Destination weddings are popular among modern bridal couples preferring an intimate gathering of close family and friends for their ceremony plus a mini-vacation. On average, hosting a destination wedding in your home country is easier than trying to plan one in foreign country. You immediately eliminate any international marriage law hassles and other similar issues.
The U.S. offers several spectacular locations for your special destination wedding.
California beach wedding. The Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay is a stunning location for an elegant California beach wedding. Located in northern California, about 45 minutes southwest of San Francisco, the hotel hosts intimate weddings for 10 to 30 guests.
Chicago. The Windy City offers numerous choices of venue for your destination wedding, from an elegant affair at the Waldorf Astoria hotel to a whimsical wedding at Café Brauer in Lincoln Park Zoo. Bridal couples also can plan a unique wedding at the Art Institute of Chicago—the historic museum even has its own on-site caterer.
Cruise ship wedding. Wedding cruises are ideal for small groups or larger parties. You can choose to be married on board the ship or at a port destination such as one of the U.S. Virgin Islands. If you choose to get married when the ship docks at one of the tropical settings, your wedding cruise planner will help arrange for the officiant and for the legally binding marriage documents.
Hawaii. The island of Kauai, Hawaii, is a picturesque site for a destination wedding. Wedding vows can be exchanged on a beach or at the stunning Na ‘Āina Kai Botanical Gardens. Kauai features several resort locations, and you can work with a wedding planner from the resort to arrange your perfect destination wedding.
Napa Valley. California’s Napa Valley has some of the state’s most beautiful wine country. Napa Valley destination wedding venues include vineyards, resorts, classic bed and breakfasts, and resorts of all varieties. A vineyard event amid the lush fruits and greenery can help create memorable wedding moments.
New Orleans. The French Quarter, jazz and Cajun cuisine are all integral parts of New Orleans and reasons this Southern city has become a hot spot for destination weddings. Venues such as the Windsor Court Hotel and the Pavilion of the Two Sisters can serve large destination wedding parties with ease.
New York, N.Y. From weddings in Central Park to a ceremony held atop the Empire State Building, a New York wedding can be as bright and glamorous as a Broadway marquee. Other wedding locations include the Brooklyn Bridge, the Waldorf Astoria hotel and the world-famous Conservatory Gardens.
Savannah. One of the most historical cities of the South, Savannah, Ga., also is one of the most beautiful in spring. Historic venues include Conch House, the Ford Plantation and the Brockinton Hall Inn. You can say your “I do” in the heart of Savannah at a venue such as the Mansion on Forsyth Park.
St. Louis. In the heart of the Midwest, St. Louis offers an ideal wedding destination for brides and grooms with family residing on opposite coasts. Meet in the middle in St. Louis, Mo., for a destination wedding. The St. Louis Zoo provides a unique backdrop for a wedding and can be ideal for small or large gatherings.
Walt Disney World. A Disney destination wedding in Orlando, Fla., can be fun for all family members. With more than a dozen resorts and four theme parks, a Disney fairy tale wedding may be the perfect choice for a magical wedding/vacation. Fairy tale fans even can arrange to arrive at their ceremony in Cinderella’s Coach, pulled by six Welsh ponies, a driver and two footmen.
