“I Do” It Right

Villa Manzu

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VILLA MANZU | Costa Rica
Nestled on a five-acre private peninsula, the 30,000-square-foot Villa Manzu manages to be over-the-top and down to earth at the same time. It’s the perfect sanctuary for couples looking for an intimate venue to say, “I Do.” The opulent estate has eight suites, two pools, a spa and plenty of hammocks, chairs and space to relax and enjoy the tranquility and view. Villa Manzu is stocked with surfboards, kayaks, paddleboards and mountain bikes for the wedding party and guests to explore the area.

Villa Manzu

For a unique rehearsal dinner, the villa’s 42-foot Siesta luxury boat will whisk the group to a nearby white-sand island for a gourmet beach BBQ, catered by executive chef Mariano Fernandez, who brings a Michelin-star pedigree to Villa Manzu. The wedding ceremony itself is held at a spectacular point on the property, with fireworks exploding over the sea to punctuate the vows. While Villa Manzu is hush-hush on its celebrity clientele, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child was married here, and the Kardashians have made it their Costa Rican go-to getaway.

Photo by Vincent Leroux

Photo by Thomas Dudan

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HOTEL RITZ PARIS | France
In the iconic city of love, no place epitomizes romance more than Ritz Paris. The luxury hotel has one of the best locations in Paris on the Place Vendome and can accommodate everything from a romantic elopement to a grand affair. The gorgeous Grand Jardin with its linden trees and sweet-smelling magnolias is the perfect backdrop to start married life together. A wedding at The Ritz means every detail is attended to, from hair by David Mallett, to make-up in the Chanel Spa. Colin Field, head bartender at the famous Ernst Hemingway bar will create a signature cocktail, and dinner is a grand affair conceptualized by the hotel’s Michelin-star chefs. Happy couples can spend their wedding night in the Imperial Suite, featuring a bedroom that is a replica of Marie-Antoinette’s at Versailles, or in the Coco Chanel Suite, decorated by the fashion maven herself.

Christina O Yacht

Christina O Yacht

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CHRISTINA O YACHT
Make your own history on one of the most historically significant yachts, the Christina O. Owned by billionaire Aristotle Onassis, it was the site of his wedding to Jackie Kennedy in 1968, and the honeymoon location for Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. The yacht’s illustrious guest book also includes Winston Churchill, Greta Garbo, Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra and more. Despite its age, the Christina O is still the 45^th-largest yacht in the world, and one of the most luxurious. The space can accommodate a wedding of up to 40 guests and has a swimming pool that converts to a dance floor for the reception. Overnight guests can be kept in comfort in the yacht’s 17 suites.

Adare Manor

Adare Manor

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ADARE MANOR | Ireland
If you’ve always dreamed of getting married in a castle, Adare Manor is ready to be your royal host. Just named Virtuoso’s 2018 Best Hotel of the Year, the 840-acre property has a variety of indoor and outdoor venues to tie the knot and celebrate with your guests. Ceremonies can also be arranged in several local, historic churches. Your personal wedding coordinator is available for you to create an entire program of activities for guests ranging from spa time at the Le Mar spa, falconry, wine tastings and more. Spend your wedding night in one of the property’s spacious signature suites complete with private butler.

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KWANDWE | South Africa
Begin your life together in the Cradle of Civilization. Kwandwe is one of the most luxurious private game reserves around. With just 26 rooms, scattered in five lodges and villas on 54,000 acres on the Eastern Cape, a buyout of the conservatory ensures one of the most private venues on the planet. Your multiday celebration is completely customizable with the help of your own Celebration Planner provided by the reserve. Before the big day, enjoy game drives, walking safaris, fishing and more. Plan a cigar and whiskey lunch for the guys and spa day for the ladies. Ceremonies can be held in a multitude of locations including deep in the bush, on the crest of a hill or the edge of escarpment with views to eternity. Who knows, a giraffe or a gazelle just might photo bomb one of your wedding shots. A magical starlit outdoor reception at the special Boma on the banks of the Great Fish River is the perfect ending to your perfect day.

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FOUNTAINEBLEAU PALACE | France
The most opulent palace in Europe, Fontainebleau Palace is about as an extravagant venue to tie the knot that you can find. The palace boasts a whopping 1,500 rooms and more than 130 acres of gardens and parklands. Needless to say, it can accommodate a wedding of any size. The Parc offers numerous gorgeous spaces for the ceremony with backdrops like Le Grand Canal or L’Etang des Carps. A private tour of the stunning property can be arranged for your guests after the ceremony and before the reception. Dinner can be outdoors or in one of the impressive salons like La Salle des Colonnes or Galerie des Cerfs, which has direct garden access. Catering can be arranged by anyone the bride favors, including Michelin-star chefs based in nearby Paris.