When you think of a destination wedding, you’re probably thinking of a beautiful exotic island, right? But what if you could plan the perfect destination wedding right here in the United States? After all, there are plenty of gorgeous wedding options here that don’t require a passport. So in this article, I’ll outline what I think are 6 perfect places in the United States for your destination wedding. It’s not an exhaustive list, of course. But, it will give you some ideas.
Here are a few stats for you. Twenty-five percent of all weddings are destination weddings, with 340,000 destination weddings taking place each year. And 60% of destination weddings occur in a domestic location compared to an international (40%) location.
But I digress. Let’s start by checking out one of my favorite places–San Francisco!
1. California – San Francisco
Palace of Fine Arts
I lived in San Francisco and the Bay Area for many years so it holds a special place in my heart. If you’ve ever attended a function at the Palace of Fine Arts, you know how spectacular it is!
There are a few things I need to mention here. First off, this is outside in the rotunda so there are no restrooms and weather is an issue. You will be responsible for making all arrangements including chairs, staff, cleaning, food, etc. In fact, other outdoor venues listed here will have the same requirements.
Photo courtesy of Wikepedia
If you’re a spontaneous person, you could just throw caution to the wind and show up. Bring your wedding party on the day of your choice and have an impromptu ceremony. There’s a good chance you’ll have the rotunda to yourself but you may have to wait a few minutes if there are tourists around.
But if you like all things scheduled, make a reservation by filling out the request form. The Palace of Fine Arts Theater holds a maximum of 250 people. A deposit is charged at $514.
The Inn at the Presidio in San Francisco
The Inn at the Presidio is a romantic and elegant wedding venue located on the historic grounds of Fort Ross. This beautiful location offers an intimate setting for your ceremony and reception. The Inn has been featured in numerous magazines including Weddings Illustrated, Brides Magazine, and Romantic Homes.
There are a number of venues to choose from at The Presidio. No matter the size of your guest list, chances are The Presidio has the perfect venue to accommodate you.
For more information about the Inn at the Presidio or to book your dream wedding, visit their website.
2. Miami, Florida
Miami Beach Convention Center
If you want to get married in a beachside location, then consider the Miami Beach Convention Center. It can hold up to 1,500 guests. They offer a variety of packages starting at $2,900.
They also offer a package called the “Beachfront Package.” For $4,100, they provide everything you need to host your event right on the beach.
They offer full bar service, catering, DJ, dance floor, tables and chairs, linens, chandeliers, and much more.
If you’re looking for a little extra help, they offer a full-service concierge team who will handle everything from transportation to entertainment.
3. Vanderbilt Hall Hotel, Newport, Rhode Island
If you want to get married on the beach, then you can do that too! Newport has some of the most stunning views and beaches in New England.
The Vanderbilt Hall Hotel is a historic hotel built in 1892 and is located in Newport, Rhode Island. It is only about 30 minutes from Providence. They offer packages starting at $1,500 per person.
This is a gorgeous location with amazing views of the ocean. The ceremony site overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and has an incredible view of the sunset. The reception area is on the top floor of the building overlooking the water. There are also two other floors for additional seating. This venue can accommodate up to 500 guests. This all-inclusive resort is a beautiful venue that would be perfect for your destination wedding. Contact their dedicated wedding planner for more information.
4. Central Park, New York
There are many places in Central Park that are excellent spots for a wedding. The Conservatory Garden is located at Fifth Avenue and 105th Street and it’s a popular place for a wedding.
To hold your wedding at the Conservatory Garden, you need to apply for a permit and bring it with you on your wedding day. Wedding parties are limited to 100 people. Wedding receptions and alcohol are not permitted at the Conservatory Garden. There are also other restrictions.
Visitors will also have access to the garden but can be requested to stay away during your wedding.
There are also other places in Central Park to hold your wedding. For instance, the Ladies Pavilion which is located at 77th and Central Park West and is a lovely place for a small wedding. It’s a cast-iron gazebo located on the west side of the lake. Its secluded and private location provides a lovely intimate setting with the lake and New York skyline as a gorgeous backdrop.
5. Michigan
The Mackinac Islands are a group of islands in the Straits of Mackinac, an arm of Lake Huron. The largest island is Mackinac Island, which has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was the site of Fort Michilimackinac (1701–1814) during French colonial rule.
The Mackinac Islands are also home to The Mission Point Resort. The Mission Point Resort has won a number of awards solidifying its place as a beautiful wedding venue. It has won the 2022 Traveler’s Choice Award from Tripadvisor, Best of Weddings 2022, The Knot, and the Couples Choice Awards 2022 from Weddingwire to name a few. Contact their dedicated wedding planner for more information.
6. Hawaii– Maui
For a beautiful tropical wedding, there’s no better place than Hawaii! Maui is the second largest Hawaiian Island and the 17th largest island in the United States. The island is the second most visited island (behind Oahu), by travelers from the U.S.
Haiku Mill
According to their Facebook page, the Haiku Mill is “steeped in over 150 years of history, with roots in the island’s sugar cane industry, making it an important landmark site.”
The Haiku Mill has been featured in Martha Stewart Wedding, The Knot, Hawaii Magazine, Pacific Weddings, and many more publications.
This stunning property is quietly nestled on the North Shore of Maui and is a tropical paradise when it comes to weddings. Contact their dedicated events planner for more information.
Travaasa Hana
The Travaasa Hana is part of the Hyatt Group and is located at 5031 Hana Highway in Hana.
Travaasa Hana is a 69-acre resort property, situated on the shores of Kaihalulu Bay and it is surrounded by lush grass fields and palm tree groves.
It is also a natural history museum with a collection of close to 40 million artifacts and specimens.
Celebrate your wedding under a beautiful lanai or overlooking the bluffs.
If I had it to do all over again, I’d probably go with Maui. Even though I love San Francisco, Maui has beautiful beaches and the weather I love! The good news is that you are really spoiled for choice.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little sample of ideas for destination wedding locations. Okay. Now it’s your turn! Which of these places would you choose for your destination wedding? Share below!
