4 Most Beautiful and Traditional Wedding Spots For Your Magical Day

Congratulations on your engagement! As you get started with planning your wedding, you’ll soon find that there’s a single major decision that overshadows every other part of the planning – your wedding venue. 

Choosing your wedding venue is a crucial decision, and it will affect every other part of your big day, from the size of your guest list to what the theme of your ceremony will be. Given the importance of making this choice, it’s understandable that people would want to choose the best venues possible.

Another factor that goes into finding the perfect venue is how unique it is. You may find that you’re willing to compromise on your guest list if you get to marry the love of your life in a one-of-a-kind location, and this can further complicate your wedding planning.

With so many considerations that go into choosing a location, we’re looking to make things easier on you with this list of the 4 most beautiful wedding spots where you can host your ceremony. We’ve kept things traditional as well as unique, so you can host your wedding in a traditional venue that’s nonetheless one-of-a-kind.

1.  Thorncrown Chapel

Just because you’d like to host a church wedding doesn’t mean you have to limit your choices to run-of-the-mill options. Thorncrown Chapel, located in Arkansas, is one of the most beautiful and inspiring chapels in the world and is open to hosting your big day.

The chapel is a wood, stone, and glass structure that features over 6000 square feet of glass and 425 windows. It was awarded an AIA Honor Award in 1981 and was also given the 2006 AIA Twenty-Five Year Award to celebrate the fact that its design stood the test of time. It was designed by American architect E. Fay Jones, who was an apprentice to Frank Lloyd Wright.

This venue can accommodate up to 100 guests, and its staff will be available to help you in every way possible. A full-time minister is also available to conduct your service if needed, though other vendors will need to be provided by you. To schedule your wedding here, contact the chapel staff. Keep in mind that availability is limited as the chapel is also a functioning tourist site, so it’s best to contact them as soon as possible.

2.  The Rockleigh

This estate in Northern Jersey features a Georgian-style mansion that will have you falling in love as soon as you see it. While it’s perfect for all types of weddings, it’s especially suitable if you’re looking for a north jersey Indian wedding venue to host your dream celebration. This property has tons of space in which to host your Baarat, can accommodate up to 850 guests, and comes with an in-house catering staff that has expertise in Indian cuisine.

That being said, as previously mentioned, this venue is perfect for all types of weddings. Beyond Indian weddings, The Rockleigh particularly specializes in Glatt Kosher and LGBTQ+ weddings. They have decades of experience working with couples of all backgrounds, and their team is always available to consult with you and find ways to incorporate your personal and cultural background into your celebration.

You can host the ceremony itself in one of their two outdoor chapels or in their outdoor gardens. Other spaces on the property you’ll have access to include the Grand Pavilion (which is ideal for a large dinner and dancing reception), the Bristol Ballroom, and the stunning gardens that pepper this 12-acre estate.

For more information on this property, make sure to contact the team. You can also set up a venue visit to confirm that it is indeed the right choice for your needs.

3.  Greenhouse Two Rivers

Hosting your big day in a greenhouse has been popular for decades now, but the greenhouses chosen are usually public venues that give you the opportunity to book them for a few hours. Greenhouse Two Rivers aims to change that. Unlike most other greenhouse venues, this greenhouse functions exclusively as a wedding and events venue, so you don’t need to worry about being interrupted by a hapless visitor who happens to wander through your ceremony site.

Located in Missouri, this greenhouse is a 7000 square foot structure located on a 20-acre property. It can accommodate up to 300 guests, and booking this venue gives you 14 hours of time to do as you will. The property is also ADA-approved, so you don’t have to worry about accessibility.

You can take a virtual tour of the property on their website, or contact them to book an in-person tour. Other features of this venue include complimentary tables and chairs, on-site décor, and a 2-hour rehearsal slot that will be booked about 2 months before your big day.

4.  Valentine

It doesn’t matter if you’re hosting a 750 guest extravaganza or a more intimate 100 guest celebration, Valentine in Los Angeles can help make your wedding day most memorable.

Originally built in the 1920s, Valentine has been home to an astonishing number of businesses, including a glass-blowing space, a hotel, and more. Today, however, it functions as one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the country.

This property was renovated in 2017 to make it the marvel it is today. Designed to reduce the environmental impact of construction, this venue features horticultural greenhouse roofs, lush gardens, clay and wood walls, and more. Additionally, it’s full of artwork from local artists, including a floor-to-ceiling installation by Tony Brown, helping to make Valentine truly unique as a wedding location.

This is the perfect option for couples looking to truly blow their guests away with their wedding venue. You’ll have experienced site managers to help you throughout the wedding planning process and on your big day. Your caterers will have full access to the commercial kitchen to help them ensure that only the most delectable food is served at your reception. 

Choosing Your Venue

While you’ve had the chance to look at some of the best venues that the country has to offer you, you still have to make a final choice – and with the number of options each city offers, that’s no easy task.

If you’re wondering how to make the final call, here’s what you need to know:

●     Choose the City: The first step is to know which city you want to get married in – whether it’s your hometown or a destination wedding. Once you’ve decided, you can narrow down your choices to a smaller geographical area.

●     Consider Your Theme: Are you hoping for a specific wedding theme? If so, this can help reduce your choices. For example, for a beach-themed wedding, you can likely remove venues that aren’t on the beachfront.

●     Indoors or Outdoors: If you’re sure you want to get married either indoors or outdoors, you can remove venues that don’t offer event spaces accordingly from your list.

●     Your Guest List: While your venue can dictate your guest list, the opposite is also true. If you already know who you want to invite, you can search specifically for venues that can accommodate all your guests. This doesn’t just mean cutting out smaller venues if you have a large guest list – if you’re hoping for a celebration with just your closest friends and family, you should knock off the larger options from your list so that you can truly enjoy yourself in a more intimate setting.

●     Vendors: Some venues have a list of preferred vendors, while others allow you to bring in anyone you like. This restriction might affect your choice – couples confused by too many options might appreciate a preferred vendor list, but if you already know who you want to hire for catering, you’ll likely rather choose a location that gives you more freedom.

●     Accessibility: Accessibility involves ensuring your venue is located in a place that guests and vendors can easily access. For example, if your vendors have to walk up and down a ton of steps and there’s no elevator to help, the venue may not be accessible, and you should either change the vendors or the venue. Additionally, your venue should also be accessible for other people – which is to say, it should be ADA compliant, so you don’t have to worry about leaving anyone behind.

●     Price: This is the big one. Even if everything else is perfect, if the price is not right, the venue isn’t for you. While your wedding day should be special, it shouldn’t mean emptying all your savings either, so it’s essential to keep your budget in mind. That said, don’t be afraid to ask the team at your preferred venue if they have deals or discounts available to you or if they offer a payment plan that might suit you better than paying the whole cost at once.  

Choosing a wedding venue can be both exciting and nerve-inducing, but it’s the first step to celebrating your big day in the way you’ve always dreamed of. While making a choice may take some time, with the venues and tips discussed above, you can be confident that you’ll be able to ring in your new life with style!