Rustic, opulent, modern, glamorous, elegant—a wedding venue can evoke any kind of ambiance. Vows can be exchanged in a Gilded Age Newport mansion or framed by the distinct Rocky Mountains; situated among radiant perennials of a botanical garden or surrounded by 19th century ruins. America's most idyllic wedding venues bring fairytale weddings to life. Here are our 15 favorites in the country.
A wedding in a magical garden? Sign us up. Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, was founded in 1931 and is described on their website as a "unique melding of art, nature, and history." The property spans 9,127 acres and features landscapes of gazania and begonias in the summer and jasmine and honeysuckle in the winter. A wedding at Brookgreen includes portraits in these vibrant gardens. If you're interested in holding your wedding here, just contact their Director of Private Events to get plans in motion.
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Escape to rustic and idyllic charm for a wedding at the Lodge at Whitefish Lake. This Four Diamond destination boasts more than 8,000 square-feet of indoor banquet space. Guests traveling in from out of town will enjoy the comfortable accommodations at the resort on site including everything from luxury cabins to sprawling suites. The Lodge offers a selection of packages, including the Lakeside Wedding Package which features a stunning lakeside ceremony, champagne or a sparkling cider toast, and even a $200 credit for the on-site spa!
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How about a little Southern charisma? That's just what you'll get at New Orleans' Race & Religious. Conde Nast has named Race & Religious as one of the "most romantic wedding venues." The 275-guest space captures both a historic Southern feel and a modern atmosphere. For a warm and spirited celebration, Race & Religious is the optimal destination.
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Wed like royalty at Thornewood Castle in Lakewood, Washington. This 500-year-old Tudor Gothic historic site offers indoor weddings at their Great Hall and outdoor weddings in the garden. The Great Hall features 16th century stained glass windows, a hand-carved oak staircase, and a gorgeous sandstone fireplace. Outside in the "Secret" Sunken English Garden, couples-to-be can exchange vows surrounded by beautiful flowers and ornate sculptures. Thornewood Castle brings fairytale weddings to life.
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New England achieves a special kind of grace and charm that other destinations just can't match. Take a trip to Kennebunkport, Maine, to witness the Nonantum Resort. The resort has been around for more than a century and offers old Victorian-era vibes as well as a nautical New England sensibility. The Knot and Wedding Wire have touted Nonantum as one of the best wedding venues in the country for years and it's easy to see why. Just picture this: Sparkling waterfront photos, enchanting boats drifting by in the background, and memories to last a lifetime.
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Exchange vows among breathtaking ruins at the Barnsley Resort in Georgia. Southern Living named the resort as one of the South's best wedding venues and it's much deserved. The venue takes the hassle out of the whole wedding planning process and ensures the day runs smoothly. The Manor House Ruins, also called the Woodlands, are the crumbling remains of a 19th century Italianate villa. Before couples wed, they take part in the resort's longstanding tradition of "Burying the Bourbon." A month before the wedding, couples-to-be will bury a bottle of bourbon inside a wooden box, upside down, near the Bourbon Tree. This way, the rain will stay away on the day of the celebration.
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Pink vibes and an East Coast beach paradise. If it's opulence you seek, St. Pete Beach's Don CeSar executes magnificently. Back in the Gatsby Era the Don CeSar served as a veritable playground for esteemed writers, sparkling starlets, and other high-society folk. Today, it's a heavenly wedding venue. Host a ceremony in the Courtyard, on the beach, in the King Charles Ballroom, Grand Ballroom, North or South Terrace Ballrooms, Del Prado Ballroom, Buena Vista Ballroom, or the Beach Pavilion. Whether you're seeking grandiose and lavish décor or the kind of celebration where you can kick off your shoes and put your toes in the sand, Don CeSar has it.
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Opulent, old-money New England. That's what you'll get in Newport, which might as well be the Wedding Capital of America. This nautical and elegant town is home to the Newport Mansions, including the Rosecliff. Constructed between 1898 and 1902, the Rosecliff comes from the glorious Gilded Age of Newport. Once owned by Nevada silver heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs, Rosecliff is now open for the public to enjoy. A Rosecliff wedding is defined by impeccably-maintained gardens, oceanfront views, and architecture that will leave guests speechless.
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Located just outside of Boston, the Tower Hill Botanic Garden makes for a perfect wedding venue for those looking for a quaint and tranquil event. Ceremonies are traditionally held in their Secret Garden or Limonia Conservatory. The Secret Garden greets guests with a fountain cast from a 17th century English mold and a collection of flowers that smell divine. For cocktail hour, retreat to the Winter Garden or Great Hall. For the reception, guests are moved into the dazzling 18th century-style glass conservatory: The Orangerie.
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Wine, wine, and more wine! Head to Napa to check out the Carneros Resort. The resort is situated in the heart of California's wine country and features everything from relaxing pools and a rejuvenating spa to on-site boutiques and an upscale market. The Carneros Resort offers couples-to-be the chance to get married among beautiful rolling hills and vineyards. The reception capacity is up to 175 guests and the dining menus are always fresh, changing with the seasons. Not to mention there will be wine. Really, really good wine.
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Aspen, Colorado, is a delightful ski resort town located in the Rocky Mountains and the Little Nell is the perfect place to capture that atmosphere. A wedding at the Little Nell means walking down the aisle with the dream-like, picture-perfect backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. During the winter, the Little Nell offers the experience of an authentic white wedding, when the Rocky Mountain peaks are capped with snow.
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Purchased in 1856 by the Gruene family, the Gruene Estate was once a thriving place that provided the town of New Braunfels with cattle, milk, butter, vegetables and communal spaces such as a dance hall and mercantile store. The current owners have continued to uphold the historic estate's heritage and have also opened the space as a wonderful venue for a wedding. According to its site, the space "not only focuses on nature, but also unique antiques." The atmosphere is rustic but its complimented by features such as French chandeliers, candles, and handmade tables and chairs. This is the perfect place to have a Texas wedding.
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Wed on the floors that the 16th president of the United States once walked. A historic site and museum located in the Petworth neighborhood of D.C., President Lincoln's Cottage is the only place where the public can see what Lincoln's private life was like. The cottage boasts a variety of spaces that are perfect for charming and historic celebrations of all kinds. Rent out the Verandah for an outdoor wedding with a sprawling lawn and enchanting gardens. You can even opt for the "Exclusive Rental" which grants access to the lawn outside as well as both floors of Lincoln's cottage, accommodating 300 guests. Explore the historic home with its period-furnished rooms and cut cake under the stars.
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Sure, there are plenty of shiny and upscale places in the city to host a big celebration of marriage but we're heading upstate to Lake George. This refined and graceful Queen-Anne stone castle was originally constructed in 1898. For a ceremony, couples have the option between the Courtyard, the Northpointe or the gorgeous stone fireplace on the Patio. Bring the party inside to their event space to enjoy meals, drinks, and dancing.
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Wedding in the desert, anybody? Situated at the foot of the Superstition Mountains in the Sonoran Desert, the Paseo will bring couples a romantic, rustic, and ruggedly backdropped celebration. With their "Saguro Package" the Paseo offers a venue rental, catering, floral, bar service, entertainment, and cake. They'll handle it all. You just enjoy the day.
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