- Q: What should couples consider when planning a wedding in the U.S.?
- A: You’ve found your perfect partner and you can’t wait to tie the knot, but finding the best place to get married could be a daunting task. Luckily, couples planning a U.S. wedding have a really wide range of wonderful destinations to choose from.
- Q: What types of cities are ideal for weddings in the U.S.?
- A: The following country-wide cities are all popular and well-established wedding venues and are particularly geared-up to offer a full wedding service for both local and out-of-town couples.
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for Affiliate Disclosure.
1. Palm Springs, California
Relax by the pool and explore mid-century modern architecture.
Palm Springs boasts over 300 sunny days per year, which puts it firmly at the top of the list for couples wanting to plan an indoor/outdoor wedding in Southern California. (It is also a great place for your bachelor/bachelorette party and honeymoon.)
The Empire Polo Club offers one of the most beautiful outdoor settings you can imagine for a day of pure elegance and sophistication, while several other Palm Springs resorts also offer a great combination of indoor and outdoor spaces where you can host both your ceremony and your reception. The stunning desert backdrop offers unparalleled photo opportunities. Out of town guests have a wide choice of accommodation options and the chance to enjoy great recreation before and after the wedding.
Palm Springs wedding venues:
- Colony Palms Hotel & Bungalows
- The Pavilion at Indian Wells Golf Resort
- Drift Palm Springs
2. Houston, Texas
Visit world-class museums and savor diverse culinary delights.
Houston has it all for prospective brides and grooms, including stand-out venues for your ceremony and reception, a large variety of bridal shops, and an endless list of vendors to supply every last detail to turn your wedding dreams into a reality.
The city has venues to suit all tastes and themes, from sophisticated elegance of a ballroom to outdoor charm at Buffalo Bayou Park. Using a wedding planner to coordinate your big day and book all the vendors can make planning easy and can save you money – Houston has many event planners to choose from.
3. Chapel Hill
Stroll through UNC’s historic campus and explore charming Franklin Street.
Couples who are planning to tie the knot in North Carolina need look no further than romantic Chapel Hill, which has many delightful wedding venues to choose from.
If you are dreaming of a country-style celebration, the Barn at Valhalla is ideal, while the Cloth Mill in historic Hillsborough provides a wonderful industrial-chic venue that can form a backdrop to just about any theme. Couples can work with an experienced wedding specialist who will steer them in the right direction and ensure that all the details are perfect so that they can relax and enjoy this momentous day.
4. Burlington, Vermont
Walk along Lake Champlain and explore vibrant local shops downtown.
Nestled between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, Burlington is one of Vermont’s most scenic cities and a very popular destination for wedding celebrations.
There are several central wedding venues to accommodate both your ceremony and reception, and if you travel just a short distance out of town, you will find barns, farms, and vineyards that are ideal for indoor/outdoor celebrations against the backdrop of the stunning Green Mountains.
If your chosen venue does not offer the services of a wedding planner, you can use one of several local event planners to take all the worry out of arranging your big day.
5. Hood River, Oregon
Enjoy windsurfing on the Columbia River and explore scenic vineyards.
Nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the city of Hood River is blessed with some of the most beautiful scenery in the state and provides couples with a choice of wonderfully scenic wedding venues.
If you are looking for a rustic setting for your big day, the Tin Roof Barn, Red Barn Park, or Whispering Waters Farm could be just what you are looking for, and there are also several great wedding venues located within vineyards and apple orchards. The wedding infrastructure is excellent in Hood River and you will find local vendors for everything you need, from decor and music to catering, bar services, make-up artists, and flowers.
There is plenty of good accommodation for out-of-town visitors and many recreational activities for your guests both pre and post-wedding.
6. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Ride the Incline Railway and explore breathtaking Lookout Mountain views.
The lovely city of Chattanooga is superbly located in one of the most scenic parts of the US, tucked between the mountains of Southeast Tennessee and the Tennessee River.
This scenic location makes Chattanooga the ideal destination for a wedding to remember and the city is fully geared up to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.
There is a large selection of elegant venues to choose from for an indoor/outdoor celebration, and local events planners will make sure that everything is meticulously planned and executed, using local photographers, floral artists, decor rentals and caterers to orchestrate your dream wedding day. Your out-of-town guests can enjoy visiting some of the city’s wonderful attractions before and after the wedding.
7. Chincoteague, Virginia
Discover wild ponies and explore serene beaches on this island getaway.
If your dream wedding includes tying the knot on a beautiful East Coast beach, you need look no further than lovely Chincoteague Island, located off Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
You can exchange vows right on the beach with the ocean as your backdrop – the ultimate romantic setting. The island offers several stunning venues, including the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and the charming 1848 Island Manor House.
The popularity of the island as a wedding destination has ensured that everything you need is available nearby, including caterers, photographers, DJs, and floral artists and your guests will have a wide choice of charming accommodations to choose from.
8. Wichita, Kansas
Visit Old Cowtown Museum and explore Wichita’s Western heritage.
Couples who are planning to tie the knot in Kansas will find that the lovely city of Wichita is an excellent wedding destination.
The city has many beautiful wedding and events venues to choose from and a wide selection of vendors to supply everything you need.
Many of the wedding venues offer the services of a dedicated wedding planner to take care of all the details so that you can have fun with your nearest and dearest.
For sophistication and elegance, you could opt for the Petroleum Club, while couples looking for a stunning natural backdrop will love the Botanica Gardens. Your guests will have a wide choice of accommodation and many Wichita attractions to enjoy pre- and post-wedding.
9. Greenville, South Carolina
Walk along Falls Park and explore the charming downtown area.
Nestled in the picturesque foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains about halfway between Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte, North Carolina, the lovely town of Greenville is an ideal wedding destination in South Carolina.
You can choose from several interesting wedding venues to form the backdrop to your theme and there is a plethora of wedding and events planners on hand to take care of all the details. If you fancy tying the knot in a rustic-historic setting, the Old Cigar Warehouse or the Huguenot Mill and Loft could be exactly what you are looking for, while the stately old Gassaway Mansion or Twigs Tempietto are both full of character and charm.
10. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Explore the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and stroll along the Mississippi River.
Scenically nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi, Minneapolis is a vibrant and modern city where couples can host a memorable wedding.
The city is dotted with one-of-a-kind wedding venues with a definite WOW factor and the city is so serious about your wedding that they even offer you the free services of a resident wedding planner. Some of the delightful historic venues include the Minneapolis Club or the Minnesota History Center, while more modern and edgy alternatives include Muse Events Center and the riverside Leopold’s Mississippi Gardens.
The city has a long list of wedding vendors who can supply everything to make your dream wedding a reality.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents: