When planning a wedding, finding just the right venue for the special day can be a challenge because of so many extraordinary choices across the USA. From sun-drenched beaches and lush landscapes, to rolling hills and mountain vistas, it’s important to find the perfect wedding destination to suit your preferences for a day to remember. Here are some great venues to consider.
Warm Climate Settings
Seaside, Florida offers an inviting atmosphere in this quaint community along the state’s bustling Emerald Coast. Miles of pristine sugar-sand beach, gentle waves rolling in from the Gulf of Mexico, cultural attractions, and fine and casual dining offer the perfect setting for special events. Accommodations are ample, and delightful, with the quaint, pastel-colored houses that serve as Seaside vacation rentals. De Bicci Park and the Chapel at Seaside provide elegant settings amid the beach vibe and surroundings of some of Florida’s finest landscapes.
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, Florida, was established in 1929 and listed in the National Historic Landmark registry. The beautiful gardens, designed by renowned architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., are famous for the melodious ringing emanating from the 60 carillon bells located within the massive 205-foot singing tower. Along with the bells, visitors have access to nature trails and the vintage Pinewood Estate. The gardens and surrounding attractions have continued to be a point of interest for visitors and as a venue for memorable weddings in the secluded and serene Horseshoe Garden, Round Garden, The White Garden, the Sundial Overlook, and The Tower Lawn.
Desert Beauty
The Wild Horse Ranch in Tucson, Arizona is situated on 20 acres of natural beauty, from the blanket of desert landscape and open skies, to majestic and panoramic mountain views. Built in the 1890’s, the ranch is steeped in history, culture, and beauty. With multiple facilities and inclusive packages, the award-winning ranch offers a stress-free and professional experience to help you plan your day in this scenic location.
Rolling Hills and Mountain Vistas
The wavelike rippling mountain tops of the ancient Smoky Mountains are loved by millions of people, a hugely romantic scenic landscape where many couples propose, get married, honeymoon and celebrate anniversaries, year after year. Gatlinburg, TN, is the gateway to America’s most visited national park, open year round, with thousands of accommodations, from hotels to cabins nestled in the foothills, and a host of scenic backdrops for weddings. There are many wedding chapels, and local services to help you get married (which Tennessee makes easy).
Couples may also want to consider Yosemite National Park in Yosemite, California. Whether you are planning a quiet ceremony on the beach, at a lodge, beside waterfalls, in a grove, or along a hiking trail, Yosemite offers a list of locations for ceremonies with unsurpassed views.
Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming offers several extraordinary locations for wedding ceremonies, from the Old Faithful area or Artist Point in the canyon, to amphitheaters within the park, and Mammoth Chapel. Lodges within Yellowstone also allow ceremonies and receptions.
Historic Southern Charm
Recommended as a Top Five Worldwide wedding destination by Glamour Magazine, the Whitman Mansion built in 1895 in historic Savannah, Georgia, is the epitome of southern culture and luxury from time past. The rich history of the mansion is reflected in its beautifully detailed rooms, vintage decor, and carriage house. This is all complimented by the openness of the lush landscaping and moss-covered oak trees, which offer an elegant setting for a special day.
American Castles
Set upon its own island, Boldt Castle situated on Heart Island is part of the Thousand Islands, New York area. Built in 1900, the Rhineland-style castle remains not only a premier tourist attraction, but also a romantic setting for weddings. The castle grounds are a colorful palette featuring multiple gardens and an abundance of flowers highlighted by the vintage stone structures of the Alster Tower and the Gazebo. Wedding ceremonies take place in the courtyard at the Dove-Cote, which overlooks the serene waters of the St. Lawrence River.
When elegance personified is what you want for your wedding day, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, has an abundance of charm, style, culture, and history set amid lush gardens. The estate was built for George Vanderbilt II in 1890. The French Renaissance estate is one of the most beautiful to behold with its vintage decor and extraordinary architecture. The working estate features a separate hotel, an inn, restaurants and a winery, making it a convenient destination for the entire wedding party.
Wide Open Spaces
Built in the 1880’s as a family homestead, today the Cherokee Ranch and Castle in Colorado is a protected wildlife sanctuary. The ranch offers a long list of amenities such as world-class musical entertainment, theatrical presentations, guided hikes, tours, teas and tastings, plus special events. Guests seated under an elegant veranda tent enjoy the ceremony amid the beauty of rolling landscape and magnificent mountain vistas.
Unique and Unusual
Following the well-known Prairie School design of architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas makes an impressive visual statement. The chapel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places due to its exceptional importance to history. The chapel stands 48-feet high, 24-feet wide, and 60-feet long and features 425 glass windows, as well as an ornamental skylight on the roof. The visual beauty from inside the chapel of the surrounding trees and landscape, combined with natural sunlight lighting up the interior, create a mystical setting for special events.
