- Miami
Miami, Florida is an amazing destination wedding location because of a number of possibilities. You can get married with crystal blue waters as your backdrop in the Florida Keys or in one of the most popular cities in the world, Miami. There’s also Disney World where you can have a wedding fit for a Princess.
Miami is an ideal destination for those who live for nightlife. Spend your nights in trendy South Beach nightclubs, or if you’re feeling ambitious, take salsa lessons and show off your moves in a Cuban club. For a jolt of energy after a long night of partying, try Cuban coffee, a daily morning ritual in Miami that’s more than double the strength of the typical American cup of Joe.
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Miami, the city where every event is a party, scored in the top 5 overall as having the most bridal shops per capita and scored #1 for the most flower shops per capita.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami
The garden ceremonies in Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami are nothing short of magical, as its lush subtropical forest surroundings in Coconut Grove provide the perfect backdrop for your special day. Its 18th-century Italian-style architecture sits beautifully next to the shores of Biscayne Bay, while its elaborate hallway and geometrically shaped garden will make you feel like royalty as you celebrate your love.
2. Aspen, Colorado
Why: This Rocky Mountain town possesses the perfect mix of natural beauty, rustic charm and posh amenities. Aspen’s gorgeous mountains and valleys will thrill any outdoors enthusiast, while its ample selection of high-end shops and swank restaurants can keep indoors types more than entertained.
When to go: While many couples book their event sometime in November through early March to create the winter wonderland wedding of their dreams, keep in mind that summer and fall are also gorgeous times of year here also.
Guest activities: The main focus of the winter and early spring months in Aspen is skiing and snowboarding, though the daring can try more extreme activities like paragliding and even dog sledding (and everyone can enjoy toasty après-ski drinks at the famous Ajax Tavern). But the less-crowded summer season actually offers a broader range of options—cycling, horseback riding, hiking, fly-fishing, whitewater rafting and just about any other al fresco activity you can think of. At any time of year, your guests will love Aspen’s nightlife options, especially the J-Bar, a Western-style saloon at the Hotel Jerome.
Best Spots for Weddings:
3. New Orleans, LA
Like Tampa, this romantic Delta city (hey, that’s coastal in our books) scored big in activities and attractions.
With its southern vibe, blues music, amazing food, and southern gothic architecture, New Orleans makes for a one of a kind wedding and experience for you and your guests. With a ton to do and hotels for every budget, you and your guests can party the night away in true New Orleans style. Avoid the crowds during Mardi Gras and the summer unless you plan on having your wedding indoors due to the humidity.
Why It’s Special: Life in New Orleans centers on cuisine, music and community. Add in gorgeous architecture and an exuberant party atmosphere, and you have all the ingredients for a “tres joyeaux” celebration. Some nightclubs are open 24/7, so don’t be surprised if your afterparty runs into breakfast.
Only-in-New Orleans Touch: Get the party started with a second-line parade, letting a live brass band lead the procession of you and your guests from the ceremony to the reception site. Create custom handkerchiefs and parasols to let them wave in style, and, if some locals join in, just go with it. Guests not up to the walk can make the trip in horse-drawn carriage
Inside Tip: The popularity of Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and New Year’s Eve translates into higher rates, limousine-clogged roads and overbooked musicians and caterers, so plan accordingly. Hotels on lively Bourbon Street come with charm but also street noise. If quiet matters, look to the French Quarter’s side streets, or try another part of town, like the Garden District.
4. Las Vegas, NV
Vegas isn’t just for the drunken impromptu weddings, they actually have a great wedding scene. Get married on the rooftop or sky rise balcony looking over the city at night for a modern, lit up affair. Get married in Paris, Venice, Rome, or NYC all in Vegas! Want to get married with a bang? How about a midnight New Years Eve wedding in Vegas while every hotel on the strip shoot up fireworks! This is another location where a wedding of any budget can go simply because of the numerous options for hotels and resorts
Vegas weddings are all about variety. From elegant waterfront weddings to kitschy themed weddings, couples who want to get hitched are sure to find something that fits their preferences and price points. But be sure to save money for Vegas’ wide selection of fine dining, high-end shopping and, of course, casinos.
Why It’s Special: Today’s Las Vegas takes campy fun and sexy glamour to new levels, and celebrity chefs attract foodies from all over the world. Bonus: The desert climate almost guarantees a sunny wedding day.
Only-In-Vegas Touch: Poolside cabanas come equipped with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning and butlers. Rent one for a day in the sun with your wedding party, and you’ll feel like celebs, especially if you greet your ‘maids with personalized flip-flops and tees. And go ahead: Spring for that strip-view room; you won’t want to miss a minute of the neon.
Inside Tip: It’s easy for even large groups to get lost in the crowd at some of the strip’s oversized resorts, so request some blocks in the same section of the hotel, and consider booking a party suite where everyone can meet up and hang out together.
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Why: Drive-through chapels, Elvis impersonators as officiants, your first wedded moments spent at a blackjack table—Las Vegas offers all of that, but there’s a whole other side to Sin City. You’ll also find elegant ballrooms, a destination your guests will love and sophisticated, traditional receptions too.
When to go: You and your guests can have a ball just about any time, but try to avoid the hottest summer months (June, July and August); spring and fall, however, are gorgeous. Prices spike and availability plummets on holiday weekends, big-deal sports weekends (like the Super Bowl and NCAA Final Four) and times when there are giant conventions or events scheduled.
Guest activities: Hit the Strip. New York-New York, Paris Las Vegas, the Bellagio and Caesars Palace are all centrally located resorts. Casino buffets are a staple, so dig in before you head out for a show (Bally’s is the only one with the old-school feather girls) and on your way out, sacrifice some small change to one-armed bandits. Beyond the casinos are Elvis and Liberace museums and the roller coasters at the Stratosphere Tower. Vegas’ version of laid-back is found poolside.
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New York City, NY
Are you a modern bride? Do you want city skyscrapers as your backdrop? NYC is the place to be! There are so many locations to get married in NYC, from the famous Plaza hotel where every bride dreams of, to the Museum of Modern Art and Design, to riding into your wedding on a horse-drawn carriage in Central Park. Get married in the Spring for the flowers in Central Park to be blooming, the Fall for all the trees changing colors, or the winter to have a true white wedding complete with your white fur capelet. Plus there is a ton for your guests to do while there, you could even do your rehearsal dinner on a ferry boat that takes you around the Statue of Liberty.
The opportunities for romance are endless in the Big Apple. From the traditional route (a carriage ride through Central Park or admiring the views from the top of the Empire State Building) to something more offbeat (a play at New York University or rollerblading in Hudson River Park), you’ll never run out of romantic activities.
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Why: New York offers something to get every one of your guests giddy with anticipation: Broadway shows, museums and galleries, four-star restaurants, crazy-fun nightlife, block after block of tiny boutiques and classic tourist attractions such as the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and Times Square. When it comes to wedding-planning resources there’s no shortage. You’ll have innumerable caterers, florists, photographers and bands to choose from. Another of the city’s assets is the accessible transportation (think: taxis and the subway).
When to go: Any month can be a good time for a New York wedding. Most of the city’s main attractions are indoors, so it doesn’t matter much what the weather is like. That said, summers in New York, especially during July and August, can be uncomfortably hot and humid. The city gets extremely crowded during the holiday season, but your guests may love the chance to catch the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall, ice skate in Central Park and browse the decked-out posh department stores.
Guest activities: Shopaholics will want to hit “the three Bs” (Barneys, Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman, high-end department stores all within a few blocks of each other on Fifth and Madison Avenues), as well as the hip boutiques in the SoHo and NoLita neighborhoods. The Museum of Modern Art is a must-see, though those more interested in ancient history will want to visit the Temple of Dendur’s Egyptian Ruins in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. For a bracing dose of the city’s after-dark energy you and your guests should visit the Meatpacking District, where dozens of clubs, lounges, and sidewalk cafes keep the streets crawling with partiers until 4 a.m.
Best Spots for Weddings:
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The St. Regis Hotel
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Mandarin Oriental
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Hawaii
Hawaii is a lush tropical paradise right in our own backyard. The main islands to visit would be Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and Molokai, each having their own draw and personality. Oahu is the most populated island and has that “city feel” while still relaxing on the beach. Kauai is for the outdoor adventurer with tons of hiking and biking in the lush rainforest. Maui is a great combination of both with tropical rainforest, but some great cities with a lot to do. Hawaii AKA the Big Island has plenty of world-class resorts and golf courses. Molokai is the least commercialized island, so if you are looking for unspoiled beaches, this is your island. No matter what island you choose if you are looking for a tropical beach wedding without the hassle of a passport, you can’t go wrong with any island in Hawaii.
With year-round warm weather and one of the best beaches in the world, Honolulu is a perfect spot for lovers of sun, sand and surf. Walk hand-in-hand down Waikiki Beach, admiring the views of Diamond Head, Hawaii’s famous volcano. If you need a breather from the beach, explore one of the city’s botanical gardens or shopping centers.
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Napa Valley
Are you a wine connoisseur? Or do you just like wine? Napa Valley is a great destination wedding location with its rolling hills and vineyards it makes for a spectacular backdrop for your pictures. There are a ton of wineries, bed and breakfasts, ranch settings, and upscale hotels that can host events big or small. It’s a great location to have guests come early or stay late and go on a winery tour with everyone. Plus you’ll get some great wine at your wedding!
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Why: The Napa region is filled with stunning landscapes—rolling hills, lush valleys and acre upon acre of vineyards. Of course, the main thing that draws pleasure seekers to the area is the abundance of delicious wine and the world-class restaurants that make food worthy of accompanying it. In the rare moments when you and your wedding guests aren’t savoring all that food and wine, explore the charming towns in Napa Valley (filled with chic boutiques, galleries and gourmet stores), indulge in spa treatments, play golf or even take a hot-air balloon ride.
When to go: Summer and October are the best times to visit the region. September can be beautiful, but you may have problems with availability, and rates will be at their peak because it’s harvest season. Even though you’re in California, temperatures can drop at night (mid-50s in the summer), so be sure your guests know to bring sweaters and wraps for the evenings.
Guest activities: You can’t visit Napa without touring vineyards, sampling their products and, more than likely, ordering a case or two to be shipped back home. The sheer number of vineyards in the area is totally overwhelming, so give guests an info packet filled with suggestions. One of the most popular wineries to visit is Rubicon Estate (owned by Francis Ford Coppola) which contains memorabilia from the famous director’s movies as well as a store selling gourmet goodies and stylish home accessories.
Best Spots for Weddings:
Meadowood – Vintage House
California
San Diego, California
Why It’s Special: Fab weather all year round matched with any mixture of cool sophistication, and boho-chic style make SoCal weddings a breeze, making San Diego one of the best destination weddings in the U.S.
Only-in-San Diego Touch: The San Diego Zoo is one of the best in the country. Set up a private VIP tour for you and your guests, or, better yet, say your vows onsite under a grove of shady trees with rhinos, giraffes and gazelles roaming in the background.
Inside Tip: San Diego has plenty of beaches, but, due to restrictions, there aren’t many where you can marry easily, says wedding planner Rachel Peniche. For saying “I do” with your toes-in-the-sand, Peniche suggests the private beach at the historic Hotel de Coronado on Coronado Island. Or try a sand-free, oceanfront alternative like the deck or Pacific-facing lawn at the Robert Paine Scripps Seaside Forum, part of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles comes in fourth in Wallethub’s list of best places overall to get married. The activities and facilities are nearly unparalleled, although the pricing is a bit on the steeper side. Although there are many factors that go into deciding where to have your ceremony and/or afterparty (like where you live, where you families live, etc.)
Half Moon Bay, California
Why: Just 23 miles from SFO airport sits Half Moon Bay, a small, coastal town so breathtaking you won’t believe you’re a 45-minute drive from San Francisco—in fact, you’ll feel more like you’re on a movie set overlooking the rugged bluffs of Scotland. While the top-notch views, breadth of amenities and exquisite topography bring a range of sophisticated visitors, you’ll find the local people and businesses, from vodka distilleries to flower nurseries, to be totally down-to-earth—in their refreshingly low-key attitudes, yes, but also, more literally, in their dependence on and appreciation for the area’s abundant natural resources. Half Moon Bay welcomes visitors of all kinds (business executives, honeymooners, young families, surfers, bachelorette parties—you name it) offering beautiful beaches, world-class golf courses, robust outdoor activities, sensational wines and insanely delicious, locally sourced food (read: so much cheese) .
When to go: Sunbathers and surfers flock to the beach during summer, but the weather actually warms up significantly come September and October (unfortunately this means rates will rise, but that’s true for peak months anywhere). May and June are gorgeous too, but don’t forget to layer up, as once the sun goes down, temps can drop into the 40s—but that just means it’s time for a glass of pinot noir by the fire.
Guest Activities: Half Moon Bay is somehow lesser known for its vineyards and wineries than Napa and Sonoma, but it definitely shouldn’t be (although we like that it’s sort of a best-kept secret). Your grown-up guests shouldn’t miss the local wineries, distilleries or brewery. Alcohol aside, there are so many ways to keep busy: Ride horses on the beach, mountain bike along Skyline Drive, visit elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Reserve, stroll charming Main Street, play with baby goats at Harley Farms—and that’s just skimming the surface.
Best Spots for Weddings:
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The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
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Thomas Fogarty Winery and Vineyards
Charleston, South Carolina
Why It’s Special: Formal gardens and antebellum mansions rub elbows with edgy art galleries, jewel-box shops and chef-driven cafés along Charleston’s cobblestone streets. Just out of town, you’ll find sweeping tidal marshes, white-sand beaches and plantations perfect for photo backdrops.
Only-In-Charleston Touch: Local wedding planner Tara Guerard suggests tying the knot under a moss-draped live oak at a historic plantation. Afterward, do like the locals, and serve oysters and shrimp pulled from nearby creeks, tiny biscuits filled with slivers of country ham and miniature crab cakes on silver trays.
Inside Tip: Insects are a fact of life in the South, especially in the summer. To keep mosquitoes and no-see-ums from crashing your fete, burn citronella torches, and distribute insect repellent to your guests.
Tucson, AZ
Don’t let the hot weather scare you; home to the University of Arizona, Tuscon is basically a college town wrapped inside a city, which is why it’s both cheap and a major party town. And if you fall in love with it so much on your wedding day that you decide to stay, remember that Tucson is one of the best places in America to raise a family.
Why: Retreat to the city of turquoise jewelry, saguaro cacti and deep orange sunsets. Located in the southern region of Arizona between Phoenix and the Mexican border, Tucson offers a natural and rugged rendition of the Southwest landscape.
When to go: Tucson’s weather is generally mild year-round, and most days are bright and sunny.
Guest activities: Catch a glimpse of a roadrunner while hiking through Sabino Canyon, tour the historic Mission San Xavier del Bac or peruse the photo and art galleries full of Native American and Mexican textiles and jewelry.
Best Spots for Weddings:
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Hacienda del Sol
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Casa Tierra
Sedona, AZ
With the beautiful red and orange rocks and canyons as your backdrop, a wedding at sunset would be a truly unique and beautiful experience. Sedona Arizona is a vibrate community known for its artsy vibe and local artists. It’s a great location for the free spirit bride and groom that love the beautiful desert colors. With a ton to do from rock climbing classes to taking a jeep tour, this location can be a great destination for your adventurous guests.
Resources & References:
https://www.theknot.com/content/best-us-destination-wedding-spots
https://bestlifeonline.com/best-places-get-married-in-america-2018/
https://www.islands.com/10-us-towns-perfect-for-destination-wedding/
