata. Stefanie and Cody were nervous at the start. By the end, they said they’d do it all over again.
Some weddings stay in your memory because everything went perfectly. Others stay because something almost went wrong — and didn’t. Simona and Tautvydas flew to the Dominican Republic from Lithuania to get married on November 11th, 2023. They had planned for months. They had a vision. They had everything ready. What they didn’t have, when they landed, was their luggage.
It always begins with a vision, something effortless, beautiful, and deeply intentional. Maybe it’s a beachfront ceremony in Punta Cana, a stylish villa weekend in Las Terrenas, a cultural celebration in Santo Domingo, or something more intimate, like the mountains of Jarabacoa or the untouched beaches of Las Galeras.
It always begins with a vision, something effortless, beautiful, and deeply intentional. Maybe it’s a beachfront ceremony in Punta Cana, a stylish villa weekend in Las Terrenas, a cultural celebration in Santo Domingo, or something more intimate, like the mountains of Jarabacoa or the untouched beaches of Las Galeras.
