Cover The peaceful Queenstown had never witnessed anything quite like the wedding party of Erwan Heussaff and Anne Curtis Smith. The couple, along with other celebrity pairs, celebrated with destination weddings (Photo: @annecurtissmith/Instagram)
The peaceful Queenstown had never witnessed anything quite like the wedding party of Erwan Heussaff and Anne Curtis Smith. The couple, along with other celebrity pairs, celebrated with destination weddings (Photo: @annecurtissmith/Instagram)
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Something borrowed. Something blue. Somewhere on the other side of the world. Take a look at these celebrity destination weddings
Weddings are often described as a magical affair. Whether donning royal costumes in front of an altar as a kid or skimming through magazines for suits and bridal gowns as a young adult, we’ve at least humoured the question of what our dream wedding would be. Often, they would look like a page out of fairytale books. Sometimes, they would be inspired by scenes in television shows. Regardless, what better way to make these thoughts a reality than to scourge the world of places similar to our dreams? To experience destination weddings?
According to the 2023 Destination Weddings Global Market Report, the industry earned US$7 billion more in 2023 than in 2022, growing from US$21.32 billion to US$28.31 billion that year. When converted, that’s around 1.6 trillion Philippine pesos.
Destination weddings are indeed back in the game—only growing more robust—with more and more people willing to spend every dime and centavo for the ceremony and reception of their dreams. Couples are now willing to think, plan, and spend big to create a lifelong memory for their guests and themselves, like these Filipino celebrities and personalities below.
More from Tatler: Are lavish weddings back?
Anne Curtis Smith and Erwan Heussaff: Queenstown
On November 12, 2027, friends and family of Anne Curtis Smith and Erwan Heussaff flew to Thurlby Domain, Queenstown, New Zealand, for their wedding. From the jaw-dropping scenery to the traditional Kiwi haka performance and the special sunset cruise on the lake, everyone left Middle Earth with incredible memories.
Read more: Inside Anne + Erwan's New Zealand Wedding
Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho: Palais Garnier
A wedding that is still remembered and discussed today is that of Drs Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho, Jr on September 2, 2017, in Paris. The fairy-tale wedding of the century, as many called it, reportedly cost around PhP80 million.
The main wedding reception was at the Palais Garnier, a 1,979-seat opera house at the Place de l’Opéra, a symbol of Paris like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre, and known for being the setting for The Phantom of the Opera. To hold the reception on the second floor, the entire opera house had to be closed down.
Lovi Poe and Monty Blencowe: Berkshire
The Filipina actress and her British producer-scientist partner exchanged vows in the five-star establishment Cliveden House in Berkshire, England. The picturesque countryside wedding was a feast for the guests’ eyes, a marvel amplified by the rain in the middle of the ceremony. “It’s beautiful, beyond what I’ve wanted, and far more than I’ve dreamed of,” says Poe.
Solenn Heussaff and Nico Bolzico: Combourg
Solenn Heussaff walked down the aisle towards then-fiance Nico Blozico in a Lihi Hod ensemble. Their circle of loved ones attended their wedding at Eglise Notre Dame de Combourg in France.
Read more: Nico Bolzico and Solenn Heussaff on love, life, and their daughter, Thylane
Just last May, they celebrated their wedding anniversary. “Four years of dating, one year engaged, eight years married. After 13 years, you still make me laugh, put effort into our everyday life, and have given me the family of my dreams and the life we had once talked about. Happy anniversary, my love. Here is to 80 more years of figuring life out together,” says Heussaff.
Pia Wurtzbach and Jeremy Jauncey: Seychelles
Pia Wurtzbach and Jeremy Jauncey officially became husband and wife on March 24, 2023, with only three of their closest friends in attendance at a luxurious resort on the secluded North Island of Seychelles. “We did things differently, just for us, away from stress so we could relax and be present for the moment,” says Jauncey.
Georgina Wilson and Arthur Burnand: Winchester
Georgina Wilson and Arthur Burnand became one at Avington Park, Winchester—just a few walks from Burnard’s childhood home in England. “He took me on a walk, sharing all his childhood memories,” says Wilson. “He proposed on a bridge right below his house.”
Read more: Georgina Wilson-Burnand is back with the best version of herself yet
Isabelle Daza and Adrien Semblat: Tuscany
A three-day celebration in Castello di Gargonza, Arezzo, Italy, was the talk of the town in 2016. This is unsurprising, as the area has become a hub for destination weddings.
On the big day, Isabelle Daza floated down the aisle of St Francis Church to Bob Dylan’s Make You Feel My Love in a classic strapless Vera Wang wedding dress. She and Adrien Semblat then exchanged vows, surrounded by family and friends in a picturesque and historic setting.
Maja Salvador and Rambo Nuñez: Bali
The couple’s destination wedding had 220 guests in Bali. “Most of them stayed at The Apurva Kempinski Bali spread out between the villas, suites and deluxe rooms,” says Nuñez, who ensured everyone had a comfortable time. “It was great being with both sides of the family together.”
Bali has always been a dream destination for both the newlyweds. “Since I was young,” shares Salvador, “it has given me this certain energy and has healed me in different ways.” Her partner agrees, “It’s also the kind of energy that brought us back together.”
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
