There’s so much to love about going to a destination wedding — but renewing your passport isn’t one of them. Engaged couples in the US who have big dreams of a fun, memory-filled destination wedding would be remiss not to consider attractive cities in their very own country as potential places to host their big event.
There’s no need to leave the country to have a fabulous destination wedding. (Photo Credit: @lisablanchephoto)
Even couples based outside of the US have had a ball throwing unforgettable bashes in the US of A because there is definitely a shortlist of American cities that people generally love to — or have been dying to — visit.
Once guests open up the save-the-date and see that your wedding is taking place in one of these 6 great-for-weddings cities, they’ll be so excited that they can’t help but send in their “will be attending” response almost immediately.
Manchester, Vermont
One word: Gorgeous. A former iron-mining town in the Green Mountains, Manchester is a stunning all-season destination with serious charm. Streets lined with antique shops, friendly residents, country inns, and a white steeple church make the place almost too perfect for a destination wedding.
Manchester, Vermont is the perfect spot for a quaint, charming destination wedding. (Photo Credit: @taconichotel)
You can rest easy at Kimpton Taconic Hotel. (Photo Credit: @taconichotel)
While there, your guests will love the outdoorsy and historic options available to them during their visit. From hiking to fly fishing, arts centers and museums to historic bookstores and arcades, guests will spend their daytime hours living it up Vermont-style, culminating in the best event of the weekend — your celebration.
The highly versatile and Charming-with-a-capital-C Kimpton Taconic Hotel is the perfect place to host everything, from your “night before” celebration to vows on the lush Green and drinks on the breezy terrace to a lively reception in the grand ballroom.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Atlanta, Georgia
Foodies, shoppers, families, and sightseers love Atlanta for its rich culinary scene, wide range of shopping from boutiques to antiques, family fun at places like the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola, and sightseeing from Midtown to Buckhead. In short, there is no lack of things to do in this vibrant, thriving city in the Peach State.
For fabulous Southern hospitality, look no further than Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo Credit: @kateecarolinephotography)
For the perfect wedding-central hub, post up at Kimpton Sylvan Hotel. (Photo Credit: @kateecarolinephotography)
Your guests will sashay down the welcome mat of genuine Southern hospitality from the start of their time in Atlanta to the last farewell. Some great places to consider hosting your wedding and ancillary events include:
- The lofty and elegant Swan House Gardens at the Atlanta History Center.
- Outdoors at the garden bar or in the ballroom at classy and colorful Kimpton Sylvan Hotel in Buckhead.
- The Estate — an 18th century home complete with a glass-enclosed porch and crystal chandeliers.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton Sylvan Hotel (Buckhead) or Kimpton Shane Hotel (Midtown)
Miami, Florida
“So much fun” is pretty much the only way your guests will be able to describe your destination wedding weekend in vibrant, colorful Miami. From the sparkling, yacht-lined canals of downtown and Brickell to the party-all-night streets of South Beach to the artsy and ultra-cool Wynwood district, you just can’t go wrong with a celebration in Miami, which is, frankly, a celebration unto itself.
In Miami, your wedding day will be as sparkling as the turquoise waters. (Photo Credit: @blissfulhazephotography)
Kimpton EPIC Hotel is a favored wedding spot amongst the skyscrapers of Miami. (Photo Credit: @blissfulhazephotography)
Two great venue options? Striking sky-rise Kimpton EPIC Hotel, surrounded by the shimmering lights of the city, or colorful, beachfront Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel at the most spectacularly central location on Collins Avenue in South Beach.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton EPIC Hotel (Downtown) or Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Kimpton Angler’s Hotel, or Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach (South Beach)
Portland, Oregon
There’s a sense of discovery in Portland that’s unlike any other city. From breweries to rose gardens, galleries to arts festivals, local wine tasting to hiking the nearby Columbia River Gorge, wedding guests will have no shortage of memories to create and stories to tell about your wedding weekend in Portland.
Because — of course — the pups are invited too. (Photo Credit: @anikoproductions)
Lucky for couples considering Portland, there’s also no shortage of unique hosting venues for your big day and the events that surround it. Here are a few places to tie the knot that are very highly rated:
- Right on the Willamette River next to a picturesque marina at Portland at Kimpton Riverplace Hotel.
- A light and bright restored 1929 warehouse just outside the hip Pearl District.
- Lakeside, with a ceremony location directly on the water of Lake Oswego.
- In a moody wine cellar in ultra-cool downtown Portland at Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton Riverplace Hotel or Kimpton Hotel Vintage Portland
Dallas, Texas
This sprawling city has a wedding vibe for everyone. You could opt for stylish and glam, like so many of the people of Dallas who dress (and host parties) to impress. Or you could embrace the Southern setting, ranch style.
No matter the wedding vibe, Texas is always a good idea. (Photo Credit: @lovebird_lane_events)
What’s great about Dallas is that it has the venue options of both a big city (gorgeous hotels, museums, a world-class arboretum) and those of a sprawling Texas Lone Star country getaway (lakeside estates, line dancing in a barn, vineyards, and historic ranches). What’s even better? A mix of both vibes for your various wedding events.
Maybe your welcome event includes line dancing or a mechanical bull, but your ceremony and reception are formal and elegant. Or vice versa. Everyone will have great stories to tell on the flight home about all the fun they had at your Dallas destination wedding. A few places to host guests for a great time:
- Revelers Hall — a totally fun live jazz bar & restaurant in the Bishop Arts District.
- Four Corners Brewing Co — a craft brew house and event venue with lofty ceilings, exposed brick, and a laid back vibe.
- Kimpton Pittman Hotel — an ultra-cool hotel in one of the hippest parts of Dallas (Deep Ellum) which has deep jazz and blues roots.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton Pittman Hotel
Nashville, Tennessee
Music City is one of those places that so many people want a reason to visit, and your wedding is a great reason to finally go. Live music, an impressive culinary scene that’s starting to keep pace with major cities, great shopping, outdoor activities, and a general sense of “everyone’s here to have a good time” make Nashville a good-time-kind-of-place that your guests will love spending a few days making memories in.
Because your wedding day is meant to be spectacular. (Photo Credit: @hannahleighimagery)
Cheers to a one-of-a-kind celebration of love. (Photo Credit: @aertsonhotel)
The special event venue options are endless, from private dining at award-winning restaurants to open-air rooftop cocktail receptions above the city, farms with rolling hills to hip hotels that have every base covered so you can just show up and have fun. Guests will love spending time hearing live music, dancing, and partaking in the absolutely contagious revelry that occurs on Broadway (a total bucket list experience).
They’ll also love exploring the other cool pockets of Nashville with James Beard nominated restaurants, indie and upscale shopping, and top-notch bars. Wedgewood Houston, 12South, and the Gulch are outside-downtown options to have on their radar.
Where to book your room block: Kimpton Aertson Hotel
