My Top 5 Favorite Destination Wedding Locations I've DJed
India, Dubai, Mexico, Italy & Portugal — An Honest Ranking From a Destination Wedding DJ
November 1, 2026 | By Jay Patel (beatsbyjay)
One of the questions I get asked the MOST is:
"Jay, out of all the places you've DJed, what's your favorite?"
And honestly, that's a HARD question. I've been fortunate enough to DJ South Asian weddings around the world, from beachfront resorts in Mexico to historic villas in Europe and massive Indian weddings back home. I've seen some ridiculous venues, met incredible families, and experienced cultures I never would've experienced if it weren't for music.
But not every destination hits the same.
Some have the craziest views. Some have the best crowds. Some just feel like home.
So I'm finally giving the people what they want.
My personal top 5 favorite destination wedding locations I've DJed.
No sponsorships. No fancy ranking system. Just my experience behind the decks and everything that comes with it.
1. India 🇮🇳 — Nothing Beats Home
I don't think anything will ever replace India at number one.
There's just something about DJing an Indian wedding IN India.
The culture. The families. The music. The celebrations. The FOOD.
It's different.
I've been fortunate enough to DJ weddings in Jaipur (twice), Chennai, and Hyderabad — with Hyderabad becoming a destination I've returned to four years in a row.
And every time I go back, I feel more connected to what I do.
There's something special about playing Bollywood, Punjabi, Gujarati, and regional music in the country where so much of it comes from.
The baraats are wild. The celebrations are massive. And the hospitality is something else.
Some of my favorite wedding venues include:
And the best part?
We're heading back to India at the end of December to close out the 2026 wedding year.
Stay tuned for that recap. ;)
Why it's #1: The culture, connection, energy, and feeling of being home.
2. Dubai, UAE 🇦🇪 — Luxury on Another Level
Dubai was one of those experiences where I genuinely had to stop and look around.
I got to DJ a four-day South Asian wedding celebration for Rhiana & Invir, a Gujarati/Punjabi couple, at the beautiful Anantara resort on Palm Jumeirah.
And man... what an experience.
Four days of events, different vibes, incredible hospitality, and a destination that knows how to do luxury.
What made it special wasn't just the venue.
It was being able to handle business, give the couple everything I had, and then actually spend time exploring Dubai afterward. That's something I've grown to appreciate about destination weddings. You fly across the world to do what you love, meet incredible people, and get to experience an entirely different place while you're there.
Featured venue: Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort
Why it's #2: The luxury, hospitality, multicultural wedding experience, and the fact that I got to DJ on the Palm!
3. Mexico 🇲🇽 — My Second Home (Especially Los Cabos)
If there's one country I've DJed in more than anywhere else outside the United States, it's Mexico.
40+ events in Mexico alone.
Cancún. Riviera Maya. Los Cabos. Mexico City. San Miguel de Allende. Morelia. Puerto Vallarta.
And somehow I never get tired of going back. Every destination has its own personality.
Mexico City has the history, food, and insane venues. Riviera Maya and Cancún have that tropical destination wedding energy. San Miguel de Allende feels completely different from the beach resorts.
But if you ask me to pick ONE?
LOS CABOS. Forever.
I love Cabo. The desert meeting the ocean, the sunsets, the resort atmosphere, the people, the overall vibes. And honestly, I have a soft spot for Hard Rock Los Cabos. I've had some amazing experiences there.
Mexico has become such a big part of my DJ career that sometimes flying there feels like going to work in another hometown. Except the office has palm trees. 😂
Featured venue: Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos
Why it's #3: The variety, the people, the atmosphere, and years of unforgettable wedding memories.
4. Italy 🇮🇹 — The Views, the People, the Lifestyle
Italy might actually be my favorite destination outside of DJing.
And if you've read my previous blogs, you already know how much I love Europe.
In 2024, I dreamed about DJing a wedding in Europe.
In 2025, I finally made it happen in Lake Como.
In 2026, I went back to DJ in Tuscany.
Still crazy to think about. Italy has everything I love. The rolling hills. The architecture. The food (Gelato + Panino). The slower pace of life.
And the wedding venues? Absolutely ridiculous.
Imagine DJing a South Asian wedding at a centuries-old Tuscan estate, or celebrating alongside Lake Como. It's hard to explain how special that feels until you're actually standing there. I've also really appreciated working with the local AV teams. When everyone communicates, prepares properly, and works together, it makes an international wedding so much smoother.
Some of the incredible venues from my Italy wedding journey:
Borgo Stomennano — Tuscany
Villa Erba — Lake Como
Villa Geno — Lake Como
And outside of the weddings, I love how Italians make time to enjoy life. Long dinners. Good food. Beautiful scenery. Actual conversations.
Why it's #4: The scenery, historic venues, people, food, and the feeling of slowing down.
5. Portugal 🇵🇹 — The Destination That Surprised Me
Portugal was a first for me in 2026.
And I loved it. I got to DJ a South Asian wedding weekend near Lisbon, with celebrations in some truly beautiful historic settings. What stood out wasn't just the architecture or the views.
It was the lifestyle. Portugal has this calmness to it that I really appreciate. People work hard, but they also make time to sit down, eat, enjoy their friends, and actually live.
Being there reminded me of something I've been talking about a lot lately:
What's the point of working so hard if you never make time to enjoy what you're building?
The wedding celebrations were incredible, and I loved getting to experience another part of Europe through music.
Some beautiful Portuguese wedding venues worth checking out:
Palácio do Correio-Mor — near Lisbon
Forte da Cruz — Estoril
Portugal reminded me that the best part of traveling isn't always what you see.
Sometimes it's how a place makes you feel.
Why it's #5: The peaceful lifestyle, historic wedding settings, and a completely different perspective on life.
What I've Learned DJing Destination Weddings Around the World
Here's something I've realized after all these weddings: A beautiful venue doesn't automatically make a great wedding.
I've DJed at incredible resorts, castles, historic estates, and luxury hotels. But the weddings I remember most? They're the ones where the couple and their families are genuinely having the time of their lives. The venue sets the scene. The people create the memories.
And as a DJ/MC, my job is to understand the couple, their cultures, their families, and the atmosphere they want to create — regardless of what country we're in.
That's the challenge I love. A Gujarati wedding in Jaipur isn't the same as a Punjabi/Gujarati wedding in Dubai. A South Asian wedding in Tuscany isn't the same as a beachfront wedding in Mexico.
And that's exactly why I love what I do. Every destination teaches me something new.
The Destination Era Is Just Getting Started
When I first started DJing, I never imagined music would take me to this many places.
Now I'm documenting an entire year of destination weddings through my Destination Era series.
12 destination weddings. 4 continents. 12 months.
Not just to travel, but to become better at my craft with every single event.
There's still so much of the world I haven't seen. So many couples I haven't met. So many dancefloors I haven't touched. And I'm grateful I get to keep doing this.
Planning a Destination Wedding? Let's Connect.
Whether you're planning a luxury Indian wedding in Jaipur, a multicultural wedding in Dubai, a beachfront celebration in Los Cabos, or a weekend in Europe...I'd love to be part of it.
I specialize in South Asian, multicultural, and luxury destination weddings, bringing DJ entertainment, MC hosting, and personalized music experiences to couples around the world.
The location can change. The mission stays the same. Make it personal. Make it unforgettable. And make sure everybody has the time of their lives.
See y'all at the next destination.
— Jay
beatsbyjay | Luxury Destination Wedding DJ & MC
Instagram: @beatsbyjaynj
Website: www.beatsbyjaynj.com
STAY TUNED 4 THE RECAP.
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