Your wedding venue is one of the most important parts of your big day. That's why we're making finding The One that much easier, with this series of the "Top Spots" in each location and for each type of venue. From our favorite Mexico destination weddings to the best ballroom bashes, we've rounded up the perfect places to get married—and everything else you need to know about planning a wedding there.
The city of love is…wherever you want it to be! From couples dreaming of hosting their special day on the beaches of Los Angeles to those in a New York state of mind—and everything in between—major metropolitan hubs are brimming with some of the most incredible venues for city weddings.
But you don’t necessarily need to go with an ultra-urban-feelingevent. Whether it’s a historic landmark venue, a super luxury hotel, or maybe a totally unexpected location like an iconic train station, there are so many options when it comes to where to host city weddings. Plus, city weddings typically come with the convenience of more airport and guest accommodation options for those traveling in from out of town, as well as a larger variety of top-tier wedding vendors than you might find in more remote areas.
Once you combine the travel convenience with the pricelessness of downtown charm, big city weddings are ideal for those who love big celebrations and a modern romantic style.
So if you’re thinking a big city wedding might be just what you want, we’ve rounded up our favorite wedding venues in each of the top downtown destinations across the country. From coast to coast, these places are all special in their own way—just like the couples who get married there!
Escaping to the desert promises dry heat and breathtaking views, unique architecture, and boho-chic venues for city weddings in Phoenix. From uniquely-designed hotels to nature-focused properties, everything from classic to modern weddings are held in this state.
From San Francisco’s iconic City Hall to the Santa Monica beaches, California offers gorgeous weather year-round, and hotels and properties for the most elegant celebrations. There are mountains, beaches, deserts, and more all rolled into this one West Coast state, so the options for city weddings here are nearly endless.
The Sunshine State is home to a plethora of luxury hotels, particularly in Miami-Dade County. Miami’s beaches and art deco influences make it a popular wedding destination for locals and visitors alike.
Midwestern wedding dreams come true in the main hub of Chicago. With Lake Michigan giving it a coastal feel, there are plenty of spots where couples can say “I do” in style. With its iconic architecture, emphasis on the arts, and so much more, the third-most populous city in the country is full of iconic wedding venues.
Massachusetts offers a variety of terrain and settings for city weddings from the woodsy northwestern part of the state down to the Cape. But perhaps the most popular destination is its capital: Boston. There, you’ll find plenty of waterfront views, pieces of history everywhere you look, and romantic cobblestone streets in Beacon Hill and beyond.
Another Midwestern hub, St. Louis is positioned right along the Mississippi River, providing stunning views for portraits. Couples can take photos in front of the noteworthy and striking Gateway Arch, and enjoy all the fun that’s packed into this big city.
City weddings in Nevada mean one thing: Vegas, baby. The eccentric and brightly-lit Las Vegas Strip hosts a plethora of venues: their one-of-a-kind drive-through chapels, luxury hotels, and more. With that, there are also so many food and entertainment options for couples’ catering and reception needs, not to mention endless nightlife choices for an epic after-party.
When it comes to big city weddings, you can’t get much bigger than the Big Apple. The always-iconic and most populous city in the United States, New York City is home to lofted terraces, botanical gardens, five-star hotels, and much, much more.
With terrain as varied as the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Carolina coast, North Carolina is also home to one of the most increasingly metropolitan cities—Charlotte—which hosts some of the most elegant city weddings. The center city area has that downtown feel with old world charm, but just a short drive will take you to a plethora of farms and other rustic venue options. Meanwhile, Asheville has sprung up as a city with a more hippy-feel full of craft breweries, a vibrant food scene and sweeping mountain views.
In Ohio, most city weddings are hosted in either the northern part of the state in Cleveland or in the more centrally-located Columbus. Cleveland has waterfront locales, as it’s positioned right on Lake Erie, while Columbus (the state capital) has the Scioto River, the charming German Village, science and art museums, and more.
In Oklahoma, Tulsa’s city center boasts art deco architecture and the Arkansas River running right through it. The Philbrook Museum of Art recently made headlines when Sophia Bush recently hosted her wedding there, and on the city’s outskirts, the incredibly unique Glass Chapel is a tucked-away venue full of whimsy and romance.
From the photo-worthy Rocky Steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to breathtaking views of the Delaware River, Philly is iconic for so many reasons. American and pop culture history is everywhere, making this inspired place perfect for city weddings of all kinds.
For those hoping to host Southern-style city weddings, South Carolina’s city of Charleston truly has it all: It’s positioned right on the water, and it boasts top-notch wedding venues, restaurants, and shops all along famous King Street (and beyond).
Often referred to as the home of country music, Nashville is a truly gorgeous place to host lively, romantic city weddings. There’s plenty for guests to do, from visiting the renowned Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, to quirky and fun East Nashville, and the parks galore in this special city.
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the city wedding venues. From the booming city of Austin to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and historic Houston, there’s no shortage of options for couples planning to get married in this state.
The Pacific Northwest offers so much, especially when it comes to city weddings infused with plenty of nature. Since Seattle is located on Puget Sound, both water and mountains are within reach (and within frame, for those epic wedding photos!)
Our nation’s capital has a variety of unique spots where couples can get married. Whether you’re local to the DMV area or love city weddings with an emphasis on history, this is the place to make it happen.
