The global wedding industry today is experiencing a decisive shift. Couples are moving beyond the long-established wedding destinations of Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, and Provence, in search of unique locations that combine cultural depth with affordable luxury. New markets are quickly rising in popularity: Portugal’s Douro Valley has attracted wine-focused celebrations, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast is drawing couples with island settings at lower costs than Greece, and Spain’s Balearic Islands remain a magnet for luxury resort weddings. However, one city is quickly distinguishing itself from the competition: Prague, the capital of Czechia.
“Prague is becoming an increasingly popular wedding destination not only because of its historic charm and picturesque locations, but also due to the development of new luxury hotels and venues,” said Eva Keilwerth, founder of If Concept, a boutique full-service wedding planning agency specializing in destination weddings in Prague.
Once dismissed as too austere compared with more scenic Italian or French destinations, Prague is now at the center of the European luxury wedding map. With a 309% year-over-year surge in travel to the Czech Republic this summer, the capital offers a unique combination of historic architecture, world-class hospitality investment, and, perhaps most importantly, costs up to 40% lower than comparable venues elsewhere in Europe. “Clients come to Czechia from all around the world, but mostly from the USA, UK, Ukraine, and also from Asia,” said Keilwerth. For couples seeking something different like the monastic breweries and 14th-century courtyards to Art Nouveau ballrooms, Prague is fast emerging as the city to consider.
“The level of service in Prague has improved significantly over the years. While the city has traditionally been known as a more affordable option compared to other European destinations, the quality of service and attention to detail now matches, or even exceeds, what couples might expect elsewhere, creating a truly memorable experience,” said Keilwerth.
Accessibility further strengthens Prague’s competitive edge, with direct international connections and reliable transport making it easy for couples and guests to arrive. But what truly sets the city apart is its royal history and well-preserved historical buildings that create a fairy-tale atmosphere. From Gothic cathedrals to Baroque palaces and the post-card-perfect Prague Castle, the largest ancient castle complex in the world, the Czech capital offers couples the chance to stage weddings against backdrops once reserved for European kings and queens. That unique sense of grandeur gives any destination wedding celebrations in Czechia an unrivaled, storybook quality.
Hospitality Investment
The surge in interest has coincided with a wave of hospitality investments in Czechia. The €160 million renovation of the Fairmont Golden Prague is the most visible example. Formerly the communist-era InterContinental, the property reopened this year as a showcase of what the travel industry calls “heritage luxury.” Architect Marek Tichý preserved the Brutalist façade while redesigning interiors with Czech glass, concrete, and wood.
For architecture and art buffs, and those seeking a fairytale wedding, the Fairmont Golden Prague offers 320 stylish rooms, 6 restaurants and bars, and one of the largest and most elegant ballrooms in the city center with chandeliers by René Roubicek that can seat 450 guests. Featuring stunning art pieces like Glass “Tapestries” by Zdenek Lhotsky, a wooden wall by Josef Klimes, and mirrored bricks by Jan Cernohorsky. The hotel also has a 15,000-square-foot spa that includes the city’s only indoor-outdoor pool and an 18-ton Lasvit wall. It is a wonderland for destination wedding guests and interior design lovers alike.
“We are committed to ensuring that our guests and the people of Prague see the hotel not just as a place to stay, but also as a vibrant hub of the community. We want to be a ‘good neighbor’ to the people of Prague and turn every moment spent here into an unforgettable experience, to ensure that people who visit us leave with beautiful memories,” said Gerhard Struger, Managing Director and Regional Vice President at Fairmont Golden Prague.
Its fine dining rooftop restaurant, with a legacy name Zlatá Praha, has become one of the most sought-after venues for proposals or wedding dinners, offering unmatched views of old Prague’s skyline. “Our cuisine celebrates Czech heritage through the finest local and regional ingredients. Simply crafted for those who seek the extraordinary,” said Lenka Vitovská, Marketing Director at Fairmont Golden Prague. “Weddings at Fairmont Golden Prague blend timeless charm with refined sophistication. With a stunning Grand Ballroom, iconic views, and elegant architecture in the heart of the city, it’s an exceptional setting for unforgettable celebrations. Guests enjoy luxurious suites, a tranquil spa, and a private garden – all rooted in sustainability and unparalleled hospitality.”
Destination weddings are high-value events that extend far beyond the ceremony itself. They generate significant spending across hotels, restaurants, florists, musicians, transportation providers, and artisan suppliers, creating a multiplier effect throughout the local economy. Analysts estimate that a single mid-sized wedding can inject $200,000 to $500,000 into the tourism market, depending on guest count and length of stay.
Czechia welcomes all types of wedding couples, too. “Prague isn’t particularly conservative, and the same-sex weddings are quite popular here, and we are seeing more and more of them every year. I recently organized one for an American couple, and it was such a beautiful celebration for 150 guests from the US,” said Keilwerth. For Prague, this translates into more than romance, it represents a meaningful growth driver. The city is well positioned to capture a larger share of the $300 billion global wedding industry.
Beyond the Capital
While Prague dazzles with its old city spires and refurbished palaces, the magic of Czechia’s wedding scene extends far beyond its capital. Increasingly, couples are discovering the countryside: a landscape of forests, vineyards, and picturesque architecture that deliver the same sophistication, but with a greater sense of intimacy.
“Czechia offers a luxury wedding experience that personalizes what luxury means to each couple. For some, it’s a grand celebration in a castle; for others, a peaceful ceremony in nature, surrounded by calm and privacy,” said Radka Krizek of CzechTourism USA & Canada. Keilwerth agrees that beyond Prague there are destinations rising in popularity within the Czech countryside: “On average, destination weddings in Czechia host around 80 guests and the most popular venues outside of Prague are Château Mcely and Bon Repos.”
Château Mcely, a 24-room eco-luxury estate located an hour from Prague, has become one of the top choices for couples seeking privacy. With options ranging from small elopements to full-property buyouts, Château Mcely combines “Michelin-level dining” at Piano Nobile and spa experiences: “Our restaurant’s creative team carefully prepares seasonal menus using ingredients primarily from local suppliers, the chateau gardens, and our own smokehouse under the guiding hand of our experienced executive chef Honza Štěrba. The restaurant also features the delightful Bellavista Patio, a conservatory-style space with views of the English park,” said Eva Plchová, Co-Founder of Chateau Mcely. “Once the gates open, wedding guests can leave all worries behind and fully immerse themselves in the present moment.”
Château Mcely is also a sanctuary for rejuvenation, offering guests the opportunity to tune their body and soul after long travels. At the spa guests can enjoy the pure, natural organic cosmetics line Mcely Bouquet, which was founded by the owner Inéz Cusumano in 2010. “The cosmetic products are blended by hand in the chateau laboratory in small batches using only the freshest and purest chemically untreated ingredients. Their healing properties are based on rare essential oils, homemade herbal extracts, and the use of traditional alchemical methods.”
Another emerging player is Vinné Sklepy Kutná Hora, a biodynamic winery located east of Prague in a UNESCO-protected medieval town. With vineyards dating back to the 12th century, it is one of the few wineries in Europe certified by Demeter. While not a full-service wedding venue, it has become a popular site for rehearsal gatherings, guests wine tastings, and other pre-wedding events.
While luxury weddings are on the rise, locals embrace everyone who come to Czechia to celebrate their special moment. “The true luxury here is about embracing Czechia’s free spirit and creating unforgettable moments exactly the way the couple imagines them,” said Krizek.