Destination Marriage

For couples who enjoy travelling a lot, a destination marriage is the ultimate thing on your travel bucket list that can elevate the way you experience the most important day of your life.

A destination marriage can be special not just for the two of you but also all the guests who attend your marriage. The way you tied the knot will be talked about for years, possibly generations, to come.

Getting married at a destination will be all the more special for you if the both of you are big travellers who have actually planned to see and experience the world together with one another.

This blog covers what Nepal has to offer in terms of destination marriage ceremonies: the locations, venues, costs, services you get and the best time to plan.

What is a destination marriage?

A destination marriage, as its name suggests, is essentially a marriage that is held at a place outside of your hometown or home country. Usually, it is done amid nature in places with a lot of natural beauty.

It can mean different things to different people, but it usually involves a bit of travelling and going to a place that isn’t super familiar to the bride and groom to tie the knot.

Most couples plan on travelling only for their honeymoon but that doesn’t always have to be the case. You could travel somewhere for your big marriage ceremony itself.

Wedding planning is a stressful ordeal in general, so a destination marriage can be a good way for the couple getting married as well as all the guests to relax and enjoy the benefits of travelling during the marriage ceremony itself.

Picking Nepal as your marriage destination

Nepal has a very unique setting for a destination marriage. A ceremony here would ensure your marriage follows the beautiful cultural traditions, amid the beautiful Himalayas and the massive green hills.

The country has a range of venues you can pick from, starting with heritage hotels in the Kathmandu Valley to jungle lodges in Chitwan and luxury mountain view resorts in Pokhara.

Foreign couples can also legally get married in Nepal (in a binding way) as long as all the necessary documentation is submitted to the relevant offices.

Our wedding package, at Access Nepal Tour, includes traditional Hindu rituals, attire, photography as well as arrangements for guests.

For couples who are seeking an adventurous element in their marriage ceremony, you have the option to add treks or helicopter trips in the Everest region for a more intimate vibe, too.

Best destinations for marriage locations in Nepal

Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu valley (which includes the cities Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Lalitpur)  has many heritage palaces and hotels that are easily accessible for your dream marriage. Venues here include ancient temples as well as luxurious hotels and resorts. Traditional ceremonies can be held in a grand way here.

Kathmandu Valley

Additionally, you can also book your honeymoon package up into the Himalayas after comfortably getting married in Kathmandu, as it is the main entry point into the mountains of Nepal. The valley has access to international flights and airport transfers.

Pokhara

Pokhara is another beautiful option as your marriage destination. Its lakeside venues with gorgeous mountain views are suitable for garden or lakefront weddings. You can also have different activities, such as boating, paragliding, and short hikes, to keep your guests entertained.

Pokhara

Imagine beautiful flower decorations across the arches and all around your mandap set against a picturesque backdrop of the gorgeous sky with mountains and clouds. That is very much a reality at Pokhara weddings.

Nagarkot and Dhulikhel

Both Nagarkot and Dhulikhel are hill stations, located a short drive away from Kathmandu. They are known for the breathtaking views of sunrise, sunset, and the Himalayas. They are also very accessible (being so near the capital) and have numerous wedding-ready resorts and hotels you can choose from.

Nagarkot and Dhulikhel

Our standard marriage destination package also includes a honeymoon trip to Nagarkot with 4-star resort accommodation.

Chitwan

Chitwan, as a destination marriage spot, is a little different from Kathmandu, Pokhara, and the hill stations we mentioned above. If you love animals, the wild, and wildlife, it has many jungle lodges for your marriage.

Chitwan

You can take your guests on wildlife safaris and jungle safaris that will keep them engaged. For couples looking for a nature-focused celebration, this is the best destination for a marriage location in Nepal.

Everest region

The Everest region needs no introduction. It is the Eastern Himalayas housing Mount Everest, the tallest peak in the world, along with many mountains above 7,000m and 8,000m peaks.

Getting married here is the dream for many trekkers and mountain enthusiasts. Atop these white snow-capped mountains, everything from the ring on your finger to the colour of your outfit stands out.

Everest Base Camp Trek

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you to experience something so special, high atop the rest of the world.

The one caveat here is that because of the high altitude and limited accessibility here, we recommend you get wedded in the Everest region only via helicopter elopements. You just fly atop and do your ring ceremony in the mountains and fly back down.

Our past clients, who did their ring ceremony in the mountains, call the experience “life-changing”. 

Review of Destination Wedding by Laura

Review of Destination Wedding by Zachary

It will be an intimate affair with your partner and not very tough to execute, as it doesn’t involve any walking or climbing.

We have covered even more locations for destination marriage in Nepal earlier. It also includes locations like Gorkha, Kirtipur, Balthali, Chitlang, and Tansen.

Planning your destination marriage in Nepal

Marriage planning can be equal parts fun and exciting as well as stressful. But by booking a destination marriage package, you leave the logistics and coordination aspect to us. Enjoy your dream marriage while we make sure everything is perfect for you.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind regarding the dates and other details while planning your marriage, though.

How far in advance should we plan?

We recommend you book at least 1 to 2 months in advance to avoid last-minute rushing. This will help us get the best services for your marriage as per your requirements for it.

Most Nepali marriages also happen as per astrologically auspicious days. So, on these particular days (based on the lunar calendar) the best venues might all be pre-booked. Early planning helps us avoid this and get you the best venues for your marriage.

However, we understand that months of pre-planning may not always be possible for everyone. So, Access Nepal Tour does have a last-minute booking option if you are in a rush to book your wedding destination package.

Happy clients doing a destination wedding in Nepal

Destination marriages can be conducted throughout the year, so there isn’t really a best time for it. Anytime is perfect for a destination marriage in Nepal.

The only thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that marriage dates are often selected based on subha sahit (auspicious days determined by astrology and the Nepali calendar) in Nepal.

If your marriage falls on these very days then you will need to coordinate with us at least a couple months in advance to pre-book your favorite venue.

How much does a destination marriage in Nepal cost?

While the cost of a marriage in Nepal can go into the tens and hundreds of thousands in USD, we have made it much cheaper for you. Access Nepal Tour’s standard destination marriage package costs USD 2,470 per person.

This includes: arrival and departure transfers, 4-star accommodation in Kathmandu and Nagarkot (with breakfast), private transportation for sightseeing, Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies (henna artist, makeup, decorations, snacks, music system, attire) as well as marriage ceremony expenses (venue, decorations, ornaments, clothing, shoes, makeup, buffet, pooja materials, music system).

Other things also included are: professional photography and videography and Panche Baja (traditional Nepali music band).

If what you have envisioned for your dream marriage looks different to what our standard itinerary, we offer full customisations of the package and its details. You can opt to book a different venue or service provider of your choice. You can also prolong your stay here or add a few spots to your itinerary.

Please note that this will change the total cost of your package.

Additionally, you could also book your honeymoon tour with us.

Legal and documentation aspects of marriage in Nepal

Foreign couples can legally get married in Nepal. You don’t need to bother much with registering your marriage here. You can do that when you get back home. Here, you can just enjoy the ceremony and its cultural aspects.

However, if your dream destination in Nepal is somewhere that is generally restricted, you will need to get a permit.

In general, only adults over the age of twenty can get married in Nepal. You will also need valid passports, your ids, proof that you are single or divorced and a valid visa.

Venues and their capacity for marriage in Nepal

Different kinds of venues are available in Nepal. What you book is based on your personal requirements.

Heritage palaces and hotels are primarily available in the Kathmandu Valley. These venues are special because of their traditional architecture and the bit of history they carry.

Professional Photography of our clients during Destination wedding

You also get heritage hotels in cities like Pokhara, Bandipur and Nuwakot. All of these can be perfect for your destination marriage in Nepal if you want your marriage ceremony to be filled with more cultural elements.

Resort properties with mountain views in locations like Nagarkot could be ideal for you if you want a more luxurious experience during your marriage ceremony. There are many 4 and 5-star resort options like these available in Nepal. 

Our standard destination marriage package also includes 2 nights at a 4-star resort in Nagarkot for the honeymoon trip.

Pokhara lakeside venues with gardens could also be the perfect destination marriage spot for you if comfortable stay with views of mountain panoramas is what you are looking for. These are suitable for garden or waterfront ceremonies.

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Jungle lodges in Chitwan can incorporate fun wildlife safari activities into your ceremony.

Pick out of these the option that fits into your plans for the marriage ceremony you have been dreaming about.

Things to keep in mind while picking venues

• Your guest count plays a big role here. Some venues might have smaller space with otherwise great services and features. They would be more suitable for intimate marriages. Whereas, others fit thousands of guests and would be ideal for couples with a longer guest list.
• Also, look at the accommodation capacity of hotels while booking them. You might be bringing along a big list of guests but the hotel you want to stay at might not be able to fit them all.
• For a marriage in the Himalayas, we recommend you only hold the ring ceremony and return to a major city like Kathmandu for full marriage rituals. This means you can’t take a lot of guests with you for the ring ceremony. But worry not as you can still do the full celebrations with everyone when you fly back to the city hotel you stay at.
• The food menu could be another deciding factor. Booking at most resorts, hotels and banquets in Nepal requires you to also take up the venue’s catering services. And the food options at different venues are very different. So look into this if you are holding a grand marriage ceremony in Nepal.
• You should also weigh in things like closeness to the airport, accessibility of services as well as proximity to a city (unless you are staying in a city).

We can definitely help you with selecting venues based on your preferences. You just have to tell us your requirements and they will work with you to find some suitable locations.

Your guests’ stay, accommodation, itinerary and travel

We can arrange accommodation for the guests as well as airport transfers on arrival and departure.

Our standard package has a premium 4-star accommodation in Kathmandu (6 nights) and Nagarkot (2 nights) with breakfast included. The accommodation is customizable based on your needs.

The package includes private transportation for sightseeing and all transport mentioned in the itinerary. For group flights, please contact us directly to discuss the arrangements.

In our standard 8-day package, the itinerary includes: 

• Day 1: Arrival
• Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing
• Day 3: Mehendi ceremony
• Day 4: Marriage ceremony
• Day 5–6: Nagarkot honeymoon trip
• Day 7: Bhaktapur and Patan tour
• Day 8: Departure

You can also stay for more days if you wish to add extra trips, such as treks, jungle safaris, or day tours at additional cost.

Please note that all international guests need a valid Nepal visa to cover their stay. The wedding package does not include visa fees.

For specific accessibility concerns, please discuss your requirements with us.

Services you get from a destination marriage tour

Booking a destination marriage package means you get a personal destination marriage or wedding planner, who handles everything from venue selection and decorations and catering to photography and guest travel. You just have to list your preferences and we will arrange them for you.

We will decorate the venue for your Mehendi ceremony and the marriage day, which includes providing accessories, flowers and pooja materials.

The package includes catering services with snacks during the Mehendi and marriage ceremonies, as well as a buffet on the marriage day. 

Additionally, professional photographers and videographers will capture both the Mehendi and marriage ceremonies. After the marriage, we give you edited photos and the marriage video.

If you are a tradition enthusiast who wants to marry with the Hindu rituals, we can organise a traditional Hindu marriage ceremony including Haldi, Mehendi, Swayamvara, exchanging flower garlands and seven circles around a ceremonial fire (representing seven lives).

You can do all this in the traditional attire: daura surwal for the groom and bridal dress for the bride.

Extra services

Guests can combine the wedding with a Nepal tour and extend their stay as well as add tours before or after the marriage. Our package is completely customisable and you can select additional trips for guests, such as day tours, treks or wildlife safaris, at extra cost.

Activities that guests can enjoy before or after the marriage ceremony

• Sightseeing temples and durbar squares at Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan
• Boating on the lake, paragliding and short hikes with mountain views at Pokhara
• Jungle safari activities at Chitwan. This can also be added as an extension to the wedding package.

As for the honeymoon, our standard package already includes a honeymoon trip to Nagarkot (2 nights at a 4-star resort with sunrise and mountain views). For other or extended honeymoons, you can add other trips such as the Everest Base Camp Trek, Chitwan Jungle Safari, day tours, trekking or other expeditions at an additional cost.

Why book your trek with Access Nepal Tour and Treks?

As professionals who have been working in the tourism industry for over fifteen years, Access Nepal has the expertise to handle all these arrangements directly. This completely eliminates middleman costs.

That is why you get everything at USD 2,470 per person.

We will manage every detail of your marriage here, from venue selection, decorations and catering to photography and videography, guest accommodations and transportation. You have a single point of contact for everything.

Sightseeing in Kathmandu

The biggest advantage to booking with us is that everything is customisable. We will plan your marriage ceremony exactly how you want it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary menus available?

Vegetarian options are available. For vegan or other special dietary requirements, please discuss them with us when booking and we will make them available for you.

Can you arrange live music or entertainment?

Yes, we can definitely get you live music and entertainment. In fact, our standard package includes the traditional Nepali Panche Baja set played by a group of five musicians during the marriage ceremony. We also get you the standard music playing arrangements.

Are destination marriages in Nepal suitable for large groups?

Yes, destination marriages in Nepal can suit larger groups too. You can discuss your specific requirements with us when you book the package.

How accessible are marriage venues for elderly guests?

Kathmandu Valley venues (heritage hotels) have easy access but we will have to discuss the specifics for all other venues. For specific accessibility needs, please mention them to us when you book the package.

Can we book a destination marriage package last minute?

Yes, you can book the package last minute too. But it is easier for us as well as you to arrange everything well if you mention it to us at least a couple months earlier.

Can we pick our own departure dates?

Marriage in Nepal only happens during auspicious dates according to the lunar calendar. They are called subha sahit. Our standard departure dates are based on these. However, if your wedding date doesn’t fall in these, we can fix that for you.

Is wedding dress provided for the couple?

Yes, a set of traditional wedding dresses is provided for both the groom and the bride. For grooms, this is a daura surwal set. For brides, it is full bridal wear. You will get a new set of these made according to your bodily measurements and you can take these with you after the trip.

What Nepali wedding rituals are a part of the destination marriage package?

Access Nepal Tour’s standard destination marriage tour includes the major Hindu Nepali wedding rituals like Haldi, Mehendi, Swayamvar, exchange of flower garlands and seven circles around a ritual fire.