For many couples, choosing the wedding venue is one of the most important parts of planning a wedding.
Although a lot of thought goes into the vows, the wedding day attire and the honeymoon, the wedding day location serves as the setting for a day that will be remembered forever. Whether you’re looking to have a small backyard ceremony or a grand celebration, we rounded up the best Black-owned hotels and resorts across the country to consider for your wedding venue.
Salamander Resort & Spa – Middleburg, Virginia
Located on 340 acres near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Salamander Resort & Spa is ideal for brides who want an opulent wedding venue. Owned by Black Entertainment Television co-founder Sheila Johnson, the resort has a team of planners to make all your wedding dreams come true. Couples can choose from almost a dozen wedding venues on-site, including the 4,500-square-foot Middleburg Ballroom and a Grand Lawn that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The resort also has a catering team and award-winning pastry chef who specializes in unique wedding cake creations. The resort has 168 spacious guest rooms that come with private balconies. Specialty suites include marble bathrooms, walk-in closets and views of the countryside.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa – Palm Coast, Florida
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa offers weddings for up to 250 people right on the resort’s private beach. The resort is located just outside of St. Augustine and has 10 different wedding venues, including two gorgeous ballrooms. Couples can take advantage of Florida’s almost year-round sunshine with a wedding on one of the resort’s lawns that overlook the ocean. The property is also ideal for pre-wedding activities with a spa, two golf courses and four restaurant options. The resort accommodations include hotel suites, one- to four-bedroom condos, and vacation homes. Other hotel amenities include a kids club, a private marina and several pools, including an adults-only pool and winding lazy river.
The Ivy Hotel – Baltimore, Maryland
Located in the historic Mount Vernon district of Baltimore, The Ivy Hotel dates back to the 19th century, and it’s ideal for intimate weddings for up to 60 guests. During the warmer months, the hotel’s lush courtyard can be used for a ceremony or small celebration, and when the temperatures dip, the hotel has several beautiful indoor spaces. There are four different wedding packages available that include things like flowers, spa credit and a 1960s London cab for a photoshoot. The hotel accommodations include nine guestrooms and eight suites that are outfitted with a fireplace and heated limestone floors in the bathrooms. Some of the rooms have private balconies, separate living rooms and stunning views of Mount Vernon. The room rate includes daily breakfast, and the hotel also welcomes pets up to 25 lbs.
The Henderson Beach Resort and Spa – Destin, Florida
Perched on Florida’s Emerald Coast, The Henderson Beach Resort and Spa is a decadent property with lots of amenities. The resort is managed by the Salamander Hotel and Resorts group, which is owned by BET co-founder Sheila Johnson. The impressive property sits on 300 feet of private beachfront. For the Big Day, couples can choose to have their wedding on the white sands of Destin, in one of two grand ballrooms or on the lawn that overlooks a nature preserve. The resort has a classic coastal design throughout, and there are plenty of dining options here, including a sushi bar and a rooftop bar. The resort offers 170 guestrooms and eight suites. Upgraded rooms feature private balconies, clawfoot tubs and sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. After the wedding, the resort offers golf, tennis and water sports for the whole wedding party to enjoy.
Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens – Spartanburg, South Carolina
The Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens is owned by the husband-and-wife team, Paul Roberts Abernathy and Pontheolla Mack Abernathy. The couple bought the bed and breakfast in 2012 and the five-suite property is teeming with Southern charm. The inn sits on four acres and offers seven different indoor and outdoor wedding venues, including a botanical garden and an English courtyard. Inside, the guest rooms are decorated in calming shades of blue, gray and cream. Select rooms have a fireplace, rooftop porch and a sitting area. For something different, guests can book The MackRail Cabin Car, a standalone 1947 train caboose that has been transformed into a suite with a queen-size bed, two custom bunks and a deck that overlooks a private backyard.
Akwaaba Mansion – Brooklyn, New York
The Akwaaba family of inns includes several locations, and the Brooklyn location is housed in an 1860s-era mansion. Only 15 minutes from Manhattan, the four-guest room boutique hotel is located on a tree-lined street among other stately Brooklyn brownstones. Akwaaba Mansion is for couples who are seeking a small, intimate wedding celebration. The outdoor spaces include a secluded garden and a shaded courtyard. The inn also offers honeymoon packages that come with Champagne, strawberries and a candlelit room. Honeymooners can also take advantage of the in-room spa services. Other perks of staying at the inn include a hearty, complimentary breakfast and afternoon tea with refreshments.
Innisbrook Golf Resort – Tampa Bay, Florida
Another property in the Salamander Hotels and Resorts family, Innisbrook Golf Resort sits on 900 lavish acres near Tampa Bay. The wedding venues on-site are unique. Couples can choose to be married under a majestic oak tree, in one of the three elegant ballrooms, beside one of the resort’s sparkling pools or in a quiet garden under a pergola. The resort also specializes in large multicultural weddings and events, and the resort’s Inverness Grand Foyer can accommodate up to 800 guests. The guest rooms are generously sized and include one- and two-bedroom suites and condos with full kitchens and private balconies. Guests will never get bored at the resort. Besides the four top-notch golf courses, the resort also has 11 tennis courts, six swimming pools and easy access to the activities and attractions in Tampa Bay.