Many wedding planners will advise couples to book their venue first because it can set the tone for the entire ceremony. For the aesthetically conscious couple, these venues should be top of mind. Photo: Rodrigo Varela/Getty Images
Wedding bells ring a little sweeter in a well-designed venue. Though celebrating a couple’s love is the most important aspect of any impending nuptials, the right location can be the cherry on top of the white-frosted, three-tiered wedding cake. Historically, in the western world, receptions took place in the bride’s house, where her family’s financial standing would often dictate the way the marriage was celebrated. In middle class families, tea and a luncheon were common, whereas wealthier families might host a formal ball. These days, however, a wedding venue can say more about the actual couple instead of the family they come from. The pair who exchange vows in an Art Deco ballroom dripping in ornamentation and intricate details couldn’t be more different from those who get married in a shabby chic barn with shimmering twinkle lights.
No matter the style—modern or traditional, indoor or outdoor, minimalist or maximalist—the space should be beautiful, and these 20 venues are among the most eye-catching in the country.
The Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida
The Mediterranean Ballroom (pictured) at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, was modeled after Italian loggias and features fresco-painted ceilings, 15-foot arched windows that look out over a courtyard, and Venetian-inspired chandeliers. The hotel has several other venue spaces and ballrooms all with equally intricate design that can be booked for weddings.
The Plaza Hotel in New York City
The iconic 5-star hotel overlooking Central Park is known for its opulence and luxury—and for being the home of more than a few well-known residents. The Grand Ballroom (pictured above) and the Terrace Room at the French Renaissance–style hotel are both available to book for weddings.
Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Sitting along Casco Bay, in the Gulf of Maine, the Portland Headlight is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The tower was constructed at the directive of George Washington, who requested the structure be built from materials in nearby fields and shores, as the government had little money while being formed. Though you can’t get married inside the lighthouse or nearby keeper’s house, there are many places to exchange vows in Fort Williams Park, where the lighthouse can serve as a spectacular backdrop.
Chicago Cultural Center in Chicago, Illinois
Home of the world’s largest Tiffany dome, the Chicago Cultural Center offers multiple locations for nuptial ceremonies. The stunning neoclassical building opened in 1987, and rental fees for the space help support free public programming.
George Peabody Library of Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, Maryland
Already ranked by AD as one of the most spectacular libraries in the world, the space isn’t only for bibliophiles. Exchange rings in the central reading room beneath a massive skylight while surrounded by five book-filled floors with cast iron balcony railings.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City
The organic curves of the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, are unlike any other museum in the city—or the world, for that matter. The spiral from the continuous gallery ramp leading to the skylight make for a stunning setting for those getting married in the central rotunda.
The Guardian Building in Detroit, Michigan
The 36-story skyscraper in Detroit’s financial district is a landmark example of Art Deco architecture, full of intricate and lavish ornamentation both inside and on the building’s exterior. Although most of the building is made up of offices, the promenade (pictured above) is a breathtaking venue for weddings.
West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden Springs, Indiana
From 1902 until 1913, the West Baden Springs Hotel was home to the largest domed ceiling in the world. When it first opened, the property was advertised as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and is still one of the most beautiful historic hotels in the state. Part of the French Lick Resort, couples can reserve space in the hotel for both the wedding ceremony and reception.
Oheka Castle in Huntington, New York
You may recognized Oheka Castle as the backdrop of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” music video. Though originally a private residence, it’s now a hotel. The mansion has hosted the weddings of quite a number of celebrities and socialites including Kevin Jonas, Joey Fatone, and Curtis Martin.
Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava, the Milwaukee Art Museum is a spectacular building right in the Midwest. Couples can say “I do” in Quadracci Pavilion, overlooking stunning views of Lake Michigan. White walls and marble floors make it easy to adapt the space into whatever the soon-to-be newlyweds may need.
The Rainbow Room in New York City
On the 65th floor of the iconic 30 Rock building, the Rainbow Room provides unparalleled views of the city skyline. The rotating dance floor is another compelling feature for celebrations after the ceremony.
Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, California
A prime example of National Park Service rustic architecture, the Ahwahnee Hotel, in Yosemite, is the perfect location for an organic or earthy-styled wedding. The interiors of the hotel are combination of multiple design aesthetics, though most notably drawing influence from indigenous art and arts and craft style homes.
Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Thorncrown Chapel was designed by E. Fay Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, in the Prairie School style. Standing at 48 feet tall, the chapel sits in the middle of the woods and makes use of 425 windows (approximately 6,000 square feet of glass). Though the structure appears to be open-air, it is fully-enclosed with AC and can hold up to 100 people.
Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona
Though sometimes incorrectly attributed as a Frank Lloyd Wright building, the Arizona Biltmore was actually designed by Albert Chase McArthur. Some of the confusion stems from the fact that Wright did spend about three months on the property consulting about the “Biltmore blocking” system the hotel is known for. Nonetheless, the structure remains an architectural masterpiece and a luxury wedding venue.
The High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia
In 2005, Renzo Piano designed three buildings for the High Museum of Art, in Atlanta, Georgia, adding 312,000 square feet to the museum’s existing structure, which was designed by Richard Meier. In the hands of two Pritzker Prize winners, the campus is modern, clean, and houses multiple beautiful ceremony locations.
Biltmore Estate, in Asheville, North Carolina
Spanning 178,926 square feet, the Biltmore Estate, in North Carolina, is the largest privately owned residence in the country. The châteauesque mansion, designed by Richard Morris Hunt, exudes classic elegance and is available to book for weddings.
Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado
Designed by Frank Edbrook, in 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel, in Denver, was one of the first atrium-style hotels ever built. Among its many claims to fame—it was also one of the first fireproof buildings in the United States—some say the Brown Palace Hotel is haunted, although that doesn’t stop people from using the venue for their big day.
New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, in New York City
The flagship location for the city’s public library system, this Beaux Arts building is a one-of-a-kind place to tie the knot. Astor Hall, picture above, features stone-clad interiors with a barrel vault ceiling and marble staircases.
Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California
Booking a wedding at the Walt Disney Concert Hall doesn’t come cheap—prices start at just over $22,000 for 50 guests—though the opportunity to spend a private evening in Frank Gehry’s deconstructivist L.A. gem may be worth it. If nothing else, the acoustics for the nuptials are bound to be immaculate.
Wayfarers Chapel, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California
Also known as “the glass church,” Wayfarers Chapel, in Rancho Palos Verdes, was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Lloyd Wright. The chapel makes use of geometric glass panels and overlooks the Pacific Ocean.
