To help you create the perfect setting for your dream wedding, we’ve looked across the globe at unique wedding venues.
These memorable locales will make your nuptials as special as your love. Here are some of the most over-the-top locales and off-the-beaten-path locations that are sure to be a memorable place to declare your love and begin your wedded life.
BOOK A PRIVATE TROPICAL ISLAND
What could be dreamier than saying, “I do” to the love of your life on a white sand beach surrounded by your nearest and dearest? How about a few wild sea turtles and stingrays as wedding guests and an island that is surrounded by a reef in the shape of a heart? Look no further than the pristine barefoot luxury private island Dokri Island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Your guests will love the rustic private bungalows at the eco-friendly Maha Raja Dive Lodge, which owns and operates the sustainable island. Book the all-inclusive wedding package to experience the promise of paradise. During the wedding ceremony, you’ll be treated to a traditional dance ceremony complete with local costume and dance. If you’re a scuba diver, you can even get married underwater!
ENTER WEDDED BLISS AT A WATERFALL
The tropical Caribbean islands are a hot-spot for destination weddings. If you’re a couple of adventure lovers, then the perfect venue awaits on the lesser-visited volcanic island of Dominica. You can tie the knot at the Emerald Pool and hire a local band to set the tempo with the sound of calypso, reggae, soca, kompa and zouk — a mesmerizing combination with the enchanting sounds of nature. The hidden 40-foot waterfall is located centrally in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Morne Trois Piton National Park. The emerald-colored pool and lush greenery create a whimsical vibe that’s sure to inspire a lifetime of love.
THE ULTIMATE ECO-WEDDING
Mindful couples can join in holy matrimony at the SmogShippe in Los Angeles. The former smog-check center has been reimagined into a 100 percent solar-powered indoor/outdoor haven for desert plants and a lush vertical garden that makes the perfect backdrop for exchanging your vows. Plan the details of your green wedding with our eco-conscious tips.
TIE THE KNOT IN A YURT
Photo courtesy of Map + Compass Photography
You don’t have to travel far to have a beautiful ceremony at a glamping site thanks to Lucky Arrow Retreat in the Texas Hill Country, which features the largest collection of yurts in Texas. Rent out the entire retreat to have your ceremony surrounded by lush countryside and party the night away on the rooftop event space. The campsite has more than 35 lodging options, including cabins with hot tubs. Hitch a ride to a nearby winery for a post-wedding celebration in their Vintage Land Cruiser.
GET HITCHED SURROUNDED BY LOVEBIRDS
The Port Moresby National Park in Papua New Guinea boasts 30 acres of lush rainforest that’s home to many beautiful birds that are monogamous such as the Bird of Paradise and Cockatoos and Hornbills, which mate for life. Many of these visually stunning bird species can only be found in Papua New Guinea, such as the Purple Bellied Lory or Blue Bird of Paradise.
A WEDDING VENUE FIT FOR A PRINCESS
For a regal wedding venue book your ceremony at the Boldt Castle in the St. Lawrence River’s 1,000 Islands near Alexandria Bay, New York. The romantic castle is nestled on heart-shaped Hart Island in the middle of the river. It was built by George Boldt in 1900 as a gift for his wife, Louise Kehrer. It was intended to be the largest private residence in the United States, but after Mrs. Bolt tragically died in 1904, Mr. Boldt was too heartbroken to continue the project without her. The fully restored castle is a testament to their love, which continues to linger in the air at the lush on-site gardens. Talk about a fairy tale setting.
HAVE A THEATER-WORTHY WEDDING
Head across the pond to England to get hitched in the stunning Bristol Old Vic, which is the oldest continuously running theater in the English-speaking world. The heritage building is the perfect backdrop for an elegant wedding — you and your partner will be center stage and the star of the show. The restored Georgian banqueting hall is charming and makes a great space for a reception.
A VERY HISTORIC WEDDING DAY
You can confirm your never-ending love at the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park Museum. The waterfront museum and park is an African-American heritage site that recounts the history of social reformer, abolitionist and statesman, Frederick Douglass, and pioneering African-American trade unionist Isaac Myers. The Baltimore-based building was the first Black-owned shipyard in the United States.
MARRY IN A SMITHSONIAN
The Smithsonian-affiliated spaces open for public event bookings are incredibly special venues for weddings. History and art lovers will be overjoyed to start their wedded life at one of these historic museums. Book a Smithsonian wedding in Washington, D.C., at the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, National Museum of African Art or Smithsonian Castle for a celebration your guests are sure to never forget.