15 Unique Venues For Destination Weddings

Are your looking for somewhere special to say, “I do?” Whether you're on the hunt for the ultimate domestic venue with something a little different or are searching for a far-flung location that wows, these unforgettable spots provide the perfect backdrop for a one-of-a-kind celebration.

1. On a Ship

For a ceremony overlooking the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean, you can celebrate your big day aboard the Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner perpetually docked in sunny Long Beach, California. Here, art deco decor, swanky onyx fireplaces and dramatic wood paneling set the scene as you party with up to 800 of your closest family and friends.

And, when it comes time to spend the night, you can check out the ship’s haunted digs.

2. In a Castle

As the only official royal residence in the United States, Honolulu’s Iolani Palace acts as a majestic setting for love birds looking to tie the knot. Able to accommodate up to 8,000 guests, couples can follow in the footsteps of Hawaii’s kings and queens with four onsite venues that act as the perfect place for a noble ceremony or grand reception.

3. At the Museum

A place where a feeling of magic fills the air when the lights go down and the party begins, New York City’s American Museum of Natural History is one of the nation’s most unique wedding venues. Here, you and your guests can dine beneath a 94-foot blue whale, mingle amongst ancient dinosaurs and sip cocktails in the presence of the mysteries of the universe. 

4. In a Treehouse

Hidden within a forest of towering bamboo shoots and lush greenery, the Atlanta Alpaca Treehouse transports visitors to a tropical state of mind without ever leaving the big city. And, with its twinkling fairy lights and carefully chosen decor, this fairytale-like venue is a unique setting for one of life’s biggest celebrations.  

5. On a Glacier

A great love deserves a great celebration. And, in Alaska, you can pledge your devotion to each other in a grand fashion: atop one of the region’s magnificent glaciers, many of which were formed millions of years ago.

6. In Hollywood

For a romantic day as iconic as Hollywood’s brightest stars, you can host your wedding festivities at one of the City of Angels’ most famed sights: the Studios at Paramount Pictures. As the oldest working studio in Hollywood, newlyweds and their guests will have an unforgettable time as they dance, toast and mingle in the studio’s familiar settings.

7. At an Ice Hotel

Each year, as the temperatures begin to drop and the river starts to freeze, a group of passionate artists gather in Jukkasjäarvi, Sweden to craft the latest rendition of Icehotel, a one-of-a-kind hotel made entirely of ice. Couples with their sights set on a winter wedding can take advantage of the chilly complex’s Ceremony Hall which features a new, custom design each year and can accommodate up to 40 guests.

8. Beneath the Earth

The very same caverns where beer baron Fredrick J. Miller stored the earliest of his iconic brews, Milwaukee’s Historic Miller Caves make for a cozy venue with their warm drop lighting and traditional German beer hall-like ambiance. A fitting choice for pint-loving couples, the caves can seat up to 40 guests.

9. Beside an Active Volcano

For a venue that burns as brightly as your love, destination wedding clients can head to the Land of Fire and Ice where you can tie the knot beside Fagradalsfjall, a multi-million-year-old active volcano. The Icelandic natural wonder last erupted in August 2022 when it caught the eyes of couples around the world as incredible wedding photos flooded the internet.  

10. In a Hot Air Balloon

Floating high among the clouds, your hearts will flutter as you soar above the Sonoran Desert from the comfort of a private hot air balloon. An intimate ceremony for two, Phoenix’s Hot Air Expeditions has everything you need to take your relationship to new heights (literally) with custom hot air balloon wedding packages. 

11. At a Train Station

You and your partner can book your ticket to everlasting love when you choose Raleigh Union Station as the venue for your big day. Boasting floor-to-ceiling glass windows, cozy, yet minimalistic design choices and panoramic views of the Raleigh skyline, this unique location is the perfect place to say, “I do.” And, if you’re felling extra spontaneous, newlyweds might consider catching a train to your honeymoon. 

12. At a Theme Park 

Weddings can be an emotional rollercoaster. Thrill-seeking couples can embrace the ups and downs that come with your big day when they host your nuptials at Pacific Park, a fully equipped theme park on the historic Santa Monica Pier. And if the unique location isn’t convincing enough, you will have no shortage of epic photo ops thanks to an onsite Ferris wheel, coasters, classic carnival games and the Santa Monica Beach which overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

13. In a Hilltop Chapel

Far, far away in tranquil French Polynesia, wedding bells are ringing at Conrad Bora Bora Nui’s Saint Amour Chapel. A cozy little spot that overlooks the bluer-than-blue ocean and swaying palm trees, island-loving partners will find this historic chapel to be the perfect place to get hitched. 

14. Above Sparkling Blue Waters

The typical resort wedding is taken to the next level at Karisma Hotels & Resorts’ El Dorado Royale where you will appear as if you’re walking on water as they host your ceremony at Aqua Terrace, a series of picture-perfect acrylic platforms perched above the sea.

15. In a Cave

In sunny Mexico, couples can take your love to new depths when you tie the knot at Xcaret Park’s Chapel of Our Lady Guadalupe. Built atop an ancient cenote, this one-of-a-kind chapel features a subterranean waterfront altar that sits beneath a 39-foot-tall hand carved sculpture of the Virgin Mary.