50 Places to Wed in the United States

From sea to shining sea, the United States is full of surprising ceremony and reception sites. A restored bank in Connecticut? Check. Lush gardens in Hawaii? Double check. Our guide contains the best of the best, plus insider tips to help you personalize each one.

Huntsville Museum of Art

, Huntsville 

This modern space offers four versatile settings for saying “I do,” including an outdoor patio and a large gallery with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Big Spring International Park. If they can tear themselves away from admiring the landscape, guests can browse the contemporary Southern artwork.

Also Consider: Holding your welcome dinner at Cotton Row Restaurant. The seasonal American menu includes a surprisingly mouthwatering dessert: peanut butter and jelly in phyllo. Then wind down with music at The Kaffeeklatsch, a coffee house turned bar and unplugged stage at night.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

, Fairbanks 

Resembling a glacier set against the mountains, this stark building is both striking and cozy. It hosts affairs of 50 people or fewer, so it’s a good fit for small weddings.

Also Consider: Shopping for favors at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market. The vendors sell gourmet foods, such as berry-infused vinegar and specialty honeys. Treat your bridesmaids to a soak in the geothermic pools at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. If you’re there from December through March, stay up to see the Northern Lights.

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

, Marana 

The attentive wedding planners at this resort will create menus and drinks for you (even color-coordinated margaritas). That’ll leave you more time for outdoor spa treatments, like a moisturizing facial with Arizona aloe, while looking out on petroglyphs in the Sonoran Desert.

Also Consider: Taking your wedding party to Kartchner Caverns State Park for a tour of 200,000-year-old limestone caves. They’re filled with elaborate rock formations and, in the summer, a colony of bats. Say goodnight with chocolate-chili pepper fudge favors from Arizona Fhantom Fudge.

Pratt Place Inn and Barn

, Fayetteville 

Arrowheads can still be found on the grounds of this former Indian encampment. It features a classic red barn of lodgepole-pine timbers, spruced up with chandeliers. To elicit some oohs and aahs, put in a request for the property’s four statuesque Haflinger horses to make an appearance.

Also Consider: A groomsmen’s brunch with the best ribs in town, served on the checkered tablecloths of Herman’s Ribhouse. For invitations with a geographic touch, consult Amy Nelson Hannon at Sincerely Yours Paper. Her creations, such as save-the-date cards and weekend guides, can include tea towels with a handdrawn map of Fayetteville.

Manka’

s Inverness Lodge

, Inverness

Weddings at this little-known gem turn into wild events by nature. The 100-year-old fishing lodge, now a luxury inn, is situated between the misty coastline and dense forests. A fireplace and 18-foot ceilings, plus sweeping bay views, provide a dramatic Northern California backdrop for exchanging vows or holding a small reception.

Also Consider: Throwing a picnic for your wedding party at Hog Island Oyster Farm in nearby Marshall. Bring your own food and drink, buy oysters on-site, and take advantage of the farm’s shucking lessons, picnic tables, grills, and gorgeous view of sleepy Tomales Bay. Or organize a leisurely morning bike ride through Point Reyes National Seashore. Cyclists (and hikers too) are drawn to its rolling hills and delicious pit stop: the Bovine Bakery.

Aspen Mountain Club

, Aspen

A breathtaking three-mile gondola ride carries guests from the resort to the clubhouse, where a deck looks out over the Elk Mountain Range. If alfresco entertaining isn’t your style, indoor options include a wood-paneled wine room or the Montagna Exclusive, a top-rated bar and restaurant with a 20,000-bottle wine cellar.

Also Consider: Sending guests to enjoy the regional Flying Dog beer (Hunter S. Thompson loved it) at Woody Creek Tavern. As they devour huge enchiladas and margaritas, have them keep an eye out for celebs. On the big day, visit Salon Tullio for one of owner Michael Tullio’s sought-after updos.

The Society Room of Hartford

, Hartford

This ornate Victorian structure served as a bank from the 1800s to the late 1990s and is now an event space. The bi-level grand lobby offers two areas for entertaining: a wraparound upper balcony for cocktails and a richly appointed main floor that can serve as a lavish dining room.

Also Consider: Trumbull Kitchen, a downtown Hartford hot spot. Specializing in Asian fusion and Continental dishes, it has a fantastic happy hour, which makes it a nice option for a welcome party. To capture your day, hire documentary-style photographer Brian Ambrose.

Hotel du Pont

, Wilmington 

The Italian Renaissance-style hotel, commissioned by businessman Pierre S. du Pont in 1913, still features the work of the European craftsmen who executed his vision.

Also Consider: Hosting a meet-and-greet for friends and family at the Brandywine Zoo. It’s home to 150 animals, including Siberian tigers, two-toed sloths, and African ball pythons. Later, move the party to Kooma to mingle over sushi and saketinis.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

, Sarasota

Circus mogul John Ringling built this Venetian mansion for his wife, Mable, but now it’s a gallery for Renaissance and Baroque art. Most stunning is the 81-foot tower in the center of the palm-filled property.

Also Consider: Making reservations at the Columbia Restaurant. Order its famous 1905 salad: a hearty portion of lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss and romano cheeses, green olives, and garlic dressing, prepared at the table. Send guests home with a bottle of award-winning grapefruit sparkling wine from St. Armands Gifts & Winery. For an oceanside afterparty, head to Siesta Key’s Daiquiri Deck. The drink menu has 13 types of daiquiris.

Nikolai’s Roof

, Atlanta 

The restaurant’s rooftop has a 180-degree view of Atlanta’s bright skyline. But guests will be most impressed by the four-star cuisine and selection of 1,100 wines. Include one of their flavored vodkas on your drink menu.

Also Consider: A jar of the Atlanta-produced jalepeno-raspberry Emily G’s Jam of Love is a spicy-and-sweet wedding favor. And make an entrance that no one will forget by hiring the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band. Their repertoire will have your guests on their feet.

Na ’

Aina Kai Botanical Garden

, Kilauea, Kauai

The grounds surrounding Na ’Aina Kai (which translates into “lands by the sea”) feature prime examples of iconic Hawaiian scenery—a waterfall-fed lagoon, pristine beaches, and a teak-and-mahogany forest. This once-private 240-acre estate feels isolated in the best kind of way. Your guests will have plenty of space to roam, explore, and view the 90 bronze sculptures that are sprinkled throughout the property.

Also Consider: Joining residents (Pierce Brosnan is one) to satisfy your sweet tooth at Kilauea Bakery. The fresh-baked goodies, such as coconut-cream eclairs and guava sourdough, offer delicious favor options. For a seafood-rich welcome dinner, bring guests to Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant, west of Kilauea on the Hanalei River. Its chefs are known for their fresh, inventive sushi. Or, to stock up on supplies for a cookout on the water, visit the fish market out back. As a keepsake, purchase a Niihau shell lei. The art of stringing tiny shells into a necklace has been perfected by generations on the island of Niihau. Find beautiful examples, as well as hand-crafted koa bowls, at the Kauai Museum.

Coeur d’Alene Resort

, Coeur d’Alene

Golf lovers go gaga for this lakeside resort on a pro-grade course, where couples can tie the knot overlooking its floating 14th hole. Other options for nuptials: the waterfront chapel or penthouse suite. To get married on the lake itself, board one of the property’s six cruise boats with your guests.

Also Consider: Grabbing a burger at Hudson’s Hamburgers, a tradition for more than 100 years in CDA (the town’s nickname). Purists will appreciate the made-to-order patties served straight up, sans fries, lettuce, or other distractions. The counter-only diner is small, making it perfect for a wedding-party-only lunch. On the second Friday of every month (April-December), CDA hosts Artwalk, a showcase of new exhibitions, where you can meet and mingle with the artists. Pencil in a gallery crawl before or after your rehearsal.

Museum of Contemporary Art

, Chicago 

A downtown institution that boasts views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline, it’s home to a handful of architecturally impressive event spaces, including a theater, industrial-chic warehouse loft, and airy sculpture garden. It can accommodate small ceremonies, dinners of up to 500, and cocktail receptions for 2,000. Best of all, during your reception, guests will have access to some of the exhibition galleries, featuring ever-changing installations.

Also Consider: The upscale Rockit Bar & Grill. It earns praise for its burgers, but also gets buzz for celebrity sightings and a recent renovation by interior designer Nate Berkus. Send the groomsmen here to kick back and have a beer while the bridesmaids bring their own party to Polish and Pour Spa + Bar. Patrons are invited to sip drinks from their full service martini and wine bar for a truly relaxing manicure.

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

, Bloomington

An affair at this vaudeville theater, which still hosts music and community events, is guaranteed to be a showstopper. In the past, couples have used the stage for live bands or decked it out to match their theme. One recent groom pushed to add a 15-foot velvet figure of Elvis Presley as a quirky backdrop.

Also Consider: The French country-style offerings at offbeat Le Petit Café—it’s a delightful spot for a morning-after brunch. The French owners have an avid following that visits for their personalities as much as for the pastries. Cycling enthusiasts will appreciate that Breaking Away, a classic bicycling film, was shot here. If you set an October date, your guests can enjoy watching (or participating in) the Hilly Hundred, a two-day bike tour through Green, Monroe, and Owen counties. It’s a popular time to be in the city, which means hotels will fill up quickly. Book your accommodations early.

Hotel Julien Dubuque

, Dubuque

The historic venue is often the choice of Iowa brides wishing to be married in the same place as their great-grandmothers (it has been a popular wedding site since 1915). There are nine event spaces, including the 170-year-old Grande Ballroom, recently restored to its original splendor; the cinematic windows, parquet floor, and 20-foot coffered ceiling are all new. Old Hollywood glamour aside, the hotel gained fame as a onetime hideout of Al Capone during the days of Prohibition. As the story goes, the gangster tucked himself in the vault of one suite while being hunted by authorities.

Also Consider: Giving your guests an authentic experience by boarding a boat to Catfish Charlie’s River Club for lunch or dinner on the Mississippi—every seat has a view of the water. Or take a tour through the beautiful riverside grounds of Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey. There, a small order of Trappist nuns makes a living selling Trappistine Creamy Caramels. Heavenly wedding favor alert!

The Castle Tea Room

, Lawrence

Originally a private home designed for entertaining, this limestone fortress became a restaurant in the 1940s and has hosted more than 1,000 weddings and rehearsal dinners since. If you’d prefer to get married outside, the venue is just three blocks from beautiful South Park. Tie the knot there, then storm the freshly renovated castle to party.

Also Consider: Consulting with Pendelton’s Country Market to see what homegrown produce you can add to your menu and which flowers will be in season. And throw a bash at the Free State Brewing Company, located in a trolley station. When it opened in 1989, it was the first Kansas brewery to operate legally in 100 years. Sample a couple of their signature blends, like the Storm Cloud Stout or Post Rock Pilsner.

The Henry Clay

, Louisville

This neoclassical revival building was listed as an endangered site after its abandonment in 1987, but an overhaul has returned it to a stately space. The Beaux Arts ballroom, one of nine ceremony and reception sites on the property, features colorful stained-glass skylights. And there’s a cool perk: When you book your wedding here, the nearby SkyLoft will waive the venue fee for a rehearsal dinner at its rooftop.

Also Consider: Doling out bags of the Old Louisville Candy Company’s Happy Balls Kentucky bourbon candy as a playful welcome gift. A Louisville couple makes these chocolate-dipped bourbon-buttercream confections by hand from a family recipe (they’re named after Aunt Happy, who created it). And to learn more about the Bluegrass State, take guests on a Mint Julep tour. Choose one of four options: Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Historic Louisville, Best of Kentucky, or Horse Country.

Shaw Center for the Arts

, Baton Rouge

The 125,000-square-foot art museum turned theatrical space opened its doors in 2005 and has since received an honor award from the American Institute of Architects. It features views of the city and the Mississippi River from the modern River Terrace, a sleek option for ceremonies and outdoor receptions.

Also Consider: Stashing a bag of locally made Café du Monde coffee in your guests’ rooms. In Louisiana, you can’t wake up without a cup of chicory brew. If you’re thinking of serving a traditional Southern groom’s cake, go for one of John Folse’s cheesecakes, made with spicy Creole cream cheese. And encourage out-of-towners to tour the Old State Capitol for the animatronic statue of former governor Huey P. Long.

Chebeague Island Inn

, Chebeague Island

When your party takes over its 21 rooms, you’ll feel like you own the three-and-a-half-mile-long island on which it sits. Porches surround the restored 1880s structure, providing many vantage points for water views. And the wood-paneled dining room offers a grand setting for celebrating.

Also Consider: Grabbing sandwiches from Clayton’s Cafe in Yarmouth, on your way to the island. Once at the inn, borrow bikes and go for a seaside picnic. For a late-night treat to serve at your wedding, look no further than Maine’s beloved whoopie pies. Wicked Whoopies’ red-velvet variety takes the regional delicacy seriously (as in, they’re seriously good). Each pie is individually made, so you’ll have to order in advance and have them shipped to the inn.

The George Peabody Library

, Baltimore

Located in the city’s Mount Vernon Cultural District, this soaring space has a 61-foot ceiling, marble floors, and gold-leaf accents. In the exhibition room, guests can see historic manuscripts as they dance and dine. To keep costs down, hire Peabody Conservatory students to play music at your wedding.

Also Consider: Trying the garlic fries and a Resurrection Ale at The Brewer’s Art. Residents will insist that out-of-towners craving crab cakes should visit Faidley’s in Lexington Market, home of the tastiest in town. And on the morning of the wedding, send groomsmen to The Quintessential Gentlemen to get a straight-razor shave and shoe shine.

Longfellow’s Wayside Inn, Sudbury

Step back in time at this nearly 300-year-old inn—the oldest in the country. It was here where Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote “Tales of the Wayside Inn.” A lily pond and Federal-style dining room provide quaint, Colonial settings for your wedding.

Also Consider: Serving a signature drink that’s a nod to the Boston Tea Party. Mix iced tea with cranberry-infused vodka (after all, Sudbury is just minutes away from the city), or garnish pre-ceremony iced tea with the locally grown berries themselves. For picture-perfect hair, turn to Jana Rago of Boston’s Acote Salon.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

, Grand Rapids

It should come as no surprise that this locale is a top attraction in Grand Rapids. The grounds are graced with works by Rodin and Calder, and outdoor wedding sites include a 30-foot waterfall and pond, and a 1930s-style farmhouse and windmill. Inside, the Grand Room and Atrium, which overlook a sprawling wooded wetlands area, are also popular with brides.

Also Consider: A night out with your guests should center around The B.O.B. (Big Old Building), a massive downtown warehouse with a comedy club, brewery, and shops.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

, St. Paul

At the site’s Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory, you can have an “outdoor” wedding without worrying about the weather—the Sunken Garden and the North Garden are surrounded by glass. You can also get married in one of two outdoor spaces: the Zen-like Japanese garden, or the Excedra, a tree-dotted area on the front lawn with a frog pond and a waterfall. Or, for a truly spectacular event, book the 65,000-square-foot visitor’s center.

Also Consider: La Belle Vie restaurant, where James Beard Award-winning chef Tim McKee creates masterpieces you would expect to find in Paris. Take your future in-laws for a feast of foie gras and duck breast, or bring your wedding party to the lounge for cool cocktails, like tequila gimlets. For one-of-a-kind gowns and accessories (matching handbags or hats) for you or your bridesmaids, visit custom dress designer Joy Teiken.

Monmouth Historic Inn and Gardens

, Natchez

Nothing says Old South like a wisteria-wrapped pergola set among magnolias and draped in Spanish moss. Exchange vows in an intimate temple, inside in the ballroom, or beneath a centuries-old oak tree—or rent out the entire property. The owners insist that you consider all 26 acres your playground; they even organized Frisbee golf and picnic lunches for one wedding party.

Also Consider: Forgoing Southern propriety with a laid-back rehearsal dinner at Fat Mama’s Tamales. It’s known for its Mexican fare and “Knock You Naked” margarita (don’t say we didn’t warn you!). Or put your guests on Southern time: Pick up sandwiches at Uptown Grocery, then spend a few lazy hours at the river bank, watching the Mississippi roll by. Down the street from Monmouth is Pamper Me Please, top for prewedding primping.

Washington University in St. Louis

, St. Louis

The Graham Memorial Chapel at the Washington University in St. Louis is a gem with its stained-glass windows, including a central one which soars above the altar. There are also an array of spaces for receptions on campus. 

Also Consider: Getting your fingers dirty with your guests over some old-style St. Louis barbecue at Bogarts Smokehouse. For favors or welcome bags, consider a cult Missourian candy: Chase’s Candy Company Cherry Mash. The family recipe for these sweet-and-sour confections, made in nearby St. Joseph, is 90 years old.

Soldier’s Chapel

, Big Sky

The non-denominational chapel is a great site for any U.S. history buffs. After WWII, a colonel dedicated the land and chapel to his regiment that served together in New Guinea. Today, it serves as a great rustic venue for a classic wedding.

Also Consider: Lone Peak Brewery, the only microbrewery in Big Sky. It’s a prime place to gather for brunch or a glass of Hippy Highway Oatmeal Stout. Embrace the Wild West spirit of Big Sky country with cowgirl poet Buzzy Vick. Have her perform spoken word at your welcome dinner (406-995-4476).

Lauritzen Gardens,

Omaha

During your reception here, friends and family will get the green light to explore the property’s 100 acres by foot or tram. Any small children on your list will appreciate the garden’s seven model-railroad lines. And guests in town for fall events in October and November will be treated to a riot of color at the annual chrysanthemum show.

Also Consider: Booking the Upstream Brewing Company for a fun-filled rehearsal dinner. After you eat, encourage guests to stroll through Old Market in historic Omaha. They’ll want to sample Ted and Wally’s Ice Cream, which is made the old-fashioned way with rock salt and ice. Urbane Salon & Day Spa, also in Old Market, is a relaxing stop for pre-wedding pedicures.

Mandarin Oriental

, Las Vegas

Despite the fact that it’s a mammoth 392-room hotel, this high-rise makes service a priority by hosting only one wedding at a time. Within its walls are some significant perks, including a florist, salon, catering company, bakery, and even a talented tailor, who has altered Céline Dion’s gowns.

Also Consider: Thanking guests with a bottle of vino from Pahrump Valley Winery. And for a flawless wedding look, hire stylist team Amelia C & Co, a company that styles brides for over 500 Vegas weddings annually.

Omni Mount Washington Resort

, Bretton Woods 

Thomas Edison himself turned the lights on at this resort’s opening dinner in 1902. Tiffany glass adds to the ambience inside, but the White Mountain National Forest outside is the retreat’s main draw.

Also Consider: Taking your wedding party on an invigorating zip-line ride over Mount Washington’s lush canopy of trees—the three-mile Bretton Woods Canopy Tour at the Omni Resort, with 10 lines and two sky bridges, is an experience they’ll never forget. For a reminder of your celebration, send guests home with maple candy from Stonewall Farm in nearby Keene.

Natirar

, Peapack

Natural luxury is at the fore of this 500-acre resort, once owned by the King of Morocco. The Raritan River flows through the property (“Natirar” is “Raritan,” spelled backward), and newborn lambs roam the grounds each spring. A semipermanent tent for up to 225 people provides views of the entire property, and on-site catering is available.

Also Consider: Natirar’s Ninety Acres Culinary Center. It’s the place for a rehearsal dinner. The menu (with delectable offerings like bacon-wrapped quail) enlists ingredients from the property’s farm. In neighboring Far Hills, surprise your groom with an outing to the United States Golf Association Museum, where he can test his skills with antique clubs and balls. The nine-hole Pynes Putting Course is modeled after the Himalayas at the St. Andrews course in Scotland.

Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi

, Santa Fe

Smaller guest lists (50 people or fewer) will be comfortably accommodated in this warm and cozy boutique hotel whose décor echoes traditional pueblo living. Brides are drawn to the library for receptions, the living room for fireside ceremonies with 8 to 10 people, and the wine cellar for private dinners.

Also Consider: Having a welcome dinner at Cafe Pasqual’s. Be sure to order the house specialty, chile relleno picadillo, and purchase cookbooks for your mothers. Stock guests’ gift bags with Santa Fe School of Cooking hot cocoa and a molinillo, a tool used for frothing the beverage.

Angel Orensanz Foundation Center for the Arts

, New York City

Modeled after the Cathedral of Cologne, this neo-Gothic-style event space has hosted Black Eyed Peas concerts, Alexander McQueen runway shows, and even Sarah Jessica Parker’s wedding. The jaw-dropping architectural details include a deep-blue vaulted ceiling, gilded altar, and a wraparound mezzanine level that looks down on the main floor and makes an excellent spot for a cocktail hour.

Also Consider: Reserving a block of rooms at the nearby Hotel East Houston, a posh enclave in the heart of the city’s gritty-chic Lower East Side neighborhood. For your reception, create a candy buffet with goodies from Economy Candy, a sweets institution since 1937. And when the party winds down, take guests to Schiller’s Liquor Bar for drinks from another era. Try the Delancey, the bar’s signature libation: a potent mix of Absolut Kurant, lemon juice, simple syrup, Sprite, grenadine, and fresh mint.

Biltmore Estate

, Asheville

Perhaps the biggest endorsement for the Biltmore is that Cornelia Vanderbilt, who could have been married anywhere on the planet, chose to celebrate here. The largest home in the United States, it also has one of the biggest yards imaginable: 8,000 acres of gardens and parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. Past weddings have included sunrise ceremonies and fireworks after dark.

Also Consider: The fresh fare served at Tupelo Honey Cafe. The insider favorite is ideal for a bridesmaids’ brunch—don’t leave without sampling the fried green tomatoes. And for an early wedding gift, take your husband-to-be to the Land Rover driving school on the Biltmore property, where an instructor will guide him through an obstacle-filled course.

Plains Art Museum

, Fargo

The converted downtown warehouse is one of the most modern locations in the Great Plains, and it was made for extra-large parties. You can spread your event over three floors and use the art studio to entertain the grade-school crowd.

Also Consider: Sending out-of-towners to the Hotel Donaldson, otherwise known as HoDo, to mix with the locals. It was built in 1890, and its bison filet mignon (yes, that’s actual bison) is as popular now as it was back then. To satisfy salty-and-sweet cravings, add Carol Widman’s Chippers, surprisingly addictive chocolate-covered potato chips, to guests’ gift bags.